Pawning lifespan, starting from a low-level martial arts world to transform into a dragon.

Chapter 96 Following the Plan, Falling into the Trap

After receiving this letter, Chen Ye had completed all his plans regarding Guan Rongci.

We can take action now.

After leaving the southern part of the city, Chen Ye visited several medical clinics and bought some spiritual items containing essential substances from each one.

These days, he frequently visits various clinics, and the owners are all very familiar with him and are extremely enthusiastic towards this patron.

Seeing that it was almost time, Chen Ye strolled to Zhou's Medical Clinic, intending to purchase some spiritual items containing essential substances.

While the shopkeeper was getting the medicine, a familiar man walked into the clinic.

Since parting ways with Zhou Yun'e, he had arranged with her to send someone to meet him every day at Shenshi (3-5 PM) for the next two days.

Chen Ye recognized the other person as the bodyguard who had escorted Zhou Yun'e last time.

He didn't rush forward, but pretended to wait to get the medicine. He casually glanced around to make sure no one was following him before slowly approaching. While watching the apprentice weigh the herbs, he said in a low voice, "Uncle Zhou?"

The man remained unmoved when his name was called, as if he hadn't heard it.

Not denying it is tantamount to admitting it.

Chen Ye continued, "We'll make our move tomorrow."

The man remained expressionless and calmly said, "Okay, I understand. I will inform Madam."

After saying that, he picked up the medicine packet he had already prepared, turned around and strode away.

He maintained a calm attitude throughout, as if he had never met Chen Ye before, and there was no actual contact between them.

After Uncle Zhou left, Chen Ye did not stay at the clinic for long and immediately turned and left.

The next day, at the Feng family mansion.

Guan Rongci sat in the main hall, her face still bearing a kind expression.

The stewards and servants knelt before her.

Many of them are new faces.

These people all hung their heads, not daring to breathe loudly.

Her longtime nanny, hands on her hips, angrily berated the group: "A bunch of useless wretch! A perfectly healthy person, along with her maid, just vanished into thin air? Did the Feng family raise you all to do nothing?"

The stewards and servants dared not raise their heads, and kept kowtowing and begging for forgiveness.

Guan Rongci felt a surge of irritation as she watched them lying on the ground.

That foolish woman, Guo, took her private property and her child, and vanished from the face of the earth in the capital, leaving no trace, neither alive nor dead.

This matter has kept her up at night and unable to eat or sleep for days.

Even chanting Buddhist prayers was of no use.

She asked, "Is there any news from the Dali Temple?"

"Not yet, not yet. They just said they're investigating. We've spent money, but it's just—"

Guan Rongci impatiently interrupted their explanations, waved her hand, and ordered everyone to leave.

In the empty main hall, only she and the old nanny remained in the blink of an eye.

Guan Rongci felt that her state of mind had been disrupted many times during this period. She sat on the armchair, quickly closed her eyes, reached out and touched the Buddhist beads on the table, and began to twirl them one by one.

His lips moved as he recited a few lines of scripture, and his agitated state of mind calmed down a little.

Just as she had calmed down, she heard footsteps outside the door.

A doorman stood at the entrance, and after asking permission, he came in.

He held an unsigned letter in his hands, bowed, and presented it, saying, "Madam, someone outside claiming to be from the Lu family has sent a letter."

Guan Rongci frowned slightly, reached out and took the letter, tore open the seal, and pulled out the letter paper.

There were only a few words on the paper.

"My father is seriously ill and may not survive this month. Please come to Xiangguo Temple to see him as soon as possible, or it may be too late."

Guan Rongci read the letter twice to confirm that the handwriting was indeed Lu Cong's. Her heart sank and a trace of anxiety flashed in her eyes.

However, she didn't show it on her face, and simply folded the letter and put it into her sleeve as usual.

The hand hidden in her sleeve moved the prayer beads much faster than before.

Seeing the strange look on her face, the old nanny asked in a low voice, "Madam, what did the letter say?"

