All that trouble and effort, just for a single compliment from someone else praising her for being virtuous and capable.

This is something Pei Zhi will never understand, nor be able to do well.

"Speaking of which, you should start learning too."

"Whether it's entering the palace or... you'll have to take care of it from now on."

Madam Pei thought for a moment, "If you have time, stay by my side and I'll teach you how to manage a household step by step."

Pei Zhi knew that her sister-in-law meant well, but unfortunately, Pei Zhi didn't need it.

Pei Zhi didn't immediately refuse her sister-in-law, lest her sister-in-law think she was ungrateful.

"Let's talk about it later. Right now, sister-in-law, you should focus on organizing your brother's birthday banquet."

Madam Pei could see Pei Zhi's reluctance, so she didn't make things difficult for her.

She meant well; if Pei Zhi wasn't willing, she wouldn't force her.

"Of course, if you're willing, it would be nice to be a lady-in-law in the Pei family for the rest of your life."

Madam Pei genuinely thought this was a good thing; at least there would be someone in the household to keep her company and chat. As long as Pei Zhi was happy, anything was fine with her.

"After my sister-in-law said that, I actually took it seriously?"

Pei Zhi joked, "From now on, I'll just stay in the mansion. Even if my sister-in-law tries to kick me out, I won't leave."

The two women chatted and laughed as the carriage returned to their residence.

The two of them got off the carriage together, and the servants in the mansion rushed over to greet them.

Madam Pei went out, but left her personal maidservant in the mansion to take care of the children.

This nanny was Madam Pei's wet nurse since childhood, and she also accompanied Madam Pei when Madam Pei got married.

Of all the people in the household, Madam Pei trusted her the most.

Madam Pei was worried that she would be out all day and the wet nurse wouldn't be able to take good care of the child. With the nanny accompanying her, Madam Pei would feel more at ease.

The old woman peered behind Madam Pei for a moment, then asked, "Why did you come back alone, Madam? Where is the young master?"

Madam Pei's expression changed drastically. "What young master?"

"I'm going out today, so he's not in the house. I'm asking you to keep a close eye on the wet nurse and make sure she's well cared for."

The old woman's face turned pale instantly. "But...but Madam hasn't been gone for long."

"The maidservant beside Madam Pei..." The old woman pointed to the maidservant who had accompanied Madam Pei.

Where did Pearl go?

The old woman exclaimed in surprise, "Zhu'er ran back and said that there aren't many people in the city today. Please have her come back and take the young master over."

The old woman said in a flustered manner, "I was originally going to go with them."

“But Zhu’er said that, including her, there were six people in total. Moreover, she said that you instructed me, Madam, to keep an eye on them and thoroughly clean the house inside and out. That’s why I didn’t go.”

Madam Pei took two steps back, and Pei Zhi quickly helped her up.

Madam Pei began to tremble. "Zhu'er, Zhu'er came out with me for a short while, then said she had unbearable abdominal pain, so I made the decision to let her return to the manor."

Madam Pei never expected that Zhu'er's return to the manor would lead her to deceive her son.

"Quickly, order your men to bring the garrison soldiers and go search immediately."

Pei Zhi waved, "Granny, help my sister-in-law inside first."

"The messenger should quickly inform his brother and tell him the truth so that he can return soon."

After giving her instructions, Pei Zhi casually called out to a servant, "Go to the Shang residence, find Lord Shang, and tell him the situation so he can lead his troops to find the person."

Pei Zhi remained calm, because her sister-in-law had already lost her composure, and she absolutely could not afford to lose her composure now.

Madam Pei grasped Pei Zhi's hand, "When did they leave?"

"They must not be in town anymore, right?"

Madam Pei's face was pale. "Will it be difficult to find?"

Pei Zhi squeezed her sister-in-law's hand tightly, "Sister-in-law, listen to me."

“They kidnapped the child; it must have been a scheme. I have already sent people to find Pearl’s family.”

"Since she was my sister-in-law's dowry maid, and they kidnapped the child, it certainly wasn't for the child's life."

Pei Zhi thought for a moment and then asked, "Sister-in-law, has Zhu'er been punished by you for anything these days?"

Madam Pei's mind went blank; she shook her head blankly, unable to remember anything.

It was Madam Pei's dowry maid who took the initiative to say, "Yes."

"After the lady gave birth, her mother came to visit and said that during the lady's postpartum period, she should arrange a maid to serve the master."

"After her mother left, Zhu'er offered herself as her husband's bedmate, saying that she would never have any ulterior motives."

"Because of this incident, the madam harbors resentment towards her. The other maids also treat her differently based on who she is. When Zhu'er makes a slight mistake, they start to make things difficult for her."

“This old servant saw Zhu’er cry several times,” the nanny said with a bitter face. “But this old servant never expected that she would have such audacity.”

"Those wet nurses, and the people who serve the young master personally, were all carefully selected over a long period of time. Who could have imagined..."

Pei Zhi realized, "If Zhu'er returned shortly after we left, they must have already left the city by now."

If they stayed in the city, they could find the person even if they dug three feet into the ground.

Madam Pei's eyes were red from crying. "If she wants money, she can just ask."

“My son is only a few months old… what if something happens to him?” Madam Pei said, then burst into tears.

Pei Zhi frowned, unable to offer any words of advice for the moment.

At this moment, Pei Minxue rushed back.

Pei Minxue was sweating profusely. "What exactly happened?"

Pei Zhi briefly explained the situation to Pei Minxue.

Pei Minxue, however, did not believe it: "How could a maidservant have such audacity?"

Pei Zhi nodded, "That's what I think too."

"A maidservant might steal a little gold and silver at most, but how could she have such great ability to collude with the wet nurse and a carefully selected servant?"

Pei Zhi knew how much her sister-in-law valued her nephew.

The person who serves my nephew personally must have been carefully selected.

Even the maid who serves the sister-in-law personally wouldn't have such great abilities.

They all knew that Pei Minxue was His Majesty's study companion, and that someone would be so audacious as to kidnap Pei Minxue's child—they were courting death.

"I have already informed Shang Huai to question the soldiers who were guarding the city today. He will let me know if he has any news."

"Brother, go and contact the painters in the palace to come and paint a portrait of Zhu'er first."

"I've also sent people to search for Zhu'er's family and the wet nurse's family, but I'm afraid they've already disappeared."

Pei Minxue, panting heavily, nodded repeatedly as he listened, but after nodding, he still looked completely bewildered.

What should I do now?

Pei Zhi pointed to her sister-in-law, "Brother, you should comfort your sister-in-law first."

“There’s no deep-seated hatred between them. They kidnapped the children, and if we really can’t find them, they will contact us on their own.”

"Yes, yes, yes." Pei Minxue nodded in agreement, feeling a little more at ease.

Madam Pei suddenly woke up halfway and rushed to Pei Zhi, kneeling in front of her.

"Sister, go and beg His Majesty for help. His Majesty is so powerful, he will surely be able to find the child."