The next morning, Linglong awoke feeling groggy and unwell.
"Princess, you're finally awake!" Xiao Qing exclaimed, a hint of joy in her voice. "It's good you're awake. I was worried something might happen to you."
"What happened?" Princess Linglong shook her head. "Why am I so exhausted? Did something happen last night?"
"Princess might not know, but you were kidnapped last night," Xiao Qing explained. "Even I was knocked unconscious. But for some reason, you reappeared in the room unharmed."
"Where is the驸马 (fù mǎ - consort) now?"
Linglong felt a pang of annoyance. She was now a woman with a man, and if she were truly kidnapped, the驸马 should have arrived promptly. Yet, he was still nowhere to be seen.
"The 驸马 disappeared last night!" Xiao Qing shook her head. "Someone might be targeting him."
"Disappeared?"
Princess Linglong's expression changed. She couldn't believe Lu Fan had vanished so suddenly. Coupled with her own kidnapping and safe return, something major must have occurred.
"Inform the Li family head and find the 驸马's whereabouts," Princess Linglong said urgently.
"The Li family head has already dispatched experts to investigate. I don't know how it's going," Xiao Qing replied, shaking her head.
As they were talking, the Li family head arrived with a group of experts. "Princess, this old servant is incompetent. I am truly incompetent!"
"What is going on?" Princess Linglong frowned. "Has the 驸马 truly met with misfortune?"
"I sent people to scout the mountain range ahead and found signs of a struggle," the Li family head stated repeatedly. "The 驸马 is likely in grave danger. Princess, please prepare yourself for the worst!"
"You are talking nonsense! How could the 驸马 be in trouble?" Princess Linglong's face turned ashen. "Why aren't you sending people to search? How could thieves infiltrate Jiulong City, and the 驸马's whereabouts be unknown? If my father, the Emperor, learns of this, can your Li family bear the consequences?"
"Princess, please calm your anger. I have already dispatched a large number of experts to search the surrounding areas. We will surely find him," the Li family head said quickly, bowing his head and becoming flustered.
He had slept soundly last night, dreaming of imperial rewards upon their return to the capital. He never expected such turmoil to erupt overnight.
"I know where the master is!"
As they were speaking, Duan Tianya emerged, his expression unusually serious.
"Where is the 驸马 now?"
Linglong hurried forward to ask, not daring to delay.
"If I'm not mistaken, the 驸马 should have been taken to the Eighth Prince's estate."
Duan Tianya stated directly, "The people who acted last night were likely from the Eighth Prince's estate."
"How is that possible? Why would the Eighth Prince's estate kidnap the Princess?" Xiao Qing questioned. "Furthermore, the 驸马 is to marry the Princess. How would the Eighth Prince's estate dare to do this and capture the 驸马?"
"Last night, the Eighth Prince's estate actually intended to deal with the 驸马, using the Princess as bait!" Duan Tianya said frankly. "If Princess Linglong does not believe me, I have nothing more to say."
"How can this be? The Eighth Prince's estate is a vassal prince. How could they dare to disrespect the 驸马? If this were true, wouldn't they fear extermination of their clan?" the Li family head exclaimed. "This matter is not trivial and cannot be treated lightly."
"I believe him. The 驸马 must be at the Eighth Prince's estate!" Princess Linglong declared. Duan Tianya was Lu Fan's attendant; he must know certain things, otherwise, he wouldn't be so certain.
"Princess Linglong, this matter is of great importance. We cannot act rashly!" the Li family head cautioned.
After all, it concerned a vassal prince. Even he dared not act impulsively. If it triggered a conflict between vassal princes, the entire imperial family might fall into crisis, and his Li family would become the greatest sinners.
"The 驸马 is missing, and the Li family is the first to bear the brunt," Princess Linglong said with a light laugh. "Doesn't the Li family head wish to accompany me to the Eighth Prince's estate?"
"This..."
The Li family head fell into deep thought, unsure of what to do. Princess Linglong's words were perfectly timed. This matter was not trivial. If the Li family remained passive, how could they account for themselves to the Dragon Emperor upon their return to the capital?
"Moreover, we have the army at our disposal. Even if we go to my uncle's royal city, he wouldn't dare to do anything," Princess Linglong stated coldly. "But if the Li family head does not intervene in this matter, I will certainly inform my father, the Emperor, and your Li family will also be in peril."
The Li family head was instantly caught in a dilemma, his eyes filled with helplessness. He never imagined things would turn out this way; it was entirely different from his expectations.
"The Li family head should consider the priorities himself!"
Princess Linglong said no more, preparing her luggage to head to the Eighth Prince's estate. With Lu Fan's fate unknown, she was deeply worried.
"Since the Princess intends to go to the Eighth Prince's estate, how can the Li family dare to refuse?" the Li family head bowed. "I will immediately summon everyone to accompany the Princess to the royal city. If it is indeed the Eighth Prince's estate's doing, I doubt the Eighth Prince would dare to act recklessly!"
Princess Linglong nodded slightly, a look of joy appearing on her face. With the Li family as her backing, she would have the confidence to travel to the royal city. After all, the master of the Eighth Prince's estate was her imperial uncle, and her title as Princess alone might not be enough to suppress him.
Returning to her courtyard, Princess Linglong began packing her belongings and then looked at Duan Tianya. "Why are you so certain that the 驸马 is at the Eighth Prince's estate?"
"Last night, the master learned that Princess Linglong had been abducted and pursued them. He has not returned since, so he must have been captured."
Duan Tianya stated directly, "The master has a past grievance with Baihu from the Eighth Prince's estate. If my guess is correct, it must be his doing! Only the Eighth Prince's estate possesses such capabilities."
"What did your master do before to become enemies with the Eighth Prince's estate?" Xiao Qing asked with some curiosity.
Duan Tianya smiled but said no more.
Princess Linglong did not doubt him. Duan Tianya's words were logical and reasonable; he likely wouldn't lie to her.
Meanwhile, in the dungeons of the Eighth Prince's estate, a massive Divine Dragon Cauldron was placed, surrounded by powerful formations that made it impossible for ordinary people to escape.
"Boy, now that you've entered the Eighth Prince's estate, you'd best behave," Baihu sneered. "Since you don't want to come out, I'll keep you locked up until you die!"
"You truly have a lot of leisure time!" Lu Fan stood within the Divine Emperor Cauldron, smiling coldly. "The 驸马 is missing, and the Princess will surely not let this go. She will likely send people to the Eighth Prince's estate soon. Let's see how you deal with it then."
"You think too highly of yourself, boy!" Baihu immediately sneered.