Coroner's Diary

"What?! The Crown Prince of Northern Wei is missing?!"

Yan Huai's brows furrowed deeply, utterly incredulous. Yuan Qing continued nodding, "Yes, Your Majesty. These guards are the Crown Prince's attendants. They got separated—"

Yan Huai frowned and instinctively glanced back toward Mount Wei. Though the mountain's slopes were gentle and its ridges not particularly high, it stretched continuously for dozens of miles, covering such a vast area that many parts remained untouched by human footprints. The agreed-upon time had long passed—even if Tuoba Hong had been delayed by some matter, he should have returned by now.

"Bring them here! I wish to question them personally!"

Yuan Qing immediately turned to relay the order, while Yan Huai looked toward Lin Zhang with a furrowed brow. "Go check how many others haven't returned yet—"

Mount Wei was too expansive. Even if everyone remembered the return time, some might be late due to getting lost or other reasons. Though Tuoba Hong's absence was a dangerous Signal Flare, it didn't necessarily mean something had happened.

Lin Zhang departed on his orders, and soon the three guards who had just galloped into camp stood before Yan Huai.

Yan Huai's expression turned stern. "What exactly happened? Explain in detail."

The guards exchanged glances before an older one stepped forward. "Your Majesty, at the start of the grand hunt today, our Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince entered Mount Wei from the eastern Path together. Everything was normal until the afternoon when the Crown Prince, unsatisfied with the quantity of game, led the Fifth Prince deeper into the mountains. As time grew urgent, the Crown Prince suggested we split up to search for prey. Whoever found game would launch a Signal Flare to alert the others, thus increasing our chances."

"So we scattered. Both princes went alone. About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, we saw someone's Signal Flare and rushed over. It was the Fifth Prince—he'd spotted an enormous brown bear. With many of us gathered, we tried to hunt it together, but the brown bear ran extremely fast and escaped. We waited at the spot for the Crown Prince, but he never joined us. From that moment, we were separated. We hunted twice more and launched two more Signal Flares to report our position to the Crown Prince, yet he never caught up. Eventually, the Fifth Prince grew concerned and had us search for the Crown Prince in pairs. We combed the entire ridge where we'd been—top to bottom—but found no trace of him. We even searched farther out, still with no success—"

The guard's voice grew increasingly anxious. "We feared something had happened to the Crown Prince. Between us guards and the Fifth Prince, we were only nine people—impossible to search the entire Mount Wei. Moreover, this being our first ascent, we're unfamiliar with the terrain. So the Fifth Prince decisively ordered some of us to return to camp and check if His Highness might have missed our signals and returned on his own. The moment we arrived, we inquired—only to learn His Highness never made it back!""Your Majesty, please dispatch men immediately to search the mountain for the Crown Prince. It has been so long since His Highness was separated from us. We don't know if he's injured, had an accident, or what. Only half a day has passed, so there's still a good chance of finding His Highness. I beg Your Majesty!"

Yan Huai's heart leaped into his throat. A perfectly good grand hunt! How could such a thing happen?!

Taking a deep breath, Yan Huai looked at Lin Zhang who had returned. "Lin Zhang, who else hasn't come back?"

Lin Zhang hurriedly replied, "Aside from the Northern Wei Crown Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the four guards with them, everyone else has returned."

Yan Huai's heart sank. Today's grand hunt had a time limit. Everyone else had rushed back sooner or later, anxious to return. It was truly improper for the Northern Wei Crown Prince to linger so long. Although Tuoba Wu had injured Qin Guan, the Northern Wei delegation must not come to harm within Great Zhou's borders. Not to mention the Northern Wei Crown Prince, even Tuoba Wu must leave Great Zhou safely.

Steeling his thoughts, Yan Huai immediately said, "Lin Zhang, quickly gather men and horses to prepare for a mountain search. Go look for the Northern Wei Crown Prince overnight." Pausing briefly, Yan Huai then looked at the guards before him. "Did the Fifth Prince say when he would return?"

The guard quickly responded, "We were the vanguard returning to report. The Fifth Prince is slightly behind, searching for traces of the Crown Prince as he travels. Now that it's completely dark, the Fifth Prince must be about to return."

Yan Huai nodded. "It would be best if your Fifth Prince has found the Crown Prince!"

The guards hastily nodded in agreement. What Yan Huai described was the ideal outcome. If Tuoba Rui had found Tuoba Hong, then Lin Zhang wouldn't need to lead troops up the mountain, and today's grand hunt could still be considered successful.

