Chapter 288: Mysterious Woman

Qin Yue xi finished speaking, and a cold, sharp gaze fell on her.

She couldn't help but shrink her neck.

"I…"

"If This Prince had discovered her trail, I would have gone to find her long ago; would I still be waiting until now?"

Mo Yunyan's eyes were full of sorrow.

"She can't really… can't, can't… she's so clever, so capable, how could…"

"The person who took her away from Jingcheng that day also vanished without a trace, as if evaporated from the world; now searching for her is like fishing a needle out of the sea—far too difficult."

Mo Junyan finished speaking, Qin Yue xi's body swayed, tears welling in her eyes: "Could it really be that we can't find her? Is Sister Chi locked up? If she's still alive, why wouldn't she return to Jingcheng? Who the damned is behind this, committing such heartless madness!"

"This Prince still has official duties; if you have no other matters, please return!"

Hearing him say that, Qin Yue xi's anger flared; disregarding the cold aura emanating from Mo Junyan, she shouted loudly: "Wasting Sister Chi's affection for you, how can you be so heartless? You…"

Before she could finish, Mo Junyan swung his arm, a surge of powerful internal force rushed toward the two of them.

The study door opened, and the two of them were blasted out of the study; unlike Yun Shui and Yun Shan, they were hurled but unharmed.

When they came to their senses, they were already standing in the courtyard.

"Mother! You scared me to death," Qin Yue xi swallowed: "I know Prince Li has a bad temper, but I never imagined it would be this extreme—drawing a sword at the slightest disagreement. He's not even a man; he has no dignity at all."

Mo Yunyan's gaze was complicated as she looked at the tightly shut study door, a bad premonition rising in her heart, her eyes full of worry.

Their appearance was strikingly similar to how the late mother consort looked after passing.

Locking themselves in a room, seeing no one.

It seemed calm on the surface, but the heart was already riddled with countless wounds.

After much effort meeting a girl who could make them open their heart, now that girl is missing again, as if fate played a colossal joke on them.

Only those who have seen his former self can understand how worrisome his current state is.

If Chi Nan Yi cannot be found, her younger brother will probably be in trouble.

After returning to the Princess Residence, Mo Yunyan dispatched its forces to search for Chi Nan Yi.

At that moment, a silhouette flashed by; sensing a familiar aura, Mo Yunyan's brows twitched.

"Miss," a hoarse voice reached her ears; she slowly lifted her head, looked at the old woman before her, and said gravely: "Why have you come?"

"Miss, the Madam sent this old servant to check on you; have you any recent worries?"

"Did Master send you?"

"Indeed."

Mo Yunyan felt a surge of joy: "Please ask Qian Po Po to tell my Master, and help me find someone."

"Just looking for a person; Miss, feel free to command, the Madam will not refuse any of your requests."

"Chi Nan Yi, you must help me find her."

Qian Po Po's expression flickered with a brief shock, but she quickly concealed it; Mo Yunyan did not notice.

"Yes, this old servant understands; I will return and tell the Madam."

"Excellent, if Master is willing to help, perhaps there is still a sliver of hope."

"Miss, do you have any other orders?"

"Tell Master to take care of his health; once the Jingcheng matters are settled, I will definitely return to see her."

"If the Madam knows she is earnest, she will be very pleased," Qian Po Po took a bottle of elixir from her bosom: "This is what the Madam had this old servant prepare for Miss; after taking it, it will make the complexion absolutely stunning."

"A stunning complexion?" Mo Yunyan laughed: "Master truly is the one who understands me best."

Qian Po Po nodded: "You are the person the Madam values most; she naturally wants to give you the best."

Seeing her drink the elixir with her own eyes, Qian Po Po's gaze narrowed slightly, and she whispered: "This old servant will now return to report to the Madam; as for the person Miss seeks, I will also tell the Madam."

"Thank you, Qian Po Po."

After the old woman left, Mo Yunyan pressed her finger hard against her throat, spitting out all the elixir she had just swallowed.

She stared out the window with a heavy expression.

Qian Po Po came almost every month to deliver elixir to her; previously, each time she took it she felt drowsy, sometimes even sleeping for a whole day and night.

In the half-awake moments, she always felt someone beside her.

This time, no matter what, she must ensure she stays awake herself, and she wants to see what this elixir really is.

She waited a long time, and no one entered the room.

Could it be that she is overthinking?

Before long, drowsiness struck, and she quickly fell into a deep sleep.

In the next instant, a figure emerged from behind the bed curtain; an extremely beautiful woman walked to her bedside and sat down.

"Madam, you guessed correctly; Miss spat out all the elixir."

The woman's lips curled slightly, her eyes full of smile as she looked at the sleeping Mo Yunyan, reaching out to smooth the stray hairs on her forehead: "She is indeed exceedingly clever."

"But you, Madam, are even more ingenious; before Miss returned, you had already added the elixir to the incense burner."

"I have watched her grow, so I naturally know her temperament."

She took a black pill from her bosom and placed it into Mo Yunyan's mouth.

The pill dissolved instantly upon entering, and she then took out a Silver Needle and a porcelain bottle to draw a bit of blood from the inner side of her arm.

"This is the last time I will draw blood; it's hard for her to have supplied me with blood for so many years."

The puncture is extremely fine; if you don't look closely, you can't see it at all.

"Madam, that Miss in the future…"

The woman reached out and touched her face, her eyes showing a complex expression.

"Madam, you…"

Well then, let her first spend some time living the life she likes!

Madam, the young lady has grown up now; why don't you...

You didn't hear what I just said? The woman's voice turned cold.

The old servant overstepped; please, madam, punish me.

I had no choice back then; I don't want her to end up like I did.

Yes, old servant understands, but the young lady is now very concerned about that Chi Nan Yi; the old servant fears...

What are you afraid of? Afraid she might develop divided loyalties toward me?

Old Lady Qian lowered her head and remained silent.

It won't happen, absolutely not." She looked at the fresh blood still warm in the porcelain bottle: "I won't let her develop divided loyalties toward me, absolutely not.

So we must search for Chi Nan Yi according to the young lady's orders?

Ha, go look! How could you possibly find someone who's long dead?

The woman gazed longingly at the ink-cloud smoke for a moment, then left with Old Lady Qian.

In just a few days, Chi Nan Yi and the others had already arrived at Liao City.

Everyone stopped in front of a manor.

Chi Nan Yi surveyed the surroundings without showing any emotion; front and back were completely surrounded by a stretch of forest.