With such loyalty, it would be better to simply self-comb one's hair; then one could even gain favor with one's master.

"Little sister, shut up," Jin Yong scolded, "That's our mother!"

He used to think the same way, but his father said that the four of them were a family, and if anything happened, his mother would definitely stand by their side.

He used to believe this wholeheartedly, but now he can't help but waver.

I was too flustered before and didn't think too much. Now, looking back, I find flaws everywhere.

The thought of this made Jin Yong's heart ache terribly.

"Alright, alright," Jiang Nuan said. "The people from Wuweilou were sent away so hastily, they might know something. Let's wait and ask them first."

After giving a soft "hmm," Jin Yong fell silent.

This incident was a huge blow to him, and he needs some quiet time.

Huang Shi returned with his men in the afternoon.

"Manager Qiushan," Jiang Nuan went straight to the point, "Do you know anything?"

"I don't know the specifics," Qiushan said through gritted teeth, "but it's definitely related to that bastard Jin Yu."

"Young Master?" Jin Yong was stunned. "Uncle Qiushan, what does my father's accident have to do with you, Young Master?"

"The shopkeeper told us before he left that he was going to accompany the young master to the prefectural city. That day was the second day of the third month. After that, none of us saw him again."

"According to our original plan, it would have been some time before we could redeem ourselves. What happened yesterday was very sudden and caught us off guard. If I hadn't reacted quickly and bribed a child to deliver the message, we would have been sold to another place by now."

"You mean, Manager Jin went to the prefectural city?"

“Yes,” Qiushan said through gritted teeth, “That brat is the most lustful of all. The third day of the third month is the Flower Queen’s Banquet, he must have gone there.”

"I see," Jin Yong said, feeling extremely distressed. "So, Father had an accident in the prefectural city?"

“It seems so,” Akiyama sighed. “Judging from the looks of it, the odds are against us.”

Otherwise, the Jin family wouldn't have acted so guiltily.

"What should we do?" Jin Yong slumped into a chair, dejected. "Something must have happened to my father."

Mother is so certain, perhaps she already...

“It’s too early to draw conclusions,” Jiang Nuan shook her head. “No matter what, we need to see the person alive or dead.”

“Mother,” Huang Xiaosan began, “do you want to go to the prefectural city?”

“We have to go,” Jiang Nuan said with a stern face. “If your father-in-law is alright, this whole thing will become a complete joke.”

Besides, only by meeting the people can we know the specifics of the situation, and even if we encounter the Jin family later, we won't be too passive.

Jiang Nuan was not joking; on the very day she made the decision, she asked Lai Zi to obtain the travel documents.

“Lai Zi, the day after tomorrow is your special day. Your aunt should have been here,” Jiang Nuan said guiltily, “but now that this has happened, I’m afraid…”

“It’s alright,” Lai Zi said nonchalantly. “It’s a matter of life and death, Auntie, you can go about your business. I’ll take care of it. Besides, my brothers will come to help.”

“Brothers are brothers, and elders are elders,” Jiang Nuan insisted on this point. “I’ve entrusted this matter to my sister-in-law, and she will definitely handle it properly for you.”

"this……"

"Don't dwell on this and that," Jiang Nuan sighed. "The past is the past. People should look forward, give themselves a chance and give others a chance. The world isn't that bad."

“Okay,” Lai Zi hesitated several times, but finally gritted his teeth and said, “I’ll listen to my aunt.”

My aunt wouldn't harm me, so I'll just have to wait and see.

If you are not satisfied, you can leave at any time without any loss.

Because of Lai Zi's marriage, Jiang Nuan did not bring too many people this time, only five people: Huang Xiaosan and his wife, Jin Yong, and Qiu Shan.

We rented a horse-drawn carriage in the county town and were in a hurry, so we arrived in the prefectural city before evening.

"Mother," Jin Shi said hesitantly, as this was her first time in such a bustling yet unfamiliar place. "Where are we going to look for someone?"

"We'll talk about finding someone later," Jiang Nuan patted the wine jar in her arms. "Let's go to the Han residence first."

"Madam Jiang," Steward Qiushan exclaimed with delight, "Do you know anyone in the prefectural city?"

“There’s one, I’ve only dealt with him once,” Jiang Nuan said, a little uneasy as she thought of Han’s father. “Let’s give it a try!”

When Han was informed that someone had come looking for him, he, who was drinking at the time, initially didn't want to pay any attention.

Suddenly, he heard the servant say, "A bunch of peasants, claiming to know the master? What kind of swindlers are they?"

"Wait, what do you mean by 'mud-legged'?" Han's father asked tentatively. "Is his surname Huang or Jiang?"

"His surname is Jiang, sir," the servant said tentatively, his heart skipping a beat, "you really know him?"

When did the master meet the country folk? How come he didn't know?

Luckily, I didn't offend anyone, otherwise, I would definitely have been punished.

What the servant didn't know was that he hadn't escaped this beating.

"What liar? That's my confidant," Han's father sneered. "It's easy to find a thousand pieces of gold, but hard to find a true friend. Who are you to criticize my friend? Go to the steward and get your beating."

"Yes, I know I was wrong, I'll go right away!"

After the servant finished speaking, he left with a bitter face.

Outside the door, time passed longer and longer, but the messenger did not return, and everyone grew increasingly uneasy.

"Auntie," Jin Yong asked anxiously, "what if your friend doesn't recognize us anymore?"

This house is so grand; the people living inside must be rich and powerful, and they probably wouldn't even look at people like them.

"No," Jiang Nuan reassured, "Something might have happened, let's wait a bit longer."

Although Han's father was a bit eccentric, he had a very pure heart.

There was no contempt for the Huang family in his eyes, so he wouldn't be afraid to recognize them.

Perhaps something really did cause the delay.

Not long after Jiang Nuan finished speaking, the door creaked open.

Jiang Nuan looked up and saw Han's father running over with his pregnant belly. "Little sister, is it really you?"

"Brother Han," Jiang Nuan asked in surprise, "why did you open the door?"

Doesn't he feel ashamed?

“That servant made a mistake and went to receive his punishment, he’s not here,” Han’s father said nonchalantly. “Anyway, I’m very free, opening the door is no big deal, and it’ll be a good opportunity to see you sooner.”

If Jiang Nuan hadn't known that Han's father had no feelings for her, she would have misunderstood what he said.

However, it cannot be denied that Han's father's actions warmed Jiang Nuan's heart. "Thank you, Brother Han."

"Don't mention it," Han's father said, taking the wine jar. "Come on, let's go inside the mansion."

Han's father thought the group had come specifically to bring him wine, and was so happy that he wanted to throw a welcome banquet for them.

“Brother Han, there’s no need for such trouble,” Jiang Nuan sighed. “To be honest, I have a favor to ask of you.”

"What is it?" Han's father patted his chest and said, "Sister, just say the word. I still have some influence in this prefectural city."

When he said this, Mr. Han didn't feel like he was bragging at all.

The Han family is just a merchant family, but he has many friends. Although those cronies are all after his money, no one would mind adding to his wealth.