Originally, Yan Huai had been waiting with the assembled nobility for the imperial guards to tally the hunt's results, wanting to see who would claim today's top honors. But unexpectedly, this incident had occurred. The main viewing platform wasn't far from the square, and soon news of the Northern Wei Crown Prince's disappearance spread. In no time, discussions erupted throughout the square below.

On the high platform, the Empress Dowager frowned. "What is the terrain like on Wei Mountain? Could there be traps set by hunters?"

Yan Huai looked at Zhao Yu beside him. Zhao Yu quickly shook his head. "Empress Dowager, Wei Mountain is a royal hunting ground. There are no civilian villages within ten li, so it's impossible for there to be hunter traps. When I led the vanguard troops here, I took soldiers on several patrols up the mountain. While scaring out the spring game, we also checked for any traps. We found no trace of hunters, let alone traps."

The Empress Dowager had feared Tuoba Hong might have been caught in some trap, but Zhao Yu's words dispelled that concern.

Zhao Shuhua also frowned slightly. "Over the years, there have indeed been incidents during grand hunts, but we've never seen anyone vanish without a trace. The Northern Wei Crown Prince knows martial arts. Ordinary accidents shouldn't render him immobile. He was carrying a Signal Flare, wasn't he? If he were truly in danger, he should have fired the signal, right?"

At Zhao Shuhua's words, everyone's hearts sank further.

What kind of incident could have prevented Tuoba Hong from even having a chance to fire his signal?!

"Your Majesty, the Northern Wei Fifth Prince has returned—"

Zhao Yu suddenly called out. Yan Huai looked up and indeed saw several fast horses entering the camp.

Yan Huai quickly said, "Have them come over—"Zhao Yu promptly dispatched orders. Tuoba Rui and his companions dismounted and hurried straight toward the high platform. The Northern Wei guards who had been accompanying Tuoba Hong grew pale upon seeing Tuoba Rui return without him.

At Yan Huai’s command, Tuoba Rui swiftly ascended the platform. As soon as he reached the top, his voice tightened with urgency. "Your Majesty, I implore you to send men immediately to search for my elder brother!"

Tuoba Rui, young and impetuous, spoke with a sharp tone. Understanding his anxiety, Yan Huai replied, "We have already ordered the imperial guards commander to muster troops. They will soon ascend the mountain to search for Crown Prince Tuoba."

After a brief pause, Yan Huai added, "Fifth Prince, have you found any trace of the Northern Wei Crown Prince?"

Tuoba Rui shook his head, his eyes filled with agitation. Clenching his fists, he said, "Your Majesty, Mount Wei is the imperial hunting ground of Great Zhou. None of us are familiar with its terrain. Previously, everyone claimed Mount Wei was entirely safe, yet today, my elder brother has vanished here. Your Majesty, I urge you to treat this matter with utmost seriousness. If my brother remains missing, Northern Wei will not let this rest easily." He then cupped his hands in a formal salute. "I beg Your Majesty to ensure my brother is found!"

Though reasonable, his words carried a hint of discourtesy. Everyone understood the implications: if Tuoba Hong were to die in Great Zhou, it would strain relations between the two nations. Although Northern Wei currently sought Great Zhou’s aid, Great Zhou’s northwest frontier was already stretched thin dealing with Rong invaders. They could ill afford another enemy. Even without Tuoba Rui’s forceful words, Yan Huai would never allow Tuoba Hong to come to harm on Mount Wei at such a critical time.

Narrowing his eyes, Yan Huai spoke with solemn authority, "Fifth Prince, rest assured. Mount Wei has served as Great Zhou’s hunting grounds for years, and no one has ever gone missing here before. The Crown Prince will be found."

As he finished speaking, Lin Zhang stepped forward briskly. "Your Majesty, I have assembled one thousand troops—five hundred from the Garrison Battalion and five hundred Imperial Guards. They are ready for deployment."

Tuoba Rui had only nine men earlier, but Lin Zhang had gathered a thousand in the blink of an eye. With such numbers combing the mountain inch by inch, even if Tuoba Hong had met with misfortune, it would not be irreparable.

Yan Huai nodded and turned to Tuoba Rui. "Only you and your companions know where Crown Prince Tuoba went missing today. To find him, you must lead the way."

Tuoba Rui promptly bowed in agreement. "Naturally, I take full responsibility!"

