Chapter 117: The Vanished Her

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes narrowed, his hand halfway through turning a document froze; he looked at the servant in shock, then stood up and asked anxiously, "What? Young Lady Liu has gone missing? What is going on?"

The servant, covered in sweat, answered with a trembling voice, "Replying to my lord, last night the Young Lady suddenly vanished. We searched the entire Liu residence top to bottom but could not find her. The household is in chaos; please, my lord, go handle this quickly!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression grew even more solemn; just as he was about to order his subordinates to investigate the situation, a sound of hurried footsteps rang out, and Zhang Zhang Jiani rushed in.

She said anxiously, "Dog official, I heard Liu Yifei has gone missing. This is definitely suspicious; it must be a deliberate kidnapping! Send people to find her immediately, in case something happens..."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked deeply at Zhang Zhang Jiani and comforted her softly, "Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to find Young Lady Liu. Did you see any suspicious traces?"

Zhang Zhang Jiani shook her head anxiously, her eyes full of worry, "Outside, the heavy snow is flying; where would there be any traces? I only saw things scattered inside the room and drag marks on the ground; she must have been kidnapped."

Even at this critical moment, Zhang Zhang Jiani did not forget to use the title "Dog official" to address Jiang Jiang Mingyu, her tone revealing obvious disdain.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not argue with her at this time but seriously considered the reason for Young Lady Liu's disappearance, "Zhang Jiani, we both know you and Young Lady Liu grew up together; you can say you are close friends. Do you know if the Liu father and daughter have had any conflicts in the Shangmu territory, any enemies or rivals?"

Zhang Zhang Jiani thought for a moment and quickly denied, "No, that's impossible. Liu Yifei has a gentle and kind personality; she never conflicts with anyone, so how could she have any enemies?"

"And Uncle Liu is a well-known good person in Shangmu, generous and charitable, never having any disputes with anyone. So it is truly incomprehensible how anyone could have formed a grudge against the Liu father and daughter."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded after hearing this, "Indeed, Boss Liu has always been highly respected and benevolent in Shangmu; I have heard of this long ago. Now that there are no bandits or thieves left in the Shangmu territory, who could have kidnapped Young Lady Liu?"

Hearing his question, Zhang Zhang Jiani became even more anxious, "My lord Jiang, think of a countermeasure quickly. We must find Liu Yifei as soon as possible; we know nothing about her safety right now!"

Just then, her eyes suddenly lit up as if she thought of something, "I remember it now. Speaking of the Liu family's enemies, there really is one person—that lecher Zhu Zhu Tianxiang who once harassed Liu Yifei on the street!"

"Liu Yifei told me about this personally. At that time, you happened to be there and witnessed the whole process with your own eyes; you must remember it clearly, right?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly understood and nodded, "So you mean that scoundrel Zhu Zhu Tianxiang! Indeed, I clearly remember the situation that day. It seems this matter is very likely the work of him and his uncle, Huang Huang Chaoran!"

Zhang Zhang Jiani bit her lip tightly, anger and anxiety flashing in her eyes, "Yes, yes, it must be those two beasts! Save Liu Yifei quickly; her life or death is unknown, and I am worried to death!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was silent for a moment, then nodded firmly, "Very well. I will send people to search with all our might. No matter the cost, we must rescue Young Lady Liu safely."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a deep voice, "Daring to kidnap Young Lady Liu under my very eyes, they will surely receive the punishment they deserve!"

Seeing him like this, Zhang Zhang Jiani became even more anxious, "Enough, enough. Now is not the time for empty talk. The key is to rescue Liu Yifei as soon as possible. Do you have any good ideas?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and immediately shouted loudly, "Tu Tu Kesiluo, are you there? Come over quickly."

Only the sound of movement came from the kitchen in the back hall. Tu Tu Kesiluo, still holding half a steamed bun, rushed out, "What are your orders, my lord?" Seeing Zhang Zhang Jiani present, Tu Tu Kesiluo was clearly stunned, "Why is Miss Zhang here too? The situation seems very urgent."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu went straight to the point, "No need for more words. Immediately take men to the City Defense Camp and mobilize fifty thousand troops to search for Young Lady Liu's whereabouts. You must thoroughly check the official road to the prefecture city; even if you have to turn over every inch of land, you must find her!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo was completely confused, "Young Lady Liu is missing? What exactly is going on?"

Zhang Zhang Jiani couldn't help but speak urgently, "Stop talking nonsense. Last night Liu Yifei was kidnapped! Why aren't you acting quickly?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo quickly dropped the bun, "Yes, my lord. Your subordinate will prepare immediately and will surely rescue Young Lady Liu with all our might!" Having finished speaking, he immediately used lightness skill and quickly disappeared from the two people's sight.

Watching Tu Tu Kesiluo leave, Zhang Zhang Jiani seemed even more anxious, "My lord Jiang, do you think Liu Yifei might come to any harm?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said with full confidence, "Please rest assured. Young Lady Liu is surely safe. If the other party really intended to harm her, they would have acted last night. Moreover, with Young Lady Liu's wisdom, she must be able to delay time. I believe we will recover her very soon."

