High-class Spring Joy

Qingyuan was in a hurry to get to the yamen, her mind filled with thoughts of Hongdou's safety, so she didn't notice the carriage next to her.

It wasn't until the carriage blocked her way that she realized she was standing right at the entrance of Jinxiu Manor.

At this moment, the Third Young Master's voice appeared before Qing Yuan like a lifeline. She looked up and saw Chu Jingxian and Chen Sha.

Upon seeing Chu Jingxian, Qingyuan's eyes, which had been brimming with tears she dared not let fall, suddenly overflowed. A flood of emotions surged within her, and she could only manage to utter, "No, no, it wasn't me who was bullied, it was Hongdou!! Hongdou left the manor this morning after finishing her morning meal. According to her usual nature, even if she was playing, she should have returned by evening. But I haven't seen her since. I'm worried something might have happened to her?"

Unable to say it directly, Qingyuan suspected that Jiang Qingge was behind it, so she told Chu Jingxian the whole story.

Upon hearing this, Chu Jingxian's brows relaxed slightly, but his expression remained serious: "Chensha, go and report to the authorities first, and have Zheji send people out to search. Search the entire city as much as possible. If Hongdou returns to the Marquis's residence, send someone to report back as well."

Upon hearing this, Chen Sha immediately got off the carriage and did as Chu Jingxian instructed.

"Come in and talk."

As Chu Jingxian spoke, he led Qingyuan into Jinxiu Manor.

Indeed, it is improper for a man and a woman to stand alone on the street at night. If someone were to see them, it would be extremely bad for Qingyuan's reputation.

Qingyuan understood that Chu Jingxian was thinking of her, so she followed him into Jinxiu Manor.

Not long after entering Jinxiu Manor, Chen Sha hurriedly went to report to the authorities and then rushed back:

"Reporting to Young Master, the officials have already sent out officers to search, and our men have also gone out to search. Rest assured, as soon as Zheji heard about this, he led his men to search on his own. I think we should be able to find it."

Chen Sha's words were mostly meant to comfort Qing Yuan, and Qing Yuan knew that in her heart.

Chu Jingxian also knew that a perfectly good girl could not possibly have just gotten lost in Bianjing City.

Although Hongdou is sometimes mischievous and playful, she wouldn't go so far as to get lost. Besides, this wasn't her first time leaving the manor; she must have gotten into trouble.

The only difference is whether she was kidnapped by someone else or by the person Qingyuan suspected.

Chu Jingxian pushed a cup of tea towards Qingyuan: "Have a sip of tea first. Tell me in detail about what happened. Maybe there will be some new clues."

Qingyuan hesitated for a moment. To be honest, her first thought was that it was Jiang Qingge, because no one else had any reason to make things so difficult for her.

Unfortunately, there was no evidence to support this claim, and Qingyuan couldn't possibly just blurt out that Jiang Qingge was the one who did it.

Qingyuan could only take a sip of tea. It tasted slightly sweet, but it did nothing to calm her emotions. "This servant doesn't know, but Hongdou is usually a bit greedy and playful. However, that's because he's young and rarely does anything inappropriate. He doesn't make enemies or hold grudges, and I've never heard of him quarreling with anyone. If he was kidnapped for no reason, especially since he was dressed very plainly when he left the manor, whether it was for money or revenge, this servant can't understand it."

"Don't worry, just say it."

Chu Jingxian easily sensed the hesitation and reservation in her words, and realized that she was actually suspicious.

"If the other party is neither after money nor revenge, then I can only think of one possibility: either they were caught in the trap by mistake, or they deliberately sought revenge for personal reasons. Since Hongdou has never made enemies with anyone and the closest person to her is me, it is very likely that what they want to avenge or vent is my grudge. So there is only one possibility left."

As Qingyuan spoke, Chu Jingxian's face showed a relieved expression: "That's right. Next time, no matter what happens, don't keep your thoughts to yourself. Just tell me directly. Chensha, do you know what to do?"

"I will go immediately and thoroughly investigate Jiang Qingge and the other man."

Chen Sha immediately went to do it after he finished speaking.

Only Qingyuan and Chu Jingxian remained. Qingyuan recalled Chu Jingxian's words and pursed her lips, trying to explain: "This servant only did not have evidence, so it was not appropriate to directly accuse someone. It was not that I intended to hide it from you, young master."

"Why did your first reaction be to report it to the authorities instead of looking for your fifth brother?"

Chu Jingxian asked a seemingly unrelated question, but it stumped Qing Yuan.

Why not ask Chu Jingyu?

Naturally, it's because Chu Jingyu wouldn't care about Hongdou's life. It's very likely that Chu Jingyu would only think that she was deliberately trying to compete with the Jiang sisters for their affections, or that she was scheming and trying to frame them.

"I suppose you understand that Fifth Brother has always been biased towards those who are not on his side. Putting that aside for now, if we really think about it carefully, the only possible candidates are the two Jiang sisters. Even if there are other possibilities, if you have any doubts about them, you can tell me."

Chu Jingxian tapped the armrest with his fingertips: "Since Fifth Brother is inclined to favor others, then naturally I can too. Under such circumstances, you can tell me whatever doubts you have, because I have always favored you."

Favoritism towards you?

What an unfamiliar phrase! In all these years, Qingyuan had never heard it from anyone except her sister.

Even Chu Jingyu, whom she had loved and treated sincerely for so many years, couldn't bring himself to say those words, let alone do them.

But for some reason, Qingyuan felt that the Third Young Master was a man of his word when he said such things.

Qingyuan looked at Chu Jingxian with confusion and surprise.

Perhaps feeling uncomfortable under Qing Yuan's direct gaze, Chu Jingxian covered his mouth and coughed lightly: "If you continue to stare like that, I'll start to misunderstand something."

Startled by Chu Jingxian's words, Qingyuan immediately turned her head, her face flushing slightly. Her mind involuntarily recalled his words: "From now on, you will have to call me elder brother, just like Fifth Brother. There's no need to be so polite."

Yes.

The Third Young Master is known for his integrity and upright character. He probably believed from the beginning that Chu Jingyu had made a prior agreement with him. In the Third Young Master's view, Chu Jingyu's current behavior violated his promise. Therefore, the Third Young Master's favoritism towards him probably stems from his disapproval of Chu Jingyu's treacherous actions.

After searching for most of the night, I finally found Hongdou in a brokerage firm in Bianjing City.

When Zheji brought Hongdou back, she had been tortured to the point of barely being able to speak, completely numb and lifeless, her body covered in wounds, the blood on her clothes dried into scabs stuck to her skin, making her look like a torn rag doll.

This was the first time Qing Yuan had seen a murderous aura emanating from Zhe Ji. Before, he always had a smiling face, giving people a gentle and handsome feeling. Now, he was no longer smiling, and his expressionless face was quite similar to the terrifying aura emanating from Chen Sha.

Chu Jingxian immediately ordered Sai Huatuo, the world's number one physician, to examine Hongdou.

When Sai Huatuo came out of the room, his brows were furrowed and his expression looked very bad.

"The young lady inside, in her current condition, would already be dead if an ordinary doctor were to come. Only I can keep her alive. Her external injuries are secondary; the poison in her body has penetrated very deeply. If it weren't for the Heavenly Snow Lotus that the young master gave her earlier, the poison would probably have entered her heart meridian by now, and there would be no way to save her. This poison is called 'Wang Nai He,' and if the poisoning lasts too long, there is almost no cure in this world. I am also somewhat powerless at this moment."