Shen Hanshan took the pear wood box, put several portraits of Yunchao maids that he had bought from Cangchunlou into the box, and then selected several agile guards to follow him secretly, just in case.
As night fell, he rode alone to the dilapidated temple in the south of the city.
Under the moonlight, the dilapidated temple appeared eerie and terrifying.
Shen Hanshan gripped his long sword tightly and walked step by step into the dilapidated temple.
The temple was deserted, with only the cold moonlight filtering through the dilapidated window frames and casting shadows on the ground. Shen Hanshan looked around, searching for Zhao Chunhua.
Suddenly, he heard a faint groan. He immediately followed the sound and saw a heavily pregnant woman tied to a pillar, her hair covering her face so that he could not see her features.
Shen Hanshan's heart tightened, and he called out softly, "Your Highness?"
"Husband...husband...please save me..." The woman's voice was weak and feeble.
Shen Hanshan's expression hardened, he gathered his energy in his palm, and flew out of the dilapidated temple.
He had just stood still outside the temple when countless men in black surrounded him from all directions.
"Prince Rui is indeed a man of military command. He can remain so calm even when facing his wife of many years. I admire him! I admire him!"
“Your Highness and I treat each other with the utmost respect; Your Highness never calls me ‘husband.’” Shen Hanshan sneered. “It’s clear you haven’t done your homework properly. You haven’t even found out this much information.”
The other party snorted coldly, "Since you're here, if you don't leave your things behind, Prince Rui can forget about leaving unscathed."
Upon hearing this, Shen Hanshan smiled faintly, "That depends on whether you have the ability!"
He flicked his fingertips, and a clear whistle pierced the night sky. Immediately, several dark figures darted out from the shadows; they were his accompanying guards.
The two sides immediately clashed.
The men in black were skilled in martial arts, each move revealing their profound inner strength. However, they seemed to intentionally or unintentionally avoid Shen Hanshan's vital points, which aroused Shen Hanshan's suspicion.
He secretly tested the black-clad men's martial arts style and was surprised to find that their moves were surprisingly similar to those of the imperial guards in the Great Xuan Palace.
"You are actually the palace's secret guards? Who is behind you?" Shen Hanshan's tone was stern, exuding an unquestionable authority.
Upon hearing this, the men in black paused slightly, exchanging a meaningful glance with each other.
Before Shen Hanshan could speak again, one of them flipped his wrist and took out a packet of fine powder from his pocket, then unhesitatingly threw it into the air.
In an instant, a strange fragrance filled the air. Shen Hanshan felt the scenery before his eyes gradually blur, and an indescribable dull pain spread throughout his body, as if thousands of fine needles were moving inside him.
He endured the pain, staggered, and tried to steady himself, but ultimately his strength failed him. After spinning around a few times, he collapsed backward, utterly exhausted.
None of his accompanying guards escaped the same fate.
"Your Highness! Your Highness, you're awake!"
All I could hear was Nanxing's anxious, tearful cries.
"Why are you crying? It's not like you're dead." Shen Hanshan rubbed his forehead, his head still feeling dizzy.
"Your Highness, the box has been stolen." Du Heng stood to the side with a bitter expression. "What should we do, Your Highness?"
“She will be safe.” Shen Hanshan pondered for a moment, then asked in a deep voice, “What time is it now?” “It’s almost Mao Shi (5-7 AM),” Du Heng replied.
"Nanxing, change your clothes, I am going to the palace."
On the way to the palace, Shen Hanshan suddenly had a bold guess in his mind.
Could it be that Zhao Yi knew he had the box and that's why he staged this whole thing? There's no kinship in the royal family. If Zhao Yi truly orchestrated this from beginning to end, he wouldn't be surprised, and he could understand. But logically, he still felt Zhao Yi was somewhat cold-hearted.
Although Zhao Chunhua was only recently found from the common people, she was still Zhao Yi's closest blood relative in this world. How could he bear to do such a cruel thing to his pregnant sister?
If Zhao Yi could be so ruthless to his own sister, what good would Zhao Zhi do if she fell into his hands?
The more Shen Hanshan thought about it, the more frightened he became, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back.
"Du Heng, has Lord Zhao arrived in Chaoyang County yet?" he asked, knocking on the carriage.
"Your Highness, we still have a day to go!" Du Heng replied. "Our men have been keeping a close watch, and Lord Zhao hasn't discovered us yet."
Shen Hanshan hummed in agreement, becoming even more certain that Zhao Zhi had been imprisoned by Zhao Yi. While concerned for Zhao Zhi, he couldn't help but worry about Zhao Chunhua as well.
Just as dawn was breaking, Shen Hanshan's carriage stopped at the palace gate.
As soon as Shen Hanshan got out of the carriage, Li Zan called out to him, "Your Highness, is there any news about His Highness?"
Shen Hanshan shook his head.
Li Zan sighed, "Our eldest princess is truly unfortunate! She was orphaned as a child and has only been married for a short time before suffering such a calamity. Alas!"
Shen Hanshan reminded him, "Lord Duke, His Highness is a lucky person and is blessed by Heaven. You don't need to be in such a hurry to show such a mournful appearance."
Li Zan was so angry that his eyebrows and mustache stood on end. "You, you, you don't know what's good for you!"
He stormed off in anger.
In the Golden Palace, Zhao Yi, dressed in a dragon robe, slowly sat down on the dragon throne, looking down at the civil and military officials in the hall.
Shen Hanshan's gaze remained fixed on Zhao Yi.
Throughout the morning court session, Zhao Yi kept his gaze away from Shen Hanshan.
“Your Majesty—” Shen Hanshan, holding a jade tablet, slowly stepped forward.
"Please speak, Prince Rui." Zhao Yi finally looked at Shen Hanshan properly.
"Your Majesty, the Prince Rui's residence was suddenly engulfed in flames the night before last, and the thieves abducted His Highness. I have searched for two days without success. Moreover, His Highness is pregnant with my child. I am extremely anxious and implore Your Majesty to send more men to rescue His Highness!"
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