Ren Yaoqi looked towards Zhu Ruoju, who had just finished her bow and was rising.
The young girl before her had thick eyebrows and large eyes. Though she was far from the slender, delicate beauty currently in vogue, she still had a pleasant appearance. Especially her eyes, which seemed particularly lively and spirited, suggesting she was usually a vivacious character.
However, today, those spirited eyes held a trace of anxiety and worry.
Yet, seeing that Ren Yaoqi was accompanied by several matrons and maids, Zhu Ruoju did not rashly speak up immediately. After rising, she stood properly behind Sister-in-law Yuan, likely having received instructions from her before entering the mansion.
Only after Ren Yaoqi had dismissed the maids and matrons around her did Zhu Ruoju finally blurt out anxiously, "Fifth Miss, do you know my brother's whereabouts?"
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi's heart sank halfway.
"How long has it been since your brother returned home?"
Zhu Ruoju's face paled, her lips trembling as she murmured, "Fifth Miss, you don't know his whereabouts either? That day, after returning from White Crane Town, he told my mother and me that he had something to attend to and needed to be away for a few days. He originally said he would be back in three days at the latest, but now it's already the sixth day, and there's still no sign of him."
So, Zhu Ruomei really hadn't returned since that trip to Jizhou? But where had he gone? Ren Yaoqi frowned in thought, unable to make sense of it.
"Fifth Miss, do you know what business he went to attend to? We were afraid Sister-in-law Zhu would worry, so we only told her that Ruomei had taken on a short-term job and would be away for work for a while before returning. But the truth can't be hidden forever. If Ruomei never comes back, how... how are we supposed to tell Sister-in-law Zhu? She's only just started recovering from her illness." Sister-in-law Yuan also wore a worried expression.
Ren Yaoqi sighed softly and said to Sister-in-law Yuan and Zhu Ruoju, "Zhu Ruomei went to handle some matters for me. He was indeed supposed to return in two or three days. I don't know why... Alright, I'll send someone to look for him right away. I will definitely give you an answer."
Sister-in-law Yuan said, "How about letting my Dayong go look for him? He and Ruomei have known each other for many years and are very familiar with him. If Ruomei encountered some difficulty on the road, he might have left some kind of mark."
Ren Yaoqi was just considering whom to send to search, and when Sister-in-law Yuan mentioned Yuan Dayong, she recalled his appearance in her mind. Remembering that he had been selected for the ice-skating competition last time, she thought he must not be weak or frail. So she nodded and said, "That would be even better. Have Yuan Dayong come to the mansion, and I'll give him some instructions."
"Alright, I'll have my husband go call him right away." Sister-in-law Yuan bowed and hurried off.
Seeing Zhu Ruoju standing there in a daze, Ren Yaoqi walked over and said softly, "I'm sorry. I originally thought he had returned to Yunyang City after finishing his task. It was only when I hadn't received any news from him these past few days that I began to feel something was wrong. I was just about to send someone to Yunyang City to inquire."
Because Zhu Ruomei's experiences in her previous life had left too deep an impression on Ren Yaoqi, she always thought of him as capable and reliable. So when Zhu Ruomei didn't immediately come to report to her, she assumed he had been delayed by some family matter and never truly believed anything had happened to him.But she had forgotten that the Zhu Ruomei who left a deep impression on her in her previous life was not the Zhu Ruomei of this time and age. He had not yet undergone the trials and tribulations he experienced in his past life.
Though Zhu Ruoju’s expression was dim, she shook her head and said clearly, “My brother often says that a drop of kindness should be repaid with a fountain. Fifth Miss, you saved my mother’s life. If we can do something for you, even if it costs us our lives, we have no regrets.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi felt even more guilty.
Not knowing when Yuan Dayong would arrive, Ren Yaoqi invited Zhu Ruoju to sit with her and ordered the maids to serve tea and snacks.
Both were worried about Zhu Ruomei’s whereabouts, so their conversation was somewhat absent-minded.
When someone came in again to report that Sister-in-law Yuan had brought Yuan Dayong and was waiting at the Yiran Pavilion, Ren Yaoqi immediately stood up and walked out, with Zhu Ruoju following behind her.
When they reached the Yiran Pavilion outside the Inner Gate, Sister-in-law Yuan and Yuan Dayong were indeed already there.
Ren Yaoqi sent the maids and servants away and said to Yuan Dayong, “Zhu Ruomei went to Jizhou this time to help me with a private matter. Go search for him in the direction of Jizhou.”
“Fifth Miss, may I ask… is this matter dangerous?” Yuan Dayong hesitated for a moment before tentatively asking, “Oh, I’m not asking because I’m afraid of death. Zhu Ruomei and I are like brothers. Since he’s missing, I must go look for him. But if this matter is dangerous, I’ll be more cautious.”
Sister-in-law Yuan and Zhu Ruoju also looked over nervously. It seemed they all thought Zhu Ruomei had gone to do something dangerous.
Even so, the Yuan family was still willing to help find Zhu Ruomei, which was truly admirable.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and shook her head. “What I asked him to do is somewhat secretive and requires confidentiality, but it’s not dangerous. Moreover, it seems he has already completed the task I entrusted to him.”
