Chapter 53: The Fragrance of Tea Fills the Air
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
“What? You still haven’t found her?” Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow, pretending to be surprised. She casually counted on her fingers, as if calculating something, before pausing to offer an “apology.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Oh, my mistake, I must have overlooked a small detail. You were looking in the right direction with Ma Family Village, but you’re a bit off. Your sister isn’t there; she’s actually in a town fifty li away, called Peach Blossom Town.”
“There’s a family there, the Tians, who are landlords. When your sister was kidnapped all those years ago, she managed to escape and joined the Tian family caravan by chance. The head of the Tian family saw she was clever and quick-witted. He had always wanted a daughter but never had one, and when he learned that your sister couldn’t remember her home or family, he decided to adopt her and help her search for her real family.”
“Your sister was taken away so suddenly that she had no identification. The Tian family wanted to help, but the Dasheng Empire is vast, and they had no idea where to start. After six months, the kidnappers left the area, and any possible leads were lost.”
“Ten years later, when your sister reached marriageable age, the Tians couldn’t bear the thought of their beloved adopted daughter marrying into another family and possibly facing hardship. Besides, your sister and the young master of the Tian family had mutual affection, so they arranged their marriage.”
“Her married life hasn’t been all smooth, but it’s stable. She and her husband have both a son and a daughter, and they’re relatively happy.”
Yu Zhi Yi smiled at the Guardian Duke, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I know you’re itching to take your anger out on me, but I’d suggest you hold off. If you don’t go to her within three days, your sister’s son and daughter-in-law will be in danger.” She paused, letting her words sink in. “And after that… your sister will die of grief.”
“!!” The Guardian Duke stood there, stunned.
Just a moment ago, he had seriously considered punishing this young Madam Du for her nonsense. Who could trust someone after being deceived before?
But now she was saying that if he didn’t find his sister, something terrible would happen. He couldn’t take that risk.
He glared at Yu Zhi Yi, his expression cold. “I’ll believe you one more time. But if you’re lying again… even if your father-in-law is the Chancellor, I won’t spare you!”
“Rest assured, you won’t get the chance not to spare me,” Yu Zhi Yi replied confidently, a smirk playing at her lips.
The Duke shot her one last look, then turned and strode away.
Prince Xiao Yao frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on Yu Zhi Yi’s stunning but always indifferent face. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. “You knew all along where my Great-Aunt was. You’re doing all this to cause trouble for my grandfather, to embarrass me, and to humiliate You’er.”
Yu Zhi Yi blinked innocently, her eyes wide and guileless. “If that’s what you think, Your Highness, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Prince Xiao Yao was speechless.
Look at her—that innocent expression, the sincere tone—but why did it make him so angry?
“You’d better pray my grandfather finds his sister without any problems. Otherwise… no one will be able to protect you.”
With a flick of his sleeves, he turned and left, his face darkening.
As he walked away, a shadow crossed his eyes. He had a hunch that what this woman said was true. Grandfather might actually find his sister on this trip. But that wasn’t what he wanted.
Because if she was right, it would mean her abilities surpassed You’er’s. He knew You’er had only received incorrect information—she hadn’t intentionally misled his grandfather. But he couldn’t stand by and let You’er’s reputation be tarnished.
So…
His Great-Aunt could be found, but she absolutely could not be found at that Tian family in Peach Blossom Town!
Prince Xiao Yao hurried out of the Chancellor’s residence, ready to order his men to find his Great-Aunt before his grandfather did. Just then, a trusted subordinate came running over in a panic. “Your Highness, something terrible has happened! Miss You is in trouble!”
Prince Xiao Yao’s expression changed. “What happened?”
After failing to find his sister, the Guardian Duke had been furious. He hadn’t spared Prince Xiao Yao any respect and had scolded You Bing Yue harshly, even forbidding her from appearing before him again or meddling in the matter.
You Bing Yue was used to doing things her own way. Apart from Madame Yao, no one had ever humiliated her like that. How could her pride allow her to be scolded for nothing?
After returning to the capital, she began searching for clues from back then. She found something—one of the members of the child-snatching gang from years ago.
Toward these scoundrels who had caused her such disgrace, she naturally wanted revenge. So, she confronted the man.
At first, he refused to admit anything. But after You Bing Yue tortured him, he finally confessed. He admitted his crimes and even remembered the little girl from all those years ago. He said they hadn’t managed to recapture her but knew where she had escaped. Unfortunately, she had been under constant protection afterward, and they couldn’t do anything about it.
Since it had been so long, he couldn’t remember the exact place. He needed to return home to find his ledger—a book that had all the addresses and prices of every victim they had taken. It even recorded the places of those who had escaped.
You Bing Yue followed him back to his residence. And then, she was tricked by the child-snatching gang.
These villains were utterly ruthless. They had been kidnapping women and children for years and had many dirty tricks up their sleeves. One of their most common methods was knockout powder.
People like them, who had committed such awful deeds for so long, were always afraid of officials and victims’ families coming after them. They had special ways of passing information. If victims’ families or officials came knocking with many people, the gang would escape through underground tunnels. But if only one or two people showed up…
As soon as You Bing Yue entered the house, a handful of knockout powder was thrown at her. Before she could use her skills, she fainted.
Although Prince Xiao Yao had sent guards to protect her, there were only two. The child-snatching gang were experienced criminals with martial arts experts among them. The two guards, fearing that acting rashly would endanger You Bing Yue, didn’t dare to act.
Upon hearing that You Bing Yue was in danger, Prince Xiao Yao couldn’t think of anything else.
He immediately gathered a large group of men to surround the kidnappers’ hideout.
These events were unknown to the Guardian Duke, who had already left the city, and to Du Zi Heng, who was confined to his residence due to injuries.
Even Yu Zhi Yi didn’t know. You Bing Yue was a person of destiny; Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t see through her fate. She wasn’t curious about You Bing Yue’s movements at all. After driving away Du Zi Heng, who wanted answers, she pondered another matter.