Chapter 41 I feel like you've grown into my bones, my blood...
The willows cast green shadows, and the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers. This house is not far from the Qinhuai River; even without speaking, one can faintly hear the sounds of orchestral music from the riverbank while standing in the courtyard.
The group sat under the tree for a while, and Xia Ling smacked her lips, wanting to try the five-colored cakes from the street behind the Confucius Temple.
So Little Tortoiseshell simply stood up and said, "Hehe, alright then, let's leave this house here for today. Xia Ling, you have good taste. When I buy some furniture later, I'd appreciate it if you could help me figure out how to arrange it."
Xia Ling covered her mouth and laughed, "I know, I promise to help you with the work. When you marry Chuntang, I'll stop you, but you can't push me if you get anxious."
The little hawksbill turtle just blushed and smiled.
Seeing that the sun was obscured by clouds and the heat had subsided, the group turned around and went outside, abandoning the carriage. They headed straight for Zhuque Street, heading towards the Confucius Temple.
Just as they were about to turn into the alley, two figures suddenly stumbled out from inside. Their expressions were quite different; one was flustered, and the other was anxious.
Qian Yingyi took a closer look and realized that the man was Liang Tu. The other woman also looked somewhat familiar. After a moment, she suddenly remembered that she was the owner of the children's clothing shop next to the dessert shop.
The sight of the two men startled her. Seeing Liang Tu turn around, she rushed over and asked, "Boss Liang, what's wrong? What happened?"
Liang Tu did not cover his face, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if he had not slept all night. As soon as his gaze swept over, he stared intently at Qin Lizheng over Qian Yingyi's shoulder.
Qin Lizheng's intuition about danger has always been accurate. Liang Tu is always cautious and meticulous, so why would he recklessly drive around in the street like this? The only person who could make him so flustered is Liang Xizhao.
Realizing that something might have happened to Liang Xizhao, Qin Lizheng frowned and quickly pulled Qian Yingyi behind him, asking, "Has something happened to Xixi?"
Liang Tu was panting heavily, his eyes seeming to hold something he was willing to risk everything for. If Liang Xizhao was indeed taken away by Qin Lizheng through a scheme, he might very well fight Qin Lizheng in the street over this.
His fierce gaze was fixed on Qin Lizheng, trying to find some clue on Qin Lizheng's face in his panting. Unfortunately, Qin Lizheng hadn't done anything, and his expression remained calm and composed.
After a long while, his eyes gradually darkened, like a pool of stagnant water. When he opened his lips to speak, his dry lips clung together for a moment before tearing open, "Xixi has been missing since last night."
Qian Yingyi was shocked. "Where could a child like her go all of a sudden? We've searched everywhere!"
Although Xia Ling and the others didn't recognize Liang Tu, they recognized his voice after a few sentences. Xia Ling hurriedly said, "This is terrible! How much time has passed since last night? Have you reported it to the authorities?"
Before she could finish speaking, the woman suddenly rushed to Qian Yingyi, grabbed her hand, and cried uncontrollably, "Miss, your family are officials, aren't they? I beg you, can you help me find my Yuan'er? The two children always play together. Last night they said they were going to see the lion dance, and they haven't come back since. One is four years old and the other is five. What if something bad happened to them? What should we do? What should we do!"
Liang Tu's eyes trembled, and he did not immediately answer Xia Ling. Qin Lizheng knew what he was afraid of and was about to speak when he saw Qian Yingyi turn to Xiao Daimao and say, "You take Chuntang and the others back first, and find all the guards in the house. They are much faster than the servants. Search carefully along this area!"
She then turned to the two of them and asked, "What clothes did the two children wear yesterday?"
The woman hurriedly said, "Yuan-ge'er is wearing a dark blue robe with a gray patch at the waist. Xi-xi... Xi-xi's robe is emerald green. Yesterday, she even picked up a tattered necklace and wore it around her neck for me to see."
As soon as she finished speaking, she couldn't help but wipe away her tears with her sleeve. "The security in this area has always been good. My husband said he wanted to report it to the authorities, and he went to the government office, but the yamen runners there made excuses, saying they were handling some important case and told my husband to go home and wait. Who knows, maybe the two children were just playing around somewhere."
Little Tortoiseshell was efficient. After hearing the woman's description, he immediately grabbed Chuntang and beckoned Xialing to leave quickly.
Qin Lizheng looked at Liang Tu, a slightly complicated emotion in his eyes. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Have you searched along the river?"
