"You, who are you?!"
When Wang Qin saw that the person outside the carriage was not his coachman but a strange woman, he was stunned.
When Wang Qin felt the chill on his neck, he trembled all over and an ominous premonition came to his heart.
"If you don't want to die, just be obedient!"
Outside the carriage, the woman spoke in a low, cold voice with an expressionless face.
After a brief moment of confusion, Wang Qin subconsciously said angrily, "Do you know that I am..."
However, before Wang Qin could utter a single threatening word, the piercing cold sword moved a step closer to his neck. The painful touch made Wang Qin shudder.
"Heroine, spare my life!"
“…”
As night falls.
Prefectural Office.
A servant figure hurried into the mansion.
"Master, something bad has happened!"
The servant's voice was hurried and panicked: "Young Master, the Young Master is missing!"
In the mansion, Wang Shiquan was staying up late to review the memorials sent by his subordinates. A lot of things had happened in Xunyang County during this period. News of women going missing had been reported in many places in Xunyang County, and people were in panic. The government officials followed the clues to investigate, but found nothing.
These matters should have been handled by lower-level officials, but now that they have reached him, the prefect, it is enough to show how serious the matter is.
Before Wang Shiquan could find out the reason, the servant outside the door hurriedly brought this extremely explosive news.
"Master, he's missing!"
Wang Shiquan suddenly raised his head with a serious expression.
Wang Shiquan, who was over fifty years old, had a son in his old age and naturally loved him. However, as the prefect of Xunyang, he was busy with official duties every day and paid less attention to his son.
As a result, over the years, his only son had developed a dissolute disposition. He would frequently get into trouble, always stirring up trouble. But in Wang Shiquan's eyes, these were nothing. As long as he didn't cause any major trouble in Xunyang County, there was nothing wrong with being a bit of a dandy.
This can be regarded as a kind of compensation for his lack of care for his only son.
Now that he heard that Wang Qin was missing, Wang Shiquan frowned. The first thing that came to his mind was whether this unfilial son was hanging out with those bad friends again?
"Have you looked for him? Is he drinking in some brothel again?"
The servant's face was pale, and his voice was slightly trembling: "I've searched, but there's nothing..."
"Master, this afternoon, someone saw the young master go out alone, and then disappeared..."
"We found the young master's carriage in the west of the city, but we can't find his whereabouts..."
“…”
Wang Shiquan's expression suddenly became serious: "Where are the guards? There are no guards with him?"
"For some reason, the young master has transferred all his guards out of the city today. He only has a personal bodyguard with him, and his whereabouts are unknown..."
Wang Shiquan finally realized that something was wrong!
Although this rebellious son often did not return home, his whereabouts in Xunyang County had always been under Wang Shiquan's surveillance. Now that he suddenly disappeared in the city, this was indeed a bit unusual!
"Send someone to look for him!"
Wang Shiquan said with a serious face: "We must find Qin'er back."
"yes!"
The servant left in a hurry.
The entire prefectural government was thrown into turmoil by Wang Qin's sudden disappearance. Several experts were quickly dispatched to search the city for the young master's whereabouts.
However, there was no result!
Early morning, dawn!
Wang Shiquan, who hadn't slept all night, stood in the hall, his eyes bloodshot, and said in a low voice: "Hasn't found it yet?"
"Master, I have searched most of Xunyang County and all the places the young master might have been, but there is no trace of him. It's as if he... has vanished from the face of the earth!"
An armored soldier lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "I suspect the young master has been kidnapped!"
Wang Shiquan's face was gloomy, and his old and gloomy face was full of anger.
I searched all night but still had no clue. Combining the previous clues, it is self-evident what happened.
Thinking of this, Wang Shiquan's gloomy face was filled with indifference. Someone actually dared to kidnap his only son in Xunyang City. This was a provocation and a threat!
"Look for it, do everything you can to find it!"
Wang Shiquan said coldly: "We must find out whoever dared to plot against my Wang family!"
"If anything happens to Qin'er, you guys should come to me with your heads!"
"yes!"
“…”
In the lobby, Wang Shiquan's face remained gloomy. Having not slept all night, he was still energetic and furious.
Although he had made many enemies over the years as the prefect of Xunyang, he was in a high position after all and was in Xunyang City, so no one dared to touch his Wang family.
Now, someone actually dared to attack his only son. This was tantamount to crossing his bottom line. Who was the other party's origin and what was their purpose?!
