Prince of Jin said, "Don't panic, they're not from the Prince's residence."
The people they care about are right under their noses now.
The guards brought by the Prince's mansion, closely following the Prince of Jin, had already surrounded the masters of the Prince of Jin's Residence.
Tang Zhuyun's heart pounded like a drum, because when she looked around, she couldn't find anyone missing.
--Except for Zhou Xu, who was taken away.
No, it can't be that much of a coincidence.
There are so many people outside she can't see; it couldn't be Zhou Xu.
"Who is it?" Tang Zhuyun's heart was in her throat, her eyes fixed on the Prince of Prince of Jin's lips, as if afraid he would utter those two words.
"I don't know yet," said the Prince of Jin. "We'll see in a bit."
"Quickly, send someone to ask!" she said anxiously.
The Prince of Jin sensed something was amiss and put his arm around her shoulder, saying, "I've already sent people to investigate. I'm sure we'll know soon. Don't panic."
Tang Zhuyun instinctively gripped his collar tightly.
Xiu'er said, "Just one unlucky fellow, could it be Zhou Xu?"
As soon as he finished speaking, many of the men who had been ahead of him followed.
At this point, there was no time to worry about the separation of men and women; bandits were attacking, and lives were at stake.
The Prince of Jin shielded Tang Zhuyun's face from his own.
"Protect the Prince! Protect the Princess!"
Upon hearing a deep and calm male voice, Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but ask, "Are you a guard from the Zhou Family?"
These useless things can't even be stopped by bandits.
Because of its remote location, many military households in the border town were exiled, and some criminals also fled here, forming small groups of people.
For example, Chang Zhi had previously been active in this area.
This includes Second Chief Liu, the female bandit leader who later kidnapped Tang Zhuyun and took advantage of her.
However, they were all small forces, and when they encountered real government troops, they would run away faster than anyone else.
I've never heard of anyone daring to directly attack the families of officials, especially today, as the spring outing has basically gathered all the prominent officials and their families in the border town.
--Are they trying to take everything down with them?
They've probably walked right into a trap, come here to die.
"It's Wu Zhenhai," Prince of Jin said calmly.
Xiu'er suddenly exclaimed "Ah!"
Tang Zhuyun suddenly tensed up. "What's wrong? Is the Zhou Family crying wolf?"
Real bandits wouldn't be so audacious. In a flash of inspiration, she wondered if the Zhou Family was trying to use the bandits to harm them.
When he arrived, the Prince of Jin brought several hundred guards with him.
At that time, she thought that making a big fuss and organizing a spring outing was like a military parade.
Now I understand, it must have been to prevent the Zhou Family from causing trouble.
"No, no," Xiu'er exclaimed in shock, "It's just that the name matches the person."
Tang Zhuyun: "What's so interesting about an old geezer?"
"Your Majesty, he's not..."
Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but peek out from the Prince of Jin, and then she saw a handsome and resolute man kneeling in front of her.
He wore a light blue round-necked robe with floral patterns, a black belt embroidered with gold around his waist, and held a sword in his hand. His face was clean, his eyes were bright, and he looked energetic.
He looks to be around thirty years old, not some old geezer.
Holy crap! That's insane!
Tang Zhuyun also saw his daughter today; she looks so young!
Even though he's the eldest daughter, he had children early, so he should be around thirty-four or thirty-five now. However, he looks younger than his actual age, so he appears to be a mature and handsome man in his thirties.
Tang Zhuyun suddenly felt that Zhou Xu wasn't so bad off after all.
If you can get your hands on this man, he should be quite easy to sleep with.
Previously, Zhou Xu mentioned how to handle older men, Tang Zhuyun subconsciously associated this with Sangsang and Lord Xu.
Surprisingly, they're both old, but there's a thirty-year age difference between them!
In another five or six years, the Prince of Jin will also be an old man...
Prince of Jin disliked Tang Zhuyun staring at other men, so he pressed her head back into his arms and said coldly, "Weren't you in charge of defense today? How did such a mess happen!"
Wu Zhenhai said, "This humble general acknowledges his guilt. After the bandits are wiped out, I will certainly plead guilty to Your Highness."
Meanwhile, the Zhou Family was also in turmoil.
Suddenly Zhou Fu's voice rang out. "What? Eighth Sister has been kidnapped? Quick, quick, go save Eighth Sister! Let me go, I need to save Eighth Sister!"
Xiu'er said, "She finally got a chance to show off."
Yanran said, "What an idiot! How could she possibly benefit from her sisters' misfortune?"
Linlin's face showed worry.
Tang Zhuyun also realized what was happening, and her voice immediately changed. "Was it Zhou Xu who was kidnapped?"
Wu Zhenhai couldn't help but glance up at her, but quickly lowered his head again, saying in a deep voice, "Your Highness, it is the Eighth Miss. Your Highness, please allow me to rescue the Eighth Miss first, and then I will apologize to you."
"Hurry up and go!" Tang Zhuyun snapped.
What an idiot!
Zhou Xu has already been arrested, and he's still here arguing.
Old men are indeed hard-hearted; they're no good!
Wu Zhenhai looked at the Prince of Jin.
The Prince of Jin said, "Do as the Princess Consort says."
"Yes!"
However, Wu Zhenhai did not leave immediately, but went to Governor-General Zhou's place instead.
Tang Zhuyun: "???"
You can't count on old men at all.
"Your Highness," Tang Zhuyun said, "You should also take some men and rescue Zhou Xu."
The Prince of Jin said, "... The Zhou Family family will save her."
Tang Zhuyun is just soft-hearted.
Although Zhou Xu did make contributions, everyone was just taking what they needed and no one owed her anything.
At this point, regardless of whether the bandits were real or fake, the most important thing was the safety of their own family members.
"No," Tang Zhuyun said, "Go quickly! You must save her! It's extremely important! Just like saving me! I'll explain when you get back!"
"Alright." Prince of Jin did not hesitate any longer; if Tang Zhuyun said she needed it, he would go.
There's usually this kind of unspoken understanding between husband and wife.
He looked at Linlin and said, "Protect my mother and sister."
"Yes." Linlin nodded in agreement.
Yanran: "I will protect my brother and mother!"
My brother was just dragged back by our father; it was a truly pitiful sight.
If it were her, she would be furious.
My older brother has a better temper.
The Prince of Jin mounted his horse and set off with several dozen men.
Wu Zhenhai rushed over and said, "I dare not trouble Your Highness. This humble general will take men to search. I fear the bandits may use a feint to the east and then return. Please, Your Highness, prioritize the safety of the Princess Consort."
Tang Zhuyun: That heartless old man!
Why did she feel that Wu Zhenhai was secretly hoping something would happen to Zhou Xu?
Was it because he was tired of Zhou Xu and afraid of being exposed that he participated in planning all of this?
That can't be right, can it? He's that bold?
The Prince of Jin said coldly, "Lead the way!"
Since this is the person Tang Zhuyun wants to save, then he must bring them back.
Wu Zhenhai inwardly groaned; how was he supposed to find someone now that the Prince of Jin was with him?
However, given his experience, he showed no displeasure and bowed, saying, "Thank you very much, Your Highness. Otherwise, if anything were to happen to the Eighth Miss, I would have no way to explain myself."
"Enough with the nonsense," Xiu'er said after they left. "I think that old man was clearly stalling for time; he didn't really want to save Zhou Xu!"