Seeing that Lanqin was angry, Hongli immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "I was wrong, Mother. Please don't be angry. Please don't worry and hurt yourself. I... I'm really fine. See, I'm back safe and sound."

Lanqin turned her head away, convinced that Hongli was hiding something from her, and deliberately ignored him: "How could I not know that you were lying to me because you were afraid I would worry! But please don't lie to me anymore."

Hongli knew he couldn't hide it from Lanqin no matter what, and hesitated, wondering whether to tell her the truth about his journey. Lanqin pulled Hongli up, held his hand tenderly, and said, "Hongli, what is it that you're hiding from me? Knowing will stop me from overthinking..."

After hearing this, Hongli finally decided to tell Lanqin what had happened. His expression remained calm as he pretended to be relaxed, saying, "Yes...yes, after Hongzhou and Xueying left, I encountered assassins on my way to Ganzhou. But! Thanks to the protection of my bodyguards, I'm perfectly fine, really!"

Lanqin was shocked. The scene of Hongli's assassination attempt involuntarily flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but shudder.

Lanqin was so frightened that she gripped Hongli tightly, afraid that Hongli would disappear again.

"How could you have encountered assassins? Why didn't you come back immediately after you escaped? Why didn't you send someone to inform them?" Lanqin frowned, looking nervous, and anxiously asked further questions.

Hongli smiled and replied, "Mother, don't worry, listen to me. After I escaped, I was rescued by a kind lady. I spent the night preparing to rush to Xun County to report to the authorities. Unexpectedly, Xun County had also set a trap, just waiting for me to walk into it. I had no way to send the message back. I was able to escape death thanks to the help of Lord Zhao Kuangxun."

Lanqin felt a chill run down her spine. She hadn't expected that Hongli had encountered so many dangers and almost didn't make it back.

"Escaped death?" Hongli realized he had misspoke and thought he must think twice before speaking again next time.

"Where is Lord Zhao now? I must thank Lord Zhao properly for saving your life." Although Lanqin was grateful, her expression had not yet recovered.

"Lord Zhao escorted me all the way to the capital and is resting at his residence now..." Hongli did not mention the encounter at the Beijing city gates or the kidnapping of Xueying. Hongli did not want to implicate Xueying before the matter was investigated, especially since Xueying had saved him.

Lanqin was shocked and said angrily, "This is outrageous! How come no one told me about such a big thing?"

Hongli guessed that his father must have been afraid that Lanqin would worry, just like him, and had not revealed any information about his death.

"Mother, I've told you everything. I was afraid you'd be worried, and Father is even more concerned for you." Lanqin inwardly resented the Fourth Prince, but turning to look at the obedient and sensible Hongli, her heart ached again: "You're still comforting your mother. Thank goodness you're alright. By the way, who exactly was chasing you? Do you have any clues?"

Hongli pondered for a moment, then looked up hesitantly: "I have some clues in my mind, but without evidence, I dare not make any wild guesses."

Hongli recalled what Xueying's maid, A'luo, had said and found it suspicious. After careful analysis, he guessed that this matter must be related to the Fourth Prince's wife, but he could not produce any evidence and could not confront her. He could only investigate in secret and then make a plan.

Lanqin looked at Hongli with a serious expression and said, "Hongli, don't worry, your mother will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly, find the people who wanted to harm you, and never let them get away with it!"

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