Chapter 1281 - 957: You Have to Help Me!

The noise in the palace grew louder and louder. Shang Ruyi watched from afar, even Liangyi Hall seemed to have lights flashing.

Has this matter disturbed the Emperor?

At this moment, two people hurriedly entered from outside. It was none other than the also-awakened Chu Ruoyan, bringing along the Chief Palace Maid, Panqing. As soon as she entered Qianqiu Palace, she immediately approached and held Shang Ruyi’s wrist: "Sister!"

Shang Ruyi said: "Why are you here?"

Chu Ruoyan said: "I just heard noise outside, it seems like something happened on your side, so I came to take a look."

Shang Ruyi initially wanted to say something, but seeing Chu Ruoyan’s pale face, seemingly quite frightened as well, she said: "It’s nothing, just that a thief broke in."

"A thief?"

"Yes, I’m having someone check the items."

As she spoke, she turned to look behind her. Chu Ruoyan followed her gaze and indeed saw Tushere and Chang Wan clearing things in the inner hall. However, Chu Ruoyan felt increasingly uneasy. If it were just a thief, why would they come here to steal from Princess Qin? Also, judging by the imperial guard surrounding Qianqiu Palace, it didn’t seem as simple as encountering a thief.

Chu Ruoyan looked around again: "Where’s Little Yuanzi?"

Shang Ruyi said: "He was frightened just now. I managed to calm him down from crying and had Nanny Feng take him down."

Chu Ruoyan said worriedly: "Children can’t handle fright, they easily lose their spirits. Like Fei’er in the past..."

At this point, she paused, pressing her lips together.

Shang Ruyi knew she was reminded of her own childhood but couldn’t speak of it. She was about to comfort her when suddenly Tushere exclaimed behind them. The two exchanged a glance and hurried forward, only to see Tushere standing in front of a cabinet against the wall, where the writings Shang Ruyi had penned over the days were kept.

Shang Ruyi asked, "What’s wrong?"

Tushere turned to look at her and said: "Princess, the items here seem to have been tampered with."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi immediately furrowed her brows.

If a thief entered Qianqiu Palace, even to steal, they should have targeted golden and silver vessels or the silver notes and antiques in her chest. The cabinet only held her own calligraphy tools, with all the artworks made by herself, worthless. She hadn’t even locked it. Why would a thief come to steal from here?

She asked: "Are you sure?"

Tushere said: "They’ve definitely been touched. I had just organized these writings today, arranging them by date—"

Before she finished, footsteps sounded again from outside.

Although there were people everywhere and footsteps were chaotic, these particular steps headed straight into Qianqiu Palace. Shang Ruyi quickly turned to look and saw Eunuch Yu entering with two little eunuchs.

Shang Ruyi promptly approached and asked: "What brings you here, Eunuch Yu?"

It was the darkest part of the night. Even though the surroundings were brightly lit, and the two little eunuchs beside Eunuch Yu were carrying lanterns, the shadow on Eunuch Yu’s face couldn’t be dispelled, his aged eyes clouded with gloom.

He said: "Princess, Lady Chu is here too."

Chu Ruoyan cautiously nodded.

Eunuch Yu bowed to her as well, then looked at Shang Ruyi seriously and said: "Your Majesty requests Princess to go to Liangyi Hall; he has questions for you."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s heart sank.

However, she showed no extra expression on her face, just took a deep breath and said: "What is it about?"

"..."

"Is it about the thief entering the palace?"

Eunuch Yu forced a smile and said: "The Emperor summons you. Princess should not delay."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi somewhat understood, but she still calmly said: "If so, allow me a moment to tidy up, and I will go immediately."

After all, she was still dressed in relatively casual attire, which was somewhat inappropriate for an audience with the Emperor. Eunuch Yu said nothing more, and Shang Ruyi immediately had Tushere accompany her into the inner hall, changing her attire while quickly checking the items in the cabinet.

At this moment, Chu Ruoyan also entered.

Her complexion was even paler than before, and her eyes were slightly red, obviously realizing that Shang Ruyi might be in trouble. She approached Shang Ruyi: "Sister, what should we do?"

Seeing her like this made Shang Ruyi calm down instead.

She intentionally smiled and said: "It’s just a thief. Father has summoned me to ask a few questions. Why are you worried?"

"But—"

"Don’t worry, it’ll be fine."

She said, patting her on the shoulder. At that moment, Tushere had already tied her belt, and Shang Ruyi was about to turn and leave. But after taking two steps, she stopped, looked back at Chu Ruoyan, who was still anxious, and amidst the surrounding clamor, as though mixed with the cry of Little Yuanzi not far away, these sounds and emotions intertwined, pressing heavily on Shang Ruyi’s heart like a stone.

She suddenly approached Chu Ruoyan and whispered: "If something really happens to me, you must help me!"

"...!"

Chu Ruoyan suddenly widened her eyes in shock.

Shang Ruyi gently nodded.

Chu Ruoyan stared at her blankly, her gaze flickering, about to ask something. But Shang Ruyi had already turned and walked out without looking back. Eunuch Yu was waiting outside with the two little eunuchs, a bit anxious. As she emerged, they immediately approached: "Princess, are you ready to leave?"

Shang Ruyi nodded: "Let’s go."

So, she left the grand hall with them.

As soon as they stepped out, she indeed heard a child’s cry under the night sky—it was Little Yuanzi. She saw Nanny Feng holding the child standing outside the grand hall, evidently aware of someone summoning Princess Qin and came to take a look. The sight left her wide-eyed; in her arms, Little Yuanzi’s face was red from crying, constantly reaching out to Shang Ruyi, longing for his mother’s embrace.

Shang Ruyi frowned but didn’t go over.

Though she had comforted him earlier, this night wouldn’t be peaceful, and the child was doomed not to find peace either. Now, she could no longer comfort him.

So she softly said: "Take good care of the child."

Without another word, she continued following Eunuch Yu outward.

Nanny Feng and the remaining Wo Xue and others were somewhat flustered but dared not say more, only watching Tushere accompany Shang Ruyi’s hurried departure from Qianqiu Palace, and as they left, another team of imperial guards entered Qianqiu Palace. The leader addressed them: "Do not panic, everyone. We’re just here to investigate the thief’s trail and will leave shortly."