Chapter 166
Yu Kangtai placed his hands behind his back and paced back and forth. His brows were furrowed and he was anxious.
Yu Sheng walked in. “Father, haven’t you heard from Sister?”
Yu Kangtai was about to say something when he suddenly saw the butler rushing over. He asked impatiently.
“Where’s Dang Gui?”
The butler panted and said, “I went to the Imperial Capital. The people in the Imperial Capital said that they had never seen Missy. Last night, they only saw Dang Gui. I’ve already redeemed Dang Gui.”
With that, he turned around and let Dang Gui in.
Dang Gui was also anxious.
She didn’t even bother to bow. “Is Miss still not back?”
Yu Sheng shook his head no.
Yu Kangtai could finally confirm that Yu Niaoniao did not run out because she was playful. Something must have happened to her.
He clasped his hands behind his back and paced.
“What should we do now? The bridal party is about to arrive. How should we explain this to Duke Lang later?”
Dang Gui pleaded, “Let’s go and ask the Duke Langfor help. He’s so powerful. He can definitely find Miss.”
Yu Kangtai refused without thinking.
“No! We still don’t know why she disappeared. If the news of her disappearance gets out, those people outside will definitely guess blindly again.”
Dang Gui said anxiously, “They can say whatever they want. No matter how important reputation is, is it more important than Miss’s life?”
Yu Kangtai glared at her. “What do you know? A woman’s reputation is more important than her life!”
Dang Gui was almost angered to death.
She had only known that his master was old-fashioned, but she had not expected him to be so pedantic.
What sin did Miss commit in her previous life to have such a biological father in this life?!
Yu Sheng was worried. “This can’t be hidden for long.”
Yu Kangtai naturally knew this. He gritted his teeth. “I’ll get someone to look for her.”
Yu Sheng said, “I’ll go too!”
Dang Gui said, “Me too. I’ll go too!”
Yu Kangtai agreed to their request and reminded them, “Try to keep a low profile when you look for her. Don’t let anyone know about her disappearance. If you still can’t find her in the end, I can only risk it and apologize to Duke Lang.”
Yu Sheng took away everyone he could mobilize in the residence.
They began to search the city.
... .
The trees in the mountain were dense. As far as the eye could see, they were lush.
It was difficult for a normal person to tell the direction.
But Yu Niaoniao was different.
Her memory and observation skills were far superior to ordinary people. She would never walk the same path twice.
It didn’t take her long to find the exit. After leaving the forest, Yu Niaoniao saw a small river.
She stood by the river and observed.
She recalled a map that hung in the Mirror House. The map included the terrain around the city other than the entire Jade Capital.
Yu Niaoniao had looked at the map and memorized the contents. She compared the contents of the map and quickly determined where she was.
As long as she followed this river for a while, she could see the official road. If she followed the path straight ahead, he would soon return to the Jade Capital.
With a way forward, Yu Niaoniao immediately perked up. She started walking.
However, not long after she walked, she heard the sound of hooves behind her.
Someone was catching up!
Yu Niaoniao was shocked.
She didn’t dare delay. She quickly crawled into the reeds and sank into the river.
The sound of hooves reached where she was in the blink of an eye.
The person who came was none other than Shen Junzhi and his subordinates. They reined in, and the hooves stamped in place twice.
The servant looked around and said in confusion, “It’s really strange. I clearly saw someone walking over just now. Why did he disappear in the blink of an eye?”
Shen Junzhi’s gaze drifted across the reeds.
He rode toward the reed swing.
The manservant stopped him hurriedly.
“Young Master, don’t go over. That place is humid and not good for your health. Let’s go over and take a look for you.”
Shen Junzhi reined in and stopped moving. Dozens of people rushed into the reeds and searched around. In the end, they found nothing.
Shen Junzhi looked at the calm river. “Have you looked in the water?”
The servant said awkwardly.
...
“This water is very deep and muddy. Even if we get into the water, we won’t be able to see anything clearly. We won’t be able to find anyone.”
He paused before continuing.
“We’ve been here for so long. If Miss Yu is really hiding in the water, she definitely won’t be able to hold it in anymore. We haven’t seen her appear until now. I don’t think she’s hiding in the water. Why don’t we look elsewhere?”
Shen Junzhi was still looking at the river.
He spoke suddenly.
“Niaoniao.”
The reeds swayed in the breeze.
No one responded to him.
He continued.
“Niaoniao, I know you’re hiding nearby. Come out and follow me. I’ll protect you well.”
There was still no response.
...
Shen Junzhi lowered his eyes. Coupled with his pale and handsome face, he looked very lonely.
The servant could not stand it anymore and could not help but advise, “Forget it, let’s go.”
After a long time, Shen Junzhi replied softly.
“Yes, let’s.”
The group mounted again. The sound of hooves quickly faded.
After a long time, when she was sure that the group would not return, Yu Niaoniao emerged from the water.
She spat out the reed pole in her mouth and struggled ashore.
The reason she had been able to hide in the river for so long just now was that she had relied on the reed pole to help her breathe.
Yu Niaoniao wrung her clothes and skirt forcefully, producing a large handful of water.
By now she was soaked. Her wet clothes had become heavy, and her hair was dripping. She was in a sorry state.
But she knew she couldn’t stop to rest. She had to get back as soon as possible.
Today was the day she married Duke Lang. She couldn’t leave him alone at the wedding.
Yu Niaoniao took two steps when a familiar figure suddenly appeared behind her.
“Niaoniao.”
Yu Niaoniao stiffened.
She turned slowly and saw Shen Junzhi standing nearby.
So he hadn’t left.
He knew she was hiding in the river, so he deliberately had his men ride away while he hid.
As he had expected, the person he had been waiting to see had emerged.
Shen Junzhi reached out to her.
“Come here. I’ll take you to change.”
Yu Niaoniao stood still. “I can’t go with you.”
Shen Junzhi said, “Are you still thinking about Duke Lang? He can’t protect you at all. If you insist on following him, you will encounter more danger in the future. You’ll only be safe if you leave him.
Now is a great opportunity. I can take you away. Even if the authorities investigated later, we could still push everything to Che Xuekun.From now on you will be completely free.”