Chapter 182 The Femme Fatale

The guard looked shocked: "What? When did she leave? Which direction did she go? What are her friends' names? Where do they live?"

The day after the Northern Frontier King's rebellion, the Emperor ordered them to bring Meng Lingge back. The eldest daughter of the Meng family and the Northern Frontier King had been husband and wife for several months. Even though they were now divorced and no longer had any contact, a day as husband and wife was worth a hundred days of kindness. As long as Meng Lingge was in the Emperor's hands, the Northern Frontier King would still have to be somewhat cautious.

After receiving the order, they traveled day and night to get here as quickly as possible, but they were still a step too late.

Did someone leak the news, or is the Du family deliberately deceiving them?

Madam Du said, "She left several hours ago. She didn't say which direction she went. Young people have many friends, and we don't know the names or addresses of her friends."

Seeing that Madam Du spoke with such seriousness that she didn't seem to be lying, but unwilling to have made a wasted trip, the leading guard frowned and said, "We have come on the Emperor's orders and must give him an explanation when we return. Therefore, I have to search your residence. Please forgive me, Madam Du!"

After saying that, he gave the order, "Search!"

The guards behind him then rushed into the inner courtyard.

The two ladies of the Du family were so anxious that they looked panicked and kept saying that the inner quarters of the mansion were for women and that they should not barge in.

Madam Du scolded, "What's the rush! The officials are looking for someone, not robbers. They know what they're doing! Someone, prepare tea for the officials. They've traveled a long way and are covered in dust. Now that they're here at the Du residence, we should do our best to be hospitable."

The two ladies of the Du family then fell silent.

The guards sent by the emperor were mostly minor officials. If they were to obstruct the search and angered the guards, the guards would surely vent their frustration at not finding the person on the Du family.

Since Lingge isn't at the manor anyway, let them search to their heart's content. The longer they delay, the farther Lingge and the others can escape.

The more composed they are, the less likely they are to cause trouble.

The Du family has no shortage of tea, but since they are willing to entertain, these people probably have no interest in staying to enjoy it.

Madam Du's guess was accurate. Seeing that she was sensible, the head guard said that Madam Du was reasonable and then joined the search.

They searched the entire Du residence twice, inside and out, but found nothing. They didn't even glance at the tea in the front hall before hurriedly leaving the residence.

The group stopped outside the mansion, and one of the guards asked anxiously.

"My lord, the Emperor ordered that we must bring the person back, but now that the person has disappeared, what should we do?"

The head guard's face darkened, and he pointed to the two guards on his left, saying, "You two continue searching for Meng Lingge's whereabouts in the vicinity of Jiangnan. If necessary, you can seek help from the local government."

After saying that, he pointed to the last guard and said, "You stay outside the Du residence and see if Meng Lingge will return here. If anything happens, notify the two guards immediately. Once you find her, bring her back to the capital properly. The rest of you come with me to report to the Emperor."

The guards all replied in agreement and parted ways as he ordered.

As soon as the guards left the Du residence, Madam Du and the others said to Old Madam Du, "Mother, I don't know what terrible trouble Lingge has gotten herself into. The Emperor has even sent people to Jiangnan to arrest her. You insisted on sending Yuanhua to deliver her. If they get caught, my Yuanhua will be killed because of her. I must send someone to bring Yuanhua back before they go too far."

After she finished speaking, she prepared to make arrangements.

Madam Du looked unwell, but her voice was very authoritative.

“If you want Yuanhua dead, send someone to find him now. The palace guards are the most cunning. There might be someone guarding outside the mansion right now. Once you send someone out, they can follow the clues and find Lingge and Yuanhua. When the guards came, Lingge and the others hadn’t gone far, so they should have seen them. They know what to do. As long as you don’t get in their way, the children will be fine.”

Madam Du twisted the handkerchief in her hand again and again, feeling anxious and angry. In the end, she did not dare to make a decision on her own and returned to her residence in frustration.

The little bit of goodwill I had for Meng Lingge vanished once again.

This niece is truly incompatible with the Du family. After only a few visits, she has already captured the heart of Du Yuanhua's son, leaving him still unmarried at his age. Just when things were starting to look up, Meng Lingge has caused another disaster, putting Yuanhua in danger.

She's practically a jinx to her son.

...

After listening to the guards' conversation, Jiang Lin hurried to Dongfu Hutong.

After telling Meng Lingge everything he had seen and heard, he whispered, "We have to leave immediately. If these people can't find you, they'll definitely ask the government to help search for you, and then it will be difficult for us to leave."

Meng Lingge never expected that after Wen Zhiming's rebellion, the Emperor would send someone to find her so quickly. It was the Emperor who made her divorce Wen Zhiming back then, and now he wants to use her to threaten Wen Zhiming.

This damned emperor has no bottom line. Her father, Meng Xingyuan, is still serving him, yet this damned emperor is already eager to capture his daughter as a hostage.

Fortunately, the people sent by Wen Zhiming arrived early, and fortunately, my grandmother was quick-witted and handled the situation calmly.

Meng Lingge understood the problem, but Du Yuanhua didn't.

"What does the rebellion in the capital have to do with my cousin? Why send someone to take her back? If they have ill intentions, then we can't go back to the capital."

Now that the Emperor has sent people to arrest her, news of Wen Zhiming's rebellion will soon reach Jiangnan. After considering for a while, Meng Lingge decided to tell Du Yuanhua the truth.

“Brother, my divorce from Prince Wen was by imperial decree, but my husband and I have never been estranged. Now, my husband has no choice but to rebel in order to avenge his family. He is now the King of the Northern Frontier, and my journey here is to join him. These are the secret guards my husband sent to pick me up. They can protect me.”

Meng Lingge said sincerely.

"The guards just broke into the Du residence. My grandmother and aunts must have been frightened. My eldest cousin should go back and comfort them first. Why don't we part ways here and I will personally visit to express my gratitude when the world is at peace?"

Du Yuanhua was taken aback, then firmly shook his head, "That's not appropriate."

"The guards will find out soon enough that I left at the same time as you. Now that I'm returning to the manor alone, I'll inevitably be questioned by them. My cousin is most afraid of pain and is not good at lying. I'm afraid that before they can interrogate me, I'll spill everything I know. Wouldn't that harm my cousin and the family in the manor?"

He spoke with a serious expression, but Meng Lingge didn't quite believe him.

Du Yuanhua was so naughty when he was a child. He would fight with other kids until his head was bleeding, but he never seemed to be afraid of pain.

That claim about not being good at lying is utter nonsense. He's a shrewd and calculating businessman who has more than doubled the Du family's business in just two years. His greatest skill is speaking to people in a way that suits them perfectly. Fooling these guards is as easy as eating and drinking for him.

Meng Lingge looked suspicious, but she saw through it but didn't say anything. Du Yuanhua could only lower his head and chuckle softly.

"Of course, I also have my own selfish motives."