Chapter 306 A Lamb Enters the Tiger's Mouth

Dou Wenyi suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief. She had thought that when Lin Zhiyi came to her for help, she had at least heeded her advice and would proceed gradually. She never expected that she would...

Currently, Prince Duan is a fugitive, and both the eldest princess and those who follow him, such as Xie Guidu, will be labeled as traitors.

If Lin Zhiyi hangs out with him, how will she survive?

"You haven't told the Crown Prince about this yet?"

Lin Wenkai shook his head, his mouth full of bitterness.

He was an upright and honest official, diligent and conscientious throughout his life. Even after he sided with the Crown Prince, he believed he would be a wise ruler for the Great Zhou Dynasty. He never imagined that one day, because of his daughter, the Lin family would be reduced to 'traitors and rebels'!

He was heartbroken and filled with disappointment. "We searched everywhere she might have gone, but we couldn't find her anywhere. Her mother and I have been extremely strict with her since she was a child, and she has always been well-behaved and obedient, never daring to overstep the boundaries. Many people envy us for having such a dignified, virtuous, sensible, and considerate daughter."

"But her sensible nature was all an act! Who would have thought that she would cause such a huge mess!"

“I originally wanted to sever our father-daughter relationship with her directly. Even if it would preserve the Lin family’s reputation, it would undoubtedly be forcing her to a dead end. After all, she is the daughter we have loved for more than ten years, and we can’t bear to do it.”

"Your Highness, we are truly desperate. You and Zhiyi have always been on good terms, please help her!"

Dou Wenyi looked grave. Whether she had eloped with someone or had an affair with Prince Duan, either possibility would be a devastating blow to Lin Zhiyi.

She couldn't help but recall Pei Siyan's forgery of Empress Wen's notes and asked, "Are you sure that letter was her own handwriting?"

Lin Wenkai gave a dejected, bitter smile and gritted his teeth, saying, "Her handwriting is very easy to recognize; we can tell the difference between genuine and fake at a glance!"

Dou Wenyi frowned and pondered for a long time before saying, "No, remember from now on, you have never seen any letters. It was Prince Duan who harbored ill intentions and kidnapped Zhiyi on her way to her aunt so that he could use her life to blackmail me!"

Upon hearing her words, Lin Wenkai instantly understood her intention. His eyes changed from shock to gratitude, and he bowed with his hands clasped. "I will never forget the Crown Princess's great kindness. If you ever need anything from my Lin family in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

If we can find Lin Zhiyi quietly and gain the Crown Princess's trust, we can pretend this never happened.

The Lin family can then become victims!

Even if someone finds out later and tries to make a big deal out of it, it will never become a fatal handle that can be used to attack the Lin family for 'betraying' the new emperor and for 'having an ambiguous relationship' with Prince Duan.

Dou Wenyi gave him a few more instructions, and then ordered someone to drive off in a hurry to the Zhang family.

Throughout the journey, her heart pounded like a drum, and a strong sense of unease welled up within her.

She didn't think Lin Zhiyi would be so foolish as to willingly jump into a fire pit; she was well aware of the serious implications.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that the letter was most likely forged by Prince Duan!

Lin Zhiyi did have feelings for him before, and after their warning, she might have been planning to stall for time. But judging from how Prince Duan dealt with his own mother, he wouldn't waste his bargaining chips for nothing.

Then there is a very high chance that Lin Zhiyi will be kidnapped.

His methods were despicable.

It's despicable, but effective. It leaves the victim speechless, and even her parents will feel that she has brought shame to the Lin family and completely abandon her.

Thinking of all this, Dou Wenyi felt her blood rush to her head and she trembled with anger.

When she arrived at the Zhang family's residence, Zhang Chengxian was practicing his sword in the courtyard. Upon seeing her, he was pleasantly surprised but also somewhat puzzled. Wiping away his sweat, he went to greet her, "Wenyi, why are you here? What happened?"

Dou Wenyi glanced around discreetly and smiled, "I do have a favor to ask of you."

Zhang Chengxian dismissed the people around him and said, "Tell me about it."

Lin Zhiyi's matter involves the reputation of women involved, and shouldn't be told to outsiders. However, in this world, Zhang Chengxian has always been her most trusted friend. Some things are weightless until weighed, but once weighed, they can't be contained.

She did not want to alarm Pei Siyan.

Dou Wenyi pondered for a moment, carefully choosing her words, and told him the general outline of the matter, naturally omitting the mention of 'eloping'.

"...Lin Zhiyi is one of my few friends. A woman's reputation is of paramount importance. If this matter blows up, her life will be ruined. She is so young and should not become a political sacrifice. The situation is urgent, and I want to save her, but I don't know how to do it. There is no trace of Prince Duan. Doesn't the Xuanjia Army have scouts? Could you transfer two of them to me?"

Upon hearing her say this, Zhang Chengxian knew that she did not want Pei Siyan to get involved in the matter.

He was content that she could think of him, her friend, first in such a life-or-death situation without any reservations.

Having gone through trials and tribulations, Zhang Chengxian is much more composed and calm than before. In fact, as early as when Prince Duan first submitted his memorial requesting to return to his homeland, Pei Siyan had already sent people to keep an eye on him.

He thought he could escape and live a life of ease, but little did he know that his every move was under the control of the Crown Prince.

"Don't be impatient. Just leave this to me. I guarantee I'll bring her back safe and sound."

——

In an ordinary courtyard on the outskirts of Ru County, several men dressed as farmers warily watched the surroundings. Inside the house, a few simple farm dishes were laid out on the table. Pei Yunche ate a few bites and then threw his chopsticks on the table.

His attendant noticed that he was preoccupied and couldn't help but offer some words of comfort.

"Your Highness, would you like to use some more? We still need to travel. Once we reach Huazhou, the Princess's elite troops will come to our aid. Then we will be truly safe."

Safety?

It's just a matter of turning from a chess piece into another puppet.

Pei Yunche felt a pang of regret. The reason he took such a big risk and competed with Pei Siyan for his younger brother, even knowing that Pei Siyan held a large army, was not because he was bewitched by the princess, but because of his good father, Emperor Muzong, who made him a promise!

He never expected that Emperor Muzong would be so shameless and treacherous, actually betraying him.

Can imperial edicts for succession to the throne be issued arbitrarily?

Unfortunately, there's no going back in life, and now he can only cling to the eldest princess as his only lifeline.

"Is she still refusing to eat?"

Pei Yunche's brows were furrowed with deep weariness.

The attendant nodded helplessly. He really couldn't understand why the Prince of Duan, who was almost on the run, would still forcibly abduct a woman!

Pei Yunche unscrewed the kettle, picked up a plate of dishes, and walked inside, gently advising, "Zhiyi, stop making a fuss. Eat something, okay?"