Chapter 79: Abducting Jiang Zhuoying, she constantly remembered her past experiences...

Jiang Zhuoying kept her past experiences in mind... If what he said was true, and after her investigation, she might be able to agree to the marriage.

For her or for the Duke's mansion, this is the best choice.

With her mind almost at ease, she turned her head and asked, "Still haven't found Granny Cui?"

Xiangxing replied gently, "No, we have very limited manpower, and we haven't been able to find any trace of her at all."

Jiang Zhuoying pursed her lips. Now that Zhao Shi has entered the Ministry of Justice, even if she is convicted, it will be for colluding with the Imperial Concubine to harm the concubines and the imperial heirs.

But Zhao had killed her mother, and she had to admit it!

But the only witness, Granny Cui, had mysteriously disappeared. She had clearly sent Wujiu to keep an eye on things...

"Miss, there is actually one more thing."

"What?"

Xiangxing lowered his eyes slightly: "We've also lost track of Yueying from Ninghui Hall."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhuoying frowned even more. Yueying was planted by Qi Fan, so she must be quite capable.

Even though they sent people to follow her, they were extremely careful, afraid of revealing any flaws. If Yueying disappeared, it must have been because she had received orders from her master to leave.

Why leave at this time?

A sudden unease washed over her...

The girl bit her lip, then her eyes suddenly flashed: "Never mind, let Wujiu keep an eye on Jiang Lang's movements for now."

"yes."

The carriage moved slowly when a commotion suddenly erupted ahead. Jiang Zhuoying frowned but remained silent.

Someone will find out for her.

Sure enough, a short while later, Wujiu reported from outside: "Miss, a carriage ahead has broken free of its reins and is in a mess. Why don't we take a detour back to the manor?"

Breaking free?

Jiang Zhuoying slightly pushed open the car window and looked ahead. Sure enough, it was a chaotic mess, so chaotic that it blocked the road. Judging from the situation, she didn't know when things would return to normal.

She lowered her eyes and thought for a moment: "No, let's wait here."

The strange thing happened last time because she took a detour into the alley, and she won't fall for it again this time.

"yes."

I sat in the carriage for almost the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, but the noise outside didn't stop. Instead, a series of sudden screams rang out.

"Hey, stop it!"

"Why is there another carriage stopping halfway here?"

...

Before Jiang Zhuoying could utter a sound, the wheel beneath her suddenly turned around, and she fell to the side unprepared. Fortunately, Xiangyue caught her and protected her.

"Wu Jiu? What happened?" Xiang Yue shouted.

"The horse has broken free of its reins, Miss, please hold on tight!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage sped off.

To avoid the crowds, Wu Jiu had to drive the carriage into a sparsely populated alley. The ride was so bumpy that Jiang Zhuoying had to collapse onto the soft couch.

Her heart was racing; she already had a vague premonition of what was going to happen...

The swaying carriage gradually came to a steady stop, and at the same time, Wu Jiu's deep voice came: "Miss, there are people ahead."

Jiang Zhuoying smoothed her temples and waited for the carriage to come to a complete stop before slowly standing up.

She was a little unsteady on her feet, so Xiangyue helped her walk outside. As for Xiangxing, her legs were so weak that she couldn't stand up.

The car doors were wide open—

The girl stood at the front of the carriage, facing dozens of fully armed silver-armored guards mounted on horseback.

Jiang Zhuoying frowned and looked around several times.

She had never seen these people before, but she had heard of their attire.

When he was young, his father mentioned that this was how Crown Prince Yi dressed: covered in silver armor, and each of them was exceptionally skilled in martial arts.

But there isn't even a crown prince yet, so where would a Crown Prince Yi come from?

She noticed that these people had solemn expressions, but they didn't seem to intend to harm her directly.

Jiang Zhuoying cleared her throat: "I was chased here by a runaway horse and have inadvertently disturbed you all. I will leave immediately and hope you will forgive me."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chilly breeze swept by, and no one answered.

...

One hour later.

Jiang Zhuoying, along with Xiangyue, Xiangxing, and Wujiu, were locked in a small courtyard.

"Hey? Who are you people? Do you know who our young lady is?"

Xiangyue rushed forward, her tone quite dissatisfied.

Jiang Zhuoying immediately grabbed her arm, signaling her not to act impulsively.

These men looked tall and imposing, quite intimidating, but they didn't harm the group, seemingly just following orders.

As for the person who gave these instructions, there are only two possibilities.

The current emperor has only two sons.

But no matter which one it is, she... won't be able to get away from this.

Upon closer examination, she had thoroughly offended both of them...

Xiangxing stepped forward and took her arm: "These people are keeping silent, Miss. Why don't you send Wujiu to investigate?"

Jiang Zhuoying glanced at Wu Jiu, whose face was solemn, and gently shook her head: "Forget it, there are too many of them, Wu Jiu won't get away with it alone."

"So we're just going to sit here and wait to die? The Duke is still waiting for you at his residence."

Xiangyue took her other arm, her tone somewhat urgent.

Jiang Zhuoying sighed softly. How could she not know?

But given the current situation, with so many silver-armored guards outside, how could they possibly get out?

She turned and glanced at the small courtyard behind her: "Let's go in and take a look."

...

Chu Yixin lingered around the entrance of Zhiwei Pavilion a few times, then leaned in to look inside, only to meet those cold, dark eyes.

