Xiao Hen went to the Hanlin Academy, and Ning Zhiyuan had been waiting for him in his office early on.
Seeing him approach, Ning Zhiyuan sprang to his feet and hurried toward him. Seizing Xiao Hen's arms, he looked him over and said, "Are you alright? I heard you were kidnapped by assassins! Who could be so vile?!"
The emperor had originally planned to announce the crime of Prince Ning abducting Xiao Liulang, but it was stopped by the Empress and Princess Xinyang.
Although Princess Xinyang did not reveal the entire truth to the Empress, the Empress also understood that once the news of Prince Ning's attempt to assassinate Xiao Liulang leaked out, Xiao Hen's identity could no longer be concealed.
After all, from any perspective, Prince Ning truly had no reason to kill Xiao Liulang, unless Xiao Liulang's identity had some hidden aspect.
Xiao Hen said, "I'm fine. It was a sect from the Jianghu. They kidnapped me hoping to extort some silver, but they've been dealt with."