At this moment, the masked men felt they had underestimated Sheng Lengshuang. This woman was truly not simple; not only did she remain calm in such a situation, but she also managed to hide the medicinal powder.
"Miss Sheng, no matter how much medicinal powder you have, you cannot escape from here. I advise you to be obedient."
Just as Sheng Lengshuang was about to say something, her eyes widened with surprise: "Mo Lingxi!"
She saw with her own eyes Mo Lingxi, dressed in light-colored brocade, descend from the heavens like a deity. He dispatched the masked man with a single strike and quickly came before her.
"Are you unharmed?" Mo Lingxi's heart, which had been hanging in suspense for days, finally settled. He pulled Sheng Lengshuang and examined her.
Sheng Lengshuang repeatedly assured him she was fine and had been living quite well: "They wanted to use me to achieve their goals, and I had medicinal powder on me, so they didn't dare to trouble me too much."
Mo Lingxi, confirming she was truly unharmed, let out a long sigh and held her close, "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright!"
Sheng Lengshuang could see how worried he was and said softly, "I'm really fine. How did you find me here?"
Mo Lingxi led her by the hand as they walked out, "I've been searching the entire Eastern Capital. I found that the ambush had issues, and upon closer inspection, I learned you were hidden here."
In truth, he had followed the direction his wife was taken, and after days of meticulous investigation, he discovered the problem with the residence, thus learning his wife was hidden there.
Fortunately, he had arrived in time; otherwise, who knew what might have happened.
Sheng Lengshuang asked Mo Lingxi to take Zhou Wenxing away, "We cannot let Zhou Wenxing escape again; this person is too dangerous."
Mo Lingxi glanced at Zhou Wenxing, who was twitching on the ground, his eyes flashing with ferocity. He raised his hand for a sword strike—
However, Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi saw a masked man rescue Zhou Wenxing. Immediately after, dozens more masked men appeared, surrounding the two of them.
Two of the masked men held gunpowder and flint.
Mo Lingxi immediately shielded Sheng Lengshuang behind him. With a raise of his hand, several hidden guards appeared before them.
"Don't move!" Sheng Lengshuang slightly raised her voice. She squinted at the group of masked men, "Why don't we talk? You can't do anything to us, and for now, we can't leave either."
"If this stalemate continues, when the Nine City Military Command arrives, you know the consequences."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang saw a masked man step forward, "Are you the leader?"
The masked man shook his head, then nodded, "What does Miss Sheng wish to discuss with us?"
Sheng Lengshuang patted Mo Lingxi's shoulder, signaling him with her eyes not to worry too much. Then, she said to the masked man, "You let us go, and I'll give you ample time to escape. How about it?"
The masked man refused without hesitation: "Our orders are not to let Miss Sheng go. If Prince Mingrui wishes to leave, he can leave at any time."
Sheng Lengshuang said, "Oh, so that means we have nothing to discuss."
"I originally thought of leaving you a way out, but it seems unnecessary now."
The masked man let out a cold snort and waved his hand. The masked men holding gunpowder stepped forward, appearing ready to ignite the powder.
"Miss Sheng, are you sure it's not me who's not giving you a way out?"
Sheng Lengshuang said calmly, "Then are you sure that gunpowder can kill us? And another thing, do you know I have medicinal powder?"
The masked man's expression changed, and he unconsciously took a few steps back. He knew the potency of Sheng Lengshuang's medicinal powder all too well.
"Why are you backing away? Weren't you quite capable just now?" As Sheng Lengshuang finished speaking, she saw Tao Li suddenly appear from somewhere, shouting arrogantly.
"Don't let them go! Don't let them go! If Sheng Lengshuang dares to leave, kill her for me!"
Before Sheng Lengshuang could finish, she saw Mo Lingxi move like a phantom and kick Tao Li away. He clicked his tongue, "I say, Tao Li, you've fallen to this state, why haven't you learned your lesson?"
"Sometimes I don't know what goes on in that head of yours, but then again, it's understandable. The Tao family has this kind of disposition, so it's not surprising you would do these things."
"Shut up... Ugh!" Tao Li spat out a mouthful of blood, her eyes filled with hatred as she stared at Sheng Lengshuang, "It's all you! It's you who caused me to fall into this state. If you hadn't used despicable means to snatch everything from me, how could I have become like this? Sheng Lengshuang, I swore that no matter the cost, I would make you die!"
Sheng Lengshuang's peripheral vision caught the movements of some masked men. She exchanged a subtle glance with Mo Lingxi before slowly saying to Tao Li.
"What price can you still pay? You have nothing now. Besides giving up your life, what else do you think is valuable?"
She suddenly clapped her hands lightly and said with a smile, "Tao Li, how about this: you use your life to ask these masked men to help you kill me. Let's see if they're willing."
"We can," the masked man said, holding his sword to Tao Li's neck, "Do you want to trade?"
Tao Li scurried into a corner, shaking her head like a rattle drum, "No, no, no! You promised me you would help me kill Sheng Lengshuang and let me return to the Sheng family. You can't go back on your word."
The masked man cast a look of disdain at her and then turned to Sheng Lengshuang, "Miss Sheng, I will kill Tao Li, so..."
"So please go die." A hidden guard suddenly appeared before him and ended his life with a sword.
Just then, the masked men ignited the gunpowder.
Sheng Lengshuang's pupils contracted violently. Before she could say anything, Mo Lingxi had already hoisted her up and was running towards a safe place.
She clearly saw one masked man carrying Tao Li away, while the rest of the masked men retreated. Immediately after, the sound of 'rumbling' explosions echoed.
The residence was blasted with deep pits, and dust flew everywhere.
Her gaze turned icy inch by inch. Those damned shadowy figures, for their own selfish gains, had done such malicious deeds. When she found out who the shadowy figure was, she would make them suffer immensely.
After a while, Mo Lingxi placed her on the rooftop. What met her eyes was the residence reduced to ruins, and even the neighboring houses had been affected.
"Those shadowy figures are truly detestable!" She stomped her foot in anger.
"Wife, don't be angry, be careful not to upset yourself," Mo Lingxi said softly, comforting her as he held her shoulder, "I have already found some clues, and I believe we will catch the shadowy figures soon."
Most importantly, his wife was safe.
Sheng Lengshuang's spirits lifted, "Really?"
Mo Lingxi nodded, "Give me some more time, and I will definitely catch the shadowy figures."
"One more thing..."
He lowered his voice, "I have already leaked information to several countries. It's estimated that these countries will take action regarding my position as the Crown Princess."