He forced a smile and quickened his pace to go inside: "Sir, the person has been brought."

The man, with a blank face, watched him approach without expression, then lowered his gaze to the book in his hands and turned a page.

"Hmm, where is the messenger?"

"We've already left the palace gates. At most, we should arrive at the Duke of Rui's residence in half an hour."

Chu Yixin replied softly, then bowed slightly and waited for instructions. The imperial edict was about to arrive, but the person to receive it had disappeared. This was a serious matter.

Qi Fan paused for a moment, then threw down the book with a 'thud' and pinched the bridge of his nose: "Prepare the horses and go to the Duke of Rui's mansion."

A smile finally appeared on Chu Yixin's face, and she straightened her back instantly: "Yes! This servant will go right away."

...

Jiang Zhuoying looked around the courtyard. It was clear that someone had been cleaning it all along. Not only was it spotless, but the surrounding decorations were also exquisite and extremely luxurious.

A brief recollection of the Second Prince's simple and unpretentious demeanor at his villa revealed that this was completely unlike him.

Her heart sank slightly.

Could it be... that Qi Fan lost?

If the Third Prince is made Crown Prince, what situation will he be in now?

It felt like a huge boulder had suddenly hit her chest, causing a dull and painful sensation. She staggered slightly, and Xiangxing, who had been by her side, immediately came forward to support her.

"Young lady? Are you alright?"

Upon hearing Xiangxing's greeting, Xiangyue, who was already looking around at the furniture, immediately turned around.

Seeing that her young mistress's expression was clearly off, Xiangyue immediately dropped what she was holding and strode toward her.

"Miss? Are you feeling unwell?"

Jiang Zhuoying shook her head, saying she was fine, but the two maids beside her were on high alert. They moved a chaise lounge outside and helped her sit down.

He repeatedly told her to rest there for a while.

As Jiang Zhuoying watched the two maids and Wu Jiu's busy backs, that cold and indifferent face involuntarily appeared before her eyes.

Her slender, fair hands gripped the armrest tightly, and the veins on the back of her hands stood out even more, winding from the back of her hands all the way to where her sleeves covered her.

A once rosy, porcelain-white face gradually lost its color...

The wind in the yard was getting stronger and stronger, rustling the leaves and faintly rumbling thunder could be heard.

After roughly cleaning up, Xiangyue and Xiangxing came to welcome her into the house, and Wujiu followed them from the courtyard into the house.

"It's almost dinner time, what should we do?"

Xiangyue was filled with worry, but before she could finish speaking, the courtyard gate opened, and several maids came in carrying a string of food boxes...

The maids were very polite and respectful. After placing the food on the table, they curtsied and prepared to leave.

"Wait," Jiang Zhuoying called out, stopping them.

The head maid stopped in her tracks, bowed her head slightly, and waited for her instructions.

“I know you have rules, I just want to know who your master is.”

The maid kept her head down, feeling uneasy.

Before coming here, Eunuch Chu had given instructions to take good care of this young lady, but not to reveal His Highness's identity.

"You can't even tell me that?"

The maid curtsied and said, "If you need anything, please just give the order. We other servants can't make that decision."

Jiang Zhuoying paused for a moment, then changed the subject: "Then who is the owner of this courtyard?"

“Naturally, he is my master.”

Jiang Zhuoying: "..."

She propped her hand on her forehead and waved her hand: "Fine, you can go now."

The maid finally breathed a sigh of relief and gave a deep bow: "Please enjoy your meal, young lady. We will take our leave now."

After everyone left, Jiang Zhuoying glanced at the food on the table again. The table was full of delicious dishes, plentiful and appetizing.

Xiangxing and Xiangyue exchanged a glance, then silently left the room...

Night had fallen, and the rain was pattering down relentlessly outside.

Just as Xiangyue was helping Jiang Zhuoying to rest, the courtyard suddenly became noisy again, and shouts could be faintly heard amidst the pattering rain.

Jiang Zhuoying frowned: "Go and see what happened."

Xiangyue draped a cloak over her shoulders and then led her outside, just as Xiangxing rushed inside in a panic.

Seeing her pale and flustered face, Jiang Zhuoying's heart sank: "What's wrong?"

Xiangxing looked up, her face filled with undisguised anxiety, but she tried her best to keep her voice steady: "Miss, Wujiu is in trouble... Please go and see him..."

Jiang Zhuoying quickened her pace and walked out. The door was already slightly ajar, and Xiangyue stepped forward to open both doors for her.

What happened next stung her eyes.

Wu Jiu knelt with his head down in the wind and rain, not uttering a sound and remaining motionless.

He was flanked by a group of proud, silver-armored guards. The lead guard stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Miss Jiang, your subordinate has behaved improperly."

Jiang Zhuoying ignored him and rushed into the rain, interrupting him with a slightly stern look: "Did he steal your money?"

The man frowned: "No."

"Or perhaps one of you was injured?"

The man's brow furrowed even more: "No."

"What a breach of etiquette! I was forcibly brought here by you, and I did not make things difficult for you. I was just feeling a little unwell and wanted to send him to find a doctor to prescribe medicine. What kind of etiquette is this?"

The girl stood under the eaves, the torrential rain quickly soaking her cloak. Xiangyue, who had rushed over, hurriedly opened an oil-paper umbrella for her...

Although she was petite and slender, she had a beautiful face and a sharp look in her eyes, which made the leading silver-armored guard lower his head.