The imposing man who had just opened his eyes tilted his head to one side and passed out again.

Qi Huan felt the spring breeze blowing on his face was a bit chilly.

Did Elder Brother know Second Miss Lin was this fierce?

Lin Hao dragged the man over, anger on her face: “Fortunately I practiced with Grandfather, otherwise they would have succeeded.”

With a thud, the imposing man was thrown to the ground.

Everyone looked at the unconscious imposing man with subtle expressions.

Somehow, they actually felt this person was somewhat pitiable.

Lin Hao walked toward Lin Chan, dragged the shorter man over and tossed him beside the imposing man, then politely asked Qi Huan: “Second Young Master, could you help me find two horses?”

Qi Huan was taken aback and hurriedly said: “There’s a carriage stopped by the road outside the mountains. You can ride back in the carriage.”

Lin Hao glanced at the people on the ground and said coldly: “I want to take them to report to the authorities.”

Suddenly an excited voice rang out: “Chan’er, A’Hao!”

Cheng Shu strode over, looked Lin Hao and Lin Chan up and down, and showed a joyful smile: “It’s wonderful that you’re both alright!”

Close behind was A’Xing.

Compared to Cheng Shu’s openly displayed joy, A’Xing’s face was much calmer, though his eyes were fixed tightly on Lin Hao.

“How did you escape? The people who abducted you—”

Lin Hao kicked the imposing man on the ground, interrupting her sworn brother’s excitement: “Here.”

Cheng Shu’s voice suddenly caught. After quite a while he recovered, reached out to grab the imposing man and delivered a slap: “You wretch, you dared harm my sisters!”

The cloth covering the imposing man’s face swayed precariously and fell to the ground.

Seeing the imposing man’s face clearly, Cheng Shu blinked.

For some reason, this person looked somewhat familiar.

After being slapped, the imposing man woke up. Seeing the group of people surrounding him, his expression changed drastically.

Even now he didn’t know how he’d been tricked—that girl was strange!

He instinctively looked for Lin Hao, and Cheng Shu slapped him again: “What are you looking at, you wretch? Come with me to see the authorities!”

“Wait a moment.” Qi Shuo, who had arrived at some unknown time, walked over and pried open the imposing man’s mouth to check.

No hidden poison tooth.

He also checked the shorter man, then said to Cheng Shu: “I’ll accompany Young Master Cheng.”

“There’s no need to trouble the Heir. These two are bound tightly and can’t escape.” Cheng Shu politely declined, but couldn’t help glancing at the imposing man again and said quietly, “Strange, this wretch always seems familiar.”

Cheng Shu’s words stirred something in Qi Shuo’s heart, but this wasn’t the place to ask more questions. He said nonchalantly: “We’ve been neighbors for many years—how can it be called troublesome? These two are major criminals who abducted the prospective princess consort. We can’t be careless. I’d better accompany Young Master Cheng.”

Hearing him say this, Cheng Shu stopped being polite: “Then many thanks to the Heir.”

Qi Shuo looked at Lin Hao. Countless words transformed into a single reminder: “Go home early and rest.”

Lin Hao nodded and went to support Lin Chan.

Soon Qi Qiong and others received the news and rushed over, surrounding Lin Hao and Lin Chan.

“I was so frightened! It’s wonderful that you’re both alright!” Qi Qiong smiled through tears. With her taut heartstrings relaxed, her emotions became even harder to control.

Chen Yi and the others also wiped away tears.

“We made you all worry.” Lin Chan looked toward Lin Hao. “Fortunately, my sister pretended to be unable to resist, waited for an opportunity to save me, and even captured the people who abducted me.”

“A’Hao, you’re too amazing.” Several people said one after another.

More and more people searching learned the news of the Lin sisters’ safe return. When they saw the Lin sisters surrounded like stars around the moon, they truly believed this fact.

People who had witnessed that scene excitedly told those who came late: “Second Miss Lin truly has divine strength. She knocked out such a burly man with just a light palm strike.”