Usually an observer while Tuoba Hong handled state affairs, Tuoba Rui now displayed rare seriousness in his elder brother’s absence. He turned to the guards who had accompanied Tuoba Hong. "You all will accompany me—"

As he spoke, Tuoba Rui glanced up at the sky. The night was pitch-black, like spilled ink, the dark firmament looming overhead like an impenetrable net. Frowning, he noted the absence of stars or moon. Mount Wei, though lacking steep peaks, rolled with dense forests and uneven terrain—far from flat plains. Searching for Tuoba Hong on such an utterly dark night would be no simple task.

"Commander Lin, have torches been prepared?"

Lin Zhang nodded. "Of course, Fifth Prince. You need not worry."Yan Huai looked at Lin Zhang and said, "You are familiar with the mountain as well. Lead the men yourself, and leave the camp's defense to Zhao Yu. Remember, you must find the Northern Wei Crown Prince by tonight!"

Lin Zhang immediately nodded, but just then, Yan Che ascended from below the platform. "Father, should I also take five hundred men to search? The weather tonight is poor—more people would make the search easier."

Yan Huai shook his head and turned his gaze to everyone standing in the square below. "Crown Prince Tuoba's route is fixed; there's no need to comb the entire mountain. Go now and ask the men below if anyone saw Crown Prince Tuoba this afternoon."

Upon hearing this, Yan Che promptly accepted the order and left. Since everyone had been hunting on Mount Wei this afternoon, it was highly likely that someone had spotted Tuoba Hong. If anyone could indicate where Tuoba Hong had gone afterward, finding him would be much simpler!

The platform fell into silence. Both Lin Zhang and Tuoba Rui waited for news from below.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Yan Che returned, his face full of disappointment. "Your Majesty, I've asked everyone. Aside from seeing him initially, no one has laid eyes on Crown Prince Tuoba all day."

Yan Huai then looked at Tuoba Rui, who nodded and said, "We were hunting at the easternmost part all day and indeed didn't see anyone else. We only glimpsed flags flashing on the opposite ridge twice from a distance but never encountered anyone up close."

Thus, their accounts appeared truthful.

Yan Huai glanced at Tuoba Rui once more and instructed Lin Zhang, "Take good care of the Fifth Prince. Ensure all our soldiers return safely. Go now—I await your good news."

Lin Zhang clasped his fists. "Yes, I will not fail Your Majesty's expectations!"

With these words, Lin Zhang turned and departed. Tuoba Rui also saluted and followed with several guards. Soon, a line of torches, like a fiery dragon, swiftly exited the camp from the edge of the square, circled west around the camp, and then raced toward Mount Wei behind it. Yan Huai watched the torches disappear and remained silent for a long while.

The entire square was eerily quiet. Originally, they were celebrating the day's abundant hunt, but with the Northern Wei Crown Prince missing, Yan Huai had lost interest in such matters, and no one dared show indifference to the Crown Prince's disappearance.

Yan Che sat quietly for a moment, then turned to Zhao Yu. "Who bagged the most game today?"

The tally was already complete. Chao Yu promptly replied, "Your Majesty, it was Prince Cheng."

A flicker of surprise crossed Yan Huai's eyes, as if he hadn't expected it. Prince Cheng, standing in the front row, lifted his chin slightly upon hearing this but showed no signs of pride or joy. Yan Huai looked at Prince Cheng with satisfaction. "Well done! He deserves a reward."

With this brief decree, Yuan Qing ordered someone to fetch the rewards. Yan Huai gazed at Yan Che for a moment, sighed, and said, "There was to be a grand bonfire feast tonight, but since the Northern Wei Crown Prince has not returned, it is canceled. Prince Cheng receives the top reward; the others will be rewarded according to their ranks. Everyone should return to their camps to rest and recuperate. If the Northern Wei Crown Prince returns to camp tonight, the hunt will continue tomorrow. If he does not return..." Yan Huai's voice deepened here, "We will discuss it tomorrow."

If Tuoba Hong couldn't be found after a night of searching, the outcome was all too clear—Yan Huai issued the order, and everyone naturally complied. Yan Huai rose first and took the lead position, followed closely by Zhao Shuhua, Feng Lingsu, and other women of the Inner Palace. The Empress Dowager returned to her own tent. After the distribution of rewards in the square was completed, the crowd dispersed.

"How could he have vanished without a trace?"

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, troubled by the matter. Though she had long remained in the Longevity and Health Palace, detached from political affairs, if Tuoba Hong were to come to harm, it would inevitably strain relations between Northern Wei and Great Zhou.

Mammy Chen suggested, "Your Majesty, could he have been injured by a wild beast?"

