In the depths of the dungeon, Xiao Rufeng leaned against the dirty walls. His pale face revealed a trace of sickness, and his lifeless eyes held a glimmer of hope as he awaited someone's arrival.

"Rufeng, I really have no idea about Yangyang's situation," Lu Zixuan sighed heavily. "But rest assured, the Emperor wouldn't harm a child. At least, before entering the palace, Yangyang was unharmed."

"Brother Lu, I know my request is audacious, but I have no other choice. Brother Lu, only you are capable and willing to help me now. So I plead with you to help me save Yangyang, I beg you!" As he spoke, Xiaorufeng couldn't help but choke up, shifting his crippled body to kowtow to Lu Zixuan.

How could he not be afraid? On that day, every word from Murong Junsheng revealed his intent for revenge against him. He could handle any means of retaliation, but he couldn't bear to imagine those means being inflicted on Yangyang.

"Don't move, you're still injured!" Lu Zixuan hurriedly stopped Xiao Rufeng's movements, but he could only persuade him verbally since there were others outside. He watched with aching heart as Xiao Rufeng struggled to kowtow to him, saying, "Rufeng, five years ago, I let you go, and the emperor was furious. Now, I'm afraid he won't let me intervene in your affairs at all. I have inquired about Yangyang's whereabouts, but every time I try to speak, the emperor shuts me down. I think he no longer trusts me when it comes to anything about you."

"Brother Lu, five years ago... I'm sorry!" After a long silence, Xiao Rufeng said in a dazed and desperate manner, "I shouldn't have made it difficult for you. This is my fate, and it is also Yangyang's fate!"

"Rufeng, don't say that. It's been five years, and the Emperor's anger has subsided. As long as you humble yourself before the Emperor, admit your mistake, things might just blow over." Despite these comforting words, Luzixuan was well aware that what happened years ago had become a stumbling block in the Emperor's heart. The Emperor couldn't let go of his hatred, otherwise, he wouldn't have tirelessly pursued Rufeng for five years, even going as far as Anping County to personally apprehend Xiao Rufeng."

"No, he won't let me go unless the truth is revealed. Xiao Rufeng forced a bitter smile and his eyes were filled with despair. He knew that once again falling into the hands of Murong Junsheng, escaping would be as impossible as reaching the heavens. It's just a pity that Yangyang will suffer with him."

Thinking of Yangyang, Xiao Rufeng's heart was like being cut by a knife. It had been so many days since he had seen his own son. Was Yangyang crying? Was he causing trouble? Was anyone bullying him?

Xiao Rufeng's thoughts were not far off. Children naturally lack a sense of security, and after several days of being unable to find their own father, being brought to a unfamiliar environment by a stranger only heightened their fear, causing them to cry and fuss endlessly.

"Waaah waaah waaah waaah waaah!" The cries of a child echoed throughout the palace.

What should I do? This is such an excessive way of crying!

"What can we do? No matter how we cajole, we can't pacify him. Where did the emperor find this baby from!"

"Could it be the prince who has been living among the common people!"

Several palace maids whispered to each other, but no one paid any attention to the heart-wrenching cries of the child inside the hall.

Cough cough! Suddenly, a voice came from behind. The palace maid was startled. "Empress De, may your fortunes be prosperous!"

"Get up!" Empress Dowager gestured with her hand and said, "What are you all doing? Whose child is crying here!"

Your Majesty, the child brought by the Emperor from outside the palace has arrived!" a palace maid stepped forward and reported.

The Empress Consort was surprised and walked in, only to see that the child was already crying vigorously, struggling for breath. Her heart softened upon seeing this, and she couldn't care less about her own doubts. She approached and picked up the child, soothingly saying, "Tell Auntie, what happened? Why are you crying?"

The gentle voice of De Fei (an honorific for a consort) made Yangyang stop crying. Looking at this beautiful aunt, Yangyang, still a little apprehensive, softly said, "I want my daddy! I want to go home! Auntie, can you take me to find my daddy?"

In this unfamiliar environment, surrounded by strangers, for the first time in these past few days, someone spoke to him in such a gentle tone, for the first time someone showed such kindness towards him. Yangyang's heart let go of some of the fear, his big eyes filled with hope, looking at Empress De.

"Alright then, you have to tell Auntie your name and your father's name! How come we can't find your father anymore?" Empress Dowager De asked softly.

"I'm Yangyang, and my daddy is just daddy! Yangyang was waiting at home for daddy to come back, but then bad people came in, and they took Yangyang here. There are also a bunch of bad people here. Yangyang cried and screamed, but the bad people wouldn't let Yangyang go!" The childish voice resounded through the palace hall, accusing the actions of these palace maids clearly.

Empress De cast a cold glance at the palace maids, then turned back to Yangyang with a gentle smile and said, "Auntie will take Yangyang away, okay!"

"Mmm! Yangyang, don't stay with these bad people!" Yangyang clenched his little fist, feeling both angry and afraid as he said, "Auntie, will you take me home? Yangyang really misses his father!"

"Good! Auntie will take you home!" Empress Defei said as she stepped towards the outside.

"My lady, you cannot take him away! If you take him away, I won't be able to explain to the emperor!" De Fei's unexpected move caught the palace maids off guard.

"You dare to block me!" Consort De angrily reproached the palace maids.

"The maidservants dared not, the maidservants dared not!" The palace maids all knelt down in succession.

Consort De, who has always been known for her gentle and kind treatment of others in the palace, rarely showed anger today. The palace maids dared not speak up, let alone try to stop her, so they could only watch Consort De take Yangyang and leave. Meanwhile, someone was quickly dispatched to report to the Emperor.