“Second Miss Kou fell into kidnappers’ hands?” Lin Hao stood up, casually inserting the brush into Lin Xiaohua’s fur. However, the little donkey’s coat was too smooth, and the brush only held for a moment before falling to the ground.

Lin Xiaohua nudged the brush with her donkey lips, then nudged Lin Hao’s hand.

Her brush had fallen on the ground!

Lin Hao rubbed Lin Xiaohua’s head, her attention fully on the news A’Xing had brought. “Better not report to the authorities.”

Officers varied greatly in character—not all would care upon hearing a young woman was in danger. Moreover, once news that Kou Wan had fallen into kidnappers’ hands spread, it would be quite a blow to her reputation.

“Then find someone to tell her family?”

Lin Hao thought about it and found it inappropriate. “What if the Weiwu Marquis Manor interrogates the messenger thoroughly and it leads back to you?”

Those beggars not within the Lin residence’s shelter scope had at most a mutually beneficial relationship with A’Xing—they had no loyalty to speak of.

She wanted to help Kou Wan, but didn’t want to implicate A’Xing or herself. A’Xing using street beggars to gather information would ultimately be somewhat sensitive if it entered certain people’s view.

A’Xing regarded Lin Hao suspiciously. “You don’t mean we should go rescue her directly, do you?”

Lin Hao blinked. “Can’t we?”

A’Xing found it hard to understand. “But didn’t you say you’re not friends?”

“Although we’re not friends, we’re both girls.”

What a girl might suffer falling into kidnappers’ hands, and what difficulties she would face even after being rescued—as fellow women, they could empathize more deeply.

Looking into the young woman’s clear eyes, A’Xing’s cold, hard heart was suddenly touched. He put aside his attitude of detachment. “So what do you plan to do?”

“Now that we know where the kidnappers are holed up, to be safe we should first scout it out and see how many accomplices there are.”

This plan gained A’Xing’s agreement. “Then I’ll go investigate.”

Lin Hao stopped him. “A’Xing, don’t go. We don’t know yet if there’s danger. I’ll go ask Prince Jing’s heir to lend me someone.”

Uncle Liu would also have been suitable, but he was busy training those promising candidates selected from the beggars every day, so she wouldn’t trouble him.

A’Xing had just begun to feel touched by the first half when he was blocked by the latter words.

Was she implying he wasn’t as capable as Prince Jing’s heir’s subordinates?

Looking down at his frame that could be called slender, A’Xing sighed.

Forget it, he’d practice an extra hour with Uncle Liu from now on.

After discussing with A’Xing, Lin Hao instructed Baozhu to send a message to Qi Shuo.

Not long after, the two met at a teahouse outside the General’s Mansion.

“Xuan Yi went with your sworn brother. Don’t worry, there will be news soon.”

Lin Hao held her teacup, her tone fairly relaxed. “So you just needed to lend me the person. Why trouble yourself to come?”

She had planned to sit in the teahouse waiting for Xuan Yi to return from his investigation. She hadn’t expected that before she’d drunk two sips of tea, instead of Xuan Yi, Qi Shuo had arrived.

Qi Shuo was somewhat helpless. “It’s just a good opportunity to meet.”

Lin Hao was taken aback, then smiled. “That’s true.”

She had to admit, the moment she saw Qi Shuo walk in, she had felt a little happy.

“A’Hao.”

“Mm?”

“In Qiong’er’s eyes, you’re now an inscrutable fortune-telling master.”

Lin Hao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I didn’t deliberately fool her, it’s just I really had no way to explain.”

The young princess was clearly a dignified and steady great family’s daughter—why did she believe in this?

Xuan Yi returned faster than expected. “I’ve investigated thoroughly. There are three people total—a middle-aged couple and an old woman. The three don’t look like they’ve trained in martial arts. Besides them, there are four young ladies, all quite young.”

“Four?” Lin Hao was startled.

“Yes. They’re all gagged and confined in one side room. One young woman dressed extraordinarily should be the person you’re looking for. The other three are in poor condition and appear to have been held for some time.”

“Have you arranged for someone to watch them?” Qi Shuo asked.

“Yes.”

Qi Shuo gestured for Xuan Yi to withdraw and asked Lin Hao’s plan.

Lin Hao pondered for a moment, then made a decision. “Since it’s only three ordinary people, we might as well go straight in and cut through the mess quickly.”

After Lin Hao explained the details, Qi Shuo asked with a smile, “Do you need to borrow another person?”

“No need. I’ll just take people from the General’s Mansion.”

Time was of the essence. Lin Hao soon led seven or eight servants over.

In an alley with both ends opening to main streets, there was a house with its main gate tightly closed, as if no one was home.

Baozhu took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knocked on the door.

Hearing the knock, an old woman feeding chickens in the courtyard looked alertly toward the gate but made no sound.

A crisp voice came from outside the door. “Is anyone there?”

Hearing the clear young woman’s voice, a sturdy middle-aged man came out from inside the house and said to the old woman, “Go see what’s going on.”

The old woman slowly walked to the main gate and peered through the crack, spotting a pretty young woman standing outside.

She turned and made a gesture to the man.

The man’s eyes lit up as he walked over.

“Who is it?” The old woman’s aged voice rang out.

“Just passing by. Could I trouble you for some water?”

The old woman looked toward the man.

The man moved close to the crack and looked out, his breathing immediately becoming rapid.

Another young lady of outstanding appearance!

Had a pie fallen from the sky?

To be cautious, he looked out again. He saw the pretty young woman’s cheeks flushed red with sweat, looking as if she’d been traveling for a long time.

Looking further back, limited by the door crack he couldn’t see a large area, only confirming there was no one else around the young lady.

Anyone who could do the business of kidnapping had a black heart and great audacity. The man simply couldn’t refuse this overly delicious pie. He dodged to the side and gave the old woman a meaningful look.

The old woman stepped forward and pulled open the door.

“Auntie, could you give me some water? I’ve walked such a long way and I’m really thirsty.” Baozhu raised her hand to wipe her sweat, revealing her smooth, full forehead.

The old woman glanced left and right, then stepped aside. “Come in.”

Baozhu waved her hand. “I won’t trouble you by going in. I’ll just wait here.”

Hearing this, the man hiding to the side relaxed.

The young lady was quite alert.

“Wait a moment then.” After the old woman spoke, she shuffled inside.

The man saw Baozhu’s attention was on the old woman and decisively reached out to pull her inside, his other hand skillfully moving to cover her mouth.

A wail of agony rang out. The man clutched his lower region in pain, hopping around, yet still remembered to shout, “Don’t let her escape!”

Hearing this commotion, a middle-aged woman rushed out from a side room, and the old woman holding a water ladle also hurried back.

Baozhu, who had made a gesture of escape, breathed a sigh of relief.

Miss had specifically instructed her to lure all three people out to prevent them from becoming desperate and harming the trapped girls.

Baozhu ran outside with a panicked expression. Her foot caught on the threshold—this delay allowed the middle-aged woman to reach the doorway.

Baozhu let the woman grab her arm and shouted, “Someone help—”

As the three people controlled Baozhu and dragged her inside, a group of men and women charged over.