Chapter 110: Lost

Following Su Liluo’s instructions, Liuzhu made a point of chatting with the maidservants from Su Baizhi’s courtyard. "You know, ever since the Crown Prince married the Crown Princess, he has stayed in the main residence every single night. The two of them are truly devoted to one another..."

Liuzhu’s envious tone sparked fantasies among many of the maids. However, several others stiffened, their faces turning pale at the mention of the Crown Princess’s favor, and they soon slipped away.

Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Liuzhu lost interest in spinning further tales. "Oh my, my young lady will be looking for me soon. Sisters, I must be going; let’s chat again next time." Giving a little wave, Liuzhu skipped back toward her own courtyard.

Once Su Baizhi’s maid returned, she immediately repeated what she had heard from Liuzhu. Su Baizhi’s face drained of color as she heard the news, and she asked with a trembling voice, "Is this truly the case?"

"My lady, it is indeed true. It is being talked about everywhere outside. What will you do?" the maid asked anxiously.

Su Baizhi waved her hand, her eyes darkening. "You may leave." The maid wanted to say more, but seeing Su Baizhi’s grim expression, she had no choice but to bow and withdraw.

When Jinling brought in tea and refreshments, Su Baizhi grabbed her hand and asked urgently, "Jinling, do you think the Crown Prince has forgotten me? Does that Huo woman really possess such great charm?"

Jinling was bewildered. Seeing Su Baizhi’s distress, she immediately offered comfort: "My lady, do not worry. In a short while, you will be married to the Crown Prince. You will surely find a way to win his heart back. Let the Crown Princess monopolize him for now; once you enter the residence, everything will change."

Jinling’s words bolstered Su Baizhi’s confidence, though her heart remained bitter. Even though she had long known Yun Fengxiao was destined to marry the Huo woman, she had still harbored delusions.

"I shall bestow that favor upon her for now. Once I enter the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince shall be mine alone," Su Baizhi declared with a sense of certainty. Her arrogance made Jinling frown; she wondered if her mistress was being far too confident.

However, since Su Baizhi was in high spirits, Jinling kept her silence, waiting for a better opportunity to offer a reminder.

After Su Liluo paid her respects to Yao Ruoshui and emerged, she spotted Su Baizhi ahead and signaled to Liuying. Liuying asked loudly, "My lady, I heard that when the Crown Princess returns to her maiden home after three days, the Crown Prince will accompany her. Is this true?"

Liuzhu jumped in to answer, "Of course it’s true! It’s all anyone is talking about outside. The Crown Prince is so satisfied with the Crown Princess that he is accompanying her back to the Huo estate. It is a testament to his affection for her."

The envy in her voice was enough to stir anyone’s heart. Su Baizhi slowed her pace, nearly causing Jinling and Yinling to bump into her. They asked in confusion, "My lady, what is wrong?"

Su Baizhi shook her head, her handkerchief twisted tightly into a knot in her hands. Her face was sullen, and she felt a sudden urge to slap Liuzhu for her words.

As Su Baizhi walked slowly, Su Liluo caught up to her in a few strides and asked with feigned surprise, "Second sister, didn't you leave earlier? Why are you still standing here? Were you waiting for me?"

Su Baizhi only managed a stiff smile after a long moment. "Eldest sister, I was just feeling a bit unwell, so I was walking slowly. I’m sorry to have caused you concern."

A hint of a smile touched the corners of Su Liluo’s eyes. She knew exactly why Su Baizhi felt "unwell," so she asked deliberately, "Sister, have you heard the news?"

Su Baizhi shook her head and asked skeptically, "I have been busy preparing for my marriage at home these past few days and haven't heard a thing. Unlike you, sister, who have such far-reaching connections and can leave the residence whenever you please, you are naturally more informed about these miscellaneous matters than I am."

Sensing the sarcasm in Su Baizhi’s tone, Su Liluo laughed nonchalantly. "Oh, I am merely willing to enjoy my freedom. Today, with the Crown Princess returning to her maiden home, I fear she will be the envy of many young ladies once again."

"Su Liluo, stop spouting nonsense! It’s just a visit to one's parents; there is no need to make such a fuss. You are purely guessing," Su Baizhi snapped.

