On the third day after the Frost Descent, the crisp air was chilly, but inside the Prime Minister's Mansion, there was a scene of extraordinary bustle. The main hall of the Prime Minister's Mansion was decorated with colorful lights, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and festivity. The large red lanterns, like ripe persimmons, hung all over the eaves, illuminating the entire main hall with a vibrant red glow. Su Jinli, dressed in gorgeous clothes, gently held onto the carved railings and slowly looked down. A red silk wedding tent had been set up in the courtyard. The bright red silk swayed gently in the breeze, like a sea of red. A carpet with a picture of a hundred children stretched from the main hall all the way to the moon-shaped door. The pattern was exquisite, symbolizing many children and good fortune. Every stitch and thread showed delicacy and luxury. Su Jinli looked at this grand scene, and couldn't help but murmur in her heart, thinking to herself, "It's just the child's first birthday party. Why is Dad making it so much more grand than my coming-of-age party back then?"
Jiang Yan stood beside her, his eyes full of tenderness and doting. He gently gathered Su Jinli's fox fur cloak, fearing that she would catch a chill. The fox fur was soft and warm, with bright fur, showing luxury. Jiang Yan's eyes narrowed slightly behind the glasses, and his smile turned into a crescent moon. He whispered, "Dad said that the children went through many twists and turns when they were born, and this time we have to make up for the pomp and circumstance that twins deserve." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and pointed to the gift boxes piled up like a mountain under the corridor, and continued, "Look, the longevity lock given by the Queen Mother is so heavy that it can be used to crack walnuts; the gold ingots awarded by the Emperor are so many that they are enough to buy ten commercial streets. This shows the love that the Emperor and the Queen Mother have for their children."
As the two were talking, a burst of hurried footsteps could be heard. Young Marquis Su, dressed in a vibrant red robe and carrying a small, gilded axe, rushed in. His red robe was still stained with icing sugar, presumably from some pastries he had snuck onto the road. His face was filled with excitement, and he shouted, "Sister! My nephew's one-year-old celebration plate is ready! I've specially placed a small wooden sword inside. My nephew will surely be a brave and extraordinary man in the future, and he'll definitely grab this!"
Su Qingyao followed behind at a leisurely pace, holding a jewel-encrusted makeup box. Her makeup was exquisite, and she said with a hint of disdain, "Childish." She gently opened the box, revealing a pearl-encrusted eyebrow pencil. The pearls shone softly in the sunlight. Su Qingyao smiled faintly and said confidently, "Nianli will definitely catch this. She's sure to be as clever and skilled as I am in needlework."
Su Jinli watched her younger siblings bickering like little children, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly, revealing a doting smile. However, in this warm and joyful moment, a sharp baby cry suddenly came from the nursery, breaking the peace. Everyone was stunned, and the smiles on their faces froze instantly. Then, Lingge ran out in a panic, holding two swaddling clothes. Her face was as pale as paper, without any blood, and her lips trembled slightly. She cried out in a sobbing voice: "Madam! The young lady and the young master... are gone!"
Su Jinli felt dizzy and her legs gave way, nearly losing her balance. Jiang Yan, quick-witted and quick-handed, reached out to support her, his eyes filled with anxiety and worry. Young Marquis Su and Su Qingyao's expressions also changed immediately. Young Marquis Su slammed the gilded axe in his hand and shouted, "What's going on? Lingge, explain!"
Lingge sobbed and spoke intermittently, "I... I was just taking care of the young lady and the young master in the nursery when I heard a strange noise outside and thought of going out to check. Who knew that when I came back, the two children were gone, leaving only these two swaddling clothes."
Jiang Yan frowned, a sharp look flashing in his eyes. He quickly said, "Don't panic, let's calm down first. Lingge, are you sure you haven't been away for long? Did you see anyone suspicious?"
Lingge tried hard to recall and said, "I shouldn't have been away for long, only about a cup of tea. When I left, I didn't see anyone, but I thought I heard some light footsteps heading towards the garden."
Upon hearing this, Young Marquis Su immediately turned around and ran towards the garden, shouting, "I'll go look in the garden!" Su Qingyao followed closely behind him, saying, "I'll go too!"
Jiang Yan supported Su Jinli and comforted her softly, "Jinli, don't worry, the children will be fine. We will find them." Su Jinli bit her lip, holding back tears, nodded firmly, and said, "We must find them, no matter what the cost."
At that moment, the Prime Minister's residence was in chaos. Servants searched everywhere for the children, shouting and screaming. Jiang Yan comforted Su Jinli while quickly mobilizing personnel to expand the search area. He knew that with every passing second, the children were in greater danger.
In the garden, Young Marquis Su and Su Qingyao searched everywhere. They left no stone unturned, parting the grass and checking behind the rockery, but they found nothing. Young Marquis Su was extremely anxious, sweat beads on his forehead. He said angrily, "Who is so bold as to steal a child from the Prime Minister's Mansion? If I catch them, I will not let them off easily!"
Su Qingyao also looked anxious. She said, "Don't worry, let's look carefully. Maybe the children are nearby." At this moment, Su Qingyao seemed to have discovered something. She squatted down and picked up a piece of cloth from the grass. The cloth was of high quality and embroidered with delicate patterns. It was obvious that it was not something that ordinary people could own. Su Qingyao frowned and said, "This may be a clue left by the murderer. Maybe we can find some clues from it."
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan quickly convened an emergency meeting in the main hall. He summoned all the guards and housekeepers from the Prime Minister's residence and stated sternly, "The children are missing from the Prime Minister's residence. This is our fault. Now, everyone, divide into several groups and search from different directions. Be sure to carefully investigate every corner and leave no clues unturned. Also, assign personnel to guard all entrances and exits of the Prime Minister's residence to prevent the murderer from escaping with the children."
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