Only when Zhao Xiang fell into a deep sleep did Cheng Zheng lightly walk out of the bedroom.
"Sir." Outside the main hall, two shadow guards with knives were already waiting for him.
"Did you find out?" Cheng Zheng's expression was cold, completely lacking the gentleness he showed to Zhao Xiang.
"We followed him to Stone Village outside the city and then disappeared," one of the shadow guards said. "Sir, could Cheng Zheng have hidden the fifth princess in Stone Village?"
Cheng Zheng's slightly squinted eyes shone, "Bring people to Stone Village and find the princess even if you have to dig three feet underground."
"Yes, sir." The two shadow guards received the order and left.
Cheng Zheng then left the palace. Today's weather was very bad. The sky was covered with dark clouds and thunder could be heard faintly. It would probably rain soon.
He rode a horse with only four shadow guards behind him. He came to the Song Family's gate. He asked to see the second princess, Zhao Xiang.
Zhao Xiang married the second young master of the Song Family, but she did not move to the Princess Residence. Instead, she lived in the Song Family. She was filial and respectful to the two elders of the Song Family. She never put on airs as a princess, and her reputation in the capital was excellent. Cheng Zheng did not want to do anything to this second princess, so he personally made this trip.
"Sir Cheng, this way please." A servant of the Song Family ushered Cheng Zheng in.
"Is the Marquis at home today?" Cheng Zheng asked casually.
The servant replied, "Sir Cheng, the Marquis is out."
Cheng Zheng raised his eyebrows slightly and did not say anything more.
"Sir Cheng, please wait a moment. I will go report to the second princess." The servant said in a low voice. He had someone serve tea to Cheng Zheng while he went to the backyard to report.
"Okay." Cheng Zheng smiled faintly and sat down on the armchair at the side.
Not long after, Zhao Xiang strolled over and saw Cheng Zheng sitting in the hall. She had a perfect smile on her face and walked in elegantly and dignifiedly.
"Sir Cheng's presence brings light to the Song Family." Zhao Xiang said with a smile but her tone was slightly cold.
"The second princess is too polite." Cheng Zheng said faintly, "I came today because I have something to ask the princess."
Zhao Xiang sat down and said with a smile, "I dare not. Sir Cheng, please speak your mind."
Cheng Zheng smiled and looked up at Zhao Xiang, "Does the second princess know where the fifth princess is?"
"Heh." When Zhao Xiang heard Cheng Zheng's words, a burst of anger rushed to her brain, burning her to the point that she almost couldn't speak, "Did Cheng Daren ask the wrong person?"
"Does the Second Princess really not know?" Cheng Zheng asked with a faint smile.
Zhao Xiang stood up abruptly. "Since you're asking me this, it means that Ning 'er was indeed detained by you. Cheng Zheng, what do you mean by this? Now that Ning' er is missing, you're suspecting someone else?"
"I am keeping the Fifth Princess for her own good. If someone takes her away without knowing the truth, then they will have to bear the consequences themselves." Cheng Zheng said expressionlessly.
"For her own good?" Zhao Xiang sneered, "Separating her from Mo Rongyi is for her own good? Lord Cheng, you think too highly of yourself. Now that Fifth Younger Sister is missing, you're blaming someone else. If something really did happen to her, then this consort would be the one who would hold you accountable. "
Cheng Zheng glanced at Zhao Xiang. He had already confirmed that Zhao Ning was taken away by Song Honao, but he didn't know if Zhao Xiang knew. Looking at Zhao Xiang's reaction, she probably didn't know.
"If something happened to the Fifth Princess, then the person who took her away should be held accountable." Cheng Zheng said lightly, "Since the Second Princess doesn't know, then this lowly official will take his leave."
"Cheng Zheng!" Zhao Xiang called out to him, "I hope you won't let the Emperor become a person who doesn't recognize family."
"Second Princess, your words are too serious." Cheng Zheng looked at her coldly, "The Emperor treats the princesses well. After ascending to the throne, he hasn't killed anyone. I don't know what makes you think that he would be a person who doesn't recognize family."
Zhao Xiang said coldly, "As long as you're by his side, you'll drag him down."
"Then the Second Princess will be disappointed. This marquis will not leave Ning 'er." Cheng Zheng smiled coldly and strode out of the hall.
Just as he was about to leave the Song Residence, Song Honao's carriage arrived at the gate.
Cheng Zheng stopped and stood straight on the steps, his gaze cold as he looked at Song Honao.
Song Honao knew of Cheng Zheng's arrival halfway. He stood beside the carriage and smiled lightly at Cheng Zheng, "Cheng daren seems to be leisurely today."
"I'm not leisurely. I purposely made this trip." Cheng Zheng said lightly.
"I heard that you're here to find the Second Princess. It looks like you've finished your discussion. This marquis will not obstruct you. Please take care, I won't send you off." Song Honao's handsome face carried a courteous smile.
Cheng Zheng slowly walked down the steps. He was slightly taller than Song Honao and had a stronger build. The two of them stood face to face. Cheng Zheng's imposing manner was intimidating and sharp, while Song Honao was like an unsheathed sword, reserved and gentle.
"Even if you take Zhao Ning away, what can you change?" Cheng Zheng asked in a low voice.
"Cheng daren, what are you saying? Why don't I understand?" Song Honao was puzzled, as if he didn't know what Cheng Zheng was talking about.
"You know very well that if Mo Rongyi doesn't obtain the throne, Qi will be in dire straits." Cheng Zheng said coldly, "Do you want to see the citizens of Qi continue to be destitute?"
Song Honao said in a low voice, "The one who caused Qi to lose its stability is you."
If not for Cheng Zheng helping Zhao Rao to ascend the throne, if not for him increasing taxes, if not for his policies, Qi would not be in such a dire straits.
"Jin 'er is more suitable than the Fifth Prince to become the Emperor. You know this very well." Cheng Zheng said, "Even the previous Emperor thought so."
"Even so, this is not a reason for you to usurp the throne." Song Honao naturally knew the previous Emperor's evaluation of Zhao Rao. However, after the Fifth Prince ascended the throne, he had neither done anything nor made any mistakes. He was exactly the kind of Emperor that Qi needed. It was Cheng Zheng who was too ambitious.
Cheng Zheng laughed coldly, "If I didn't do this, Qi would have long been swallowed up by the Dark North Kingdom. It was the Fifth Prince who listened to slander and wanted to kill me. Without me here, the Dark North Kingdom would have long invaded."
"Then what you say makes sense." Song Honao nodded lightly, "And you have already succeeded. Although Zhao Rao is the Emperor, the one who truly controls Qi is you. I have no reason to oppose you."
"Then hand over Zhao Ning." Cheng Zheng said.
"I don't know where the Fifth Princess is." Song Honao's face was cold. "You have her under house arrest. Where she is, you know best."
Cheng Zheng laughed lightly, "How do you know that I have her under house arrest?"
Nobody knew how he had treated Zhao Ning. Song Honao had obviously gone to the Cheng family to rescue Zhao Ning.
"If you didn't put her under house arrest, then did you coerce her?" Song Honao asked again.
"Since Official Song is unwilling to hand over the Fifth Princess, then I can only find her myself." Cheng Zheng laughed lightly, "From this moment onwards, Official Song's family is not allowed to leave this door until I find the Fifth Princess."
Song Honao looked at him coldly, "Is this your idea or the Emperor's decree?"
"This is the decree."
(Nine-Headed Bird Academy)
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