In a tavern in the royal city not long after, Steward Zhao appeared, his expression somewhat grim. Beside him were several men, their expressions also subtly shifting.
"Steward Zhao, what has happened to make you so preoccupied that you summoned me here?" General Wen inquired. "General Wen, you are unaware. That brat has gained the recognition of the Northern American County Princess. It won't be long before he meets the Prince. If that truly happens, this matter will likely be exposed."
At these words, everyone present furrowed their brows. They hadn't expected things to turn out this way, catching them off guard.
"That brat is currently within the Prince's mansion. It's not easy for me to make a move against them!" General Wen shook his head. "Furthermore, the Prince is not in the mansion tonight. If we are to act, tonight is the best opportunity!"
"Is there any way to lure him out?"
Steward Zhao frowned. "As long as we can lure him out of the Prince's mansion, even within the royal city, we will not hesitate. If we can kill this brat, all matters will vanish like smoke!"
"This..."
General Wen frowned slightly, his gaze wavering. Steward Zhao's words had indeed touched a nerve.
"General Wen, if you have any reservations, please speak freely!" Steward Zhao smiled and produced several treasures. "These are a few trinkets from my Northwest County Prefecture. I hope General Wen will not find them beneath your notice!"
With these words, General Wen smiled. "Very well, I do have a method. We can lure one of them out of the Prince's mansion and hand them over to you. This way, it will be seamless and lure that brat out. By then, he will have no escape!"
"That is a good plan!" Steward Zhao nodded. "However, it will trouble General Wen, as we are not convenient to enter the Prince's mansion."
"That is no problem!" General Wen nodded. As the saying goes, a short hand takes from others, and soft words are from others; he understood this very well.
After General Wen departed, the Situ family head smiled. "Steward Zhao is truly remarkable. With just a few words, he has resolved this matter!"
"Whether it is resolved or not, we cannot be sure yet!" Steward Zhao shook his head. "We can only hope it does not disappoint us!"
"General Wen has already agreed. This matter is nine out of ten certain!" The Situ family head smiled, instantly feeling much more relaxed.
Meanwhile, within the Prince's mansion, the Northern American County Princess had prepared a banquet, inviting Lu Fan and others. Lu Fan had been instrumental in winning first place in the polo match today, and the Northern American County Princess could see that Lin Fan was no ordinary person, which pleased her greatly.
"Have you considered taking a position within my Prince's mansion?" the Northern American County Princess asked. "You were able to injure Zhao Xueqi, which shows your strength is not weak. I think highly of this."
"I am not concerned with taking a position!" Lu Fan shook his head. "I just wish to meet the Ninth Prince as soon as possible, as I have important matters to convey."
"There is no need to rush. My father will not be back tonight. When he returns tomorrow morning, I will inform you!" the Northern American County Princess smiled.
Lu Fan nodded and slowly coughed. The fine wine in the Prince's mansion was indeed different from that outside, making one feel more hazy with intoxication.
As time passed, Lu Fan and the others became quite drunk, and the Northern American County Princess was also quite happy. She hadn't felt this joyful in a long time.
When it was late at night, Lu Fan and the others had returned to their rooms. However, at that very moment, a dart flew into Lu Fan's room. On the dart were written a few words: "If you want to save someone, come to Shili Slope!"
Lu Fan shot up, about to go to the other rooms, when he saw Liu Ruyan hurrying over. "No need to look. I've already checked. Ling'er has been captured!"
"Who did this!" Lu Fan's brow furrowed, his gaze becoming more sharp. He hadn't expected anyone to dare to act here, catching him off guard.
"If I'm not mistaken, it should be someone from the Prince's mansion, but the true mastermind behind this is likely the Northwest County Prefecture!" Liu Ruyan frowned. "Shili Slope is a place of no return. If you go, it will likely be a path to death."
"Even if I have to go through mountains of knives and seas of fire, I will not abandon my companions!"
Lu Fan's expression was indifferent, and he was ready to set off, preparing to go to Shili Slope alone.
"Why not inform the Northern American County Princess? Perhaps she can help!" Liu Ruyan suggested.
"This matter has nothing to do with the Northern American County Princess. Moreover, if I ask the Northern American County Princess to help, then the condition she promised me will become saving someone. How can I meet the Prince then!"
Liu Ruyan fell into deep thought, but she couldn't say anything more. Just as Lu Fan said, this matter was not so simple.
Meanwhile, at Shili Slope, Ling'er was tied to a tree, her spiritual power sealed. She looked wronged. "Let me go, let me go!"
"Little girl, weren't you quite arrogant just now?" The Situ family head sneered. "Now you should understand our methods!"
"If you dare to act recklessly, and my father finds out, he will definitely not let you off!" Ling'er said angrily, looking very displeased.
"Your father?" The Situ family head burst into laughter. "Today, even if the King of Heaven himself came, no one could save you. You are merely bait. If that brat falls for it, you have value. If that brat doesn't fall for it, you won't even have basic value!"
Ling'er was furious but didn't know what to do. Now that she was controlled here, she couldn't escape at all.
At the same time, Steward Zhao stood to the side, his gaze indifferent. It seemed that in his eyes, Ling'er was not a concern at all, or perhaps the person he was truly waiting for was Lu Fan.
"Do you think that brat will come?" Steward Zhao asked.
"He definitely will!" The Situ family head narrowed his eyes. "If he doesn't come, the person before us will likely die. That brat is sentimental and wouldn't do such a thing!"
"Throughout the entire Heavenly Realm, how many people have done this just to survive!" Steward Zhao smiled faintly. "I dare not be certain that this brat will come to save her, after all, he knows this is a death trap!"
"You don't believe it because in your heart, there is no such thing as friendship!"
A cold voice sounded, and Lu Fan appeared, his gaze fixed on Steward Zhao. "The Northwest Prefecture is truly relentless. Chasing from the Northwest County Prefecture to the royal city, I have truly seen a lot!"