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager's frown deepened. "That is indeed possible. Mount Wei originally had tigers and lions, but excessive hunting in earlier years depleted the predators. That is precisely why the hunts were later reduced to once every two years. While tigers and lions are now rare, bears still remain."

Qin Guan's heart tightened at these words. Earlier, Tuoba Hong's guards had mentioned encountering a brown bear—even with several men working together, they had failed to hunt it down. Though bears lack the explosive power of tigers or lions, they could easily overpower a wounded adult man. During her early years in the northwest, Qin Guan had witnessed villagers injured by bears.

"Amitabha! Though I was angered by the Northern Wei Crown Prince just yesterday, may Heaven protect him tonight. On Great Zhou’s soil, no foreign envoy or royalty must come to harm!"

The Empress Dowager murmured this prayer, but as soon as she finished speaking, a sudden, deafening clap of thunder erupted outside.

The thunderclap startled Yan Sui, who threw himself into the Empress Dowager’s arms. She held him close, her expression growing graver. Then, several more thunderous booms followed. Shortly after, a stark flash of lightning lit up the entrance. Yan Sui covered his ears in fear, and the Empress Dowager tightened her embrace. "This weather simply refuses to cooperate!"

With thunder and lightning intensifying, a fierce wind soon whipped up. The outermost curtains of the main tent flapped noisily. Within moments, a torrential downpour began—raindrops as large as beans hammered against the tent roof, unsettling the entire structure. If even the sturdy main tent was so disturbed, the other tents fared worse. Though spring rain is often precious as oil, tonight’s storm was ill-timed for both Great Zhou and Northern Wei—it was even potentially fatal.

"With such heavy rain, Mount Wei will be slippery and treacherous. The search troops are on horseback—their mounts will likely struggle for footing. Add to that the torches being doused by the rain, and tonight’s search has become doubly difficult!" The Empress Dowager, well-acquainted with hunting on Mount Wei, was filled with concern. The storm’s clamor was so overwhelming that the entire camp would find it hard to sleep through the night.

And just as the Empress Dowager predicted, the search that night proved exceedingly challenging.

On the first ridge of Mount Wei’s eastern slope, the downpour prevented half the men from reaching the summit. Over seventy percent of the torches were extinguished, forcing most to grope their way upward. Lin Zhang and Tuoba Rui, standing atop the ridge, watched the scene with deep frustration. Lin Zhang summoned a deputy commander and ordered, "Have half the men below the ridge abandon their horses and ascend on foot. The other half are to detour through the eastern valley. Those whose torches have gone out should hold their positions and await further orders!"The deputy captain departed upon receiving the order. Tuoba Rui frowned and said, "Commander Lin, we already had so few men. Now with detours and standing by, how many are left to search for my elder brother?"

Lin Zhang also furrowed his brow. "Fifth Highness, if it weren't raining, all these men would be dedicated to finding the Crown Prince of Northern Wei. But as you can see, should we let them grope blindly through these mountain forests? That would only lead to more accidents!"

Lin Zhang cherished the soldiers and officers of Great Zhou and naturally refused to show weakness. Seeing Tuoba Rui's evident dissatisfaction, he added, "Rather than dwelling on this, Fifth Highness, it would be better to carefully consider which path Crown Prince Tuoba might have taken."

Due north of the ridge where they stood lay a gentle, remarkably even slope. At that moment, as Tuoba Rui gazed down, he felt somewhat disoriented. The dense forest was deep, filled with towering trees so thick that a person could barely encircle them. No matter where he looked, Tuoba Rui felt he had been there before—and not just him; the other guards were equally frustrated. This was their first time in Mount Wei. The paths they had taken during the small hunt on the first day were not in this area. During the day, they had been preoccupied with tracking game and had rushed through without paying attention to the route. Now, in pitch darkness, how could they possibly recognize the way? After retracing their steps with Lin Zhang several times, they only grew more confused.

"Commander Lin, perhaps we should split up to search. If you ask me, I'm truly bewildered right now and can't recall clearly. If you assign some men to each direction, wouldn't that increase our chances?"

Lin Zhang had been reluctant to wander aimlessly like a headless fly, but with the weather defying their wishes, he had no choice but to follow Tuoba Rui's suggestion and cast a wide net. Perhaps they might catch some useful clues or traces.

...

...

"Your Highness, I heard from those outside that something has happened to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Tuoba Wu's servant rushed into the large tent, but as soon as the words were spoken, Tuoba Wu's face remained cold and indifferent.

