Upon hearing these words, Wang Wen was stunned, but he immediately became anxious, grabbed his wife, and got into the carriage.

Once the door was closed, he whispered, "Is this targeting the East Mansion? Why don’t we go there and take a look?"

Dong Boyun nodded, "Then...let’s go and see."

Wang Wen then ordered to head towards the East Mansion.

At this moment, the East Mansion was already in chaos. After Hailan returned from the front yard to the backyard, she found that the young lady was missing. When she asked the little maids in the courtyard, they said they hadn’t seen Madam come out of the room either. Hailan knew something had happened and sent someone to call Nanny Guo, while she ran to the front to notify Zhao Wu.

Upon learning this, Zhao Wu said nothing. With a wave of his hand, a man appeared from nowhere, clad in black, with his face covered, making his appearance unclear.

Zhao Wu whispered a few words to him, and in an instant, the man disappeared again.

After finishing these, Zhao Wu instructed Hailan, "Go to the Marquis Mansion and inform Mrs. Gu Sr. of the situation."

"And then?" Shanmoi became anxious, "We can’t just wait like this. It must be Miss Dong who is up to mischief. We have to go and demand her to return our young lady."

"For now, we can only wait in the mansion." Zhao Wu glanced at Shanmoi, who looked at Zhao Wu and thought that although he didn’t usually appear intimidating, at this moment, his gaze was somewhat daunting.

Hailan glanced at Zhao Wu, then pulled Shanmoi aside, "Why don’t you go to the Marquis Mansion? You’re quicker on your feet. After delivering the message, come find me in the backyard. I’ll be discussing the matter with Nanny Guo."

Shanmoi nodded and ran off. It was only then that Hailan spoke to Zhao Wu, "Shanmoi has a straightforward temperament and is impatient. It’s better to have her do something than just staying idle in the mansion."

Although she did not directly criticize Zhao Wu for scaring Shanmoi earlier, Hailan subtly pointed it out in her words.

Zhao Wu nodded, not angered, "I will be more careful in the future."

His straightforward admission of fault made Hailan slightly embarrassed, and not wanting to continue the conversation, she headed to the backyard.

Hailan noticed Nanny Guo had already questioned the little maids in the courtyard, so she relayed everything she knew. Nanny Guo remained silent, "For now, it seems that Madam is safe. We just need to stay in the mansion and await news."

Hailan felt relieved hearing Nanny Guo’s assessment, and Mrs. Gu Sr., upon being informed, remained calm as if nothing had happened, even advising Shanmoi and the others to maintain composure. When Shanmoi returned, she encountered Wang Wen and his wife at the gate of the mansion.

Shanmoi approached Wang Wen with courtesy to pay her respects but was interrupted, "Stop feigning concern here! You know very well what you’ve done, so there’s no need to come to the mansion. We’ll settle accounts once the Marquis returns."

Mrs. Gu Sr. had instructed not to publicize the matter, so Shanmoi refrained from further questioning them.

However, upon seeing their adversaries, it was impossible for Shanmoi to remain calm.

Wang Wen was at a loss, feeling humiliated. He thought, after all, it was because of them that trouble was stirred up, so he said, "We didn’t know anything happened to Madam. Please inform us, sister."

"It’s so late already; why are you still here at the mansion? Despite appearing every bit the scholarly gentleman, you’ve stooped to such actions. What were you thinking?"

This time, Wang Wen was silenced, unable to utter a word.

Shanmoi turned to leave, fearing she might blurt out the truth if she continued. Meanwhile, Dong Boyun, who had been listening from the carriage, alighted upon hearing Shanmoi’s words.

"Shanmoi, what happened to your young lady?" Dong Boyun, already feeling guilty, became even more anxious at this moment.

Shanmoi shot her a cold look, said nothing, and went back inside the mansion. In front of the couple, she instructed the gatekeeper not to let anyone in without explicit approval, clearly indicating Wang Wen and his wife.

Feeling troubled, Dong Boyun was upset, and Wang Wen, having been reprimanded by a mere maid, felt disgraced, so they exchanged no further words on their way back home.

Meanwhile, the Eldest Prince used the pretext of being with Dong Poming as a cover. He left the mansion, heading towards the Pure Path Temple with the unconscious Lin Youning in the carriage.

Liu Xin advised, "My lord, tomorrow you are to attend a grand ceremony at the palace. Leaving now may prevent your return in time, and Her Highness the Imperial Concubine will be worried."

"Father is ill," Li Min replied, mounting his horse and galloping away with a whip. "He’s already sent word saying there’s no need to attend the palace tomorrow. Just make sure everything here is in order."

Liu Xin watched his master depart, having no other choice but to return to the mansion.

Gu Yifeng received a carrier pigeon message deep into the night and instantly knew there was trouble. Upon reading its contents, he furrowed his brow. Without a word, he handed the message to Zhao Housheng.

Sitting before them was a middle-aged man, cold and aloof, exuding an indescribable aura.

Reading the message enraged Zhao Housheng, "Isn’t the Eldest Prince afraid of what the Holy Emperor might think? Boldly instigating such matters, it’s as if he disregards the Holy Emperor entirely!"

Gu Yifeng chuckled coolly, "In a way, it’s advantageous. Since they’ve brought the opportunity to us, let’s help facilitate it. Only then can the Holy Emperor be prompted to take decisive action."

Zhao Housheng’s eyes gleamed.

The middle-aged man, who had remained silent until now, spoke, "What’s the matter?"

His voice was as cold and aloof as his demeanor.

"Father, the Eldest Prince kidnapped Sister Ning to force an exchange for Nanny Wang," Zhao Housheng sneered. "The Eldest Prince knows someone is aware of your whereabouts but doesn’t know we came looking for you. Since he’s daring such moves, we might as well follow the Marquis’s plan, provoking the Eldest Prince to reveal himself and then report to the Holy Emperor, exposing all his intentions."

This one strike could dethrone the Crown Prince without you having to show yourself.

Upon learning his daughter was abducted, Prince Shou rose from his seat, "Isn’t Sister Ning with child? How could she endure such turmoil? The Eldest Prince is seeking me; I’ll go. I’ve hidden long enough. If your mother were still around, she’d be furious with my negligence towards you all."

Gu Yifeng didn’t hold him back.

Emotion unclear, Zhao Housheng fell silent hearing this, unsure if he should feel happy or sad. Yet, Prince Shou already strode out confidently, "It takes five hours to get from here to the Pure Path Temple. We should arrive by daybreak."

Gu Yifeng followed with purposeful strides, while Zhao Housheng reconsidered using Nanny Wang—with his father now stepping into the spotlight, it would certainly pressure the Holy Emperor. When they last met, the Holy Emperor remarked that the time wasn’t ripe yet.