Chapter 56 Kidnapping the Second Master
It was a dark night, and the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion was utterly silent, with only the occasional rhythmic clapping of the night watchman's gong.
The light was still on in the study of the Second Master, Cui Jun. A wine jug lay before him, and he was half drunk, his eyes vacant.
He kept muttering to himself, "There is no evidence after death" and "I can't say".
Extreme fear and the paralysis of alcohol reduced his alertness to the outside world to the lowest level.
At this moment, several dark shadows climbed over the high wall silently like ghosts, took advantage of the shadows and the gaps between the night patrols, accurately avoided all the guards, and arrived outside Cui Jun's study.
The leader blew a thin puff of smoke into the crack of the door.
Cui Jun, who was already drunk, had almost no power to resist. He soon felt dizzy and confused, and collapsed limply on the table.
A black shadow quickly sneaked in, put a sack over Cui Jun's head, and tied his hands and feet tightly.
Carrying it on his shoulders, he disappeared into the night as silently as he had come.
The whole process was clean and neat, without disturbing anyone, leaving only an overturned wine jug and a faint strange fragrance in the air.
It was not until the next morning when the servant came to deliver breakfast that he discovered that the study door was ajar and the second master was nowhere to be seen.
The table was a mess, and then he started shouting in panic!
"The Second Master is missing!"
The news was like a thunderclap, instantly waking up the entire Weiyuan Marquis Mansion!
Upon hearing the news, Weiyuan Hou Cui Yan rushed over and looked at the empty study and the overturned wine utensils with a dark face.
He carefully examined the scene and found muddy footprints on the ground and a faint remnant of a strange fragrance.
And it was done by an expert!
Cui Yan's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.
The first thing that came to his mind was his brother's abnormal fear yesterday!
Could it be that... the disaster he was worried about had really happened? !
Did they kidnap Cui Jun to silence him? Or to force him to tell a story?
He immediately ordered the news to be blocked and all people entering and leaving the mansion to be strictly investigated, while at the same time he was anxiously thinking of countermeasures.
Report it to the police? No! This matter must be extremely complex. If I report it to the police, my brother's life would be in danger immediately!
And what if my brother really said something he shouldn’t have said...the Marquis’ Mansion would be finished!
Just when he was extremely worried and at a loss as to what to do, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind - the Second Prince!
The second prince Liu Cong, who is now in charge of the garrison of the capital and is deeply trusted by the emperor!
Maybe... he is the only one who can save his brother and keep things under control!
Cui Yan felt like he had grabbed a life-saving straw, and he didn't care about any rules or taboos. He immediately wrote a secret letter and ordered his most trusted confidants to deliver it to the Second Prince's mansion as quickly as possible!
The second prince Liu Cong had just finished his early morning martial arts training and was about to change his clothes to enter the palace when he received a secret letter urgently sent from the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion.
When he unfolded it, his brows knitted together instantly! Cui Jun was kidnapped by a mysterious person?!
He immediately realized the seriousness of the matter!
This is not just ordinary kidnapping and extortion!
This must be related to the old case that is currently being investigated!
The other party is desperate and wants to find a breakthrough through Cui Jun, the weakest link who may know the truth!
"How dare you!" Liu Cong's eyes flashed with cold light, and a cold anger swept through his body.
It's not just because the other party challenged his authority, but also because - the Marquis' Mansion is where Xiao grew up!
To disturb the Marquis' Mansion is to slap Xiao in the face and challenge his bottom line!
Without even a moment's hesitation, he immediately issued a series of orders:
"I will be here!"
"Immediately take a team of elite soldiers in plain clothes and block all the streets and alleys around Weiyuan Marquis Mansion.
"Secretly check all suspicious individuals and vehicles, especially those with unusual movements at night! But remember, do not alert the Marquis' Mansion, and do not let the news leak out!"
