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Lord Zhang’s Estate.

A maid came to the dining room in fear and trepidation. “Lord, the Princess Consort is missing.”

“What?” Lu Lizhang was furious. “When did she go missing?”

The maid, her body trembling and overcome with fear, fell to her knees, “It appears no one has slept in the princess consort’s bed. She must have vanished last night.”

Prince Lu Lizhang, consumed by his fury, delivered a fierce slap to the maid, “Incompetent! She went missing last night, and only now you come to report it?”

Struck hard, the maid’s head buzzed, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, as she tried to explain, “Your Highness, the princess consort wished for some solitude last night and instructed us not to enter. We stood guard outside, hearing nothing out of the ordinary.”

In a fit of rage, Lu Lizhang kicked the maid, sending her crashing against the wall, “Useless!” He stormed out.

Upon reaching the princess consort’s room, he was met with a sight of servants and maids on their knees, engulfed in panic, barely daring to breathe.

Searching the room thoroughly and finding it indeed empty, with the bed untouched, Lu Lizhang demanded, “Someone come forth!”

A servant emerged, kneeling before him, “Your Highness.”

Seething, Lu Lizhang interrogated, “You’ve been guarding the room night and day, and you’ve noticed nothing amiss?”

The servant replied, “Your Highness, we detected no disturbances last night. It’s our failing that the princess consort was taken. We beg for a chance to redeem our mistake.”

“Redeem yourselves!” Lu Lizhang, his anger boiling over, was on the verge of ordering the execution of everyone involved, “You have one day to bring back the princess consort. Fail, and you will all pay with your lives.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As he left the room, the butler approached Lu Lizhang with a scheme, “Your Highness, finding the princess consort might not be as challenging as it seems.”

Curious, Lu Lizhang inquired, “What do you suggest?”

With a sly look, the butler proposed, “Lately, there’s been talk about Chu Qingzhi’s unparalleled detective skills. Why not have her search for the princess consort? If she succeeds, excellent; if not, we have the perfect pretext to punish her.”

Lu Lizhang pondered, finding merit in the idea, “Proceed with this plan.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At the Chu Residence.

In the pavilion, Chu Qingzhi relayed to Ning Yuting and Chu Qingyue the revelations shared by the coachman the night before.

Ning Yuting felt a storm of anger brewing within him, his eyes turning cold as deep waters, battling with disappointment and a sense of desolation.

To think his uncles would go to such lengths. Could the lure of money really drive people to commit any deed?

Chu Qingyue, sensing his turmoil, softly held Ning Yuting’s hand, gently advising, “There’s no need to lose your temper over such individuals. It harms only you.”

Looking out over the calm surface of the lake, Ning Yuting struggled with the betrayal by his kin, “Qingyue, I just need a bit of time to myself.”

“Alright, I’ll leave you be,” Chu Qingyue said, offering him space.

Chu Qingzhi continued, “I suspect that they were the ones who wanted to harm my Second Sister as well.”

With a cold resolve, Ning Yuting declared, “They will face the consequences.”

Chunli came rushing, “Young Master, Young Madam, Fifth Miss, people from Lord Zhang’s mansion have arrived seeking Fifth Miss’s help with a matter of great importance.”

People from Lord Zhang’s mansion?

Everything happened too suddenly. Chu Qingzhi could not guess the other party’s intentions for a moment. “Let’s go and take a look.”

“I’ll accompany you,” Chu Qingyue quickly offered, her expression laden with concern.

“Let’s all go together,” Ning Yuting decided.

The person sent to fetch Chu Qingzhi was the chief butler of Lord Zhang’s mansion, who wasted no time upon seeing Chu Qingzhi, stating, “Lord Zhang requests Fifth Miss’s assistance with a matter. Please, Fifth Miss, do not refuse.”

Chu Qingzhi didn’t appreciate the butler’s haughty demeanor, “And if I insist on refusing?”

The butler replied calmly, “Then we would have to involve the emperor.”

Chu Qingzhi scoffed inwardly. What was the emperor to her? But she had a family to protect and had to consider many factors, “Let’s go.”

Chu Qingyue stepped forward, grasping Chu Qingzhi’s hand, “Fifth Sister.”

Chu Qingzhi gave her a reassuring smile, her tone light, “It’s alright, I’ll be back soon.”

“Be careful, then.”

“Ok.”

Following the butler, Chu Qingzhi departed. With her gone, Chu Qingyue and Ning Yuting hurriedly made for General Tang Jinghong’s residence, finding him absent, currently in the palace, leaving them nearly frantic with worry.

Chu Qingyue suggested, “Shall we wait for Brother Jinghong at the palace gate?”

Ning Yuting nodded, “That seems best. We need to inform him as soon as possible.”

In the imperial study.

The emperor and Tang Jinghong were ensconced in silence.

Tang Jinghong presented a memorial to the emperor detailing Lu Lizhang’s involvement in smuggling fine iron, “Your Majesty, please see the individuals implicated in the smuggling of fine iron.”

The emperor, deeply concerned about the fine iron matter, eagerly reviewed the memorial.

As he read, his expression darkened, eventually flinging the memorial aside in anger, “Outrageous! Accepting our salary and doing nothing is bad enough, but to engage in smuggling behind our back…”

It took a moment for the emperor to regain his composure, “Minister Tang, investigate this thoroughly. I wish to see what else he has been hiding.”

Tang Jinghong bowed, “As you command, Your Majesty.”

Having received his orders, Tang Jinghong left the palace.

Upon seeing Tang Jinghong, Chu Qingyue approached him urgently, “Brother Jinghong, Lord Zhang’s butler has taken Fifth Sister to their mansion. We don’t know his intentions.”

Tang Jinghong’s brow furrowed, his expression darkening, “I’ll look into it immediately. Don’t worry.”

“Please hurry. Ensure Fifth Sister’s safety.”

Tang Jinghong nodded, mounted his horse, and sped off to Lord Zhang’s mansion.

Lord Zhang’s Estate.

The butler opened the door to Lord Zhang’s study, then stood aside for Chu Qingzhi, “His Highness awaits you inside, Fifth Miss.”

Chu Qingzhi walked into the study with a calm expression. “Greetings, Lord Zhang.”

Lu Lizhang sized Chu Qingzhi up. Her appearance, temperament, and poise were all exceptional, surpassing even a princess. Indeed, she was extraordinary, “My apologies for the abrupt invitation, Miss Chu. Circumstances left me no choice but to request your presence.”

Chu Qingzhi had already guessed Lu Lizhang’s intentions but decided to play along, “Apologies accepted or not, I’m here now. Please, speak plainly.”

Lu Lizhang’s gaze darkened, disliking the defiance hidden in Chu Qingzhi’s eyes, “My wife and I are playing a game. She’s hiding, and it’s my turn to seek. I’ve heard of Miss Chu’s unparalleled skills in finding people. Could you lend your assistance?”

Cunning fox!

Chu Qingzhi responded with a slight smile, “Since it’s a game between you and the princess consort, involving a stranger like myself might upset her.”

Lu Lizhang’s expression remained unchanged, “The princess consort is not so petty. Besides, she’s already agreed that I can seek help.”

Chu Qingzhi complimented, “With so many capable individuals at your disposal, Your Highness, pooling your resources should swiftly lead to the princess consort’s location. Being unfamiliar with the area, I fear I might not be of much help.”

Was she subtly criticizing his and his subordinates’ intelligence? Lu Lizhang bristled inwardly, “With your extraordinary wit, Miss Chu, finding the princess consort will surely be quicker.”

In her mind, Chu Qingzhi thought, with me involved, I’ll make sure you never find the princess consort!