Su Liluo asked, puzzled, "Sister, why are you so angry? I didn't say anything out of the ordinary. If you don't believe me, there is no need to take your frustration out on me."

Several servants watched the two standing by the roadside. Seeing Su Liluo’s aggrieved expression, Su Baizhi secretly cursed her for trying to play her. She forced a gentle smile and said, "I was just a bit agitated, sister. Please don't take offense. Are you heading out today? There are a few things I would like to purchase; I wonder if I might have the honor of accompanying you?"

Su Baizhi gripped her hands tightly, terrified that Su Liluo might refuse. She needed to find another way out of the estate, so she humbled herself completely. For the sake of the Crown Prince, she had to go see for herself.

A sharp glint appeared in Su Liluo’s eyes; the fish had finally taken the bait. She said with feigned hesitation, "You are preparing for your marriage, sister; I fear Mother will not approve. Why don't you tell me what you need, and I will buy it for you?"

Seeing a loophole, Su Baizhi quickly interjected, "No, no, Mother will certainly feel at ease if I am with you. I want to look for some inkstones, and I fear you might lack the experience, so I should see them for myself."

Su Liluo nodded and replied, "That is true; you are much more knowledgeable about these things than I am. I was just about to head out. Do you need to prepare anything?"

Su Baizhi shook her head. "No, we can leave right now."

Su Liluo and Su Baizhi walked side-by-side, each followed by two maids. Since Su Baizhi claimed she wanted to look at inkstones, they first arrived at a stationery shop. Su Baizhi picked up an inkstone from the doorway to examine it, while Su Liluo walked deeper into the shop, running her fingers over rows of brushes, though her eyes were cast toward Su Baizhi.

Seeing Su Liluo wander off, Su Baizhi looked at her two maids and whispered, "You two wait outside; I will be there shortly."

Jinling and Yinling looked at each other, shaking their heads. "My lady, if the Madam finds out, she will not spare us."

Su Baizhi said impatiently, "If you don't leave, I won't spare you right now! Hurry up; if she sees you, I won't be able to leave."

Under Su Baizhi’s glare, Jinling and Yinling could not resist her resolve and hurried out of the shop. Seeing that Su Liluo was occupied, Su Baizhi swished her skirts and her figure vanished from the doorway in an instant.

Su Liluo had been paying close attention to the situation. Seeing Su Baizhi sneak away just as she had intended, she signaled to Liuying, "Follow her."

Liuying quietly trailed after them. Su Baizhi, along with Jinling and Yinling, walked nervously toward the Huo estate, unaware that they had a shadow.

Su Liluo instructed Liuzhu, "Go back to the Prime Minister’s residence immediately. Tell them the Second Young Lady has gone missing and to send people to find her at once."

"But, my lady, you are all alone..."

"I am fine. Just go and come back quickly," Su Liluo said calmly, holding a brush in her hand.

Liuzhu hurried out of the shop and, upon reaching the gate of the Prime Minister’s residence, shouted, "Help! The Second Young Lady is missing! Help! The Second Young Lady is missing!"

Everyone in the residence heard her. Old Madam Su and Yao Ruoshui rushed over, grabbing Liuzhu and asking, "What are you saying? Where did Zhier go missing?"

"The Second Young Lady went to look at inkstones, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone. Old Madam, Madam, please send people to search for her..." Before Liuzhu could finish, Yao Ruoshui interrupted her frantically, "Someone, send for help!"

The estate’s steward immediately ran to Yao Ruoshui. "Madam, I will immediately send men to search for the Second Young Lady."

"Send more people! You must find Zhier. Search every corner!" Yao Ruoshui’s face was flushed with anxiety, and her hands trembled. As she tried to speak, she felt dizzy and nearly collapsed. Mama Ping quickly steadied her and whispered comfortingly, "Madam, do not fret. The Second Young Lady will surely be fine. With the men the estate has sent out, she will be found soon. Please do not worry so much."

Yao Ruoshui could not stop her tears. The incident had happened so suddenly. Su Baizhi was about to be married into the Crown Prince’s residence; what would happen if the Crown Prince found out about this?

"Zhier will be fine. Steward, send everyone out to search! If they don't bring Zhier back, none of them need to return," Yao Ruoshui ordered sternly, suppressing her panic and striving to maintain the dignity of the Prime Minister’s wife.