Hearing Su Zhen's murmur, Huo Yan stared at him in astonishment, as if struck by lightning. Only then did he recall that His Majesty had mentioned the portrait during his audience with the Emperor earlier that day.
Could it be...?
Su Zhen looked around again, his excitement like grasping at a lifeline. He gripped Huo Yan's sleeve tightly and whispered, "Quick, tell me, does she... does she have any birthmarks?"
Huo Yan frowned slightly. How could he easily tell others about his daughter's private matters? Su Zhen realized her mistake and knew that her question was abrupt. However, how could she easily extinguish the hope that had just been ignited?
"I was being presumptuous, General Huo, please forgive me."
"General, you should be able to understand my feelings. My little daughter has been missing for more than ten years, and my heart... has been empty for more than ten years."
"I always hoped she was still alive, but I was also afraid she was already gone. She was the apple of my eye!"
"When I saw that portrait today, I felt a special connection to her. I just wanted to know... if she was my daughter."
"My poor, wretched daughter!"
Su Zhen trembled as he grabbed Huo Yan's sleeve, his voice trembling with tears: "My daughter has a red flower-shaped birthmark on her buttock, I don't know..."
He stared intently at Huo Yan, as if trying to see the answer through his eyes.
Huo Yan was stunned. Su Ruanruan did indeed have a red birthmark there, as vibrant as a plum blossom. Every time she was aroused, that birthmark would burn like a flame, captivating and mesmerizing.
He couldn't believe it; Su Ruanruan was actually Princess Jingyi's daughter!
The gears of fate turned in circles, and he and she found themselves with such a wondrous connection.
Seeing Huo Yan's appearance, how could Su Zhen not understand? He was like a madman, laughing wildly, with not a trace of his former refinement.
"My daughter, Su Ruanruan, is truly my daughter, Su Zhen's daughter!"
But then, as if remembering something, he glanced at the closed door and sneered, "What exactly is going on between you and the Fu family girl? Did you abandon my daughter just to rekindle your old flame with her?"
"My daughter, the apple of my eye, how could I let her become someone else's concubine! Not even you!"
"Qingyu has already been betrothed to Prince Rui by His Majesty. My daughter will never be your concubine, much less share a husband with the Fu family's daughter!"
"Hmph!" Su Zhen flicked his sleeve and turned to leave. At this moment, he had to rush back to the manor to prepare for his journey to the Northwest to bring Ruan Ruan back. In addition, he also needed to tell Jing Yi the good news.
Although there had been some friction between the couple recently because of Qingyu's situation, now that their daughter had been found, such wonderful news made those little conflicts seem insignificant!
He had just taken a step when he brushed past a young officer. The officer was holding a carrier pigeon and looked nervous; he didn't even notice when the officer nearly bumped into him. Su Zhen didn't think much of it; perhaps there was an urgent matter at the army headquarters, which explained the officer's haste and panic.
As soon as he stepped out of the General's Mansion, he was surprised to find that Huo Yan had also come out, his eyes swirling with dark undercurrents, seemingly filled with murderous intent.
Seeing the other person leap onto their horse, he finally couldn't contain himself and stepped forward to ask, "What happened?"
Huo Yan remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "Ruan Ruan is missing. I suspect that Chu Ran kidnapped her."
Su Zhen naturally knew who Chu Ran, the heir of the Prince of Zhennan, was. If Ruan Ruan really fell into his hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Why do you think he kidnapped Ruanruan?
Huo Yan gritted his teeth and said, "Back in the Northwest, he had already kidnapped Ruan Ruan once. If it wasn't him, I really can't think of anyone else."
Su Zhen felt a throbbing vein in his temple. "What? Ruan Ruan was actually kidnapped by him once? That beast! I'll fight him to the death!"
He turned to the servant standing guard and shouted, "Quickly, prepare the carriage for me!"
...
Just as dispatched officials and various vassal kings were returning to the capital to report on their duties, Prince Zhennan and his son Chu Ran rested at a post station in Cangzhou.
Chu Ran sat at the table, her face full of anxiety: "Father, where did you take Su Ruanruan? Why can't I know? Please let me see her!"
The Prince of Zhennan patted his cheek and said earnestly, "You've been involved with enough women already. Don't indulge in women all day long. Have some ambition."
"I have devoted countless efforts to the mine over the past few years, but I never expected that Huo Yan would not only destroy the mine, but also find my treasure vault."
The Prince of Zhennan was unwilling, but powerless to do anything about it.
"Fortunately, the mine has always been handled by the Fu family, and we were not involved. Even if they wanted to turn around and bite me, they would have no evidence."
"Besides, I saved his life many years ago, so he won't betray me."
The Prince of Zhennan then looked at Chu Ran, "Are you sure no one has seen the map in the secret room?"
Chu Ran said, "I'm sure, no one really saw it."
"That's strange. How would Huo Yan know there was a secret passage under the Zhou family's pigsty?"
Chu Ran didn't want to talk to him about this topic; his mind was filled with images of Su Ruanruan.
"Father, please let me see Su Ruanruan. If you let me have a night with her, I will never go west if you tell me to go east, okay?"
"No, don't mention it again."
Back then, both he and Su Zhen were in love with the princess, but Princess Jingyi had no eyes for him and even begged the late emperor to bestow her in marriage to Su Zhen.
From then on, he harbored resentment towards Su Zhenjing and her husband, who had no regard for him.
Later, he married the daughter of the Prince of Zhennan and made military achievements. The old Prince of Zhennan, who had no children, was very satisfied and requested that he inherit his title.
Even while he was in Jiangnan, he sent people to keep an eye on Su Zhen and his group.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