"Order the Nine Gates Admirals. Effective immediately, strictly inspect all vehicles entering and leaving the capital, especially those carrying large luggage or boxes! Detain anyone found suspicious immediately!"
"Inform our secret agents in the capital, all of them are mobilized! Investigate for me! From last night to this morning, all underground casinos, brothels, and black markets in the capital have been
And any places that could hide people, are there any anomalies? The key is whether there have been large gatherings of strangers recently or if there is a need for a secret place!
His orders were clear and ruthless, like an invisible net that instantly spread across the entire capital.
He did not conduct a large-scale search and rescue, but instead mobilized all the forces in the army and in secret.
He conducted a precise and secret dragnet search because he knew that the other party wanted the secrets, not Cui Jun's life. Although time was short, there was still a chance.
After arranging everything, Liu Cong took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
He needed to go to the palace and report the matter to the emperor and the prince.
But he was more worried about... what would Xiao's reaction be when he found out? After all, the Marquis' Mansion was his home for fifteen years.
Liu Cong hurried into the palace and first asked to see the emperor alone, reporting in detail the kidnapping of Cui Jun and his own response measures.
After hearing this, the emperor's face became terribly gloomy.
As expected! The other party had gone so crazy as to directly attack the imperial officials! This was undoubtedly a naked provocation to the imperial power!
"Investigate! Investigate it thoroughly for me!" The emperor's voice was like ice chips.
"I want to see who is stirring up trouble right under my nose! Liu Cong, I leave this matter entirely to you!
If necessary, mobilize the Imperial Guards for cooperation! We must rescue Cui Jun and pry open the mouths of those traitors!"
"Your son obeys the order!" Liu Cong replied in a deep voice.
After coming out of the Yangxin Palace, Liu Cong hesitated for a moment, but still walked towards the East Palace. He had to tell Liu Xiao in person.
In the East Palace, Liu Xiao had just finished a lecture and was reviewing memorials.
Seeing Liu Cong come in with a serious expression, his heart sank slightly: "Royal brother, what happened?"
Liu Cong waved away his left and right, looked at Liu Xiao's clear and worried eyes, and spoke with difficulty.
"Your Highness, I just received news... Cui Jun, the second master of the Weiyuan Marquisate, was kidnapped last night."
"What?!" Liu Xiao stood up suddenly, and the blood color on his face faded instantly.
"My second uncle was kidnapped?! In the Marquis' Mansion?! How could this happen..." To him, the Marquis' Mansion was not just a courtier's residence, but also his home that carried fifteen years of memories. How could he not be horrified when he heard about this tragedy that had befallen his family?
"The other party's methods are very clever, and they must have planned it in advance."
Liu Cong tried his best to keep his voice steady
"The Marquis has informed me secretly. I have sent people to secretly block and investigate. I will do my best to rescue Cui Jun."
Liu Xiao's heart tightened.
He immediately thought of the recent turmoil and his second uncle's abnormal fear in recent days!
"Is it because... because of what happened back then? They're coming for me, right?"
There was a barely perceptible tremor in his voice, not because he was afraid of himself, but because he felt guilty for bringing trouble to the Marquis' Mansion.
Liu Cong looked at his instantly pale face and the self-blame in his eyes, and his heart seemed to be twisted.
He could hardly control the urge to go forward and hold him in his arms for comfort.
He forced himself to suppress the throbbing in his heart and slowed down his voice.
But with a reassuring power
"Your Highness, don't blame yourself too much. Evil cannot prevail over good! The more crazy the other party is, the more it shows that they are afraid, and the truth is not far away from being revealed!
Leave this matter to me. Don't worry, I will not let the Marquis' Mansion suffer any more harm, and I will definitely rescue the Second Master safely!"
His eyes were firm and steady, as if carrying a magical power that could calm people's hearts.
Looking at his second brother like this, Liu Xiao's panicked heart gradually calmed down.
Yes, he has a father and a second elder brother.
He couldn't lose his composure. He took a deep breath, his eyes becoming firm again: "Royal brother, what do you need me to do?"
