Hearing his words, Zhou Quan showed a bitter expression. "Your Highness, to be perfectly frank, I've been secretly searching for days, but to no avail. The Emperor has also sent word from the imperial villa, ordering renowned physicians to be dispatched to Wanning City."
Upon hearing Zhou Quan's report, Liu Xiangnan waved his hand slightly. "This is as expected. Since they went to such lengths to administer the poison, they wouldn't make it easy to cure."
Du Shun, standing nearby, looked worried. "Your Highness, you must be careful from now on. I fear they might make a move against you if the news gets out."
Liu Xiangnan smiled faintly. "Even if they don't make a move against me, I will seek them out. They are a constant threat."
With that, he looked at Zhou Quan. "Later, you will make a big show of things, announcing my return home. I believe they will not miss this opportunity when they hear the news."
Zhou Quan immediately understood. "Your Highness is brilliant! How did I not think of that?"
Soon, Zhou Quan, along with the Crown Prince's guards, made a grand display, moving from the inn with heavy fortifications all the way to Liu Xiangnan's mansion.
The citizens of the city immediately spread the word: Liu Xiangnan had returned, and he was going home to take command.
Before long, Iron Ox rushed to report to Qiu Ye. "Commander, it seems Da Cang has finally managed to invite Liu Xiangnan out of seclusion. The city is bustling with activity! The guards have escorted him directly from the inn to the Liu family's doorstep."
Qiu Ye furrowed her brow slightly. "Oh? Is that so?"
"However, Liu Xiangnan alone is nothing to fear. If he emerges, we can simply eliminate him."
Qiu Ye, along with Iron Ox, blended in with the onlookers in the street. They pushed their way to the front and saw a group of official troops approaching from a distance, complete with gongs and drums, making quite a spectacle. On horseback behind them were two men: the guard captain Zhou Quan and Liu Yuanwen.
Qiu Ye had no interest in such minor figures; her target was Liu Xiangnan. To her disappointment, however, following them were three identical horse-drawn carriages.
Upon seeing this, Qiu Ye secretly admired Liu Xiangnan. He was indeed cunning and resourceful, clearly fearing an ambush on the street and setting up a diversion.
But then again, this diversion was remarkably effective.
Qiu Ye pondered for a long time and then gave up. She could not risk it. If she were to act forcefully, she might be discovered by these imperial guards, leading to trouble. Since daytime was not suitable, she decided on nighttime.
Qiu Ye returned to her lodging and immediately ordered Iron Ox to scout for a layout map of the Liu mansion.
Soon, the layout map of Liu Xiangnan's mansion was placed before Qiu Ye.
Qiu Ye examined it and smiled. The mansion's design was not significantly different from others. The third courtyard was where Liu Xiangnan resided.
Qiu Ye waited until the third watch of the night. After the striking of the drum twice, she quietly slipped out and leaped onto the rooftops, heading towards the Liu mansion.
Qiu Ye moved swiftly, arriving outside Liu Xiangnan's mansion. She saw guards posted everywhere, the security exceptionally tight.
Seeing this, Qiu Ye inwardly chuckled. "A bunch of fools, how could they stop me?"
She then glanced towards a nearby patch of darkness.
Her body, like a nimble cat, descended silently.
At this moment, she was completely unaware that in the deeper darkness, Zhou Quan and Du Shun stood side by side. Witnessing this, they silently gave each other a thumbs-up. Liu Xiangnan was indeed a veteran of many battles; a simple trick, and the opponent had taken the bait.
Unbeknownst to her, Qiu Ye crept all the way to the third courtyard. She noticed one brightly lit room in the center. However, as it was winter, the windows were heavily covered.
She observed from the rooftop for a considerable time, but Qiu Ye could discern nothing of the situation inside. She looked around; the surroundings were silent, much like Xiao Jingyun's security measures – tight on the outside, lax on the inside. The main gate was heavily guarded, but the interior was utterly neglected. Su Dan Novel Network.
Qiu Ye quietly landed on the ground and slowly approached the window. She dipped her finger in some saliva and gently touched the windowpane. A small hole appeared in the paper. Qiu Ye squinted and peered inside.
She saw three or four people inside drinking tea and conversing animatedly. However, upon a quick scan, all the tea-drinkers were young men; Liu Xiangnan was nowhere to be seen.
Strange, according to the standard, this room was Liu Xiangnan's study.
Suddenly, Qiu Ye had an ominous premonition. She thought, "This is bad." She took two steps back, preparing to leap back onto the roof.
At this moment, the sound of blades cutting through the air filled her ears.
"Damn it, I've fallen into their trap."
Qiu Ye stamped her foot and exerted herself to leap onto the roof. But as she rose, she felt something soft touch her head. A large net descended from above, completely ensnaring her.
Feeling the net fall, Qiu Ye realized it was too late to reach for her hidden weapons. The fine silk net tightened the more she struggled, and soon she was unable to move.
The surrounding soldiers then pulled on the fine net, wrapping it around Qiu Ye a couple more times, turning her into a cocoon from which movement was impossible.
Following this, Zhou Quan and Du Shun walked over, their hands behind their backs. Zhou Quan looked at her and, seeing her golden hair and blue eyes, nodded slightly. "Indeed, someone from the Great Tu Kingdom."
Qiu Ye glanced at Zhou Quan and coldly snorted. "Ambushing me, you call yourself a hero? Despicable."
Zhou Quan smiled faintly. "You call me despicable? What about you, striking from the shadows, poisoning the Crown Prince and General Du repeatedly? What do you call that?"
Hearing his words, Qiu Ye fell silent.
Du Shun crouched down, took out a short knife, and made a few gestures near Qiu Ye's face. "If you want to live, hand over the antidote."
"Hahahaha!" Qiu Ye burst into laughter. "If you want my head, take it. But you'll never get the antidote!"
With that, she slowly closed her eyes and remained silent.
Seeing this, Zhou Quan waved his hand, and a puff of white smoke instantly spread. Before Qiu Ye could even grunt, she had fainted.
Next, the surrounding soldiers swarmed forward, carefully dismantling the net and extracting Qiu Ye from within.
They then took Qiu Ye to the dungeon and tied her to a wooden stake. After everything was prepared, someone brought a ladle of water and splashed it on Qiu Ye, waking her up again.
Upon waking and seeing her current state, Qiu Ye instantly understood.
One had to admit, Zhou Quan was truly cautious, drugging her first before tying her up.
Seeing her awake, Zhou Quan smiled faintly.
"I'll give you a chance to hand over the antidote. Perhaps I can spare your life."
Qiu Ye let out another cold laugh. "No need to say more. If you want to kill me, then kill me."
Zhou Quan smiled and said to a few guards nearby, "The rest is up to you."
He then walked out of the dungeon with Du Shun.
Inside the dungeon, the guards had already begun to strip Qiu Ye's clothes.
This action sent a shock through Qiu Ye, her expression changing drastically.
"No, no, don't! Don't you claim to be an army of righteousness?"
Hearing her words, everyone present burst into laughter. "What righteousness or morals can we show you?"
As they spoke, Qiu Ye was left with only a few scraps of cloth.
Qiu Ye was completely broken. Clearly, she had never expected Zhou Quan to resort to such methods to torture her.