Wen Rugui’s face was a waxy yellow, his cheeks sunken, his skin sagging loosely. He looked at least ten years older than his actual age—completely different from the high-spirited Vice Minister he had been two years ago.

Hearing his request for water, Chang Shi frowned in disgust. “Drinking day after day, you’ve turned yourself into this wretched state, and in the end you still expect others to serve you!”

In the beginning, although her hopes of moving into a grand mansion as a noble madam had been dashed, she had thought that the man’s years of connections in the capital would at least amount to something, and with her son studying diligently, he could secure a future. She could endure hardship for a while. But she never expected the man to become so thoroughly defeated, knowing only how to drown his sorrows in alcohol.

As days passed like this, facing a reeking drunkard, whatever patience she had transformed into resentment. A bit longer, and resentment became hatred.

She wished Wen Rugui would die immediately and stop wasting the family’s money, but for the sake of her son’s imperial examinations, he couldn’t die just yet.

Chang Shi brought a bowl of water and forced several mouthfuls down Wen Rugui’s throat, her movements bearing not the slightest trace of gentleness, earning a bout of coughing from Wen Rugui in return.

Hearing the commotion, Wen Hui walked in carrying a book. “Is Father all right?”

“What could possibly be wrong? Hui’er, don’t worry about it. Go read your books.”

Wen Hui glanced at Wen Rugui on the sickbed, worry showing in his eyes. As for whether he was worried about Father himself or worried about the impact on the examinations—that was hard to say.

“It’s nearly dark and Sister still hasn’t returned. I’ll go look for her.”

Chang Shi quickly blocked him. “You go review your studies. Mother will go look.”

“Mother—”

“The examination period will begin soon. Nothing is more important than this.” Chang Shi urged her son to continue studying, changed into a blue cloth garment, and left.

Though it was nearly dusk, the moment she stepped outside a wave of heat assaulted her. After just a few steps, Chang Shi was drenched in sweat, her expression growing increasingly impatient.

Their straitened circumstances had worn away her delicate qualities, leaving only the irritability of dealing with daily necessities.

“That wretched girl! Send her to ask for money and she vanishes without a trace. So troublesome!” She cursed while walking toward Prince Jing’s residence, but found no sign of Wen Qing along the way.

The sun had completely sunk below the horizon, leaving only a pool of dark red staining the western sky. Chang Shi looked up at the darkening heavens, her heart beginning to sink.

Could she have run into that shrew Lin Wanqing?

Chang Shi didn’t believe Lin Hao would harm her daughter. In her view, no matter how high Lin Hao’s status, the blood flowing in her veins was still Wen Rugui’s. Having wealth and status actually made it easier to extract money—this was why she hadn’t sent her daughter to find Lin Chan.

Though Lin Chan was softer than Lin Hao, she had married into a civil official’s household. Such families often had many rules and were stingy; a daughter-in-law wouldn’t have that much freedom.

What she feared was that Qing’er might encounter that lawless shrew Lin Wanqing—a scholar meeting a soldier. Considering the proximity between Prince Jing’s residence and the General’s Mansion, this possibility was not small.

Chang Shi hurried to Prince Jing’s residence with quick steps and knocked on the main gate.

The gatekeeper looked at her. “You are—”

Chang Shi forced out a smile. “My daughter came to find her sister today and hasn’t returned, so I came to inquire.”

“I wonder what position your esteemed daughter holds in our Prince’s residence?”

“My daughter’s sister is your residence’s Heir’s Consort.”

The gatekeeper frowned. “That doesn’t seem right. I’ve never heard that our Heir’s Consort has a younger sister.”

He suddenly recalled the spectacle from today, and his expression changed. “You’re that young woman’s mother?”

He had seen that young woman pestering the Heir’s Consort at the General’s Mansion entrance and knew her identity. Looking at the woman before him now, his expression naturally turned unfriendly.

