Chapter 699 The Kidnapper

Chapter 699: The Abduction

At first, Zou Wan Shi assumed Zou Minglei had just wandered off. She scolded Zou Pingping, "What possessed you to follow me? Your younger brother is still so young, and you just left him alone there! He must have wandered off in fear!"

Zou Pingping knew she was at fault and didn’t dare utter a word. She said timidly, "Mother, what should we do now?"

Zou Wan Shi snapped, "What should we do? What should we do?! Of course, we go find your brother!"

Still fuming, she pinched Zou Pingping hard enough to bruise. "Worthless girl, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and look for him!"

Zou Pingping didn’t dare make a sound, tears streaming down her face as she quickly began searching.

But even as night fell, there was no sign of Zou Minglei.

Zou Wan Shi was beside herself with worry. When she met up with Zou Pingping again, she slapped her in frustration. "Listen here! If your brother is really lost, don’t even think about coming home!"

Zou Pingping shrank back, crying as she continued searching for Zou Minglei.

She desperately stopped several people, asking if they had seen a young boy in a pale blue robe with bamboo embroidery on the hem.

When she asked one middle-aged woman, the woman hesitated before saying, "Was he a fine-looking lad, but a bit rude when he spoke?"

She gestured toward her eyes. "Did he look at people like… this?"

The woman glanced sideways at Zou Pingping, imitating Zou Minglei’s arrogant air perfectly.

Zou Pingping’s eyes lit up, clutching at this hope as she nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! That’s my brother! Auntie, you’ve seen him? Where did he go?"

The woman sighed. "I did see him. He asked me for directions to the nearest servant market. At the time, the closest one was the official brokerage on Changyan Road. I showed him the way, and he went off on his own. That’s all I know."

Zou Pingping immediately grabbed the woman’s arm, urgently asking, "How do I get to the official brokerage on Changyan Road?"

The woman, kind-hearted and not bothered by Zou Pingping’s rudeness, gave her directions again. Zou Pingping turned and ran off.

The woman muttered under her breath. These two really were siblings—their mannerisms were exactly the same.

Zou Pingping hurried back to where they'd agreed to meet with Zou Wan Shi. After waiting a while, she saw Zou Wan Shi arrive, her face glistening with sweat, panting heavily.

When Zou Wan Shi saw Zou Pingping alone, her face clouded with anger, ready to scold again. But Zou Pingping quickly said, "Mother! I found out where Minglei is! Someone told me he went to the official brokerage on Changyan Road!" She pointed in the direction. "It’s over there."

A glimmer of hope crossed Zou Wan Shi’s face. "Then let’s hurry over!"

The official brokerage on Changyan Road was at the very end of an alley. By the time Zou Wan Shi and Zou Pingping arrived, it was already late, and the grizzled old gatekeeper was securing the front gate with a heavy lock.

Zou Wan Shi rushed over and asked, "Is this the official brokerage on Changyan Road?"

The old man nodded. "Good madam, if you’re here to buy servants, come back early tomorrow. We've closed for the evening."

Zou Wan Shi said urgently, "I’m not here to buy anyone. I’m looking for my son!... He came here to buy a maid, but now he’s missing!"

The old man looked confused. "What are you talking about? You're not making sense to me."

Zou Pingping quickly explained, "My brother came here today to buy a maid, but he never returned. We’re here to find him."

The old man exclaimed in understanding, eyeing Zou Pingping. "Wait, your brother must be younger than you, right? I’m the gatekeeper here, and I didn’t see any boy that age come by today."

Zou Wan Shi grew frantic. "That can't be!"

Zou Pingping also panicked. "The auntie told me my brother asked her for directions to this brokerage! He must have come this way!"

The old man grew impatient as Zou Wan Shi and Zou Pingping kept pestering him: "Coming this way doesn't necessarily mean he reached us. Recently, there have been many unruly unlicensed brokers on the streets, and fewer people come to our official, licensed ones. If such a young lad had really come, I'd definitely remember!... Go on now, quit blocking me while I lock up."

Waving his hand dismissively, the old man shooed Zou Wan Shi and Zou Pingping away.

Shoved aside, both mother and daughter felt a cold dread.

Zou Pingping shivered suddenly and said, "Mother, maybe Big Brother has already gone home?"

Zou Wan Shi perked up: "Yes, that's possible! Maybe your brother changed his mind and went straight home!"