"It's nothing," Guan Rongci said calmly. "I've been having a lot of bad luck lately, perhaps it's retribution for not being diligent in my Buddhist practice. Get ready, I'm going to Xiangguo Temple to offer incense."

Upon hearing this, the old nanny glanced at her cautiously but didn't ask any further questions, only saying, "When does the First Madam plan to depart?"

Guan Rongci remained silent for a moment, then stood up and said, "Go tell Uncle Xu to prepare the car; we'll be leaving soon."

"Yes, then this servant will arrange the carriages and horses."

"Wait a minute." Guan Rongci suddenly called out to her, asking, "I've heard that Zhou Shi from the third branch has been frequently visiting the clinic lately. Is that true?"

The old nanny was taken aback, then nodded: "That's true. The people below said that Zhou has been going to that clinic every few days these past few days, sometimes staying for half an hour."

"She seems to have a lot of free time."

A hint of doubt flashed in Guan Rongci's eyes. She thought to herself, "These are turbulent times. I should be careful and first confirm whether someone is trying to trick me."

After careful consideration, she instructed, "Go to the Liu residence and ask Madam Wu if Master Mingxin of Xiangguo Temple is truly unwell."

The old nanny knew that this Madam Wu was a lay Buddhist at Xiangguo Temple and had a good relationship with her own wife, so she immediately accepted the order and withdrew.

Guan Rongci sat alone in the hall, fiddling with her prayer beads.

For some reason, she felt like a stone was hanging over her head all day, as if something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

About two quarters of an hour later, the old nanny returned and bowed, saying, "Madam, I just asked Madam Wu."

Master Mingxin of Xiangguo Temple has indeed been seriously ill these past few days. The monks in the temple all say that he has been resting in seclusion and has even been unable to preside over the daily chanting sessions.

Upon hearing this, Guan Rongci paused slightly in her fingers as she twirled the prayer beads. After a long silence, she slowly stood up, as if she had finally made up her mind.

"Prepare the car. Go tell Uncle Xu to pick a few capable men to accompany her." As she spoke, she added, "After I leave, have your men keep a close eye on Zhou Shi. If she makes any unusual moves, report back immediately."

"This servant understands."

Meanwhile, news that Guan Rongci was just about to depart quickly reached Zhou Yun'e's ears through their spies.

Without hesitation, Zhou Yun'e pushed open the door and went straight to Feng Bainian's study.

The guards waiting outside the study bowed respectfully upon seeing her arrive, saying, "Third Madam."

"Is the master inside?"

"Yes, sir. I'll go and inform them right away."

Before long, a guard came out and led her inside.

Feng Bainian was sitting behind his desk, flipping through an account book. When he saw her come in, he glanced up and casually asked, "What brings you here today?"

Zhou Yun'e walked to the desk, curtsied, and said with a hint of hesitation in her voice, "Father-in-law—I have been having dreams these past few days."

Feng Bainian put down the account book, looked up at her, and asked curiously, "What dream?"

"I dreamt of Yanwu." Zhou Yun'e's voice lowered slightly as she spoke the name, and her eyes reddened.

"In my dream, he was still the same as before, standing under an osmanthus tree, smiling and saying he was cold. Every time I tried to approach him, he would disappear. When I woke up, I felt empty and uneasy."

Feng Bainian remained silent for a moment. Seeing her like this, a complex expression flashed across his face, and he felt guilty.

Zhou Yun'e raised her long sleeve and gently wiped the corner of her eye. Her voice was choked with sobs as she said, "I want to go to Xiangguo Temple to invite another virtuous monk to chant sutras for him, so that he may be well over there. But then I thought—if my father-in-law could go with me, Yanwu would be relieved to see this from heaven and would not keep bothering me."

Feng Bainian looked at her slightly haggard face, remained silent for a while, and then slowly nodded.

"Alright, there's nothing urgent to do today anyway, so I'll go with you."

"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun'e bowed her head in thanks, a hint of a smile flickering deep in her eyes.