“Your daughter took the silver our Heir’s Consort gave her and left. If you’re looking for your daughter, try looking elsewhere.”

Seeing the gatekeeper about to close the door, Chang Shi anxiously pressed her hand against it. “You say my daughter took the money and left? When was this?”

The gatekeeper’s face showed impatience. “This afternoon. She left in less than half a shichen. Go look elsewhere.”

“But—” Chang Shi stepped forward, her nose nearly struck by the forcefully closing gate.

Unwilling to give up, she pounded on the gate several more times, but it remained completely unmoved. She had no choice but to search along the return route.

By the time every household had lit their lanterns and night deepened, Chang Shi returned home hoping Wen Qing had already gone back, only to be disappointed.

When Wen Hui heard, he too became anxious. “Mother, let’s go out together to search.”

Mother and son left together, each taking a different direction to search the places Wen Qing might have gone.

Gradually, the lights in those civilian dwellings extinguished, the bustling shops closed their doors, and the streets and alleys became empty and desolate. The watchman’s calls echoed from afar.

Chang Shi and Wen Hui met up again, both their faces deathly pale.

“You didn’t find Qing’er?”

Wen Hui rarely exerted himself this much. When he spoke, he was panting. “No. Mother, you didn’t find Sister either?”

Chang Shi shook her head. Looking at the ink-black sky, she stamped her foot. “She must have fallen into the hands of that shrew and her daughter!”

“Mother means Lin… Madam?”

Chang Shi laughed coldly. “Who else could it be? No, I must go find them!”

“Logically, they have no reason to make things difficult for Sister.” Wen Hui felt something wasn’t quite right.

“Logically? Logically that shrew shouldn’t have severed ties with your father either! Hui’er, you go home. Mother will go to Prince Jing’s residence to find her.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Chang Shi’s first reaction was to refuse. “No need. You’re about to take the imperial examination—don’t get involved in these matters.”

“But I can’t just keep studying behind closed doors when Sister has disappeared…”

“You’re at home caring for your gravely ill father—you’re fulfilling your filial duty.” Chang Shi pushed Wen Hui back and hurried toward Prince Jing’s residence.

In the night, the lanterns beneath Prince Jing’s residence eaves swayed gently, spilling orange-yellow light onto the two stone lions before the gate. The gatekeeper, hearing the urgent knocking, rubbed his eyes and opened the door.

“How is it you again?”

Seeing the gatekeeper about to close the door, Chang Shi shouted loudly, “My daughter has disappeared!”

“Disappeared? Then go search elsewhere. What are you doing here?”

“I must see your Heir’s Consort!”

The gatekeeper’s face darkened. “Making a scene at a Prince’s residence now? Leave quickly, or I’ll have you taken before the authorities!”

“Take me before the authorities then! My daughter came to find the Heir’s Consort and then disappeared. I want to report this to the authorities too!”

The night was quiet. With Chang Shi making such a commotion, quite a few people came out to watch curiously.

Lin Hao was chatting idly with Qi Shuo when she heard the report. The two of them walked out.

“What’s happening?” Qi Shuo asked.

The gatekeeper quickly explained. “It’s this woman. She says her daughter disappeared after coming to find the Heir’s Consort, and she’s making a scene.”

Lin Hao looked toward Chang Shi and almost didn’t recognize her.

The woman in the blue cloth dress had a shrewish face and had grown plump—completely different from the delicate, frail woman of two years ago.

Chang Shi recognized Lin Hao at a glance and rushed forward. “Where is my daughter? What have you done with my daughter?”

“Wen Qing didn’t return home?” Lin Hao’s heart stirred.

The gatekeeper said from the side, “This woman came by once before.”

“Have you searched the places she usually frequents?”

Chang Shi cried out emotionally, “I’ve searched everywhere! I know you resent us in your heart, but no matter what, Qing’er is innocent! I beg you to release Qing’er…”

Lin Hao and Qi Shuo exchanged glances, a suspicion forming in their minds.