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Inside the King of Zhennan’s study, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt like you could wring water from it.
King Nangong Yan of Zhennan, his brow furrowed into a knot, his face etched with frustration and confusion.
He paced back and forth in the study, his footsteps echoing clearly in the silent space, each step heavy, as if he wanted to vent his anger through the floor.
Just now, Anlei had urgently reported to him that a woman named Bai Linglong had been acting suspiciously near the King’s Mansion and was intricately connected to the King’s Mansion’s confidential affairs.
“Anlei, are you sure you haven’t found any useful clues?”
Nangong Yan abruptly stopped, his gaze like a sharp sword piercing Anlei, who was kneeling on one knee. His voice was low and filled with pressure, as if it could penetrate one’s heart.
Anlei lowered his head, his voice filled with guilt and self-reproach, “Your Highness, I have searched the area around the King’s Mansion thoroughly, and all informants have been mobilized, but this woman is like she’s vanished into thin air, not a single hair has been left behind.”
Nangong Yan’s brow furrowed even deeper. He heavily sat back in his carved sandalwood chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest. After pondering for a moment, he coldly said:
“This woman, who can stir up trouble right under my nose, is no ordinary person.
No matter what methods you use, within three days, you must find her for me. Alive or dead!”
Anlei nodded heavily, his tone firm, “Your Highness, rest assured, even if I have to work day and night, I will turn the earth upside down to find her.”
After speaking, Anlei quickly withdrew, his figure disappearing outside the study door, ready to immerse himself once again in the intense search.
He couldn’t understand why this woman, who appeared out of nowhere, had such a purpose, and why she was so concerned with the affairs of the King’s Mansion.
“Someone!”
Nangong Yan suddenly opened his eyes and shouted, his voice echoing in the study.
A servant immediately pushed open the door and stood respectfully to the side, not daring to breathe too loudly.
“Go and summon Li Changshi for me.”
Nangong Yan commanded, his tone brooking no objection.
In a short while, Li Changshi hurried over and entered the study, bowing,
“Your Highness, you summoned me?”
Nangong Yan stared at Li Changshi, his expression serious, his eyes scrutinizing:
“Li Changshi, you are very familiar with the surroundings of the King’s Mansion. In your opinion, where is Bai Linglong most likely hiding?”
Li Changshi pondered for a moment and cautiously replied, “Your Highness, the terrain around the King’s Mansion is complex, with many hidden places.
But to hide a living person without being noticed by the mansion’s informants, I suspect she might be hiding in one of the abandoned courtyards, or perhaps she’s tucked away in some inconspicuous inn, or even disguised and mingling among ordinary households.”
Nangong Yan nodded slightly, “You make a valid point.
Gather some reliable personnel to assist Anlei in the search; you must ensure that she is found as quickly as possible.
I don’t want to hear any more reports of no progress.”
“Yes, Your Highness, I will attend to it immediately.”
After receiving his orders, Li Changshi hurriedly left, his footsteps brisk, not daring to delay for even a moment.
Nangong Yan fell into deep thought again. He knew that if this matter wasn’t resolved quickly, it could bring unpredictable trouble to the King’s Mansion.
Bai Linglong was like a bomb that could explode at any moment, hanging over the mansion’s head.
Meanwhile, in Bai Linglong’s courtyard at the Marquis’ Mansion, she sat inside, her expression alert as she listened to the sounds outside.
Wearing plain clothes, her brows and eyes radiated a sense of spirit and defiance.
She knew that the people from the King’s Mansion were searching for her, so she acted with extra caution.
“Miss, the situation outside is still tense; the King’s people are searching everywhere.”
A maidservant hurried in, her face anxious as she whispered to Bai Linglong.
Bai Linglong frowned, “I knew Nangong Yan wouldn’t let this go easily.
However, it won’t be so easy for him to find me.”
“Miss, what should we do next?
Hiding in the Marquis’ Mansion isn’t a solution; if the King’s people find us here…” The maidservant’s voice trembled with worry.
Bai Linglong stood up and paced the room, thinking for a moment before saying, “We can’t keep hiding; we need to take the initiative.
You go prepare some things for me; I need to go out.”
“Miss, where are you going?
It’s too dangerous outside.
The King’s hidden guards are all skilled; if they discover you…” The maidservant’s face was filled with concern, her eyes reddening.
Bai Linglong smiled slightly, patting the maidservant’s shoulder reassuringly, “Don’t worry; I have a plan.
I need to meet someone who might help us get out of this predicament.”
As night fell, Bai Linglong disguised herself and quietly left the Marquis’ Mansion under the cover of darkness.
She moved swiftly, like a nimble cat, weaving through the dark alleys and cleverly avoiding the patrols of the King’s Mansion.
Wearing a straw hat and dressed in black, she blended into the night as she headed toward the city’s most mysterious information black market, a hub for news where she might find a way to counter Nangong Yan.
Meanwhile, within the King’s Mansion…
Anlei and Li Changshi were leading a group of people, searching everywhere.
They left no suspicious place unchecked, inquiring house by house.
“Have you seen a woman like this?”
Anlei held up a portrait, asking a street vendor with urgency in his tone.
The vendor examined the portrait and shook his head, “Never seen her, young master. What has this woman done? Why are so many people looking for her?”
Anlei did not respond, merely snorted coldly before moving on to the next target.
He understood that with every second wasted, the difficulty of finding Bai Linglong increased.
At that moment, Nangong Yan also stepped out of the study, standing in the courtyard of the King’s Mansion, gazing at the pitch-black night sky, pondering:
Where exactly are you, woman?
I will find you, and when I do, you must give me a satisfactory explanation.
The confrontation between the King’s Mansion and the mysterious woman intensified under the cover of night, and no one knew how the final outcome would unfold.