“Zhaozhao has disappeared.”

After Old Madam Deng finished speaking, seeing Li Guangwen’s expressionless face, she felt both relieved and somewhat surprised.

When did my son become so composed?

“Eldest son—” Old Madam Deng called out.

Since the eldest was so calm, they could discuss this properly.

Li Guangwen showed no reaction.

“Guangwen?” Old Madam Deng called again. Seeing that Li Guangwen still had no response, she signaled for Nanny Rong to go check on him.

Nanny Rong walked to Li Guangwen’s side: “Master!”

Li Guangwen’s dull eyes suddenly moved, finally showing a reaction.

His entire body fell backward.

“Oh no, Old Madam, Master has fainted!” Nanny Rong caught Li Guangwen and reached out to pinch his philtrum.

“I didn’t faint!” Li Guangwen pushed Nanny Rong away. His philtrum bore two distinct nail marks, making him gasp in pain.

This old nanny pinched too hard—what did she eat every day to be so strong?

“Mother, what exactly do you mean when you say Zhaozhao has disappeared?”

“I mean, she can’t be found anywhere in the entire mansion!” Old Madam Deng explained the situation in a few words.

After hearing this, Li Guangwen jumped up directly: “It must be Prince Rui’s mansion!”

“How so?”

“Didn’t you say that Prince Rui’s mansion sent people to invite Zhaozhao again today? The same thing happened to me—the one who called me out for drinks today was Zhong Xueyang from the Imperial Academy. His words implied that our family should have more dealings with Prince Rui’s mansion. Bah! Prince Rui’s mansion must have seen that neither approach worked, so they directly resorted to kidnapping. Mother, just wait, I’ll take Hui’er right now to settle accounts with Prince Rui’s mansion!”

“Stop right there!” Seeing Li Guangwen turn to leave, Old Madam Deng’s head pounded as she quickly ordered people to stop him.

“Why are you being so impulsive? Running to Prince Rui’s mansion to demand someone back right now—without evidence, what can you do if they deny it? What happened to ‘remaining unmoved even as Mount Tai collapses before you’?”

Li Guangwen pouted: “Can Mount Tai compare to my daughter?”

Old Madam Deng: “…” She found this quite reasonable!

“Sit here, honestly, and listen to Chen Guang finish his questioning first.”

Chen Guang’s interrogation of the steward wasn’t interrupted by Li Guangwen’s entrance, and he was now getting to the crucial part.

“During the period from late morning to early afternoon, who left the mansion?”

The steward signaled for the gatekeeper to answer.

The gatekeeper was elderly, and his face showed difficulty upon hearing this question. He frowned as he carefully recalled: “There was Old Li who sweeps the front courtyard, Old Qian who handles purchasing…”

Chen Guang interrupted him: “Uncle, think carefully—during that period, who left the mansion carrying large items, such as carts or wooden boxes? In other words, items that could hold many things.”

“Carts? Wooden boxes?” With these specific limitations, the gatekeeper immediately remembered. “Yes! Old Qian left with two helpers pushing a cart during the Snake hour, saying he had arranged yesterday to buy dozens of pounds of wild boar meat and agreed to collect it at that time today. However—”

“However, what?”

“However, that cart didn’t even have a cover, and I took a look at the time—there was nothing inside.”

Chen Guang looked at the steward: “Have Old Qian bring that cart here.”

Soon, Old Qian was summoned, with the cart parked in the courtyard.

Chen Guang walked around the cart in a circle and asked the gatekeeper: “This is the cart?”

The gatekeeper nodded: “That’s right. Our mansion uses this cart for buying groceries. I see it every day—absolutely no mistake.”

Chen Guang shook his head.

This cart was the simplest two-wheeled vehicle, with no possibility of hiding a person.

Returning to the hall, Chen Guang continued questioning the gatekeeper: “Anyone else?”

This time, the gatekeeper shook his head without hesitation: “No one else.”

“Are you certain?”

“If you ask who came and went during that period, this old man might not remember so clearly. But you’re asking about who entered or left with large items—how could I not remember that clearly?”

“No servants from the household, then what about… the masters?” After a moment of silence, Chen Guang asked this question.

At these words, the hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The gatekeeper stared blankly at Chen Guang, unable to speak.

Chen Guang couldn’t concern himself with the Li family’s feelings at this moment. His face darkened as he shouted: “Speak! Even if it was Old Madam leaving with items, you must not conceal it!”

The gatekeeper shrank back in fear.

“Didn’t you hear Chen Guang questioning you? Speak!” Old Madam Deng said sternly.

The gatekeeper lowered his head, hesitated for a moment, then quickly glanced at Old Madam Deng.

“Old Zhao, you’re just a gatekeeper. Now that you’re being questioned, just truthfully report what you saw. Do you think I’m the type of master who would settle scores later without distinguishing right from wrong?” Old Madam Deng sighed.

The gatekeeper trembled all over and finally spoke: “There was… There was someone!”

“Who?” Chen Guang demanded harshly.

“It was Second Master. During the late morning, Second Master went out with two young servants carrying a wooden box. This old servant was curious and looked a few more times. One of the servants even scolded me, telling me to stay away and not damage the Master’s books.”

“Late morning was exactly when the Third Miss left Jinrong Courtyard.” Chen Guang looked at Old Madam Deng, his voice ice-cold. “Old Madam, Second Master hasn’t returned yet, has he?”

External enemies were easy to catch, but inside, traitors were hard to guard against. The Third Miss was a young lady, so it wasn’t convenient for them to guard inside the inner quarters. They never expected there would be such a blood uncle as Second Master Li!

“That beast!” Old Madam Deng’s face turned iron-blue, veins throbbing at her temples. “Eldest, take people and bring that beast back to me!”

After Third Girl disappeared, she hadn’t sent anyone to call Li Guangshu, thinking that scoundrel wouldn’t be of help anyway. She never imagined that Third Girl’s disappearance was actually related to him!

“I’ll go with Master.” Chen Guang said.

Li Guangwen and Chen Guang went together to find Li Guangshu, leaving Qingsong Hall in deathly silence.

Li Yan stood in the corner, her hands and feet ice-cold.

Her father had kidnapped Third Sister? How was this possible? Why would Father do such a thing?

The sky grew darker, and lights began appearing in thousands of homes. The streets were almost empty of pedestrians.

A young man ran frantically through the streets, finally stopping to gasp heavily when he saw Li Mansion’s gate hung with red lanterns.

A servant who had been guarding outside hurried over: “Why did Third Young Master run back—”

“Help me inside!” Li Hui interrupted the servant.

The servant helped support Li Hui, whose legs had gone weak, as they entered.

Qingsong Hall was brightly lit, with Old Madam Deng sitting silently in her chair, feeling as if each day were like a year.

“Grandmother—” Li Hui knelt as soon as he entered.

“Hui’er, did you find your Second Uncle?” Old Madam Deng stood up abruptly.

The old lady rose too quickly, swaying slightly. Li Yan, standing behind her, quickly steadied her grandmother.

Li Hui knelt on one knee, head lowered: “We found him…”

“Where is your Second Uncle? And where are your father and the others? Why did only you come back?” Old Madam Deng asked repeatedly.

Li Hui quickly glanced up at his gray-haired grandmother, then suddenly bit his lip: “Grandson came back first to report. Second Uncle… he’s dead!”