Li Wenfeng had already gone to bed and was feeling listless. Upon hearing that Li Wenruo was missing, his expression changed drastically. "Wenruo is missing? How could she be missing? She's a perfectly fine young lady in our household, how could she just disappear?"

Cheng Yibo realized that Li Wenfeng's shock was genuine; he truly did not know what Li Wenruo looked like when she disappeared, and he still harbored some doubts.

But Li Wenfeng really didn't know.

After bringing Hongluo back that day and explaining Hongluo's identity to Li Wenruo, Li Wenfeng stopped paying attention to her—not because he didn't care about his sister, but because he couldn't afford to, otherwise it would easily attract attention.

I had already made an agreement with Hongluo that if we needed to take Li Wenruo away from the Chengyi Earl's Mansion, we wouldn't inform him and would just leave directly, just to avoid any mishaps.

However, despite knowing that Li Wenruo had been taken away by Hongluo and was now safe, Li Wenfeng was still very anxious. In Cheng Yibo's eyes, this anxiety became proof that he was not lying.

The reason we called Li Wenfeng over is not only to check whether he knows about this matter, but also to find a solution.

“Mrs. Han, our third young lady has been feeling unwell these days due to a cold, so she hasn’t been seeing anyone. As her stepmother, you should pay more attention to her and visit her more often. When Wenruo’s health improves, take her with you more often. After all, Wenying is already married, and you’ll be quite lonely without a daughter by your side.”

Cheng Yibo's eyes were gloomy as he stared intently at Han Shi.

Upon hearing this, Li Wenfeng immediately understood what Cheng Yibo truly meant.

Their third daughter, Li Wenruo, never disappeared. She had been recuperating in the backyard and would come out to see people after she recovered. None of today's events had ever happened.

As for whether the third daughter is really Li Wenruo, if the Chengyi Earl and his wife say that she is Li Wenruo, then she is Li Wenruo.

As for whether some delusional girl might appear in the future to impersonate the young lady of the Yibo family, who knows? She's probably gone mad, since their third young lady has always been learning manners from her stepmother in the backyard.

But Li Wenfeng felt a chill in his heart upon hearing these words.

"Father! Wenruo hasn't been found yet! Quickly think of a way. Maybe some thief kidnapped her. She's only eight years old. If she's not here, where did our Third Miss come from? Besides, our manor is heavily guarded. How could Wenruo have disappeared?"

Li Wenfeng's anxiety was genuine, but so was the chill down his spine.

Because he knew very well that Hongluo taking Li Wenruo away could only mean that Li Wenruo's life was threatened, just as they had agreed before.

Judging from his father's practiced manner, he had clearly already planned to replace Li Wenruo with someone else, making the "ailment in both legs" Li Wenruo disappear. In this way, the Chengyi Earl's Mansion would naturally have nothing to worry about.

—He should have thought of that sooner.

How could someone who could make Wenruo endure the pain of foot binding possibly care about Wenruo's life?

Before Li Wenruo disappeared, Li Wenfeng still had some concerns in his heart, hoping that Uncle Chengyi was not so heartless as to kill even his own daughter.

Even tigers don't eat their cubs!

“The young lady of my Chengyi Marquis’s mansion cannot disappear without a reason and ruin her reputation! There are so many women in the family, and married daughters. She cannot have such a reputation. I have no choice but to do this. Since that thief has kidnapped Wenruo, Wenruo has probably met with misfortune. This is also for the sake of her reputation.”

Cheng Yibo was very dissatisfied with Li Wenfeng's reaction, and he gave high-sounding reasons, but they all knew what really happened.

"Besides, when Wenruo disappeared, the new maid also disappeared. She is probably the culprit. You, as her elder brother, brought the culprit to her, which led to Wenruo's current whereabouts being unknown. Instead of reflecting on your actions, you are here questioning your father!"

After confirming that Li Wenfeng was unaware of Li Wenruo's disappearance, Cheng Yibo didn't think much of it, as it was a scheme he and Hongluo had devised.

The reason is simple.

After Hongluo was brought back by Li Wenfeng, Madam Chengyi whispered in Chengyi's ear that Li Wenfeng had taken a fancy to Hongluo and that's why he brought her back. She then labeled Li Wenfeng as a cowardly lecherous man who coveted beauty.

Lady Chengyi's words were merely meant to sow discord, hoping to instill more resentment in Chengyi towards Li Wenfeng.

Otherwise, because Li Wenfeng is now in frequent contact with the Prince of Ping, and the Marquis of Chengyi is also looking at Li Wenfeng differently, she is afraid that Li Wenfeng will take away her son's things.

"Father! But it's Wenruo..."

"No buts!" Uncle Chengyi looked over sternly, then called in the servants outside. "Take the second young master back and keep him inside to reflect on his actions. He is not to come out without my permission!"

"yes!"

Li Wenfeng was unwilling and had a lot to say, but he was dragged away by the servants who dared not offend the Chengyi Earl and his wife.

Back in his courtyard, Li Wenfeng's face immediately darkened.

He knew what the Chengyi Earl and his wife meant by this: sacrificing his sister to preserve the reputation of the entire Chengyi Earl's mansion. Even if his sister hadn't left, she would have lost her life.

Just like before, when he sacrificed his sister to bring wealth and honor to the Yibo family.

Originally, Li Wenfeng was considering taking Li Wenruo away from the manor, but at this moment he truly had no feelings for the Chengyi Earl's manor at all, and as for his biological father, Chengyi Earl, he only felt resentment.

Since they are heartless, then don't blame him for disregarding family ties.

…………

Inside the Prince Ping's residence.

Jiang Xuelin got up early and had only been at the training ground for a short while when she saw Zilu rushing over.

"Miss, Hongluo has returned and is currently in the side courtyard of the Prince's mansion."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!