A five-year-old goddess, raised to become an emperor for all time through a bronze mirror.

!!!

Immediately afterwards, everyone's attention focused on Pei Yunjing's slender and fair hands.

He subtly moved his finger, a seemingly casual gesture that actually concealed a hidden meaning.

Although the magnitude was not large, the power and majesty it contained could not be ignored.

It's like a long-dormant volcano; though it hasn't erupted, its latent energy is enough to make people tremble with fear.

The attendant, who had been quietly waiting by his side, never took his eyes off Pei Yunjing.

Upon seeing his master's subtle movement, he instantly understood, as if he had received some kind of mysterious command.

He nodded slightly to show he understood, then his figure flashed forward like an arrow released from a bow.

In the blink of an eye, the servant had arrived in front of Steward Zhao with lightning speed.

Without the slightest hesitation, he decisively stretched out his strong and powerful hand and, with lightning speed, covered Zhao's mouth, which was chattering incessantly and never stopped for a moment.

"Waaaaah...waaaah..."

Manager Zhao's eyes widened in astonishment. She tried to struggle and resist, but found that the other person's strength was astonishing, and she was powerless to break free.

Pei Yunjing, sitting in the high position, had a faint smile on his lips.

He nodded slightly and gestured to Niannian beside him, "Niannian, you can continue."

Nian Nian was slightly taken aback, clearly surprised by the sudden situation.

But she quickly regained her composure and continued, "Your Highness, although I have been on duty these past two days, I am here to answer your question!"

However, Chun Tao told me that she wanted to switch shifts with me. She said her mother was seriously ill and she wanted to go back to visit her. Therefore, she begged me to allow her to switch shifts with her…”

Seeing her hesitant and stammering manner, Pei Yunjing, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but feel a sense of anxiety and urgency.

He leaned down slightly, softened his voice, and gently comforted her, "It's alright, don't be afraid. Just tell me what you want to say."

Hearing Pei Yunjing's gentle yet firm words, Nian Nian raised her head, and when she met his eyes, which were full of comfort;

As if he had finally found someone to rely on, he let out a deep breath.

Then, in a slightly trembling voice, she whispered:

"Chuntao said she wanted to switch shifts with me. Because tomorrow night, she plans to sneak out of the palace to see her mother, whom she hasn't seen in a long time..."

Before he could finish speaking, Pei Yunjing's relaxed brows furrowed tightly.

It should be noted that for palace maids, sneaking out of the palace without permission was a serious crime, and could even be punishable by death.

His expression gradually turned cold, and his tone unconsciously took on a chill as he pressed on:

"And then? What happened next?"

Nian Nian dared not delay in the slightest and hurriedly replied, "Reporting to the Sixth Prince, when I learned of Chun Tao's idea, I immediately dissuaded her."

However, Chun Tao was adamant and refused to change her mind no matter what I said. Considering that we usually had a fairly good relationship, I finally couldn't persuade her and had to agree to her request to switch shifts.

So that night, I stayed with her on duty until dawn. Just as I lay down to rest, I was suddenly awakened by a thick, pungent cloud of smoke!

When I finally managed to get out of bed, I was horrified to discover that the drying room we were supposed to be guarding had been engulfed in flames, and Chun Tao had vanished without a trace...

Nian Nian continued, "She disappeared without a trace. I searched everywhere, leaving no corner unchecked, but there was no trace of her at all!"

The fire then grew increasingly fierce and spread rapidly, eventually leading to the current tragic state…

At this point, Nian Nian could no longer suppress her grief and grievances, and tears welled up in her eyes like a burst dam.

The crystal-clear tears rolled down her dirty cheeks, mingling with the black ash on her face, before falling heavily to the ground, one by one.

At this moment, Manager Zhao, who was standing to the side, made a "woo-woo-woo" sound, as if he wanted to say something.

However, because her mouth was still tightly covered by Pei Yunjing's servants, she could only anxiously watch but unable to express her thoughts.

Seeing this, Pei Yunjing waved his hand slightly, signaling his servants to take Steward Zhao away from the place.

Immediately afterwards, he walked toward the laundry office behind Niannian, which had been destroyed by a raging fire.

Looking around, the once intact wooden houses have now been reduced to ruins, with charred marks and black ash everywhere.

Pei Yunjing's face was ashen, and he strode resolutely toward the drying room.

However, he had only taken a few steps when a flustered guard rushed over like a whirlwind and blocked his way.

The guard, his face contorted with anxiety, was panting heavily as he shouted:

"Sixth Prince, please stop immediately! It's far too dangerous ahead; this drying room could collapse at any moment!"

As he spoke, the guard hurriedly raised his arm, pointing his finger directly at the rickety beam above his head.

The roof beams, seemingly about to collapse at any moment, served as a warning to Pei Yunjing of the extreme urgency of the situation.

Despite the guards' obstruction and warnings, Pei Yunjing remained unmoved, gently shaking his head and saying slowly:

"It's alright. I don't intend to go inside. I just want to get closer and see what's going on."

Just then, a clear and urgent shout suddenly rang out from behind Pei Yunjing.

"Sixth Prince, you absolutely must not go! If anything were to happen to you, I would be filled with remorse and die with guilt!"

It turned out that Nian Nian had run after him, her face full of panic, and her beautiful eyes revealing deep worry and concern.

Upon hearing Nian Nian's words, Pei Yun Jing frowned slightly, thinking to himself: Is this guy cursing me?

However, he did not show any dissatisfaction on the surface, but instead pretended to be calm and reassured her:

"Don't worry, Niannian, there's no need to be so anxious. I will be fine."

After saying this, he ignored Nian Nian's advice and resolutely continued to walk forward, finally standing steadily in front of the drying room door, which had been burned to ashes by the raging fire.

After standing still, Pei Yunjing began to look around, his gaze sharp as lightning, not missing a single clue.