The two sons, upon hearing the news, did not consult their father and acted as if nothing had happened.
After they departed, the two children also disappeared without a trace, much to the consternation of the old lady in the mansion.
Xiao Ce wished to accompany them, but he was assigned to protect Princess Yumeng, while Zhang Heng was directly promoted to general, tasked with safeguarding the trade city between them and the Zongsheng Kingdom.
Bai Lu, learning of the matter from her husband Zhang Heng, returned to the inner city. At the prince's estate, she managed all affairs, big and small, and effectively concealed the news of the princess's disappearance, allowing no room for leaks.
Gao Bin, who had not been seen for years, learned of the princess's disappearance. After making arrangements for his wife Li Sisi, he too resolved to go to the Xuanyuan Kingdom alone to search.
Li Sisi watched Gao Bin depart with tears in her eyes. For years, he had stayed out of the conflicts of the martial world and the imperial court. This time, he was willing to step out for his elder sister-in-law, which filled Sisi with both happiness and considerable worry.
Helian Zhicheng, through his spies, learned that Princess Yumeng had led troops to the Xuanyuan Kingdom. He immediately mobilized two hundred thousand soldiers and personally led them there.
Upon returning to Dingbei Liao, Helian Jinli, with Helian Zhicheng's consent, also set off for the Xuanyuan Kingdom alone.
The stir in the inner city was significant, alerting the King of Dingbei. Upon learning the details from Bai Lu, he immediately led his troops, leaving only one-third of his forces to guard the frontier.
Seeing that both their brothers had mobilized troops, Prince Xian and Prince Xiaoyao immediately intercepted Fan Xudong.
Fan Xudong, with reddened eyes, explained, "Elder sister-in-law has been abducted by the Emperor of Xuanyuan. Elder brother went personally to demand her release. We are concerned about Elder brother's safety, so..."
Prince Xian interrupted him before he could finish, "You go first, we two brothers will cover your rear!"
If their elder brother and sister-in-law were in trouble, they had to help. Within two days, the two brothers each led their contingents to the Xuanyuan Kingdom to rendezvous with the troops ahead.
Their movements alerted the surrounding vassal states, who were baffled as to why almost all the soldiers from the inner city had been dispatched to the Xuanyuan Kingdom.
Upon receiving the news, Huangfu Xi of the Yun Kingdom was also confused. He assumed that Fan Zehao was preparing to attack the Xuanyuan Kingdom, intending to annex the territory.
With this thought, he could no longer sit still. He immediately summoned his grand general and dispatched troops. Regardless, it would be a simple matter for so many soldiers to defeat a single Xuanyuan Kingdom. As long as they participated, they would have a share in the eventual division of Xuanyuan.
Thus, Huangfu Xi, in his confusion, sent out his troops.
Zong Han, upon hearing the news, although he did not understand why his father-in-law was acting this way, knew that Baili Kaien was his father-in-law's sworn brother. To suddenly march on Baili Kaien must mean something of great importance.
He immediately summoned Wu Yi and ordered him to lead thirty thousand soldiers to detour through the borderlands of the Xuanyuan Kingdom. He and his father-in-law's army would then form a pincer movement, trapping Baili Kaien between them once the two sides clashed.
As the major powers mobilized, the vassal states also felt it was time to demonstrate their loyalty and sent their armies.
These smaller nations seemed to have coordinated their efforts, with each contributing fifty thousand troops. Though seemingly few individually, their combined numbers were not insignificant. Within half a month, nearly a million soldiers surrounded the Xuanyuan Kingdom, a spectacle unprecedented on the Cangyi Continent.
The expedition from Dingbei Liao, with its tens of thousands of soldiers traveling by swift ships, and the formidable Zongsheng Kingdom led by Wu Yi, presented a formidable front that completely bewildered the ministers of the Xuanyuan Kingdom.
They submitted memorials one after another, but the Emperor remained unmoved, only stating, "They dare not act." This one sentence was all he said.
Baili Fengge found his father. They were all in a panic. At Fan Zehao's command, their entire country would be encircled and captured within five days, their fate sealed.
"Father Emperor, what is Uncle Xiao's intention? Why is he suddenly acting this way towards us? Father Emperor, what have you done?"
Baili Kaien was also at his wit's end. His worry was for Zhao Jiaqi, not Fan Zehao.
Now that his son was bothering him, his pent-up frustration erupted: "Get out! What I do is none of your concern. Regardless, even if they send a million more, they dare not attack. Just remember that!"
With that, he had Baili Fengge forcibly removed, disregarding his status as Crown Prince.
Baili Fengge had no idea what had gotten into his father. After being shut out, he had no choice but to seek another solution.
Two days later, Fan Zehao, with a small contingent of men, arrived at the Xuanyuan Imperial Palace. Baili Kaien personally received him. The former brothers now met as enemies.
The thought of it was enough to make anyone laugh.
They faced each other in silence, as this was no trivial matter. Baili Kaien led Fan Zehao to his newly renovated sleeping quarters, dismissing everyone, even the guards who stood far away.
He pointed to his lavishly redecorated chambers and showed them to Fan Zehao: "Look at my palace. It's incredibly luxurious. Everything you see, everything used, is made of the finest materials. Qi Qi is with me, and I assure you, I will not mistreat her!"
"From now on, I will abolish the entire harem, leaving only her to accompany me. I can also promise to dote on her alone!"
Fan Zehao looked at the man, who was speaking like a madman with deranged words. This was not the person he knew; he was clearly insane.
"My wife is enough for me to love. Now hand her over."
Fan Zehao wasted no more words. Speaking further to such a person would be pointless.
Baili Kaien scoffed, meeting his resentful gaze directly: "I will not release her! You've had her with you all these years; be content. I will take care of her for the rest of her life!"
Fan Zehao could hardly believe his ears. Talking further with this man would surely drive him to death.
Getting no information from him, Fan Zehao left without further ado. The remaining matters would have to be pursued discreetly.
As he exited the palace gate, he encountered Baili Fengge. Seeing him approaching with an anxious look, Fan Zehao paused.
"Uncle Xiao, don't leave in such a hurry. Let your nephew and you sit down for a while and have some tea!"
Fan Zehao nodded to him and followed him to a nearby tea house. Guards stood watch outside. Inside, the two sat opposite each other, with two steaming cups of tea before them.
After a long silence, Baili Fengge finally asked, "Uncle Xiao, why are you so angry? Could you tell your nephew what's going on? Is there some misunderstanding? Let's resolve it first, and if it can't be resolved, we can think of other solutions!"
Fan Zehao looked into his eyes. They seemed sincere, not feigned. He pondered for a moment before revealing the truth.
"Your father abducted my wife, intending to make her his Empress. Can you resolve this matter?"
Baili Fengge's mouth dropped open in astonishment. He couldn't believe it, much less comprehend his words: "Impossible, I don't believe it!"
Fan Zehao sneered, "You think I deployed troops to encamp along your borders for fun?"
Baili Fengge's spirits plummeted to the depths of despair. His mind felt as though it had been struck by a heavy blow.