Yuan Dayong nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. Then I’ll be discreet on my way to find him.”
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. “Finding him is the most important thing. When the time comes, use your judgment. If you encounter any difficulties, don’t force yourself. Come back and tell me immediately, and I’ll find a way.”
Hearing this, Yuan Dayong glanced at Ren Yaoqi and bowed even more respectfully. “Yes, Fifth Miss, I understand. Does Fifth Miss have any other instructions?”
Ren Yaoqi gave him a few more clues before letting him leave the mansion to search.
“Fifth Miss, I’ll return to Yunyang City first. My mother is still there, and I’m worried about leaving her alone,” Zhu Ruoju stepped forward and said.
Ren Yaoqi nodded gently. “Take good care of your mother. I’ll keep an eye on your brother’s situation. Once there’s news, I’ll send someone to inform you.”
Zhu Ruoju thanked her and left with Sister-in-law Yuan.
The joy Ren Yaoqi had felt from successfully outmaneuvering the Han Family vanished completely. She was worried about Zhu Ruomei but couldn’t figure out where he had gone.
Logically, he should have completed the task she gave him, and it seemed the Han Family hadn’t caught anyone yet.
White Crane Town was at least a day and night’s journey from Jizhou, so news wouldn’t arrive so quickly. Thus, the day passed without any word.On the third day, Yuan Dayong finally returned. As soon as Ren Yaoqi heard the news, she hurried out.
When Ren Yaoqi was approaching Yiran Pavilion, she saw Yuan Dayong pacing back and forth inside the pavilion with his arms crossed and head lowered, appearing somewhat anxious and restless.
Ren Yaoqi quickly walked over and, as usual, dismissed the maidservants outside the pavilion.
Yuan Dayong hurried forward to pay his respects.
"Any news?" Ren Yaoqi asked directly.
Yuan Dayong shook his head somewhat dejectedly, but after a moment of thought, he nodded, looking deeply conflicted and troubled.
Ren Yaoqi frowned. "What does this mean?"
Yuan Dayong replied, "Following Fifth Miss's instructions, I searched all the way to Jizhou but found no trace of Zhu Ruomei along the route. It wasn't until I reached the vicinity of Han Family Village in Jizhou that I noticed others were also looking for Zhu Ruomei. Although the portrait they had altered his appearance considerably—enough that others might not recognize him—given our long-standing friendship and my familiarity with his disguises, I immediately realized they were searching for Zhu Ruomei. I managed to coax information from those men and learned they were sent by the Han Family, searching for a thief who had stolen from their village."
Ren Yaoqi was not surprised by this.
The Han Family must be doing everything possible to find the person who instigated this conflict; otherwise, Han Dongshan would never be able to clear his name.
This also indicated that Zhu Ruomei had not fallen into the hands of the Han Family.
"Then, sensing something was amiss, I stopped asking further questions and decided to return to seek Fifth Miss's guidance," Yuan Dayong continued. "But for some reason, as I was about to enter the town, I noticed someone seemed to be following me. I was startled and deliberately led the person through numerous twists and turns in the town's alleys and side streets, and I finally managed to shake him off."
Ren Yaoqi frowned, wondering if the person following Yuan Dayong was from the Han Family. Had Yuan Dayong drawn attention because of his earlier inquiries about Zhu Ruomei?
At this point, Yuan Dayong continued, "But just as I had shaken off the follower and was about to enter the Ren Family estate, something was thrown from somewhere and landed right at my feet."
As he spoke, Yuan Dayong retrieved an ordinary brown hair tie, the kind men use to tie their hair, from his sleeve. Attached to it was a note about three inches wide.
The brown hair tie appeared similar in fabric to the brown short robe Zhu Ruomei had worn during his last visit. Ren Yaoqi's expression darkened.
Whoever did this was certainly not Zhu Ruomei himself.
It seemed Yuan Dayong had indeed been followed, and Zhu Ruomei's disappearance was likely connected to this person. But wasn't this person from the Han Family?
"What does the note say?" Ren Yaoqi asked, her voice remarkably calm.
Since things had come to this, they would have to face whatever came their way.
As long as Zhu Ruomei was still alive, there was still room for maneuver.
Yuan Dayong carefully untied the hair tie, took out the note, and replied as he unfolded it, "I was startled earlier and, fearing someone might be watching nearby, picked it up and ran without opening it."
As he spoke, Yuan Dayong had already unfolded the note. Before handing it to Ren Yaoqi, he glanced at it himself. "Huh? It's a line of poetry?"Yuan Dayong exclaimed in surprise to Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi frowned and reached out to take it.
Indeed, on that ordinary-looking slip of paper, as if casually cut from a sheet of rice paper, a line of poetry was written in neat regular script: "You are now caught in the net."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but read it aloud softly.
"You are now caught in the net? Fifth Miss, what does this mean?" Although Yuan Dayong had learned some characters from his father and read a few books, he was still completely baffled by this cryptic line of poetry. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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