Qi Haoxuan stared blankly at the woman sitting on the second floor for a long time without any movement.
It was not until the woman on the second floor stood up and left that he came to his senses and sprinted up to the second floor.
The two eunuchs attending Qi Haoxuan had initially split the path, with their hands frozen in mid-air after pushing through the crowd, while the guards reacted quickly and immediately turned to follow Qi Haoxuan.
The two eunuchs exchanged glances, then lowered their hands and turned to chase after their Prince.
The enchanting woman stood there, stunned.
Just as her plan was about to succeed, why did that foolish Prince turn around and run? He seemed so interested in her just a moment ago, how did it suddenly change?
Qi Haoxuan quickly ran up to the second floor of the tavern, found the private room, but the door was open and there was no one inside.
Where is she?
Where is the woman in the light purple dress?
Qi Haoxuan became anxious and called over the attendant: "Where is the girl who was sitting by the window just now?"
The attendant, seeing the guards and eunuchs behind him and being interrogated so sternly by Qi Haoxuan, was scared out of his wits. He stuttered, "Just now, she was still here. Seems like she left."
"Where did she go? Which way did she leave?" Qi Haoxuan asked anxiously.
"I, I, I don’t know." The attendant shook his head.
Qi Haoxuan ran out of the private room, frantically searching around the tavern like a headless fly.
Nowhere, nowhere, he couldn’t find a trace of her anywhere.
Where did she go?
"Find her for me, quickly!" Qi Haoxuan shouted loudly at Xiao Anzi, Xiao Linzi, and the guards, "Go find the girl who was sitting by the window earlier. But don’t frighten her, don’t be rude."
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, standing still without moving.
"What are you all standing around dumbly for?" Qi Haoxuan snapped angrily.
"Your Highness, we, we don’t know what she looks like, how do we find her?" Xiao Anzi reluctantly voiced their concern.
Qi Haoxuan fell silent.
"Then go inquire for me. I can’t believe no one knows who she is, being so beautiful!" Qi Haoxuan sat down heavily on a stool, slapping the fan in his hand onto the table with a loud smack.
As it turned out, no one knew who she was...
Xiao Anzi and the others inquired throughout the afternoon, but no one knew who the girl was.
The sky gradually darkened, yet Qi Haoxuan remained unmoved, sitting in the same spot by the window, as still as a stone. His mind was filled with the memory of the girl’s gentle smile at him.
The tavern was about to close, yet Qi Haoxuan showed no intention of leaving. Not eating or drinking, he sat there like a statue.
Finally having no other choice, Xiao Anzi had someone enter the palace to report to the Emperor. Their Prince seemed possessed, sitting there without eating or drinking could lead to disaster.
The Emperor had just finished his evening meal and was taking a walk in the Imperial Garden with his beloved consort to aid digestion, planning to spend a delightful evening together. Then he was informed that Prince Xiaoyao had been sitting in a tavern for a long time without eating or drinking.
This was unacceptable! The Emperor hurriedly sent someone to summon Qi Haoxuan to the palace to find out what was going on. In truth, this wasn’t the first time Qi Haoxuan had gone without food or drink, but each time he had a clear purpose. For instance, if he took a liking to a rare book in the Emperor’s study or a treasure from a small country, he would fast for half a day if the Emperor didn’t give it to him. Half a day would distress the Emperor greatly, who would quickly send the item over.
But this time was different.