The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 866 - 187: A Generous Gift_2

Chapter 866: Chapter 187: A Generous Gift_2

Jiujiu was lost, and she frantically turned Taiping Town upside down. If she didn’t search for the missing young master and his parents arrived, how would she explain herself!?

Seated calmly at home, Pei Qin acted as if Xiao Yi had never visited. With Jiujiu and Xixi, they ate and slept as usual.

Every day, Old Scholar Fang came over to ask about the situation. Hearing there was still no news, he grew so anxious he felt like burning up. "Qinqin, you are also of the Third Rank, can’t you mobilize troops to search? If he’s not found, perhaps message should be sent to Prince He Qing to have his men search!?" A prince was lost on their watch—could it be that someone was plotting their annihilation!?

Old Scholar Fang pondered over this issue daily, and if someone truly meant to decimate them, the problem evidently lay with Mo Heng! Having left the Mo family with a vendetta, and since the Mo family held power, they had tried to harm others repeatedly, with destructive consequences!

Now filled with regret, Old Scholar Fang wished he had opposed the match with his life at the start, so as not to have Pei Qin marry Mo Heng! Even finding anyone in Yuanyang County would have sufficed, not seeking wealth or grandeur, just a peaceful family life!

"As long as he’s not dead, he will definitely return. Grandfather needn’t worry." Pei Qin no longer kept the news to herself, considering Manager Liao and others had probably already sent message to Xiao Guangbi.

Old Scholar Fang, his mouth full of blisters from anxiety, exclaimed, "How can I not worry!? Not just a prince, but any ordinary child gone missing here would kill a person with worry!"

Pei Qin looked up, seeing his hair had turned mostly white. Her gaze hardened, "It’s possible that Xiao Guangbi took him himself. I don’t want Grandfather to worry because their purpose in abducting Xiao Yi was merely to coerce me and Mo Heng. He won’t be lost!"

Old Scholar Fang opened his mouth, sighed deeply, and then sat for a long while before going home.

While Pei Qin remained composed on the surface, inside she was also burning with urgency—it had been nearly ten days, and still no news.

Pei Yuan also sent people to ask about the progress. Had they found him yet? She was currently pregnant, and Madam Zhao, fearing for her health, forbade her from running about outside.

Jiang Benxin now feared for his life whether awake or asleep. He had thought of every possible solution. If the prince sought retribution, his only recourse would be death as an apology!

Lady Qian sought news from various sources about the missing young master and whose child he was. That Pei Qin could lose someone under her watch made Jiang Benxin feel like disaster had struck. If this happened, Pei Qin, that despicable woman, wouldn’t live long without her needing to lift a finger!

Xiao Guangbi had secretly sent his son over, even preparing another "Xiao Yi" at Qingwang Mansion. Besides Manager Liao and the guard who came with them, only Pei Qin and her people knew. Even Jiang Benxin found out later.

Now that Xiao Yi was lost, no one dared to leak his news.

For days Lady Qian inquired, and even had Old Master Qian check in Runing Prefecture, all to no avail.

Days later, a small merchant caravan passed through Yuanyang County.

After routine checks at the city gate, they were allowed to proceed.

However, this small merchant caravan took a detour towards Taiping Town.

As Pei Qin was about to step out, someone from the caravan came directly to her.

Sun Erlang and Sun Chao, their eyes full of caution, scrutinized the small merchant caravan. Only one stepped forward to lead them to Pei Qin while the others quickly dispersed to gather more people. If this group were the ones who had abducted Xiao Yi and were now targeting Pei Qin, they would fight with all their might to thwart them!

Pei Qin squinted her eyes, stepping forward decisively.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted by a maid, revealing a handsome man in a moon-white robe with wide sleeves.

Pei Qin watched quietly.

The man glanced at her and stepped forward with a bow, "I presume this is Madam Yuanyang? I am Dan Yefei. Pardon my intrusion."

Though Pei Qin did not recognize Dan Yefei personally, she had heard Shen Songming mention his name more than once—the son of the Leader of Cao Gang, Dan Zhaoxiong.

Pei Qin surveyed him briefly, then the line of carriages behind him, "Young Master Dan, have you brought great gifts?"

With a light chuckle, radiant with joy, Dan Yefei replied, "Madam truly has a discerning eye."

Pei Qin’s gaze darkened with relief, and she reached out her hand, "Please, Young Master Dan, come in!"

Without any reservation, Dan Yefei nodded and followed her in.

Pei Qin left the handling of the caravans to Zhang Gengshan.

Zhang Gengshan arranged for the caravans at the workshop, watching intently as Dan Yefei’s men carried boxes down and into the courtyard, his heart subtly thrilled.