"A dilapidated carriage with a red cloth hanging on the upper right side of the door frame..."
Chen Yuancheng pondered for a moment: "In broad daylight, even if they kidnap people, they wouldn't dare to openly transport them out of the city. We still have time."
Xiao Yunying asked a question she had always doubted: "Yuancheng, tell me the truth, is this county magistrate in the city a good official?"
The implication was that the official was being questioned about whether he was colluding with a human trafficking gang.
Xiao Yunying had been suspicious of this matter for a long time.
While he may not be a good official, he was genuinely serious about child abduction and never stopped searching for lost children and young women.
At least on the surface, that is indeed the case.
To say he was a good official is an understatement; however, disappearances have continued to occur one after another in Donglin City and nearby villages, without ever stopping.
This made Xiao Yunying suspect that the county magistrate might be colluding with kidnappers and that his constant search was just a show for others.
Otherwise, with such a rigorous investigation, how could the missing person have left the city so quietly?
Unless they're still in the city, but with so many people in the city, how could they not be found...?
Scenes from those period suspense dramas I've seen before flashed through my mind. Could there be a psychopathic killer in the city?
Seeing that she seemed lost in thought and her face was growing paler, Chen Yuancheng said, "Don't overthink it. The magistrate here is quite honest and wouldn't collude with thieves. With my father around, he wouldn't dare."
Xiao Yunying was extremely worried. Chen Yuancheng sent people to continue the search. The two sat in the private room until evening, but there was still no news of the two children.
Chen Yuancheng had Ling Qi order a few light and appetizing dishes, which were then served. Xiao Yunying didn't want to spoil his appetite, so she picked up her chopsticks and ate a few bites.
"After you finish eating, I'll have Ling Qi take you home first. Come back tomorrow; I'll take care of things here."
"I'm not going back. I'll find an inn to stay at for the night."
Even if Luo Yang is mature beyond his years, he is still just an eight-year-old child. I wonder how scared he would be if he were kidnapped.
She wanted to stay here so she could know immediately if there was any news about them.
If Luo Yang returns, she can offer him care and comfort immediately.
"Why don't you stay at my house for the night, just like last time, in Yuan Yao's courtyard? That way you can get the news as soon as possible."
At this moment, Xiao Yunying only wanted her two children to return safely as soon as possible, and she didn't care about any formalities.
"Okay, thank you for your help."
Chen Yuancheng picked up a few pieces of food and put them in her bowl: "It's no trouble at all. Eat more, and we'll go back to the mansion after we finish eating."
Xiao Yunying finished her meal without tasting it and followed Chen Yuancheng back to the Chen residence.
As soon as he entered, an older nanny bowed and said, "Young Master."
"But does Grandmother want to see me about something?"
"Yes, the master and madam have already gone there. The old madam is just waiting for the eldest son to return, saying she wants to ask the young master about his disappearance in detail."
As the old woman spoke, her gaze swept past Chen Yuancheng and carefully examined Xiao Yunying.
It wasn't the kind of malicious contempt or disdain; it was more like pure curiosity about what kind of person she was.
Listening to their conversation, Xiao Yunying guessed that the person must be the head maid in Chen Yuancheng's grandmother's courtyard.
He was someone considerably older than her, about the same age as her mother, so she gave him a friendly nod and a slight bow, a silent greeting.
The old woman paused for a moment, then nodded in return.
Chen Yuancheng said to Ling Qi, "Take Yunying to Yuan Yao's courtyard and tell her not to bother Yunying and to get some rest."
Ling Qi responded and led Xiao Yunying into the mansion.
After winding through several turns, Ling Qi entered the inner courtyard and knocked on Chen Yuanyao's gate. It was Chen Yuanyao herself who opened the door.
The two maids behind him clearly tried to stop him but failed; they didn't even have time to retract their raised hands.
"Sister Yunying, you've arrived."
Chen Yuanyao held Xiao Yunying's hand anxiously and said, "I heard that Yuanxuan is missing, as is your Luoyang. I wanted to go out to look for them, but my older brother won't let me go out."
Xiao Yunying comforted her, saying, "Your older brother is also worried about you. Those kidnappers not only abduct young children, but also young women like you. Naturally, he doesn't feel comfortable letting you go out now."
"But I'm worried, he's my only younger brother..."
As she spoke, her voice began to tremble with tears.
Negative emotions are contagious. Xiao Yunying was already in a state of confusion, and seeing Chen Yuanyao like this made her even more confused and worried.
She couldn't find words of comfort, so she could only pat Chen Yuanyao's hand.
Ling Qi comforted her from the side, "Miss, don't worry. Young Master will definitely find the young master. It's getting late. Miss Xiao has had a long day. Let Miss Xiao rest first."
Xiao Yunying assumed Chen Yuanyao was unaware that she was staying overnight, and said, "I need to stay here for the night. Didn't your older brother tell you?"
Chen Yuanyao rubbed her eyes: "My brother sent someone to tell you this evening. I've already had a room prepared for you. Sister Yunying, come with me."
She told Ling Qi to go back, and then took Xiao Yunying to her residence: "Sister Yunying, you should rest early. I'll go back first."
"You should get some rest too, and don't overthink it."
Aside from these dry words of comfort, she really didn't know what else to say.
After a quick wash, Xiao Yunying took off her coat and shoes and lay down on the bed.
Reason told her she needed to rest so she would have more energy to search for her two children the next day, but she was anxious and couldn't fall asleep no matter how much she tossed and turned.
I tossed and turned in bed until dawn.
After Xiao Yunying put on her clothes and shoes, she opened the door and saw the maid named Lian Yin sitting by the corridor.
She frowned and thought to herself, "Really, I forgot to tell Lian Yin that I don't need to keep watch again."
When Lian Yin saw her come out, she hurriedly got up and said, "Miss is awake. I'll have someone prepare water right away."
After Xiao Yunying finished washing up, she asked, "Where is Yuan Cheng? Has he left the manor?"
Lian Yin lowered her head and said, "This servant is unaware of the eldest young master's itinerary."
"What about Yuan Yao? Has she woken up?"
“Miss couldn’t sleep last night, so I asked the kitchen to make some calming soup. She was able to fall asleep after drinking it, but she woke up again after a short while and is now sitting in the room.”
Lian Yin noticed that Xiao Yunying looked unwell, with fine blood vessels visible in her eyes, and guessed that she hadn't slept all night.
"Miss, would you like someone to prepare a meal?"
Xiao Yunying put down the face towel she was wiping: "I'm not eating anymore. Take me to find Chen Yuancheng."
Lian Yin racked her brains and said, "Miss Xiao, my young lady hasn't eaten anything since last night. Please keep her company and persuade her to eat something. Otherwise, before the young master returns, her health will be too much for her."
Xiao Yunying sighed; she now truly understood Chen Yuanyao's feelings.
Their sibling relationship is so good, it's strange that they can eat and sleep well after something like this happened.
"Okay, take me there."
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