Zheng Chang appeared at some point and whispered, "Sir, the young master's whereabouts are unknown. I suspect they are targeting you, sir."
Wang Shiquan narrowed his eyes, remained expressionless and said nothing.
"Although the young master has done some bad things over the years, everyone in Xunyang City knows his identity, and few dare to attack him. Now that something like this has happened, we have to be on guard. The person behind this is very likely to use the young master to attack you, my lord!"
Wang Shiquan had a blank expression on his face: "Who do you think it could be?"
Zheng Chang frowned. "Over the years, you have controlled Xunyang County. Logically, no one in Xunyang would dare to do such a thing. The only possibility is that it was an outsider..."
No one in Xunyang dares to do such an irrational thing!
"Outsider!"
Wang Shiquan had a gloomy face and muttered to himself.
The next second, he suddenly realized something, looked up, and a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes.
At the same time, Zheng Chang on the side also thought of something. He met Wang Shiquan's gaze, nodded slightly, and uttered a name.
"Prince Lin, Lin Jiangnian!"
“…”
As autumn approaches, the weather becomes colder as we head north.
In the carriage, Lin Jiangnian wrapped himself in his clothes and chuckled, "Winter is coming soon. I wonder if I can see snow when I get to the capital this time!"
The wild land is located in the south, and it is rare to see snow throughout the year.
Xiao Zhu sat on a soft couch beside His Highness, wrapped tightly in a small quilt. When she heard His Highness' words, her bright eyes lit up slightly.
"Snow? Will it snow in the capital?"
"I think so."
Calculating the time, according to the upcoming itinerary, if nothing unexpected happens, we will arrive in Beijing in winter, and we will definitely encounter snow.
Xiao Zhu said nothing, but her beautiful eyes were full of hope and anticipation. For a girl like her who grew up in the south, snow was indeed a rare and precious sight.
"Your Highness."
Lin Qingqing's serious voice came from outside the carriage.
"We've arrived at Xunyang City!"
"arrive?"
The carriage slowly stopped and the curtain opened.
Lin Jiangnian stood up and jumped off the carriage first. Looking up, he saw a towering city wall in front of him. Outside the city, a bustling crowd of people filled the air.
Spectacular, prosperous and lively!
"Is this Xunyang City?"
Lin Jiangnian looked at the city ahead, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. He had passed countless desolate places along the way, but finally, he had come across a large city.
Lin Jiangnian's gaze lingered outside the city not far away. He saw the city defense soldiers guarding the area tightly, questioning passersby along the way. He was a little puzzled: "What is that?"
"Is entry and exit to Xunyang City so strict?"
Lin Qingqing, who was standing by, seemed to have thought of something and lowered her head and said, "Something big happened in Xunyang City last night."
"Big news?" Lin Jiangnian raised his eyebrows, showing a hint of interest. "What is it?"
"Wang Qin, the son of the Xunyang prefect, disappeared last night. The people in the prefectural office searched all night but couldn't find Wang Qin's whereabouts. Now the rumor in the city is that the people in the prefectural office have gone crazy searching..."
"Starting this morning, Xunyang City has been strictly enforced and all suspicious individuals will be searched!"
"Missing?"
Lin Jiangnian was thoughtful. The prefect's son disappeared right under his nose?
This is indeed a bit unusual.
etc……
Lin Jiangnian suddenly remembered something and looked back at Lin Qingqing, only to see a puzzled look on her face: "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
"fine."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly and narrowed his eyes.
Why is it the son of the prefect?
Why at this critical juncture?
Is it related to kites?
Thinking of this, Lin Jiangnian chuckled again: "Since it has nothing to do with us, then let's not meddle in other people's business. Let's go into the city!"
"yes!"
There was a long queue outside Xunyang City!
Lin Jiangnian, Xiaozhu and Lin Qingqing mixed in with the crowd without attracting anyone's attention, and slowly entered the city along the long line.
When going out, it is important to keep a low profile. Lin Qingqing had already taken care of everything long before, and successfully entered the city with a fake identity.
The guards and the prince's personal troops who followed along the way also entered the city secretly in batches without attracting much attention.
"Your Highness, would you like to go to the inn and rest for a while?"
After entering the city, Lin Qingqing asked.
Long before His Highness entered the city, she had arranged for everything to be done.
"No rush, just take a look around first."
