But where exactly was Cheng Jia?
Hearing Grandmother Guo speak this way, Zhou Shaojin felt very sad.
Cheng Jia had always liked staying close to her, but this time she hadn’t paid her any attention. Clearly, she had made up her mind early on but was afraid of implicating her, which was why she had distanced herself.
What a foolish girl!
Little did she know that with her disappearance, how could Zhou Shaojin possibly stand by and do nothing?
However, Grandmother Guo’s words also made sense.
The matter between Cheng Jia and Li Jing was hardly glorious after all. Jiang Shi probably didn’t want too many people to know, especially herself—she had been compared to Cheng Jia since childhood. Now that Cheng Jia had gotten into such trouble, the person Jiang Shi feared most was probably her.
Zhou Shaojin told Grandmother Guo about Li Jing’s whereabouts and said: “Though it would be best to wait for Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu to arrive before deciding what to do, Cousin Jia isn’t just anyone—we can’t watch her make mistakes. Moreover, whether she left with Li Jing is only our speculation. What if she didn’t? I think we should capture the ringleader first and go directly to find Li Jing. If Cousin Jia left with Li Jing, it must have been a spur-of-the-moment decision, so the inn and general store should have some clues. If Cousin Jia didn’t leave with Li Jing at all, I’m afraid we’ll need to search the mountain…”
That would cause quite a commotion!
Grandmother Guo looked at Zhou Shaojin with additional appreciation, saying: “Your idea is good! Let’s proceed according to your suggestion!”
Zhou Shaojin was astonished.
She had merely spoken her thoughts, never expecting that Grandmother Guo wouldn’t scold her for speaking nonsense and would actually prepare to act on her words.
This… this… in both her lifetimes, this was the first time someone had valued her words so highly!
She immediately became anxious about success and failure, stammering: “Old, old lady, I don’t have much knowledge. What I said may not count for much…”
Grandmother Guo smiled and interrupted Zhou Shaojin: “Who doesn’t start from nothing? Your idea considers all aspects very thoroughly. We might as well try following your method. If it doesn’t work, we can start over from the beginning.” She continued, “If Cheng Jia eloped with Li Jing, that would be better—at least Cheng Jia’s life wouldn’t be in danger. What we fear is that this is just our assumption. So we must guard against two possibilities: first, that Cheng Jia wandered around the temple, got lost, and is trapped somewhere; second, that Cheng Jia was abducted by someone with ill intentions, which could endanger her life or reputation. Therefore, our first task is to speak with Master Shi Hui. After all, this happened at Ganquan Temple—if someone goes missing, he bears responsibility too. He’ll definitely stand with us. Not only will we have a local expert as an ally, but we won’t need to worry about him telling others about this matter. Then we’ll have Master Shi Hui help us find her. Calculating the time, we’re already quite late. I fear the culprits may have already taken Cheng Jia far away. But no matter which direction they went, this area of several dozen miles all belongs to Ganquan Temple. As you said, we should be able to find some clues.”
By the time Cheng Lu and Jiang Shi arrived, they would have already done so much, and with Old Madam Li to shield them, no matter how angry they were, they could only direct their anger at Old Madam Li. How could they blame them?
However, Shaojin was such a sincere child—there was no need to tell her these things.
When she was older and had experienced more, she could gradually be enlightened!
Grandmother Guo pondered in her heart.
Zhou Shaojin was moved to tears of gratitude.
She knew Grandmother Guo was teaching her how to conduct herself and handle matters. She obediently agreed and supported Grandmother Guo out of the side room.
The side room where Cheng Jia and Old Madam Li stayed had already descended into chaos. Servant women panicked, maids wept, and several older ones stood to the side offering advice. The people brought from Hanbi Mountain House remained composed, continuing their duties with focused eyes, unlike several maids and servant women from the Fourth Branch who advised the Third Branch people while gossiping and watching the commotion.
Fortunately, whether from the Third Branch or Fourth Branch, everyone was afraid of Grandmother Guo. When Grandmother Guo stood in the covered walkway, all the maids and servant women held their breath, lowered their eyes submissively, and dared not make a sound. Meanwhile, Old Madam Li’s crying and Old Lady Guan’s soft consolations from inside the side room became even clearer.
Zhou Shaojin deeply admired this.
No wonder Grandmother Guo could raise people like Uncle Jing and Uncle Chi.
If a child were raised by Grandmother Guo, they would surely become someone graceful and noble like Uncle Jing or Uncle Chi.
Zhou Shaojin’s respect for Grandmother Guo grew even deeper.
She saw Grandmother Guo’s expression darken as she said sternly: “What is all this commotion? Ganquan Temple is so large—if Miss Jia is missing, just arrange for people to search. This chaos—what kind of decorum is this? Which of you are the personal nanny and head maid by Old Madam Li’s side? Step forward!”
A delicate and pretty maid of about fifteen or sixteen tremblingly stepped forward, saying timidly in a small voice: “Nanny Li and Sister Fanghua are both in the side room comforting the old madam!”
Grandmother Guo glanced at the maid and said: “What’s your name? Go call Fanghua out.”
The maid said softly: “This servant is called Xiangwen. I’ll go call Sister Fanghua out right away.”
Grandmother Guo nodded, her expression slightly clearing. She quietly instructed Nanny Lü to invite Master Shi Hui, had the accompanying steward come to await orders, and had the nannies by her side prepare to help the young temple novices search. Since Old Madam Li had panicked upon discovering Cheng Jia’s disappearance and immediately sent someone to inform Cheng Lu, Grandmother Guo also had Nanny Lü send people to wait at the temple gate to receive those coming from Jiuru Lane.
