Seeing that his master had become flustered upon hearing that the news was about Yi Shangyun, Cheng Liang hurriedly explained, "Your Highness, please calm down. The message that Yu Niang sent was not about Miss Yi, but about Miss Yi's maids Yan'er and Lanxiang. They ignored everyone's advice and secretly went south along the river to look for her. They have lost contact with her for many days now."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanhan's intense tension, excitement, and fear, which had been rising to his throat, eased somewhat.
Looking at the map spread out on the table in front of him, marked with eye-catching red circles by his own hands, the only reason that could still sustain him in continuing the search was probably the good news that had been coming from nowhere.
Clearly, deep down, he both hoped and feared the news reported by Yi Shangyun. For a war god like King Qin, who was so decisive and ruthless, he had never been so anxious, hesitant, or afraid about anything or anyone.
He breathed a sigh of relief and then asked Cheng Liang with a puzzled look, "How come the maids from the Yi family are with them?"
Cheng Liang replied, "It is said that when the Yi family found that Miss Yi had been away for many days without returning, they sent Yi Shangjun and her maid Yan'er to Wanjiao Pavilion in the south of the city to inquire about the situation. They happened to meet them on the way. After learning that Miss Yi had an accident, Yi Shangjun went back to the mansion to report first, while Yan'er stayed behind to continue searching for Miss Yi with everyone else."
"I see. Then where is Junxian on the clothes?" Xuanyuan Han paused for a moment, then said calmly.
"Your Highness, have you forgotten? Last time in front of the Yi residence, Your Highness saw Yi Shangjun doing nothing, so you ordered him to join the army. Now, he is in the military camp to strengthen his training! It seems that he is doing well. If given more time, he will surely become a general." Cheng Liang reminded him with a hint of surprise in his voice.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanhan raised his eyes slightly and couldn't help but be stunned. He hadn't expected that Yi Shangjun would be so unexpected, daring to join his camp, unlike his father Yi Shangkun who was so mediocre.
Then he changed his mind and asked, "How could you be so careless? Yan'er must have been anxious to find her master to come here. Why didn't you send someone to keep an eye on her? Did you send anyone to look for her?"
As Cheng Liang handed over the letter, he replied, "The letter says that Yan'er used the excuse of going with Lanxiang to check for any missed clues near Biyue Lake. Since it wasn't far, no one paid much attention. Later, when it got dark and the two still hadn't returned, we went out to inquire and learned that they hadn't gone to Biyue Lake at all. Instead, they hired a carriage and drove south to search. Later, the driver saw that they were getting further and further away and said they were almost at the border of Nan'an Kingdom. People there were rumors of a mysterious organization called the 'Xiaolong Society,' so he didn't want to go any further. So, the two got off the carriage and searched along the river on their own. Presumably, Yan'er and Lanxiang were captured by the Xiaolong Society. But the Xiaolong Society is always very cautious, so it's difficult for the people sent to find out anything. Because Yan'er is Miss Yi's personal maid, Yu Niang had no choice but to write to Your Highness and ask for your decision."
"Who exactly are these people in the Xiaolong Society? How dare they abduct a woman in broad daylight?" Xuan Yuanhan roared in fury.
At this moment, Cheng Liang pondered to himself, muttering, "The Swift Dragon Society... why does that name sound so familiar..."
However, after a moment, he seemed to suddenly remember something, his eyes widened, and he quickly said, "Your Highness, do you remember when we were checking each of the suspected rebel organizations on the lists submitted by local governments some time ago? We seemed to have seen the name 'Xiaolong Society'."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanhan glanced at the three words 'Xiaolong Society' in the letter, thought for a moment, and hurriedly said, "That's right, now that you mention it, I do feel like I've seen the three words 'Xiaolong Society' somewhere before."
As Xuanyuan Han spoke, he closed his bright, star-like eyes, frantically recalling what he had just learned. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he opened his eyes again, saying, "I remember now. At the time, the Xiaolong Society was the only one located on the border of Nan'an, and it hadn't yet caused any serious trouble for the court. However, to prevent it from escaping our grasp later, we only used a ruse against them, sending our spies in to infiltrate and investigate their true organizational secrets, in order to avoid being caught off guard."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Liang first frowned, then immediately exclaimed with delight, "Yes, yes, it's the Xiaolong Society! What a coincidence! In that case, let me contact that spy right now. I'm sure he has a way to find out about Yan'er and Lanxiang."
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly looked over at his master. Cheng Liang, who was eagerly waiting for his master to speak, saw that his master was only focused on the map on the table and was concentrating on something. He was curious and moved closer to his master.
