Chapter 112: Most Likely the Work of the Southern Yang Kingdom

At that moment, Dongfang Qing returned.

“Princess…” Dongfang Qing looked at Yan Heru with a sense of guilt. Seeing his reaction, Yan Heru immediately knew that he had not found the Ninth Prince.

Though she had already guessed the outcome, she still wanted to ask, “You… haven’t found any trace of the prince?”

Lord Dongfang shook his head. “The entire city has been searched, yet there is still no sign of the prince. This time, the enemy was clearly prepared. I suspect it might be the work of the Nanyang Kingdom. Last time, the prince’s clever strategy led to victory, which may have displeased Nanyang’s Third Prince, Nan An. So although he doesn’t show it openly, he could be scheming behind the scenes.”

Lord Dongfang’s words only deepened Yan Heru’s confusion. If it was truly the Nanyang Kingdom behind this, why send such a message attached to a dart? Why write this matter on it?

Yan Heru trusted Lord Dongfang deeply, so she handed the paper from the dart to him. After reading it, a puzzled expression crossed his face, as if he was reconsidering his earlier suspicion.

“I… I don’t understand why… this…” Lord Dongfang was at a loss for words, clearly very perplexed.

Yan Heru rested her chin on her hand and glanced around the room. Suddenly, she sensed something was amiss.

“A’Nuo? Has anyone seen her?” Yan Heru looked around, but she was nowhere to be found.

Recalling carefully, it seemed that since Shen Hezhi returned to the prince’s residence today, no one had seen A’Nuo.

Mo Yi, hearing this, realized A’Nuo was indeed missing. “It’s been a long time since I last saw her. The last time I saw her, she was sent to clean the courtyard of the pharmacy. Perhaps she is still there. I’ll go check right now.”

Yan Heru nodded, and Mo Yi left.

After a while, Mo Yi returned, her face grave. “She’s not in the pharmacy, and I found the guards in the backyard all unconscious.”

“The guards in the backyard—do you mean the two who watch the main back gate?” Yan Heru asked.

Mo Yi nodded.

Yan Heru had already pieced together what might have happened.

Most likely, A’Nuo went to deliver information. Although they had long suspected this woman, they hadn’t expected her to reveal her true colors so quickly. Had she lost her resolve? Or had she discovered something she shouldn’t have?

“After she sent the message, someone must have tampered with the place—probably used a soporific in that room. Then they took the prince away,” Yan Heru analyzed.

Lord Dongfang found this reasoning quite convincing. Before Yan Heru finished, she added, “As for that note… I really can’t figure out its purpose, but I feel I must give it a try.”

“That absolutely cannot be!” Lord Dongfang immediately rejected the idea. “If anything happens to Your Highness, how will we explain it to the prince?”

Part of his objection was because he believed a woman should not be used as bait; another part was his genuine worry about how he could answer to the Ninth Prince if Yan Heru took such a risk.

He knew all too well how terrifying that man was. Initially, he had admired him, but living and working together in the military camp had thoroughly revealed the prince’s formidable nature.

At first, rumors in the capital painted the Ninth Prince as a reckless playboy, all style and no substance. Yet, in the camp, his performance was completely different.

He had swiftly disciplined undisciplined soldiers with decisive measures, then demonstrated his wisdom by revising training protocols, elevating the entire army’s strength.

Hence, Dongfang Qing now admired and respected Shen Hezhi wholeheartedly.

“But if we don’t try, we won’t know the prince’s whereabouts. You just said you searched the whole city and found nothing,” Yan Heru calmly assessed the situation.

Even if her plan was the best option, Lord Dongfang would not agree.

“This plan is absolutely unacceptable to me. If Your Highness wishes to help, please consider other means. I will investigate this matter thoroughly,” Lord Dongfang’s tone suddenly grew firm.

Yan Heru found it difficult to argue further against such determination. Yet she was no woman to be easily swayed—once she had made up her mind, she would see it through.

Though Lord Dongfang refused her proposal, could his refusal stop her? He certainly wouldn’t bind her hands and feet.

Since he could not restrict her freedom, she would find a way to fulfill her resolve herself.

“Very well. Since Lord Dongfang will investigate, I shall wait here quietly for your news,” she said.

Lord Dongfang had expected her to press on, pondering how to refuse her risking herself. But Yan Heru’s sudden acquiescence puzzled him.

He studied her carefully but, seeing she had indeed relented, he accepted it as a good outcome. He wouldn’t press further—what if she insisted on risking herself again?

He bowed to Yan Heru. “Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. I will handle this matter with utmost care. Please do not worry too much.”

Yan Heru nodded. Lord Dongfang did not linger; this matter was too grave. After reporting to the princess, he needed to continue the search immediately.

News of Shen Hezhi’s disappearance spread through the capital overnight.

Meanwhile, at the Sixth Prince’s residence…

“Unexpectedly, he has gone missing. It seems it must be the work of the Nanyang Kingdom,” the Sixth Prince said leisurely, sipping tea in the courtyard. Standing beside him was Cen Changjing.

Cen Changjing appeared unusually obedient, quite unlike her demeanor when at the Ninth Prince’s residence. “What are your plans next, Sixth Prince?”

“If my younger brother is in trouble, how could I, as his elder brother, not help him?” The Sixth Prince smiled, a sinister scheme veiled beneath his words.