Lin Jiangnian waved his hand and looked up at the Xunyang City in front of him. As an important hub connecting the north and the south, its prosperity is naturally needless to say.
Xiao Zhu, who was following Lin Jiangnian, followed closely, looking around with curious round eyes.
Just when Lin Jiangnian was planning to take Xiaozhu for a walk, there was a sudden commotion in front of him, accompanied by a series of hurried horse hooves and footsteps.
A line of soldiers appeared in sight ahead, and pedestrians on the street made way. The line of soldiers soon arrived in front of Lin Jiangnian and others.
At the head horse, a general in armor dismounted and walked quickly towards the front.
Lin Qingqing, who was standing behind Lin Jiangnian, subconsciously moved in front of His Highness, her eyes instantly cold and alert.
The general walked quickly to a place not far in front of Lin Jiangnian and suddenly knelt on one knee. "I am Wang Cheng, the Left Deputy General of Xunyang Commandery. I pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
At the same time, the generals, soldiers and horses following behind him knelt on the ground one after another.
"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
The sound is mighty and full of momentum.
This scene immediately attracted the attention of pedestrians and merchants on the street behind him.
His Royal Highness?
What His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?
Which one?
All eyes were focused on him at once.
When did Xunyang County have a Crown Prince?
Could it be the one coming from the south?
Lin Qingqing stared at the scene in front of her with cold eyes, still not letting down her guard.
Lin Jiangnian looked at the scene in front of him, smiling, but he had already made a judgment in his heart.
He had just entered the city and immediately received such a great gift!
This Xunyang prefect seems to have bad intentions!
Gently waving his hand, Lin Qingqing was allowed to retreat. Lin Jiangnian glanced at the general in front of him and said lightly, "How do you know my identity?"
The general bowed his head and said, "The governor heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would be passing through Xunyang City, so he ordered me to come and meet him... I had the honor of meeting His Royal Highness several years ago..."
This excuse is perfect.
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly: "So, it was your governor who asked you to come and welcome this prince?"
"Exactly!"
"What else did your Lord Governor say?"
"His Highness, the Crown Prince, has just arrived. The Governor has specially arranged a banquet and invited His Highness to join him in the palace!"
Come to the mansion for a gathering?
The Hongmen Banquet?
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes.
There wasn't much connection between the Lin Palace and the Yanzhou Wang family, nor was their relationship close. Now, the Xunyang prefect had come all the way to welcome him.
It's really abnormal!
Besides, is this considered a welcome...
Lin Jiangnian glanced at the scene. He entered the city in a low-key manner this time, but he did not expect that the Xunyang prefect would put up such a grand display.
Ulterior motives!
Lin Qingqing, who was standing by, also cast a worried look, as if trying to dissuade His Highness.
However, Lin Jiangnian nodded gently and smiled, "Since the governor has invited me, I must attend the banquet!"
"Lead the way!"
"Your Highness..."
Lin Qingqing lowered her voice, her tone slightly anxious: "Your Highness, this Xunyang governor has come with ill intentions. Your Highness, please don't be so hasty to agree..."
However, Lin Jiangnian just waved his hand and gave her a reassuring look.
Wang Cheng was relieved to see the Crown Prince agree so easily. He had received an order today to bring the Crown Prince back to his residence no matter what.
Although the adults didn’t say it explicitly, the meaning is self-evident!
Now that the Prince of Lin is so cooperative, it will be easy to deal with.
"Your Highness, please!"
Wang Cheng led the way, asked Lin Jiangnian and others to get on the carriage, and left slowly.
There was a lot of discussion among the crowd.
"His Royal Highness? Who is that His Royal Highness?"
"Who else could it be? It must be the Prince of Lin in the south. I heard he's going to the capital to marry the princess. It has to be him!"
"But why don't I feel like he's not like that? Didn't they say that Prince Lin was ugly and unsightly? But why did I see that the prince just now was handsome, gentle as jade, and a truly outstanding person!"
"Indeed, that young man just now was indeed outstanding in appearance. He was elegant and full of scholarly air. He was indeed quite different from the Prince of Lin from the wild land..."
“…”
There was a lot of discussion among the crowd.
Behind the crowd, in a corner of an alley not far away, a figure took in the entire scene.
"Dog Prince?!"
She looked shocked, a little surprised and unbelievable.
This damn prince actually came to Xunyang County?
“…”