Chapter 486: We Must Find That Girl!

Chapter 486: We Must Find That Girl!

"If you can find that girl before anyone else, not just the tribute, but all future tributes, Princess Pingyang will let your Shen family have a share."

Perhaps because this matter was related to a romantic affair, Cen Yuan pursed his lips and smiled. "Hmm, I wonder what kind of breathtaking beauty that girl is, to make Helian Lin fall in love at first sight, hahaha. Just a while ago, people in Holy City were even betting on whether Helian Lin would be the second Tuoba Xiao."

Liu Ruo, who was sitting next to him, chuckled. "This shows that Helian Lin is more normal than Tuoba Xiao. I'd rather believe that Tuoba Xiao would fall for his wolves than for any woman, hahaha..."

Cen Yuan laughed heartily.

Shen Yuanfeng laughed along with his two brothers, but at that moment, his mind was not on Tuoba Xiao at all. His head was full of thoughts about Helian Lin.

He had indeed fallen behind on the news these past two days while being busy with the cloth matters.

The emperor valued martial talent so much that he tolerated Tuoba Xiao's behavior without limits. Therefore, everyone in Holy City now wanted to gain favor with Helian Lin, the new favorite.

However, Helian Lin was strictly watched by Princess Pingyang and was extremely self-disciplined, leaving everyone with no opportunity to approach him.

Now that an opportunity had come knocking, people were naturally seizing the chance.

If he could really find that girl and get close to Helian Lin, the matter of the tribute would become trivial. The Shen family might even get a share of all future tributes, and their status would rise accordingly.

Moreover, if they could find that girl, Princess Pingyang might also help push forward the marriage between his sister and the Fifth Prince.

Shen Yuanfeng took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination.

No matter who that woman was, he had to find her before anyone else!

This woman was far too important to him at this moment...

After thanking Cen Yuan, Shen Yuanfeng lost the desire to stay at the teahouse and hurried back to arrange for people to find her.

With a goal in mind, the dark cloud that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted a little, and his mood brightened considerably. He soon found his trusted aide, Manager Zhang.

"We must find the owner of that handkerchief, even if we have to search the entire Holy City to find her."

Because of the importance of the matter, the usual smile that often lingered on his lips was gone, replaced by a serious expression. Although his face was calm and expressionless, Manager Zhang understood the significance of the matter and immediately agreed.

However, Manager Zhang found this task quite difficult.

Holy City was bustling with merchants, hundreds of whom came and went each day. If the girl was a merchant's daughter, she could have already left with a caravan, which would explain why no one in the city’s nobility had identified her after two days.

But Manager Zhang didn't dare to voice his concerns at the moment because he knew that although the third and fourth young masters of the family seemed more formidable at first glance, it was this always-smiling second young master who was truly ruthless and decisive.

Since the second young master was so focused on this matter, Manager Zhang certainly couldn't say anything now. He would have to confirm the girl's identity first.

At the garden entrance, Shen Zhuyu happened to pass by and approached with a cheerful smile. "Yuanfeng, who are you talking about?"

As soon as he heard her voice, Shen Yuanfeng's face lit up with a warm, spring-like smile, even more enthusiastic and sincere than before. The previous heaviness in his tone was gone, replaced by an almost fawning tone. "Sister, it's nothing."

Shen Zhuyu gently removed a flower petal that had inadvertently fallen on her younger brother's hair and said playfully, "You're old enough now, Yuanfeng. If you have a girl you like, you should tell mother and father early so they can propose marriage on your behalf. If you're too embarrassed, you can tell your second sister."

Shen Yuanfeng's eyes wavered, his face flushed slightly, but he quickly cleared his throat and regained his usual composure. "If I find someone I like, you’ll be the first to know, Sister."

"Alright." Shen Zhuyu smiled and waved. "Okay, I'm going to check on Xiao Wu first. His hands have been hurting badly these past two days, and he won't take his medicine unless he gets something sweet. I've just made some snow pear porridge for him and am going to bring it over."

Shen Yuanfeng nodded, watching Shen Zhuyu leave. His gaze gradually darkened as he asked Manager Zhang, "How has Young Miss been doing these past two days?"

Manager Zhang, who was already over thirty, didn't dare to look up when facing this fifteen-year-old young master's stern expression. "Second Young Master, the kitchen has been careful not to offend Young Miss, so she has been quiet and hasn’t caused any trouble. She has been very well-behaved."

"Hehe, what kind of Young Miss is she? She doesn't even deserve the title."

"She caused Fourth Young Master to be punished with kneeling and injured Fifth Young Master, yet she seems perfectly content to remain calm."

Shen Yufeng's voice was so cold it sent a chill down Manager Zhang's spine.

Although the young master before him didn't continue, Manager Zhang knew that this 'Young Miss' wouldn't have peace in the days to come.

When the fourth and fifth young masters played tricks, it was just childish pranks. But when the second and third young masters made a move, it would be far more serious than childish pranks.

"Alright, go investigate first. I want results within three days."

Shen Yufeng relented, and Manager Zhang breathed a sigh of relief as he left.

Shen Yufeng looked towards Wutong Courtyard, his gaze so cold it sent chills down the spine.

In Wutong Courtyard, the leaves of the Chinese parasol trees had fallen all over the ground.

Qingluo was relaying the information she had gathered. "They say the wedding date is set for the first day of next month, which is only fifteen days away. It seems the Shen family isn't planning to hide Miss's identity, but they aren't preparing to publicly announce it either. It's likely they'll only make it public after Miss is on the bridal sedan and has exchanged vows."

Su Youyue sat indoors, wearing a fur-lined jacket with a fluffy collar, holding a small hand warmer in her hands.

Maybe it was because of her pregnancy, but she felt the cold much more acutely now. Previously, she wouldn't have felt this cold in Yanjing, but now it felt like winter had set in early.

She rubbed the warmer and said, "No problem. It actually makes things easier for us, as long as those Shen family clowns don't come to put on another show."

Qingluo responded and secretly glanced at Su Youyue. Her face was framed by soft rabbit fur, casting a gentle glow on her already fair and delicate face. Qingluo found herself staring at her, lost in thought.

After a moment, Qingluo realized that even as a woman, she found Miss's beauty captivating, like admiring a flower or gazing at the moon.

Just then, Ren Dong, the senior maidservant of Miss Shen Zhuyu, arrived outside.

"Young Miss, these are clothes made from the highly sought-after Zhuyue Jin. Second Miss, upon learning of your return, went to great lengths, asking many of her sisters and offering favors, to obtain this precious fabric. She wanted to make beautiful clothes as a welcoming gift for you. Due to the intricate embroidery, it took until today to complete, and it is now being presented to you."