Nanny Lü hurried out of the courtyard.
The maid called Fanghua was also summoned before Grandmother Guo.
Grandmother Guo glanced at Fanghua, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying, and said sternly: “That girl Jia may have gotten lost while playing. Instead of searching for her, you’re all crying and weeping—what is the meaning of this? All of you wash your faces and hands and comb your hair neatly. The maids will stay to attend to Old Madam Li. The servant women and married servants will await Biyu’s orders shortly and help search!”
No one believed Cheng Jia had gotten lost while playing, but with someone taking charge of the chaotic situation—and that person being Grandmother Guo—the maids and servant women had a pillar of support. Each perked up, tidied themselves, those on gate duty straightened their backs to stand properly, and those off duty all went to the tea room to await orders.
Only then did the courtyard take on the bearing of a great household.
When Master Shi Hui arrived with a grave expression, Zhou Shaojin served at Grandmother Guo’s side.
After the two discussed their strategy, she saw off guests on Grandmother Guo’s behalf and invited the accompanying steward in to speak.
Both Master Shi Hui and Steward Bai couldn’t help but glance at Zhou Shaojin twice.
Zhou Shaojin’s nervous heart pounded wildly, but she forced herself not to show any timidity.
After the two left, she suddenly realized that facing these outside men wasn’t such a difficult thing after all.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but let out a long breath.
When Old Madam Li learned that Grandmother Guo had taken charge of the matter, her heart settled greatly, and she gradually stopped crying.
However, Grandmother Guo was in a foul mood. She said to Zhou Shaojin: “I most detest this type of person. When something happens, all they know is to cry. When others help them, they just lean on them and hand everything over to others, not managing anything themselves!”
Wasn’t this describing her former self?
No wonder Grandmother Guo had looked down on her in her previous life!
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed red as she said softly: “Perhaps she feels she doesn’t have the ability…”
“Even without ability, one should help from the side or do what one can.” Grandmother Guo continued indignantly, “Look at her—she’s now calmly having an intimate conversation with your grandmother, not even coming out to comfort the maids and servant women by her side.”
Zhou Shaojin recalled her own behavior in her previous life, reflecting on her actions.
The steward ran in covered in sweat and said: “Old lady, we’ve located Li Jing. He left Jinling yesterday and has already reached Zhenjiang. Miss Jia is not with him. However, he left his personal attendant at the inn, saying he feared Miss Jia might have something to instruct him about and specifically had the attendant wait at the inn. I’ve already told the attendant about Miss Jia’s situation, and the attendant has sent someone to Zhenjiang to inform Li Jing.”
“How can this be?” Zhou Shaojin’s hands and feet turned ice cold.
Cheng Jia wasn’t with Li Jing… then where was she? Could she be in danger?
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes immediately moistened.
Even Grandmother Guo’s expression changed dramatically: “Then we can only rely on the great monks of Ganquan Temple!”
The steward nodded repeatedly, not even daring to wipe his sweat.
Though Zhou Shaojin was anxious and burning with worry, she still had a maid pass over a handkerchief.
The steward looked at Zhou Shaojin gratefully and said: “Old lady and Second Miss Biao need not worry too much. Miss Jia has never been out before. She shouldn’t have gone far. As long as we search carefully, we’ll surely find her.”
Now they could only think this way!
Grandmother Guo nodded.
Cheng Lu and Jiang Shi arrived.
Jiang Shi grabbed Old Lady Guan’s hand and burst into wailing tears.
Cheng Lu knelt before Grandmother Guo as soon as he entered, his eyes red as he said: “This nephew thanks Great Aunt. If not for Great Aunt’s help, I’m afraid we wouldn’t even know where our girl Jia went!”
Since his words were sincere, Grandmother Guo said: “Don’t be anxious either. The more anxious you are, the easier it is to make mistakes! The journey here must have been tiring. First drink some tea and wash your face. Perhaps that girl Jia will be found soon.”
Cheng Lu nodded through his tears.
But Jiang Shi was clamoring there: “It must be that lowly wretch who lured Cheng Jia away…”
That good-tempered Cheng Lu, in front of family elders and servants, turned and delivered a sharp slap to Jiang Shi’s face, saying grimly: “If you dare say one more word, spend the rest of your life in a temple.”
Jiang Shi covered her face, staring stupidly at Cheng Lu, her gaze vacant. She didn’t recover for a long while.
Zhou Shaojin was also stunned by Cheng Lu’s slap. Like a startled bird, her face pale, she retreated several steps and hid behind Grandmother Guo.
Grandmother Guo didn’t know what she had experienced in her previous life. Seeing how frightened she was, she embraced her, gently patting her back, saying softly: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Your Uncle Lu isn’t angry at you.”
Of course Zhou Shaojin knew that.
It took her a long while of trembling before she could catch her breath.
Grandmother Guo couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
This child was not only as delicate as a flower in appearance, but also in temperament. If she married into an ordinary family, she would likely wither and fade within days!
Thinking this, she felt even more pity for Zhou Shaojin.
Old Lady Guan feared Jiang Shi and Cheng Lu would start quarreling at this critical moment.
She quickly pulled Jiang Shi toward the side room where Old Madam Li was resting.