Wang Qingyao then noticed that Jin Doudou's face was pale, with bloodstains on his face and hands, and his clothes were torn in many places, some of which were darker in color, presumably from blood.
Xiao Yun did not blame Jin Doudou after hearing his words. Instead, he asked Yin Piao to take him to a side room to rest and sent people from the government office to fetch a doctor.
Tian Yu did not know what had happened and quickly sent someone to invite a well-known local doctor specializing in external injuries.
Xiao Yun's expression was grim.
"What a coincidence! As soon as Xiao Mo left the Dingnan King's mansion, he was ambushed! The Dingnan King has a lot of nerve!" He slammed his palm on the table, filled with anger and fear.
Wang Qingyao frowned slightly. "I don't think it's necessarily the Dingnan King. Jin Doudou said the assassins only wanted to capture Xiao Mo and did not intend to harm him. If that's the case, wouldn't it be easier for the Dingnan King to act while Xiao Mo was still in his mansion?"
Xiao Yun sneered, "If he acted within the Dingnan King's mansion, wouldn't the Dingnan King's suspicion be even greater?"
"Don't worry for now," Wang Qingyao said. "Xiao Mo is not in danger at the moment. Even if the Dingnan King captured him, it's likely for a purpose. Let's wait a little longer, and someone will bring us news soon."
Capturing someone alive must be for a reason, or to obtain something from Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo had always been in Duanjing, and apart from his business, he had no connection with Nanzhou.
If it were a business dispute, the other party would not be able to dispatch such top-tier experts.
Xiao Yun was convinced that the Dingnan King was responsible. A surge of anger filled his chest, and if it weren't for Xiao Mo's safety, he would have wanted to attack the Dingnan King's mansion right then.
"Lord Tian," Xiao Yun found Tian Yu, "My brother has been kidnapped. I would trouble you to send people out to help search for him."
It was only then that Tian Yu realized Xiao Mo was in danger.
However, Xiao Mo had encountered trouble in Nanzhou. It would take at least two days for his men to reach there. It would be faster to directly seek help from the Dingnan King.
"No need to go to Nanzhou," Xiao Yun said after a moment's thought. "Please trouble Lord Tian to search within Changfeng City. Don't hide it; search openly and offer a reward. Anyone who provides a clue will receive a reward of one hundred taels of silver! Those who provide the exact location will receive one thousand taels of silver! Those who can rescue him will receive ten thousand taels of silver!!"
Prince Ding'an was wealthy and generous, as if money fell from the sky. Not only the common people of Changfeng City but even the constables of the government office had their eyes gleaming. They searched with more enthusiasm than if their wives had given birth to a healthy baby boy.
Changfeng City became as lively as during the New Year. Everyone spread the word, and soon, the entire city knew that Prince Ding'an's brother had been kidnapped.
At such a time, if this matter was indeed the work of the Dingnan King, he would not dare to reveal the slightest clue.
The next day, Xiao Yun received a letter from the kidnappers.
The letter stated that Wang Qingyao should go to Qipan Mountain alone.
Changfeng City was surrounded by mountains, and Qipan Mountain was one of them. It was treacherous and resource-poor, and few people went there usually.
Everyone was shocked, including Wang Qingyao herself. The kidnappers had asked for her, not Xiao Yun! She was merely Xiao Mo's sister-in-law! Couldn't they discuss matters with a man first?
Wang Qingyao secretly resented the kidnappers for their lack of discretion.
"Perhaps it's because the Princess Consort is not a threat, and the kidnappers are wary of His Highness, so they asked the Princess Consort to go," Tian Yu analyzed.
"Heh heh..." Wang Qingyao sneered. In plain terms, the kidnappers thought she was a weakling who could be bullied at will.
Xiao Yun hesitated. If he were to put Wang Qingyao in danger to save Xiao Mo, he would absolutely not be able to do it.
Wang Qingyao said, "It's alright, I'll go. Send a few experts to follow me, openly."
Tian Yu said, "The letter said for Her Highness to go alone..."
"He wants to negotiate with us, so we can negotiate with him too. As long as no one is harmed, our people won't make a move. Do they think we're fools, to just send me alone and turn me into fish on their chopping block – to be slaughtered at will?" m..oΓg
The meeting time was set for the hour of You, around six o'clock in the evening.
Winter days were short, and it was in the mountains with a biting wind. Wang Qingyao wrapped herself up tightly, holding a small hand warmer.
Behind her, she openly brought Pearl and Yin Piao, with several other people protecting her in the shadows.
Xiao Yun also wanted to follow her openly, but she refused.
"You don't know martial arts. If a fight really breaks out, they'll have to divide their attention to protect you. You should hide with the hidden guards."
This was equivalent to calling him a burden.
Xiao Yun was indignant and naturally blamed the kidnappers for this.
Someone came to meet Wang Qingyao at the foot of the mountain.
The person who met her was a masked man in black, carrying a dim lantern. In the dark mountainside, he almost blended into his surroundings.
The masked man was useless in front of Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao stared at his face, openly examining him and memorizing his appearance.
Strange, judging by his appearance, he didn't look like someone from Nanzhou, but rather like someone from Duanjing.
When the man spoke, Wang Qingyao became even more certain.
"Princess Ding'an, we agreed that you would come alone. What do you mean by bringing these two?"