Chu Yicheng's threat was indeed effective. Yan Xijun feared that he would really continue what he did earlier, so she hastily took the purple dragon jade pendant and said: "I'll take it, is that okay?"

  "This is about right." Chu Yicheng took the 'jade' pendant from her hand and helped her hang it around her neck, saying domineeringly: "Promise me you won't take it off again in the future, got it?"

  "Alright, I promise you." Yan Xijun replied softly and obediently. She lifted the quilt and got out of bed, saying: "Prince Wang, I should get going. You should rest early too."

  "Go back." Chu Yicheng pulled her back. "Don't think about going anywhere tonight. You're sleeping here."

  "But this is your room." Yan Xijun was mainly afraid that he would suddenly become beastly and take advantage of her again, and she would be the one to suffer.

  "What's wrong with my room?" Chu Yicheng smiled lightly, embracing her and putting her on the bed. "Tonight I just want to sleep with you in my arms. You can rest assured, I won't take advantage of you."

  Saying more would be futile. Yan Xijun knew that his greatest concession was already made, so he remained silent.

  Chu Yicheng hugged her and lay on the 'bed'. He rested his head on her forehead, smelling her hair fragrance, and gently closed his eyes.

  Yan Xijun didn't dare to move at all, her whole body was stiff. Although it was already late at night, she couldn't sleep at all. Even with her eyes closed, she was just pretending to sleep.

  Finally fell asleep, but had a nightmare. In the dream, she was somewhere unknown. All around her were scattered paper money and unfamiliar crowds. She stood there, unrecognized by anyone, and ignored by others. Suddenly, seeing the skulls hanging on the city wall, she was frightened and screamed awake.

  "Dad...Dad...Dad. Don't...die." Yan Xijun said painfully in her sleep talk. She wanted to wake up from the dream, but couldn't get out no matter what.

  Chu Yicheng, who was sleeping with her, was also startled awake by her sleep talk. He knew she was having a nightmare. Her facial expression was painful and she had broken out in cold sweat. After helping her wipe away the sweat on her face, he gently patted her back and whispered in her ear: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm here, wake up soon."

  Under his patient comfort, Yan Xijun gradually stopped talking in her sleep and soon woke up.

  Thinking back to the dream where she saw her father's head hanging on the city wall, although they didn't have a deep father-daughter relationship, he was still her biological father; if something really happened to him, what would she do?

  Chu Yicheng saw her wake up and exclaimed in surprise: "Ah, you're finally awake. Did you have a nightmare just now?"

  Yan Xijun nodded. Thinking of that dream made her feel terrified. Her body involuntarily trembled.

  "Don't be afraid, I'm here." Chu Yicheng held her tightly. "What bad dream did you have just now?"

  Yan Xijun felt a moment of stability in his arms. She said anxiously, "I dreamed that my father died."

  "Daytime has its thoughts, nighttime has its dreams. You must be thinking of your dad too much. Whole day's absurd and disorderly thoughts. That's why you have such strange dreams."

  Chu Yicheng comforted him, saying: "Generally speaking, dreams are the opposite. Your dad is definitely still alive and well."

  After listening to this comfort, Yan Xijun also calmed down and thought: 'Father is the emperor's personally appointed great general and also a founding minister. With such a noble status, he shouldn't die so easily. Moreover, there's still my sister protecting him, who can harm him.'

  Once she had figured it out, she wasn't so anxious and uneasy anymore. Yan Xijun fell asleep slowly under Chu Yicheng's comfort.

  Imperial Study of the Forbidden City

  And since the Ganquan Palace fire, Chu Yixuan ordered a thorough investigation into this matter. For this reason, he ordered the commander of the Imperial Guard, Yi Ling, to investigate this matter clearly.

  It took almost half a month, and gradually there were some signs of progress.

  The palace was no longer the same without her. Chu Yixuan felt that it had lost its interest. He threw himself into political affairs, every night locking himself in the imperial study to read and review memorials, only occasionally visiting the concubines' palaces in the rear palace.

  At this time, under the candlelight, Chu Yixuan was focused and serious in reviewing the memorials. At this moment, outside the door, Luo Zhong's reporting voice sounded: "Your Majesty, Yi Ling is seeking an audience."

  "Let him in."

  The heavy 'door' creaked open, and a young man in casual attire walked in. He bowed deeply to the emperor at the desk: "Your subordinate Yi Ling pays his respects to Your Majesty."

  "Get up." Chu Yixuan gave him a virtual boost, put down the pen in his hand, and walked to the chair on the other side.

  "It's so late for you to come find me. Have you found any clues?" Chu Yixuan asked, sitting down and looking at Yi Ling.

  Yi Lingdao said: "Report to Your Majesty, I have indeed found some clues, but they are still not very certain."

  Chu Yixuan anxiously said: "Oh, then speak quickly. What have you found out?"

  "The big fire at Ganquan Palace came suddenly. It didn't seem like an accidental fire at all. I think it's more like someone did it on purpose."

  "I also had this idea. I don't think it's an accident either, as you said. If someone did it on purpose, is that person from inside the palace or outside?"

  Yi Ling understood what he meant. Gong Nei referred to the various concubines and palace maids, while Gong Wai referred to many others outside the palace.

  Yi Ling shook his head. "Subordinates are incompetent. For the time being, it's not clear who started the fire on which side. The big fire burned everything to ashes. It's a bit difficult to find the murderer."

  "It doesn't matter. I'll give you time. As long as you can find the murderer, no matter how much 'time' it takes." Chu Yixuan said. He wanted to give her a 'revenge'. Whoever dared to harm her would not be able to live in peace.

  "Yes. I know." Yi Ling said with a serious tone: "Your Majesty, there is another urgent matter that I must report to you."

  "What's wrong."

  "After inquiring and verifying through medical books, I also found the autopsy records. At that time, it was recorded that only two people died in the big fire after the incident. They were Yan Cairen and Xue Leng Gong's 'daughter'. However, strangely, only one person's skeleton was found in the ashes, while the other one was nowhere to be found. This matter is quite strange."

  "What did you say?" Chu Yixuan suddenly stood up excitedly, knocking over his teacup without even realizing it. He stared at Yi Ling and said: "You're saying that only one person's skeleton was found at the scene."

  "Yes, Your Majesty. After thorough investigation and confirmation, it is confirmed that only one person died in the fire."

  "So you're saying that there's still someone who unexpectedly escaped."

  "Hmm. The fact is just as I guessed."

  "Then who do you think escaped?" Chu Yixuan asked excitedly. This was indeed a surprise. The more he thought about it, the more hopeful he became. He wished that she was still alive in this world.

  "It's still not certain who it is below, but whether it's Xue Lian Gong 'female' or Yan Cai Ren escaped, both have a 50% chance." Yi Ling said cautiously. Currently, based on the skeleton alone, it is impossible to determine who the deceased person is.

  Chu Yixuan sat back down, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. After a moment of contemplation, he said firmly: "The one who escaped must be Yan Cairen. If Xue Lian was lucky enough to survive, she wouldn't have been able to not return to my side. Yan Cairen is absolutely still alive in this world."