What a state of affairs!
Could it be a debt of love?
But the second young master has always been so upright, how could he have provoked this person?
"Hmph, don't think about climbing up the social ladder. My second young master is already betrothed to the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Bai. You little girl, stop trying to seduce him. If you value your life, leave quickly, lest I waste my breath!"
Feng Jinyao was furious. Her cousin Si Ru was still missing, and she had already wasted so much time here. If she couldn't find Xiao Muqian, she would have to search for him herself. But she had barely left the capital city a few times, how could she possibly find him?
She flicked her horsewhip, striking the vermilion copper studs on the gate of Prince Kang's mansion, leaving a deep white mark. Her voice was chilling, "I'll ask you one more time, where is the second young master!"
Her anger was at its limit. If this person still didn't know what was good for him, she wouldn't be merciful!
The servant was startled by her whip and stammered, pointing at Feng Jinyao with a look of great alarm. He shouted inside, "Brothers, someone is trying to force their way into the Prince's mansion!"
Soon, guards with swords rushed out from inside, their faces stern as they looked at Feng Jinyao. Although they were somewhat surprised that the intruder was a young girl, they did not dare to underestimate her imposing presence.
Not far away, a hidden guard, who had been lurking at the gate of Prince Kang's mansion, quickly scaled the wall and entered the Xiao family's courtyard, heading straight for Xiao Muqian's residence.
Inside, Su Cheng was discussing Lu Yuanfeng with Xiao Muqian.
"I'm not sure about other things, but this fellow's intentions towards Miss Bai are probably not pure. He's also involved with the Duke of Wei's family. I'm worried it might affect your departure with the army, so I came to talk to you about it. Find an opportunity to clarify things with Miss Bai."
Su Cheng's tone was serious. This person was investigated at A'yao's request, but he didn't expect it to involve the Wei family. He had to be more careful.
Xiao Muqian stood with his hands behind his back, his brow furrowed. In his embrace was the peace charm she had given him just yesterday.
He was aware of Bai Siruo's feelings. Although their engagement was arranged by their parents through a matchmaker, after several encounters, they had indeed developed some affection for each other.
Who could tolerate their own fiancée being coveted by someone else?
As he was contemplating what to do, he heard movement from the dark guards outside the window.
As the deputy leader, Su Cheng was naturally very familiar with the actions and signals of his subordinates. This person was supposed to be outside the gate, so why had he run inside?
"What is it!"
"Miss Feng San is about to fight with the guards outside the gate."
"What!"
Su Cheng looked astonished. He had never heard that his second brother's sister could fight, so why was she arguing with the guards?
He grabbed Xiao Muqian and walked outside, saying as they went, "Your servants are too blind. If A'yao gets hurt, you'll be queuing up with people looking for trouble!"
The first one would be Feng Er, who was fiercely protective of his sister, followed by Bai Siruo, and then the Prince's methods. He couldn't help but offer Xiao Muqian three minutes of silent sympathy.
At the gate, the guards looked at Feng Jinyao with serious expressions and did not rashly step forward. Instead, one of them asked, "Who are you? Why are you causing trouble for my Prince Kang's mansion?"
"That's irrelevant." She had no time to explain herself here. Since she couldn't find Xiao Muqian, she would have to find him herself. Having wasted half the day, she raised her whip to leave.
However, in the eyes of the guards, it was a provocation. She deliberately left such a whip mark and then wanted to run?
If she were allowed to escape, what would become of Prince Kang's mansion's reputation?
"Stop!" The leading guard stepped forward to kick her off her horse. A hidden guard lurking outside made to rescue her, but unexpectedly, Yang Zhao, who "happened" to be passing by, kicked the guard's leg. The man fell to the ground like a shooting star, in so much pain that his teeth were about to fall out.
"The Prince is here, and you dare to be so presumptuous?"
In the capital city, few people had seen Prince Ding, but many had seen Yang Zhao.
Coupled with the fact that the carriages behind him were all made of black iron, and the eight matched horses looked extraordinary, a dazzling plaque hung in front of the carriage, bearing the word "Ding."
Even a blind person would know that this was Prince Ding, a person who was difficult to provoke and should not be provoked.
The scene immediately fell silent, and the guard with the broken leg dared not act rashly.
Feng Jinyao had no time to think about these things. She only knew that if she delayed any longer, her cousin would either be killed or disgraced. She apologized to Yang Zhao and said, "I beg Your Highness's forgiveness. I have an urgent family matter that compels me to leave. I will personally apologize at your residence another day." With that, she flicked her whip and prepared to leave.
Just then, Su Cheng and Xiao Muqian walked out from inside.
"A'yao!"
"Brother Su."
"Why are you here?"
"My cousin was abducted by someone named Lu, and her whereabouts are unknown. I've already asked my aunt to have Uncle Lin request the city gates be sealed, but I'm afraid she may have already left. I couldn't find you at the Su residence, so I came here to find my cousin's husband."
This was the first time Feng Jinyao had called Xiao Muqian cousin's husband. This was to declare her identity and, at the same time, to hope that Xiao Muqian would consider their marital ties and also search for her, so that they could find her as quickly as possible.
"You say Siruo was abducted by someone named Lu?"
Xiao Muqian, who was usually gentle, suddenly stepped forward with such ferocity that it startled Feng Jinyao. A general who had fought on the battlefield was indeed a general. She had never seen such a bloodthirsty expression on her father or brothers at home.
Suppressing her fear, she nodded and said, "It's been about an hour and a half since my cousin was abducted. The servant at the Bai family's door said she went west, but it's uncertain if she changed her route midway!"
Xiao Muqian didn't have time to speak. He placed his fingers on his lips and let out a long whistle. Jifeng, who had followed him for a long time, leaped out of the stable and galloped towards the front gate. He leaped onto it and sped west.
Su Cheng shouted from behind, but he couldn't hear him.
He had no choice but to snatch a horse from Prince Ding's accompanying soldiers and follow. Feng Jinyao nodded apologetically to Yang Zhao and also whipped her horse to gallop away.
Soon, the three of them disappeared at the end of the street, leaving Yang Zhao, who had not uttered a word, and the stunned guards and servants of Prince Kang's mansion.
"Your Highness, should we pursue?"
"No need. Let the dark guard camp assist. Going west, there are only two routes: either to my family's estate in the western suburbs, or to the civilian dwellings at the foot of Mount Li. Have someone make arrangements at these two places in advance. Capture them when you see them."
"Yes!" Yang Zhao immediately followed the order. In the carriage, the tea in front of Xiao Tingyi was still steaming, but his gaze was unusually gentle.
She was quite interesting.
When he first saw her, he thought she was just a young girl, but her calm eyes seemed to see through people's hearts.
The second time he saw her, her skill in the archery contest, her ability to break off the engagement with the Xu family, her skill in saving her nephew, and her ability to win over Shou Bo, all made him increasingly impressed.