“Shu’er…” Duke Yun stepped forward and asked in a low voice.
“Father, rest assured, your daughter has made all arrangements,” Yun Wei Shu replied.
Duke Yun was deeply gratified. He truly hadn't expected his daughter to grow to such a degree.
“Are all the people of Duke Yun’s estate present?” Commander Lin stepped forward and inquired.
Yun Wei Shu looked at Bai Shao, who was approaching, and asked, “Have everyone been summoned?”
Bai Shao nodded, “Eldest Miss, please rest assured, your servant has carried out all your instructions.”
“Did my mother go to the ancestral hall?” Yun Wei Shu asked.
Bai Shao nodded, “Eldest Miss, please rest assured. Your servant explained the current situation, and Madam readily agreed. She also instructed your servant to tell you to pay close attention to your own safety.”
Upon hearing this, Yun Wei Shu’s eyes welled up with tears. She secretly wiped them away and looked at Commander Lin, her eyes now devoid of tears. “Commander Lin, we are ready. Proceed with the search!”
Commander Lin waved his hand, and the Imperial Guards behind him began to search the Duke’s estate.
Soon, the first wave of Imperial Guards reported that there were no suspicious individuals. The second and third waves also returned.
Commander Lin’s expression was grim. He had received intelligence that Yun Duan Hai had appeared here, but where was he?
Duke Yun also noticed the change in Commander Lin’s expression. He had been fine moments ago, but now his face was extremely unpleasant, suggesting that things had not gone as he had expected.
Suddenly, an Imperial Guard approached Commander Lin and whispered a few words. Commander Lin’s expression grew even more somber.
“Eldest Miss Yun, are all the people in the estate here?” Commander Lin approached Yun Wei Shu and asked.
Yun Wei Shu nodded, “Except for my mother, whom I had sent to the ancestral hall, everyone else is here.”
Commander Lin nodded, “I have sent people to guard Madam’s location. Please have Yun Wei Shu summon everyone in the estate.”
“Does Commander Lin have something he needs?” Yun Wei Shu asked.
“All parts of the estate have been searched, but there are still some areas not yet searched.”
“Commander Lin, you should know your limits. This is the Duke’s estate, not a prison, to allow you to search as you please,” Duke Yun said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Commander Lin smiled, “Duke, this commander has no choice. This is the King’s command, and this commander cannot disobey!”
“You…”
“Father, Commander Lin is merely following orders. Please do not make things difficult for him,” Yun Wei Shu said.
Duke Yun looked at her, his expression filled with confusion.
Yun Wei Shu turned to Bai Shao and said, “Bai Shao, call everyone here.”
Bai Shao went off to give the instructions.
“Duke Yun, learn from your daughter. Those who understand the times are the true heroes,” Commander Lin said sarcastically.
“You…”
“Father, there is no need to be angry,” Yun Wei Shu shook her head.
Duke Yun suppressed his anger with great effort, knowing that avoiding conflict with the Imperial Guards was the most important thing at the moment.
Before long, all the residents of the Duke’s estate gathered in the front courtyard. Bai Shao came to report, and Yun Wei Shu nodded. She then looked at Commander Lin, “Commander Lin, I have summoned everyone in the estate as you instructed. What do you intend to do?”
Commander Lin looked at everyone, then suddenly chuckled softly. He then pulled over a servant from the estate and, with a sword he had somehow acquired, held it to the servant’s throat. He coldly asked, “Has anyone in this estate seen Yun Duan Hai?”
Upon hearing this, Yun Wei Shu angrily exclaimed, “Commander Lin, what is the meaning of this?”
Commander Lin ignored Yun Wei Shu and stared intently at the servants, observing each of their expressions.
“Fine, no one is speaking?” Commander Lin chuckled coldly, then moved the sword closer to the servant’s throat.
“Commander Lin, do not harm innocent people,” Yun Wei Shu urged anxiously.
Commander Lin chuckled softly, his smile chilling, “Whoever tells this commander where Yun Duan Hai is, this commander will spare them. Otherwise…”
The sword in his hand moved even closer, drawing blood instantly. The servant’s face turned deathly pale, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
“Commander Lin, you have gone too far. This is Duke Yun’s estate,” Duke Yun roared, stepping forward coldly.
Commander Lin looked at Duke Yun, his gaze challenging, “Duke Yun, are you attempting to defy the King’s command?”
“You…”
“Father…” Yun Wei Shu quickly stepped forward, grabbing Duke Yun’s hand and shaking her head at him, signaling him not to get angry.
“My father, I, this Duke’s estate, all were bestowed by the King. The King’s commands are absolute, are they not? Commander Lin?” Yun Wei Shu asked, word by word.
“Of course,” Commander Lin replied smugly.
“Then, Commander Lin, did the King order you to kill the servants of the Duke’s estate?”
Commander Lin was taken aback.
Yun Wei Shu sneered, “The King certainly did not issue such an edict, yet you are doing so. Commander Lin, would you call this deceiving higher authorities?”
“Silence!” Commander Lin glared at Yun Wei Shu and roared.
“Commander Lin, are you enraged by being exposed? Or are you simply seeking personal revenge? I suddenly recall that two years ago, Commander Lin’s younger brother, for harassing a respectable woman in the street, was beaten to the ground by my elder brother. He died later due to delayed treatment. Therefore, Commander Lin has harbored resentment. Now that such a good opportunity has arisen, how could Commander Lin let it pass? Commander Lin, what do you say?”
Commander Lin shoved the servant away and pointed his sword at Yun Wei Shu, “Do you believe I wouldn’t kill you…”
Yun Wei Shu chuckled softly, “I believe you. However, Commander Lin, do not forget that I am now appointed as Consort Yun by the King. Do you dare to kill me?”
“You…”
Yun Wei Shu walked step by step towards Commander Lin, “Commander Lin, do you dare to touch me?”
“Do you think I wouldn’t dare?” Commander Lin gritted his teeth and asked.
His brother had been beaten to death by Yun Duan Hai, but at that time, he was merely one of the Imperial Guards. He could not afford to offend the powerful Duke’s estate, not to mention that Consort Yun was at the height of her influence then. He could only bury his hatred in his heart.
Now, with such a perfect opportunity, he would not miss it again. The person who killed his brother was right here.
“Then do it!” Yun Wei Shu looked at him coldly, her beautiful face stern.
Commander Lin suddenly attacked, grabbing Yun Wei Shu’s hair. Just then, a sword was placed at his throat, followed by a voice, “Let go of Shu’er.”
Yun Wei Shu was startled. She looked up and saw Duke Yun holding a long sword, roaring angrily.
Commander Lin released Yun Wei Shu, his eyes turning sharp. He lunged forward with his sword, aiming for Duke Yun. Duke Yun retreated, dodging Commander Lin’s attack.
“What Duan Hai owes, I, his father, will repay. Do not think of harming my daughter,” Duke Yun growled.
“Father…” Yun Wei Shu choked back a sob.
“Very well, I shall experience firsthand how formidable the Duke, who was once like a fierce tiger, truly is!”
Commander Lin leaped forward, attacking Duke Yun.
Duke Yun retreated swiftly, evading Commander Lin’s assault.
Just as the two were locked in a fierce battle, a voice echoed from outside the gate, “Commander Lin, you are truly useless. Have you found Xue Zi Ning after all this time?”