After Tuoba Lan retreated, Tuoba Zhi creased his brows as he said to Murong Zhining. “When you said secret, you meant the treasure that the Murong clan hid away after Beiyan’s destruction?”

Murong Zhining was startled. “How did you know of this matter?”

Tuoba Zhi seemed heavy. “My father once told me that the Murongs’ treasure was real. In the past, the Tuoba clan bought a member of the Murong clan to be their spy. From this spy, the Tuoba clan learned that, in order to ensure the security of the treasure, the Murong clan hid its clues in three parts, respectively to be kept by the three most prestigious members of the clan. Each clue was indispensable to know the secret. The Tuoba clan went through a lot of trouble and found one of them, but my father never told me what it was.”

The next day, Murong Zhining summoned Huyan Qi to Sangrou Palace. “I need your help to investigate something. Please keep watch on the fourth prince of Wuli, Gao Chenghao, while he’s in Shangxia and report every detail to me.”

……

Yigan Palace. Han Yao looked at the pair of mother and daughter sitting next to his throne. “I have been busy for days and didn’t have time to ask about Fengyi’s husband recruitment. Today, I’ve called you two here for discussion. Several days ago, Wuli sent an envoy to solemnly ask for Fengyi’s hand in marriage, telling me that the fourth prince is the most promising candidate to become their crown prince. And this thing came in pairs. Today, Huayan’s envoy came and said Huayan’s emperor also wanted to marry Fengyi as his empress.”

Murong Zhining fell deep into thought and remained silent.

Murong Ruoyu could see that she was reluctant. “I’ve heard that Huayan’s emperor is a young and handsome man of both talent and virtue. If Fengyi can marry such a monarch, it would be her blessing. Fate cannot be delayed, you must be a bit more decisive.”

A trace of grief crossed Murong Zhining’s face. “Your child doesn’t want to marry far away!”

Han Yao frowned a little. “As a parent, of course, I don’t want you to be married far away. However, your parents will eventually leave you in the end. Only your husband can accompany you for life.”

Ten days later, Huyan Qi came to Sangrou Palace with his report. “I have planted over ten spies to investigate the fourth prince of Wuli. He owns a very luxurious residence in the suburbs of the capital. He spends his entire days there, drinking and playing around with his troops of concubines. In the past several days, he has sent his people to Xingzhou to buy several properties. I couldn’t figure out his intentions for doing this.”

Just when the two were talking, a eunuch came in. “Reporting to Princess, Fourth Prince of Wuli requests a meeting.”

Huyan Qi frowned. “I will take my leave. Please be careful, Princess. This Gao Chenghao seems to harbor ulterior motives.”

A maid led Gao Chenghao to the terrace, where Murong Zhining, who looked captivating in light-pink palace attire, was sitting properly at the table.

Gao Chenghao said with a sincere smile, “Since Princess seems to have forgotten about your promise, I have to be thick-skinned and come to you myself!”

Murong Zhining smiled politely. “I have been a bit busy these days and actually forgot about this. I didn’t mean to slight you. What a coincidence, though, I was about to invite you over today. You beat me to it.”

Gao Chenghao sighed. “You don’t know what kind of lovesick torment I’ve been suffering the last ten days. Ever since I saw you, Princess, two of my three souls has gone missing. Even the remaining one is about to fly off too!”

Murong Zhining flushed red. “Our relationship stops at friendship, Your Highness has over-spoken. I’ve been told that you don’t lack young and beautiful girls in your manor in the suburbs.”

Gao Chenghao laughed heartily. “Those women are but slaves in my estate. How can their mediocre appearance compare to your stunning mien? If Princess is willing to stoop to marrying me, I will never look at another woman again for the rest of my life.”

Murong Zhining said with a stern face. “Today, I want to discuss something else with you, such as the art of qin.”

Gao Chenghao instantly concealed his impudent manner. “I’m naturally aware of your intention. Princess must want to know more about ‘Stranded Jiaolong’? You’ve sought the right person. What you’re curious about is not the song itself, but the Murongs’ treasure. Am I right?”

Gao Chenghao seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. “You don’t need to put up your guard, Princess. Compared to the treasure, you are much more attractive to me. When your ancestors hid the treasure away, it was my ancestors who designed the structure and a map of the place. If you want to unlock this secret, I’m afraid you will need my help. I think that we are truly predestined. What about you?”

Murong Zhining glanced at Gao Chenghao. The man’s eyes were gleaming with a deep dark, cold glint that could be seen in the eyes of a beast when staring at its prey, a look that made people tremble with fear.

