Chapter 358: The Lu Family Returns

Chapter 358: The Lu Family Returns

Outside the Capital, on the official road.

Suddenly, a horse galloped up to the Lu family's convoy, which had only been traveling for two hours.

Lu Shuangshuang was idly picking at her fingernails when the carriage suddenly stopped. She looked out curiously and asked, "What's going on?"

Xiao Wangshi calmly put down her tea and snacks, then lifted the curtain of the carriage. "Mother Wang, go ask what happened."

The servant outside quickly returned. "Madam, Madam... Grandfather ordered us to turn back. He said... he said that Miss Su has gone missing."

Xiao Wangshi's expression turned serious. "Who did you say?"

"Madam, it's Miss Su who has gone missing. They said to keep it quiet for Miss Su's reputation, but both the Su and Xie families have sent everyone to search."

"Su Youyue is actually missing?" Lu Shuangshuang's eyes widened in surprise, more astonished than worried.

A moment later, a hint of schadenfreude flashed in her eyes.

But she didn't notice the unease on her mother Xiao Wangshi's face.

Xiao Wangshi's eyes showed a hint of panic.

The people she had sent were supposed to target Lu Xixue, and even take her life. How could it be that Su Youyue had gone missing instead?

Not knowing what had gone wrong, Xiao Wangshi felt uneasy, but as the carriage began to head back to the Capital as planned, she gradually calmed down.

No matter what, this time, she must find a way to keep Xiaobao at the Su residence!

Su Youyue had gone missing from the Female Doctor Clinic.

Throughout Xie Mansion, the footsteps were lighter than those of night owls, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

The grayish-white walls blocked the last rays of the sunset, while cold, damp moss crept along them. Another gust of wind rushed past hurriedly.

"Sir..." Zhe Jing reported with the latest news, his face grave.

He almost dared not look up at his master's expression.

Xie Yuan's hands were folded, resting against his forehead. The silver-gray sleeves draped down, concealing his face, making it impossible to discern his expression. However, the veins bulging on his hand revealed the tension beneath the calmness, and even the sunlight on his hand brought no warmth.

After Zhe Jing finished reporting, there was no response for a long time, and he did not dare to prompt further, remaining silent and lowering his head.

It felt like a thin-clothed person enduring a long winter night before the voice finally sounded again in the room.

"Prepare the horses."

"Sir?" Zhe Jing asked softly, not questioning but seeking direction.

Xie Yuan lowered his hands.

In the instant he raised his eyes, the last ray of sunlight was drowned in the twilight of his gaze.

"Go seal the city gates," the man said calmly.

Zhe Jing was startled and immediately responded, "Sir, this is a major matter. Should we report to His Majesty first..."

Xie Yuan seemed not to hear and continued giving orders. "Leave some people in the city to search. The rest will go with me to search outside the city."

With that, he swept past the young man, leaving only a chill breeze behind.

Zhe Jing hesitated but then gave the order, "Yes!"

Master and servant moved swiftly, heading outside. Just as they reached the front courtyard, someone rushed in from the outer courtyard.

Gao Sheng looked apprehensive. "Sir, someone just threw a brocade box outside the mansion. I did not dare to open it without permission..."

Xie Yuan paused, and with a single glance, Gao Sheng understood. He waved his hand, signaling someone to bring the box forward.

"Sir, allow me to..." Gao Sheng cautiously offered, wary of any poison inside the box.

Xie Yuan, however, reached out directly.

As the box opened, the few people around him drew a sharp breath.

On the snow-white brocade lay a bloodied eyeball, staring straight at them.

"Sir!" Gao Sheng, shocked, tried to close the box.

He dared not think about what would happen if this was the madam's eye...

Just as he was halfway through closing it, Xie Yuan's hand came over, stopping him.

"It's not the madam's," Xie Yuan said, his expression inscrutable.

Zhe Jing and Gao Sheng were stunned, instinctively relieved.

But the next words from Xie Yuan chilled them to the bone. "Has Zhe Ying still not responded?"

Zhe Jing's limbs went numb, and after a long pause, he reluctantly shook his head. "I sent a signal flare two days ago, but received no response."

Gao Sheng, stiffened by shock, then felt a surge of anger. "Sir, let me go!"

Zhe Jing wanted to reprimand Gao Sheng for disrupting the master's plan, but remembering how Zhe Ying had left laughing and talking, he found himself speechless.

Another suffocating silence followed.

Xie Yuan closed his eyes and then opened them again: "Let's enter the palace first."

The sudden lockdown of Yanjing City left everyone in a state of panic, yet no one knew the reason behind it.

At the Su residence, the family was already in a frenzy, but to maintain Su Youyue's reputation, they dared not spread the news publicly. They could only secretly increase their manpower to search for her.

For three whole days, there was not a single piece of news.

After three sleepless nights, Lu Xixue was almost overwhelmed by self-reproach.

"I shouldn't have let Nuanuan go to the Female Doctor Clinic with me. As a mother, I couldn't even protect my daughter's safety..."

Her eyes were swollen and red. Just as Zhenyun was about to comfort her, she gritted her teeth: "Those little bastards, once I catch them, I'll make sure they beg for both life and death!"

Seeing that she had regained some spirit, Zhenyun nodded in agreement: "Certainly, once we find out who's behind this, our Su family will not let them off easily! Right now, the most urgent thing is to locate Nuanuan."

"Zhenyun, why don't we go look for her ourselves!" Lu Xixue couldn't sit still, "I can't find peace until we find Nuanuan."

Zhenyun was swayed by his wife's words and hesitated.

Just then, another person entered: "Yes, Elder Sister, it's been three days, and Lord Xie's men haven't found Nuanuan yet. Why don't we go out and search for her ourselves? Every day she remains missing, the more danger she faces."

Xiao Wangshi came in with a worried face.

Seeing her like this, even Lu Xixue, who usually disliked her, felt a slight pang of sympathy.

Lu Shuangshuang followed her mother, coming reluctantly. She would rather have slept in longer.

As for Su Youyue, she wasn't indifferent, but what she cared about was whether the girl would be found dead or dishonored.

Either way, the thought made Lu Shuangshuang feel elated, and she had been eating well and sleeping soundly for the past few days, completely forgetting the humiliation caused by Su Youyue.

This time, when the news of her disappearance spreads, let's see whose reputation is worse!

For now, since she hasn't been found, no one says anything. But once she's brought back, her reputation ruined, will Lord Xie still care?

He might divorce her, turning her from the envy of all girls in Yanjing into someone everyone despises and mocks, a fall from grace that will be unbearable!

By then, Lord Xie will surely remarry...

Thinking of the grand wedding she had seen and Xie Yuan's godlike appearance, Lu Shuangshuang finally perked up.