OBS Chapter 1471, ironically, became a useful bargaining chip.
Chapter 1471, ironically, became a useful bargaining chip.
Li Changde took a deep breath and relayed the news reported by the Prefect of the Capital: "Princess Wenshu went out today and has not returned yet. Her carriage was found in the western suburbs of the city and has been burned."
"Four charred corpses were found inside the carriage. Preliminary identification suggests they were Princess Wenshu's coachman, two nannies, and her personal maid."
"As for Princess Wenshu... her whereabouts are unknown. Only a jade pendant that she usually wore was found at the scene."
"boom!"
Nangong Xuanyu slammed his palm heavily on the imperial desk, causing the brush holder to jump.
He suddenly stood up, and a raging fire instantly surged in his deep eyes!
It wasn't because Nangong Xuanyu had any deep feelings for Princess Wenshu, but because this matter crossed his bottom line as an emperor.
Right under the emperor's nose, in broad daylight, how dare someone commit a violent act against the royal princess?!
They killed her servants, burned her carriage, and kidnapped her. This was utterly disrespectful to the royal family and a blatant provocation against imperial authority!
Nangong Xuanyu's voice was filled with chilling killing intent: "When did my capital become a place where bandits can plunder the imperial family at will?!"
"Can we find out who did this?!"
Sensing the emperor's anger, Li Changde lowered his head even further and cautiously said, "Your Majesty, the Prefect of the Capital has ordered a news blackout, and to the outside world, it is only said that it was an ordinary bandit's disturbance, so as not to damage Princess Wenshu's reputation."
"He is making every effort to investigate all suspicious persons who entered and left the western part of the city today, and to question nearby residents."
"There is one more thing... The desolate courtyard in the west of the city where the bodies of disgraced officials were temporarily placed also caught fire today and was burned to the ground."
"According to preliminary inquiries, some local residents saw that a discreet carriage had indeed stopped nearby in the afternoon. After verification, it was confirmed that it was the carriage that Princess Wenshu burned."
"The Prefect of the Capital suspects that Princess Wenshu's trip was likely to that courtyard. Her disappearance may be related to this matter."
A fierce glint flashed in Nangong Xuanyu's eyes.
The courtyard where Nangong Xuanche's body was kept was also burned down, and Wen Shu had been there...
He instantly grasped the key point.
Yes, given Wen Shu's sentimental nature, even if Nangong Xuanche committed a heinous crime, death is the end. She considered their sibling bond and went to collect his body, which was entirely in line with her character.
But why did this disaster happen, and why was the courtyard burned down?
This can only mean that... there's something wrong with Nangong Xuanche's body! And Wen Shu just happened to notice the anomaly.
Otherwise, why would those people go to such lengths, both to kidnap Wen Shu and to hastily destroy the body to cover up the crime?
"Ah……"
Nangong Xuanyu sneered: "It seems I underestimated Nangong Xuanche; his cronies have not been completely eliminated."
The emperor was almost certain that the kidnapping of Wen Shu and the burning of the courtyard were the work of Nangong Xuanche's remaining forces.
They must have realized that Wen Shu might have discovered some secret she shouldn't have, and that she was taking this risky move to cover up a bigger conspiracy.
"Transmit my imperial edict to the Prefect of the Capital."
Nangong Xuanyu said coldly, "Tell him that no matter what method he uses, even if he has to search every inch of the capital, he must find Princess Wenshu for me!"
"I want to see him alive, or... I want to see his body!"
Li Changde felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that His Majesty was truly angry. He quickly bowed and said, "This servant obeys the decree!"
……
In a secluded cellar of a mansion in the capital, the light was dim and the air was filled with a damp, musty smell.
When Nangong Xuanche saw Princess Wenshu, who was unconscious and being carried in, he was so shocked that he stood up from the dilapidated wooden chair.
"What are you doing?!"
His face was contorted with disbelief and rage as he glanced at the kneeling assassins: "Who gave you permission to bring Wen Shu here? Aren't you just inviting trouble for me?!"
The leader of the men in black quickly bowed his head and explained, "Master, please calm down!"
"We were originally going to deal with the corpses in that courtyard according to plan. But as soon as we got nearby, we saw Princess Wenshu there."
"We are really not sure if she has noticed anything. To be on the safe side and to prevent Princess Wenshu from reporting any suspicious matters, we had no choice but to take this drastic measure and bring her here."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Xuanche took a few deep breaths and forced himself to calm down.
He understood Wen Shu; she was soft-hearted and nostalgic. Going to collect the body of "Mynah Bird" was indeed something she would do.
But her subordinates' concerns were not unfounded; what if she really had discovered the human skin mask...?
The thought of that possibility sent chills down Nangong Xuanche's spine; no wonder his men would take such a risky move.
But his anger had not subsided, and he rebuked, "Foolish!"
"You kidnapped Wen Shu, and then you burned that courtyard down. Is Nangong Xuanyu a fool? Connecting these two events, how could he not be suspicious?!"
"Now the entire capital is probably in an uproar, and everyone is digging three feet into the ground to find her. You've really stirred up a hole in the sky!"
The men in black lowered their heads even further, not daring to argue.
One of them asked nervously, "Then... Master, what should we do now?"
"How about... we send Princess Wenshu back tonight?"
Nangong Xuanche was so angry he laughed, his eyes turning sinister: "Send her back now? If she really knows that secret, letting her go back is just asking for death!"
“Even if Wen Shu doesn’t know anything, after this incident, Nangong Xuanyu will definitely investigate thoroughly and follow the clues.”
"It's too late now, whether we let go or not."
The assassins exchanged bewildered glances and asked nervously, "What does our master mean...?"
"...However, this is not necessarily all bad."
Nangong Xuanche slowly said, "Wen Shu's maternal family has been operating in the court for many years, and their influence is deeply entrenched. They are not without value, and they love her very much."
"Now that Wen Shu is in our hands, perhaps... she has become a useful bargaining chip."
At this point, he looked at his subordinates and warned, "But remember, the guard must be absolutely secure. We must not let her escape, and we must not let Nangong Xuanyu's people find this place."
"Otherwise...we will all die without a burial place!"
The leader of the men in black quickly assured him, "Don't worry, Master!"
“The capital is so big and has such a diverse population. Even if the Prefect of the Capital searches every inch of the city, it would take several months to find everything.”
“Our place is extremely well hidden. It was planted as a secret base many years ago. The neighbors are all ordinary people who have nothing to do with us, so it will never attract attention.”
"Your subordinates will keep a close watch, not even a fly will be able to get out!"
Nangong Xuanche nodded, his gaze falling once again on the unconscious Princess Wenshu, his expression complex and unreadable.
This move was extremely risky, but now that things had come to this, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue.