Li Yuan paid no heed to their words, merely saying: “You’ve searched for so many days, yet found not a single clue?” This youngest son, though not born to Consort Dou, was exceptionally intelligent and skilled at horsemanship and archery. Since returning home, he had always been quite favored by Li Yuan.

Li Jiancheng shook his head: “Your son has run through every street and alley, and asked many people, but still cannot find Zhiyun, nor has anyone said they’ve seen him.” Speaking thus, he said sadly: “Your son truly feels sorry to father, and to Second Mother!”

Li Shimin said: “Father, eldest brother is already deeply grieved. Please don’t blame him further. The urgent matter is to find fifth brother. Each day he remains outside is another day of danger.”

Li Yuan fixed his gaze on Li Yuanji: “You speak correctly. Zhiyun’s disappearance is a fault shared by both of you. After we find Zhiyun, I will punish you both!”

“Yes.” After the two rose, they carefully told Li Shimin about the place where Li Zhiyun had become separated from them, as well as the inn where they had stayed at the time, so that he could send people to search.

After Li Shimin had arranged all affairs and returned to his own room, Consort Zhangsun was tidying things. Seeing him enter, she said: “Your concubine has stewed a cup of ginseng soup. While it’s still warm, husband should drink it quickly.”

“Mm.” Li Shimin accepted the ginseng soup she handed him and slowly drank it. Consort Zhangsun hesitated for a moment, then said: “Does husband think we can find Zhiyun?”

Li Shimin sighed and shook his head: “I don’t know. Now with war and chaos everywhere, and Zhiyun being so young, alone outside, it’s truly very worrying. I’ve sent Wu Shiyue to lead people searching along the route, hoping Heaven will show mercy and let Zhiyun return safely.”

Consort Zhangsun bit her lip lightly and said softly: “There’s one matter – your concubine doesn’t know whether it should be spoken of or not?”

Li Shimin set down the ginseng soup and grasped her hand: “You and I are husband and wife, with no need for such reservations. Wugou, just speak freely.”

Consort Zhangsun was silent for a long while before saying quietly: “Your concubine suspects that little uncle’s disappearance was not an accident.” The “little uncle” she referred to was Zhiyun.

Li Shimin showed surprise: “What do you mean by this?”

“Before Zhiyun disappeared, your concubine inadvertently saw him together with fourth uncle. The two didn’t know what they were discussing. After that, little uncle left the inn. Your concubine thought at the time that fourth uncle had sent him out to do something, so said nothing. But when evening came, we discovered that little uncle had never returned. Your concubine originally wanted to ask fourth uncle what he had said to little uncle earlier, or whether he knew his whereabouts. But before your concubine could inquire, fourth uncle said that aside from breakfast time, he hadn’t seen little uncle all day. Yet your concubine clearly saw that at noon, he had spoken with little uncle.”

Li Shimin listened carefully to her words, then said: “So you’re saying Yuanji is lying, but why would he do such a thing?”

“Generally speaking, lying is to cover up things one doesn’t want others to know. Fourth uncle lying about this matter – your concubine suspects he’s connected to little uncle’s disappearance.”

Li Shimin immediately shook his head: “Impossible. Though Yuanji and Zhiyun cannot be called close, they are blood brothers after all. He would never do anything harmful to Zhiyun!”

Consort Zhangsun shook her head: “To husband, fifth uncle is a blood brother, but to eldest uncle and fourth uncle, that may not necessarily be so.”

“It won’t be so.” Li Shimin shook his head again: “I understand eldest brother and fourth brother clearly. They would never commit fratricide, much less when Zhiyun once saved eldest brother’s life. You’re overthinking this.”

Seeing he was unwilling to believe her words, Consort Zhangsun was also helpless. She sighed lightly: “I hope your concubine is indeed overthinking.”

The next day, Wan Shi also learned of Zhiyun’s disappearance during the journey and his unknown whereabouts. She was both worried and resentful. Had she known this would happen, when she came to Taiyuan, she should have brought Zhiyun along. Then today’s disaster wouldn’t have occurred. But with matters already at this point, regret was useless. She could only pray to Heaven to bless Zhiyun’s safe return.

After the initial worry passed, she gradually calmed down. Zhiyun was the child she had carried for ten months and given birth to. No one understood Zhiyun’s nature better than she did. Though her son was still young, he was extremely methodical and responsible in his actions. He would never run out of the inn for so long just because of playfulness. There must be hidden circumstances, and the greatest possibility was…

She bit her silver teeth slightly: “Zhaixing, go ask Ji Shi to come. I have something to ask her.”

Zhaixing acknowledged, and after about half an hour, she led Ji Rong in. The latter respectfully said: “Ji Rong pays respects to Second Mother. May Second Mother be well.” Though she had become Li Jiancheng’s concubine and given birth to the Li family’s eldest grandson, before Wan Shi she remained as respectful as ever, never becoming arrogant due to favor.

After gesturing for Ji Rong to rise, Wan Shi examined that beautiful face and said coldly: “Do you know why I summoned you today?”

Ji Rong glanced at her and said quietly: “Could it be about Fifth Young Master’s matter?”

Wan Shi’s eyes moved slightly, smiling yet not smiling: “Truly quick-witted. No wonder you’re so appealing to people.”

“Second Mother flatters me.” Speaking thus, she said: “Second Mother, please be assured. Fifth Young Master is blessed by Heaven and will surely pass through this crisis safely.”

Wan Shi gave a cold laugh and uttered words that made Ji Rong’s eyelids jump: “Could Zhiyun’s disappearance be connected to Li Jiancheng?”

Ji Rong was shocked and pale. Only after a long while did she recover: “Husband and Fifth Young Master have always been deeply brotherly. After Fifth Young Master went missing, husband couldn’t eat or sleep peacefully, searching day and night, worrying beyond measure. Second Mother, you… how could you have such thoughts?”

Wan Shi rose and walked a circle around Ji Shi, saying coolly: “Once upon a time, you Ji Rong were merely a small dancing girl in the Governor’s mansion. Today you’ve become First Young Master’s fourth consort, able to stand here and call me Second Mother. The entire Ji family has gained honor through you. Ji Rong, you truly are capable.”

Ji Rong lowered her head: “That your concubine has today is entirely due to Second Mother’s blessing. This kindness, Ji Rong will never forget for her entire life.”

“Spoken so nicely.” Wan Shi raised her hand to stroke her cheek, the carefully manicured nails carrying a trace of coldness that made one’s heart turn cold: “I thought you had long since cast this aside.”

Ji Rong smiled apologetically: “Second Mother jests. I…”

“Enough!” Wan Shi interrupted her words, saying solemnly: “You need only understand one thing: since I could lift you up, I can naturally also step on you. Don’t think that with Li Jiancheng as your backing, you can kick me aside. Not to mention you Ji Rong – even Li Jiancheng lacks that qualification!”

After Ji Rong submissively agreed, Wan Shi said: “I’ll ask you once more: is Zhiyun’s disappearance connected to Li Jiancheng?”

Ji Rong’s thoughts raced as she said quietly: “Husband indeed didn’t much like Fifth Young Master before, but after Fifth Young Master produced the medicine pill given by Venerable Hui’an and saved husband’s life, his attitude changed. Though he’s not as close as with Second Young Master and Fourth Young Master, he still treats him as a brother without distinction. This time Fifth Young Master disappeared, it truly has nothing to do with husband. On the contrary, husband was so anxious he ran in circles, disregarding Fourth Young Master’s advice to dissuade him, searching everywhere, extremely remorseful. This matter – everyone who accompanied us knows it. If Second Mother doesn’t believe it, you may go ask them all.”