Chu Qingge had disappeared, leaving behind only a note.
Upon receiving the news, the Minister of War’s face contorted, looking as if it could be hung on a door as a guardian deity. However, he did not cause a public stir. Instead, he sent people to search privately, specifically giving directions towards Yunzhong City.
This showed that the Minister of War understood his daughter quite well, knowing that her running away from home was undoubtedly for Xiao Luo.
Xiao Luo was the sole heir to the Protectorate General’s mansion. If his daughter could win over Xiao Luo, it would be a good thing. But to run off so recklessly without even bringing a guard, the Minister of War also felt a pang of fear.
Meanwhile, Xiao Man and her companions, disguised, took the water route towards Cangzhou. From Cangzhou, Yunzhong City was not far, and at the same time, Cangzhou was not far from the border.
When Nangong Yu discovered Xiao Man was missing, she had already fled hundreds of miles. Yu Qianmo, who was being pursued by Dongfang Wei, was also forced to flee the imperial capital and his whereabouts were unknown.
Nangong Yu’s expression was extremely grave.
“Your Highness, could it be that you were too rash and frightened Miss Xiao, causing her to hide?” Su Dan Fiction Network.
Nangong Yu snorted, “Is Xiao Man someone who would be afraid?”
“This young lady’s courage is indeed remarkable. Even as a prisoner, she dared to fight you, and doesn't seem like someone who would hide out of fear. So where did she go?” Wen Ruyu swayed his fan. The weather was getting hotter and hotter. Xiao Man was quite troublesome, running off somewhere at this time?
“This King is also puzzled. Where would she hide? If Ye Qing hadn’t discovered something amiss, this King wouldn’t even have known she had left the General’s mansion.” Nangong Yu was confused in his heart. Could it be that Xiao Man had run non-stop since he left last night?
“Besides Xiao Man’s ‘golden cicada shedding its shell’ trick, are there any other new developments in the imperial capital?”
“Yes, news came from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion that the beloved daughter of the Minister of War, Chu Qingge, has run away from home. The Minister of War has paid the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion to find his daughter and protect her safety, stating that the search should be directed towards Yunzhong City.”
“Yunzhong City…” Yunzhong City was the city garrisoned by Xiao Luo. Chu Qingge’s affection for Xiao Luo was no secret, but why was Chu Qingge going to find Xiao Luo at this time…
Nangong Yu suddenly recalled the news he had received a few days ago: Dugu Mingyu had gone missing at the border!
“This is bad, Xiao Man is going to the border!”
Wen Ruyu’s fan paused, “What is she going to the border for? Could it be to find her brother in Yunzhong City?”
“No, she’s going to find Dugu Mingyu!” Nangong Yu’s face was ashen, “This accursed woman, how dare she act so recklessly! Issue an order that all Heavenly Secrets Pavilion personnel along the route to the border are to pay close attention. Once Xiao Man’s trace is found, report it immediately. This King will personally go to the border.”
“Is it necessary to be so concerned?” Wen Ruyu looked at the anxious Nangong Yu. Was he worried about Xiao Man’s safety?
“Xiao Man cannot be harmed!” Nangong Yu grabbed his sword and was about to leave.
“His Highness Prince Qin.” Wen Ruyu blocked Nangong Yu’s path, “Why are you in such a hurry?”
Nangong Yu paused, “Xiao Man is related to the蛊 poison within this King. The assassin sent by Yunqi to pursue Dugu Mingyu is the most skilled amongst the Four Eunuchs of the Yunqi Palace, the Palm Sword Eunuch. If Xiao Man rashly goes to rescue Dugu Mingyu, she might be in mortal danger.”
“If you’re worried about her getting hurt, just have someone tie her up and bring her back. Why must you go yourself?” A hint of playful amusement appeared on Wen Ruyu’s jade-like face, “Could it be that you’ve fallen for Xiao Man?”
Nangong Yu raised his eyebrows to look at Wen Ruyu. His eyes, like cold stars, revealed no emotion, “You are thinking too much. You also know that this King’s time is running out, and this King doesn’t know when the poison will erupt and take this King’s life, and Ye Qing has not been able to find a cure.”
“If this is for the sake of finding a cure, then I understand. I’m just afraid that Your Highness has forgotten the mission you bear, has fallen in love, and is caught up in romantic entanglements,” Wen Ruyu said slowly. Ever since Xiao Man barged into Qingfeng Courtyard, everything had changed.
Nangong Yu, who had always been inscrutable, now understood joy and sorrow. He was even distraught over a woman. This was not a good sign.
Nangong Yu scoffed, “Wen Ruyu, have you forgotten how the world evaluates this King? This King has no true heart, so how could he fall in love?”
Wen Ruyu was taken aback and immediately realized he had overstepped. “Your Highness, Ruyu did not mean it that way. Ruyu hopes that you can…”
“Rest assured, this King only uses Xiao Man for his own benefit. This King needs her to detoxify him. Ye Qing said she is skilled in medicine, but outsiders know nothing about it. She is quite defensive towards this King and unwilling to be open. To make her serve this King without reservation, this King must do something to make her lower her guard. Your worries are unnecessary.” Nangong Yu sidestepped Wen Ruyu and vanished into the night.
Wen Ruyu watched Nangong Yu’s figure disappear into the darkness and sighed silently, “Whether you’ve fallen in love or not, you know best. My eyes are not blind, why must you deceive yourself?”
Upon receiving the news of Xiao Man’s absence from the mansion, Madam Yan immediately went to Shuiyue Pavilion. Looking at the person lying on the bed, unconscious, a faint light flashed in her eyes before she left.
“Madam, could the news be wrong?”
“The message from Ling’er will not be mistaken.” Madam Yan smiled coldly, “She refused the path to heaven and insisted on entering hell. Since that is the case, she cannot blame me for being heartless.”
“What does Madam plan to do?”
Madam Yan made a throat-slitting gesture, “Kill Xiao Man, and then reveal that the Xiao Man in the mansion is an imposter. Even if the General pursues the matter, the fake in the mansion will be the culprit, and it will have nothing to do with us.”
“Yes.”
“Do it cleanly, leave no trace.”
“This old servant understands.”
Xiao Man, taking Chu Qingge with her, rushed towards Cangzhou day and night. Along the way, they disguised themselves multiple times, evading waves of spies. Even though the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion had eyes everywhere, they could not capture any trace of Xiao Man. Wen Ruyu, looking at the received messages, couldn't help but click his tongue. No wonder the Prince had to go himself. If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn't even be able to find Xiao Man’s shadow.
Nangong Yu knew that with Xiao Man’s personality, if she wanted to hide her tracks, no one would be able to discover her whereabouts. What he could do was to reach Dugu Mingyu before Xiao Man, or wait at Yangguan, a necessary pass on the border, like a hunter waiting for prey!
Xiao Man and Chu Qingge, disguised as beggars, mingled into Cangzhou City.
South of Cangzhou City was Yunzhong City, and east of Cangzhou City was Yangguan. Beyond Yangguan was the border of Yunqi. To rescue someone, she had to go to Yangguan, and she and Chu Qingge should part ways.