The servant urged anxiously, "Your Highness, it's true! The Crown Prince took his men up the mountain to hunt, but they got separated from the others. The Fifth Highness and the rest have been searching for a long time without success. Just now, the Emperor of Great Zhou dispatched a thousand men up the mountain immediately. The Fifth Highness and several other guards have gone with them—"

Outside, thunder rumbled incessantly, accompanied by howling winds and torrential rain. The servant's words intertwined with these sounds, eventually stirring a ripple of emotion in Tuoba Wu's eyes. Yet, in the end, she remained silent.

Tuoba Hong had threatened her with the lives of these two servants just last night and had reprimanded her again this morning. A man like him would not come to harm. Tuoba Wu closed her eyes. Tuoba Hong's martial arts were not weak, and Northern Wei valued martial prowess; hunting was as common as daily meals. The Northern Wei imperial family held winter hunts far more frequently than Great Zhou. Moreover, their grand hunts lasted three full days—how could Great Zhou's imperial family compare? Tuoba Hong had merely not returned yet; what could possibly have happened?

Thinking this, Tuoba Wu nonetheless felt unsettled, disturbed by the wind and rain outside.

Although her tent was among the main ones, the commotion tonight was exceptionally fierce. The gale whipped the tent flaps noisily, and raindrops pelted the roof like hailstones. The occasional clap of thunder reverberated so violently that it roared in Tuoba Wu's ears. Such thunderstorms were exceedingly rare in Northern Wei. When they occurred, they signified the wrath of the heavens.Tuoba Wu grew increasingly uneasy, yet her knees still ached. She could not forget the humiliation of kneeling before the Great Zhou Empress Dowager's tent last night—all of this forced upon her by Tuoba Hong. She would never forgive Tuoba Hong!

Yanking the brocade quilt over her head, Tuoba Wu completely covered herself. The attending servant had been frantic with worry, but seeing Tuoba Wu like this left them at a loss. With Tuoba Hong missing, the Northern Wei envoy group had lost its backbone. Tuoba Rui was absent, and Tuoba Wu was in such a state, leaving the maids unsettled. The other accompanying civil and military officials grew even more panicked. After a while, seven or eight Northern Wei officials gathered outside Tuoba Wu’s tent, requesting an audience with the princess.

The servant came to report, but Tuoba Wu stubbornly refused to respond. Left with no choice, the servant dismissed the seven or eight officials. After all, Tuoba Rui and the men dispatched by the Great Zhou Emperor had already gone out to search—fretting endlessly would do no good.

Tuoba Wu thought the same: Tuoba Hong might have gotten lost, become engrossed in battle, or, at worst, been injured and unable to move. All of this would become clear by the next morning. With a thousand men searching, if they still couldn’t find Tuoba Hong, wouldn’t that mean…

Tuoba Wu shuddered under the covers, not daring to entertain that possibility.

Though she pretended not to care, Tuoba Wu slept poorly that night. By the next morning, she woke as soon as the sky began to lighten. The wind and rain outside had eased slightly, and she strained her ears to listen.

After waiting nearly half an hour, the sound of distant hoofbeats reached her.

Tuoba Wu’s expression tightened. She knew the large search party from the previous night had returned.

…

…

Yan Huai was the first to know when Lin Zhang returned with the men.

However, to Yan Huai’s disappointment, they had not found Tuoba Hong…

In Yan Huai’s main tent, Lin Zhang reported, “With the Fifth Prince leading the way, this general thoroughly searched the nearby ridges multiple times. We nearly cut down every tree and dug three feet into the ground, yet we still could not locate the Crown Prince. Moreover, last night’s heavy rain turned the mountains muddy—any traces on the path were washed away. With the pitch darkness, it was truly difficult to search. Your Majesty, please do not worry. This general will reassemble a thousand men and, once the sky is fully bright, return to the mountains to continue the search for the Northern Wei Crown Prince. A living person cannot simply vanish into thin air.”

Yan Che, Yan Qi, and others were present in Yan Huai’s tent, and even Yan Chi, Yan Li, and Qin Shu had been summoned.

After Lin Zhang finished speaking, Yan Chi asked, “The Northern Wei Crown Prince was riding a horse at the time. Is the horse missing as well?”

Lin Zhang nodded. “Yes, the horse is also missing. Despite calling out across the mountains in last night’s heavy rain, aside from startling some wild animals, we found no trace of the Northern Wei Crown Prince’s mount.”

Yan Chi’s brow furrowed, and Yan Huai and the others also wore deep frowns.

