CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER 217: THE MUTE MOTHER’S WHEREABOUTS?

"Even so, it’s possible they didn’t expect us to capture this mirror spirit so quickly?" Dongfang Chenyuan pondered as he stroked his chin.

"That’s a bit too risky."

Yu Nianzhao shook her head, "The simplest method is to have Huawu identify them."

"Is this mirror spirit truly helping us?" Emperor Anqing doubted Huawu’s motives, especially since it was nearly her fault that the empress’s soul couldn’t return.

"She doesn’t have the guts to deceive me," Yu Nianzhao said casually.

The empress agreed, "I believe what Zhaozhao says! Besides, Nanwang Country and our Great Chao Country have been at war for so many years, and now peace has finally been established. We mustn’t disrupt this hard-won harmony over unfounded issues."

"If we really arrest Nan Guili, we might be falling into a trap."

Xie Jiuxiao said, "Perhaps they’re waiting for us to fight each other, and then someone else will reap the benefits."

No matter how much Xie Jiuxiao disliked Nan Guili, he wouldn’t create chaos just to deal with him.

Emperor Anqing nodded thoughtfully, "You make a good point. Very well, I will summon him to the palace."

Not long after, Nan Guili hurried over.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"There is no need for formalities, Sixth Prince. The sudden summons is because of these two mirrors."

Emperor Anqing looked at him deeply and instructed to have the two mirrors moved in front of him.

"Is there something wrong with these two mirrors?"

Nan Guili was puzzled, observing his reflection in the mirror.

"Yes, there’s a big problem," Emperor Anqing snorted coldly.

As Nan Guili curiously leaned closer to the bronze mirror, Huawu suddenly emerged from it, grabbing Nan Guili’s head, startling him into falling backward. Huawu held him tightly, preventing him from collapsing to the ground.

"What is this thing?" Nan Guili was taken aback.

"Pah! What thing? I am a spirit!"

Huawu rudely scrutinized him from side to side. "You look quite nice, but you’d be perfect if you didn’t speak."

"Huawu, is it him?"

Yu Nianzhao promptly asked, only then did Huawu release him.

"It’s not him."

Huawu shook her head, "Not a trace of aura is on him. He’s just a fool being used."

The ’fool’ furrowed his brows and said unhappily, "Are you insulting me?"

"Congratulations, you got it right, but unfortunately, there’s no prize,"

Huawu stuck out her tongue and obediently flew back into the bronze mirror, flaunting in the mirrored world.

"Your Majesty, what is going on here?"

Nan Guili furrowed his brows, his puzzled and speechless expression not appearing feigned.

"Hmph! Shouldn’t that be my question? Who would have thought there’d be a mirror spirit hidden in the two mirrors sent by Nanwang Country, trying to harm the empress and the child? What do you think, this is an unpardonable crime?"

Emperor Anqing scolded with displeasure, his gaze cold and filled with killing intent.

"Impossible!"

Nan Guili instinctively denied, "There must be some misunderstanding here. The mirrors of Feng Xiangrui and Dragon Auspicious have always been stored in Nanwang Country’s warehouse, and I’ve never heard of anything like this happening!"

Nan Guili held his breath, looked at Huawu, and realized, "Mirror spirit?"

Huawu arrogantly spun and danced in the mirrored world.

Nan Guili knelt on the ground, gritting his teeth, "Nanwang Country would never do such a thing. There must be a misunderstanding."

"Huawu said it herself, the one who put her in the mirror was not the Sixth Prince,"

Yu Nianzhao defended him, "Which means Huawu had not hidden in the bronze mirror while in Nanwang Country; it happened during the escorting process and upon arriving in Shangjing."

"Zhaozhao, you’re implying that the person who put the mirror spirit inside is right here in Great Chao, in the palace?"

The empress was taken aback, shrinking into Emperor Anqing’s arms, murmuring, "Could they be targeting the child?"

"Empress, don’t worry; I will definitely find the culprit."

Emperor Anqing reassured her by patting her shoulder, then said sternly, "The spirit’s words cannot be fully trusted. Sixth Prince, do not think Nanwang Country is out of suspicion. Until the culprit is caught, stay in Shangjing with peace of mind."

Nan Guili’s body remained tense; he suppressed his fierce gaze and cupped his fists, "Yes, Guili hopes more than anyone to catch the culprit soon and clear Nanwang Country’s name!"

Emperor Anqing snorted lightly and, with a wave of his hand, supported the empress as they went to rest.

"Zhaozhao, wait for me, we’ll return home together later."

Xie Jiuxiao still needed to discuss the issues regarding the Ministry of Justice with Emperor Anqing; he shot a warning glance at Nan Guili before leaving.

"Zhaozhao!"

Nan Guili smiled bitterly, "I waited for you at our agreed place for a long time. Initially, I thought you wouldn’t come, yet we met here. Does that mean you didn’t deliberately miss the meeting?"

Yu Nianzhao blinked her beautiful eyes and chuckled softly, "At a time like this, you’re still thinking about that issue?"

Nan Guili took out a paper crane from his sleeve, his eyes curved with a smile, "To me, it’s very important! Whether it’s the mute mother or Zhaozhao, you are my family."

Family?

Yu Nianzhao tilted her head to look at him, but Nan Guili was not discouraged, continuing to hold the paper crane motionlessly.

"Ah, the paper crane, I taught you to fold it when we were kids, didn’t I?"

Yu Nianzhao sighed softly, eventually taking the paper crane from Nan Guili’s hand.

Upon hearing her words, Nan Guili’s eyes brightened, "Zhaozhao, it really is you. I knew I would find you eventually. It’s great, although after you grew up, your personality became completely different from when you were young."

In her childhood, Yu Nianzhao was soft and sweet, like a little glutinous rice dumpling.

However, the current Yu Nianzhao was sharp and spirited, perhaps due to the experiences she went through after returning to Great Chao Country.

Nevertheless, whether it was soft and sweet Yu Nianzhao or the sharp one now, she remained the family he longed for in his heart.

"You’ve always been looking for me?" Yu Nianzhao raised her brows and asked, "What for? Surely you don’t intend to take me back to Nanwang Country to live together?"

"If you want to go to Nanwang Country with me, I would absolutely love that. When family travels far, they always hope to meet again. Seeing that you are doing well now, I am also happy in my heart."

Nan Guili’s smile was gentle, setting aside his concerns. Meeting Yu Nianzhao was indeed the happiest outcome of his journey.

"What about the mute mother?"

Yu Nianzhao stared at him, "Haven’t you heard anything about her?"

Nan Guili’s eyes dimmed considerably, "Ever since you left, everyone scattered. I searched for many years but never found any trace of the mute mother, like she disappeared into thin air!"

Yu Nianzhao furrowed her brows, "Could it be that she’s already..."

"Dead? But even if she were dead, there would have been some clues." Nan Guili shook his head, "I also don’t believe someone as strong as the mute mother would die."