Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze quickly helped the two people who had fallen to the ground up, their eyes revealing an unquestionable determination.
“Now is not the time for punishment,” Xu Yuehuai took a deep breath, trying her best to suppress her anxiety. “We need to find Zixin and ensure her safety.”
"Yes!" Qi Zi'ang and Tie Chunsheng said in unison.
Qi Guze turned to Qi Zi'ang, his gaze sharp, "Zi'ang, can you describe in detail how Zixin was arrested?"
Qi Ziang composed himself and began to recall, "That night, Zixin, Chunsheng, and I released river lanterns together. Suddenly, a strange wind blew by, and then I smelled an indescribable fragrance. In the blink of an eye, my sister disappeared. Those people moved swiftly and skillfully. We tried to chase after them, but they were extremely good at concealing themselves... We were powerless to stop them."
Xu Yuehuai frowned, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart. She turned to Qi Guze, "It seems this group planned everything all along, just to kidnap Zixin. We must find out the truth as soon as possible and rescue Zixin!"
Qi Guze immediately responded, then turned to Qi Zi'ang and Tie Chunsheng, his tone serious: "Zi'ang, Chunsheng, you must also join our operation. We are a whole, and we must face this difficulty together."
The two exchanged a glance and solemnly promised, "Yes, we will do our best!"
The moonlight, like water, quietly spilled into the courtyard of the Regent's Palace.
Xu Yuehuai stood in front of her house, looking up at the bright moon, her heart filled with worries.
She sighed softly, her voice revealing a hint of helplessness and anxiety: "Aze, where is Zixin now? She's so young, isn't she scared?"
Qi Guze stood beside her, gently holding Xu Yuehuai's hand, trying to give her strength: "Ayue, don't worry. Zixin is smart and quick-witted, she will definitely be able to protect herself. We will definitely find her!"
Xu Yuehuai's eyes were slightly red, and her voice choked with emotion: "I'm just afraid that if something happens to her, she's so young, I'll never forgive myself for the rest of my life." Her voice echoed in the night, filled with self-blame and worry.
Qi Guze hugged Xu Yuehuai tightly, burying her head in his chest: "Yuehuai, this isn't your fault. I failed to protect the children and you. I swear, I will find Zixin no matter the cost."
Xu Yuehuai felt warmth and comfort in Qi Guze's arms, and her anxiety eased slightly. She knew that they had to be strong at this moment, for Zixin and for their family.
The next day at daybreak, Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze left the Regent's Palace and traveled around searching for clues about Qi Zixin.
They arrived at the Mid-Autumn Festival lantern festival, the very place where Zixin had disappeared. The two questioned witnesses and gathered all possible evidence. However, it seemed all the clues had been destroyed by those who had abducted Zixin.
As night falls, the dimly lit streets appear particularly desolate.
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze weaved through the crowd, their faces etched with exhaustion and helplessness. However, they did not give up; they knew that as long as there was a glimmer of hope, they could not give up.
Just then, Qi Zi'ang rushed over, "Father, Mother, have you found my sister?" His voice trembled slightly.
Xu Yuehuai shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears again: "Not yet. We've asked everyone, but we haven't found any clues." There was a hint of despair in her voice.
Upon hearing this, Qi Zi'ang suddenly clutched his head and pounded it violently, as if to vent all his pain.
Seeing this, Xu Yuehuai quickly hugged him: "Zi'ang, don't be like this. You are also my most important child. It will break my heart if you do this."
Qi Zi'ang raised his head, his eyes brimming with tears: "I'm sorry, Mother. I couldn't find my sister, I couldn't protect her."
Xu Yuehuai gently stroked Qi Ziang's head: "Good boy, it's not your fault. We are all trying our best to find Zixin. Go back and get some rest. We will continue the search tomorrow."
Just then, Tie Xiong suddenly arrived: "Your Highness, Your Highness, I've found a clue." His face was extremely excited.
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze immediately perked up, their eyes burning with hope.
"What clue? Tell me quickly," Xu Yuehuai said.
Tie Xiong, panting, said, "I found some suspicious traces in an abandoned temple outside the city. It seems like someone used to live there, and there were some children's clothes and toys."
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze said in unison, "Let's go take a look!"
They knew this might be the key clue to finding Zixin.
So the group hurried to the abandoned temple outside the city.
...
The moonlight spilled onto the dilapidated temple, adding a touch of mystery to the tranquil night.
Qi Zixin sat in the dark cave, her hands tightly gripping the sleeves of the man in black.
"Big brother, when will you let me go home to see my father and mother?"
The man in black turned around, his eyes gleaming with a cold light in the darkness.
"Stop arguing. You'd better behave, or I'll make sure you never see your parents again." His voice was deep and cold, like a curse from the abyss.
Qi Zixin bit her lower lip tightly, tears welling up in her eyes, but she held them back. She tried to appear strong: "Okay, then I'll be a good girl, you mustn't lie to me."
The man in black sneered, seemingly disdainful of her weakness: "Of course I wouldn't lie to you." He gently patted Qi Zixin's head, as if comforting an uneasy child.
Just then, a slight noise broke the silence in the cave.
Qi Zixin's heart raced instantly. She stared intently at the projection surface of a telescope made by the transmigrator organization. On the mirror, two familiar figures gradually became clear—Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze, her mother and father!
"It's them!" An indescribable excitement welled up in Qi Zixin's heart. She clenched her hands tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, as if trying to suppress the overwhelming joy in her heart.
"Mother, Father! They've come looking for me," she murmured, her voice filled with hope.
However, a hint of worry flashed in her eyes immediately afterward. "It seems that these people have already lured my parents here. I must find a chance to let them know that there are people lying in ambush here."
The man in black seemed to notice Qi Zixin's unusual behavior. He turned his head sharply, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. But Qi Zixin quickly regained her composure, lowering her head and pretending to be nonchalant.
At this moment, outside the dilapidated temple, Xu Yuehuai, Qi Guze, and the others had quietly approached. Their faces were filled with solemnity and worry, but their eyes were extremely calm.
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