That day, Qin Lizheng had already decided to wait for Liang Tu to agree to his request, so he withdrew the two men who were watching Liang Tu. Therefore, he really didn't know where Liang Xizhao went or whether he was alive or dead.
Nanjing is a city with strict security, and there are soldiers guarding all the city gates. It is unlikely that a beggar would be able to restrain her, especially since Liang Xizhao has a very lively personality. Even a beggar might not be able to control her.
The biggest fear is that an accident might happen. One possibility is that the children might accidentally fall into the river while playing on the riverbank. The Huai River is bustling with activity day and night, and pleasure boats often pass by, making a lot of noise. If two children were to fall in, no one would really notice in time.
Secondly...
Qin Lizheng stared at Liang Tu, their eyes briefly meeting, and both of them gleaned a message from each other's eyes—Prince Rui.
Unless Prince Rui realizes Liang Tu's presence and tries to lure Liang Xizhao out by taking him away.
The woman's sobs were choked with tears. Qian Yingyi's gentle voice soothed her. Liang Tu's face was covered with horrific scars, as if a thread was cutting back and forth across his skin. All that remained was pleading for help.
Qin Lizheng felt a mix of emotions. He could understand Liang Tu's predicament, and he could use it as leverage. If Liang Tu helped him find Liang Xizhao, Liang Tu would have to do his bidding.
“Ah Zheng,” Qian Yingyi said, gently tugging at his sleeve, her brows furrowed with worry, “this is important. Come with me to the government office to report this to the authorities.”
She pursed her lips, leaned closer to him and whispered, "The government must still be focused on Sister Yan's case, which is why they refused her husband. My brother-in-law is still at the government office, so it shouldn't be difficult for us to go there."
Qin Lizheng snapped back to reality, lowering his eyes to gaze at her face. Whether it was to avoid disappointing her or because sympathy in his heart prevailed, he concealed the emotions in his eyes and looked at Liang Tu again, posing the question, "Search for another half day, and search the riverbank carefully. If there is still no trace, then ask the government to dispatch yamen runners to search for her in a large-scale manner. What do you think?"
Liang Tu clenched his fists behind his back, hesitating. But when Qin Lizheng gave him a reassuring look, he felt a momentary easing. After a long pause, he finally nodded.
Qian Yingyi looked at the woman who was crying so hard she was almost fainting, and felt a pang of sympathy. She went to help her up and said, "Xixi is very clever. I've seen your Yuan-ge'er twice. They must have just fallen asleep while playing somewhere, or maybe they fell into some pit..."
She said this, but her confidence waned. How could two children, barely four or five years old, have disappeared for so long without any problems?
So she paused, and could only say, "Please don't cry, and save your strength, we still have to continue searching for people."
While Qian Yingyi was comforting the woman, Qin Lizheng quietly approached Liang Tu and said in a low voice that only the two of them could hear, "After reporting to the authorities, I will send people to infiltrate Prince Rui's residence to search for you. If you are not there, my people will temporarily cover for you and prevent your name from reaching Prince Rui's ears."
His tone was sincere and he did not threaten anyone.
As soon as he finished speaking, Liang Tu looked up at Qin Lizheng, his expression complex and difficult to discern.
Before long, Little Tortoiseshell led a group of guards back. Qian Yingyi then ordered them to search in four directions, and also sent a few others to inquire along the riverbank.
The search continued until evening, but there was still no news of the two children.
Liang Tu was heartbroken, his eyes dull and lifeless. After gritting his teeth for a moment, he immediately said, "Report to the authorities! Even if Xixi is dead, I want to see her body!"
After making a brief stop at the government office, Qian Yingyi met Yu Cheng and quickly explained the situation in a few words.
Seeing that Yu Cheng was still busy, he comforted Liang Tu and the woman outside the government office, sighed, and then hurried to Pipa Lane with Qin Lizheng.
To her surprise, as she entered, she ran into Xu Jun leading several old women, who were hurrying to leave. Qian Yingyi quickly stopped her and asked, "Where are you going, Auntie?"
Upon seeing her niece, Xu Jun's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. She raised her chin and glanced into the house, then sighed, "Your sister-in-law's pregnancy symptoms are getting worse and worse. She can't stop feeling backaches and pains. I'm thinking of asking a doctor to come and take a look."
