The air around Long Mingze seemed to freeze.
He dismounted without a word, his boots striking the ground heavily. His jaw tightened as he strode toward the trembling figure on the roadside.
Before he could speak, Concubine Lian looked up and, upon seeing him, burst into loud, broken sobs. "Your Majesty!" she cried, scrambling to her feet before throwing herself into his arms.
"Waaah… I was so frightened! I thought I would never see Your Majesty again… I thought I would die…"
Her body shook violently as she clung to his robes, her tears soaking into the fabric.
Long Mingze instinctively steadied her, one hand supporting her shoulders. From a distance, the scene appeared tender—an emperor comforting a terrified concubine rescued from danger.
But up close, his expression told another story.
His face was cold.
His eyes were dark and impatient.
He allowed her to cry for only a brief moment before his voice cut through her sobs.
"Where is the Empress?"
