freenovelworld Chapter 364 Did the Emperor Actually Know?
Chapter 364 Did the Emperor Actually Know?
Yuan Wanru had a good plan, but unfortunately, Xuan Ying returned empty-handed.
His brows furrowed, his voice low and rumbling like thunder: "My subordinates infiltrated the Liang and Gao residences, searching even the cellars, but we couldn't find Madam Liang or Liang Yusong."
Yuan Wanru paused in her teacup, causing the emerald green tea to ripple slightly.
She slowly raised her eyes, a cold glint flashing in her almond-shaped eyes in the candlelight: "You've searched everywhere?"
"Yes."
Xuan Ying replied in a deep voice, "I specifically asked Young Master Liang Nian, but he couldn't explain it clearly either. He only said that three days ago, Madam Liang took Liang Yusong out to pray for blessings. He wanted to send someone to follow them, but Liang Yusong was extremely vigilant, so Young Master Liang Nian couldn't keep an eye on them."
"Madam Liang and her daughter have not yet returned."
He paused, then added, "Just now, my subordinates also threatened several servants of the Liang household, but none of them knew where Liang Yusong had gone."
Yuan Wanru got up and walked to the window. The night was as dark as ink, with only a few lanterns swaying in the wind, casting dappled light and shadows.
Her slender fingers tapped gently on the window frame, producing a rhythmic, soft sound.
Because Lu Jiangnian left the capital, he took some of his men with him.
Moreover, now that the Second Prince's defeat is certain, it's only a matter of time before he's dealt with by the Emperor. So Lu Jiangnian withdrew all the people who were watching the Gao and Liang families and put them all on guard for the Lu family.
Yuan Wanru sneered, her skirt tracing a sharp arc as she turned, the jade pendants at her waist clinking together with a crisp sound: "You certainly know how to pick your timing; it was clearly premeditated."
Her eyes flashed even colder. "What about Liang Shangjiong? What about Liang Zhong?"
Xuan Ying was taken aback upon hearing this, and looked up at the Crown Prince's wife's icy face.
It seems they're really furious this time. Since they can't catch Liang Yusong, they're going to target the rest of the Liang family.
“Liang Zhong is still in the mansion, but Liang Shangjiong is nowhere to be seen,” Xuan Ying reported truthfully.
"Bring Liang Zhong here."
Yuan Wanru's voice was eerily calm, "Since they dared to touch Haining, we need to take hostages too."
Xuan Ying was stunned. It seemed that the Crown Prince's wife was furious.
Unable to catch Liang Yusong and Madam Liang, they ultimately decided to vent their anger on the Liang family.
Yuan Wanru walked to the desk, picked up her brush, dipped it in ink, and said, "Send another letter to the Second Prince's residence."
With a wolf-hair brush, Yuan Wanru wrote sharply on the rice paper, saying, "Tell the Second Prince that if anything happens to Haining..."
She applied slight pressure to her pen, causing the ink to spread. "I personally castrated Liang Zhong and hung him on the city gate, so that everyone in the capital could see how the Liang family's eldest branch could be wiped out."
"If you want Liang Zhong's life, you must exchange it for Hai Ning."
Xuan Ying unconsciously squeezed her legs together, deeply feeling that the ruthless methods of the Crown Prince's wife were exactly the same as those of her own Crown Prince.
They are truly a match made in heaven; that young master Sun probably has no chance at all.
"I'll take care of it right away." Xuan Ying took the letter, feeling a chill in his hand.
When Sun Huanzhi rushed to the back gate of the Lu family, it was already past midnight.
His forehead was still covered in fine beads of sweat, clearly indicating that he had traveled at a rapid pace.
The Lu family is now heavily guarded, and the news of his appearance has already reached the inner courtyard.
"Young Master Sun, have you found Haining?"
As soon as Sun Huanzhi entered the room, Yuan Wanru hurriedly asked him questions.
His concerned expression was evident.
Sun Huanzhi had not seen Yuan Wanru for a long time, and seeing her again filled him with a thousand emotions.
Seeing how worried she was about her sister, Sun Huanzhi felt a surge of warmth in his heart; she was indeed a woman of deep affection and loyalty.
"not yet."
