The imperial guards led the team that delivered the emperor's order. Prince Yong, no matter how brave he was, dared not disobey the emperor's order and had to make way. Jian Ning and Qiu Ge were about to enter first when two strong men dressed in the uniforms of the imperial guards stepped forward and blocked their way.
These two men were full of gangster spirit, clearly they were gangsters kept by Prince Yong's Mansion. Huo Jincheng waved his hand, and several guards from the Eastern Palace rushed forward with knives in one hand and torches in the other. They stood beside Jian Ning and Qiu Ge, staring at the two strong men with murderous intent.
The two strong men also quickly showed their weapons, and the two sides seemed to be on the verge of a fight.
Prince Yong's face was slightly furious. He glanced past Jian Ning and looked at Brother Qiu, raising his chin: "How can I allow such a beast to roam in my palace?"
As he finished speaking, the imperial guards who had come to read the emperor's order shouted, "The emperor has ordered that no one, for any reason, should obstruct Commander Huo from leading his troops in the search for the assassin. May I ask, Prince Yong, do you intend to disobey this order?"
Prince Yong's face turned stern, and he immediately knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and said he dared not, while glancing at Brother Qiu.
In the past, Qiu Ge was somewhat afraid of Prince Yong. When Feng Qingzi brought him to live in Prince Yong's mansion, he frightened the Princess Yong (deceased) and she was almost killed by Prince Yong's sword.
Now that Ah Man was missing, the snake was so anxious that it had no idea of being afraid. When Jian Ning gave it a look, it immediately swam in through the gate first.
Jian Ning had some hope at first because of the obstruction of Prince Yong, but after searching for a while, she found nothing. After she and Huo Jincheng returned to the Huo Mansion with their men, Ding Youtian and Wei Dong also came back with their men.
Huo Jincheng asked Xiao Shi to draw a portrait of Manager Wang. Ding Youtian and Wei Dong took the portrait and asked the guards on duty at the four city gates in the evening, but they all said they had never seen this person leave the city.
"Is it possible that he was not the one who kidnapped Ah Man?" Ding Youtian pondered for a moment and suddenly said.
Wei Dong said, "Even if there were kidnappers under the Emperor's feet, they wouldn't have the guts to abduct a young lady from an official family in broad daylight. He could only be seeking revenge. If it wasn't him, Jincheng, you might as well think carefully about who else you've offended recently."
Before Huo Jincheng could say anything, Jian Ning shouted, "Could it be her?"
Meeting her gaze, Huo Jincheng squeezed out two words from between his teeth: "Bitch!"
The troops were still divided into two groups. Jian Ning, Qiu Ge, and Huo Jincheng led the guards of the East Palace to Maoerduo Lane in the west of the city. Ding Youtian and Weidong waited for Xiao Shi to come from the palace to paint Yunniang's portrait, and then took it to the city gate to ask the guards on duty one by one.
Jian Ning and his team still had no results, but Ding Youtian and Weidong, after inquiring at the north gate, learned that Yunniang had left the city in the evening with a middle-aged servant, and no child was seen in the carriage. Ding Youtian then carefully questioned the coachman and the middle-aged servant about their appearance, confirming that the middle-aged servant was most likely Shopkeeper Wang.
Ding Youtian sent someone on a fast horse to the west of the city to inform Jian Ning and the others. After Jian Ning and his men arrived and the two groups joined forces, Jian Ning said, "That shopkeeper Wang must be well versed in pharmacology and have made some unique secret pills. He must have either concealed them or mixed up Ah Man's scent, making it impossible to track him. But as long as we know which gate he left the city through, we can chase him overnight. My husband and I will lead Brother Qiu as one team, and Jincheng, you and Uncle Wei will each lead a team. How about we split up and chase him?"
Huo Jincheng nodded. He quickly pointed to three paths and told the three of them, "I've taught Man'er since she was little. You keep a close eye on her along the way. If she's conscious and able to move, she'll definitely find a way to drop something or leave a mark. Any circle with a cross in the middle must have been left by Man'er. If you find it, light a signal and we'll reunite. Did you remember that?"
After that, he took out a few fireworks and gave them to Jian Ning and Ding Youtian, "There's no time to lose, let's chase them."
Jian Ning and Ding Youtian only brought Qiu Ge with them, and did not let any guards follow them. More people would make them more conspicuous. Huo Jincheng and Wei Dong also only brought four guards each, and sent the rest back to the palace to report to the prince.
Brother Qiu could understand human language. Seeing that it was wagging its tail impatiently to signal them to climb up quickly, Jian Ning wanted to carry them to fly forward quickly, so he told it not to fly in a hurry, but to look carefully on the path they were following to see if there were any marks or objects left by Ah Man.
As Jian Ning finished speaking, it was already winding and swimming on the sandy and grassy road, looking around constantly.
"Ma'am, change to your energy-saving lamp. It's brighter than a torch."
Jian Ning responded with an "ok" and just as she handed the torch to him, there was a ding sound and Ma Fuquan sent a message.
[Aman, haven't you found it yet?]
[No, but we have a direction. The concubine driven away by Huo Jincheng and Shopkeeper Wang teamed up to abduct him. They left the city through the north gate in the evening. We are currently pursuing them in three groups. Ding Youtian and I are taking Brother Qiu with us. Are you still awake?]
[More people, more strength. See if you can pull me over.]
[Okay, I'll go into the armory right away.]
Jian Ning told Ding Youtian what she had discussed with Ma Fuquan during the day, "I'll go in and try to see if I can get Brother Ma over here."
Ding Youtian raised his eyebrows. "It's unbelievable that they could pull a living person over from a thousand miles away."
"Just try it. You won't know unless you try."
After Jian Ning finished speaking, he disappeared.
She entered the armory: [Brother Ma, are you in?]
[I came in and didn't see you.]
[I don't see you either. So, just pick up something and put it on the first row of weapon racks.]
In the blink of an eye, Jian Ning saw a purse on the weapon rack in front of him. He then looked at the screen and saw, "Big Girl made a purse for Ah Man. Did you see that?"
Jian Ning's nose tightened. Ah Man had called her "mother" for so long, and she loved the child from the bottom of her heart. She also wanted Ah Man and Da Bao to be together in the future. She was worried, but she dared not say it, fearing that Ah Man would lose her memory like Xiu Gu if she fell into the hands of Shopkeeper Wang. Shopkeeper Wang might have some unholy magic that could dispel a person's soul.
[Why is there no movement? Did you see anything?]
[I see.]
[That means you can only deliver things. Go find someone quickly. If you have any news, let me know immediately. That girl is smart, so don't worry too much.]
[Well, you should rest early. I will inform you as soon as there is any news.]
Jian Ning took the purse. She had originally wanted to have Da Niu come to the capital. Once the princess's condition improved and stabilized, she would find comfort in seeing Da Niu, who looked so much like Duan Xinning's childhood self. When she discussed this with Ding Youtian, he had suggested that she ask Da Niu. If she wanted to come, she could come, but if she didn't, it was up to her.
Da Niu is interested in reading and medicine. She and Qiao Feng learn from each other. Qiao Feng teaches her to recognize herbs and the effects of different herbs. She teaches Qiao Feng the new words she learns every day. She is a little hesitant, and Jian Ning asks her to follow her heart.
In the end she chose not to come and stayed at home with Qiaofeng.
Jian Ning brought out two energy-saving lamps. Ding Youtian didn't see Ma Fuquan, so he took the lamp from her hand and asked, "What's the matter? Can't anyone get through?"
"Husband!"
"Um?"
"I'm so scared."
Jane Ning's defense broke down, and she threw herself into his arms and started crying.
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