After all the training was over, He Yi dragged her tired body back to her bedroom. Just as she was about to have a cup of tea and rest for a while, she suddenly heard a muffled thud outside the window!

She hurriedly got up. Liu Yun and several guards had already gone to check the situation. He Yi grabbed the copper paperweight from the table and prepared to go out.

A faint moonlight shone through the window, and soon He Yi saw a dark figure whose movements were somewhat clumsy.

[A nighttime intrusion scene? Who is this shadowy figure?]

[Judging from this description, could it be Jin Keming, the one who was driven away?]

[Holy crap! You vicious female supporting character, watch out! Who is this? They've got some nerve!]

The shadowy figure seemed to have climbed in. He Yi looked outside. Liu Yun and the others hadn't noticed the shadowy figure approaching yet. They extinguished the candles and slowly approached the window. Just as the person's hand came in, He Yi slammed a paperweight against the top of the door.

The dark figure cried out in pain and staggered backward. In the moonlight, He Yi could see clearly that this person was none other than Jin Keming!

Jin Keming covered his head. "Zheng Heyi, I'm homeless now! I'll settle accounts with you tonight! Hand over all the gold and silver jewelry the Empress Dowager bestowed upon you! Otherwise, I'll burn this dilapidated courtyard down!"

He Yi sneered and looked at Jin Keming with her arms crossed.

She gripped the paperweight tightly, just in case.

"Don't you know the accounts in the manor like the back of your hand? You bunch of guys are falsifying accounts and blatantly lining your own pockets. Where is there any gold or silver jewelry left? If you know what's good for you, get out of here right now, or you won't be able to leave."

"Enough with the nonsense!" Jin Keming swiftly pulled out a dagger, its blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight. "Zheng Heyi, you're definitely hiding a lot of good stuff! If you don't hand it over, I'll..."

Before he could finish speaking, the door was suddenly kicked open from the outside! Jin Keming and He Yi turned around at the same time and saw Zheng Yu rushing in with several guards.

Zheng Yu pointed his sword directly at Jin Keming: "You audacious madman! How dare you break into the Princess's residence at night! Are you tired of living?"

My brother arrived just in time! I feel so safe!

[Jin Keming is finished now, let's see how arrogant he can be now!]

Jin Keming was caught off guard by Zheng Yu's arrival and panicked. He Yi tried to approach Zheng Yu, but little did she know that Jin Keming knew some martial arts and grabbed her.

He Yi realized that Jin Keming had come fully prepared. He quickly pressed a dagger against her neck. "You bastard! You son of a bitch, Zheng Yu, I'm warning you, you'd better not come any closer! Or I'll kill her!"

"Let go of He Yi!"

Zheng Yu's eyes were bloodshot, and he instinctively wanted to rush forward, but He Yi stopped him with a look.

"Jin Kemu, let me go, and I'll give you anything you want." Despite being controlled, He Yi forced herself to calm down before she could deal with this madman.

Zheng Heyi's eyes were sharp, and her figure was cold. "But Jin Kemu, if you hurt me even a little bit, forget about gold and silver jewelry, you won't even be able to leave this Princess's mansion!"

Jin Keming, though outwardly fierce, was inwardly weak, his weapon trembling violently. "You must have hidden the rest of the money! Hand it over to me, or I'll kill you!" However, just as the stalemate was at hand, Zheng Yu suddenly took a step forward. "Jin Keming, release He Yi, and I'll be your hostage."

[Male lead! No!]

[What an amazing guy! He's willing to be a hostage for the sake of the villainous female supporting character!]

[Zheng Yu did a great job! But will that bastard Jin Keming hurt him?]

He Yi suddenly looked at him, meeting Zheng Yu's solemn and resolute dark eyes. She was about to speak to stop him, but Zheng Yu gently shook his head to stop her.

Jin Keming glanced at He Yi, then at Zheng Yu, seemingly surprised by the boy's words. He hesitated for a moment, while Zheng Yu walked towards him and raised his hand to show him.

Jin Keming angrily shouted, "Back off!" Zheng Yu ignored him and continued walking forward. At the same time, he said to Jin Keming, "She is a princess appointed by the Empress Dowager. If anything happens to her, I'm afraid your family's ancestral graves will be ruined."

He added, “I am Minister Zheng’s son. I don’t need to explain the situation now. I am the only male in the Minister’s mansion. You are not at a loss. If you are still stubborn, I will send someone to the palace to call for reinforcements. When the Imperial Guard arrives, you will be torn to pieces.”

Upon hearing this, Jin Keming was terrified. But then he thought that exchanging hostages might be a safer option, so he quickly pushed He Yi away.

He grabbed Zheng Yu as she approached, "Fine! You're coming with me! I'll still get my money back, but if you dare to try anything funny, Zheng Yu, I'll make you suffer like hell!"

Jin Keming was worried about the danger, so he dragged Zheng Yu away.

He Yixin was in her throat, but could only watch helplessly as they disappeared into the garden not far away. He Yixin looked at Liu Yun and the others, "Sir, don't let him hurt my brother."

Liu Yun was also somewhat troubled. "Now that Young Master Zheng is a hostage, if we approach rashly, Jin Keming might become enraged. Secondly, the back garden is dark, and if we rush in all at once, it might only further provoke this old thief."

[Oh no! The male lead has been kidnapped by this soaking wet girl!]

[That old scoundrel Jin Keming dared to lay a finger on the male lead; the vicious female supporting character will definitely not let him get away with it.]

The Empress Dowager is about to arrive, but this has happened at the Princess's residence. What should we do?

Hearing Liu Yun's words, Zheng Heyi became even more anxious. She gripped the window frame, feeling a chill run through her body. The Empress Dowager was about to arrive, but Zheng Yu had been kidnapped. What was she to do?

[The male lead saved the day in time, but how did he end up being taken hostage instead?]

[Help! If something happens to Zheng Yu, won't He Yi tear down the Princess's mansion?]

Zheng He hesitated for a moment, then frowned and looked at Liu Yun. "Master," she turned back, her voice urgent, "we must lead the guards to flank from both sides. We must save my brother!"

Liu Yun nodded in agreement. Li Mama, who was standing next to her, came over and said, "Princess, don't worry. This old servant has already had the guards surround them. Jin Kemu is just relying on his familiarity with the terrain of our mansion. We don't need to be too anxious."

With the plan settled, the group silently made their way to the back garden. He Yi's gaze followed them into the distance, where Jin Keming's savage curses rang out: "Zheng Yu, you little brat! You dare to play me for a fool? Where's the money? If you don't lead the way, I'll cripple your arm and gouge out your dog eyes!"

As Zheng Yu walked, he observed his surroundings, trying to find a place to make his move. Jin Keming kicked him, and Zheng Yu became angry. "What's your hurry?! I do know about the back garden... I'll tell you when you get closer."

As Jin Keming approached, Zheng Yu lowered her voice and whispered in hushed tones, "One night a month ago, He Yi and I deliberately buried the silver bestowed by the Empress Dowager under an osmanthus tree by the pond."