Prince Pingnan’s residence was in complete chaos.

Princess Pingnan, forcing herself to maintain composure despite her illness, berated Wei Wen’s personal maid Zisu: “Wretched servant, explain the situation clearly to me!”

Zisu knelt on the ground, her body trembling like a sieve, choking out what had happened after leaving the Princess’s residence: “The county princess’s expression wasn’t right when she left the Princess’s residence. She ordered the carriage driver to go to Qingxing Street…”

At the mention of Qingxing Street, the first thing that came to mind for those in the room was the Youjian Tavern, and then Miss Luo.

Wei Qiang’s expression was complicated, Wei Feng’s face showed resentment, and Princess Pingnan’s complexion was even more unsightly.

“The county princess told this servant to stay in the carriage, saying she wanted to stroll around alone. After waiting for a long time without the county princess returning, this servant got out to search, but couldn’t find anyone in any of the shops the county princess might have visited…” By the end, Zisu couldn’t help but sob quietly.

“Stop that wailing!” Princess Pingnan wished she could flay Zisu alive with her glare. “Which shops did the county princess visit?”

Zisu choked out: “This servant asked at the rouge shop, the garment workshop, the general store, and even the teahouse the county princess had visited before. They all said they hadn’t seen a young lady dressed like the county princess…”

“You didn’t ask at the Youjian Tavern?” Wei Feng suddenly interjected.

Zisu shook her head.

“Why not?” Princess Pingnan asked with a grim face.

Zisu hesitated before saying: “The county princess doesn’t like Miss Luo, so she definitely wouldn’t go to the Youjian Tavern.”

“Foolish!” Princess Pingnan slapped the table.

Not liking someone meant she wouldn’t go?

When one’s heart was burning with anger, one might specifically seek out someone they disliked to cause trouble.

Princess Pingnan’s gaze swept over her two sons as she instructed Wei Feng: “Feng’er, take people to Qingxing Street and question every shop. A living person can’t just vanish into thin air.”

Wei Feng glanced at Wei Qiang and nodded calmly.

Seeing Wei Feng leave, Princess Pingnan said gently: “Qiang’er, don’t overthink it. It’s just more convenient for Feng’er to go out and handle matters.”

At this time, Prince Pingnan’s residence could only be safe by keeping a low profile. The deposed crown prince naturally should stay far from public view.

Wei Qiang nodded and said hoarsely: “Mother Consort, I’ll take my leave first.”

Watching her eldest son’s completely dispirited appearance, Princess Pingnan felt both heartache and disappointment, and nodded slightly.

Wei Qiang walked out of the main courtyard, his expression completely darkening.

Historically, when crown princes were deposed, most lost their lives. A few were placed under house arrest. In the eyes of the world, he, a deposed crown prince who could return to his princely residence and continue being a noble young master, had a relatively good ending. But only he knew what it truly felt like.

The younger brother he once regarded as an ignorant child was now heir apparent, while he had become an existence that couldn’t see the light of day. Even walking through the princely residence, he could see avoidance in the servants’ eyes.

He’d had enough of such days!

Wei Qiang returned to his room and grabbed the wine jug to drink heavily.

The smell of alcohol wafted through the door crack. The two maids guarding the corridor exchanged glances and both sighed.

Serving such a master really meant having no prospects.

Wei Feng led some servants including Zisu to Qingxing Street and began questioning the shops one by one.

By the persimmon tree hung with red persimmon fruits, people from the tavern were gathered around a stone table eating persimmons.

The persimmons washed with well water were plump and juicy, sweet to the heart.

“Miss Luo won’t eat any?”

Luo Sheng smiled slightly: “Xiu Gu made two jars of wine-soaked crabs a few days ago and said they’d be ready to eat today.”

Wei Han: “…”

Everyone gathered around the stone table eating persimmons turned their heads in unison, silently looking at Luo Sheng.

After quite a while, Sheng Sanlang asked Xiu Yue: “Xiu Gu, are we really eating wine-soaked crabs tonight?”

Xiu Gu nodded with a smile.

Sheng Sanlang looked down at the half-eaten persimmon in his hand and suddenly lost his appetite.

