After speaking sternly and sharply, Hua Yan turned away and refused to look at her again.

Chen Xuanrong, who was being scolded, was extremely embarrassed. Her small face turned red with anger, and she bit her lip lightly. Her eyes were watery as she stared at Jiang Shilin, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"Brother Lin, Rong'er didn't think that much. I just couldn't stand seeing people bully you. Brother Lin, I'm sorry, Rong'er was too talkative."

After speaking, she lowered her eyes and stopped looking at Jiang Shilin, looking dejected.

Jiang Shilin was caught in the middle and was in a difficult position.

Hua Yan is right, times have changed, but it's also true that Xuan Rong still cares about her.

To be honest, he felt that Hua Yan had gone a bit too far.

Hua Yan is a man, and Xuan Rong is a woman. How can a man make things difficult for a woman like this? He has no magnanimity whatsoever.

Besides, Xuanrong grew up in the mansion in a pampered and precious manner since childhood, and has always been gentle and considerate. How could she think so much?

Furthermore, since Xuanrong is his fiancée, he has even less reason not to help her.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Shilin said to Hua Yan, "Young Master Hua Yan, Xuan Rong is a weak woman. She is only worried about me and has no ill intentions. I hope you can be kind to her."

Hua Yan scoffed, glanced at him, and didn't say anything more, but that glance was as if she were looking at a clown.

Jiang Shilin pursed his lips, looking serious.

Ning Yao, annoyed by their commotion, said coldly, "Hua Yan, tie him up and take him with you. We're going to the City Lord's Mansion to demand his release!"

"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. Young Master Jiang, farewell. We'll take our leave now!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Ning Yao rode her horse and galloped away, with Shen Ci'an and the others following behind, leaving Jiang Shilin with only her back view.

Chen Xuanrong's eyes flickered, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly: "What's wrong with this Miss Ning? She's been fine these past few days, why is she abandoning us now? As the saying goes, if you're going to help someone, help them to the end. If I were them, I definitely wouldn't just leave like this."

Jiang Shilin's face darkened slightly.

Chen Xuanrong continued, "I'm fine, but I feel sorry for Grandmother and Yan'er. We haven't even reached Nanjiang City yet, and we can't buy any food. If Miss Ning leaves like this, what will Grandmother and Yan'er do!"

Jiang Shilin pursed his lips and looked tense: "There's no reason for them to keep helping us. Don't say anything more. Take good care of yourself and Yan'er. I'll go buy food when we get to the city."

Chen Xuanrong wasn't annoyed and obediently listened to Jiang Shilin's words, returning to the carriage.

The carriage slowly began to move, heading towards Nanjiang City.

Ning Yao was faster and arrived at the city gate first; it was already evening.

Looking at the towering city gate of Nanjiang City, she sent her servant to deliver the message, while she waited not far outside the city.

The servant scrambled into the city, while Ning Yao turned and disappeared outside the city.

Inside the city lord's mansion, Lin Licheng listened to the news brought back by the servant, his face clouded with gloom.

"My lord, those people are right outside the city! Please hurry and save me!"

Lin Licheng was exasperated: "This second son only causes me trouble! Men, prepare the car! We're out of town immediately!"

The steward stepped forward, glanced at the messenger, and then said, "Master, the other party wants that maid. Is it possible that the master sent someone to find her?"

Lin Licheng was taken aback; it seemed so.

"This old servant believes that since the other party is using the Second Master as a hostage, they must want to exchange that maid. We might as well take her with us."

"Do as you say! Bring more people; I want to see what kind of magic this Consort Rong has!"

"This old servant understands!"

On the other side, the servant had just returned to the manor when Ning Yao sneaked into the city lord's manor.

The vast city lord's mansion did not stop her. Relying on her connection with the storage space, Ning Yao quickly found the room where Zhi Lan was.

The door opened, and Zhilan was taken aback at first. Then, after recognizing the person who had entered, she lowered her voice and exclaimed in surprise, "Miss!"

Ning Yao quickly walked up to her, only to find that she had been drugged and was unable to move.

He took out an antidote pill and fed it to her. After a few breaths, the medicine took effect, and Zhilan felt her strength return before she sat up.

Do you know where my dad and the others went?

Zhilan whispered, "Before I was arrested, they were staying at Tianfu Inn, but there was something wrong with that inn. I guess the master and madam left there a long time ago. I don't know where they are now."

Ning Yao nodded: "I understand, let's leave here first!"

The master and servant quietly left the room, and no sooner had they left than someone arrived.

The discovery that the room was empty alarmed the entire city lord's mansion.

Lin Licheng flew into a rage: "Useless! A bunch of useless people! You can't even keep an eye on a woman who's been drugged! Go look for her! If she's not in the manor, go look in the city!"

Ning Yao and Zhi Lan had already left the City Lord's Mansion. Ning Yao sensed the locations of the other storage spaces and found that they were all in one place.

He looked up towards the southwest, then grabbed Zhilan's hand and headed southwest.

"The Prefect's residence? What are my parents doing here?"

Not knowing what was going on, Ning Yao dared not make any rash moves.

Of the three major officials in Nanjiang City, two are corrupt, and it's hard to say whether the prefect is also corrupt.

"Go to a post station five miles outside the city. The prince and Hua Yan are there."

Zhilan tugged at her sleeve, unwilling to leave: "Then where are you going, Miss?"

Ning Yao patted her hand to reassure her: "I sensed the location of the storage space in this prefect's mansion. I'm going to go in and explore it."

Zhilan released her grip, knowing her own skill level, so she didn't say she would go with her: "Then please be careful, Miss. I'll wait for you outside the city."

After watching Zhilan leave, Ning Yao turned and headed towards the Prefect's residence.

Once inside the prefect's mansion, I realized it was worlds apart from the city lord's mansion.

The vast prefectural mansion had no servants, and not even a single lamp was lit. It was more like a long-abandoned, dilapidated house than an official's residence.

Fortunately, the storage space sensor was present, preventing Ning Yao from bumping around aimlessly in the dark.

Ning Yao soon spotted lights in a courtyard, where Ning Wenyi's storage space was located.

"I wonder where Yao Yao is now? We're in a very passive position right now. We don't dare to make any rash moves since Zhi Lan has been arrested," Madam Ning's worried voice came through.

Then came Ning Wenyi's reassuring voice: "Don't worry, Madam. Yao Yao is skilled in martial arts and will be able to protect herself. Everything will be fine once they arrive."

Madam Ning was unmoved by his words and said angrily, "How could things have been like this before, where we are constantly being held back by others? A mere city lord dares to act arrogantly towards me! In the past, I would have taught him a lesson in no time! It's just too frustrating now!"

Ning Wenyi chuckled: "My wife is feeling aggrieved, and so am I! Once Yao Yao and the others arrive, I'll help my wife vent her anger!"