The Prime Minister’s Darling

"Did you have these made?" Gu Jiao asked.

Shangguan Qing said, "Yes, I handed your blueprint to the master at the Iron Shop. Each one is slightly different, with subtle nuances. Which do you think is most similar?"

"Hmm, this one." Gu Jiao picked up the third bronze fanged mask on the right-hand side.

This matter had already passed, but upon hearing that the people from the Swordsmith Lodge had infiltrated the Capital City again, Shangguan Qing began to take it seriously once more.

"Aren't you going back to Yan Country?" Gu Jiao asked him.

Shangguan Qing said nonchalantly, "I can delay my return for a few days."

He first wanted to kill all the bastards from the Swordsmith Lodge.

He took out the mask that Gu Jiao had selected and glanced over to see his pesky younger brother. He quickly said, "You've come at the right time. Draw this mask again, a bit more precisely, so that we can make more copies and distribute them for the guards to search."

"Alright," Xiao Hen agreed.

He sat down, picked up a pen and paper, and started drawing the mask.

He didn't just draw a single mask; he also included the attire of the Swordsmith Lodge's disciples and paired it with the Black Moon Sword.

Pesty younger brother isn't bad at all.

Shangguan Qing looked at him with amazement and said, "This makes it much easier to recognize! By the way, how did you manage to bring the crate back?"

The two looked at each other, and Xiao Hen calmly said, "It's a secret."

"Hmph," Shangguan Qing snorted, "Fine, don't tell me! But if they failed once, they'll definitely come again. Do you think they'll come tonight?"

Before the two could answer, Yu Yaya suddenly rushed in with a flustered look, "Miss! My Lord! Steward Zheng is here!"

Steward Zheng is a confidant of Duke, so his visit must be related to the Duke.

The two quickly told Yu Yaya to bring Steward Zheng in.

Steward Zheng stumbled into the room, and when he reached Gu Jiao, his legs gave way. Gu Jiao quickly held his arm, "Steward Zheng, what happened? Speak slowly."

Steward Zheng broke down crying, "The Duke...the Duke went to the streets today to buy a shop for the lady...but then some people came out of nowhere...and took the Duke away!"

The Duke always left with bodyguards, and their martial arts skills weren't bad. To take the Duke from them, it was evident that the opponents weren't ordinary experts.

The three exchanged glances, and a suspicion rose in their hearts simultaneously.

Swordsmith Lodge.

Gu Jiao asked, "Did they leave any messages?"

Steward Zheng cried and shook his head, "No...nothing at all...they just took him..."

Gu Jiao asked seriously, "Where did it happen?"

Steward Zheng choked, "By the eastern riverbank of Li Lake! I saw them heading towards the direction of the City gate—"

Xiao Hen's eyes narrowed, "City gate...do they plan to take the Duke back to the Swordsmith Lodge?"

Yes, Jiaojiao is the Duke's adopted daughter; with the Duke in their hands, wouldn't they control Jiaojiao with ease?

They want to lure Jiaojiao to the Swordsmith Lodge. It's likely because they discovered that to take away the first and kit, they must also take Jiaojiao.

"I'll head out; you wait for me at home..."

Before Xiao Hen could finish his last word, Gu Jiao had already tied up her hair without hesitation.

...

At dusk, an inconspicuous-looking carriage exited the northern City gate of the Capital City.

The coachman drove cautiously, accompanied by four entourage members riding alongside.

Inside the carriage, two men sat facing each other; one was the kidnapped Duke, and the other was the swordsman who rescued Li Jiangping last night.

The swordsman wore a silver mask, concealing his original appearance, but from the skin on his neck and hands, it was apparent he wasn't very old. When he spoke, it confirmed the Duke's suspicion further.

No more than thirty.

"Duke, we mean no harm. Please remain calm."

He smiled and said to the Duke.

The Duke remained calm throughout, never making any pointless cries for help. After hearing the other's words, he said calmly, "Where do you plan to take me?"

The swordsman let out a cold chuckle, "You don't need to know. Just cooperate obediently, or I won't mind making you suffer a bit."

The Duke wasn't frightened by his threat and said calmly, "You are from the Swordsmith Lodge."

The swordsman had a flicker of surprise in his eyes, not expecting the Duke to guess so easily. But soon, he smiled again, "As expected of the Duke, incredibly resourceful."

This was an admission.

Seems like his situation wasn't good.

After all, only dead men keep secrets; they didn't plan for him to leave alive.