Chapter 131
Chapter 131: Found
Inside Cloud Mountain Temple, Zheng Ming Lan’s face was dark as she swept her gaze around with the air of someone in charge: “Cloud Mountain Temple is only so big. How can we not find her?”
The maid at her side looked troubled: “We searched every place we should. We really did not see Miss Qiao.”
Zheng Ming Lan snapped: “Useless. How can a living person vanish? You must not have looked with your hearts.” She turned to the abbot, her tone edged with urgency: “Miss Qiao came up the mountain with me. Now she is missing. Abbot, please allow my people to search.”
Cloud Mountain Temple was famous in Man Lin City. Many came daily to burn incense and make vows. A sudden search would offend many. Zheng Ming Lan did not know what medicine Xia Meng Yan was selling in her gourd, but if she locked up Qiao Xi Wan first and ruined her, it could not be wrong.
The abbot hesitated. There were many people of status in the temple. If they offended someone, he could not bear it: “Miss Zheng, it is not that we refuse, but we have many other guests. A rash search might stir anger.”
She smiled slightly: “Abbot, do not worry. If anyone has an opinion, I will handle it.” She was the prefect’s legitimate daughter. People had to give her face, and besides, today’s request was reasonable. Even if some felt it improper, they would not dare question her.
The abbot pressed his palms together: “Amitabha. Then please tell your people to avoid disturbing others as much as possible.”
Zheng Ming Lan curved her lips and waved her hand. The maids and old matrons behind her spread out in all directions: “Rest assured, Abbot, I know my limits.”
Soon a maid hurried to her side and reported: “Eldest Miss, before dawn someone saw Miss Qiao with Miss Xia, and after that Miss Qiao disappeared.”
Zheng Ming Lan was surprised: “How could it be Big Sister Xia? Could they have seen wrong?”
The maid said: “I asked the temple people. After the fire, Miss Xia did meet Miss Qiao.”
Zheng Ming Lan scanned the area and, spotting Nanny Song, said: “Is your Eldest Miss inside her room? Please ask her to come out and explain to everyone.”
Nanny Song bowed: “My Eldest Miss was frightened last night and is still resting. When she wakes, she will give an explanation.”
Zheng Ming Lan frowned: “A life is at stake. If Big Sister Xia is not able to come out, I can go in to ask.”
Nanny Song turned anxious and blocked her: “No, you cannot go in.”
Zheng Ming Lan’s mouth tipped up, though she wore confusion on her face: “Why, Nanny? I will only ask one question. It will not stop Big Sister Xia from resting.”
Saying this, she pushed past Nanny Song and headed straight for Xia Meng Yan’s yard. Nanny Song struggled to block her but was held back by Zheng Ming Lan’s people: “You cannot go in. Our Eldest Miss is sleeping.”
Zheng Ming Lan barked: “Silence. A life is at stake. Big Sister Xia is reasonable. If you keep blocking us, lock them up.”
She shoved open the door. Chun Yue cried out and rushed to cover the person on the bed: “What are you doing? This is the Lin Family women’s yard. Get out.”
Zheng Ming Lan raised her voice: “The two of you have been skulking and blocking me. Is the person in bed not Big Sister Xia?”
“Nonsense,” Nanny Song panted as she squeezed in, standing in front of Zheng Ming Lan.
Zheng Ming Lan snorted. Behind her stood many married ladies who had come to burn incense. They did not want to offend Zheng Ming Lan. But Xia Meng Yan was only the Lin Family’s external granddaughter, and they were merchants. There was little to fear.
She ordered: “Wake your Miss Xia and have her explain.”
Voices rose from the crowd: “Yes, explain it so we can find Miss Qiao quickly.”
Seeing the moment was ripe, Zheng Ming Lan stopped delaying and glared at Nanny Song: “Where is your Eldest Miss? Tell the truth.”
Tears streaked Nanny Song’s face: “She was here in the morning. I went out for a moment and she was gone.”
Lin Qing Wan rubbed her eyes and sat up groggily from under the quilt. When she saw a room full of people, she snapped awake: “What are you doing?”
Someone murmured: “Why is it not Miss Xia?”
Hearing that Xia Meng Yan was missing, Lin Qing Wan patted her aching head, then jumped to her feet: “What did you say? My cousin is gone? What happened?”
Just then, a maid rushed in to whisper beside Zheng Ming Lan: “Eldest Miss, we found Miss Qiao, only, only…”
“Only what?” Zheng Ming Lan’s heart thumped. She almost wanted to announce on the spot that Xia Meng Yan, while pregnant, had seduced a man.
The maid faltered: “It is better if you come and see for yourself.”
Zheng Ming Lan led the group toward the back mountain of Cloud Mountain Temple. As soon as they arrived, they heard a man’s muffled groan. Most who followed were women. Hearing that sound, they needed no more explanation.
“Impossible. Big Sister Xia is still with child. How could she…” Zheng Ming Lan quickly covered her mouth, then waved her hand to the others: “It must be a misunderstanding. Everyone, do not jump to wild ideas.”
The maid brought out Qiao Xi Wan from the neighboring room. Zheng Ming Lan hurried forward: “Sister Wan, who locked you here?”
Qiao Xi Wan looked ashen and weak in the legs. Seeing the crowd, tears fell before her words: “It was Big Sister Xia.”
Gasps rippled. How could it be Xia Meng Yan?
“Why would Big Sister Xia lock you up? What happened?”
Hiding in the dark, Xia Meng Yan watched Zheng Ming Lan perform and felt bored. [Do noble ladies know nothing but how to frame people for adultery? Can they not try something else?]
Duan Yi Chen braced her arm and said in a low voice: “These two are truly foolish. They do not even think to open the door and look.”
Xia Meng Yan propped her chin: “The Zheng siblings are confident and arrogant. With Qiao Xi Wan as a witness, they think the case is nailed down. It is just a pity that the two of them will get away this time.”
Duan Yi Chen did not understand. Things were not over, so how did she know the Zheng siblings would escape blame?
Trying not to panic, Qiao Xi Wan bowed to everyone: “Before dawn, I noticed Big Sister Xia acting strangely and went over to check. Then I discovered she was, she was involved with a monk from the temple. I wanted to give a kind warning, but she knocked me out and locked me up. She also threatened me that if I told anyone, the Lin Family and the Qiao Family would cut off all business ties.”
Zheng Ming Lan put an arm around Qiao Xi Wan in comfort: “Do not be afraid, Sister Wan. The Lin Family is powerful, but they cannot cover the sky with one hand in Man Lin City. Even if we offend them today, I will seek justice for you.”
She turned and ordered the attendants: “Go pull out the two people inside. I want to see how Xia Meng Yan will explain.”
Two tough old matrons kicked open the door and rushed to the bed. A scream burst out. Before the others could react, the matrons stumbled back out, faces paper white.
Zheng Ming Lan scolded: “I told you to bring them out. Why are you running?”
The matrons pointed inside with shaking fingers: “Eldest Miss, inside, inside…”
A soft female voice floated up behind them: “Why is everyone here?”
All turned. Xia Meng Yan stood behind the crowd.
Zheng Ming Lan’s eyes widened as she blurted: “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be…”
Xia Meng Yan raised a brow and said calmly: “If I am not here, where else would I be?”