Chen Xiaobei and Liu Tie, along with over twenty people, left Hetou Village in grand style, rushing towards Jizhou that very night.
However, there were those even faster than Chen Xiaobei: Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying.
The next morning, the two had already arrived at a place only a little over a hundred li from Jizhou.
They had been running non-stop since noon the previous day, and their horses were truly exhausted, forcing them to stop and rest for a while.
Ahead was a crossroads. By the roadside were several food stalls selling noodles and steamed buns.
A few thatched huts also exuded the aroma of food, looking like small eateries.
Huang Ying stepped forward, intending to enter a thatched hut, but was stopped by Shen Ziyan. "Alright, let's just grab a simple bite and hurry on."
The two ordered a bowl of noodles each. Before they could even start eating, a few people arrived from the north, sat down, and immediately began to talk.
"I don't know when this siege of Jizhou will end. I've wanted to go home to see my mother for half a month but haven't been able to get in."
"Who isn't? My family is waiting for me to bring back money for rice."
"Alright, alright, you two, stop complaining. Eat quickly. After eating, those who have relatives go to them, those who have friends rely on them. We three will part ways here."
"Yes, I can only go to my second uncle's. I don't know when this siege will end."
Hearing these words, Ziyan and Huang Ying exchanged glances.
Shen Ziyan gestured towards the noodles, signaling Huang Ying to eat quickly.
These words greatly reassured Ziyan. Since the Crown Prince's forces were surrounding the city and couldn't get in, at least Cui Hongyu wouldn't fall into Zhu Meng's hands.
In fact, Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying didn't realize something at this moment. They had ridden their horses furiously through the night, but Chen Sanqiu and Liu Xiaobao's group were traveling by carriage, which was inherently slower, and they would naturally stay in inns at night. Therefore, they had actually been left far behind.
After hastily finishing their noodles, the two continued forward. After traveling another forty to fifty li, military camps began to appear along the sides of the road.
As they walked, they inquired and soon found Liu Rumei's tent. Liu Rumei was greatly surprised to see them.
"My two sisters, why have you come here?"
Before she could finish speaking, Huang Ying's eyes were already teary.
Shen Ziyan, naturally much stronger, briefly explained the situation.
Upon hearing that Cui Hongyu had been kidnapped, Liu Rumei was instantly enraged.
"How audacious! Someone dares to kidnap Sister Hongyu. My two sisters, please rest here for a moment. I will arrange for people to search for her."
Liu Rumei had also brought many people with her, including Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang.
To be on the safe side, Liu Rumei decided to ask the Crown Prince for more men.
Upon meeting the Crown Prince, Liu Rumei spoke directly. "Your Highness, something major has happened in Qingniu County again. Chen Xiaobei's wife, Cui Hongyu, has been kidnapped. Based on the clues, the kidnappers are highly likely to bring Cui Hongyu to Jizhou to collect a reward from Zhu Meng."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun's brow furrowed. "Something like this has actually happened."
He then turned to Zhou Quan. "Immediately arrange for men to set up checkpoints at various intersections within a hundred li along the route. We must find Cui Hongyu." Su Dan Novel Network
Liu Rumei quickly bowed. "Your Highness, please hear my counsel."
"Your Highness, if we set up heavy checkpoints, the villains will not be able to approach and will inevitably turn elsewhere, making it even more difficult for us to find them."
Xiao Jingyun looked at Liu Rumei. "Then what is your suggestion?"
"Your Highness, I suggest we set a limit of one hundred li and dispatch more scouts. If any suspicious individuals are found, they should be secretly investigated. If Cui Hongyu is discovered, she should be rescued immediately."
Xiao Jingyun nodded. "Very well, everything will be as you say. Zhou Quan, go and make arrangements. Send out more scouts who recognize Cui Hongyu."
Xiao Jingyun agreed to Liu Rumei's wishes.
However, Liu Rumei could see that Xiao Jingyun was still troubled. It was understandable, as Ge Cun's head had yet to be found.
"Your Highness, there will always be a solution. Please do not worry."
Xiao Jingyun sighed. "Alright, you may go now. Let me think about this further."
In reality, Liu Rumei also knew that it would be difficult to find Ge Cun's head without entering Jizhou city.
But the risk of entering the city was too great.
She returned to her tent and found Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan gone. Upon inquiring, she was told they had gone to the Princess's tent.
Liu Rumei also knew that going to see the Princess most likely meant seeing the Lotus Cult Master, as the three of them were sisters in the same lineage.
Princess Zhaoning, upon hearing that the two wished to see her, naturally understood the reason. She initially didn't want to see them, but then thought she ought to give them an explanation. She then instructed the attendant beside her, "Let them both in. You all may leave now."
Soon, Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying entered Princess Zhaoning's grand tent. They respectfully knelt on one knee to pay their respects to the Princess.
"My two loyal subjects, there is no need for such formality. Please rise quickly."
"And do not be too constrained here. Please sit as you please."
Shen Ziyan bowed again and respectfully said, "Your Highness, Princess, where is my Senior Sister, the Lotus Cult Master? I haven't seen her for a long time..."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoning's expression changed slightly, a look of unease flashing across her face.
"Oh, my master has gone out on some business."
However, Shen Ziyan sensed from the Princess's hesitant and vague expression that things were not so simple. She pressed further. "Your Highness, Princess, where exactly has my Senior Sister gone? Please give us a definite answer. We will go and find her now!"
After a moment of hesitation, Princess Zhaoning sighed again. She knew that the truth would eventually be revealed.
"Alas, my two sisters, I will not hide it from you any longer. It is all my fault."
Hearing this, Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying exchanged glances, immediately having a sense of foreboding that something major had happened.
As expected, Princess Zhaoning stood up and came before them, even bowing to them. "My two Senior Aunts, I, Xiao Jingfeng, am truly sorry to you."
Upon hearing herself addressed as Senior Aunt, they realized even more that this matter was definitely not minor.
"Your Highness, Princess, please do not address us as such. You are humbling us too much. Just say what you need to say directly."
As Shen Ziyan finished speaking, Princess Zhaoning's eyes began to redden.
"My two Senior Aunts, my master went to Jizhou city a couple of days ago to gather information and was captured. Chu Han and the little girl were also captured with her."
"What?" Huang Ying became agitated upon hearing this. "Where is my Senior Sister? Tell me quickly, I will go and rescue her now!"
"She is, she is in Jizhou city. I don't know anything else." After saying this, Princess Zhaoning wept uncontrollably.
Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan exchanged glances and silently withdrew.
They knew that Princess Zhaoning's tears were genuine. She must have regretted sending her master to Jizhou city. But what was the use of regret now? The incident had already happened. The most important thing now was to solve the problem.