Those who came late didn’t believe it: “That can’t be right. How could such a delicate-looking young lady have that much strength?”

“It’s true, it’s true. I saw it too. Second Miss Lin easily lifted up the evildoer, like picking up a little chick.”

As these people returned to the city, the story of Miss Lin being abducted by evildoers and Second Miss Lin valiantly rescuing her sister grew wings and spread like flying the very next day.

After hearing about it, Wen Feng planned to visit the General’s Manor to inquire after them, but was firmly blocked by Wen Rusheng: “Your Tenth Uncle has already severed righteousness with your Tenth Aunt. Why are you still going to their door?”

Wen Feng gently persuaded his father: “As a son, it’s not proper to say much about the previous generation’s grievances, but when we lived at the Wen Manor, Tenth Aunt took good care of us. Now that two cousins have encountered trouble, it’s not right to ignore it.”

Seeing his son wouldn’t listen to advice, Wen Rusheng glanced left and right and lowered his voice: “I’ll tell you the truth—Father is worried A’Hao will harm you.”

“Why would A’Hao harm me?” Wen Feng was baffled.

“Haven’t you heard the rumors that A’Hao knocked out a big man with a light palm strike?” Wen Rusheng’s voice dropped even lower, fearing others would hear. “What young lady could have such great strength? I said long ago that A’Hao is a man-eating demon, but you just won’t believe it!”

Wen Feng: “…”

Wen Rusheng ultimately couldn’t stop his son. When Wen Feng brought gifts to the General’s Manor, he encountered quite a few people sent from various households to inquire, including a steward from Prince Wei’s Manor.

The Old Madam personally received the steward from Prince Wei’s Manor.

The steward’s attitude could reveal Prince Wei’s view on Lin Chan’s abduction—the Old Madam couldn’t help but be cautious.

To the Old Madam’s relief, the steward from Prince Wei’s Manor had a rather respectful attitude: “The Prince was very worried when he heard the eldest young lady encountered trouble. He’s been blaming himself for not receiving news in time to search for her…”

The Old Madam said politely: “If the Prince with his precious status had been put in danger, that would have been the General’s Manor’s offense.”

“The Prince asked this humble one to convey that the eldest young lady should rest well and need not worry about other matters.”

The Old Madam showed a smile: “Please thank the Prince for his concern. This old woman will convey it to my granddaughter.”

After seeing off the steward from Prince Wei’s Manor, the Old Madam sighed to Lin Shi: “Prince Wei is still quite good.”

Lin Shi also gained a few more points of satisfaction with this prospective son-in-law, and mentioned Wen Feng who had just been received: “That rat’s nest of the Wen family did produce one good one in Wen Feng.”

The Old Madam nodded in agreement, but couldn’t feel at ease about Lin Chan’s abduction: “Although Prince Wei is good, Chan’er’s calamity this time most likely arose because of Prince Wei.”

Lin Shi sighed: “I told you the Imperial family’s muddy waters couldn’t be waded into.”

The Prince Wei being discussed by the two had entered the palace. As soon as he saw Emperor Tai’an, he knelt down: “This son begs Father Emperor to uphold justice for him!”

At this time, Emperor Tai’an hadn’t yet heard the freshest gossip from outside the palace. Seeing his son kneeling on the ground, his first reaction was actually relief.

Fourth Son really had lost quite a bit of weight—he could kneel so easily now.

“Father Emperor—” Prince Wei raised his head.

Emperor Tai’an came back to himself and coughed: “Get up and speak. What’s the matter?”

Prince Wei took advantage to rise and told about Lin Chan’s abduction: “Miss Lin is a proper young lady from a good family—what enemies could she have offended? They clearly came for this son. If this matter isn’t investigated thoroughly, next time they’ll be abducting this son!”

After hearing this, Emperor Tai’an’s expression darkened: “Summon Cheng Maoming to the palace.”