CHAPTER 412: CHAPTER 414: MISSING (PART 4)

"Are there any news from the people we sent to search everywhere?" Madam Jiang shook her head, and Xiqiu continued, "The amount of silver with Madam Wang isn’t much. She doesn’t dare to hire a carriage and lacks documents. I fear she might still be wandering outside the city, looking for an opportunity to sneak in. It won’t be easy."

Madam Jiang, aware of this, felt even more worried in her heart: "My husband says that there have been many snow disasters these days, with refugees from various places fleeing to the Capital. The Capital City Government controls these refugees, preventing them from entering the city, leaving them to wander outside, and it’s been said to be quite chaotic out there these days. Do you think something could have happened to Madam Wang...?"

Although these people were law-abiding citizens before, when faced with life and death, with empty stomachs, how many can still remember their conscience? Madam Wang is a lone woman, even after spending two years in the countryside, her demeanor still reveals her noble origins. Who knows what evil thoughts they might have on seeing her.

Hearing this made Xiqiu’s heart heavy. She, too, wasn’t sure how Madam Wang was faring at the moment.

Madam Xia, listening, felt her heart jump. With red eyes, she said, "What can we do? Can we send more people to search outside the city?"

Madam Jiang replied to Madam Xia, "No matter how many people we send, it’s useless. Madam Wang intentionally avoids us. If she decides to hide among the refugees, it’ll be very difficult for us to find her."

"What did Third Sister say? Did she send anyone back?" Xiqiu asked.

Madam Jiang nodded in response, "She has indeed sent people to search both outside and within the city, but it’s started snowing again outside, so I fear there won’t be any news coming back anytime soon."

The group fell silent, and since they were back, they had to pay respects to Lady. When Xiqiu walked into the room, Nanny Fang was sitting by the bed massaging Lady. Upon seeing Xiqiu enter, she stood up with a peculiar expression on her face and bowed to Xiqiu, "Sixth Lady has returned."

The room, with its windows long unopened and the heated floor, had an unpleasant odor.

Smiling, Xiqiu nodded, "Nanny Fang." She then turned to look at Lady, whose eyes were shut, and asked, "How is Mother’s health?"

Nanny Fang replied, "Much better than a few days ago." Her response was brief and without further comment.

Xiqiu didn’t insist and, after asking a few more questions, withdrew with Madam Jiang.

Once Xiqiu left, Lady opened her eyes. Nanny Fang sneered, "She’s quite concerned about the matters of this household. Eldest Young Madam sent someone in the morning, and they’ve already returned."

Lady’s lips curved into a cold smile.

After pondering, Nanny Fang added, "Over at Third Miss’s place, it’s said that Liuzhi was confined in the ancestral hall, got scared at night, climbed out the window, fell to the ground, and lost the child."

Lady curled her lips as if saying, "Useless!"

Xiqiu returned to Madam Jiang’s room where Tong Shen Zhi had already arrived. Seeing Xiqiu, he frowned and said to Madam Jiang, "The roads are cold and slippery, why have you brought Sixth Sister back." She had just gotten married and was running back and forth due to her natal family’s affairs, which could disgruntle her in-laws.

Madam Jiang glanced at Xiqiu and Madam Xia, showing slight embarrassment. Xiqiu quickly took over the conversation, smiling, "I wanted to come back myself. I worried Eldest Sister-in-law would be anxious alone in the mansion, so I took leave from Grand Dowager to come and have a look."

Tong Shen Zhi’s expression relaxed significantly as he listened.

Madam Jiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Smiling, Madam Xia said, "Master, you’ve returned. I’ll go arrange lunch. Eldest Young Madam has been out all morning; she should rest a while." Glancing at Xiqiu, she moved to leave.

Embarrassed, Madam Jiang stopped her, "How could we trouble Madam Xia? Sixth Lady has just returned; please sit and chat with her. Let Nanny Qiu handle the kitchen affairs." With that, Nanny Qiu laughed and left the room.

Tong Shen Zhi sat in the middle on the Taishi Chair. These days he trained at the Hanlin Academy, appearing even more composed than before, and becoming less talkative.

According to Tong Xiyan, Tong Shen Zhi never said the second word if he could express himself in one.

"Since yesterday, the wealthy in the city have set up shelters at the city gates. At noon, as the refugees come and go, it’s even harder to find anyone," Tong Shen Zhi said calmly after taking a sip of tea.

Xiqiu nodded in agreement. At noon, as the shifts change at the city gate with carriages entering and exiting from various residences, it would be the best opportunity for Madam Wang to enter the city.

"Have you posted anyone at the Marquis Mansion’s gate?" Xiqiu asked.

Tong Shen Zhi’s eyes lit up as he listened. He looked appreciatively at Xiqiu and nodded, "We’ve already got people posted there."

It seemed that Tong Shen Zhi had already prepared, just waiting for Madam Wang to appear. Handling the situation wasn’t easy, though. If Madam Wang was safe and sound, and she only wanted to see Tong Xiyang, things could settle peacefully after she saw him and returned quietly to the countryside.

But if something were to scandalize the people, widespread rumors could distort the truth, affecting how people viewed her, Tong Xiyang, or Tong Xiyan at their in-law’s place.

"What do you plan to do, husband?" Madam Jiang inquired.

Tong Shen Zhi placed the tea cup on the table, thought for a moment, and said, "It’s too early to say anything now. We’ll only assess the situation after we’ve found her!"

Xiqiu agreed, nodding. Indeed, it was only after finding her that any response plans could be crafted.

After having lunch at noon, Xiqiu and Madam Xia went back for an afternoon nap, and Tong Minzhi arrived. Compared to a month ago, he was thinner and tanner, but had grown taller. Upon seeing Xiqiu, he asked, "Is the Great Governor treating you well?"

He felt that Fourth Master Xiao, with his stern demeanor, would make life with him stifling for Xiqiu.

Raising an eyebrow, Xiqiu smilingly replied, "Very well." Grasping Tong Minzhi’s plump, baozi-like hand, she laughed, "You’ve only been asking about me. How have you been lately? You promised to visit me at home, yet I’ve waited in vain."

Touching his small head, Tong Minzhi replied with a face full of guilt, "Mr. Zhao at the academy fell ill, and his wife isn’t in good health either. So, I stayed back to take care of Mr. Zhao, and didn’t find a moment to return."

"How is it now? Are they better?" Xiqiu asked.

Tong Minzhi nodded enthusiastically, "Much better." Then he smiled, "My teacher received the medicine you sent and sends his thanks."

Xiqiu couldn’t stop stroking his head, her eyes full of appreciation.

Could this mean they had overcome their hardship? Tong Minzhi was growing up to be sensible, Madam Xia no longer needed to bow her head in the mansion, and they weren’t worrying over one tael of silver for meals...

Does this mean they’ve finally emerged from their struggles!

Madam Xia entered with snacks, smiling at the merry scene of the sister and brother. She beamed with joy, placed the yam and jujube cake in her hand down, and asked Tong Minzhi, "You said you painted something for Sixth Lady, didn’t you? Why didn’t you bring it?"