Xue Zhong returned to the Marquis' Mansion in a panic and went straight to the Prajna Hall without even brushing off the dust on his body.

Thinking of the servants who were still trapped on the farm, he had no time to care about anything else and could only urge Mother Han to lead the way.

After recounting the series of thrilling events in one breath, Xue Zhong seemed to have exhausted all his strength and was still in shock.

When Hong Yingrong and Jiang Shuxiu heard the whole story, they were shocked and their astonishment was beyond words.

Seeing Xue Zhong in such a state of disgrace, and hearing that the people from the farm had actually attacked the servants in the mansion, Madam Zhao was so angry that she was shaking all over, and her voice was trembling: "Aren't these people from the farm rebellious? We must report it to the Jingzhao Yin and send officials to round them up!"

Hong Yingrong, however, appeared unusually calm. She gently raised her hand to calm everyone down, saying, "Don't panic. Since this is a matter concerning our mansion and farm, there's no need to alert the authorities."

This matter involves the outer residence of the Marquis's mansion, and the farm is already in chaos, so it is not convenient for the female members of the mansion to intervene directly.

Then, she turned her gaze to Jiang Shuxiu and asked, "Is Yuanchu in Lanyue Pavilion now?"

Jiang Shuxiu lowered her head slightly, a trace of loneliness flashing in her eyes: "He has social engagements outside, and has been staying in the villa of the Marquis of Jingxiang for the past two days."

"What about the second young master?" Hong Yingrong continued to ask.

Mother Han hurried forward to report: "The second young master is busy with the Ministry of Works and has been sleeping in the Ministry's duty room these past few days."

After understanding the situation, Hong Yingrong made a prompt decision without hesitation and decided to deal with this sudden crisis personally.

"Xue Zhong, you must immediately gather all the guards that can be deployed in the mansion. Except for the guards who are necessary to guard the mansion, the rest will form teams of twenty and immediately head to the farm in the west of the city." Hong Yingrong's tone was firm and left no room for doubt.

"Prepare the carriage, I want to go and take a look myself." She added, with a resolute look between her brows.

Upon hearing this, both Zhao Ma and Jiang Shuxiu looked worried.

Madam Zhao said anxiously, "Madam, the people at the farm are now even holding the servants in the mansion hostage. How can you possibly go there? What if something goes wrong?"

Jiang Shuxiu also agreed, "Mother-in-law, it's better to take the long view on this matter. Why not wait until Yuanchu and Second Uncle return home before making a decision?"

Hong Yingrong waved her hand and said solemnly, "You don't understand the stakes involved. This is probably far more than just embezzling food. If we don't find out the truth in time, I'm afraid the Marquis' Mansion will be in great trouble."

Thinking about how the entire Xingyuan Marquis Mansion was plagued by multiple crimes in the previous life, and that a thousand-mile dam was breached by an ant hole, Hong Yingrong hoped that it would not be too late to make amends now.

Seeing the old lady's firm attitude, Zhao Ma and Jiang Shuxiu did not dare to raise any more objections.

Nanny Zhao quickly arranged for several maids to accompany her. They were all used to doing rough work, and their hands and feet were as strong as half a man. Staying by Hong Yingrong's side would also add a bit of safety.

Hong Yingrong put on a cloak and a felt hat, looking ready to go.

Xue Zhong had gathered nearly forty guards outside, divided into two groups, some of whom had served in the military. Their skills were far superior to those of the previous servants.

Jiang Shuxiu escorted her mother-in-law all the way to the gate of the marquis's mansion, and at the same time ordered the gate servants to act separately: one went to the Ministry of Works' duty room to inform his second uncle Xue Zhongfu to return home quickly; the other went to the Jingxiang Marquis's villa to find her husband Xue Yuanchu.

As Hong Yingrong was about to board the carriage, she heard Jiang Shuxiu mention the search for Xue Yuanchu, and she bluntly said, "If you want to find Yuanchu, you might as well ask Zhao Bai. You probably won't be able to find him even if you go to Jingxiang Hou."

These words surprised Jiang Shuxiu. She remembered that Zhao Bai was Nanny Zhao's nephew, who worked as an errand boy in the Marquis's Mansion but was not serving Xue Yuanchu. Why did she want to ask him about Xue Yuanchu's whereabouts?

However, the scene was in chaos, and she couldn't calm down and think about the reasons. She had to put this doubt aside and concentrate on dealing with the emergency at hand.

It was late at night. Two groups of people were marching side by side in front of the Marquis' Mansion, all with serious expressions. A carriage was following closely behind them, attracting curious glances from passers-by.

Jiang Shuxiu in the Marquis' Mansion couldn't calm down and rest. She sat in the Xiangyun Hall, anxiously waiting for news. At the same time, she ordered Mother Zhou beside her to go to Fanghua Garden to ensure the safety of Xue Shanqiu's yard.

Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.

Within half an hour, the doormen who were sent to notify Xue Yuanchu and Xue Zhongfu returned one after another.

One of them breathlessly reported, "I arrived there and claimed to be a guard at the Marquis' Mansion. When the Second Young Master came out of the duty room, I told him everything about the unusual movements at the farm and how the old lady had left the city with her guards. He immediately excused himself and rode off towards the west gate in pursuit."

The other servant who went to look for Xue Yuanchu seemed somewhat helpless. "I went to the Jingxiang Marquis's villa, but the gatekeeper there was vague, saying only that the Crown Prince was taken out for a drink by General Zhongyong's son-in-law, Master Feng, and is not in the villa now..."

Jiang Shuxiu and Rui'er beside him looked at each other, and they understood each other tacitly.

Everything was exactly as old lady Hong Yingrong had said.

"Miss," Rui'er suggested softly, "The old lady specifically told us to ask Zhao Bai about the situation. Perhaps he knows where the prince is? Why don't we ask him?"

Jiang Shuxiu nodded slightly to show her agreement.

Rui'er immediately ordered a little maid to go and inquire.

However, when the maid came back, she told them that Zhao Bai was not in the gatehouse.

Since Zhao Bai was Madam Zhao's nephew, they could not ask too many questions and could only wait for him to come back.

Hong Yingrong and her entourage, accompanied by dozens of guards, marched towards the west city gate in a mighty procession.

When arriving at the city gate, the gate guards routinely approached and questioned them.

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