Liu Cong felt both relieved and distressed when he saw Liu Xiao quickly calming down and trying to share the responsibility.
His Ah Xiao always shows tenacity beyond his age at critical moments.
"Your Highness, please proceed as usual. Stabilizing the political situation is the greatest support you can provide me. If there is any news, I will report it to Your Highness immediately."
Liu Cong paused, then added, his voice softening unconsciously, "Your Highness, please also... take care of yourself."
Just as Liu Cong was comforting Liu Xiao, news of a breakthrough came from Han Feng!
An undercover agent in the factory reported that several unfamiliar faces had been entering and leaving an abandoned brick kiln factory in the south of the city in recent days. They behaved suspiciously and seemed to have delivered food and water into the factory.
What’s more coincidental is that a night watchman nearby vaguely remembered that he seemed to hear a brief whimpering sound coming from there in the second half of last night, as if someone was covering their mouth!
Han Feng immediately led his men to quietly surround the abandoned brick kiln factory.
Through careful observation, they discovered simple tripwires and lookout points set up in the dark, confirming that this was no ordinary stronghold.
"Action!" Han Feng gave an order, and the elite soldiers rushed into the brick kiln factory like cheetahs!
Inside the factory, several kidnappers were interrogating Cui Jun, who was tied up tightly and scared to the point of defecating and pissing.
"Tell me! What on earth did Old Lady Zhou ask Wu De to do back then?!"
"Is Wu De not dead? Where did he go?!"
"If you don't tell the truth, I'll chop off one of your fingers right now!"
Cui Jun had already suffered a mental breakdown, tears streaming down his face, and his speech was incoherent.
"I don't know... I really don't know... Mother just told him to find a way to make my sister-in-law give birth... She didn't say to switch the baby... Wuwu... Don't kill me..."
Just when the kidnapper raised the knife!
With a "bang", the dilapidated gate of the brick kiln factory was slammed open!
"Don't move! Put down your weapons!" Han Feng was like a god descending from heaven, with the crossbow in his hand pointing directly at the kidnapper leader!
The kidnappers were horrified and tried to resist, but they were no match for these elite soldiers.
They were subdued in an instant, but the leader, seeing the bad situation, had a fierce light flash in his eyes and stabbed Cui Jun, who was lying on the ground, with a knife!
Attempting to silence someone!
"Whoosh!" A sharp arrow flew through the air, accurately piercing the leader's wrist! The knife fell to the ground with a clang.
Han Feng snorted coldly, stepped forward and kicked him unconscious.
Cui Jun looked at the officers and soldiers who were like divine soldiers descending from the sky, especially when he saw Han Feng's stern face.
After extreme fear came great ecstasy and relief. His eyes rolled back and he fainted.
"Take him away! Keep him under close watch! Ask a doctor to see him, don't let him die!"
Han Feng ordered.
He glanced at the unconscious Cui Jun and frowned slightly.
He heard clearly the mumbling of Cui Jun before his collapse... Old Mrs. Zhou... caused Wu De to have a difficult birth... This information was too horrifying!
He immediately sent someone to pass the news back to the second prince Liu Cong.
Liu Cong received a secret report from Han Feng in the palace.
When he saw the content of Cui Jun's confession after his collapse, even with his calmness, he couldn't help but gasp!
It turned out to be Wu De whom she had bribed in the first place!
Although the purpose seems to be just to make Xiao Zhou's childbirth difficult, not to replace the prince, this is enough to drag the Marquisate into an abyss of no return! Once the emperor knows...
He immediately realized that this news must be strictly kept secret! He must not let his father know!
At least not now! Otherwise, he couldn't imagine what the emperor would do in his rage!
That would be a fatal blow to the political situation that had just stabilized and to Axiao!
He immediately sent a secret order back to Han Feng
"All soldiers present today, silence is ordered! If even a single word of Cui Jun's confession is leaked, military action will be taken, and your entire clan will be executed!
