Jiaojiao is getting married, and the male leads fall for her and fight over her.

Chapter 203 She Returned to Beijing
And so, Pei Dongzhou searched the prefectural government office all night, but couldn't even catch a glimpse of Shen Shuyi.

For a moment, Pei Dongzhou even began to question the meaning of life.

He felt that the only place he had overlooked in the entire Hezhou was the prefectural government office, and given his cousin's intelligence, she must have thought that the most dangerous place was the safest place. He believed that his cousin was most likely hiding in the prefectural government office.

With dawn approaching and nothing to show for it, he had no choice but to leave the prefectural government office and return to the inn to make further plans.

"Don't disturb me, I'm going to sleep for a while. I still need to investigate the prefectural government tonight!" Pei Dongzhou said solemnly.

Qingfeng didn't expect that the young master would want to go to the prefectural government again, but he couldn't persuade the young master because of his stubborn nature, so he could only obey orders.

Pei Xizhou and Pei Nanzhou were somewhat surprised to see that the young master Pei was hiding in the inn and not moving, so that night they kept a close watch on Pei Dongzhou.

But Pei Dongzhou was cunning and managed to have them intercepted. By the time they caught up, Prince Pei had already vanished.

Pei Dongzhou shook off Pei Er and Pei San and went to the prefectural government again, searching for Shen Shuyi all night.

Unfortunately, he still couldn't find the person.

He searched for Shen Shuyi at the prefectural government office for three consecutive nights. When he confirmed that Shen Shuyi was not there, he suddenly lost his composure.

He knew his cousin was a woman of ambition; if she really wanted to hide, she had plenty of ways. She was quirky and full of ideas. Take, for example, her decision to become the top courtesan at Bai Xiang Lou. What normal woman would even think of such a thing?

He had searched the brothels in Hezhou, but there was no trace of his cousin.

After two days of feeling down, Pei Dongzhou decided to go to the prefectural government office during the day. The person he wanted to see was Madam Liang.

Madam Liang was surprised that Pei Dongzhou would come directly to her. When she went out to the hall to greet the guests, she saw Pei Shizi standing in the middle of the hall from afar. Pei Shizi was tall and straight, with a gentle temperament, and was elegant and handsome. He was truly an outstanding young man rarely seen in the world.

It's a real pity that Shuyi doesn't even think highly of a young man like him.

When Pei Dongzhou saw that Madam Liang had arrived, he respectfully stepped forward and bowed.

After inviting him to sit down, Madam Liang asked knowingly, "I wonder what brings you here to see me, Your Highness?"

"To be honest, I've come here for my cousin. I suspect she's still hiding in the prefectural government, but I don't know where. Madam, could you please grant me a visit? Even if I've done something wrong in the past, I hope to have an open and honest conversation with her, provided she comes out to see me..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Liang interrupted Pei Dongzhou, saying, "Young Master may be mistaken. Miss Shen is not in the Prefectural Government."

Pei Dongzhou, however, did not believe Liang's explanation: "Madam, I came with sincerity, hoping only to see my cousin—"

"It's true. Miss Shen left Hezhou several days ago. As for where she went, I don't know. It's a pity I can't help you, Your Highness," Madam Liang replied solemnly, letting Pei Dongzhou know that she was not joking.

Pei Dongzhou scrutinized Liang's expression; she did not appear to be lying.

How could that be? He clearly sent people to guard the city gate. If anyone had found his cousin, they should have come to report to him by now.

After a long pause, he asked with some doubt, "When did this happen?"

Lady Liang answered truthfully: "The day after the young master came to the prefectural government, as soon as the city gates opened, Miss Shen left Hezhou."

Pei Dongzhou, usually so shrewd and resourceful, experienced a moment of blankness in his mind. He suddenly realized that Madam Liang hadn't lied.

My cousin's greatest skill is catching the enemy off guard.

That day he searched the whole city for his cousin's whereabouts. Although he did send people to guard the city gates, how could ordinary people know how cunning his cousin was?

She had plenty of ways to get away with it. "Did my cousin say anything to Madam before she left?" Pei Dongzhou finally found his voice after a while.

Liang thought to herself that there really was something there; Shuyi seemed to have guessed that Prince Pei would come looking for her.

"Shuyi said that if the young master comes looking for her, she asked me to pass on a message to him. She said that he should not bother with her anymore. She also said that she likes to live a free life and that she and the young master are not on the same path and should not have any further involvement." Madam Liang relayed Shen Shuyi's words truthfully.

Pei Dongzhou chuckled lightly upon hearing this, then stood up and said, "I apologize for disturbing you, Madam. I shall take my leave."

Seeing Pei Dongzhou's attitude, Madam Liang knew that he hadn't listened to her.

After leaving the prefectural government, Pei Dongzhou returned to the inn and ordered Qingfeng to pack his belongings in preparation for returning to the capital.

Qingfeng was taken aback: "The young master is planning to return to the capital?"

“Otherwise, how could I keep wandering around? I work at the Dali Temple; I can’t stay away from the capital forever. Besides, my cousin has run away, and our wedding date has changed. I also need to inform His Majesty.” Pei Dongzhou replied calmly.

Qingfeng asked cautiously, "Is the young master no longer looking for Miss Cousin?"

“Of course we must search. We will send people all over the country to look for her. Also, we should keep a close eye on the prefectural government. I suspect that my cousin was able to leave Hezhou so smoothly because of the Liang family’s help. We should keep a close eye on the Liang family’s movements, especially those who correspond with her. If Madam Xiao knows where my cousin is, she will contact her sooner or later.” Pei Dongzhou said calmly.

Qingfeng quickly agreed.

He said that the young master would not let the young lady off easily.

Even if Miss Biao is good at hiding, the young master will surely find her, right?

Pei Xizhou and Pei Nanzhou were secretly watching Pei Shizi's movements when they saw him suddenly pack his bags and prepare to leave, which surprised both brothers.

Pei Xizhou stepped forward and asked, "Is Big Brother leaving?"

Pei Dongzhou ignored Pei Xizhou and left the inn on his own.

Pei Xizhou hurriedly followed, and when he saw Pei Dongzhou get into the carriage and head towards the city gate, his expression changed slightly. He looked at Pei Nanzhou and asked, "Brother, are you leaving Hezhou?"

"I think so," Pei Nanzhou replied calmly. "My elder brother is gone, which means my cousin isn't in Hezhou."

"Should we follow them?" Pei Xizhou was at a loss for what to do.

"Whatever you say, I'm leaving too." Pei Nanzhou was wondering where the young master Pei would go next.

Unlike him and Xizhou, who were both idle, Prince Pei held an official position and could not stay away from home all year round. Moreover, as the heir of the Pei family, he should let the old lady know that his cousin was not in the Marquis's residence.

Even after it was confirmed that Pei Dongzhou had returned to the capital, Pei Xizhou still had some doubts about whether Shen Shuyi had also returned to the capital.

In fact, Pei Dongzhou was right about some things. For example, Shen Shuyi was able to leave Hezhou smoothly because Liang secretly helped her.

Moreover, Liang also arranged for Shen Shuyi to be sent to Xiao Liang's house.

Shen Shuyi thought it was a good idea, better than hiding and running away, which was much riskier.

But what she didn't expect was that, because she trusted Liang too much, she hadn't asked where Little Liang lived. By the time she realized this was a road back to the capital, and they were almost there, she was already late.

(End of this chapter)