Chapter 643: Mid-Autumn Festival Turmoil (10)

Liu Sisi, offended by the accusations, was slightly annoyed.

However, thinking that the two children were still quite young and that their disappearance was not a joke, she sent servants out to look for them.

It was then that they continued onwards to the official residence.

Di Ah-Bao and Ms. Xin, lagging behind, obviously started to argue.

“What nonsense! I was only speaking the truth. Di Xuan is already nine years old, yet he is doted upon like a little kid all day – isn’t this the same as my past? I certainly disagree…”

Ms. Xin said something else that Liu Sisi couldn’t quite catch. After a moment, she heard Di Ah-Bao speaking again.

“I simply refuse to approve of this matter! If I had an opportunity to venture out with the Third Brother earlier, I would not be as unaccomplished as I am now. Hmm… I know… enough, don’t nag…

“How are you feeling? Not too tired, I hope?”

Di Yelei quietly approached Liu Sisi from the side.

Liu Sisi shook her head lightly and smiled: “No, I am not.”

Di Yelei somewhat helplessly replied: “Ah-Bao’s temperament is really like an immature child. I am sorry that you have to endure it.””

“Don’t worry, I understand that he is only looking out for Di Xuan’s best interests. I do not blame him.”

Nevertheless, she felt that she and Di Xuan needed to have a serious talk.

Once everyone returned to the manor, they scattered to their respective courtyards.

Due to the small size of the official residence, each courtyard was quite tiny, affecting ventilation.

At the moment, it was still the hour of 7 p.m to 9 p.m, and there was not the slightest breeze around. The heat was making everyone feel irritable, none wanting to budge.

At this time, the servants assigned to look for the two children had not returned yet, but Di Xuan had!

The moment he set foot in the manor, numerous pairs of eyes suddenly turned towards him.

“Xuan’er, you’re back. Where’s YingEr? Wasn’t she with you when you went out?”

“What? YingEr hasn’t returned yet?”

Di Xuan was shocked!

It was then that everyone realised the severity of the situation and hurriedly sent numerous people out to look for her.

“Wait!”

Liu Sisi suddenly spoke, gazing at everyone who was about to head out, “Remember, it’s our Lord Di’s second son who has gone missing. Do you understand?” Her tone was gravely serious.

Everyone immediately understood Liu Sisi’s words. It was true that ‘he who worries, is confused.’ If outsiders knew that YingEr was the one who was lost, even if she was eventually found, her reputation would be tarnished!

Old Master Di also grasped the key point and hurriedly agreed: “Yes, yes! The Second Young Master went to float river lanterns tonight and accidentally lost his way. Those going to look for him, please keep your mouths shut. If I find out that anyone has leaked even a single word… Humph!”

He glared angrily at everyone.

“Yes, Old Master, don’t worry. We are all going out to search for the Second Young Master!”

Everyone suddenly realised the gravity of the situation and quickly responded. They departed after exchanging glances, scattering to search for Di Xuan.

Di Xuan sat on a chair in a daze, clearly failing to gather his thoughts amidst the sudden turn of events. How could she have gone missing? That was the same route they took every day. How could she just vanish suddenly? It was not possible!

Di Yelei called out to him, “Xuan’er, come in for a moment. I have something to ask you.”

Di Xuan didn’t react. After a while, he slowly got up and entered the inner room.

“Close the door!”

Di Yelei spoke to him, “What happened tonight? Can you tell me the details of what went on?”

Di Xuan slowly lifted his head, and his eyes immediately turned red. “Dad, I…I…” he began to whimper.

Liu Sisi was not concerned about what Di Yelei and Di Xuan might be speaking about. Her concern was about YingEr’s whereabouts.

Children are commonly said to be sensitive. There was a reason YingEr was so attached to her. The real reason was that she truly loved YingEr, treating her like her own child.

They say daughters are a mother’s ‘small cotton-padded jackets.’ How could Liu Sisi not be worried when her ‘small cotton-padded jacket’ suddenly vanished?

The lamps in the official residence were radiant; none of the servants had the heart to sleep.

As time slowly passed, everyone’s hearts sank.

Daybreak arrived, and all the servants who had been dispatched returned, their news sinking everyone’s hearts further into the abyss.

“The official residence is only a short distance from the city moat, a round trip would only take the time needed to drink two cups of tea. So many people were sent out to search, combing through the area back and forth many times, if the child was still within this perimeter, she would have been found a long time ago.”

One of the returned servants struggled to say.

The truth was that everyone present understood the reality. They were all just hoping for a one-in-a-million chance.

“Da Niu, go to the doorway. You…”

Suddenly, Liu Sisi called over Da Niu. After a few whispered words, she dismissed Da Niu.

“Sisi, what is it? Did you discover something?”

Di Yelei curiously leaned over.

“Not really, I just had a thought. I sent Da Niu to find out. Wait a while, if my assumptions are correct, we might get our answer soon.”

Liu Sisi spoke casually.

The morning mist gradually cleared, breakfast was served, but no one was in the mood to eat.

“Madam, Madam! Madam!”

The excited voice of Da Niu could be heard. Soon, he was seen leading a man forcibly into the hall.

“Madam, I did exactly as you instructed and waited there. It didn’t take long before I noticed this guy lurking around, so I grabbed him.”

“Was anyone else in the vicinity when you seized him?” Liu Sisi asked gravely.

Da Niu’s smile disappeared. “Yes, there were a few people…”

Liu Sisi was slightly worried. She ordered the servants, “Go check it immediately, find out in which direction those people went off. Report back as soon as you have information!”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Let go of me, let go!”

That man was struggling wildly. “I’ve committed no crime! What right do you have to capture me?”

“What right? Simply because you were involved in a case of abduction and attempted murder, we have the right to throw you straight into the death row. And when you’re there, we’ll remind you of all the means of punishment one by one. Once we’re done, we can start questioning you!”

Liu Sisi’s face was cold and unyielding.

Having said that, she turned towards her servants. “Someone! Throw this man into the prison for me. Let him experience the severity of the punishment of burning, first! Take him away!”

“Yes!”

The servants nearby went forward at once.

“Stop, wait, I have something to say! I have something to tell you all! Wait a minute…”

The man was yelling for mercy, but no one spoke up. They just watched as he was dragged out of the hall and taken to the backyard.

After a while, when the time seemed appropriate, Liu Sisi, with a grave face, gave the order. “Da Niu, go bring him back.”