Amid the heavy silence in the tent, Tuoba Rui, who was also present, spoke up: “Your Majesty, let us follow Commander Lin’s plan and resume the search shortly. Neither a person nor a horse can simply disappear without a trace. Although we acted quickly last night, the weather was against us, making the search impossible. Continuing today, we will surely find my elder brother—”

Yan Huai nodded. “The search must indeed continue. Lin Zhang, proceed as you suggested.”

Both Lin Zhang and Tuoba Rui were disheveled, their hair and armor soaked through, clinging messily to their faces. Their boots and robe hems were caked in mud. It was clear they had endured a grueling night scrambling over the mountains, yet Tuoba Rui showed no signs of weariness.Lin Zhang, following orders, went to muster the troops. Yan Huai looked at Tuoba Rui and said, "Fifth Highness, you've been searching all night. Why not change your clothes and have something to eat now? We still have to continue searching today, and it's still raining. You need to conserve your energy."

Tuoba Rui felt he was reaching his limit. Neglecting martial training, he was no match for Lin Zhang's endurance. Yet, with Tuoba Hong missing—an event that could shake Northern Wei to its core—he had to keep a close watch on the Great Zhou officials to ensure they found Tuoba Hong.

After a moment's thought, Tuoba Rui nodded and stepped out of the tent.

As soon as he emerged, Tuoba Rui spotted Tuoba Wu rushing toward the main tent without even an umbrella. Clad in a red cape, her face was deathly pale, her expression stern. The moment she saw Tuoba Rui, she strode purposefully up to him. "Has Crown Prince Brother not been found?"

Tuoba Rui found Tuoba Wu somewhat intimidating at that moment. He nodded. "No, neither he nor his horse have been located."

Tuoba Wu seemed to recall something, her expression turning icy. She moved to enter the main tent but was stopped at the entrance by Yuan Qing. "Your Highness, do you wish to see the Emperor?"

Tuoba Wu let out a cold laugh. "What else?! My Crown Prince Brother went missing during your hunting expedition!"

Yuan Qing smiled wryly. "Even so, you must allow this old servant to announce you."

How could Tuoba Wu wait? Furious with Tuoba Hong yet deeply worried about him, she directed all her anger toward the people of Great Zhou. Shoving Yuan Qing's arm aside, she barged recklessly into the main tent. Once inside, she realized the tent was crowded with people. Though inwardly uneasy, she showed no trace of weakness.

Drawing herself up, Tuoba Wu looked directly at Yan Huai. "Your Majesty, my Crown Prince Brother would never disappear without reason!"

Yan Huai, already familiar with Tuoba Wu's audacity, responded with a cool demeanor. "What does the Princess mean by that?"

Tuoba Wu took a step forward. "Northern Wei also practices winter hunting. Our royal hunting grounds are nothing like Mount Wei—nowhere else offers such picturesque mountains and waters for hunting. Although Crown Prince Brother is unfamiliar with this mountainous terrain, how could its dangers compare to the perils of Northern Wei's Cold Plains and snowy peaks? He would never meet with an accident! Moreover, before the hunt, Great Zhou's imperial guards searched the mountain and found no significant threats. With my Crown Prince Brother's skills, he wouldn't simply vanish, horse and all—"

Yan Huai frowned slightly. "So what are you implying, Princess?"

Tuoba Wu narrowed her eyes. "What I mean is, Crown Prince Brother's disappearance is likely man-made!"

Her words startled everyone present. No one had yet considered the possibility of foul play, assuming any manner of accident could occur in the mountains. Yet here was Tuoba Wu claiming the Northern Wei Crown Prince was an expert hunter, that Mount Wei posed little challenge, and that he couldn't have met with an accident here. But what basis did she have for suggesting human involvement?

"Princess, you must not speak recklessly. During a hunt, anything is possible," Yan Huai said calmly.

Tuoba Wu took a deep breath, as if steeling herself. Her gaze turned cold. "Because I've long known someone intends to harm Crown Prince Brother!"

Tuoba Rui, having followed Tuoba Wu into the tent, raised an eyebrow at her words. "Elder Sister? What do you mean by that?"Tuoba Wu sneered coldly, "We are not the only ones who came this time, have you forgotten?"

Tuoba Wu looked at Yan Huai and said, "This time, the Crown Prince came with sincerity to establish friendly relations with Great Zhou. He intends to form a marital alliance with Great Zhou—to put it bluntly, he wishes to seek the hand of the Fifth Princess. We were supposed to come at the end of last year but were delayed by heavy snow. Finally, we set out in early spring, but as luck would have it, someone else arrived in Lin'an at the same time as us!"

