Lin Qingge, however, narrowed her eyes slightly upon hearing this. "Why should I believe you?"
As the moon began to rise, the two figures in black led her outside the city, claiming they would take her to see her abducted son…
Who wouldn't be suspicious in this situation?
"This, the master's name cannot be revealed, and I hope Lord Lin will forgive us."
"Forgive your sister!
Don't think that just because you two are here, I can't do anything to you!"
Lin Qingge's expression darkened, and she silently clutched a bag of an unknown powder in her hand.
This was a gift she had solicited from Murong Bai when he had 'kindly' visited the yamen during her bout of hemorrhoids.
It was a deluxe edition of the Five Poisons Powder.
While it wouldn't kill, it could definitely make one wish they were dead, making it an indispensable medicine for navigating the martial world!
Lin Qingge admitted she was no match for the two figures in black, but when it came to underhanded tactics, the victor remained uncertain.
Just then, a carriage approached from a distance.
"My Lord, show some mercy~"
Hearing that familiar, obnoxious, and irritating voice, Lin Qingge couldn't help but look up in confusion. She saw Hua Jinrong sitting in the carriage, waving at her.
"Master Hua, what are you doing here?"
"My Lord, Constable Yan informed me that your young son was missing, so I urgently contacted friends in the martial world to help investigate.
I just received news from a martial world friend saying they had found where the young master was hidden.
Since I couldn't reach you, My Lord, I had to go ahead.
Who would have thought I'd encounter you halfway here?
My Lord, wouldn't you say we have a deep connection?"
Lin Qingge stared at the peacock-like man with a smile on his lips for a moment, then said with a forced smile, "Most connections are premeditated. I wonder what kind of connection Master Hua is referring to?"
"Of course, it's the kind where destiny brings people together from afar!
Otherwise, how could I have become your subordinate, My Lord?"
After Hua Jinrong's teasing remark, he turned to the two figures in black in the distance and asked, "Were you two sent by Young Master Ye?"
"Indeed."
The two figures in black lowered their heads in unison, cold sweat seemingly beading on their foreheads.
Meanwhile, Hua Jinrong continued, "My Lord, I knew you would be worried and would return from Fengtian Prefecture. So I asked my friends to have people guard the entrance of the sugar water shop to guide you there.
Who knew it would backfire."
"Heh~"
A cold snort escaped Lin Qingge's nose. She clearly didn't believe Hua Jinrong's tall tale.
Despite her suspicions, she still got into Hua Jinrong's carriage.
The horse she was leading was handed over to the two figures in black.
However, upon entering the carriage, Lin Qingge discovered that Lin Moyuan was also inside!
"Lord Lin, I heard that your son has gone missing. I also have some superficial knowledge of martial arts and have come to lend a hand. I hope Lord Lin will not find me bothersome."
"Not bothersome, not bothersome at all."
Lin Qingge said this, but her eyes rolled wildly in her head.
Why was this fellow everywhere?
Becoming somewhat impatient, Lin Qingge kept looking outside and couldn't help but urge, "Master Hua, can't you drive this carriage any faster?"
"My Lord, please don't be anxious. My friends have also arranged for people to look after the young master, so he will be absolutely fine."
Hearing Hua Jinrong's confident guarantee, Lin Qingge felt an urge to tear her hair out.
In stark contrast to Lin Qingge's snail-paced progress, Leng Ningyue's journey was a desperate race against time.
"Well, well, you're awake this time?"
Seeing Ye Shengxiao and the other person enter the dilapidated temple one after the other, the scar-faced man asked in surprise.
Ye Shengxiao, walking behind, smiled and explained, "Third Brother, Miss Xu came willingly, saying she wanted to exchange herself for the princess."
"Nonsense!
Now that you're here, why would we simply let you go!"
The scar-faced man, finding the Prefect's daughter utterly naive, scoffed and his gaze fell on Ye Shengxiao's bandaged neck. "What happened here?"
"Oh, I was in too much of a hurry when I left and accidentally got caught by a tree branch. It's nothing."
After hearing Ye Shengxiao's explanation, the scar-faced man waved dismissively and ordered his men to escort Leng Ningyue away. He then clapped Ye Shengxiao on the shoulder like a good brother, "You've worked hard, kid. Come, let's eat!"
They arrived at the makeshift dining area.
The scar-faced man cheerfully poured Ye Shengxiao a cup of wine. "Good brother, you've helped me out immensely. I'll toast you!"
Ye Shengxiao accepted the wine cup and, without suspicion, drank it down.
However, after taking just a couple of bites of food, he felt his head swim and his limbs grow weak.
Sensing that something was amiss, Ye Shengxiao seemed to realize something and looked at the scar-faced man beside him with surprise.
"Third Brother, you..."
"Good brother, don't blame Third Brother. Third Brother has no choice.
After all, this involves the princess and the Prefect's daughter, so someone has to step up to resolve this, right?
And since you were the only one involved and acting throughout, you should bear all the blame.
Your brother will burn more paper money for you on festivals."
The scar-faced man spoke thus, but his face showed no remorse.
At this moment, Ye Shengxiao finally realized belatedly, "Third Brother, you intended for me to be your scapegoat from the very beginning?"
"Good brother, your life was saved by me. Now I'm just asking you to return that life to me.
Don't worry, your brother has put a lot of anesthetic in your wine, ensuring you leave this world without feeling any pain."
With that, the scar-faced man drew the long saber he had tucked behind his back and walked step by step towards Ye Shengxiao, who had collapsed powerlessly in his chair.
"Honestly, I've found your face to be displeasing for a long time.
We're all born of parents, so why is it that those women turn their noses up at us brothers upon sight, but throw themselves at you?
You're completely cheating!
But don't worry, your brother wouldn't do something as foolish as slashing your face.
Your brother will make a clean cut across your neck, making it look like you committed suicide out of guilt, and then place a confession letter written for you beforehand.
No one will recognize your handwriting anyway.
But I have to admit, the fact that you haven't been caught after so many years in the martial world is quite impressive."
After his praise, the scar-faced man raised his saber with a sinister smile.
However, before he could bring the blade down, a clear, bone-chilling female voice suddenly echoed from within the room: "Who said he was never caught?"