Chapter 73 Sealing the City Gates

Chapter Seventy-Three: Sealing Off the City Gates

Visibility was poor last night, so Shen Tang didn't see the man in black's face clearly.

Now that it was broad daylight, she was surprised to find that the man's features looked somewhat familiar, but Shen Tang was quite certain that she had never seen him before.

Shen Tang thought about it carefully for a moment and finally remembered who the person resembled.

This person's features are so similar to Liu Yuniang's!

After Shen Tang returned to the capital, he immediately went to his uncle and told him about Liu Yuniang's situation.

However, my uncle's reply was that there was no record of conscription from Liujia Village in the Ministry of War's recruitment files, which meant that the conscription in Liujia Village was not an official act.

Instead, it is unknown who recruited a large number of young men under the guise of government recruitment, and these young men disappeared completely after the recruitment ended.

It seems the odds are against them.

Unexpectedly, they ended up meeting someone who looked so much like Liu Yuniang.

Unable to contain her excitement, Shen Tang quickly asked the man in black, "Are you from Liu Family Village?"

The man in black paused slightly when he heard the words "Liu Family Village".

Shen Tang had been watching him closely, so this change naturally didn't escape her notice, and she quickly and excitedly asked another question.

"Is Liu Yuniang your mother? Is your name Feng Yushan?"

Shen Tang was almost certain in her heart that this person was Feng Yushan. She thought that after hearing Liu Yuniang's name, he would come and ask her about Liu Yuniang's situation.

After all, according to Liu Yuniang, her son was very filial to her, and after being separated for so many years, he would definitely be excited and moved to hear news of his mother.

Unexpectedly, the man's face suddenly darkened, and he held another sword to her neck, staring at her with cold eyes, saying, "I'm not, if you say another word I'll kill you!"

Shen Tang was startled and quickly reached out to carefully remove the sword from her neck: "Big brother, don't get agitated, it's not true, I won't ask anymore."

This person has a terrible temper, which is completely different from the kind, honest and kind character that Liu Yuniang described.

Shen Tang couldn't help but think to herself that she might have really mistaken her for someone else.

The carriage soon resumed its journey, and after about an hour, it stopped at a mountain village.

The man in black dragged her off the carriage and half-dragged her as he hurried toward the manor.

They soon arrived at the hall. The man in black threw Shen Tang to the ground and respectfully said to the man standing in the center, "Master, the person has been brought."

The man, dressed in a black cloak that covered him completely from head to toe, slowly turned around upon hearing the voice of the man in black and spoke to him.

"Cang Ye, you did a great job. I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

He then turned to look at Shen Tang, who was thrown to the ground, and sneered, "So you're Shen Tang?"

He crouched down, lifted her chin with his fingers, and examined her closely.

"He's alright looking, but his background is just too low."

“Meng Huaiyan has always been a cunning and treacherous man who knows how to weigh the pros and cons. Marrying you will not bring him any benefits, and he will even offend the Princess for your sake.”

"You're quite capable, managing to make him care about you so much."

The fingers gripping her chin were pale and cold, and Shen Tang couldn't help but shiver.

Seeing that she was somewhat frightened, the man curled his lips into a cruel smile: "Don't worry, you'll still be of some use until Meng Huaiyan arrives, so I won't kill you."

After saying that, he turned Shen Tang's face away, then stood up and said to Cang Ye.

“Meng Huaiyan must be on his way here. Go and send him a message, telling him to come alone, otherwise he will only see Shen Tang’s corpse.”

Cang Ye bowed respectfully, accepted the order, and withdrew.

*

Meanwhile, Meng Huaiyan felt a sense of foreboding after Shen Tang had not returned from the bathroom for a long time.

Just as he was about to call Qingyang to check what was going on, Qingyang walked up to him with a solemn expression and whispered, "Your Highness, something has happened to the Princess Consort."

Meng Huaiyan's heart clenched instantly, and his face darkened immediately.

Upon seeing the commotion on his side, His Highness the Crown Prince quickly asked, "Huaiyan, what happened?"

Meng Huaiyan quickly stood up, bowed to His Highness the Crown Prince, and said, "Your Highness, an urgent matter has suddenly occurred that requires my personal attention. Please allow me to take my leave."

Seeing Meng Huaiyan's solemn expression, His Highness the Crown Prince figured that something serious must have happened, and quickly said, "Birthdays come every year, so if you have urgent business to attend to, go and take care of it first."

"Thank you, Your Highness. This humble subject will take his leave."

As soon as Meng Huaiyan stepped out of the East Palace, he hurriedly asked, "What's going on?"

Qingyang: "Youlan just sent a signal. When I went over, I found Youlan lying on the ground covered in blood, unconscious."

"As for the palace maid who led the Crown Princess to the washroom, I searched the entire East Palace but couldn't find the Crown Princess or her. I suspect that the Crown Princess may have been taken out of the East Palace."

Youlan's skills were already top-notch, but the person behind her was able to injure her so badly.

It seems that the person behind this has put in a lot of effort for today's event, knowing full well that he will bring Shen Tang to the East Palace for his birthday banquet.

They meticulously planned to abduct Shen Tang without making a sound and smoothly.

It's likely that his every move has been observed by someone behind the scenes, and there might be an inside accomplice among them.

Meng Huaiyan's temples bulged with veins, and his eyes flashed with a terrifying killing intent.

He took the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Qingyang: "Immediately seal off the city gates and do not allow anyone to enter or leave!"

"Send out the entire Shadow Guard to conduct a thorough search, leaving no suspicious person unchecked in the city."

Qingyang took the jade pendant and asked worriedly, "What about His Majesty?"

This unwarranted lockdown is no small matter; if His Majesty knew, I fear...

Meng Huaiyan frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "Spread the word that there are enemy spies infiltrating the city, seal off the city and conduct a thorough investigation, go quickly!"

"Yes." Qingyang accepted the order and withdrew.

As Meng Huaiyan walked out of the palace, he pondered in his mind who was behind this.

Of the princes currently living in the capital, Prince Ning is a playboy who has lost all ambition and devotes himself entirely to women.

Although His Majesty the Prince of Xing is now willing to support him, his power is not yet fully developed. It is impossible for him to be so foolish as to deal with the Meng family at this time when he is enjoying the Emperor's favor. That would be like throwing an egg against a rock.

Prince Xi is only thirteen years old. Although he is quite talented, his mother was just a palace maid and has no power to support her, so it is even more impossible for him to become a prince.

If we rule out these people, it can only be that one...