Tuoba Wu was naturally referring to Liu Yun, and everyone present understood this implicitly.

Tuoba Wu continued, "Arriving in Lin'an at the same time was one thing, but the other party also shared the same intention as the Crown Prince—both sought to marry the princess. However, it is well known throughout the land that the Emperor and Empress have only one treasured daughter. Whoever succeeds in winning her hand will become Great Zhou's foremost ally. We think this way, and so do others."

These matters were known to everyone present, but it was the first time they had been articulated so openly by Tuoba Wu. In such a public setting, such naked ambition for power and gain was discomforting to hear. Yet Tuoba Wu was not finished: "On the first night after leaving Lin'an, while wandering aimlessly around the camp, I happened to pass by the tent of the Third Prince of Western Liang, Liu Yun. At that time, he had just returned to his tent after meeting with the Crown Prince of Great Zhou—"

At these words, everyone couldn't help but glance at Yan Che.

As the Crown Prince of Great Zhou, Yan Che had actually met privately with Liu Yun?

Yan Huai frowned slightly, his expression already showing displeasure. Yan Che's face shifted through several emotions, but for a moment, he offered no explanation.

Tuoba Wu went on, "Perhaps his request for the Crown Prince's help in facilitating the marriage proposal to the Fifth Princess was denied, leaving him deeply resentful."

Hearing this, Yan Huai's expression eased slightly. "And then?"

Tuoba Wu's face hardened with cold hatred. "Then, I heard him say that if he couldn't win the Fifth Princess's heart this time, he would have to resort to other methods. After all, during a hunt, any accident could be considered normal, couldn't it?"

With Tuoba Wu's words, the people in the tent exchanged uneasy glances.

Though the statement was not explicit, the murderous intent behind it was unmistakable.

Yan Huai's expression remained calm. "Does the princess have any other evidence?"

Tuoba Wu's eyes widened. "Isn't this the best evidence?! Liu Yun had already planned this! These past few days, his attempts to court the Fifth Princess have failed, and he knows his chances are slim. To eliminate future troubles, he took a desperate gamble—during the hunt, he secretly harmed the Crown Prince! That's why both the Crown Prince and his horse have disappeared!"

Yan Huai's brow furrowed. After a moment, he looked at Yan Che and said, "Go and invite the Third Prince of Western Liang here."

Yan Che nodded and turned to leave. Yan Huai watched Tuoba Wu calmly, feeling somewhat relieved inwardly. If Tuoba Hong was unharmed, all would be well. But if something had happened to him, then someone must be held accountable today—and that someone should certainly not be Great Zhou. Since Tuoba Wu had suddenly brought this up, why not go along with it?

Soon, Liu Yun was brought over by Yan Che. Clearly surprised by Yan Che's sudden summons and the presence of Tuoba Wu and Tuoba Rui in the tent, Liu Yun bowed and smiled, "Your Majesty, may I ask why you have summoned me?"Yan Huai hesitated slightly and glanced at Tuoba Wu, who let out a light snort. "Why must the Third Prince pretend? Why don’t you explain to everyone what method you used yesterday to harm my Crown Prince brother and where he is now?"

Liu Yun was taken aback, his expression feigning innocence and surprise. He first looked at Tuoba Rui and Tuoba Wu, then scanned the faces around him. Seeing no surprise in their expressions, he realized Tuoba Wu must have already slandered him. Liu Yun smiled faintly, his pale face composed. "Where is this accusation coming from, Your Highness? Yesterday, I was hunting with my guards the entire time and even encountered the Crown Prince and Prince Gong’s Heir. How could I have harmed the Northern Wei Crown Prince?"

Tuoba Wu’s brows furrowed deeply. "How dare you say that?! I’ve long known you harbor ill intentions! After failing to win the princess’s favor, you sought to eliminate the Crown Prince as your rival during the hunt, quietly and unnoticed! Now that your actions have been exposed, you still dare to deny it?! So what if you encountered the Crown Prince and the heir? There was plenty of time afterward—were you following the Crown Prince the whole time?"

At this, Liu Yun raised an eyebrow. "If Your Highness insists on saying so, there’s nothing I can do. But I was with my guards the entire time—they can testify for me."

"Your guards will naturally speak for you! Of course, they’d protect you!"

