Chapter 99
"Steward Liu, where is the assassin?" The guards of the prince's manor rushed in, puzzled by the undisturbed state of the room.
"He escaped! Oh heavens, hurry and chase him—he went that way!" Liu Ming pointed frantically in the direction the assassin had fled.
"Escaped? Steward Liu, did he take anything with him?" The guard frowned, scanning the room for signs of a struggle.
Yet, Steward Liu's panic seemed genuine.
But they hadn’t detected any intruders entering the manor.
"He kidnapped Young Master Wei!" Liu Ming exclaimed in distress, thinking, This is terrible! How are we going to explain this to the Wei Family?
"Young Master Wei?" The guards were even more confused. Why was the Wei Family’s young master in their manor, and how had he been kidnapped?
"Good grief, hurry and chase him! And you—go to the Liu Family and inform Prince An!" Liu Ming spun around anxiously, regretting his kindness in inviting Young Master Wei into the manor. Now that something has happened, how will I face the Wei Family?
This will only bring trouble to His Highness!
At the Liu Residence
Xu Heming was tallying the gold from Liu Zongcheng’s side courtyard when a guard hurried over and whispered something in his ear.
Liu Zongcheng, who had been slumped in defeat, suddenly perked up with triumph.
Success!
With Xu Heming’s son in his grasp, Xu Heming wouldn’t dare report this to the Emperor.
Once he shared some of the gold with him, the matter would be settled.
Thinking this, Liu Zongcheng stood up, brushed off nonexistent dust from his robes, and swaggered toward Xu Heming with a smug expression.
Xu Heming frowned upon hearing the guard’s report.
Young Master Wei was kidnapped from the manor?
That brat has always been at odds with my son. Why was he even there?
And how was he kidnapped so conveniently?
Xu Heming rubbed his temples. He was known for his decisive actions, and it was no secret he had enemies—plenty of them in Lanuo Kingdom.
But for someone to dare kidnap someone from Prince An’s manor so brazenly was unprecedented.
Yet, the bigger question was—why? The boy had nothing to do with him.
What did the kidnapper want?
"Prince An!" Liu Zongcheng approached Xu Heming with a triumphant grin, his eyes gloating.
"Minister Liu, do you have business with me?" Xu Heming narrowed his eyes. There was something unsettling about Liu Zongcheng’s expression—almost as if he held some leverage over him.
But Xu Heming was not one to be controlled by anyone.
"Prince An, I know where your son is. If you cooperate with me now, I’ll ensure his safety!" Liu Zongcheng whispered smugly.
Son?
Xu Heming was momentarily stunned. My son is at the Li Family’s residence. Unless... the Li Family conspired with the Lius?
No!
Suddenly, he recalled the guard’s words—Wei Herui had been kidnapped from the manor.
Xu Heming stared at Liu Zongcheng in silence.
Then, he laughed.
"What are you laughing at?"
Liu Zongcheng faltered. He had expected fear or pleading, not amusement.
"Minister Liu, I’m still young. I can have more sons. But exposing you before the Emperor? That’s a one-time opportunity." Xu Heming spoke each word deliberately.
"Impossible!" Liu Zongcheng staggered back, disbelief written across his face. Wasn’t Prince An known for doting on his only son?
How could he react like this?
"Why not? It’s not as if I’m incapable of having more heirs. And Minister Liu—have you considered that the person you had kidnapped might not be my son?" Xu Heming dropped another bombshell.
"No!" Liu Zongcheng refused to believe it. The man he had sent was a skilled martial artist he’d once saved—a master of stealth.
Sneaking into the palace unnoticed would be child’s play for him.
How could he possibly kidnap the wrong child?
Liu Zongcheng was convinced Xu Heming was bluffing.
"Guards, escort the Liu Family to the Imperial Prison to await judgment!" Xu Heming ignored Liu Zongcheng’s shock and issued the command.
"You can’t arrest us! My daughter is Consort Liu, the Emperor’s favorite! If you dare touch us, she’ll make you pay!" Madam Lou shrieked, stunned that Xu Heming would order their arrest.
Given her daughter’s infatuation with him, she had assumed Xu Heming held some affection for her.
But the cold indifference in his eyes now shattered that illusion.
"Consort Liu? Don’t worry—she’ll soon be reunited with your family."
Xu Heming’s face twisted in disgust at the mention of Liu Ruyan. That wretched woman!
Even a thousand cuts wouldn’t satisfy his hatred. And now, Liu Zongcheng had dared send someone to kidnap from his manor.
If Xu Qingshi had been home, it would have been him taken instead.
The thought made Xu Heming’s gaze turn glacial.
"Your Highness, what should we do with the gold?" Qingsong asked cautiously, noting Xu Heming’s dark expression.
"Pack it into chests and deliver it to the palace—with great fanfare! Let His Majesty see what his beloved consort’s father has been hiding!" Xu Heming emphasized great fanfare and beloved consort with biting sarcasm.
Hmph. Liu Ruyan dared extend her reach into my manor, and her father sent men to kidnap from it. They will suffer my wrath.
Let’s see how the Emperor defends her after this.
"And the young master..." Qingsong had overheard Liu Zongcheng’s words and feared Xu Qingshi had truly been taken.
"He’s fine. The one kidnapped was Wei Herui of the Wei Family. Send word to them." Xu Heming didn’t understand why Wei Herui had been in his manor, but rescuing the Wei Family’s heir was their responsibility.
The Wei Family was powerful enough to handle it.
Besides, this wasn’t his doing—they had no reason to blame him.
"Yes!" Qingsong wondered who Liu Zongcheng had hired to mistake Young Master Wei for his own young lord.
East City Abandoned Temple
"Great hero! Whoosh! Fly with me again!" Wei Herui gazed at the black-clad man with starry-eyed admiration.
He had flown earlier—it was incredible!
He wanted to experience it again!
