Chapter 206: Liu's Encounter with Danger

He hurried along the road.

Before long, Luo Zijun had already arrived at the street outside the Jia Mansion.

He forced himself to calm down.

At a time like this, he absolutely could not panic.

Liu was a young lady from an official's family, primarily acting as bait; even if she had already been abducted, the other party would absolutely not harm her for the time being.

The most likely scenario was that Liu was indeed currently at the Jia Mansion.

It was not easy to forge the carriages and maids of the Jia Family.

If they were fake, it would be impossible for them to travel down the street so brazenly, and Liu would not have been easily deceived.

Therefore, there was a high probability that these were all real.

And the timing for the other party to make their move would be in the evening, when the female members of the Jia Mansion were preparing to leave the mansion and enter the palace.

At that time, Liu would also be leaving.

Perhaps the other party would find an excuse to lure her away, or perhaps they would simply abduct her by force.

At that time, the attention of everyone in the Four Great Families would be on the palace.

So that time would be the best opportunity.

As Luo Zijun thought this, he was just about to enter an alley when he suddenly saw a familiar figure walking out of it.

In a green jacket and blue skirt, with a slender figure, pretty appearance, and graceful charm, it was actually Qingwen, known as the "Little Lin Daiyu"!

Luo Zijun's expression shifted, and he immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying, "Miss Qingwen."

Qingwen was walking in a hurry; seeing someone come over to speak, she was startled, thinking it was someone coming to flirt. Just as she was about to glare and scold, she suddenly recognized the person and was immediately filled with surprise, saying, "Young Master Luo? Why are you here?"

Luo Zijun did not exchange pleasantries and hurriedly asked, "Is Miss Liu in your mansion?"

Qingwen was taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "So you came for Miss Liu. She is here, in the back courtyard talking with a few young ladies."

Upon hearing this, Luo Zijun felt a secret sense of relief in his heart.

Sure enough, his guess was correct.

The other party was not in a hurry to act right now, but was waiting for the best opportunity.

Qingwen smiled and said, "Why, Young Master Luo, you came here in such a rush all by yourself—are you afraid that our Jia Mansion's young ladies might eat your Miss Liu?"

Luo Zijun said, "No, I was just passing by and asked casually."

Qingwen said, "Passing by? Isn't Young Master Luo going to our Jia Mansion?"

Luo Zijun said, "No, I am preparing to go over there to find a friend. What about you, Miss Qingwen? Why are you out by yourself?"

Qingwen smiled and said, "I'm preparing to go to the clothing shop to buy some things. They are all small items, and I was afraid those young maids wouldn't buy them well, so I came out myself."

Luo Zijun still had things to do and did not chat with her further; he cupped his hands and said, "Then I won't disturb you, Miss. I also have to go see my friend."

Having said that, he took his leave and walked directly toward the street ahead.

Qingwen hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said to his back, "Young Master Luo, are the words you said to me last time still valid?"

Luo Zijun paused his steps, turned his head to look at her, and said, "What words?"

Qingwen's gaze turned wistful as she said, "Young Master Luo said that if I couldn't survive in the Jia Mansion in the future, I should come find you. Have you forgotten, Young Master?"

Luo Zijun was stunned and said, "They are valid."

Only then did Qingwen smile brightly and say, "Thank you, Young Master."

Having said that, she waved her hand and left with a light step.

Luo Zijun also walked away quickly, bypassed a small alley, and immediately headed toward the Bai Mansion.

He thought about it carefully.

If he went to the Jia Mansion now, he would definitely alert the enemy.

If the other party gave up today, they would naturally try again tomorrow; in that case, he and Liu would be in danger forever.

Therefore, he had to find a way to completely resolve this trouble.

He decided to go back and find the Bai Third Miss, using the power of the Bai Family to completely eradicate those people tonight.

As for the mastermind behind the scenes...

If he hadn't guessed wrong, it should be Lai Da, who was hiding in the Jia Family.

