Just when Cheng Liang thought that no one had ever dared to stop the people from the Prince of Qin's mansion from carrying out their duties over the years.

However, he was clearly unprepared for the unfamiliar old lady in front of him and suddenly felt helpless. At that moment, Xuan Yuanhan suddenly spoke up and asked, "Where is your esteemed family head now?"

Upon hearing this, a look of panic quickly crossed the old lady's face.

But before anyone could notice, he quickly regained his composure.

He continued, "Just as my servant said, my master is currently in Dongning on business and is indeed not at home. So, does the absence of my master give you the right to bully the women and others in my household at will?"

He thought that once he said this, Xuanyuan Han would have some reservations and back down.

As it turns out, despite spending so much time in the Prince of Qin's mansion, she really didn't understand this cold-faced prince at all.

Once he sets his mind to something, no one can ever stop him!

As Cheng Liang stood to one side, he was secretly wondering what this Third Young Master Yi was up to. He was afraid that he was going to embarrass his master today.

Xuanyuan Han suddenly raised his voice and earnestly told her, "Western Qin will never bully or discriminate against any outsiders, but if he has ulterior motives, I will not easily forgive him!"

Little did he know that from the moment the old lady appeared today, her words, actions, and the way she looked at him seemed strangely familiar to Xuan Yuanhan.

Upon further reflection on Young Master Yi's words, she quickly realized that she was an old woman deliberately disguised by Mei Xiyuan.

Even the red beauty mark between her eyebrows was deliberately painted black.

But he didn't rush to expose her; he wanted to see what she was really up to.

He paused for a moment, then continued, “The eastern part of the city is where important officials of the court gather, and its security has never been taken lightly. If the thieves only intend to steal some gold and silver treasures, that’s fine. But if what they covet is something else, and they succeed in their purpose, it will bring disaster to the country and the people. Even I, the king, cannot bear that responsibility, let alone a small Plum Garden!”

Having said that, Mei Xiyuan clearly could no longer refuse. In an instant, she gripped her cane tightly, her face turning green with anger.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and managed to squeeze out a single word: "You..."

At this moment, Cheng Liang stepped forward again and said, "The thief's intentions are still unclear. The east of the city is no ordinary place. This matter is of great importance. I hope that you will cooperate, Madam!"

Mei Xiyuan gritted her teeth; she had no other choice.

He could only turn slightly to the side and order the servant, "Open the door for them..."

Cheng Liangchao thanked him, saying, "Thank you!"

Then he led everyone across the threshold and scattered to search for the figure in various places.

Plum Garden wasn't large, but Cheng Liang personally led people to search every nook and cranny of each courtyard again and again.

Finally, he arrived in front of Xuan Yuanhan with a disappointed look and shook his head at him.

Xuan Yuanhan seemed to have known all along that this would be the outcome from the moment Mei Xiyuan decided to open the door for everyone to enter.

But he was still somewhat unwilling, and he wondered to himself, "If she's not in the Prince's mansion, nor in the Plum Garden, then where else could she have hidden her?"

Just as Xuan Yuanhan was lost in his own thoughts, Mei Xiyuan coldly asked, "Are you all satisfied now?! Have you found any of those thieves with ill intentions that you mentioned in my courtyard?"

Seeing that his master was deep in thought, Cheng Liang immediately apologized and said, "I'm sorry to have disturbed you! However, it would be better if you didn't, so as not to implicate your family. What do you think, Madam?"

"snort!"

Mei Xiyuan let out a heavy, helpless snort, turned her face away, and refused to look at him again.

Just as everyone had gained nothing and could only turn and leave, Xuan Yuanhan was also preparing to take a step away.

But then he suddenly stopped, put his hands behind his back, turned sideways, and tentatively asked Mei Xiyuan, "By the way, do you still know whether the old lady's ancestors were from Dongning or Nan'an?"

Upon hearing this, Mei Xiyuan's gaze shifted rapidly, and she stared at him, momentarily stunned. She had a vague feeling that she might have been recognized by Xuan Yuanhan, so she introduced herself, saying, "My ancestors were from Nan'an and made a living in the jewelry business. Why does Your Highness ask this?"

Xuanyuan Han said, "So the old lady is from the Kingdom of Nan'an. No wonder she knew nothing about it."

Mei Xiyuan looked puzzled and asked, "Don't know what?"

Xuanyuan Han deliberately said, "I have heard that Dongning Kingdom has been frequently mobilizing troops recently, seemingly eager to launch an attack on my Western Qin. But Your Majesty, there is no need to panic. I have already laid a trap, just waiting for those 200,000 iron cavalry to enter the country. Even if Dongning adds another 200,000, I will make sure they have no way to escape and never return!"

Upon hearing this news, and seeing how confident Xuan Yuanhan was, Mei Xiyuan was greatly surprised.

"I specifically instructed Mei Zhixuan to handle this matter carefully and secretly. How come Xuan Yuanhan already knows everything so quickly, even that their vanguard force numbers 200,000!"

