CHAPTER 413: CHAPTER 415: MISSING (PART 5)

Xiqiu was momentarily stunned, looking at Tong Minzhi with interest.

He never used to draw, could it be that he learned it in the academy over the past six months?

Tong Minzhi’s face flushed suddenly, and he stammered in response to Madam Xia, "I... I stayed in the study, the drawing is not good. I’ll send it to Sixth Sister after I draw a better one next time."

Madam Xia laughed softly behind her sleeves.

Xiqiu curiously asked him, "What did you draw, that you’re even hiding it from me?" Tong Minzhi replied, awkwardly and blushing, "A... a portrait." He quickly added, "It’s really not good, I’ll redraw it tonight and have someone send it to Sister, okay?"

Seeing his embarrassment, Xiqiu didn’t insist and nodded in agreement, "Okay!"

Tong Minzhi lowered his voice, avoiding Madam Xia, and quietly asked Xiqiu, "I’ve heard Third Brother has been visiting the Marquis Mansion often lately, are you having him handle something secretly?"

"No," Xiqiu said, gesturing with a smile, not because she didn’t want to tell him, but because he’s still young and might take it to heart. So she replied, "He just wants to spar with the Grand Commander, but he can’t win, so he goes there often."

Tong Minzhi laughed awkwardly.

Just as they were speaking, someone outside announced, "Fourth Aunt and Fourth Uncle have arrived."

Upon hearing this, Xiqiu stood up. The government office had not yet dismissed, so Jiang Shilin must have come over early.

As Xiqiu approached, Jiang Shilin and Tong Shen Zhi were sitting across from each other talking, Tong Xiyan looked displeased, speaking with Madam Jiang. Seeing Xiqiu enter, Tong Xiyan frowned and approached with displeasure: "How can one be so worrisome, running out of the manor at this time, with the cold and refugees outside, what if something happens?"

Xiqiu patted her hand, they walked in holding hands, and Xiqiu greeted Jiang Shilin. He was dressed in an official robe with cinnamon-colored water patterns, his skin fair as always, appearing modest and polite, and his thin lips made him look competent and astute.

His gaze swiftly moved over Xiqiu’s face, and he returned the greeting with cupped hands.

Everyone took their seats, and Madam Jiang served tea to Xiqiu. Jiang Shilin said, "I think there’s no need to worry, we have our people inside and outside the city, as soon as she appears nearby, we’ll surely find her."

Tong Xiyan frowned and responded, "What good is it to find her? Send her back to the manor today and she’ll run away tomorrow. Do we have to follow her all the time?"

Madam Jiang mediated, "Maybe she just misses Third Aunt, and once she’s seen her and her mind is at ease, she’ll go back on her own."

Tong Xiyan frowned with displeasure and said nothing.

Xiqiu knew that Tong Xiyan always disliked Tong Xiyang and her mother. Now, having to run around for their sake twice, she couldn’t be happy.

Jiang Shilin looked at Xiqiu.

Xiqiu thought Madam Jiang’s likelihood was slim; knowing Madam Wang, she wouldn’t venture out unless she planned to do something: "Fourth Brother-in-law is right, since she’s entering the city, she is bound to appear."

As they spoke, Nanny Fang appeared at the doorway, glancing at the many people in the room, and after saluting, said, "Lady says to have someone block the port in Tongzhou; if Madam Wang doesn’t return to the city, she must be thinking of going to Yongzhou." After speaking, she gave Xiqiu a meaningful look, as if implying that this was thanks to Madam Xia’s influence. Now, anyone with legs knows to go to Yongzhou to find the First Master after taking the money.

Xiqiu sipped her tea lightly, as if she hadn’t heard Nanny Fang’s words.

Madam Jiang looked troubled, and Tong Shen Zhi frowned, replying, "The canal has stopped now, she can only travel by land to Yongzhou. You can tell Mother, I’ve already stationed people at the crossroads." Nanny Fang was at a loss for words at Tong Shen Zhi’s response, nodded, and left.

Jiang Shilin drank his tea with his head down. After Nanny Fang left, he stood up and said to Tong Shen Zhi, "I’ll go check on Mother-in-law." Tong Shen Zhi nodded and said nothing.

Xiqiu wasn’t surprised either, having heard that Lady no longer dislikes Jiang Shilin like before. On the contrary, she is quite satisfied with this high-ranking, approachable, and filial son-in-law.

When Jiang Shilin went to see the Lady, Tong Shen Zhi naturally accompanied him. Tong Xiyan also went along, and Xiqiu couldn’t let them go and appear indifferent, so she smiled as she got up, "I’ll go too."

Saying this, they moved to the Lady’s room together.

Just before reaching the Lady’s room, Nanny Qian came over with a smile, saying to Xiqiu, "Sixth Son-in-law has arrived."

Xiqiu was taken aback, not expecting Fourth Master Xiao to come, but she was indeed happy about it, as it showed face for her in front of her family.

Jiang Shilin immediately turned around, saying to Tong Shen Zhi, "I’ll go and welcome him," displaying enthusiasm. But before he could do so, from afar, they saw Fourth Master Xiao, dressed in deep red court attire, striding towards them.

Jiang Shilin clasped his hands in respect, "Grand Commander Xiao!" Tong Shen Zhi also nodded, "Let’s talk inside."

Fourth Master Xiao stopped in front of the group, his gaze sweeping the room, first landing on Xiqiu. She was dressed in a pale yellow overcoat with a double-gold standing collar, her complexion fair and slightly flushed, her large eyes clear and bright, with no visible change. This caused the frown on his face to relax slightly...

Xiqiu offered a curtsy to Fourth Master Xiao, "Fourth Master!"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, then entered the Lady’s hall with Jiang Shilin and Tong Shen Zhi. Inside, Fourth Master Xiao asked promptly, "Is there no news yet?"

Xiqiu was surprised, wondering how he knew the details so quickly.

Tong Shen Zhi then conveyed his arrangements from earlier that morning and the news they had received, saying to Fourth Master Xiao, "For now, we can only wait for news."

Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brows, "I’ve heard the manor is not far from Jiwei Mountain?"

Tong Shen Zhi nodded, "About four to five miles away." Fourth Master Xiao paused, "You don’t have to rush to call back the people stationed in various places. I’ll send someone to search the mountain."

In other words, his view was more pessimistic.

Xiqiu pondered, it had already been a day and a night. With Madam Wang, a weak woman, so many people searching everywhere and yet unable to find her, perhaps she really was...

"I’ll take Xiqiu back first. If there’s any news, I’ll have someone come and inform you."

Tong Shen Zhi and Jiang Shilin followed them out to see Fourth Master Xiao off. Tong Xiyan held Xiqiu’s hand and said, "Take care of yourself. It’s winter, don’t tire yourself out and let the foot pain flare up again."

Xiqiu nodded with a smile, "It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt much anymore."

Not much pain, does it still hurt a little? Walking ahead, Fourth Master Xiao’s brow furrowed slightly.