Without another thought, the two hurried back to the Zou residence.

By the time they arrived, the lights were already on in the Zou household.

Master Zou was fuming: "What kind of hour do you call this to return home!"

Old Madam Zou was equally displeased: "What kind of wife behaves so improperly? No manners at all!"

Zou Wan Shi looked around anxiously: "Mother, Master, has Minglei come back?"

"Wasn't Minglei supposed to be out with you buying a maid?" Master Zou frowned deeply, shocked. "Don't tell me he's missing?!"

Hearing that Zou Minglei hadn't returned, Zou Wan Shi's last shred of hope vanished. Her legs gave way, nearly collapsing, as she muttered, "We've searched all afternoon and found no trace of him... Someone said he went to the broker's, but they claimed no teenager like him had come all afternoon..."

Old Madam Zou panicked: "Then why are you standing here? Send people out to search immediately! This city's huge, Minglei is only fourteen, and it's freezing out there—are you trying to kill my darling grandson?!"

The Zou household was in an uproar.

Eventually, nearly the entire household, including their retainers, went out to search for Zou Minglei—except for the elderly Old Madam Zou and the sickly six-year-old youngest son.

They searched until the wee hours but found no sign of Zou Minglei.

Old Madam Zou passed out from worry, and the family rushed to fetch a doctor, causing an uproar late into the night.

With no other options, the Zous filed a report with the authorities the next day.

A constable told Zou Wan Shi, "Recently, there's been a sudden increase in missing cases in the capital. Your son was likely kidnapped."

Zou Wan Shi nearly fainted upon hearing this.

Having experienced the capital's darker side, she knew how much high-ranking officials favored fair-skinned youths like Zou Minglei.

If her son had been taken, what awful fate awaited him?

Zou Pingping broke down crying, cursing through sobs: "Damn those kidnappers—they deserve to be struck by lightning!"

Zou Wan Shi's face darkened, her daughter's curses cutting deep—after all, her third daughter didn't know that years ago, they'd once taken another family's child...

A thought crossed Zou Wan Shi's mind:

Could this be retribution?

...

Lou Ruhui had been on cloud nine lately.

Ever since Emperor Jiazheng decreed her new title of Fushan Township Lady, she felt her luck had turned around. Cutting ties with Dou Chengsong had taken a load off her mind, leaving her completely at ease.

She was well-connected. Because of earlier gossip and rumors, she had lost contact with quite a few, but those who stayed became even closer.

One day she’d have tea with a friend, the next she’d go shopping with another. In her leisure time, she would host gatherings at home, inviting friends to play games like chuiwan (a traditional ball game) or pitch-pot (a throwing game), having a grand time.

On this particular day, she had made plans with Xingxing to visit a bookstore and pick out some newly released storybooks. As she sat before her dressing table, her maid was styling her hair when her head maid, Qingli, hurried into the room.

Lou Ruhui was surprised. She remembered that Qingli had taken the day off, saying she was going home to visit family.

"Why are you back so soon?" Lou Ruhui asked curiously.

Qingli hesitated before speaking. "My lady, I need to speak with you."

Lou Ruhui was confused but dismissed the other maids in the room before asking Qingli, "What is it?"

Qingli leaned in and whispered, "My lady, as soon as I left the residence today, I was stopped by Master Dou..."

At the mention of the surname "Dou," Lou Ruhui couldn't help but frown.

Dou Chengsong?

What does he want this time?

Lou Ruhui scowled. "I don’t want to hear another word about him."

Qingli lowered her voice further. "My lady, I told Master Dou the same, but he said it was about a young girl named Chu Yaoniang, whom you once knew... She’s in trouble. Master Dou said he had no other choice but to ask for your help."

Lou Ruhui certainly remembered Chu Yaoniang—a bright, sweet girl she had met while paying to fix roofs for villagers in the outskirts of the city, back when her relationship with Dou Chengsong was still amicable.

Later, Lou Ruhui had even sent Qingli to deliver pastries to the children a few times.

At the mention of Chu Yaoniang, Lou Ruhui set aside her grievances with Dou Chengsong. "What happened to Yaoniang?"

Qingli whispered, "I asked Master Dou for details. He said that Chu Yaoniang was a sensible child who often helped her family by selling firewood in the streets to earn some extra money. But two days ago, when she went out to sell firewood, her parents waited and waited, and she never returned... Now, the girl’s parents are sick with worry. Master Dou said he and the nearby villagers searched for two days but found no trace. Knowing your influence, he had no choice but to beg for your help."