He would solve these lackeys tonight, and then deal with him later.

If he could interrogate some information out of these lackeys, that would naturally be for the best.

Thinking along the way, he soon returned to the Anguo Mansion.

It was now the Shen hour of the afternoon.

Bai Qingtong was at home, preparing with others for the banquet in the palace tonight.

Many female members of the Bai Family were entering the palace for the first time.

Therefore, there were many rules that needed to be taught in advance, so as not to lose etiquette when facing the nobles in the palace later.

After Bai Qingtong saw him, without waiting for him to speak, she immediately said, "Brother-in-law, where have you run off to again? I already sent Hua'er to look for you several times. We are entering the palace this evening, and there are some rules that need to be explained to you."

Luo Zijun said directly, "Third Miss, I have something to discuss with you. Can we go outside to talk?"

At this time, Bai Qingtong was talking with a group of people in the small courtyard; hearing this, she was stunned, but without any hesitation, she immediately walked toward the door.

"Brother-in-law, what is the matter?"

Arriving outside the door, Bai Qingtong asked immediately.

Seeing that there was no one around, Luo Zijun leaned close to her and whispered, "Third Miss, I have something I need your help with. It concerns Miss Liu, and it also concerns me."

Seeing that his expression was wrong, Bai Qingtong hurriedly said, "Please speak, Brother-in-law."

Luo Zijun whispered, "I received news today that someone intends to take advantage of our entry into the palace to abduct Liu, and then lure me over to kill me." As soon as these words were spoken, Bai Qingtong's face changed drastically.

Luo Zijun added, "Liu is currently at the Jia Mansion. If I haven't guessed wrong, when the female members of the Jia Mansion leave this evening, Liu will leave on her own, and at that time, someone will take the opportunity to trick her away or abduct her..."

Bai Qingtong frowned slightly and asked, "What would you like me to do, brother-in-law?"

She did not ask about the source of this information, nor did she doubt the truth of these matters.

Luo Zijun said, "I would like to ask Third Miss to go over and protect her, ask about her situation, and secretly send people to play along with their scheme to help me catch those people."

Bai Qingtong did not hesitate at all and nodded, saying, "Alright."

Luo Zijun hurriedly informed her of his other suspicions, as well as the locations where the other party might be lying in ambush.

"The Earth Temple in the south of the city?"

After hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Bai Qingtong's eyes, and she said, "Rest assured, brother-in-law. You are a member of my Bai Family. Since those people want to harm you, I will absolutely not let them off tonight."

She then added, "Brother-in-law, don't worry. Just stay at home. I will take people to resolve this matter. If there is any situation, I will send someone back to notify you."

After speaking, she immediately entered the door and said to the people in the courtyard, "No need to wait for me tonight. You all set off with Mother and the others. I still have some matters to attend to and need to go to the Jia Mansion. I will enter the palace with the people from the Jia Mansion then."

!

After giving her instructions, she took her maidservants and nannies out and went directly to find the head of the guards, Chu Jingzhong.

Chu Jingzhong was a martial artist with the cultivation of a Martial Master. He was from the maternal side of her mother, Chu Meixiang, and could be considered one of her uncles. He had followed her mother as a servant since she married into the family, and for so many years, he had been loyal to the Bai Family.

Soon, several carriages, surrounded by guards, left the gate and drove toward the Jia Mansion.

At the same time.

Luo Zijun returned to Junzi Residence, gave instructions to Xiaohuan and Zhiyuan, and also left the house.

After changing into a tight-fitting outfit in a small alley and putting on a Bamboo Hat, he went straight to the Earth Temple in the south of the city.

He prepared to go and scout the area first.

Bai Qingtong's carriage soon arrived at the Jia Mansion.

Hearing the news, the people of the Jia Mansion hurriedly came out to welcome her, while at the same time, they all felt some confusion in their hearts.

Weren't they about to enter the palace soon?

