After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 437 Multiple Events Simultaneously, Wedding in Disarray

Lin Shenxuan led the large group that came from the Beiao Ridge mountain pass straight to Shilipo.

With sturdy horses for transportation, the speed increased several times over.

However, just past noon, they reached the cliff where the accident occurred.

The soldiers of Beiaoling are very experienced in mountain rescue, after all, they have been secretly training in the mountains for many years.

They've been training for a thousand days to use them for one day; now it's their turn to display their might.

Having brought the people to their exact location, Lin Shenxuan did not delay any longer and directly entrusted the rescue matter entirely to the highest-ranking general of Beiaoling.

He then carried his son's sword on his back and went straight back to the city.

He was certain that his son was either in a prince's residence or in a prince's villa.

Now that everything is arranged, both internally and externally, it's just a matter of seeing what the other side will do.

The Jiang family was unaware of the chaos inside and outside the city.

Jiang Xiaoqi only encountered his great-uncle Jiang Changqing by chance while on duty, and heard him mention him a few times. He had not seen Lord Wu for the past two days.

Lord Wu did not ask for leave, and the day before, members of the Wu family came to the Ministry of Works looking for him.

This seems like something to be ashamed of?

The Minister of Works, a dignified and living person, has been missing for two days. Isn't that just a loss?

Jiang Xiaoqi didn't know if there was another reason or if the person was really missing, so she only released a few carrier pigeons when she returned home.

Regardless, obtaining firsthand information is extremely important for survival in the Great Zhou Dynasty; the Jiang family cannot afford to be deaf and blind.

Even after the carrier pigeons were released, I still felt uneasy. In two days, it would be a day off, which would also be the day of the Crown Prince's wedding.

For some reason, I have a feeling that the eldest prince is going to cause trouble.

Although they didn't send an invitation to the Chiang family for their wedding, it's understandable given that the Chiang family isn't as influential as it used to be.

Strangely, the Crown Prince's residence sent an invitation to Liu Peng, and not only Liu Peng, but also the sons of high-ranking officials were invited.

This is very strange. They didn't send an invitation to Prime Minister Liu, but instead sent one to his grandson. They didn't send an invitation to the General, but instead sent one to his only son…

This has a rather sinister feel to it.

Should we follow others' example and detain hostages, forcing all the important officials in the court to change their stance?

Those who don't stand with the eldest prince are made to have no descendants and have their most outstanding descendants killed?

Haha, that's really mean. I can't believe he came up with that.

This is a double-edged sword. While there is a chance of success in bringing everyone over, isn't the chance of pushing everyone to the opposite side much greater?

These ministers are used to high positions and great power. Would they really be threatened by a prince?

He thought he had found someone's weakness, but little did he know that this weakness was also a knife that could be plunged into his own throat.

With the wedding approaching, the Crown Prince's residence saw frequent visits.

Not only the side gates and corner gates, but the main gate was opened two or three times.

Of course, it's not to welcome any distinguished guests.

Instead, they built a stage—yes, the kind of large stage used for opera performances.

No one knows who gave the idea to the eldest prince, but he actually hired the most famous opera troupe in the capital to perform some festive plays on his wedding day.

Whether it was simply to highlight the joy of the wedding is something only the person who came up with the idea and the eldest prince himself know.

As night fell, the officials from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War, dressed in their finest attire, finally arrived in the city.

At this time, Lord Wu's eyes were already somewhat sunken. Having worked in the Ministry of Works for many years, he could still distinguish between natural disasters and man-made ones.

There were obvious signs of artificial excavation at Shilipo. They really stumbled this time. Fortunately, Old Lin had a backup plan, otherwise his old bones would have died in a small cave.

Lord Wu returned in a low-key manner, disguising himself as an ordinary cloth merchant when entering the city. Having been hungry for two days and two nights, he was not in good spirits, which also concealed much of the imposing aura he had cultivated over many years as an official.

The city guards gave the group a cursory inspection and then allowed them to pass, but the soldiers from Bei'ao Ridge were not allowed to enter the city.

There was no way around it; there were just too many people, and their equipment was too conspicuous.

However, Lin Shenxuan had already made arrangements. Once it was completely dark, the guards at the city gates would be replaced by people arranged by the Ministry of War. At that time, the main force could quietly enter the city and continue to lie in wait.

Upon returning to the city, Lin Shenxuan went straight home. Madam Lin was relieved to see her husband and immediately began to inquire about Lin Qi's whereabouts.

"Qi'er must have been secretly abducted back to the city. I found no trace of her outside the city."

"What should we do then? Since it's in the city, let's mobilize more government officials to search!"

Mrs. Lin's dark circles were getting worse. She hadn't been eating or sleeping well for the past two days. She had finally waited for her husband to return, but there was still no news of her son.

“A large-scale search is useless. If they intend to hide someone, do you think they'll let us search freely? Besides, we can't just go in and search every place in the capital.”

"master!?"

Lin Shenxuan nodded, "Just as Madam thought, Qi'er still fell into that person's hands."

Mrs. Lin took out a crumpled letter from her purse. The letter was unsigned and had a hole in the middle.

"This is?"

"The steward took the letter from the arrow. The head guard chased him for several streets but couldn't catch him. He's a master among masters."

Lin Shenxuan snorted coldly, "He really wants to force everyone to take sides on his wedding day!"

"Is it the eldest prince?!" It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

"Hmm, it seems things won't be peaceful in the next two days, but one thing is certain: Qi'er's life won't be in danger in the next two days."

Since they are hostages, only those who are alive have any value that poses a threat to us.

"Master, I'm still not at ease. Could you secretly send someone to scout out Qi'er's approximate location? Even if we can't rescue him immediately, I'll feel more at ease."

"Don't worry, Madam. I had already arranged for people when we entered the city. There have been quite a few people coming and going from the First Prince's residence these past two days. It's not unusual for one or two actors to sneak in."

Perhaps before the Crown Prince even makes a move, we can secretly rescue Qi'er. His attempt to threaten court officials will be thwarted!

Lin Shenxuan wasn't entirely confident, but he still had to say it in front of his wife: he would bear all the pressure himself.

After hearing her husband's words, Madam Lin visibly relaxed a bit and then remembered to prepare the meal.

My husband lost a lot of weight in just two days. He must be just as anxious as I am. We can't let them ruin their health first.

If they both fall, who can save their son?!

"Granny, quick, have the kitchen prepare some easily digestible food so that Master and I can eat together."

"Yes, Madam! This old servant will have the kitchen prepare it immediately!"

The old woman, who was nearly sixty years old, disappeared from the Lin couple's sight in an instant, as if she had been given superhuman speed.

Granny: Madam is finally eating! Would she let her two legs hold her back? You dead legs, run!

Late at night, the Crown Prince's residence was still brightly lit, as everyone busied themselves preparing for the prince's wedding the day after tomorrow.

The eldest prince stood on the half-built stage, a smug smile on his lips.

In this world, the capable should rule. Father, please don't blame your son. How can I not be the one who has the people's expectations?