The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 980 - 556: Zhao Douan’s Scheme (5k)

Facing the predatory gaze of Mu Prince, the second son stiffened and said:

"... No, I do not know yet. Our men are investigating, and from the clues we have so far, it seems someone rescued her."

"Rescue?" Xu Jingtang’s gaze abruptly sharpened.

"Yes... Before today, Zhao Ke showed no significant abnormalities, only dissatisfaction with the people I arranged. Today, under the pretense of going to Confucius Temple to pray for her father, she left the manor, encountering frequent obstacles on the way. In hindsight, it seems someone deliberately caused trouble to distract the guards, giving her a chance to contact Zhao Ke..."

"Later, Zhao Ke deliberately avoided the guards when she entered the temple, and judging by the scene, she opened the window on her own initiative and escaped, meeting up with someone who was waiting for her... However, she didn’t manage to get far; someone nearby saw her figure..."

"In her residence, all the servants fell into a deep sleep, and some of her personal clothes and belongings also disappeared without a trace..."

The second son reported everything in detail.

As Xu Jingtang listened, his face grew increasingly grim.

Actively jumping out the window... Someone responding... Bringing personal items... It all points to a premeditated escape.

Or it should be called a "rescue mission."

"Father," the second son was equally angry: "The biggest suspect would be the people sent by Zhao Shixiong."

After the last Yongjia secret letter incident, Mu Prince Manor had sent Embroidered Robe Envoys to investigate in many directions.

Upon investigation, the information on Nie Yurong’s note was entirely true.

But regarding whether Zhao Shixiong was secretly colluding with the court, there is still no solid evidence.

Xu Jingtang went to ask Prince Huaian but couldn’t find an answer.

"Father, Zhao Shixiong must know that we suspect him. That’s why he took the risk to secretly rescue his only daughter," the second son reasoned.

This is the most reasonable possibility.

Xu Jingtang expressionlessly sat in the high-backed chair and said:

"Zhao Shixiong’s men are all soldiers, even including scouts, that are only good at fighting. How could they sneak in undetected to carry out a rescue?"

He paused and answered his own question: "Unless it was Shadow Guards from the court."

The second son was shocked: "Father, do you mean..."

Xu Jingtang clenched the corner of the table tightly, his eyes turning red:

"It seems very likely that Zhao Shixiong truly sided with the court, so Shadow Guards would save his daughter for him."

"Bang!"

The sturdy corner of the table was crushed!

"An ungrateful wretch," Xu Jingtang tried his best to suppress his anger. Without hesitation, he immediately commanded:

"Send people to search, find, capture! Notify the Embroidered Robe leaders, Zhao Ke must be captured and brought back!"

The second son reminded:

"Father, the Embroidered Robe leaders are currently in the north, investigating evidence of Zhao Shixiong’s collusion with the enemy... All other Embroidered Robe Envoys are also out on missions. Currently, in the city, there’s only one top-grade Embroidered Robe Envoy available."

"I want you to capture her! At all costs!" Xu Jingtang interrupted brutally.

This shocked the second son, who nodded and was about to leave.

But he was called back by Mu Prince:

"After you leave, immediately gather the family retainers and soldiers for a meeting! If Zhao Shixiong rebels, we must prepare early, and also, kill all who know about Zhao Ke’s escape! Taking advantage of the delay in information between the two places, we might catch him off guard."

"Also, send a missive to Yongjia with Flying Eagle, summon Zhao Shixiong back immediately, alone! To discuss military matters! Hmph, if he is willing to return, I will still give him a chance to explain. If he refuses to return, it means he has truly rebelled."

The second son took a deep breath, his heart pounding like a drum: "Understood."

His heart was heavy, though the Royal Mansion had long had many control measures for Zhao Shixiong, including the Southwest Border Army, now Zhao Shixiong only led half of it himself.

But if he rebels, I’m afraid we won’t be able to hold the Huai River.

He turned to leave.

"Wait, one more thing." Xu Jingtang remembered something again:

"Contact the White Clothes Sect Master. I want to see her. Also, contact the people of the Divine Dragon Temple."

The second son waited a bit this time, only to hear Mu Prince’s furious outburst: "Why aren’t you going yet!?"

He then left the garden, disgruntled and furious.

...

When Nie Yurong received the summons and saw the second son at a mansion, she only saw him looking gloomy, full of anger in his every gesture:

"Take your people! Go capture Zhao Ke! If you can’t bring her back, come see me with your heads!"

Nie Yurong was scolded head-on, and the female assassin quietly wiped the spit from her face, neither humble nor overbearing: "Second son, I need manpower."

The latter, venting his anger on a subordinate, threw his waist token at her: "Is this enough! All the personnel from the checkpoints by the Huai River are at your disposal!"

Nie Yurong accepted it compliantly: "Subordinate will complete the task."

As she walked out of the mansion, several subordinates from the Embroidered Robe Envoys surrounded her.

The young boy Kongkong, clutching a bladeless knife between his fingers, asked curiously, "Big sister, what’s going on?"

Nie Yurong gave him a glance, showing a strange expression: "Zhao Shixiong’s daughter has run away. The prince said if we don’t catch her, we’ll all die."

A group of Grade B and C Embroidered Robe Envoys all shuddered together, their faces growing solemn.

Given the brutal and bloody nature of the Embroidered Robe Envoy organization, they knew that if the prince said so, he truly meant to kill.

"Big sister, what are we waiting for? Let’s go find her right away." Kongkong urged anxiously.

Nie Yurong pressed her lips tightly, looked at her subordinates who had been following her for many years, hesitated, but eventually nodded: "Alright. I will assign the tasks."

She immediately divided different pursuit routes and assigned them to everyone, agreeing on a time and place to meet.

When the Embroidered Robe Envoys had all left individually.

Nie Yurong chose the remaining lead and moved gracefully, like a wisp of blue smoke, drifting through the alleys.