Palace maid Shuoning

(One)

Bai Ling tightened the cloak ties for Jiang Shuoning and carefully helped her step out of the private room.

They had only taken a few steps when the door to the private room next door was suddenly kicked open.

A man rushed out in a panic, blocking their path, his voice trembling:

"Young lady! Please, have mercy and look after my wife! She's in terrible pain, I'll go get a doctor right away!"

Jiang Shuoning and Bai Ling exchanged a glance, puzzled, and then looked into the house.

A woman was curled up on the bed, writhing and groaning in pain.

"Please wait a moment, young lady! If I leave, what if something happens to your wife..."

The man's eyes were red-rimmed, almost pleading.

Jiang Shuoning's gaze darkened slightly as he countered, "If you leave and something happens to your wife, who will bear the responsibility?"

The man was startled and froze on the spot.

Jiang Shuoning changed the subject and instructed, "Bailing, there's a pharmacy right across the street. Go and fetch a doctor immediately."

Bai Ling knelt in agreement, lifted her skirt, and quickly ran down the second floor.

The man quickly bowed to Jiang Shuoning in thanks, then rushed into the house, bent down to embrace the woman on the bed, and whispered comforting words:

"My wife, just hang in there a little longer, the doctor will be here soon."

Jiang Shuoning stood at the doorway, watching the woman on the bed struggling in pain. A strange feeling stirred within him. After a moment's thought, he stepped into the room.

"What exactly is wrong with you, causing such severe pain?"

Before he could finish speaking, the door behind him slammed shut with a loud bang!

Two men who had been lying in ambush suddenly rushed out and struck Jiang Shuoning on the back of the neck from behind.

Jiang Shuoning's vision went black, and before he could even cry for help, he collapsed to the ground.

The "woman with abdominal pain" on the bed immediately sat up, showing no sign of pain whatsoever; she was actually a man dressed as a woman.

The four men dared not delay. They quickly bound Jiang Shuoning with ropes, stuffed her into a pre-prepared mahogany box, lifted the box together, and hurriedly went downstairs.

Behind the counter on the first floor, the shopkeeper was fiddling with an abacus when he glanced up and saw four men carrying a heavy mahogany box down the stairs and carrying it straight to the carriage outside.

One of them stepped forward and threw down a silver ingot, and the four of them immediately drove off at high speed.

Just then, Bailing led the doctor hurriedly into the restaurant, urging repeatedly, "Doctor, hurry! That lady is in terrible pain!"

The shopkeeper watched the two go upstairs. A short while later, Bailing, her face ashen, staggered downstairs, looked around, and rushed to the counter, urgently asking:

"Shopkeeper! Have you seen my master? The woman just now, the one wearing a silver fox fur cloak, with a cinnabar birthmark between her eyebrows!"

The shopkeeper shook his head: "I haven't seen her come downstairs."

Bai Ling's heart sank, and her voice trembled: "What about the couple in the next room? They've disappeared too?"

The shopkeeper frowned, puzzled. "Husband and wife? There were clearly four men carrying away a large mahogany chest!"

The words struck like a thunderbolt, and Bai Ling felt dizzy and her legs went weak, almost causing her to fall.

She no longer cared about the doctor and rushed out of Xiangmanlou like a madwoman, searching for Jiang Shuoning's whereabouts in the bustling night market.

(two)

Inside the study of Prince Jingchen's residence, the atmosphere was as cold and oppressive as ice.

Zhou Zhengyin, Zhou Xiao, and Huo Xiao gathered together. After hearing Bai Ling's tearful report, the three of them froze, and the room fell into a deathly silence.

In an instant, overwhelming anger and fear engulfed Zhou Zhengyin.

His eyes were bloodshot, his knuckles clenched so tightly they cracked, and he stared intently at Bailing, who was kneeling on the ground, crying so hard she was nearly fainting.

"If even a single hair of my concubine were to be lost, or if any misfortune were to befall her..."

Zhou Zhengyin's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a destructive and ferocious aura, each word chilling:

"I will tear you to pieces; your death is no loss!"

Huo Xiao's expression was extremely solemn as he forcefully suppressed the chaotic situation:

"Your Highness! This is not the time to assign blame! The concubine is missing and her fate is unknown. The slightest delay could mean she is gone forever! The most important thing right now is to find her immediately!"

Zhou Xiao quickly responded, leaning down to look at the sobbing Bai Ling, speaking rapidly:

"Stop crying! Answer immediately! Who did the concubine meet at Xiangmanlou today? Tell me the whole story in detail, without omitting a single word!"

Bai Ling bit her lip hard, tears streaming down her face, and choked out, "I can't stop crying!"

"It was...it was Lord Xie's wife! She arranged to meet with the master! During the meal, she deliberately provoked him, saying things that were meant to provoke him. The master got angry and reprimanded her in front of everyone..."

