Two people walked side by side with their backs to her. One of them was wearing an official robe, but he was wearing a scarlet robe. It should be noted that only officials of the first to fourth rank in the court could wear scarlet robes, so the other person was of a high rank.
She noticed with her sharp eyes that the rank badge was embroidered with a lark. To distinguish between different ranks, different officials would have different patterns embroidered on their court robes. Civil officials' robes were embroidered with birds, while military officials' robes were embroidered with beasts. The lark belonged to a fourth-rank civil official.
Looking at the other person, who was dressed in casual clothes, her face was not visible from her angle, making her difficult to identify.
Just then, a cry of surprise rang out:
"It's terrible, sir! The woman has disappeared!"
"What?! Then hurry up and find it for me! Seal the door shut!"
The other end of the line erupted in chaos, and Shen Tangning's heart sank.
——
"Feng San, is your dog really that useful? It's delaying important matters; be careful the master punishes you!"
Chi Yan looked over and saw a large wolfhound galloping ahead, leading the way. It was strong and its fur was shiny and smooth. It ran faster than a horse.
Feng San glared impatiently at the person who spoke: "Anyway, it's more effective than you! Besides, the commander didn't say anything, so what nonsense are you spouting?"
Chi Yan thought to himself, "He's just trying anything, even if it's a dead end."
The guards lost track of him at the city gate. He immediately asked if anyone under his command was skilled in tracking.
Feng San volunteered, bringing along his beloved wolfhound, and patted his chest to assure him: "Sir, my dog has a keen nose. As long as you let it sniff the things your wife has used, it will definitely find them!"
Having no other choice, Chi Yan thought that animals' sense of smell was always more sensitive than humans', so he gritted his teeth and believed him.
However, he didn't rely entirely on the large wolfhound. At the same time, he sent someone to inform the Prefect of the Capital to search inside and outside the city and to notify him immediately if there was any news.
The big wolfhound's goal was always clear. No matter how many forks in the road there were, it always headed straight in one direction. Chi Yan saw obvious tire tracks on the road and couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.
"Sir, is there a house ahead?"
Chi Yan tightened his grip on the reins, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "A team of men, follow me!"
...
"Still haven't found him? You idiot, you can't even keep an eye on one person!"
Thinking of the two brothers' corpses he had discovered, his hands showed shame, but a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes: "Give me some more time, sir. This house is only so big. I don't believe she can sprout wings and fly away!"
"My lord, something terrible has happened! Chi Yan has already left the city and is heading this way!"
The man in the official robes' expression changed: "Why so fast? Quick! Take the young master with you, let's leave immediately!"
——
The stench around her was unbearable; Shen Tangning had never suffered like this before.
That group of people practically turned the entire house upside down, but who would have thought that she, a noble lady from a prominent family, would hide in a filthy sheep pen just to survive?
She huddled in the corner, piling up the hay and hiding it inside, clutching the hairpin in her hand, her palms covered in slippery, cold sweat.
She used up her last few arrows while killing that person, leaving her unarmed and in an increasingly passive position.
Just then, approaching footsteps came from outside. Shen Tangning bit her lip, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
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