As she spoke, she turned to walk out.
Little Anan immediately blocked her way: "Manager Xu, let me go. I still remember that family's address, and I can run fast. I can bring back news of Third Sister very quickly."
After listening to his words, Xu Yuehuai pondered for a moment and could only nod.
When Anan saw that she had agreed, he immediately ran out, but as soon as he stepped outside, he saw a letter tied with a dagger on a pillar outside the door.
He instinctively felt that the letter might be related to Third Sister, and quickly said, "Manager Xu, Manager Xu, come out and see!"
"What's wrong?" Xu Yuehuai heard the sound and immediately ran out.
Anan pointed at the pillar.
She followed Anan's hand and saw the letter nailed to the pillar.
She couldn't help but purse her lips. Her intuition told her that this letter must be related to Third Sister, so she immediately reached out to pull out the dagger. Fortunately, she managed to get the letter.
Xu Yuehuai hurriedly tore it open, and there were several large characters on it: 'Xu Yuehuai, Third Sister is in my hands. If you want her safe, come to Luxiang Courtyard in Dingzi Hutong.'
After reading the letter, her heart skipped a beat, and she even clenched her fist so tightly that her fingernails dug into her flesh.
This is a kidnapping.
Although they had been in Chang'an for quite some time, they had always conducted their business honestly and had never offended anyone. Now, however, Third Sister had been kidnapped, and the kidnappers specifically asked for her to come over.
So it seems this person came for me.
"Manager Xu, what's wrong?" Anan could already sense her anger.
Xu Yuehuai shook her head, unsure how to explain, and simply handed the letter in her hand to Anan.
Anan was shocked after reading it.
However, the little girl remained calm, pondering the matter in her mind. She even asked, "Manager Xu, could he be your enemy? Otherwise, why would he specifically ask you to go? Besides, although Third Sister is a woman, she is clever. If there are only one or two people on the other side, they might not be able to catch her. I'm afraid there are quite a few of them."
Anan's analysis provided Xu Yuehuai with some ideas.
Xu Yuehuai pondered this carefully in her mind.
She did make quite a few enemies along the way, but those people were either executed on the spot or imprisoned. Even Zhou Qionghua and her son had been driven out of Chang'an City. There were no others left.
Not to mention, this was a gang crime.
“However, it may not be a gang. If the other party has power and influence, they can certainly bribe people,” Anan continued to analyze.
At this point, Xu Yuehuai suddenly had a flash of inspiration: if that were the case, then this matter must have been the work of Marquis Ningyuan.
However, if the reason for kidnapping Third Sister is simply because he rejected that marriage proposal last time, then Marquis Ningyuan is being rather petty. There must be something else going on.
Perhaps, Marquis Ningyuan already knew that he had discovered his secret with Ah Qi.
But why did Marquis Ningyuan insist on arranging a marriage for him?
Xu Yuehuai's head was about to explode from thinking, but she still couldn't come up with a clue. No matter what the reason was, she had to meet this Marquis Ningyuan today.
She quickly instructed, "Anan, you keep a close eye on Tianxiang Tower. I'm going to take a look."
As she spoke, she prepared to take the letter from Anan's hand again, but this time, Anan did not hand it to her.
"Manager Xu, let me go. I'll go and check the situation first." Anan was the first to stop her. "Madam Zhou Wan is still outside, and Third Sister's fate is unknown. If you go and get killed inside, Tianxiang Tower won't be able to continue operating. Let me go instead."
"I'm fast, at least I can see who they are first, so we won't be in such a passive position." He patted his chest and assured them, "Manager Xu, don't worry, I will definitely come back safely."
Xu Yuehuai's eyes flickered slightly. The logic was indeed sound. Letting Anan go and find out the situation first would allow them to continue making plans. However, she was still worried. Although Anan was clever, the other party must have made thorough preparations and had specifically asked her to go. If it were Anan, it would definitely arouse their suspicion.
But when she met Anan's determined gaze, she couldn't help but agree.
"Anan, if you go, they definitely won't give up. You must be careful and protect yourself," Xu Yuehuai told him worriedly.
Anan replied that he understood, and then prepared to start running.
Xu Yuehuai called out to him again, "Wait, you should go with Zhao Ping. At least you can look out for each other."
Only in this way could she feel a little at ease.
...
"Luxiang Courtyard in Dingzi Hutong..." Anan muttered to himself as he quickened his pace, while also thinking about what might happen and how to deal with it.
Fortunately, Zhao Ping was skilled in martial arts, which gave Anan a great sense of security.
Anan saw guards at the gate from afar, so he knew he would have to outsmart them. After thinking for a moment, he decided to disguise himself as a messenger and sneak in: "Zhao Ping, I'll go in first and check it out. You wait for me outside."
"Wait, how are you going to get in? Those guys aren't just sitting around doing nothing." Zhao Ping looked at his thin frame and quickly shook his head. "Let me go instead."
"Then how will you get in?" Before Anan could react, Zhao Ping had already climbed over the wall.
Anan knew that even if he went in again, he would only cause trouble for Zhao Ping, so he simply stayed outside and waited.
Zhao Ping went inside and began to observe the environment of the courtyard, then silently memorized it before running into the inner courtyard.
There seemed to be someone tied up inside the main hall.
He looked closely—
Third Sister! It really is Third Sister, who has been tied up to a stool outside the door, and it looks like she's been there for a while.
Zhao Ping couldn't help but glance at San Niang a few more times.
San Niang, who had been looking towards the door, naturally saw Zhao Ping. She shook her head frantically and made 'woo-woo' sounds to signal him to leave quickly.
But Zhao Ping didn't understand what she meant. Instead, he prepared to go forward and untie the person.
Just then, applause came from behind Zhao Ping: "What a clever child! You actually managed to get into my residence. Although I want Xu Yuehuai, since you're already here, you might as well stay as well."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Ping turned around and saw that the person was none other than Marquis Ningyuan.
He looked around, searching for an opportunity to escape.
"Men, seize him!" Marquis Ningyuan's face was contorted with rage. At his command, several guards rushed over.
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