Though persimmons were sweet, the persimmon tree wasn’t going anywhere—they could be picked and eaten anytime. But wine-soaked crabs weren’t available often!

“Cousin, why didn’t you say so earlier!” Others might not voice their grievances, but Sheng Sanlang didn’t need to be polite.

If not for considering Prince Kaiyang’s feelings, he would have rushed over to shake his cousin’s shoulders to express his excitement.

Prince Kaiyang… wasn’t in a good mood either.

He had already eaten four persimmons. Eating wine-soaked crabs on top of that seemed a bit dangerous.

This couldn’t be blamed on Wei Han. Anyone who saw something they often admired being picked by others would feel they needed to eat more to make it worthwhile.

Everyone looked at Luo Sheng with accusatory gazes.

At this moment, Kou’er entered the courtyard to report: “Miss, Prince Pingnan’s heir apparent is bringing people our way.”

Luo Sheng’s brows drew together slightly as she walked outside.

The group lost their appetite for persimmons and all followed after her in a rush.

Wei Feng had already pushed open the tavern door. The female shopkeeper calmly went to greet him: “My apologies, customer, our tavern hasn’t opened yet.”

“I have something to ask you.”

“What does the heir apparent wish to ask?” A cool voice came.

Wei Feng looked toward the sound and saw Luo Sheng emerge from behind the curtain with a cold face, followed by Kou’er and Hong Dou, then Wei Han, Sheng Sanlang…

Wei Feng instinctively counted the number of servants he’d brought and forced a smile as he greeted Wei Han: “Royal Uncle.”

“What are you here for?” Wei Han asked indifferently.

“This nephew came to ask the tavern’s shopkeeper if she’s seen Wen’er today.”

The female shopkeeper quickly said: “Haven’t seen her.”

“I wonder if anyone else has seen her?” Wei Feng surveyed everyone, his gaze finally settling on Luo Sheng’s face.

Luo Sheng said calmly: “The shopkeeper has been watching the tavern the whole time. If she hasn’t seen her, the others certainly wouldn’t have. Perhaps the heir apparent should ask elsewhere.”

Wei Feng met her gaze. He couldn’t detect any clues in those cool eyes, yet he was unwilling to leave just like that: “Miss Luo saw my younger sister at the Princess’s residence today. Did you notice anything unusual?”

“I did not.”

Luo Sheng’s answer was too decisive, making Wei Feng open his mouth, momentarily forgetting what to say.

“Feng’er, since no one here has seen her, go ask elsewhere.”

Upon hearing “Feng’er,” Wei Feng lost the confidence to linger. He cupped his hands and took his leave.

“The young county princess really has disappeared.” Hong Dou quickly chased out to watch the excitement, not bothering to hide the schadenfreude in her eyes.

Luo Sheng thought for a moment, then lifted her feet to walk outside.

Wei Han didn’t follow but instead walked to his usual seat and watched through the window that all-too-familiar figure.

Qingxing Street appeared normal. Wei Feng led a few servants into a teahouse, seemingly without intention of making a big fuss.

The female shopkeeper from the rouge shop across from the tavern also came out to look around. When her gaze met Luo Sheng’s, she smiled politely.

Luo Sheng nodded in response and instructed Kou’er in a low voice: “Later, ask the beggars in this area of Qingxing Street if they saw a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl wearing an apricot-colored pleated skirt with silver threads today.”

Kou’er quietly acknowledged.

Luo Sheng stood at the tavern entrance the entire time, coldly watching Wei Feng leave Qingxing Street empty-handed.

“All those shops said they haven’t seen her?” After hearing Wei Feng’s report, Princess Pingnan’s brows were tightly furrowed. “Take more people and use Qingxing Street as the center, expanding outward to search.”

“Mother Consort, why not report to the authorities? The princely residence is in an awkward position right now. Sending too many people out might not be appropriate.”

“What if Wen’er just went somewhere to have fun? Reporting to authorities would become a laughingstock. Take fewer people and search quietly. If we still can’t find her by nightfall…” Princess Pingnan fell silent for a moment, then said in a hoarse voice, “Then report to the authorities.”