Sun Huanzhi shook his head, his voice hoarse, "I've mobilized all the manpower I can, and the Crown Prince has also sent people to search. Now we can only wait for news."
He glanced at Yuan Wanru. "Xuanying said you've decided to go to Ziyun Temple?"
Yuan Wanru led Sun Huanzhi into the room: "Haining has suffered because of me, how can I sit idly by?"
Sun Huanzhi shook his head: "You're wrong."
He gave a wry smile. "The Sun family has such a close relationship with the Crown Prince that the Lu family might be able to remain unscathed in the struggle for the throne, but the Sun family has absolutely no chance."
A night breeze blew past the window, causing the candlelight to flicker and cast the shadows of the two people on the wall, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.
Sun Huanzhi continued, "If the Second Prince gains power, the first family he will eliminate will be the Sun family, so there's no question of anyone being implicated by anyone else."
"Young Master Sun, the Liang family hates my wife and me the most right now. It's just that I've been staying indoors these past few days, which is why they've turned their attention to Haining." She raised her clear, almond-shaped eyes. "How can you say this isn't a connection?"
Her tone was very firm: "There's no need to say more, I will never sit idly by."
Sun Huanzhi suddenly stood up: "You're too stubborn! Since you know they hate you, you should know what kind of torment you'll face if you go alone. I can't let you take that risk!"
His voice was filled with suppressed anger, and the veins on his neck were faintly visible.
Yuan Wanru remained calm. "I can handle it, Prince Sun. I am not a reckless person."
Sun Huanzhi's heart was in turmoil.
I really wish Lu Jiangnian could be here and see for himself just how stubborn his wife is.
He really couldn't persuade her.
At that moment, Xuan Ying rushed in: "Your Highness, Liang Zhong has been captured!"
“I interrogated him, and he knew nothing.”
Sun Huanzhi remained silent for a moment. He had been confused; how could he not have thought of arresting Liang Zhong?
Yuan Wanru was much calmer and more composed.
All I can say is that she was quite bold.
Yuan Wanru frowned: "He's Liang Yusong's older brother, and he doesn't know anything about him?"
Xuan Ying nodded firmly: "We've used all the necessary tortures, so Liang Zhong probably really doesn't know."
Yuan Wanru looked at Sun Huanzhi, "Where are you mainly looking for people?"
Sun Huanzhi said in a deep voice, "Near Ziyun Temple. Since they specifically asked you to go to Ziyun Temple, there must be someone lying in ambush there. If you want to exchange information, you can't be too far away."
"So, I guess Haining was also captured near Ziyun Temple."
However, there are many villages at the foot of Dufeng Mountain. Is it possible to find one in one night?
Sun Huanzhi lacked confidence.
The message in the letter that the news must not be leaked was actually only directed at the Emperor.
But did the Emperor really not know about this commotion?
Before Lu Jiangnian left the capital, he had already told him everything. The emperor could not let the second prince run rampant now. He had not taken any action, but was just waiting for an opportunity.
So, does the Emperor really not know what the Second Prince has done?
Perhaps, they just wanted to see if the Crown Prince also had any hidden strength.
Thinking about this, Sun Huanzhi's heart became even heavier.
"I think everyone should keep things quiet,"
Sun Huanzhi pointed to the sky: "We already know, we're just observing."
After being reminded by Sun Huanzhi, Yuan Wanru immediately realized that the Emperor intended to stand aside and investigate the Crown Prince's background.
Perhaps, we should also find out more about Lu Jiangnian's background.
Yuan Wanru's heart tightened: "Xuanying, you handle everything. Don't disturb too many people."
She knew that Lu Jiangnian had left the token with Xuan Ying before leaving the capital.
Fortunately, they did not make a move that night.
Otherwise, Lu Jiangnian's men might be completely exposed to the Emperor.
Xuan Ying was secretly relieved.
For the sake of the Lu family's safety, Xuan Ying did not easily use those people.
The concern is that someone might use a feint to lure the enemy away from their base.
Unexpectedly, this saved me from a terrible ordeal.
As for Xuan Ying himself, it is a well-known fact that he is highly skilled in martial arts. A bodyguard with such high martial arts skills would not arouse the emperor's suspicion.