Princess, something terrible has happened! The prince consort has attempted suicide again!

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qian'er immediately retorted with displeasure, "I captured this person; why should you be the one to deal with him?"

Chen Jingrong snorted, "Just because your plan failed and you wasted two years of your life. The sect leader is already furious, so I will take over this matter entirely."

As he spoke, he took out a dark-colored token, on which was engraved a strange black lotus.

"The Black Lotus Decree!"

Zhou Qian'er's pupils contracted slightly, and her expression changed drastically.

"Seeing this token is like seeing the cult leader, Zhou Qian'er, kneel down now!" Chen Jingrong shouted loudly, holding the token.

Zhou Qian'er was unwilling, but dared not disobey, so she could only kneel on one knee, unwilling to submit.

"The leader's decree: Zhou Qian'er has acted improperly and is to reflect on her actions in seclusion. Zhang Xiaomeng is to be dealt with by me; you are not to interfere."

"Your subordinate... obeys."

Zhou Qian'er gritted her teeth and uttered each word slowly and deliberately, her eyes blazing with anger.

Chen Jingrong revealed a smug smile, "Now that the person is under my control, let's cure the poison."

Zhang Xiaomeng was unwilling, but before he could object, Zhou Qian'er forcibly pried open his mouth and stuffed a pill into it.

Glug!

Zhang Xiaomeng was forced to swallow it.

Having survived this time, he immediately flew into a rage at Chen Jingrong, yelling, "Who the hell do you think you are, to think you're worthy of making me go with you?"

"You're asking for it!"

Chen Jingrong's gaze turned cold. He drew his sword and pressed it against Zhang Xiaomeng's neck. "Dare to speak disrespectfully again, and I'll kill you immediately!"

Zhang Xiaomeng showed no fear, instead straightening his neck and shouting wildly, "If you don't kill me, you're a son of a bitch!"

"This is outrageous!"

Chen Jingrong was furious. His hand holding the sword trembled uncontrollably, and he wished he could slit Zhang Xiaomeng's neck with one stroke.

But thinking about the plans ahead, he managed to suppress the impulse.

He sheathed his sword, ignoring Zhang Xiaomeng's insults, and shouted, "Guards! Take him away!"

Two followers entered in response, grabbed Zhang Xiaomeng, and carried him out.

Zhang Xiaomeng cursed incessantly throughout the journey.

Chen Jingrong kept a gloomy face and ignored him.

He stopped at the door of a secret room and said, "Keep an eye on him."

Having said that, he quickly left, unwilling to spend even a moment with Zhang Xiaomeng.

Two believers stood by the door, staring intently at him, ignoring Zhang Xiaomeng's attempts to talk to him.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaomeng had no choice but to give up and lay down on the bed.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Chen Jingrong pushed open the door and entered, saying with a forced smile, "Kid, you'll be able to go back soon."

Zhang Xiaomeng sat up, looking wary. "You don't sound like you have good intentions."

Chen Jingrong laughed and said, "I might as well tell you that Zhao Changning came to this county in person after learning that you had been arrested. He has been looking for you day and night. I am going to send you back."

Zhang Xiaomeng was taken aback.

Princess Zhao Changning actually came all the way to this remote and impoverished place.

So the figure he saw earlier was her; she had been hiding in the shadows and following him all the way.

Zhang Xiaomeng asked incredulously, "You'd be that kind?"

"Of course there are conditions." Chen Jingrong pointed at him, "Your life in exchange for one million taels of silver. I originally thought I was offering too much and was prepared to bargain. I never expected Zhao Changning to agree so readily. I didn't realize she cared about you so much."

Zhang Xiaomeng frowned slightly.

The annual tax revenue of Dongling Kingdom is only ten million taels. Zhao Changning took out one million taels to redeem herself in one go. Even though she is a princess of the current dynasty, she still has to face enormous pressure.

Zhang Xiaomeng couldn't understand why he was worthy of Zhao Changning's deep affection.