Gao Chenghao offered her a graceful smile. “The shy look on your face is truly endearing. Since Princess accepted my flower, you have to fulfill your promise and marry me.”

Murong Zhining also smiled beautifully. “I know those women in your manor aren’t slaves, but your concubines. I’m only recruiting from unmarried young men.”

Gao Chenghao’s words revealed his ruthlessness. “Interesting! Since you had me investigated, you must have taken a fancy to me as well. All those concubines of mine are without a title. If Princess is willing to marry me, you can deal with them however you like.”

Murong Zhining furrowed her brows. “If you are so heartless towards other women, how can I be sure that you won’t treat me the same way? I’ve said this already, I can consider you a friend.”

Gao Chenghao stood up in displeasure and cupped his hands. “I don’t want to be friends with Princess, I want to be your husband. Princess accepted my flower, and you’re humiliating me by changing your mind. I will make you keep our promise my way. I’ll take my leave for now!”

Huayan’s Imperial Capital. Minghui Palace.

Chiyun Ping was leaning against the corridor railings, looking at the distant scenery when Chiyun Yuexuan entered Minghui Palace. It had been a while since he last visited her.

Chiyun Ping turned around and lazily leaned on the rail. “It must have troubled you to still remember about me. This place of mine is going to turn into the Cold Palace soon.”

Chiyun Yuexuan lowered his head. “I’ve encountered some trouble recently, so I didn’t have time to visit you.”

Sarcasm could be heard in Chiyun Ping’s tone, “I heard that His Majesty forcefully betrothed his younger sister to you so that you’d give up on Murong Zhining. Are you going to become a princess’ husband now?”

Chiyun Yuexuan said, “You don’t know yet? Father helped me evade this marriage. His Majesty… hasn’t come to see you recently?”

Chiyun Ping bitterly said, “How can he still remember about me when his heart has nothing but Murong Zhining? On the birthday of Murong Zhining’s imperial father, he sent an envoy to congratulate him, and probably to prepare for his next step to ask for her hand in marriage as well. Who knows, maybe he’s already sent someone to do it.”

Chiyun Yuexuan punched the railing. “Must he insist on humiliating me like this?”

Chiyun Ping smiled painfully. “So what if he does? He is the emperor. Listen to me, find a girl and get married, just live a good life and forget all about this.”

On the way back to the General Estate, Chiyun Yuexuan’s emotions went through ups and downs. The heart that he spent over half a year to calm down, like a pond being thrown at with a stone, was rippling one round after another. He was unable to calm down no matter what. He repeatedly asked himself, could he really forget Murong Zhining? Was it that only Yan Feng mustn’t marry her, or was it everyone else who wasn’t allowed to marry her? He thought he’d be fine as long as it wasn’t Yan Feng, but today, when he heard that Murong Zhining wanted to recruit a husband, his world felt like it was collapsing. It suddenly dawned upon Chiyun Yuexuan that if he lost Murong Zhining, he’d live in agony for the rest of his life.

The first thing Chiyun Yuexuan did after returning home was summon Wu Siyuan, Cai Sang, and Luo Siyao.

“I have thought it through, I will go to Shangxia and take back Murong Zhining. Whatever will happen in the future, I won’t change my mind again. Wu Siyuan, arrange a team of troops. They, along with Cai Sang and Luo Siyao will reinforce me and Princess in Shangxia. I will ride a fast horse to Shangxia first and get the princess out, then meet you guys on the way back to Huayan. As for Officer Wu, remain in the General Estate and take care of military matters in my stead.”

Wu Siyuan was caught between worries and delight. “It’s a good thing that General finally cheers up and decides to pursue true love, but you need to be clear about what you’re going to be facing. Also, are you sure you can take Princess to leave the palace? What will you do if she refuses to go with you?”

Cai Sang mumbled, “How about General stops harming our princess?”

However, Chiyun Yuexuan was extremely resolute this time, “I’ll bring her back even if I have to tie her up. Just rest assured and meet us on the way.” He then cast Cai Sang a profound glance. “I will never hurt her again. I will compensate her using the rest of my life.”

Wu Siyuan said, “Please rest assured, General, I will personally bring the girls to meet you halfway.”

Chiyun Yuexuan punched him sightly. “I can’t involve you, you’re about to marry Princess Jingrong. Just listen and stay here, don’t interfere with my business.”

—–

Tuoba Zhi was reading a book in the study when a manservant rushed inside in a panic. “Young Master, it’s bad! Just now Young Miss was kidnapped on her way to the palace.”

