While everyone was out searching, they were also thinking about the unusual.
However, after much thought, they couldn't pinpoint anything out of the ordinary.
When this reached the ears of the guards on duty at the別院 (bié yuàn - separate courtyard), he pondered for a moment and felt that this might indeed be an unusual occurrence.
He found Helian Zhicheng, cupped his hands, and reported, "Today, Emperor Xuanyuan carried away several thick quilts, saying he was returning to his country and would lay them out on the ship in advance!"
Quilts, and carried away?
Helian Zhicheng looked up at the sky. Using quilts in the middle of summer, and several of them at that? Wasn't he afraid of breaking out in prickly heat?
Fan Zehao didn't have time to think so much. Wherever there was something amiss, he had to investigate. He mounted his horse and sped to the port. Upon learning that Baili Kai'en's ship had already departed, and had been gone for nearly two hours, his mind went blank.
When Helian Zhicheng arrived, he was even more incredulous, "How could this person just leave without saying a word to us?"
The guard at the port also found it strange. He said, "Your subordinate also saw the Princess Consort, but she was sleeping very soundly and was carried into the cabin by several maids. Emperor Xuanyuan said the Princess Consort was too tired, so he didn't wake her!"
Helian Zhicheng really wanted to kick this port guard into the sea. This scoundrel hadn't thought it through; how could the Princess Consort be with an outsider?
Knowing his wife's whereabouts, Fan Zehao couldn't bother with anything else. He commanded Helian Zhicheng, "Stop the nonsense, quickly get faster ships and pursue!"
Although he wasn't sure why Baili Kai'en had abducted his wife, he was certain that this person had ill intentions.
Either he would use his wife to threaten him into giving up the inner city, or wealth, or something else. No matter which possibility it was, he had already braced himself for the worst.
Helian Zhicheng procured three fast ships and took over a thousand soldiers. They pursued the ship ahead, but two hours had already passed, and it was unclear if they could catch up.
Helian Zhicheng's heart grew more anxious. His sister-in-law had encountered trouble on his territory, and he bore unshirkable responsibility. What if...
Who could withstand Fan Zehao's wrath?
The sky grew dim. Even the fastest ship wouldn't travel very quickly at night. The helmsman on the ship was an old man. In the latter half of the night, they caught up to Emperor Xuanyuan's ship, intercepted it, and discovered only a few people on board; the rest were gone.
An old boatman trembled and handed over the letter the Emperor had given him, "This is a letter from our Emperor to the Regent. Who is the Regent?"
Fan Zehao snatched the letter with a dark expression and opened it. He read it rapidly, and his expression grew increasingly grim.
He had abducted his wife, only to make her an Empress?
Upon seeing this, Fan Zehao almost exploded. He gazed at the vast, busy sea, but not a single ship was in sight. He surmised they had fallen for a diversionary tactic.
Fan Zehao suppressed his rage and returned to Nancha Prefecture overnight.
He did not sleep a wink.
As it was nearing noon, Duan Yao finally saw them return, but without his sister-in-law. His mood became even more despondent.
Fan Zehao, with a hoarse voice, said, "My wife was taken by Baili Kai'en. Now that I know her whereabouts, I'm not afraid of not finding her!"
Helian Zhicheng asked, "Brother, what do you need me to do? Just say the word!"
"Find her!"
Fan Zehao uttered this sentence and left with his men, completely departing from Dingbeiliao.
If not now, then when would they search for her?
Even if they sent troops to encircle Xuanyuan Kingdom, if Baili Kai'en placed his wife in front, who would dare to continue the attack?
He was now confident and unafraid, not worried about provoking war at all. Either Fan Zehao would release his wife, allowing his scheme to succeed, or he would rescue her, causing him to miscalculate.
Fan Zehao chose to rescue her; he could not bring himself to hand his wife over willingly.
Upon returning to the inner city, he had become a disheveled old man. He hadn't changed his clothes, washed his face, or brushed his teeth. His stubble was so long it could almost be braided into a pigtail.
When he returned to the princely manor, everyone almost didn't recognize him.
That afternoon, he summoned the Special Envoy, who had been training outside, back. Yu Meng also returned, along with an annoying fellow. However, seeing their improved condition indicated that this brat had suffered quite a bit during this time.
The Special Envoy heard about the Princess Consort's disappearance from his subordinates. He said, "Your subordinate has brought the entire unit back this time and is at the Prince's disposal at any moment!"
Helian Jinli, knowing it was about his future mother-in-law, also made a statement, "Nephew is also willing to go with the Special Envoy. I implore the Prince to grant my request!"
Fan Zehao refused without a second thought, "Your identity is too special, and you are the only descendant of your second brother. You absolutely cannot be in any danger. Don't say any more, I will not agree!"
After saying this, the Special Envoy, taking advantage of his unpreparedness, directly knocked him unconscious.
"Your subordinate will send someone to send him to Dingbeiliao and hand him over to Helian Zhicheng!"
Fan Zehao merely nodded and no longer cared about this matter, now focusing on the issue of Xuanyuan Kingdom.
In the study, Fan Zehao, the Special Envoy, and Yu Meng were looking at a map. From the map, it appeared that in Xuanyuan Kingdom, the mountains and plains were almost equally divided.
This made Fan Zehao's head ache.
"Baili Kai'en, this man has managed to reach this point, so I suspect he has made preparations. Therefore, you must be extremely careful when you infiltrate Xuanyuan Kingdom!"
The Special Envoy naturally knew the importance of this mission and would proceed with the utmost caution.
Fan Zehao looked at his daughter. She appeared quite composed, but he could still see anxiety in her eyes.
He patted her shoulder and said solemnly, "You are no longer a child. You've been on the battlefield and witnessed life and death. Now, Father is going to hand over all military power to you!"
With that, he took a military token from the study and handed it to her. "Although our Fan family army doesn't use this, it is a symbol. From now on, the people of the inner city, this household, and your younger brothers will all be entrusted to you!"
Seeing her father acting as if he were making his final arrangements, Yu Meng's tears flowed uncontrollably. She refused to take the token, "No, I don't care about the large or small family. I only want you and Mother, and my brothers to be well. Our entire family must be well!"
"You have grown up. You are not allowed to be so willful. Have you forgotten what Father said?" Fan Zehao reprimanded her, his heart aching.
If she didn't grow up soon, he would worry about the children even in death.
This time, when he went to find his wife, he had already made the worst possible plan. If his wife couldn't return, he would absolutely not return either. This family needed someone to hold it up.
His two sons were naturally restless and couldn't possibly manage the household; only his daughter could. She could conquer the world with her martial prowess and govern the country with her pen.
After entrusting his daughter with these responsibilities and sending her to lead troops to garrison the border of Xuanyuan Kingdom, Shi Haoming, as her teacher, would accompany her. This was partly to provide oversight and partly to impart more knowledge to her on the battlefield.
Although she had already learned, knowledge was endless.
"Special Envoy, when Yu Meng leads her troops to Xuanyuan Kingdom, attract their attention. While they are occupied, you will infiltrate. I will directly take a contingent of men to meet Baili Kai'en, creating time for you to find the Princess Consort!"
The Special Envoy frowned slightly, feeling that his master's decision to put himself in danger was not ideal. However, understanding the deep affection between the couple, he no longer tried to dissuade him and focused on finding the Princess Consort as quickly as possible.