Is this the protagonist's halo that time travelers are born with, making all sorts of beauties throw themselves into their arms for no reason?

He asked, "So, you really intend to send me back?"

Chen Jingrong nodded and said, "As long as we get the money, we will naturally keep our word."

Zhang Xiaomeng couldn't sit still any longer and stood up abruptly. "How can that be? You are a cult, and cults can't keep their word. You can't release me after taking the money. You have to kill me in front of Zhao Changning. Only then will it fit your cult's image."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jingrong's mind went blank for a moment.

Is this really something he should say?

"What trick are you trying to pull now?" Chen Jingrong asked in a deep voice.

Zhang Xiaomeng realized he was being too hasty, so he immediately adjusted his mindset and put on an arrogant expression. "I was just teasing you. This young master is about to marry Princess Changning. How can I die at the hands of you traitors?"

He said indignantly, "Once I become the prince consort, I will only do one thing in my life: eradicate your Black Lotus Sect."

"You think you can take me?" Chen Jingrong said disdainfully.

"Don't disbelieve me, the Prince of Zhenbei owes me a huge debt of gratitude. As long as I give the word, he will definitely help me."

Zhang Xiaomeng said with a face full of resentment, "I, the young master, will definitely avenge this grudge!"

Chen Jingrong frowned when he saw that he didn't seem to be exaggerating.

His subordinate whispered, "Young Master, this boy harbors a grudge. If we let him go, he will surely become a great threat."

Chen Jingrong nodded slightly, then a smile appeared on his lips. "I've suddenly changed my mind. Once I get the money, it will be your death day."

A triumphant smile flashed in Zhang Xiaomeng's eyes, but he showed annoyance on his face. "How could you go back on your word and be so unethical?"

Chen Jingrong smiled smugly, "Since you've already called us a cult, there's no need for us to keep our word with you."

Without further ado, he ordered his men to gag Zhang Xiaomeng, tie him up, and take him away.

An hour later, the group arrived at the riverbank.

Dozens of Black Lotus cult members had already gathered on the riverbank, and two large boats were moored in the water, ready to leave by water after receiving the ransom.

Before long, a commotion was heard from ahead.

A group of people and horses pulled several carriages, with wooden boxes piled on the carriages and dozens of imperial guards standing guard around them.

Leading the way was Zhao Changning.

At this moment, she had shed her magnificent palace attire, and her silver armor accentuated her tall and straight figure. A red cloak was draped diagonally over her shoulder, and she held a silver spear in her hand. Her long hair was tied up high, her eyes were sharp, and her whole body exuded a murderous aura, as if a war god had descended.

Feng Yi followed closely beside him, equally filled with murderous intent.

"Hahaha! Princess Changning, you've finally arrived!" Chen Jingrong laughed loudly.

Zhao Changning stopped ten feet away, his sharp gaze first sweeping over Zhang Xiaomeng. Seeing that he was unharmed, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He then stared coldly at Chen Jingrong and said in a chilling voice, "I've brought the money. Release him."

Chen Jingrong sneered, "Open the box and inspect it first."

Zhao Changning raised his hand in a gesture of greeting.

His men opened the wooden crates one by one, and the crates were filled with gleaming silver.

Chen Jingrong was satisfied and ordered, "Leave the box here, and have your men retreat a hundred paces. Once I have loaded the box onto the ship, I will release the men immediately."

"You'd better not try anything funny," Zhao Changning warned coldly.

Seeing that Zhao Changning had gone to such lengths for him, Zhang Xiaomeng felt a mix of emotions.

He originally wanted to die, but used Chen Jingrong to escape.

But if the Black Lotus Sect really swallowed up a million taels of silver and then killed him in public, Zhao Changning would lose both his money and his reputation, and would be unable to withstand the wrath of the court and the public when he returned.

Feeling guilty, he decided to repay her kindness before he died.

With this thought in mind, Zhang Xiaomeng came up with a plan.

Just as Zhao Changning was about to order a retreat, his body suddenly stiffened, then he convulsed violently and his eyes rolled back.