At this moment, Xuan Yuanhan continued to probe, "However, for safety's sake, I hope the Old Madam will advise your patriarch not to leave Western Qin in the near future. It would be unfortunate if the journey outside the city were to be fraught with danger, and if misunderstandings or conflicts arose due to encountering idle generals or scattered soldiers..."

Mei Xiyuan was clearly still preoccupied with the fact that the operation had been leaked, as if she hadn't heard Xuan Yuanhan's last words at all.

He simply replied casually, "Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness!"

Only then did Xuanyuan Han pick up his foot again and leave completely.

In an instant.

Under the dark sky overhead, the bustling courtyard returned to its initial silence.

After an unknown amount of time, Mei Xiyuan finally came to her senses.

He handed his cane to the maid beside him and slowly walked towards the pond in the center of the courtyard.

He gazed alone at the red carp swimming in the pond, muttering to himself, filled with doubt.

"Luckily, I sent that bitch away last night, otherwise I probably wouldn't have gotten away so easily today!"

"I wonder if that idiot has found that bitch yet?"

"Something extremely important went missing from the Prince of Qin's residence yesterday. What exactly was it?"

"However, he already knows about that matter. Does that mean he also knows that this war is between this princess and..."

Lost in thought, Mei Xiyuan suddenly ordered her maidservant urgently, "Quickly send someone to the western suburbs to inform that barbarian to leave that house immediately with his men. Now that Prince Qin, Xuanyuan Han, already knows about this, he will surely find that house soon!"

The maid was already feeling incredibly guilty; the way those people had acted had truly frightened her.

So he said, "Does that mean we can't stay in Plum Garden any longer either?"

"Plum Garden?!"

Mei Xiyuan thought for a moment and said, "The most dangerous place is also the safest place. The other parts of the Western Qin Imperial City are a mixed bag. Besides, he didn't recognize me in my disguise today, so we are still relatively safe. Let's hold back for now!"

Upon hearing this, the maid nodded and went to quickly find someone to do what Mei Xiyuan had instructed.

Mei Xiyuan was still extremely worried.

"No, I still have to find a way to see that idiot one more time to make sure that bitch has been found and is really hidden! With a major battle imminent, we're already on the verge of war and have no choice but to act. She'll definitely be of great use in the life-or-death battle to come!"

They left Plum Garden.

Cheng Liang stood at the door, looking displeased and dejected.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, so he raised one foot and kicked the stone lion in front of the door.

He kept cursing under his breath: "Young Master Yi, how dare you tell this general false information? I'll skin you alive later!"

At this moment, Xuanyuan Han came out and, seeing the extremely righteous Cheng Liang, asked, "What's wrong?"

Cheng Liang immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said with extreme self-reproach, "It's all my fault for being so foolish as to fail to see through Young Master Yi's lie, which is why Your Highness was caught off guard today! I deserve to die, please punish me, Your Highness!"

Xuan Yuanhan breathed a sigh of relief and walked to the side, saying, "What Young Master Yi said is all true; he did not lie to us!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Liang hurriedly chased after him and asked, "Young Master Yi didn't lie to us? Then why didn't we see the Princess in the Plum Garden...?"

Suddenly realizing he had said the wrong thing again, Cheng Liang slapped himself hard: "Look at my mouth, I always say the wrong thing when I'm in a hurry!"

He then continued anxiously, "I personally and meticulously searched every courtyard, but I couldn't find a trace of Princess Yongle!"

Xuan Yuanhan disagreed: "Who said you haven't seen her?"

Cheng Liang scratched the back of his head and asked himself, "Have I seen her before?"

Xuanyuan Han prompted: "That old lady..."

Cheng Liang then carefully recalled the old woman's figure and demeanor, and suddenly realized: "Does Your Highness mean that the old lady was actually Princess Yongle in disguise? Damn it, she's so cunning!"

But then he didn't understand: "Then why didn't His Highness recognize her and arrest her on the spot?"

After a pause, Xuan Yuanhan said, "It's far from time to pull in the net. If you want to catch a big fish, you have to know how to cast a long line!"

Suddenly, Cheng Liang seemed to finally understand.

Then he asked, "So what should we do now?"

Xuan Yuanhan's gaze turned cold and sharp. After thinking for a moment, he said, "There is one more person. We must find him as soon as possible!"

After a moment's thought, Cheng Liang said, "Your Highness is referring to... Tuoba Ze, who must have made some kind of deal with Princess Yongle?"

Seeing Cheng Liang finally grow up, Xuan Yuanhan smiled with satisfaction.

Cheng Liang finally cheered up again.

He immediately turned around and ordered the group of men behind him: "Keep a close eye on this Plum Garden for me. See who comes and goes on weekdays. If there is any disturbance, send someone to report immediately!"

"yes!"

After receiving their orders, the group immediately dispersed and went their separate ways to hide.