CHAPTER 458: CHAPTER 458: THE ONLY THING I COULD DO FOR HIM

Seeing the elders’ reactions, Yan Qianyi felt a "thump" in her heart.

It seemed they also couldn’t contact Ah Lie.

Nangong Xiaoxue comforted her, "Qianyi, don’t worry. Ah Lie always turns bad luck into good. He’ll be fine."

Every time...

That meant this wasn’t the first time he had gone missing.

Yan Qianyi’s heart tightened as she asked, "Where did Ah Lie go for his mission this time?"

Nangong Xiaoxue didn’t answer, instead looking to Nangong Jie.

Nangong Jie hesitated before speaking, "It’s a military secret, I’m not clear on the details. I’ve stepped down now, and the military’s arrangements won’t be disclosed to me."

"Could you perhaps inquire for me?" Yan Qianyi pleaded with Nangong Jie, "Given your status, if you ask, surely they’d tell you."

Nangong Jie sighed, "Qianyi, as a soldier, you should understand that some things we just can’t ask about. Even if we knew, we can’t do anything; leaving everything to the military to handle is best."

"Okay... then, I’ll head back now," Yan Qianyi said, nodding.

As the previous Commander, Nangong Jie understood the Military Department far better than she did.

Since he had said so, it seemed unlikely she would get any information about Ah Lie from him.

Yan Qianyi stood up to leave, and Nangong Xiaoxue stopped her, "Have some breakfast before you go. You look so rushed; you probably haven’t eaten yet."

Yan Qianyi’s long hair was messy, and the corner of her pajamas peeked out from under her coat, clearly just out of bed.

"I’ve eaten already." She had no appetite now.

"Don’t worry, Qianyi, everything will be fine. You’ve got a baby in your belly now; you need to take good care of yourself. Why don’t you move in with us before Ah Lie comes back?"

"There’s no need, Grandma, I’m fine. Aunt Xue is taking good care of me, and I’ll look after myself. Don’t worry."

"Alright then. If we get any news of Ah Lie, we’ll tell you right away."

"Okay, I’ll be going then."

As she watched Yan Qianyi leave, Nangong Xiaoxue heaved a sigh before turning to Nangong Jie, "Is it really okay not to tell her?"

Nangong Jie frowned, "She doesn’t even know that Ah Lie is the Commander. Telling her would be the same as revealing Ah Lie’s identity, wouldn’t it?"

"What’s the harm in knowing? Their child will be born in a few months; Qianyi should be aware."

Nangong Jie shook his head, "Ah Lie had instructed us not to say. If he’s staying silent now, there must be his reasons. We have to respect his wishes."

Nangong Xiaoxue worried, "But Qianyi is so worried now—I’m afraid it might affect the health of the baby she’s carrying."

"Telling her the truth will only make her more anxious. After all, Prince Yao is her biological brother. With her personality, she might even take a trip to the Morris Empire when she finds out, and wouldn’t that be more dangerous?"

Nangong Xiaoxue thought for a moment, "True, I guess we’ll have to keep it from her for now. Come, have breakfast. Your body has just recovered; you need to take care as well. I believe Ah Lie will be fine."

Nangong Jie nodded and began eating breakfast.

Having weathered many storms and escaped the grip of death numerous times, although he was worried about Mu Yunlie’s disappearance, he managed to remain calm.

After a visit to the Nangong Family, Yan Qianyi also felt a bit calmer.

Nangong Jie was right. The matters concerning Mu Yunlie involved military secrets, and she couldn’t interfere. Being the beloved grandson of a Duke, the military would not ignore his safety.

All she could do now was wait for news.

But she couldn’t stand to wait quietly; she needed to find something to distract herself.

So, Yan Qianyi decided to pay a visit to the Mu Family.

She thought, if she could clear up the issue with Mu Chen first, Ah Lie could rest easy when he returned.

That was the only thing she could do for him now.

Not contacting Mu Huaner in advance, Yan Qianyi went directly to the Mu residence.

Having previously visited as the Masked Divine Doctor, the security at the gate recognized her and notified the servants of the second house.

Waiting at the gate for a little while, she expected to be met by a servant from the second house. Instead, to her surprise, Mu Chen’s wife, Wen Shurou, came in person.

"Divine Doctor, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Huaner didn’t tell me you were coming today," Wen Shurou said apologetically, her demeanor amiable.

Externally, she seemed to embody her name—gentle and soft.

"I didn’t let her know beforehand; I just happened to have some free time, so I came directly."

"I’m usually at home; shall we exchange contact information? That way, you can reach out to me directly next time, no need to go through Huaner."

"Alright." Yan Qianyi nodded, and Wen Shurou typed in a messenger app and added her as a friend.

Although she didn’t add the personal system of the Divine Doctor as a friend, Wen Shurou was still pleased.

Having the Divine Doctor’s contact meant she could reach out directly in the future, and she could boast about it in front of her wealthy friends.

"Please, get in the car," Wen Shurou offered warmly.

Once in the car, she bombarded Yan Qianyi with questions.

"Divine Doctor, judging by your voice, you seem quite young, only in your early twenties, right?"

"At such a young age, your medical skills are so impressive; where did you learn all this?"

"If I ever feel unwell, may I contact you?"

Yan Qianyi turned to look out the car window, not answering any questions.

Wen Shurou’s smile gradually became awkward, and she rolled her eyes secretly at the back of Yan Qianyi’s head.

What’s so great about her.

In front of their Mu Family, she’s just a doctor.

She calls her "Divine Doctor," as if she really is divine.

Yan Qianyi turned back around, and Wen Shurou immediately put on a bright smile, "Divine Doctor, isn’t the scenery at the Mu Family lovely?"

"Yes," Yan Qianyi replied softly, nodding. Then she asked, "Are you familiar with Nangong Chun?"

Wen Shurou’s smiling face suddenly stiffened, "You... know her?"

"I often visit the Nangong Family to attend to the Duke, and he mentioned that his daughter, Nangong Chun, was married into the Mu Family."

"Yes, you should know then that she has passed away; there’s no such person in the Mu Family anymore."

"How was your relationship with her while she was alive?" Yan Qianyi pressed.

Wen Shurou forced a smile, "Why would you ask that, Divine Doctor?"

"It just seems odd; there’s not much interaction between our families. If the Duke hadn’t told me himself, I wouldn’t have known his daughter used to be the Third Young Madam of the Mu Family."

"Oh, that’s all in the past. Before her, our relationship was just common sister-in-law interactions. She joined the Mu Family before me, and apart from family gatherings, we didn’t really associate much."

Yan Qianyi noted that Wen Shurou seemed evasive when mentioning Nangong Chun, her demeanor flickering—it seemed it was not just any common sister-in-law relationship, and she appeared reluctant to speak of Nangong Chun.