Later, Madam Xie left in tears and a sorry state. Then, something unexpected happened to me, and when I turned back, my mistress was gone…”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhengyin's murderous aura surged instantly. He gripped Zhou Xiao's arm tightly, his eyes filled with extreme panic and madness:

"Was it the Crown Prince? Or Xie Jinghuai's doing?! He deliberately lured Shuoning to the appointment alone; it's not just a simple verbal humiliation! They intend to kidnap him, to manipulate me!"

Zhou Xiao felt a sharp pain from his grip, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with anxiety and utter confusion. He shook his head urgently:

"I can't be sure! But the Crown Prince wouldn't rashly make a move against the concubine and give others a handle against him!"

As for Xie Jinghuai, he had even less reason to risk kidnapping someone; such an act would bring him nothing but harm and no benefit whatsoever, making it utterly futile for him!

Zhou Zhengyin's forehead veins bulged, his eyes were bloodshot, and he abruptly shook off Zhou Xiao's hand, speaking rapidly and decisively, each word a military order:

"Huo Xiao! Immediately activate all the powers of your Dali Temple! In my name, issue an order to seal off the entire city, including the nine gates, streets, and ferry crossings! Thoroughly search every inch of the capital; intercept and strictly investigate all carriages, trunks, and travelers leaving the city, leaving no stone unturned!"

Before he could finish speaking, he abruptly turned to look at Zhou Xiao, his voice sharp and brooking no argument:

"You must go to the Eastern Palace immediately! Meet with the Crown Prince and personally interrogate him! Find out whether he is involved in this matter!"

Having said that, he grabbed the black cloak from the rack, turned to look at Shan Hengzhe waiting outside the door, and spoke with a resounding, forceful tone that shook the entire room:

"Prepare the horses! Follow me straight to the Xie residence!"

In an instant, the entire Prince's mansion mobilized, the wind howled, and a city-wide manhunt was imminent.

谢府

After discussing official business with Zhou Jin, Bao Zhong, feeling exhausted, stepped into the mansion.

The maidservant hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to report that the lady had returned from her outing that night and locked herself in her inner room, where she had been crying incessantly.

"Going out? Why are you crying?"

Bao Zhong frowned slightly, and the maid lowered her head, unable to answer the question.

He asked no more questions, walked straight into the inner room, and knocked on the door.

A moment later, the door opened. Xiaodie's eyes were red and swollen. When she saw him, she could no longer hold back and rushed into his arms, sobbing as she called out, "Thank you, Brother Xie!"

Bao Zhong stepped aside, reached out and helped her into the house, closed the door behind him, and asked in a deep voice, "What exactly happened?"

Xiaodie stepped forward again, clutching his clothes tightly, her eyes filled with unease and longing:

"Brother Xie, is it because I'm of average appearance that you never truly loved me from the beginning?"

Bao Zhong closed his eyes wearily and sighed deeply, suppressing his inner turmoil, and pushed her away again:

"Xiaodie, I'm exhausted from official duties today and just want to rest. Don't keep bringing up personal matters."

Xiaodie's grievances surged even more, and she tiptoed to kiss him.

Bao Zhong quickly turned his head away, his expression darkening, and said unhappily, "What are you doing?"

She still wouldn't give up, reaching out to violently rip open his shirt. The next moment, she froze, muttering incoherently, "The scar...where's the scar?"

Bao Zhong's expression suddenly changed. He shoved her several steps away, quickly straightened his robes, and, his face ashen, demanded sharply, "Speak! Who did you meet today?!"

Xiaodie cried, trembling all over, tears streaming down her face: "In front of the concubine, I'm like a clown jumping around on a beam, I can't hide anything from her..."

Bao Zhong's heart sank. He quickly approached, suppressing his anger: "You went to see Jiang Shuoning?"

Xiaodie nodded tearfully, "Yes! I told her I was carrying your child and that you would live a peaceful life with me from now on. But she didn't believe me at all. She said she didn't want you anymore, that I was even worse than a palace maid, and publicly humiliated me!"

Bao Zhong's pupils suddenly contracted, his anger surged, and he raised his hand to strike.

Xiaodie looked up at the hand suspended in mid-air, her cries growing more heart-wrenching:

"Thank you, Brother! I know in my heart that this was all just an act! But even if it was only for a moment, I'm willing to fall for it!"

"Even if you hit me tonight, I won't complain. I was the one who made the mistake!"

Bao Zhong's arm froze in mid-air, his knuckles clenched so tightly they cracked, before finally slowly falling down, pressing down with his palm.

Just as he was about to reprimand her again, Xia Kun's urgent report came from outside the door.

"My lord! Prince Jingchen has arrived at the gate with a large force, demanding to enter and collect the person!"

Bao Zhong's expression changed drastically in an instant.