Chapter 104 Without a Trace
At this moment, in the attic on the top floor, Ji Shu sat on the ground with her knees drawn up, looking out at the window. At first, she thought the window was locked.
Unexpectedly, it opened with a gentle push. However, the building was seven or eight stories high, and if one wanted to escape from here, it would be difficult to survive even if one did not die. She gave a bitter smile, thinking that he probably knew this as well.
So he deliberately made her feel like there was a glimmer of hope, but then made her watch helplessly as he was powerless to do anything about it.
When Wei Ziming pushed open the door, he saw her standing by the window, looking at the lights in the distance, her gaze directed towards Nanshun Street.
He chuckled twice, his expression ambiguous. Startled by the sound, Ji Shu turned around and gave him a cold look.
Wei Ziming didn't care at all about the aloofness in her eyes. Instead, he walked to the chair and sat down in a good mood. He looked at the food box on the table without moving and just squinted his eyes.
"Your household should know you're missing by now. Guess what they'll do?"
Ji Shu glanced at them coldly, her voice icy as she said, "Aren't you afraid Pei Yanzhi will come knocking on your door? Or do you think your Wei family can withstand his wrath?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Ziming's handsome face twitched slightly, clearly struck by these words that touched a nerve. However, he quickly regained his composure and said, "So, you really did collude with Marquis Yan back in Chongzhou?"
As she spoke, she couldn't help but stand up and move closer, her eyes brimming with intense jealousy. She whispered, "In the carriage on Nanshun Street that day, the person Marquis Yan said he was picking up was you, wasn't he? You were in there, weren't you?"
Bathed in moonlight, her skin appeared even whiter and smoother, her entire face radiant and captivating.
Unable to resist reaching out to touch him, Ji Shu took several steps back, watching him warily. Wei Ziming's hand paused in mid-air, and after a moment, he withdrew his fingertips, only rubbing them together briefly.
Seeing his crazed state, Ji Shu felt a surge of disgust that flashed in her eyes. She turned her head away and said coldly, "That's right, the person inside is me." She then raised an eyebrow and smiled, "So what?"
Knowing that she was trying to provoke him, Wei Ziming calmly said, "If Marquis Yan really dotes on you as you say, then why were you driven out of the Pei residence? And now the Pei residence is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations."
"Now the entire Yanzhou knows that the Marquis of Yan will be getting married in ten days, but you haven't even received any title or honor."
After he finished speaking, he shook his head and sighed softly, "What a pity, what a pity!"
Seeing that he dared to coerce her without even knowing the truth, Ji Shu felt that this man was incredibly foolish.
She stared into his eyes and slowly said, "Then do you know who he's going to marry? And how do you know that person isn't me?"
Wei Ziming's smile finally froze. Looking at the undisguised mockery in Ji Shu's eyes, he knew that what she said was not impossible, but so what!
She was clearly being coerced by him, yet she showed no fear of him what truly infuriated him.
His last shred of patience finally ran out, and he said coldly, "Do you think I'll believe what you say? A woman who's caught between father and son, do you think the Marquis of Yan will believe you, even if nothing happens between us now that we're in the same room?"
"Even if he believes you, what do you think would happen if I told him that we've already had physical intimacy?"
Ji Shu's face turned pale instantly, and she exclaimed in shock and anger, "Disgusting! Disgusting!"
Wei Ziming smiled disdainfully and said sarcastically, "Let me tell you the truth, the Wei family and the Marquis of Yan have a friendship that was forged on horseback by our ancestors. Do you think he would disregard the friendship between our two families and tear apart the relationship for a woman like you?"
Unseen by him, Ji Shu's heart was churning with terrifying waves, which was what she feared most.
Even she knew that Pei Xingjian had wanted to annul the engagement so badly, but he had refused. She was just someone he could mutually benefit from, so why would he want to break the relationship between their families?
Seeing that she was bowing her head and not moving, he did not intend to persuade her now. He softened his tone and said, "Actually, you might as well think about it carefully. What can Marquis Yan give you? I can give you everything he can give you, and I can give you everything he cannot give you."
He reached out and gently stroked the stray hairs by her ear, his fingertips lightly brushing her cheek as he whispered, "A beauty like you, even if it meant defying the world, I would gladly accept it."
I brought it close to my nose and smelled it. "It smells so good!"
Ji Shu dodged away in disgust, but he smiled nonchalantly: "This place is quiet, and no one will bother you. You can stay here and think things through for the next few days."
"When you've figured it out, send someone to fetch me."
As she reached the door, Ji Shu suddenly asked, "How is my maid?"
Wei Ziming tilted his head and looked her over for a moment before saying, "Don't worry, the doctor has already examined her; it's just a superficial injury."
"As long as you behave, I'll let her come up and serve you."
He changed the subject and said softly, "But if you continue to be so unruly, don't blame me for turning ruthless."
After saying that, he closed the door and left.
Yongning Lane.
It was past midnight when Lu Changming returned from outside the city with a troop of cavalry.
Upon entering the study, he knelt directly on the ground: "My lord, I have discovered that Lady Ji and her party have not left the city, and they must still be in Yang County."
Lu Changming rushed to the city gate and carefully reviewed and questioned the people who left the city today, but he did not find anyone with a face like Lady Ji.
Pei Yanzhi rested his hand on his forehead. Upon hearing the news, he closed his eyes briefly, then raised his cold gaze: "Where is Wu Yang?"
"Wu Yang is still searching for the missing carriage."
Lu Changming knelt on the ground. That evening, he and Wu Yang met briefly, but both shook their heads and came up empty-handed.
The carriage that Lady Ji used was so ordinary that ordinary people would not notice it at all, and even Wu Yang found it quite difficult to investigate.
Pei Yanzhi leaned back in his chair, tilting his head slightly as he looked up at the roof. His heart felt empty, and this feeling of being out of control made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
He didn't know where she was at this moment, nor had he seen her suffer any torture. Her body was so delicate; how could she endure inhuman torture? The more he saw this, the more his murderous intent surged.
Just then, a few gusts of cool wind blew by, and before long, the night rain poured down. The rain was so heavy that any traces left would be washed away.
Pei Yanzhi's heart sank, and he said to Lu Changming, "Continue the search. If it's not outside the city, then search inside the city for me."
"Remember, have people keep a close eye on all the brothels and pawnshops." If she's after money, the thieves will definitely pawn her belongings if they get their hands on them. If she's after sex, Lu Changming glanced at the master at the head of the table.
Pei Yanzhi sat alone in a round-backed chair, the candlelight casting an exceptionally long shadow over him, his eyes shrouded in gloom.
If it was lust, then Lady Ji is most likely in grave danger. Now we pray that it is not the latter.
"Yes, my lord." Lu Changming accepted the order and left.
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