Black-clothed figures clashed with the imperial guards. Initially, the two groups were evenly matched, but in the end, the black-clothed figures gained the upper hand, killing most of the guards. The remaining guards, sensing danger, turned and fled.
Some of the black-clothed figures wanted to pursue, but their leader stopped them, saying, "We must leave first. Be careful, there might be more ambushes around here!"
"Yes, let's go!"
Jing Ziyue, still shaken from the ordeal, had no time to ask any questions before being pulled up by a black-clothed figure and hurried away.
Jing Ziyue was taken to a residence. It was only then that he realized what was happening. He stared at the black-clothed figures with fear and suspicion, stammering, "Who… who exactly are you? Why have you brought me here? What do you want?"
The black-clothed figures glanced at Jing Ziyue but paid him no mind. They turned and left the room, slamming the door shut with a bang.
Jing Ziyue rushed to the door and banged on it. It was locked.
He shouted, "Let me out! Hurry and let me out! What do you want? Who ordered you to imprison me? Do you want money or something else… I can give you anything…"
Even after Jing Ziyue's throat grew sore from shouting, there was no response from outside. They ignored him completely.
Jing Ziyue slumped to the ground, his thoughts in disarray.
Who had captured him? These black-clothed figures seemed different from the ones who had tried to kill him earlier.
Were the ones who tried to kill him the Second Prince's men? Or were these rescuers the Second Prince's men?
After half an hour, the room door was abruptly pushed open. Jing Ziyue immediately stood up from the wooden chair, looking cautiously towards the entrance.
A man was shoved into the room, and the door slammed shut again. The man appeared to be injured.
Jing Ziyue focused his gaze and was instantly astonished. "General Zhang? Why are you here? Were you also captured?"
Zhang Zhuhe was equally surprised to see Jing Ziyue. He seemed to realize something, his face grim. "I left my residence tonight and encountered a group of black-clothed figures who immediately tried to take my life. At a critical moment, another group of black-clothed figures rescued me, and then they brought me here."
Jing Ziyue's eyes widened in surprise. "Me too! I was attacked on the road today and was eventually rescued by them, then brought here."
Both Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.
They had no idea if the people who captured them were friends or foes, nor did they know if their current situation was safe or perilous.
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Qianqing Palace.
As You Rong emerged from the hall, a young eunuch approached him with an anxious expression. He leaned in and whispered, "Eunuch You, you're finally out. Just now, soldiers from the Southern Palace Gate sent word that Commander Nangong has an urgent matter and wishes to see you. He hopes you will go to the Southern Palace Gate as soon as possible!"
You Rong's eyes flickered slightly.
Uncle Nangong was in such a hurry to see him; it must be related to Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe!
You Rong said, "I understand. I will go immediately."
You Rong proceeded to the Southern Palace Gate to meet Nangong Jie. Nangong Jie's expression was grave. "We just received news from outside the palace. Lin Chenrui intended to kill Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe, but our people rescued them. These two are now being held in a hidden residence in my capital!"
You Rong clenched his fist slightly. "Is this true?"
"Absolutely true!"
You Rong lowered his gaze and pondered for a moment before making a decisive statement. "Uncle Nangong, I want to see Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe. I want to see them now!"
Nangong Jie nodded. "Alright! We'll leave the palace now!"
You Rong and Nangong Jie secretly left the imperial palace and headed directly to Nangong Jie's residence.
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Second Prince's Residence.
Lin Chenrui, upon hearing from his subordinate that Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue had been rescued during the assassination attempt, flew into a rage and kicked over the writing desk in front of him.
"Useless! A bunch of useless fools! You can't even succeed in killing two people. What good am I for raising you! I might as well raise a dog!" Su Dan Novel Network.
The imperial guard kneeling before him was struck on the head by the teacup Lin Chenrui threw. Blood trickled from his forehead, yet he dared not utter a word of complaint, repeatedly kowtowing and admitting his mistakes. "Your subordinate knows his error. Please calm your anger, Your Highness the Second Prince…"
Lin Chenrui's face was almost contorted with rage. He gritted his teeth and said, word by word, "Go! Tell everyone to search. Especially around Lin Chenjing's vicinity. Search thoroughly for the two of them. Once Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue are found, kill them at all costs!"
The imperial guard hesitated. "Your Highness the Second Prince, do you mean… the Sixth Prince's men were the ones who rescued Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue?"
"Idiot! Lin Chenrui was already planning to win them over. Besides him, who else has the ability to rescue them from my grasp?!"
The imperial guard quickly responded, "Yes, Your Highness the Second Prince, your subordinate understands. I will attend to it immediately!"
After the imperial guard left, Lin Chenrui's expression remained dark.
He absolutely could not let Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue live. Otherwise, if their relationship became irreconcilable, they would pose a fatal threat to him!
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Nangong Jie's Residence in the Capital.
The door was opened, and both Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue inside became alert. Upon seeing You Rong and Nangong Jie enter, their expressions instantly turned extremely unpleasant.
You Rong walked up to them and said calmly, "General Zhang, Lord Jing, we meet again."
Zhang Zhuhe said angrily, "You Rong! You sent people to capture us and bring us here! Illegally detaining court officials is a grave offense! What are you trying to achieve?!"
Before You Rong could speak, Nangong Jie spat and cursed, "Stop being ungrateful! If it weren't for us, you would have long ago lost your lives to Lin Chenrui's imperial guards and become ghosts on the road to the underworld. How dare you shout at us here!"
Both of them, exposed by Nangong Jie's words, turned pale, their expressions indescribably ugly.
You Rong's expression did not change much. He sat down casually and said, "If you two wish to survive Lin Chenrui, perhaps you should sit down and talk."
Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe exchanged a glance, but they did not sit.
Jing Ziyue asked coldly, "You Rong, why should we trust you! It was you who schemed and sowed discord between us and the Second Prince. If it weren't for you, why would we have ended up in this predicament!"
You Rong curled his lips and let out a cold sneer. "Yes, it was me who schemed to provoke your relationship with Lin Chenrui. You ask me why… It's because if you leave this residence, you will immediately die in the streets! In Dongli Kingdom now, besides me, no one can protect you from Lin Chenrui! And it's because you have no other choice!"