Chapter 055 Yan Ji (Part 4)

Chapter 055 Yan Ji (Part 4)

"No."

"No."

Zeng Xiu and Lin Baozhen spoke simultaneously.

Zeng Xiu looked at Lin Baozhen with some puzzlement, wondering why she felt that today should not have gone so smoothly, always feeling that Lin Baozhen was pushing things along when it mattered most...

Zeng Xiu recalled what Ma Ruolan had told her about Lin Baozhen being blessed, and she truly believed it to be the case.

However, this blessing seemed to benefit herself, making her actions more convenient, but it might implicate Wei Wuhou.

Lin Baozhen noticed Zeng Xiu and Xie Jingzhi's suspicious looks. She straightened her back and said, "You've also noticed that I've never gotten along with Lin Er. Why would she focus on finding someone? Perhaps she even found the person and secretly let them go."

Xie Jingzhi wanted to say that Lin Yingxue wouldn't do such a thing, considering it involved a human life, but upon seeing Lin Baozhen, he swallowed his words.

The old lady of Yongning Marquis Manor also said, "Since my son passed away, the Emperor has become distant from our family. If we go through Lady Lin, although it might be faster, she may not be fully committed. Going through Wei Wuhou would ensure more effort. After all, our Yongning Marquis Manor has a deeper connection with the Weiwu Marquis Mansion. Let's trouble Lord Marquis then."

The old lady knew that the situation was actually the opposite. As Emperor Chengde's confidant, Fu Bin definitely knew Yan Ji's background. If they went through Lin Yingxue, Fu Bin would certainly search thoroughly.

Let Wei Wuhou's people search slowly first. Once Yan Ji is brought back to Yongning Marquis Manor, she could take revenge for her son's spirit. Even if the Imperial Guards turn the capital city upside down, they wouldn't dare touch Yongning Marquis Manor, would they?

Xie Jingzhi, not being a man of firm will, decided to send someone to find his father since both Zeng Xiu and Lin Baozhen agreed. His father, serving as the Commander of the Capital Military Command, could mobilize soldiers.

Lin Baozhen nodded. By the time she sent someone to find Wei Wuhou, Lin Yingxue had already taken Fu Wanan down the mountain.

At home, Fu Heng had been busy for a long time. Today, she specially made dumplings at home. Fu Jiaze usually didn't return for lunch, so she had dumplings steamed and sent a food box to the Imperial Academy.

"Jinyuan is at the Imperial Academy, and we are at home. Let's consider this lunch as eating together," Fu Heng said. "I don't insist on formalities; as long as the family is harmonious, it's fine. Once his official position is settled next year, he won't be so busy anymore."

Lin Yingxue nodded, understanding Fu Jiaze's busyness. He meticulously planned his time to digest everything he learned in the Imperial Academy and from Pei Jin.

"I love the dumplings Mother makes," Fu Wanan said warmly to Lin Yingxue. "She puts a copper coin inside. Whoever eats it will have good luck!"

Lin Yingxue nodded. "An'an, you should eat carefully to avoid choking."

"I won't choke," Fu Wanan smiled. "Mother marks each dumpling, so everyone gets one. I won't rush to eat it."

Lin Yingxue said to Fu Heng, "If I had known Mother was busy at home, I should have stayed to help."

Fu Heng looked at Lin Yingxue's arm and smiled. "A young girl doesn't have much strength; the dumplings she makes aren't chewy. Try the dumplings I made; I learned a special filling recipe."

Lin Yingxue soon realized the special filling was water chestnut, which added a sweet crunchiness to the minced meat, making it both sweet and chewy.

Lin Baozhen and Xie Jingzhi were also eating dumplings. After mobilizing soldiers for the old lady of Yongning Marquis Manor and escorting her back, Lin Baozhen felt she had done all she could. She left her husband searching the mountain while she served Xie Jingzhi a dumpling.

"Taste it."

Xie Jingzhi tasted the dumpling for the first time and said to Lin Baozhen, "It's delicious."

In return, he said, "I know a teahouse with excellent tea. If you're free this afternoon, shall we take Mother there?"

Lin Baozhen smiled sweetly and agreed.

As soon as the old lady returned to the manor, she sighed deeply and called everyone except Ting'er.

After everyone gathered, Madam Li nodded at Zeng Xiu.

/

Zeng Xiu felt relieved, knowing that the child was now in her room.

Exhausted, Zeng Xiu began, "While taking Jier to pray, an accident occurred. When we entered Fox Fairy Hall, Jier was left alone. After fifteen minutes, he was nowhere to be found. The Lady of Weiwu Marquis Mansion and the Prince joined us in searching both inside and outside Baifeng Temple. Wei Wuhou arrived later and is still looking for Jier. News should come soon."

"Do not tell the Lady of the Marquis Manor. Her health is poor; let her rest. Inform her once Jier is found."

"My medicine is in the manor. Since I didn't bring it today, I'll take it after eating and continue searching! We will find Jier, we will!"

Among the servants and maids in the manor, some were Emperor Chengde's spies. With Yan Ji missing, they immediately sent messages to the palace and informed He Lanting.

Perhaps due to a mother's intuition, He Lanting's eyelids had been twitching since Yan Ji left. Seeing her maid leave and return, she calculated the time and said, "Is Jier back?"

The maid hesitated.

He Lanting became anxious. She sat up abruptly, causing dizziness, and would have fallen if not for the maid's quick support. "Where is Jier? Has something happened?"

Due to her anxiety, He Lanting started coughing violently, almost as if she would cough up her lungs.

"The young master is fine."

"Liar! Something must have happened." Tears welled up in He Lanting's eyes. "Bao'er is usually obedient. I told him to come to my room when he returns. Why would he disobey me? Something must have happened! Tell me quickly!"

He Lanting was dear to Emperor Chengde. Seeing her coughing and panicking, they couldn't hide the truth and told her about the incident at Baifeng Temple.

He Lanting couldn't bear it and said, "Help me up. I'm going to the old lady's room."

Meanwhile, the old lady was holding a straw toy that fell from Yan Ji's sleeve, a gift from Fu Wanan.

She looked at the wardrobe where the child's body lay.

If only the old lady had been waiting in the courtyard of Fox Fairy Hall, Madam Li might have acted more cautiously. Hearing Lin Baozhen and Lin Yingxue, she moved hastily, causing the five-year-old child to stop breathing.

Seeing the corpse, the old lady's heart burned with rage. How could he die so easily?

When the straw figurine fell out of her sleeve, Old Lady Zeng clearly realized that Yan Ji was just a child, and he didn't even know that his biological father wasn't Yongning Marquis but Emperor Chengde.

Old Lady Zeng, who had originally wanted to dismember Yan Ji, suddenly lost all energy and felt that it was pointless now that he was gone. This matter was truly too meaningless.

While Old Lady Zeng was lost in thought, she heard someone pounding heavily on the door. When she opened it, she saw He Lanting.

"Ting'niang."

Due to her fever, He Lanting's face was flushed. She had come directly from her bed to Old Lady Zeng, her hair disheveled.

"Mama, they told me Bao'er is missing. What happened? Are they lying to me?" He Lanting's eyes were filled with tears, looking pitifully vulnerable.

Old Lady Zeng's remorse vanished the moment she saw He Lanting.

It was this vixen who ruined my son.

Old Lady Zeng sneered inwardly but burst into loud sobs on the surface, "Ting'niang, I'm sorry for what I've done to you."