Bai Qingtong got off the carriage, and surrounded by several maidservants and nannies, she entered the Jia Mansion. She smiled at Jia Tanchun and the others who came out to greet her, saying, "I came over to ask how many people from your household are going to the palace tonight, and how many servants you are bringing. I'm afraid it won't be good if too many people go, but if too few go, I'm afraid they will say we don't attach enough importance to it, so I'm a bit troubled. Presumably, Imperial Concubine should have reminded you, right?"

Seeing that she came for this matter, Jia Tanchun smiled and said, "Most of the female family members of our Jia Mansion will go, and Old Ancestor will also go. As for the maidservants and nannies, we are only bringing one each. As for the guards, they will naturally have to stay outside the palace."

As the two talked, they entered the mansion.

Bai Qingtong said, "I will enter the palace with you later; I won't go back to my residence."

Jia Tanchun smiled and said, "That is naturally fine."

The group went to the backyard. Seeing that there were no other servants around, Bai Qingtong suddenly asked in a low voice, "Is Liu here?"

Jia Tanchun was startled upon hearing this and asked with some confusion, "How did you know?"

Bai Qingtong smiled, pulled her to the side, and said, "Tanchun, I have a few words to say to you."

Jia Tanchun glanced at him and had the maidservants and nannies stop where they were.

The two walked to the side.

Bai Qingtong leaned into her ear and whispered the purpose of his visit.

After hearing this, Jia Tanchun's expression changed slightly, but she quickly returned to normal and smiled, "I was wondering what it was; isn't it just that you want to see the 'One Sleeve of Clear Breeze' fan I just acquired? Being all mysterious—let's go, I'll show it to you. If you like it, I'll just give it to you."

Bai Qingtong smiled and said, "Since when has Tanchun been so generous?"

Jia Tanchun rolled her eyes and said, "Have I ever been stingy before?"

The two chatted and laughed as they went to the courtyard behind.

As soon as they entered the door, Jia Tanchun's expression tightened, and she whispered, "Qingtong, is this matter true?"

Bai Qingtong said, "Let me ask you, was it your own initiative to have Xiao Chan invite Liu to the Jia Mansion?"

Jia Tanchun was about to nod when her expression suddenly changed slightly.

After a pause, she frowned and said, "I hadn't thought of it originally, after all, we are entering the palace tonight. Near noon today, one of Yingchun's nannies came over and secretly told me that Yingchun looked a bit dejected and unhappy, so she suggested that I invite Liu over to chat and liven things up, and by the way, get closer to Liu, since Yingchun will be living there in the future..."

"I listened, and it also felt reasonable. At that time, Cuimo and I, as well as others, were busy, so I let Xiao Chan go..."

Bai Qingtong asked again, "Is that nanny still in the mansion?"

Jia Tanchun said, "She is still here; she should still be by Yingchun's side. Liu and Daiyu and the others are also there."

Bai Qingtong said, "How long has that nanny been in your mansion?"

Jia Tanchun thought for a moment and said, "At least ten years or more. She has always followed Yingchun, and she is usually quite a good person."

Bai Qingtong pondered for a moment and asked again, "What about her family?"

Jia Tanchun thought carefully and said, "I only heard that she has a son and a grandson in Lin County. She occasionally asks for leave to visit them, and it's not far."

Bai Qingtong was silent and did not speak again.

Jia Tanchun said, "Should we bring her in for questioning?"

Bai Qingtong hurriedly said, "No rush. Don't alert the enemy for now; wait until evening to see the situation. However, you can first have a maidservant keep an eye on her. If she is truly passing on information, she will definitely show her true colors."

Jia Tanchun nodded, her expression cold as she said, "If she really is a traitor who bites the hand that feeds her, I will definitely not spare her!"

Bai Qingtong said, "Let's go, let's go talk to Liu as well."

The two went out and, surrounded by a crowd of maidservants and nannies, went to the backyard where Jia Mu was.

At the same time.

Luo Zijun also transformed into Dongfang Junnan and arrived at the Earth Temple in the south of the city.

(End of this chapter)