Tuoba Zhi paled in fright. “How did this happen? Did you see what her captors looked like?”

The manservant was trembling all over. “Every time Young Miss visited the palace, it was always me who delivered her to the palace gate. Today, I originally wanted to drive the carriage, but Young Miss said she wanted to walk. When we just reached the second street, a horse carriage suddenly rushed over. I was scared and quickly jumped aside to make way. After the carriage passed, Young Miss had already gone missing, I only found her handkerchief on the ground.”

His heart torn with anxiety, Tuoba Zhi immediately went to the palace to see Murong Zhining.

Murong Zhining greeted him. “Lan’er promised to come today, but there’s been no sign of her yet! I was getting anxious, and you came. What happened?”

Tuoba Zhi said urgently, “The servant who walked her to the palace came back and said she was taken away by a horse carriage. I actually still held some hope that she had come to the palace herself. What are we supposed to do now?”

Murong Zhining knitted her brows. “Mister Tuoba, please calm down. We need to think of a way together.” She delivered a cup of tea to his hand. “Did the servant see what the captor looked like? Who would have been so brazen to kidnap a person in broad daylight?”

Tuoba Zhi was beside himself with confusion and panic. “The servant said he didn’t see the other party. After a carriage passed by, Lan’er already disappeared without a trace, only her handkerchief was left on the ground.”

Murong Zhining frowned. “I think I know where she is. Gao Chenghao.”

A horse carriage drove out from the palace entrance and towards the suburbs of Nanjin until it stopped before a manor, above the gate of which was a plaque saying “Gao Estate.” At the two sides of the stone lion at the entrance stood two armed guards.

Tuoba Zhi spoke to the guards, “Please inform your master that Tuoba Zhi requests a meeting.”

Shortly after, a servant came out with a response, “My master said he didn’t know Mister Tuoba.”

Murong Zhining got off the carriage. “Please inform Fourth Prince that Murong Zhining requests a meeting.”

Very soon, Gao Chenghao hurriedly strode out to greet them. “My apologies, I wasn’t aware of Princess’ arrival and was unable to welcome you soon enough. Please come in!”

Gao Chenghao led Murong Zhining and Tuoba Zhi into the lobby where everyone took their seat.

Gao Chenghao started with a provoking smile, “For Princess to personally visit to my humble abode, there must be an important matter?”

Murong Zhining smiled gently. “Miss Tuoba was kidnapped on her way to the palace today. I’ve heard that Your Highness knows a lot of people in Nanjin, so we’ve come to ask you to help us investigate around. If we can find Miss Tuoba, I will certainly thank you properly.”

Gao Chenghao’s eyes glistened. “So you’ve come for Miss Tuoba. Indeed, I do know some people from jianghu , I will send people to ask them. Please wait a while, Princess.”

Murong Zhining and Tuoba Zhi quietly exchanged glances.

Gao Chenghao went out to the courtyard, and it didn’t take long before he returned. “Please rest assured, Princess, I have sent my people to ask around for the whereabouts of Miss Tuoba. I believe we’ll have a result soon. For now, please come with me to my study, I have something to consult Princess on.”

Tuoba Zhi quickly stood up, but Gao Chenghao smiled towards him. “Please wait here, Mister Tuoba. I and Princess have an important matter to discuss in private.”

Tuoba Zhi shook his head. “That can’t do. I came together with Princess, I need to ensure her safety.”

Gao Chenghao smiled chillingly. “Please rest assured, Mister Tuoba, this is Shangxia. I know well enough to not cause Princess any harm under someone else’s roof.”

Murong Zhining exchanged glances with Tuoba Zhi and said, “Fourth Prince is someone of status. Mister Tuoba can wait here at ease.”

Murong Zhining entered the study with three walls of thick bookcases. Gao Chenghao didn’t stop here, but instead walked to a bookcase and pushed it to the side. Then, he pressed on the mechanism and a secret door opened behind the bookcase. Gao Chenghao made an inviting gesture to Murong Zhining.

Looking at the pitch black space behind the door, Murong Zhining was a bit scared. She stood still on the spot, refusing to go forward. “What do you mean, Your Highness? Can’t we talk here in the study?”

Gao Chenghao smiled impudently, “Princess is scared? Isn’t it a little late to only feel scared now?”

Taking one step forth, he grabbed Murong Zhining and pulled her into the secret chamber. The heavy iron gate slammed down with a “bang.”

Murong Zhining’s heart sank instantly, she broke out into a cold sweat.