The people in the rear carriage were about to hurry and catch up with Ren Yaohua’s carriage, but unexpectedly, several people emerged from somewhere and surrounded them, saying that their carriage had damaged the ox cart and demanding compensation. Then those people took advantage of the maids and women servants, lowering their guard to knock them all unconscious, stuff them into the carriage, and finally drive the carriage away.

After Ren Yaohua’s carriage turned the corner, the coachman discovered something was wrong. Ren Yaohua quickly ordered the coachman to stop the carriage and check what had happened to the carriage behind them. Just as the coachman stopped the carriage, he was attacked from behind. Without even making a sound, he collapsed to the ground and could no longer get up.

The person who attacked the coachman took the coachman’s position, and two other men also climbed onto the carriage shaft.

When the carriage started moving again, Xiangqin suddenly lifted the carriage curtain. Seeing that it wasn’t the familiar coachman sitting outside but three strange men, Xiangqin was frightened and immediately screamed. One man quickly struck Xiangqin’s neck with a chop, knocking her unconscious, then he and another man both crawled into the carriage.

Ren Yaohua was startled, “Xiangqin—”

She quickly grabbed the teapot from the low table and threw it at the intruder’s head, then overturned the table and pushed it over. Just as she was about to shout for help, she was knocked unconscious by one of them using the same method that had been used on Xiangqin.

Just like that, Ren Yaohua, along with the maids and women servants she had brought out – two carriages full of people – were abducted along with their carriages. That group of people drove the Ren family’s two carriages through the small alleys of Yunyang City, winding around until they left the city gates and finally got onto the main road.

Although the location where Ren Yaohua was abducted was in a relatively secluded alley, taking away so many people couldn’t be done completely without commotion. So when one scout from Prince Xian’s mansion searched this area, he discovered some clues from the wheel tracks and footprints on the ground.

There was also an old woman who sold needles and thread door-to-door who said she happened to be passing through another alley at that time, heard some commotion, and even heard a woman’s scream. But because she was somewhat frightened, she immediately turned around and ran away without coming over to see what was happening.

Prince Xian’s mansion’s people followed the trail step by step, finally discovering that those people had taken Ren Yaohua out of the city and onto the main road heading toward Zhuozhou. Dongsheng had Qiusheng return first to report to their masters, while he led a few people to continue pursuing the trail.

Ren Yaoqi and Li Shi also immediately received the message sent from Prince Xian’s mansion. Li Shi was so frightened she nearly fainted. Nanny Zhou quickly pressed Li Shi’s philtrum while saying, “Madam, you must stay strong. Otherwise, what will happen to Third Miss?”

Ren Yaoqi also said, “Mother, don’t panic. Hasn’t Dongsheng already led people to pursue them? Let’s wait for more news.” Ren Yaoqi was also very worried inside, but now was not the time to lose composure.

Li Shi also came to her senses, wiping her tears and sitting up straight, “You’re right. Hua’er is still waiting for me to save her. I can’t be the first to fall into chaos.”

Li Shi knew that if she collapsed, Ren Yaohua’s situation would be even more dangerous. Ren Shimin had a hands-off personality – even if he wanted to save Ren Yaohua, he wouldn’t have any means to do so. And if the Ren family learned that Ren Yaohua had been abducted by a group of men of unknown origin, whether they would even want Ren Yaohua to return would be questionable.

Li Shi had heard that previously, there was a young lady who was kidnapped by bandits while going out to burn incense. Although she was eventually rescued by the authorities, she was forced by her clan members to commit suicide.

Thinking of this, Li Shi quickly said, “Nanny Zhou! Quickly give orders that the news of Third Miss being taken away must not leak out. We must also keep it from Old Master and Old Madam!”

Nanny Zhou quickly said, “Madam, rest assured. Fifth Miss already gave instructions earlier. This servant has already arranged it. We’re even keeping it from Master for now, saying that Third Miss went to visit her maternal grandmother today and was kept there by her.”

Seeing that Ren Yaoqi had already thought of this first, Li Shi couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, “Qi’er is still the most thoughtful.” Li Shi thought about keeping it from Ren Shimin as well and agreed.

It wasn’t that Ren Yaoqi didn’t trust her father, but in this matter, Ren Shimin couldn’t help much. Moreover, Third Master Ren had an upright and straightforward personality. If others, especially the second branch of the Ren family, came to ask him directly, Ren Yaoqi was afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep the secret.

Seeing that Li Shi had calmed down, Ren Yaoqi quickly sent Pingguo to Prince Yanbei’s mansion to find Xiao Jinglin. That group had already left Yunyang City heading toward Zhuozhou. Ren Yaoqi was afraid that Prince Xian’s mansion’s people might ultimately be constrained by certain considerations and unable to reach far enough. Whether it was Yanzhou or Zhuozhou, both were still within Yanbei’s territory. Ren Yaoqi thought that asking Prince Yanbei’s mansion for help would be the most reliable approach.

