Baili Kai'en did not force her, but instead gave her ample time to calm down.
"Think it over carefully. We're in no rush. I do like women who come to me willingly!"
Zhao Jiaqi rolled her eyes. "Then you should have let me go. I was drugged and kidnapped by you!"
"You are an exception. But I still hope you will come to my dragon bed of your own accord!"
Shameless, indeed. The thought of being near such a man, even as a eunuch, was revolting.
Seeing that the conversation had gone on for so long, Zhao Jiaqi decided it was time to voice her concerns. "You've kept me imprisoned for so long that I haven't seen the sun in ages. If this continues, I'll go blind when I get out. You'll have lost your wife and your army then!"
Unexpectedly, Baili Kai'en seemed prepared and chuckled. "I know you want to get some fresh air, but I can't let you. You and Fan Zehao have a special code. If I let you out and you leave another mark, I'll be crying without a clue where to go!"
"Moreover, your husband's special forces have already reached my Xuanyuan country. I don't need to investigate to know that!" He smiled indifferently. "It doesn't matter. As long as you are here, they won't dare to do anything to me. Even if we get married, I'm confident Fan Zehao won't attack my country!"
"You are my best weapon!"
Zhao Jiaqi: "So, that's why you are so fearless!"
Baili Kai'en chatted with her for a long time and didn't intend to continue. He still had many things to do. As he left, he said, "I hope next time you seek me out, it will be with good news!"
When the man left, Zhao Jiaqi slumped to the ground like a deflated ball.
This Baili Kai'en was truly an old fox. He had already guessed that she would use special symbols to leave a message for her husband. He would absolutely not let her leave this place.
Either she agreed to his terms and planted the Forget-Me-Not Potion, or she would have to smash her head against the stone cave and die!
She wanted to choose neither, but she had no choice. She had to pick one from the two.
On the bed, Zhao Jiaqi curled up, her head buried in her legs, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, Fan Zehao's search outside had been fruitless. His subordinates reported that there was no trace of her.
When he inquired with Baili Fengge, the answer was the same: Baili Kai'en had not left the imperial palace and had been handling affairs within it.
This made Fan Zehao bewildered. Logically, it had been over a month. No matter how patient Baili Kai'en was, his wife would have found a way to leave him information by now. But there was nothing, which meant his wife was unable to contact the outside world.
He suddenly asked Baili Fengge, "Did you tell your father about what happened in Zijin Town, including the special symbols between me and my daughter?"
Baili Fengge nodded. "Yes, I did. Father even said that he would design a set of special symbols for me, so that if such a situation arises in the future, we can find each other!"
Fan Zehao slapped his forehead hard. How could he have forgotten this? It wasn't that his wife hadn't left him a mark; it was that he must have detected it. Therefore, his wife was likely imprisoned in a place that was pitch-dark, airtight, and lightless, making it extremely difficult to go out for a breath of fresh air!
Places that fit such a description would be underground or in caves. They had searched caves for the past month, and while they might not have scoured every single one in Xuanyuan country, they had certainly checked the likely ones. There was no sign of her.
Now, only places like dungeons remained to be searched.
"Fengge, are there any secret passages in the imperial palace? Or hidden chambers, or such rooms in the dungeons?"
Baili Fengge had not heard of hidden chambers, but he knew for sure there were secret passages. His own太子府 had secret passages for emergencies. Hidden chambers were usually used to store treasures, so such things would definitely exist!
"Uncle, although I'm not sure where the secret passages in the imperial palace are, I can go into the palace to search. Or I can ask my contacts in the palace, or ask my father about it. I'll tell you immediately if I get any news!"
Fan Zehao nodded, but he didn't intend to let him search alone. "Alright!"
As he got up and left the tea house, he deliberately pulled his felt hat lower, for fear of being recognized. When he returned to his temporary residence, he reorganized his men into two groups.
One group went to the capital's prisons, and the other went to the imperial palace to search for secret passages and hidden chambers.
Among this group, there were actually some who had experience in tomb raiding. When searching for secret passages in the imperial palace, his skills came in handy, and several passages were found.
Several people went through each one, but found nothing. These secret passages all led outside the city, seemingly for escape.
The group, who had been initially elated, suddenly lost their enthusiasm.
"There's only one last passage left. Let's check it out."
"Then let's go. We've already been through so many, what's one more?" the Special Chief said with a heavy sigh.
He then led the group on another treasure hunt. This time, however, the secret passage did not lead outside the city but into the national treasury.
None of them had ever visited the national treasury before. Upon seeing the piles of gold and silver, precious gems, jade, and countless other rare treasures, their eyes immediately lit up.
The Special Chief couldn't understand why there would be a secret passage in the national treasury. Wouldn't they be afraid of things being stolen? After all, there were many capable individuals in this world!
"Check if there are any hidden chambers or anything else in the national treasury. Hurry up and search. Dawn is approaching!"
After the leader spoke, the remaining people used all their might to search. They knocked on walls, they tapped on floors. Within the time it took for two incense sticks to burn, they indeed found a mechanism, and a golden gate slowly opened.
This stunned everyone. The Special Chief looked at the descending stairs and left his men above.
"I'll go down and take a look myself. You all stay up here and be careful. If anyone comes, don't mind me. Immediately close the gate, and I'll come back to pick you up tomorrow night!"
"Yes, Special Chief!"
The Special Chief descended the stairs slowly. In the dark underground passage, torches were placed on the walls. After walking for about fifteen minutes, he saw guards in golden armor. These were the legendary Death Guards, who only obeyed the emperor.
The Special Chief dared not move forward and could only hide in the shadows to observe secretly. However, after watching for a long time, he couldn't figure out anything. He decided to create a diversion.
He picked up a small stone and threw it to the side, creating a noise. This was to give himself a chance to quickly move forward and assess the situation.
Unfortunately, these Death Guards were well-trained. While two were on duty, only one moved, while the other stood firmly in place, unmoving.
In the stone cave, hearing someone shouting outside, she suddenly got up from the bed and pressed her ear to the door. She wasn't sure if her husband had found her, but causing a commotion outside was good.
Zhao Jiaqi clutched her stomach and cried out loudly inside, complaining of stomachaches, then of heartburn, then of feeling unwell in various ways.
In a short period, she had raised her voice to its maximum.