Zhou Wenxing suddenly chuckled, "Sheng Lengshuang, do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill you?"
Sheng Lengshuang replied impatiently, "If you want to kill me, then kill me. You don't need to... Mmmph!"
Her mouth was suddenly covered, and as she was forcefully dragged backward, she instinctively reached for her medicinal powder. However, she was struck by a palm and knocked unconscious.
Before she lost consciousness, she heard Mo Lingxi's furious voice, "Let go of Sheng Lengshuang!"
Seeing the masked figures taking Sheng Lengshuang away, Mo Lingxi immediately moved to pursue them but was blocked by a group of masked individuals. "Dark guards!"
The dark guards received their orders and engaged in a fierce battle with the masked assailants.
However, even more masked figures blocked Mo Lingxi's path.
Blocked, Mo Lingxi watched helplessly as the masked figures carrying the unconscious Sheng Lengshuang retreated further and further. He was filled with regret, having completely failed to detect anyone approaching, and hadn't even realized Sheng Lengshuang was being dragged away.
That person was extremely skilled at concealment!
When had such a person appeared?
By the time the masked figures were dealt with, Sheng Lengshuang had already been taken away, and even Zhou Wenxing had escaped under the protection of the masked assailants.
"Prince Mingrui, you'll never see Sheng Lengshuang again in this lifetime... No, you'll see Sheng Lengshuang's corpse, hahaha~~"
Hearing Zhou Wenxing's arrogant and venomous words, Mo Lingxi's deep, dark eyes were filled with murderous intent. "Search the ground three feet deep for this king! You must find Sheng Lengshuang!"
The dark guards immediately set out to find Sheng Lengshuang's whereabouts.
"Your Highness Prince Mingrui, please do not worry. Miss Sheng will surely be alright." Sima Min, disregarding her own condition, stood behind Mo Lingxi and offered comfort.
Mo Lingxi's gaze shot towards her like a blade, his voice laced with menace, "Sima Min, I ask you, why were Zhou Wenxing and these masked individuals at Prince Rui's mansion? And how coincidental that Zhou Wenxing happened to be holding you hostage."
Sima Min lowered her eyes, concealing the myriad emotions within them. "Your Highness Prince Mingrui, I am also unaware of how this happened. Perhaps it was because my engagement banquet today had too many people coming and going, which provided Zhou Wenxing with an opportunity."
Mo Lingxi let out a cold snort. "Sima Min, you truly won't shed tears until you see the coffin. Guards, escort Sima Min to the Ministry of Justice's prison, and order them to interrogate her thoroughly to ascertain the truth!"
Before Sima Min could beg for mercy, she was forcibly dragged away by two dark guards.
"Your Highness Prince Mingrui, I truly know nothing. Please release me. After all, today is my engagement banquet."
Mo Lingxi remained unmoved, his mind entirely consumed with how to rescue Sheng Lengshuang. Given Zhou Wenxing's character, even if he didn't kill Sheng Lengshuang immediately, he would find ways to torment her and would likely use her to threaten her parents.
With this thought, he returned to the Sheng family as quickly as possible and honestly informed General and Madam Sheng of the situation.
"My daughter!" Madam Sheng cried, leaning onto the small table. "Damn Zhou Wenxing! If he has something against us, he should come at us, the couple. Why did he have to abduct my daughter?"
"Leng Shuang has suffered so much. Just as things were looking up, this has happened again. It's like digging at my heart."
General Sheng was deeply worried, sighing repeatedly. "Madam, do not be anxious. I believe Leng Shuang will be fine. At least, before Zhou Wenxing achieves his objective, he won't truly harm Leng Shuang."
However, he knew Leng Shuang would inevitably suffer physical pain.
"I am sorry, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. It is my fault for not protecting Sheng Lengshuang." Mo Lingxi felt immense self-reproach.
General Sheng waved his hand, his brow furrowed. "This is not Prince Mingrui's fault. Zhou Wenxing came prepared. Even if he failed this time, he would succeed next time. The most important thing now is to find a way to rescue Leng Shuang."
Mo Lingxi also understood this, his hands clenching so tightly that they made cracking sounds. "On my way back, I have already ordered the army and the Nine City Military Command to search the city and its surroundings."
General Sheng replied, "I'm afraid it won't be that easy to find Leng Shuang. The best method is to wait for Zhou Wenxing to approach us actively."
Zhou Wenxing's target was his wife. Now that Zhou Wenxing had captured Leng Shuang, he would undoubtedly use her to threaten his wife.
"I'll switch!" Madam Sheng suddenly stood up, her voice resolute. "As long as Leng Shuang is safe, I would gladly give my own life."
"Madam!" General Sheng supported her as she sat down, advising, "This matter cannot be resolved by you simply exchanging yourself for Leng Shuang. Zhou Wenxing has someone behind him. We do not know what their demands are, so for now, we can only wait."
"Mother-in-law, Father-in-law is right." Mo Lingxi, despite his anxiety, forced himself to calm down. "We know Zhou Wenxing's objective, but we do not know the objective of the mastermind. Furthermore, we must ensure Sheng Lengshuang's safety."
General Sheng nodded. "The search should not be too conspicuous..."
"Father-in-law, I understand your meaning, but a larger commotion is better." Mo Lingxi interrupted him. "With the envoys from the three kingdoms all present in the Eastern Capital, and many people watching, it's the perfect opportunity to clear out unstable elements and spies while searching for Sheng Lengshuang, to prevent similar incidents from happening again."
General Sheng and Madam Sheng had no objections. They clearly understood the need to cut the weeds and remove the roots, otherwise, similar incidents would recur.
They could only wonder about Leng Shuang's current situation and whether she had been punished.
...
In a remote village far from the Eastern Capital, inside a thatched hut.
The unconscious Sheng Lengshuang had been changed into a tattered linen garment, her hair unbound and without any adornments. Zhou Wenxing and several other people stood by her bedside.
"I will use Sheng Lengshuang to exchange for Madam Qi," Zhou Wenxing declared, his eyes filled with determination.
"Agreed, but only after I have finished my business," a veiled woman stated forcefully. "Zhou Wenxing, if you dare to ruin things, you know the consequences."
Zhou Wenxing's expression turned so grim it seemed water could drip from it, but he knew he had to obey. Otherwise, not only would he fail to reclaim Madam Qi, but he would also be abandoned.
He had paid too much to reclaim Madam Qi and could not afford to fail.
"I know. What do we do now?"
The veiled woman produced a black pill and forced it down Sheng Lengshuang's throat. "For now, she will stay here. Watching her fall into the mud and struggle in pain, aren't you happy?"
Zhou Wenxing's eyes lit up at her words. "You mean...?"
The veiled woman instructed Zhou Wenxing to wait and watch. "I will send a message to the Sheng family, and I guarantee you will get Madam Sheng in the shortest possible time. But do not forget what you promised me."
Zhou Wenxing vowed he would not forget. "After I reclaim Madam Qi, I will help you with your tasks."
The veiled woman hummed in acknowledgment, gave some instructions to the others, and then left with Zhou Wenxing.
The remaining individuals glanced at Sheng Lengshuang, exchanged a few words, and then also left the room.
After an unknown period of time.
Sheng Lengshuang's fingers twitched. Then, she slowly opened her eyes, gazing somewhat confusedly at the simple ceiling. Where was she?
She propped herself up and sat on the bed, scanning the drafty room. She pressed her throbbing forehead. This place seemed... like her in-laws' home.
Her in-laws' home?