Keep Cui Jun under strict isolation and surveillance. No one is allowed to contact him without my order!
"Those kidnappers, especially the leader, please pry open their mouths! I want to know who their master is!"
After dealing with this most urgent matter, Liu Cong felt exhausted.
The shadow of the truth is so heavy, and the pressure to protect it is even greater.
He wanted to see Liu Xiao so much at this moment, as if he only wanted to see that person.
Only then could he soothe his tense nerves and... the deep worry in his heart about Liu Xiao's situation caused by knowing that the Marquis' Mansion might be involved in the case.
As if by some mysterious force, he came to the East Palace again.
Liu Xiao was feeling uneasy because he was worried about the Marquis' Mansion and his second uncle, and he was shocked to see him come back.
He immediately came forward eagerly: "Royal brother! Is there any news about Second Uncle?!"
Liu Cong looked at his clear and anxious eyes, and all the dark speculations about Madam Zhou and Wu De were stuck in his throat.
He couldn't say it out loud, couldn't let his pure world be polluted by this dirty truth.
He took a deep breath and tried to look relaxed. "Don't worry, Your Highness. Han Feng has rescued Cui Jun. He was a little frightened, but he's fine. He's now recuperating in a safe place. The kidnappers have all been apprehended and are currently being interrogated."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, a relieved smile on his face: "Great! Thank you, my Royal Brother! I knew you would have a solution!"
That smile was like sunshine, instantly dispelling the gloom and fatigue in Liu Cong's heart.
Seeing how Liu Xiao was genuinely happy for him and completely trusted and relied on him, an indescribable flood of emotions suddenly broke through the dam of rationality that he had been struggling to maintain!
He almost subconsciously took a step forward and reached out to hold Liu Xiao's wrist!
The movement was so fast that it even carried a hint of force that could not be rejected.
Liu Xiao was stunned. He felt the scorching heat and slight trembling of the other person's palm on his wrist. He raised his eyes in surprise and met Liu Cong's eyes that were as deep as a whirlpool.
There were extremely complex emotions surging in it that he had never seen before.
There is fear, there is relief, there is deep affection that is difficult to conceal, and there is also a struggle that is almost painful.
"Ah Xiao..." Liu Cong's voice was hoarse, with a desperate tremor.
"Do you know... I..." The rest of the words were stuck in his throat and he couldn't say them.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze. Liu Xiao could clearly hear his own heartbeat, which suddenly accelerated, thump, thump, thump, like a drum beating.
He looked at his second brother's unusual expression and felt the burning touch on his wrist. The confusion and throbbing in his heart reached its peak at this moment.
Their eyes met and their breathing could be heard.
One eye was filled with surging emotions that were about to burst out of the cage, while the other eye was filled with ignorant and helpless shock.
After a stalemate that seemed to last for a century, Liu Cong suddenly woke up and let go of his hand as if he had been burned by fire.
He staggered back two steps, the color drained from his face, his eyes filled with panic and regret.
"I…I have lost my composure! I…I shall take my leave!"
He saluted hastily, almost incoherently, then turned around and rushed out of the East Palace almost as if fleeing.
Liu Xiao was left standing there alone. The burning touch on his wrist and the panic-stricken look of his second brother echoed in his mind over and over again, unable to calm down for a long time.
This time, he couldn't deceive himself anymore.
Second brother...
That feeling really seems to...go beyond the boundaries of brotherhood.
Liu Cong rushed out of the Eastern Palace, leaned against the cold palace wall, looked up at the gray sky, and closed his eyes in pain.
He finally...lost control.
What would Ah Xiao think?
The fragile window paper between them seemed to have finally been broken by his own hands.
The storm was not over. Instead, the loss of control over emotions created even greater waves.
The shadow of the truth, the enemy in the dark, and this unspeakable forbidden love will push the story into a more unknown and dangerous situation.
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