Li Hanru and the others were deeply ashamed.

They were among the people at the very top of the Great Xuan's power, and someone had made monkeys of them.

The An Emperor's voice was grave. "All that running around was about rescuing Kang Xiao. Now that he's out, they're bound to find a way to get him back to Nanyue.

Send out this emperor's edict: Liangzhou and Yangzhou are to join the search and keep a tight watch. Kang Xiao must not be allowed to escape back to Nanyue."

Li Hanru and the others bowed and answered as one. "Your subjects obey the command!"

The An Emperor went on. "Geng the Purple Coat, send out a squad you can trust to track him in the direction of Yangzhou... Everyone connected with this business is to be questioned hard by the Inspectorate."

Geng Jing accepted the order at once. "Yes. Your subject obeys the command!"

"And send this emperor's edict to the garrison: search every inch. He has to be found before Ning Chen gets back to the capital."

When she'd finished, the An Emperor's face darkened. "This emperor won't hold you responsible for now. But if he isn't found, don't blame this emperor for showing no mercy."

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!"

Li Zhixing and the others, trembling with fear, knelt to give thanks.

The great Ministry of Justice had actually lost a prisoner... Li Zhixing could have died of shame.

Seven or eight days went by in a flash!

Under Zisu's care, the An Emperor had fully recovered.

But for all that searching, they hadn't found so much as Kang Xiao's shadow.

The Myriad Nations Society's people had dropped out of sight entirely.

The garrison had searched house by house, and yet Kang Xiao had vanished into thin air.

At the Inspectorate, Geng Jing questioned everyone connected with the case himself.

Every suspect's mouth had been pried open, but there was little of use in what came out.

Take the men who'd met so often with the Left Chancellor, Ji Mingchen and the other ministers. They'd been…