Cheng Yunshuo went to work as usual early in the morning. Before leaving, he instructed the people in Leisure Pavilion to keep an eye on things and make sure Xing Dai Rong didn’t get into any trouble. He was worried that after yesterday’s argument, she might do something rash. The servants all readily agreed. Not long after he left, Luo Heng came to the Houfu to find Cheng Yunshuo. As soon as Lu Lingyun heard that Luo Heng had arrived, her brows immediately furrowed. Luo Heng was the son of the Assistant Minister of Justice, the vicious wolf Wang Qiluo had married in her previous life. She didn’t even show her face, sending the steward to tell Luo Heng that Cheng Yunshuo was on duty at the Duwei Mansion and no one was home. Even though the servant reported this, Luo Heng still lingered in the Houfu, sipping a cup of tea before slowly leaving. Lu Lingyun really had no good impression of Luo Heng. After this, her impression of him was even worse.
In the afternoon, Lu Lingyun received an invitation from Lady Jiang, the wife of General Wang’s family. “Three days later, I would like to invite you to my mansion for a small gathering. – Lady Jiang.” Lady Jiang was Wang Qiluo’s mother. Upon seeing this invitation, Lu Lingyun’s mood instantly brightened. She immediately had someone send a reply, agreeing to visit General Wang’s mansion for the gathering three days later.
The afternoon passed leisurely. Lu Lingyun, who felt she had no pressing worries these days, was happily admiring the flowers in the courtyard, planning for the upcoming winter, when she heard a servant from Leisure Pavilion rushing in, his face panicked.
“Young Madam! Something terrible has happened!”
“What is it? What are you so flustered about?” Shuang Hong, already bearing the air of a senior maid, reprimanded the servant.
“Really, it’s a big deal!” The servant panted.
“What happened?” Lu Lingyun turned to him.
“Miss Xing, she… she’s gone!”
Until Cheng Yunshuo returned, the entire Houfu was searching for Xing Dai Rong. Qiu Kui, sobbing, explained that Xing Dai Rong’s door had been closed all day, but it had been opened for a while in the morning when they delivered her meal. She hadn’t eaten at noon, and her room was quiet. Qiu Kui remembered Xing Dai Rong’s habit of taking naps during the day and didn’t dare to urge her too much, especially since she had been doing the same for the past few days. However, as the afternoon wore on, Qiu Kui felt something was wrong when Xing Dai Rong still hadn’t eaten. She urged her several times before realizing something was amiss. By the time she called for someone to break open the door, Xing Dai Rong was no longer in the room. She had run away.
But strangely, no one at the front or back gate had seen her leave.
Upon hearing that she was gone, Cheng Yunshuo immediately contacted the Golden Armor Guard to begin a citywide search.
Lu Lingyun, after repeatedly questioning the servants and confirming that no one had seen Xing Dai Rong enter or exit the gates, and knowing that the Houfu’s walls had been repaired and she couldn’t climb over them alone, suddenly thought of someone: Luo Heng.
He was a stranger who had visited the Houfu today.
“Don’t say anything. Send someone to find Zhiyan and have her find trustworthy people to inquire around the Assistant Minister of Justice’s residence and keep an eye out for Luo Heng.” Lu Lingyun instructed Shuang Hong.
If Xing Dai Rong really did leave with Luo Heng, it wouldn’t be convenient for the Ningyang Houfu to directly inquire. Lu Lingyun thought of Zhiyan, who had been managing her shops outside, and asked her to find reliable outsiders to investigate Luo Heng.
Sure enough, the next morning, Zhiyan sent word. The people she sent had discovered traces of Xing Dai Rong at a private residence belonging to Luo Heng, the son of the Assistant Minister of Justice. He had stayed there with a young woman the previous day.
Upon hearing this news, Lu Lingyun frowned.
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**PS:** By the way, is it really possible to make gunpowder in ancient times?
**Glossary Explanations:**
* **Houfu:** A noble’s mansion, in this case, a Hou’s (Marquis) mansion.
* **Duwei Mansion:** The mansion of the Duwei, a military officer responsible for a specific district.
* **Jinluan Temple:** The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the main hall of the Forbidden City, where emperors held court.
* **Da Li Si Shao Qing:** The Assistant Minister of Justice, a high-ranking official in the judicial system.
* **Shuang Hong:** “Frost Red,” a color suggesting a young woman’s blooming beauty and a sense of authority.
* **Tong Fang Ya Ji:** A maid who lives with her mistress in the same room.
* **Liáng Qiè:** A concubine with a lower status than a Gui Qiè.
* **Guì Qiè:** A concubine with a higher status than a Liáng Qiè.
* **Point Heart:** This is a reference to the word “point” in a Chinese web novel, where a “point” is a unit of measurement for a specific action or interaction.
* **Huān cài:** Meat dishes.
* **Zīrán:** Cumin, a spice commonly used in Chinese cuisine.
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