Liu Yun gave a calm, bitter smile. "Your Highness is truly sharp-tongued. By your logic, wouldn’t anyone be a suspect in harming the Northern Wei Crown Prince?"

Tuoba Wu glared fiercely at Liu Yun, wishing she could tear apart his smiling face. "Others have no motive—only you! Do you think I don’t know what you said in the tent at Phoenix Cry Slope three days ago?!"

At these words, Liu Yun’s smile faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "I don’t know what Your Highness is referring to. However, I can understand your concern for your brother. But in a hunt, anything can happen. If I may say, Your Highness should question the guards tasked with protecting the Crown Prince—how could they lose their master? Though there are no snow wolves or other fierce beasts from Northern Wei here on Mount Wei, there are bears and wild boars. These large creatures are not to be underestimated when they attack. Moreover, bears are known to eat people."

Liu Yun spoke calmly, but Tuoba Wu grew even more enraged upon hearing this. Just as she was about to erupt, Yan Huai spoke mildly, "Enough. Ultimately, Your Highness only suspects without solid evidence. In my opinion, the priority is to find the Crown Prince first. Once he is found, we will know whether he was accidentally injured or harmed by someone."

Yan Huai looked at Tuoba Wu. "What does Your Highness think?"

Tuoba Wu felt as if an invisible hand had seized her anger. Moreover, Yan Huai’s gaze sent a chill down her spine. Not daring to be too defiant, she had no choice but to nod.

Whether Tuoba Hong was harmed or not, he was likely still on Mount Wei, and finding him would require the help of the Great Zhou people. Tuoba Wu nodded. "I will follow Your Majesty’s arrangements."

Yan Huai smiled slightly, reassured Tuoba Wu with a few words, and dismissed them.Liu Yun was summoned to face a series of accusations, and Yan Huai offered him a few words of consolation. Liu Yun smiled and expressed that he didn’t mind. Upon leaving the main tent, he saw Tuoba Wu waiting for him outside.

Liu Yun grinned. "What? Does Your Highness still believe I’m responsible?"

Tuoba Wu narrowed her eyes, her expression hostile. Liu Yun leisurely replied, "Your Highness has already disrespected the young lady of the Qin family, and now you’re acting recklessly again. In my opinion, if anything happens to the Crown Prince, you should also be held accountable. During the hunt, the Crown Prince was likely distracted and unsettled because of the troubles you caused, leading to this accident."

Seeing Tuoba Wu trembling with rage, Liu Yun continued, "I heard not even a single strand of the Crown Prince’s hair has been found? If he were injured alone and encountered a man-eating black bear, he’s probably inside the bear’s stomach by now… Would Your Highness like to have the soldiers capture all the bears and cut open their bellies to check?"

After Liu Yun finished speaking unhurriedly, Tuoba Wu stared at him furiously, unable to utter a word.

Satisfied by her reaction, Liu Yun felt the frustration from being summoned and accused finally ease. "Your Highness need not be so angry. Life and death are predetermined by fate. Did anyone divine the auspices or misfortunes for the Crown Prince’s journey to Great Zhou? If His Highness has truly met with misfortune, you can escort his coffin back to Northern Wei. There are many princes in Northern Wei—it’s not as if only the Crown Prince can govern the country. If that day comes, you must grieve appropriately and accept fate."

The more Liu Yun spoke, the more pleased he became. Tuoba Wu was far too insolent and arrogant. Yet, just the day before, she had knelt outside the Empress Dowager’s tent all night—a humiliation in itself. Today, he imagined she would be stifled to the point of vomiting blood… Liu Yun chuckled, cupped his hands in a salute, and turned to head back to his own tent.

"Third Prince—"

He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly heard Tuoba Wu call out to him.

Still in high spirits, Liu Yun instinctively turned around. As soon as he faced her, a sharp pain struck his forehead. Startled and confused, he let out a cry. The next moment, another punch from Tuoba Wu landed on his cheek. Howling in pain, Liu Yun finally realized that Tuoba Wu was assaulting him. Frowning deeply, he never expected the recently punished Tuoba Wu to be so bold, nor did he anticipate her strength to be so formidable. Though a grown man, he was beaten until his vision blurred. Before he could steady himself, Tuoba Wu delivered a fierce kick to his abdomen—

"Augh—"

With a pained groan, Liu Yun collapsed to the ground. Before the surrounding guards could rush forward to restrain Tuoba Wu, she stopped on her own. Clapping her hands, she stood over Liu Yun. "If anything has happened to my brother the Crown Prince, I swear I will sacrifice you in his honor!"