Chapter 584 - 587: Missing
A detour would be a long way around, so Hua Manman asked urgently.
"Did something happen up ahead? Can you let me through? I’m from the Regent Prince Mansion."
Upon hearing the words "Regent Prince Mansion," the official’s attitude immediately became much more polite.
With the noisy crowd around them, the official had to shout his explanation.
"The Yulin Guards were just ambushed by assassins up ahead. The government is investigating the scene now. To prevent any evidence from being disturbed, we cannot allow anyone to pass. Please forgive us, Young Master."
When Hua Manman heard the words "Yulin Guards," her heart skipped a beat.
She pressed, "Are they the Yulin Guards sent by the Empress Dowager?"
The official nodded in affirmation.
Hua Manman’s heart sank.
The Empress Dowager had sent the Yulin Guards to bring Li Xun to the palace.
Now that the Yulin Guards had been attacked, Li Xun was most likely in grave danger.
Hua Manman tightened her grip on the reins. "Do you know which way the assassins fled?"
This was a confidential matter, so of course the official wouldn’t tell her.
The official just kept apologizing, urging her to leave quickly and not interfere with the government’s investigation.
Hua Manman had no choice but to turn around, intending to find Li Ji and discuss the matter with him.
She hadn’t ridden far before she was stopped again.
This time, it wasn’t a government official, but an acquaintance she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Ban Ren cupped his fist in a salute.
"This subordinate pays his respects to the Young Master."
Hua Manman looked down at him from horseback.
"I’m not your Young Master. Please get out of my way. I have something important to do."
But Ban Ren didn’t move an inch. "The Young Master must be busy looking for someone, yes?"
Hua Manman’s brow slowly furrowed.
"What are you trying to say?"
Ban Ren took a step forward and lowered his voice.
"We know where to find the person the Young Master is looking for. You just need to come with us."
Hua Manman’s expression changed slightly. "Why should I believe you?"
Ban Ren reached into his robes and pulled out a small pouch.
An adorable little tiger was embroidered on it.
In the corner was a small embroidered character for "Xun."
It was Li Xun’s pouch!
Hua Manman reached out to grab the pouch, but Ban Ren stepped back, neatly dodging her hand.
Ban Ren tucked the pouch back into his robes and asked calmly.
"Surely the Young Master believes me now?"
The knuckles of the hand gripping her reins turned white. She ground out the words, "You’re the ones who kidnapped Li Xun?!"
Ban Ren didn’t answer, saying only...
"If the Young Master wants Li Xun to remain unharmed, please come with us."
At that moment, pedestrians were coming and going all around them.
Hua Manman believed that if she just shouted, "Assassins here!" she would quickly attract the attention of the city guards.
But before she could cry out, she heard Ban Ren add unhurriedly.
"I forgot to remind you. If I don’t return within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the young prince of the Regent Prince Mansion will lose his life."
Hua Manman instantly gave up the idea of calling for help.
She didn’t dare risk Li Xun’s life.
Ban Ren had clearly read her perfectly, for he said unhurriedly...
"We don’t have much time. The Young Master must make a decision quickly."
Hua Manman took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.
"Fine. I’ll go with you, but you must release Li Xun."
Ban Ren: "Rest assured, Young Master. As long as you do exactly as we say, we naturally won’t harm the Heir of the Regent King."
Hua Manman released the reins, dismounted, and subtly brushed her right hand against the saddle.
Then she followed Ban Ren.
As soon as they left, the horse galloped off.
The horses of the Regent Prince Mansion were all specially trained. Not only were they docile and steady, but they could also find their own way home.
It ran along the road back to the Regent Prince Mansion.
The gatekeeper of the Prince Mansion saw the horse return, but the rider was missing. Sensing trouble, he hurriedly sent someone to inform the chief steward.
Gao Shan rushed over.
He looked at the horse, knowing that the Heir of Prince Yu must be in trouble. Otherwise, the horse wouldn’t have returned alone.
Gao Shan immediately ordered a groom to check the horse for any useful clues.
As it turned out, the groom found a Jade Pendant under the saddle.
This was the Jade Pendant Hua Manman had brought from the Yu Royal Mansion. It symbolized the identity of the Heir of Prince Yu.
The front of the Jade Pendant was carved with the emblem of the Yu Royal Mansion, while the back was inscribed with a neat, formal character for "Yu."
Gao Shan clutched the Jade Pendant, guessing this incident was most likely related to the Yu Royal Mansion.
He handed the Jade Pendant to a Royal Guard and instructed him.
"You must get this Jade Pendant to the Prince. Go, quickly!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
Li Ji was currently at the Training Ground, drilling his soldiers.
When he suddenly heard that his son had been taken away by the Empress Dowager, he was surprised but not overly anxious.
His relationship with the Empress Dowager was poor, but she wasn’t foolish enough to openly harm his son.
Not unless she wanted to force him to usurp the throne.
Li Ji handed his duties to someone else, removed his armor, and planned to go to the palace to retrieve his son personally. While he was there, he would also knock some sense into the Empress Dowager, reminding her to stay put and stop causing trouble.
However, just as he reached the gates of the barracks, he saw another Royal Guard rushing toward him.
"Reporting to the Prince, the Heir of Prince Yu is missing!"
Li Ji’s expression changed in an instant.
He grabbed the guard by the collar, his face livid, and demanded.
"What do you mean the Heir of Prince Yu is missing? Wasn’t he at the Prince Mansion? How could he be missing?"
The Royal Guard was so terrified by the Prince’s dreadful appearance that his legs went weak, but he still dutifully recounted what had happened.
"The Heir of Prince Yu learned that the young prince had been taken away by the Empress Dowager’s people. Worried, he rode out alone.
Before long, the horse he was riding returned, but he was nowhere to be found!"
After speaking, he presented the Jade Pendant.
"This was found under the horse’s saddle. Please take a look, Your Highness."
Li Ji released the guard and snatched the Jade Pendant.
A violent, crimson light flickered in his dark eyes.
He forced three words out through his gritted teeth.
"Yu. Royal. Mansion!"
He had originally planned to wait until the Yu Royal Mansion officially rebelled, then he could justifiably wipe them out in one fell swoop.
But now, the Yu Royal Mansion had dared to lay a hand on Manman.
This had crossed his bottom line.
He gathered his men and horses and charged straight for the Yu Royal Mansion.
However, before they could even reach the Yu Royal Mansion, they saw thick smoke billowing from its direction in the distance.
Someone was shouting at the top of their lungs.
"Fire! The Yu Royal Mansion is on fire!"
By the time Li Ji and his men arrived, all they could see was the Yu Royal Mansion engulfed in a sea of flames.
As for the people inside, not a single one had escaped.
It was impossible to know if they were dead or had already slipped away.
Li Ji immediately wheeled his horse around.
"To the Ministry of Justice!"
Mr. Du was still being held in the Ministry of Justice Prison.
Given his position in the Yu Royal Mansion, it was impossible that he knew nothing about this.