After receiving the news, Xiao Jinglin was furious and immediately went to find Xiao Jingxi. As soon as she entered, she darkened her face and said, “Now, do any random cats and dogs come to Yunyang City to commit crimes? Although you’re not the legitimate heir, you’ve been acting with the heir’s responsibilities for many years. When Father isn’t in Yanzhou, can’t your subordinates even watch the gate properly? They might as well raise a few wolves!” Prince Yanbei had left Yanzhou again, not long after Xiao Jinglin’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Faced with Xiao Jinglin’s fury, Xiao Jingxi remained composed and put down the official document he had been reading halfway through. He had the frightened Tonghe serve tea to Xiao Jinglin, then smiled and looked up, saying, “Then wouldn’t all the generals have to change careers to become dog trainers?”

Xiao Jinglin felt that Xiao Jingxi’s attitude was somewhat off. She looked at Xiao Jingxi for a moment, then perceptively said, “Don’t tell me you already knew?”

Xiao Jingxi smiled without confirming or denying.

Xiao Jinglin glanced at Xiao Jingxi, frowned, and turned to leave.

When she reached the door, she stopped and turned back with some mockery in her voice, “I thought you were different, but unexpectedly, in your heart, profit still comes first. Even protecting someone requires so much hesitation…” Xiao Jinglin’s mocking tone carried deep disappointment.

Seeing that Xiao Jinglin was truly angry, Xiao Jingxi could only sigh and shake his head with a bitter smile, “How did I not know before that you had such an impatient temperament? If I had to wait for you to come find me before knowing something had happened, according to your words, it would be better to raise a wolf to fulfill the responsibilities of Prince Yanbei’s heir.”

Xiao Jingxi’s words made Xiao Jinglin pause. After understanding what Xiao Jingxi meant, she quickly walked back, “You’re saying you knew about Yaoqi’s sister being abducted and have already sent people to rescue her?”

This time, Xiao Jingxi didn’t dare tease the hot-tempered Princess anymore. “Someone came to report to me when they left the city gates and got onto the main road.”

“So you sent people to follow them?” Ren Yaohua didn’t think carefully about why someone would come report to Xiao Jingxi as soon as the Ren family’s carriage left the city gates and got onto the road to Zhuozhou.

Xiao Jingxi nodded, “Naturally.”

Not knowing what he was thinking, Xiao Jingxi smiled thoughtfully, “However, I didn’t expect someone to follow them one step ahead of my people. By now, they might have already rescued the person.”

Xiao Jinglin frowned and asked, “Who is it? Are they reliable? Why didn’t your people take action themselves?”

Xiao Jingxi smiled, “I just felt that person was more suitable to take action.”

Seeing Xiao Jinglin about to speak again, Xiao Jingxi continued, “I heard that Third Madam Ren has been looking for marriage prospects for Third Miss Ren recently? This time, when fate arrives, who knows what might happen.”

Xiao Jinglin narrowed her eyes, wondering why Xiao Jingxi’s topic had changed so quickly. And what did Ren Yaohua’s marriage have to do with him? Wasn’t he interested in Yaoqi?

But the Princess wasn’t stupid and almost immediately understood, staring at Xiao Jingxi with a strange expression, “Don’t tell me you’re afraid that if Ren Yaohua’s marriage isn’t resolved, it won’t be Yaoqi’s turn for a long time?”

Xiao Jingxi: “…”

Xiao Jinglin looked at Xiao Jingxi with disdain, “You’d better hope this matter can end smoothly as you wish. Otherwise, if Yaoqi finds out that you knew her sister was in danger but leisurely wanted to use this opportunity to arrange for her sister to be married off first, let’s see how she reacts!”

Xiao Jingxi’s face stiffened, and he coughed lightly, “I didn’t arrange for her sister. It’s just that someone was already prepared to take action to save her, so if I rushed in too, it would only be superfluous. It’s better to wait and see, following behind to help them clean up.”

Seeing Xiao Jingxi hurriedly explaining and clearing himself, Xiao Jinglin felt secretly pleased. Where would outsiders see Immortal Xiao in such a nervous and guilty state?

After Xiao Jinglin had enjoyed Xiao Jingxi’s rare expression enough, she smiled imperceptibly, “Save those words to explain to her later!”

After saying this, Xiao Jinglin gracefully turned and left. Since Xiao Jingxi’s people had already followed, Ren Yaohua wouldn’t encounter danger – Xiao Jinglin was confident of this.

She still needed to have someone send a message to Ren Yaoqi so she wouldn’t worry.

Xiao Jingxi watched Xiao Jinglin slam his study door with a “bang” and disappear, and could only smile bitterly. After thinking, he summoned Tongxi and had him bring some people to follow as well, in case something went wrong and Ren Yaoqi ended up angry with him.

Ren Yaoqi soon received Xiao Jinglin’s reply. Xiao Jinglin said that Xiao Jingxi had already known about this matter when Ren Yaohua’s carriage left the city gates and had sent people to follow and rescue her.

Xiao Jinglin felt that no matter what, it would be better to have Xiao Jingxi take full responsibility for this matter. Xiao Jinglin didn’t think she was undermining Xiao Jingxi – she felt she was allowing her brother to show off and gain face. Moreover, they couldn’t let that mysterious person who suddenly appeared steal all of Xiao Jingxi’s credit, right?

Princess Xiao once again secretly nodded at herself for finally growing from the shadow of having too excellent a brother into a kind and good sister.

After learning that Xiao Jingxi had intervened, Ren Yaoqi truly breathed a sigh of relief. She believed that Ren Yaohua would return safely.