Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Racing Against Time
The Third Miss was no longer in the room, she had just come out with the maid. Thinking it over still felt wrong, so she sat in the pavilion and had the maid go inquire.
But now half an hour has passed, and the time he mentioned in the letter was approaching. Why hasn’t Xiao Ying, the maid, returned yet?
The Third Miss bit her lip, tangled in thought, and finally decided to check personally.
Though she didn’t understand why he wanted to meet her at night, maybe there was something important he wanted to say.
If it were the usual time, or if she played the role of an observer, the Third Miss might have noticed something was wrong.
Mr. Wen was from a prestigious family, his conduct always proper and courteous. Why would he engage in a nighttime private meeting with an unmarried woman?
However, the Third Miss was truly taken with Mr. Wen. A woman in love often has moments of confusion.
*
When Qu Fulan arrived at the Third Miss’s residence, it was already empty.
She asked the guards who had come by earlier.
The guards said that Mr. Wen’s servant had delivered some fruits, and shortly after, the Third Miss had left with the maid, saying she was going to chat to relieve boredom, so they didn’t follow.
Qu Fulan knew there were two paths leading to the other women’s quarters, without hesitation she chose the unrelated one.
Approaching another fork, Qu Fulan once again opted for the path less traveled.
The four guards followed without understanding, and Qu Fulan didn’t know how to explain.
Previous to this, when the Thousand-faced Monster Hand impersonated the Heir Pei, the sachet she scattered contained a special aroma, hard to wash off without specific remedies, and those who carried the scent couldn’t detect it themselves due to the confusion.
She informed Heir Pei of the scent, and he ordered a search for anyone with such fragrance, but to no avail.
Yet she caught the scent from peaches given by the Third Miss.
She took two peaches; the first had no scent and she ate it, but the second she detected aroma as she brought it to her mouth.
That meant some of those peaches were touched by the Thousand-faced Monster Hand, leaving the fragrance.
Why would the Thousand-faced Monster Hand send fruits to the Third Miss? And under Mr. Wen’s servant guise? A hidden agenda was clear.
Combining events, Qu Fulan formed a hypothesis.
In ancient times, a common reason for a woman to commit suicide was losing her chastity.
Otherwise, why would the Third Miss swallow gold after meeting her ideal suitor?
She must have felt heartbroken, leading to postpartum depression and despair.
At another fork, Qu Fulan didn’t know where to go, instructing the guards to search separately, emphasizing the importance of listening for any sound in secluded spots.
Heading in another direction, she hadn’t gone far when she stumbled upon what seemed to be Xiao Ying, the maid, lying in the grass.
Qu Fulan quickly reached out to check her breathing, touching her pulse, and found she was just unconscious. She hurriedly revived her, and Xiao Ying soon awoke, her gaze bewildered, unaware of what had transpired.
Qu Fulan urgently asked Xiao Ying about the Third Miss’s whereabouts.
Xiao Ying, still confused, responded, "The young lady asked me to find Mr. Wen, halfway there I felt a sharp pain on my neck, and then I don’t remember anything."
"Why did the Third Miss ask you to find Mr. Wen? Where did she go?"
Originally, Xiao Ying didn’t want to disclose it, for matters like this shouldn’t be publicized. But seeing Fulan’s anxious demeanor, indicating something serious had happened, she dared not delay. "Mr. Wen invited her to the Crescent Pavilion, what’s wrong with our Miss?"
Qu Fulan quickly ran to the Crescent Pavilion.
Halfway there, she heard a brief scream.
It wasn’t from the Crescent Pavilion but from the bamboo forest!
Qu Fulan lifted her skirt and dashed into the forest, but even faster was Heir Pei, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, swiftly passing by, and entering the bamboo forest.
When Qu Fulan arrived, Heir Pei was already checking the Third Miss’s condition.
"She’s just fainted. You stay here and watch over her."
He entrusted the person to her and pursued the culprit.
The four guards, drawn by the noise, were already there, staying by her for protection.
Qu Fulan quickly assessed the Third Miss’s condition, confirming that she was indeed merely unconscious, without other issues, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Moreover, the Third Miss wasn’t so naive; she remembered to carry the sachet provided by Fulan, which seemingly secured her some escape time, as the scent of the medicine was on her.
At this moment, Xiao Ying rushed over, seeing her lady’s condition scared her to the core, crawling over, "Miss! Miss!"
Qu Fulan calmed her, "Stop calling. First, take the Third Miss back, don’t let a word about tonight’s events slip out."
Xiao Ying, bewildered and overwhelmed, simply nodded.
Outside the bamboo forest, they were surrounded layer upon layer by the arrangement put in place earlier by Heir Pei.
However, upon exiting the bamboo forest, they could see from afar many curious onlookers eagerly stretching their necks in anticipation, came to see the spectacle after hearing who knew what, and if not stopped by guards, they might attempt to enter the bamboo forest for a "live watch."
Their disregard for occasion disgusted Qu Fulan. She quickly asked guards to shield them as they left from another direction to prevent others from seeing them and ensuring tomorrow is not filled with rumors about their reputation.
But then a voice rang out in the air, "Pei Family can come and go freely, why can’t I? I’m Prince Xiao’s mother; I must see my son. Dare anyone stop me?"
It was Mrs. Xiao, earlier as Heir Pei went to arrange men, Prince Xiao couldn’t sit idly either, naturally he would go arrange men as well. But he was seen by Ji Nishang, who was delivering pastries to her cousin, and in turn told Mrs. Xiao, who came concerned for her son’s safety.
Qu Fulan recognized Mrs. Xiao’s voice and found the old woman simply clueless!
Yet she couldn’t spare much thought on it, moving quickly amidst her group to leave.
Returning to the courtyard, the Second Madam had noticed her daughter’s absence and was pacing anxiously. Seeing them return and the fainted Pei Xiang, her face went pale, pushing aside the attending maids to rush forward, "How’s Xiang’er?"
"We’ll talk inside," Qu Fulan was exhausted, no strength to say too much.
After settling Pei Xiang down and dismissing others, Qu Fulan succinctly recounted the events—they indicated the Third Miss was fine, almost deceived, but this must remain undisclosed.
The Second Madam, aware of the gravity, held Qu Fulan’s hand, repeatedly expressing gratitude.
Qu Fulan worried about the situation in the bamboo forest, wondering if Heir Pei captured the person.
However, upon leaving the Third Miss’s room, the four guards informed her, "Just received word, someone broke through the guards trying to watch, interfering with the capture. Now a six or seven-year-old child is held hostage by the Thousand-faced Monster Hand, they demand you come forward, or they’ll kill the child."
Qu Fulan: "..."
She knew those with some skill often possess arrogance; the Thousand-faced Monster Hand must harbor resentment for her repeated sabotage, determined to pull someone down with him if needed.