However, upon seeing those shocking red circles, a surge of immense grief and indignation welled up within her. She then comforted her master, saying, "With Your Highness's concern for you so much, I believe Miss Yi will live a good life."
However, Xuan Yuanhan seemed not to have heard what he said. He simply pointed back and forth between the northern border of Nan'an Kingdom and the location of Taohuadian Village on the map, and asked Cheng Liang seriously, "Cheng Liang, look, isn't the location of Xiaolong Society very close to Taohuadian Village?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Liang immediately looked at his master's profile and asked, puzzled, "Your Highness means..."
Unexpectedly, Xuanyuan Han did not answer Cheng Liang's question, but suddenly rolled up the map quickly.
Upon seeing this, Cheng Liang asked with even greater surprise, "Your Highness, what are you doing?"
As they were talking, Xuan Yuanhan rolled up the map, stood up abruptly, put one hand behind his back, and handed it to Cheng Liang with the other. He stared into the eyes of Ling'er, who had been standing silently to the side with Zhang Mama, not daring to disturb their conversation. He coldly ordered Cheng Liang, "Take it and go! This time, I will listen to little Ling'er and personally go to Peach Blossom Village to bring Yun'er back."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Liang and Granny Zhang both spoke in unison to dissuade him:
Cheng Liang: "Your Highness, do you really believe Ling'er's sleep-talking?"
Granny Zhang: "Your Highness, the child Ling'er is a fabrication!"
However, Xuan Yuanhan looked at Ling'er, pursed his lips slightly, and smiled faintly, saying dismissively, "Children never lie, right, Ling'er?"
Upon hearing this, Ling'er broke free from Zhang Mama's grasp and ran quickly to Xuan Yuanhan. She looked up at him, blinked her big, round, and bright eyes innocently, and stretched out her two chubby little hands, which had been pampered in the palace, to firmly hold one of Xuan Yuanhan's big hands.
Then, while shaking him, she pitifully pleaded, "Your Highness, was that letter from Ling'er's mother? Ling'er misses her mother so much, so very much, it's etched into her very bones. Please, Your Highness, Ling'er wants to go with you to find her mother. Please take Ling'er with you, okay? Ling'er promises not to misbehave, she'll be very quiet, very sensible, very obedient, okay, okay..."
Hearing these heartfelt and touching words, Zhang Mama wiped away her tears and staggered forward to pull her away.
Unexpectedly, Xuanyuan Han suddenly squatted down, placing one hand on Ling'er's small shoulder and gently stroking her head with the other, tenderly and earnestly saying, "Ling'er, be good. Ling'er is still young and cannot withstand the hardships of a long journey. You should stay in the palace. I promise you, this time, I will personally bring back your mother and Sister Yun and return them to you, okay?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Ling'er happily hooked her little finger together and said, "Is what Your Highness Prince Qin said true? Let's pinky swear?"
Helpless, Xuanyuan Han had no choice but to comply with the little girl's request before he picked up his sword and hurriedly ran out the door.
As soon as they stepped out of the main hall, Xuan Yuanhan, his usual serious expression returning, asked Cheng Liang, who was still in shock, "By the way, is there still no news from Young Master Yi..."
And so, the master and servant, who had just returned from quelling rebellions on all sides, had not even had a moment's rest or a hot meal in the mansion before they hurriedly embarked on their journey once again.
For some reason, Xuan Yuanhan was filled with hope this time. He knew very well that it wasn't because of the dream Ling'er had described. Rather, it was truly because of the little girl's curiosity that he had noticed that hidden paradise that everyone had overlooked.
Thinking back to the wind direction that night and the water flow on the map, he quickened his pace, eagerly anticipating this long-awaited reunion.
But who knows what twists and turns await us?
After watching the young master leave, Granny Zhang stood at the entrance of Chenghua Palace and sighed heavily as she watched his figure gradually disappear. Then she took Ling'er's hand, picked up the wooden tray, and slowly walked away.
As soon as they reached the archway, they saw Lu Tianjiao sneakily hiding in the shadows, watching the direction Xuan Yuanhan had left, seemingly pondering something to himself.
When Zhang Mama saw this, she paused for a moment, then pretended to be having a pleasant conversation with Ling'er, not wanting to pay any attention to her.
Upon seeing that they had come out of Chenghua Hall, Lu Tianjiao suddenly rushed out from the shadows and blocked their way. He snorted coldly and then arrogantly asked, "Where did Brother Han and General Cheng go?"
Granny Zhang continued to mutter to herself as she dragged Ling'er past Lu Tianjiao, heading towards the backyard.
"I'm asking you a question, are you deaf?" To everyone's surprise, Lu Tianjiao angrily jumped up and down and roared at the backs of the two people.
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