Hearing this, Zhang Zhang Jiani felt slightly relieved, then immediately asked again, "But a whole night has passed. Can we still catch up with her?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu explained, "This is thanks to the heavy snow blocking the roads last night; even the bandits carrying Young Lady Liu could not move too fast. Furthermore, Young Lady Liu might try to delay time. In my opinion, as long as we mobilize the army to search with all our might, we will surely recover her very soon. Please rest assured, Zhang Jiani."

Although Zhang Zhang Jiani was still somewhat uneasy, she had to trust Jiang Jiang Mingyu's judgment. She nodded solemnly, "Then I entrust this to you, my lord. I will also cooperate fully and will not let those bandits succeed!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said with satisfaction, "Very well. Then let us set off immediately. Time waits for no one."

In the snow-covered Shangmu City, an unusual silence prevailed.

Outside the city gate, Jiang Jiang Mingyu directed Tu Tu Kesiluo and the soldiers to begin the search. The cold wind blew, and their figures appeared and disappeared in the vast white expanse, like heroes in the mist.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes were firm; he was unwilling to lose even a shred of determination to find Liu Liu Yifei in this wind and snow.

The team led by Tu Tu Kesiluo spread out to search outside the city, their nerves taut and ready to discover any suspicious traces.

The residents within Shangmu City also voluntarily joined the search. With hearts filled with worry for Liu Liu Yifei, a potential anxiety flowed through the silence.

Before the city gate, Zhang Zhang Jiani stood anxiously to the side. She wanted several times to follow the soldiers to search but was stopped by Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at her affectionately and comforted her softly, "Do not worry. We will find her as soon as possible."

Zhang Zhang Jiani's eyes were full of tears, but she forced herself to hold them back, unwilling to become a burden to others at this critical moment.

She knew that waiting was the best choice.

In the streets and alleys of Shangmu City, an atmosphere of tension and waiting pervaded.

The snow-covered rooftops and the ribbons fluttering in the streets and alleys seemed to silently pray for Liu Liu Yifei's safety.

In the long wait, time seemed to stand still, and the people's hearts gradually grew depressed.

They could not help but speculate in their hearts: Had Liu Liu Yifei suffered some misfortune? Was there still hope for her to return safely?

At the city gate, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, Tu Tu Kesiluo, and others continued the search firmly. The white snow danced in the wind like countless small wishes drifting toward the distance. They persisted in the cold wind, as if to kindle a beam of hope for Liu Liu Yifei in this cold winter.

"My lord, no traces have been found on this side," Tu Tu Kesiluo reported, a thin layer of ice and snow already covering his forehead.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded, his gaze lost as he looked into the distance, "Liu Yifei, where exactly are you?"

Zhang Zhang Jiani paced back and forth anxiously, her eyes revealing deep worry, "So much time has passed, and not even a message has arrived. I am truly worried about Liu Yifei's safety. This heavy snow has covered all traces. Dog official, do you have no other way?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed and said seriously, "I understand your feelings, Miss Zhang, but with the freezing cold weather, the soldiers can only search to the best of their ability. Rest assured, I will surely find Liu Yifei."

Tu Tu Kesiluo added, "Miss Zhang, please rest assured. Our army will continue to search every possible place and will surely find Young Lady Liu."

On the official road of Shangmu, a light carriage was traveling through the vast, snow-covered landscape.

Inside the carriage sat the kidnapped Young Lady Liu, shivering with fear.

The events of this night felt like a dream to her. Just last night, she had been lying in a warm, comfortable bed, falling asleep.

Who would have known that bandits suddenly burst in during the night, knocked her unconscious, and took her away.

When she opened her eyes again, she was already on this bumpy carriage, being escorted to an unknown destination.

These bandits were all tall and mighty; Young Lady Liu did not recognize any of them.

She questioned them repeatedly about who they were and where they were taking her, but they refused to answer, filling her heart with despair about her fate.

These bandits stared at Young Lady Liu with predatory eyes, their faces full of greed and anticipation.

Realizing they had lecherous thoughts toward her, Young Lady Liu felt a chill run through her body and curled up desperately.

Finally, the bandits called a halt on the official road to rest.

A man who looked extremely lecherous stood up and walked toward Young Lady Liu, a smile on his face that made her afraid.

"W-what are you going to do?" Young Lady Liu asked in a low voice, her voice trembling.

"Little beauty, you'll know very soon," the man said in a sinister tone, reaching out with his rough, large hand to grab Young Lady Liu.

Liu Liu Yifei dodged in terror, tears swirling in her eyes: "You beast, let go of me! Someone will come to save me any moment!"

The man sneered: "Heh? Go ahead and scream. Let's see if anyone comes to save you even if you scream your throat hoarse. The louder you scream, the more excited I get, hahaha!"

Having spoken, he actually lunged forward and pressed down on her.

"Don't touch me! Help!" Liu Liu Yifei cried out in despair, feeling only that the world was spinning.

"Stop!" Just then, a stern command came from behind the man.