Qian Yingyi glanced into the house with a worried look in her eyes, then lowered her eyes and thought for a moment before taking Xu Jun's arm and saying, "Sister-in-law can't be left alone, and my brother is delayed in Yangzhou due to official business. My sister and I can only keep sister-in-law company and talk to her to relieve her boredom. I'm planning to go to sister-in-law's place. You should come with me. As for getting a doctor, leave it to... leave it to Lin Zheng."
She turned to look at Qin Lizheng, who nodded slightly, bowed to Xu Jun, and then turned away, disappearing into the dim twilight.
"She's already causing her mother so much trouble while she's still in the womb, who knows what a mischievous girl she'll be when she's born." Xu Jun finally sighed with a smile, and took Qian Yingyi's arm as they followed her into the house.
The two walked to Ren Yuqing's courtyard. The room was a little stuffy because she was pregnant and dared not put too much ice in. The day was long, and by this time the ice had melted. So the maidservant stood by the window, occasionally pushing it open to let in some air before closing it again.
This repeated cycle meant the maid didn't get enough rest, and her eyes now showed a faint darkening.
Ren Yuqing leaned against the couch, her belly growing larger. She stuffed two octagonal soft pillows behind her back. Her gentle eyes were mixed with a hint of worry and apology. When she saw the two of them come in, she was about to get up. "Auntie, I'm fine. I can still bear it. You didn't really go to call a doctor, did you?"
Qian Yingyi quickly grabbed her arm and pressed it back, scolding her gently, "Sister-in-law, you're family with us, why are you always so polite? If you're not feeling well, you should call a doctor, shouldn't you?"
“Exactly,” Qian Yuxing said, sitting on a round stool with several exquisitely embroidered little clothes folded on her lap. She stroked the clothes as she spoke, “When Tuan’er comes out, I will definitely talk to her often, saying, ‘Tuan’er, what were you doing in your mother’s belly? Your mother suffered a lot while carrying you, do you know that?’”
Ren Yuqing was always very gentle. Even when she was amused by these words, she only shook her shoulders slightly. When she heard that Qian Yingyi was looking for the child from the dessert shop outside, she blinked worriedly and said, "What should we do?"
When Xu Jun learned that Qian Yingyi had not yet had dinner, she asked the old woman to go to the kitchen to prepare some food.
Several people chatted and laughed in Ren Yuqing's room to cheer her up, until the doctor came to take her pulse and prescribed a mild medicine. Only then did Ren Yuqing feel a little tired and gradually fell asleep.
When Qian Yingyi twirled back to Yunteng Pavilion, it was already pitch black. She looked up and saw the bright moon in the sky, with countless stars twinkling as if gathered above her.
She smiled and then went into the main room.
Exhausted, she took a bath, put on her shoes, and went to lock the door. Just as she turned to light the lamp, there was a soft sound from the west window.
Upon seeing Qin Lizheng, she pouted and plunged into his arms, clinging tightly to his waist, saying, "I'm so tired."
Qin Lizheng leaned down and kissed her still slightly damp hair, then lifted her legs and pulled her onto the couch. "If you're tired, go to sleep early, okay?"
Qian Yingyi sank into the tent and kicked his arm with her foot, saying, "Light the incense in the incense burner before you come."
Qin Lizheng did as instructed and lit incense.
Knowing that she was not very happy in the latter half of the day, Qin Lizheng returned to the bedside, holding a silver lamp while taking out a booklet from his pocket. He handed it to her in a moment, a smile playing on his lips, "Didn't you say you'd show me something interesting when you got back? Here you go."
Qian Yingyi, her eyes closed and limbs limp, opened her eyes with suspicion upon hearing the sound. She peered through the firelight in the silver lamp, and after a moment, her eyes widened. She snatched the booklet from her hand, saying, "You said you wouldn't let me see it!"
It was Qin Lizheng's notebook.
Ever since they became friends, Qian Yingyi often thought about the booklet that had led her into his bedroom. She knew that he had done it on purpose, and that he must have hidden other things from her.
Qin Lizheng was extremely obedient to her, but on this matter, no matter how much she threatened, bribed, or used both soft and hard tactics, she could never get him to agree.
Having finally obtained it, Qian Yingyi immediately became interested. Her slightly furrowed brows relaxed, and she simply rolled over and lay face down on the couch. "Put the silver lamp on the low table so I can see it more clearly. Don't just sit there; I sat at my sister-in-law's for a while, and my back and legs are a little sore..."
She pretended to open the journal without looking up, her voice incredibly soft, "Give me a massage."
