The next morning, Linglong woke up feeling groggy and unwell.
“Princess, you’re finally awake!”
Xiao Qing stepped forward, a look of relief on her face. “It’s good you’re awake. I was worried something had happened to you.”
“What exactly happened?” Princess Linglong shook her head. “Why am I so exhausted? Did something happen last night?”
“Princess may not be aware, but you were kidnapped last night,” Xiao Qing said. “Even I was knocked unconscious. For some reason, you reappeared in the room unharmed.”
“Where is the驸马 now?”
Linglong was a bit upset. After all, she now had a man, and her驸马 should have arrived promptly if she had been kidnapped. He was still nowhere to be seen.
“The驸马 disappeared last night!” Xiao Qing shook her head. “Someone is likely targeting the驸马.”
“Disappeared?”
Princess Linglong’s expression changed. She never imagined Lu Fan would vanish so suddenly. Coupled with her own kidnapping and safe return, something major must have happened.
“Inform the Li family head to search for the驸马’s whereabouts,” Princess Linglong urged.
“The Li family head has already dispatched experts to investigate. I don’t know how they are doing,” Xiao Qing replied.
As they were talking, the Li family head arrived with a group of experts. “Your Highness, this old servant is incompetent, truly incompetent!”
“What is going on?” Princess Linglong frowned. “Has the驸马 truly met with trouble?”
“I sent people to search the mountain range ahead and found traces of a struggle,” the Li family head stated. “The驸马 is likely in grave danger. Princess, please bear with the sorrow!”
“You are talking nonsense! How could the驸马 be in trouble?” Princess Linglong’s face turned ashen. “Are you not sending people to search? How could criminals infiltrate Nine Dragon City, and the驸马 also go missing? If my father learns of this, can your Li family bear the consequences?” Su Dan Xiao Shuo Wang
“Princess, please calm your anger. I have already dispatched a large number of experts to search the surroundings. We will surely find a result,” the Li elder said, quickly bowing and becoming flustered.
He had slept soundly last night, envisioning the royal accolades he would receive upon returning to the imperial city. He never expected such turmoil to erupt overnight.
“I know where the master is!”
As they were talking, Duan Tianya emerged, his expression particularly serious.
“Where is the驸马 now?”
Linglong hurried forward to ask, not daring to delay even for a moment.
“If I’m not mistaken, the驸马 has likely been taken to the Eighth Prince’s Mansion.”
Duan Tianya stated directly, “The people who acted last night were likely from the Eighth Prince’s Mansion.”
“How is that possible? Why would the Eighth Prince’s Mansion kidnap the Princess?”
Xiao Qing questioned, “Moreover, the驸马 is to marry the Princess. How would the Eighth Prince’s Mansion dare to do such a thing and capture the驸马?”
“The people from the Eighth Prince’s Mansion actually intended to target the驸马 last night, using the Princess as bait!” Duan Tianya said frankly. “If Princess Linglong doesn’t believe me, then I have nothing more to say.”
“How can this be? The Eighth Prince’s Mansion is a vassal king. How would they dare to disrespect the驸马? If this were true, wouldn’t they fear annihilation of their clan?”
The Li family head spoke, “This matter is of grave importance and cannot be treated lightly.”
“I believe him. The驸马 must be at the Eighth Prince’s Mansion!”
Princess Linglong declared. Duan Tianya was Lu Fan’s attendant; he must know certain things, otherwise, he wouldn’t be so certain.
“Princess Linglong, this matter is of grave importance. You cannot act rashly!” the Li family head warned.
After all, it concerned a vassal king, and even he dared not act rashly. If it escalated into a conflict between vassal kings, the entire imperial family might fall into crisis, and his Li family would become the greatest sinners.
“With the驸马 missing, the Li family is the first to bear the brunt,” Princess Linglong said with a light smile. “Does the Li family head not wish to accompany me to the Eighth Prince’s Mansion?”
“This…”
The Li family head fell into deep thought, unsure of what to do. Princess Linglong’s words were perfectly placed. This was a matter of great consequence. If the Li family remained idle, how would they account for themselves to the Dragon Emperor upon returning to the imperial city?
“Furthermore, we have the army at our disposal. Even if we go to my royal uncle’s capital, he wouldn’t dare to do anything,” Princess Linglong said coldly. “But if the Li family does not get involved in this matter, I will certainly inform my father, and your Li family will also be in a precarious situation.”
The Li family head was instantly caught in a dilemma, his eyes filled with helplessness. He never imagined things would turn out this way, as it was completely different from his expectations.
“The Li family head should consider what is more important and what is less!”
Princess Linglong said no more and began preparing her luggage, ready to head to the Eighth Prince’s Mansion. With Lu Fan’s life uncertain, she was deeply worried.
“Since the Princess intends to go to the Eighth Prince’s Mansion, how can the Li family dare to refuse?” The Li elder bowed. “I will immediately summon everyone to accompany the Princess to the royal capital. If it is indeed the Eighth Prince’s Mansion’s doing, I presume the Eighth Prince would not dare to act recklessly!”
Princess Linglong nodded slightly, a look of joy appearing on her face. With the Li family as her backing, she would have more confidence in traveling to the royal capital. After all, the ruler of the Eighth Prince’s City was her royal uncle, and the title of Princess alone might not be enough to suppress him.
Returning to her courtyard, Princess Linglong began packing her belongings and then looked at Duan Tianya. “Why are you so certain that the驸马 is at the Eighth Prince’s Mansion?”
“Last night, the master learned that Princess Linglong had been captured and pursued her. He has not returned since, so he must have been captured,”
Duan Tianya stated. “The master has a long-standing grudge with White Tiger of the Eighth Prince’s Mansion. If I’m not mistaken, it must be his doing! Only the Eighth Prince’s Mansion has such capabilities.”
“What did your master do before that he could become an enemy of the Eighth Prince’s Mansion?” Xiao Qing asked, sounding confused.
Duan Tianya smiled but said no more.
Princess Linglong didn’t doubt him either. Duan Tianya’s words were logical and well-reasoned, and he was unlikely to lie to her.
Meanwhile, in the dungeon of the Eighth Prince’s Mansion, a massive Divine Dragon Cauldron was placed. Powerful formations surrounded the cauldron, making it impossible for ordinary people to break free.
“Now that you’re in the Eighth Prince’s Mansion, you’d best stay put,” White Tiger sneered. “Since you don’t want to come out, I’ll keep you locked up until you die!”
“You truly have a lot of leisure time!” Lu Fan stood inside the Divine Emperor Cauldron, a cold smile on his face. “With the驸马 missing, the Princess will surely not let this matter rest. She will likely send people to the Eighth Prince’s Mansion before long. Then, let’s see how you deal with it.”
“You think too highly of yourself!” White Tiger immediately sneered.