Chapter 388 Seeking Help
Prince Xiang did not go out. Ever since he was confined by Emperor Wu, even after the confinement was lifted, Prince Xiang basically did not go out unless there was something important.
Today, he went to the palace to fetch Princess Taiping. It was the first time he had stepped into the inner palace since he was placed under house arrest.
As Prince Xiang was relaxing at home listening to his family's musicians play, he saw the head steward of the palace gate approaching with a sullen face and anxious steps.
The Prince looked over and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"
"Your Highness, Princess Taiping has gone missing!"
Prince Xiang suddenly stood up, his eyes wide, and asked sharply, "What did you say? What happened to Taiping?"
"...The maid is waiting outside now, with a guard following her."
After the Prince of Xiang heard the story from the trembling maid who was kneeling on the ground, he had a feeling that he had known it was true.
The fact that Prince Xiang was able to join forces with the rebels from the Temple of the Turks to assassinate Emperor Wu during the last birthday celebration suggests that he had his own intelligence channels.
Logically, Prince Xiang should have been imprisoned and punished for his actions, but Emperor Wu only confined him to his quarters and fined him. Apart from a few ministers, Xue Yao, the commander of Emperor Wu's personal guards, Mr. Bu Ke, and Wang Da Dang, no one else knew that Prince Xiang had participated in the treason.
Outsiders only thought that Prince Xiang was being treated this way by Emperor Wu because he had not done his job well.
After all, even after the confinement period ended, the Prince still held power and continued to perform his duties according to the appointed days.
However, Prince Xiang was not grateful to Emperor Wu for letting him go, but because he was afraid, he still kept his communication channels active.
Therefore, a few days ago, Prince Xiang had already received some news about the resurgence of the Turkic forces that had rebelled against the Tang Dynasty, known as the Temple Gate.
But the Prince never imagined that his younger sister would be implicated in this!
"Taiping, Taiping, we can't let anything happen to Taiping!"
Prince Xiang clenched his fists, hiding his trembling hands, which were filled with fear for Princess Taiping, inside his sleeves.
"Prepare the horses, I am going to the palace to meet the Emperor."
When the Prince arrived at the palace, he was immediately ushered inside by the eunuchs.
"Your Highness, Junior Minister Di, Commander Xue, and Commander Wang are already in the main hall."
When they were still some distance from the Xuande Hall, the eunuch leading the way lowered his head and whispered something like this.
The Prince quickly handed over a purse and waited for the eunuch at the door to announce his arrival before entering the hall. Sure enough, as soon as he entered, he saw Di Renjie standing there and Xue Yao, who looked cold and aloof, standing to the side.
However, there were more than just these two people in the hall; Wang An, the commander of the Imperial Guards who guarded Chang'an, was also there.
The Prince bowed and looked up at Emperor Wu, who sat above him. Emperor Wu's face was full of angry imperial majesty. "Investigate! Go and find it for me!"
I refuse to believe that such a great city as Chang'an has become a place where rebels can come and go as they please.
If my Chang'an is so easily defeated, then will I, the emperor, be beheaded tomorrow?
Emperor Wu's two sentences sent a chill down the spines of the civil and military officials standing below, and Wang An was cursing inwardly.
It's important to understand that Emperor Wu was not an emperor who lacked military power and could only rely on his relatives or civil officials to restrain his generals.
Emperor Wu was the supreme ruler of the Tang Dynasty, possessing exceptional martial prowess, escaping numerous palace assassinations unscathed, and commanding a personal guard directly under his command.
Those who rebelled against Emperor Wu, disobeyed him, and did wrong things are probably already lining up at the Bridge of Helplessness by now, right?
Those who came before may have already been reincarnated.
With this matter settled, the stench of blood on Suzaku Square will likely linger for another three days.
Emperor Wu decreed, "Prince Xiang and Minister Di shall go together to find Taiping and bring him back safe and sound."
So, on their way back in their carriage, the Li family encountered Di Renjie and his men, who were riding horses and followed by dozens of soldiers.
At this time, Di Renjie had already found a bracelet that Wang Shibalang had deliberately left on the ground in Yunshao Courtyard. After confirming with a maid of the Wang family that it belonged to Wang Shibalang, Di Renjie ordered his men to search for clues in the vicinity, and they actually found it.
They found an earring along the way back from Li San Niang and the others.
However, after asking Wang Shibalang's maid, it was discovered that the earring did not belong to Wang Shibalang.
Di Renjie had no choice but to order his men to find the personal maids of these young women and ask them if these items belonged to any of the young women who were present at the time.
And so, they encountered Li San Niang and her group.
Qiu Xiang, with her sharp eyes, spotted Di Renjie and his group, who were still quite far away, and immediately told Li San Niang.
Li San Niang then looked ahead. By this time, Di Renjie and the others had approached. Di Renjie and Xiang Wang were riding in front, but Di Renjie's horse was behind Xiang Wang's. Behind them were two officials who had been with Di Renjie for many years on one side and Xiang Wang's men on the other.
Behind these men were armored soldiers with swords at their waists, some even carrying bows and arrows, and surrounded by Imperial Guards armed with spears.
Li San Niang certainly wouldn't step forward to greet them at this time; judging from their expressions, she knew they must have important business to attend to.
Li San Niang thought they would just pass each other by, but Su Qi, the official behind Di Renjie, had sharp eyes and actually saw Li San Niang following the carriage.
Su Qi told Di Renjie, who then looked towards Li San Niang's direction and saw that the family must be out enjoying the holiday.
However, Di Renjie also recalled the two times Li Sanniang had helped him solve cases before (the first time was in Chapter 66, the case of Wu Silang of the Duke of Liang's Mansion; the second time was in Chapter 222, the case of the disappearance of the Eastern Turkic princess Ayimu during the Emperor's birthday).
Both times, it was because Li San Niang had keen senses and was a female doctor that she provided methods and directions from different angles, which enabled them to solve the cases in a short period of time.
Di Renjie hesitated for a few moments, considering Li Sanniang's character, before turning his horse around and heading towards the Li family's house.
Although the Prince of Xiang did not understand why Di Renjie went straight this way after hearing what the person behind him said, he still followed Di Renjie and turned his horse around to head towards the Li family.
When they came out, Prince Xiang said not to mention his identity yet. He was just an older brother who was worried about his younger sister's safety. He told them to put aside the formalities for now and find someone.
Therefore, when Di Renjie arrived at the Li family's residence, he did not reveal his identity as the Prince of Xiang to the Li family. Instead, he looked at Li Da Xiong, who had come out to negotiate, and said directly, "The matter is urgent. I have a case here that urgently needs the help of Third Sister. If it is convenient for Third Sister, could you come out and speak with me?"
Now that things have come to this point, how could Li San Niang possibly cower by the carriage and watch her brother Li grit his teeth and give a reply?
Li San Niang lifted her foot to go forward, but Li Er Xiong grabbed her and gently shook his head, signaling Li San Niang not to go forward.
Li Erxiong's eyes seemed to say, "Didn't you hear what Di Shaoqing said? Is it convenient?"
That's just inconvenient for us!
inconvenient! "
But Li San Niang thought of Di Renjie's character; he wouldn't stop someone in the street unless it was a real emergency.
There was also the case of Li San Niang killing the villain in self-defense (which appeared in Chapter 149), where Di Renjie subtly helped her. Li San Niang felt that she still had to help, because one cannot be without a conscience.
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