Qin Lizheng didn't speak, but his hands obediently pressed gently on her legs.
Qian Yingyi happily flipped open the journal, and upon seeing the extremely neat handwriting, she glared at Qin Lizheng, saying, "I knew you were scheming. You even deliberately faked your handwriting just to lure me in!"
"If I don't do this, when will you realize my feelings?" Qin Lizheng felt a little guilty. In fact, this notebook had been rewritten, containing only things related to her, while avoiding any other schemes or plans.
Qian Yingyi scoffed, tilting her head and resting her face on the soft pillow. Unconsciously, she recited, "The first time I dreamt of Miss, in the dream a pair of exceptionally gentle hands, and upon waking..."
She suddenly stopped, her face inexplicably turning bright red. "Why did you write this too...?"
Qin Lizheng's hand gripped her ankle and swung it back and forth. Because he lowered his voice, it felt like a hook to her heart: "Flip it over."
Qian Yingyi glared at him, but unable to resist wanting to know what else he had written, she turned to another page: "The young lady, drunk, came to find me with an umbrella, and opened her heart to me, confiding her secrets. I couldn't help but embrace her..."
She tried to think, then her eyes widened. "Was it the first time I got drunk?"
"You even kept this from me!" She pouted, kicked his hand away, and sat up from inside the tent. "So, why were you dressed so extravagantly the next day? Did you think I had a little crush on you back then?"
Qin Lizheng raised an eyebrow and then grabbed her freed ankle again. "Do you dare say you didn't feel anything at all? If you didn't, why did you come looking for me in the rain? Don't lie to yourself."
Qian Yingyi, her face contorted with rage, shifted her gaze to the journal, flipping through it. It still contained things she was unaware of, such as which pastry she'd taken an extra bite of, the little tricks she'd use before yelling at someone, and how many times she'd tossed and turned before falling asleep...
She had intended to search for more evidence of his deception, but after carefully examining the evidence, her anger suddenly subsided. She tossed aside the notebook, remained silent for a moment, and gently hugged him. "Alright, I'll forgive you for now. Looking at it this way, it seems like I'm the only person in your world."
Qin Lizheng stroked her hair and let out a sigh of resignation, "It's not just you, sometimes I feel like you're ingrained in my bones and blood."
"You're really sad because Xixi is missing, aren't you?"
Are you happier now?
Qian Yingyi blinked her eyes, which were resting on his shoulder, "She'll be found, won't she?"
Qin Lizheng leaned down and kissed her, "I will."
He knew why she felt tired. She was always a kind-hearted person who would sympathize with others, even if they were not close to her. She was good at many things: writing stories, drawing portraits, and being considerate and caring towards those around her. Her goodness was so great that he could not measure it with simple numbers.
There's only one thing she's bad at: dealing with her own soft heart.
Their lips met, starting with a light, feather-like kiss, which gradually became more intense. Qian Yingyi nestled in his arms, forced to accept it, letting out two soft moans, her hands unconsciously reaching towards his waist and abdomen.
Touching the taut muscle in his abdomen, she suddenly stood up from his embrace, propped herself up with her arms to push him away, pursed her lower lip, and whispered, "Go to the dressing table and find my silver chain."
Seeing the hesitant look in her eyes, Qin Lizheng sighed and obediently went to find the silver chain.
She didn't even need to lift a finger; before getting into bed, she was already shirtless with her waist chain wrapped around her waist.
Qian Yingyi propped her head up to the side, watching him lean closer to her step by step. Her eyes were filled with satisfaction as she smiled and praised, "So handsome."
Qin Lizheng crawled onto the bed, scooped her up, and kissed her full lips. His palms held the soft flesh of her waist, and he suddenly murmured, his words muffled, "Yingyi..."
"Next spring, you must marry me, you must, okay?"
Qian Yingyi pushed him away, panting slightly. Her wet gaze fell on him, and judging from her expression, she clearly remembered the burning sensation from earlier that afternoon.
She poked him and then took a bite.
She bit his shoulder, leaving several deep teeth marks, before saying, "Judging from your performance, marrying me isn't such a simple matter."
Qin Lizheng chuckled softly. He had already blown out the flame in the silver lamp. He gazed at her for a moment by the moonlight, then suddenly pulled her down onto the quilt, before releasing her. "Come here."
Qian Yingyi muttered, "I'm right here."
He pointed to his face. "I said come here."