Lou Ruhui’s brow furrowed.

Just then, another servant came to report that Princess Fusui had arrived.

Lou Ruhui stood up. "I’ll talk to Xingxing first."

Xingxing entered, cloaked against the chill. Lou Ruhui rose to greet her, but before she could speak, Xingxing said, "Sister Lou, just now, Master Dou stopped my carriage outside your residence. He told me that the little girl we once met, Chu Yaoniang, has gone missing. He begged for my help in finding her."

Lou Ruhui was taken aback and gave a wry smile. "Dou Chengsong really doesn’t give up. Afraid I wouldn’t agree, he stopped Qingli to plead his case, and now he’s doing the same to you."

Still, Lou Ruhui was genuinely concerned about Chu Yaoniang. Though she grumbled, she didn’t let her irritation with Dou Chengsong stop her from helping.

"Have Dou Chengsong come in," Lou Ruhui said with a sigh. "We should at least hear what exactly happened."

Dou Chengsong entered the residence of the Marquis of Mingguang nervously.

Lou Ruhui and Xingxing sat in the main seats, while Dou Chengsong was offered a guest chair.

Cutting to the chase, Lou Ruhui asked, "What exactly is going on?"

Dou Chengsong’s expression was complicated as he sighed. "Two days ago, Yaoniang went out to sell firewood but never returned. Her parents looked for her and discovered the basket of firewood she had taken to sell, along with a handkerchief, in a small alley. That handkerchief was made by her mother from scraps of fabric—Yaoniang treasured it dearly and would never have discarded it... She must have been taken by force!"

Lou Ruhui and Xingxing exchanged glances. "...Was she kidnapped?"

Dou Chengsong stood and bowed deeply to Lou Ruhui, nearly touching the ground. "Township Lady, Princess, you have the rank and means to help. Please, help find that child..."

After a pause, Dou Chengsong added, "Actually, it's not just that child. While searching for Yaoniang these past two days, we've encountered several other families who have also lost their children. I fear they may have truly been taken by kidnappers."

Lou Ruhui didn’t dwell on her past grievances with Dou Chengsong. She responded decisively, "Alright, I’ll dispatch men to the place where Yaoniang went missing to search immediately."

Xingxing also said, "I’ll go to my second brother’s shop and ask him. He’s a merchant and knows all sorts of people. He might have some leads."

Greatly relieved, Dou Chengsong bowed deeply once more. "Thank you, Township Lady, thank you, My Lady!"

Lou Ruhui didn’t want to hear such formalities and waved her hand impatiently. "Enough, no need for empty words. Quickly, I’ll assign you a squad of trained guards. Take them to the place Yaoniang disappeared and search thoroughly."

After a moment’s thought, Lou Ruhui added, "Actually, forget it—I’ll go with you. We’ll bring more people."

Xingxing stood up as well. "Then I’ll head to the shop to find my second brother now."

With that settled, Lou Ruhui and Xingxing went their separate ways to begin the search.

...

Early in the morning, Zou Wan Shi went to the gate of Duke of Xinguo's residence, anxiously pacing back and forth, hoping to get lucky and run into Yu Mingzhu.

But Yu Mingzhu didn’t go out every day. Zou Wan Shi waited until the sun was high in the sky without seeing Yu Mingzhu leave. Growing desperate to the point of despair, she finally begged the doorkeeper, "Please, sir, could you help me pass a message to the Young Miss? Tell her a woman named Zou Wan Shi has urgent business with her."

The doorkeeper looked Zou Wan Shi up and down, curling his lip. "In the past, many people have come to see our Young Miss, all trying to gain favor. You’re not one of those, are you?"

Zou Wan Shi was nearly weeping with desperation. "Good sir, please, I truly have an urgent matter..."

She looked so desperate she seemed ready to kowtow to the doorkeeper.

Still hesitant, the doorkeeper wavered.

Suddenly struck by inspiration, Zou Wan Shi pulled a silver fragment from her sleeve and pressed it into the doorkeeper’s hand. "Good sir, I beg you. This is for your trouble."

The doorkeeper weighed the silver in his hand, looking somewhat disdainful, but finally relented. "Fine, I’ll pass on your message. But don’t hold it against me if the Young Miss refuses to see you."