Man Xing had never seen his usually aloof young master appear so anxious.
He pondered for a moment and replied earnestly, "I have traveled with you to many places, young master. Madam Shen's appearance is indeed outstanding among all the people I have met."
Ji Mo Bai's face turned pale, and the hand gripping Man Xing's trembled slightly.
Could it really be him…
But why would that person come to a small place like Tong Mu County?
Man Xing sensed the increasing pressure on his hand and called out in confusion, "Young master?"
Ji Mo Bai snapped back to reality, quickly released his hand, but said nothing.
…
Everyone waited by, expecting the unconscious person to wake and reveal what had happened.
Ji Mo Bai had said they would wake in half an hour, but after only fifteen minutes, Shen Wei suddenly sat up.
No one expected him to wake so quickly. Doctor Chen, who was close by, was startled by his sudden movement.
Liu Lan Lan was the first to react, rushing over. "Third Brother Shen, what happened? Where is Yue Shu?"
At her words, Shen Wei, whose mind was still a bit hazy, suddenly came to his senses and looked around frantically.
No… no sign of Ah Shu!
Remembering the scene he saw before passing out, Shen Wei's heart sank.
Aunt Liu also stepped forward, waving her hand in front of him with concern. "What's wrong? Old Third, do you remember what happened?"
Shen Wei looked at everyone, then lowered his gaze, hiding the emotion in his eyes. "An old man suddenly appeared and took Ah Shu away. I don't know who he was."
"Do you remember what he looked like?" Doctor Chen asked quickly.
Shen Wei shook his head, his brows knitted together.
Seeing his distressed expression, the crowd didn't press further. After finding him a room to rest, they rushed to the county yamen to report the incident.
However, while everyone was distracted, Shen Wei called Xing He out.
"Master, Chai Yang has already gone to investigate."
Before he could ask, Xing He spoke first. "The old man didn't hurt anyone and seemed quite kind. He probably won't harm Li Yue Shu."
Shen Wei glanced at him, his voice a little cold. "Why didn't you stop him then?"
Xing He froze, momentarily taken aback.
Perhaps his bewildered expression was too obvious, as Shen Wei realized what he had just said.
He regretfully averted his gaze. "Go investigate Qin Ye Xiu's movements."
Qin Ye Xiu's target was him, but the masked man from last time clearly knew Li Yue Shu, so it was possible this was also his doing.
"Yes."
Xing He acknowledged the order. Then, as if remembering something, he said, "Master, you asked me to investigate the Crown Prince's whereabouts. I discovered he has been getting close to Miss Gu, who was recently found by the Zhenbei General's mansion."
Shen Wei frowned. "Isn't Li Xiang Ru on the Second Prince's side?"
"Everyone thinks so, but I discovered the Crown Prince secretly met with Li Xiang Ru several times before going to Hong Ning City."
Speaking of important matters, Xing He became more serious. "Li Xiang Ru actively approached the Crown Prince. When the Gu family held a banquet for Li Xiang Ru, she secretly spoke with the Crown Prince."
"After that, they met privately frequently. During this period, many people around the Second Prince were replaced."
If Master hadn't specifically instructed them to keep an eye on Li Xiang Ru, they might not have noticed this.
Shen Wei narrowed his eyes.
So, the masked man showed mercy to Li Yue Shu because of Li Xiang Ru, not because she was the Crown Prince's person?
Thinking of this, Shen Wei's lips curved upwards, though the arc was so small that even he didn't notice it.
Xing He, however, did notice and looked astonished.
Could it be that Chai Yang was right, and Master was finally falling in love?!
Unaware of Xing He's gaze, Shen Wei finished giving his instructions and returned directly to Heng De Pharmacy.
…
News of Li Yue Shu's disappearance quickly spread. Given her reputation in Tong Mu County, it was impossible to conceal such a major event.
The news soon reached the village, and everyone became worried. Some even volunteered to find the village chief, hoping he would lead them to the place where Li Yue Shu had disappeared.
However, among these people, there were those who wished Li Yue Shu ill.
"This is the second time she's encountered bandits. Why do they only target her and not others? It must be her own fault!"
Madam Shen said sarcastically, "With so many people traveling together, she's the only one taken. It's clearly someone seeking revenge. She must have done something shameful and is now facing retribution!"
At her words, the lively discussion among the crowd instantly fell silent, and accusing glares turned towards her.
"If you can't speak properly, shut your foul mouth!" Aunt Zhao pushed through the crowd and rushed forward from behind.
She was furious, pointing at Madam Shen's nose as she began to scold. "Third Sister-in-law is kind and generous, and discerning. She established a pharmaceutical factory to help the entire village earn money. Unlike you, who raised Shen Cheng Cai, who dared to poison people at such a young age!"
Mentioning this, Madam Shen's anger flared. "How dare you bring that up? If it weren't for you, my Cheng Cai wouldn't have gone missing. We don't know if he's alive or dead!"
"You used to curse Li Yue Shu even more fiercely than I did, but in the end, you were bought off with a little money. What a spineless old hag!"
"I say, Li Yue Shu, that poisonous woman, has finally met her retribution. She's probably dead!" Madam Shen spat. "A woman abducted by bandits, slept with by who knows how many men. Even if she returns alive, she should be thrown into a pigsty!"
"What are you saying!" The surrounding people couldn't listen any longer. "Old Mrs. Shen, you're old enough, please speak with some decency!"
"Exactly! I heard the person who took her was an old man, not a bandit. Perhaps that person heard that Third Sister-in-law was a skilled doctor and needed her help."
"That's right. Shen Wei and the others were with her, but they were all unharmed, proving that the person had no intention of hurting anyone."
"Old Mrs. Shen, spreading rumors is a punishable offense. Even if you dislike your daughter-in-law, you shouldn't have such malicious thoughts!"
…
The villagers spoke one after another, all criticizing Madam Shen.
Seeing this, Madam Shen's face darkened.
No matter how formidable she was, she only had one mouth. Naturally, she couldn't argue against so many people and could only lower her head and leave.
However, she was still angry. After walking a distance, she put her hands on her hips and shouted, "You're all just flattering that poisonous woman because she's rich! Say whatever you want, but that poisonous woman was kidnapped, and she's definitely not going to have a good end. Just you wait and see!"
After speaking, she turned and ran, as if afraid someone would chase after her.
Unbeknownst to them, two figures stood not far away, having overheard the entire exchange.
Watching Madam Shen's crestfallen figure, the coldness around Shen Wei seemed to turn into a tangible substance.
Because she was "Shen Wei's" birth mother, he had not held her accountable despite knowing she bullied the four children and had repeatedly offended him.
Yet, this woman, after experiencing so much, showed no signs of restraint!
Shen Wei turned to Xing He behind him. "Go do something for me…"