Qian Yingyi suddenly stood up, awkwardly lowered her gaze, and stared at his still glistening lips. "Isn't that inappropriate?"
Qin Lizheng didn't give her any more chance to hesitate, and grabbed her waist and moved her onto his body.
Qian Yingyi's legs brushed against the cold waist chain, her knees sinking into the quilt. Gradually, even her eyelids became flushed, and her hands frantically tried to grab something, groping for a while before finally grasping only half a piece of gauze curtain.
At the height of their passion, Qian Yingyi only had time to think—why did he have to have such a high nose bridge?
The repeated, resilient impacts left her hair damp on the humid late summer night, as if she had just been bathed again.
As she sank back into the quilt, she recalled being forced to call out "Ah Zheng" and his soft calls of "Ying Yi," as well as those somewhat direct compliments... Qian Yingyi suddenly pulled the covers over her head and burrowed under the quilt.
"Get out," Qin Lizheng reached out to pull her out, "Aren't you afraid of the heat?"
Qian Yingyi stubbornly held onto the blanket with him, saying, "The hottest time is over, I'm not hot anymore."
Qin Lizheng touched the cup on the low table and took a sip of mint water. Knowing that she would often feel embarrassed about this, he knelt properly beside her and waited for her to burst out when she couldn't hold it in any longer.
Sure enough, after only a short while, Qian Yingyi awkwardly emerged, clenched her fist, and gave him a light but not too hard punch. After the two of them bickered for a while, she gradually calmed down.
After staring at the canopy above for a while, he turned back to the matter of Liang Xizhao, "Do you think the yamen runners will be able to find them tonight?"
Qin Lizheng dared not say for sure. When he went to fetch the doctor, he ordered his men to search the Prince Rui's residence, but they did not find Liang Xizhao. This showed that she was not taken away by Prince Rui.
He turned her over, pressing his palm against her lower back and kneading it in circles. "Jinling City is too big. It will take time to search for someone in a big way. Think more positively. Xixi is very clever. If she falls into the hands of bad people, with her spirit, it's hard to say who will suffer."
The words came true.
Liang Xizhao had been locked in the dark room for who knows how long, and now she was wearing a brand new robe. Chen Yuansheng, exhausted from crying, was fast asleep beside her.
New clothes to wear, delicious food to enjoy—such days had appeared countless times in Liang Xizhao's dreams, and she always loved them dearly. If only her feet weren't chained.
She's been kidnapped by bad guys, the same brother she bumped into before. Does Father know she's missing? When will he come to rescue her?
Liang Xizhao pondered carefully, unconsciously wiping the blood from her mouth, which accidentally got into her mouth. She immediately spat it out in disgust.
Yes, blood, but it wasn't her own.
Wen Zhuonan stood outside with a sullen face, as a servant applied medicine to his arm. There was a bloody wound on his arm, with a small piece of flesh bitten off.
Taking advantage of the break while applying the medicine, the servant said, "Sir, there are yamen runners searching everywhere outside. I just ran into them when I went to get the medicine. The portrait in the portrait is exactly the goods you just brought back."
Wen Zhuonan's heart skipped a beat. "They're not orphans?"
The servant did not respond.
Wen Zhuonan panicked for a moment, his eyes darting around. After a long pause, an idea came to him, "Tomorrow, take my waist token and go out of the city to find my uncle at Jubao Mountain. Ask him to find me a secluded house outside the city, preferably in the mountains."
"You're not going to let them go, sir?"
The wound throbbed with a sharp, persistent pain. Wen Zhuonan glared at him. "How are we going to release her? Didn't you see how fierce that girl is? She bit me like this before we even got the job done! Hmph, if we release her, let her gossip outside. How will I keep this secret?"
He rubbed his furrowed brow and said, "The constables are just doing a perfunctory job of looking for people. If there's no news in a few days, they'll stop looking. Besides, the prefectural government has a major case on its hands. This kind of trivial matter will fade away in a few days. You just need to go and find your uncle."
The servant bowed his head and responded meekly.
Wen Zhuonan stared down at the wound, then his gaze darted towards the other side of the house like a venomous snake. He gritted his teeth fiercely, "Such a young age, yet you're so fierce. I'll find a way to tame you."
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Author's Note: Liang Xizhao: [Okay] Curse me? I'll take you in first, even though I'm still young!
Qian Yingyi: [Please] Don't do this, I can't take it.
Qin Lizheng: You like it very much.
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