Lu Nian Fu had barely eaten anything the previous day. Perhaps she was too full from not eating, she didn't feel hungry. Prompted by Qing Miao, she slowly walked into the dining hall. Lu Fei, who had already finished eating and changed into a new outfit, happily trotted to her back as soon as she entered, nudging her forward. "Sister, hurry up!"
"What for?"
Lu Fei's eyes widened. "You didn't forget it's my birthday today, did you? Mom is waiting for us to go home and celebrate."
Lu Nian Fu: ...
Crap, she forgot about that. What a troublesome child! After such a big scare yesterday, anyone else would have fallen ill by now, but here he was, still thinking about his birthday.
In her opinion, to force Li Chuan Hu to reveal his true colors, they had to keep the news of Lu Fei's return a complete secret, including from Madam Li.
After all, Madam Li wasn't exactly sharp. Whether she would cooperate in setting a trap for Li Chuan Hu if told the plan was uncertain. If even the slightest slip-up occurred, wouldn't Lu Fei's suffering be in vain?
Lu Nian Fu decided to reason with Lu Fei. "Xiao Fei, do you know why that person grabbed you yesterday?"
"I know. My uncle hired him," Lu Fei's innocent smile was cast with a shadow. "Sister, let's go back quickly. I want to tell Mom that Uncle is not a good person."
"And do you know why he did it?"
Lu Fei fell silent, his small boots tapping the ground as he slowly circled. After a long moment, he said, "Does Uncle want my family's money?"
An eight-year-old was still too young. Lu Nian Fu didn't want him to be exposed to the harshness of the world too soon, but she couldn't keep him sheltered under her wing forever. He was, after all, the only bloodline left by his father, and the Lu family depended on him to bring them glory.
Lu Nian Fu took his hand. "Your uncle wants more than just the family's money. He also wants to seize the dye works that Father left for you, and he's not afraid to have you killed for it. Xiao Fei, your uncle is very dangerous to you, but Mother trusts him too much. We must expose his true face to Mother."
Lu Fei looked up at her, a hint of understanding that was hard to describe dawning in his innocent eyes. "So, Sister, what do you want to do?"
It's good when a child is smart.
Lu Nian Fu smiled with relief. "Nothing much. We'll just wait for your uncle to reveal himself."
"I can tell Mother directly."
"In Mother's heart, your uncle is her kin. As for me, I'd only be after your inheritance. And you're too young, Mother might not believe you, or she might even think I'm instigating you, driving a wedge between her and your uncle. So Xiao Fei, before your uncle shows his true colors, Sister hopes you can keep your return a secret. Do you understand?"
"I understand, but Sister, my mother will worry about me. What if she falls seriously ill?" Lu Fei's eyes, black and white, were filled with pure innocence. He looked at Lu Nian Fu earnestly, a hint of anxiety coloring his small face.
Lu Nian Fu could only pull him into her arms. "Don't worry, Sister won't let anything happen to her."
Actually, if Madam Li were to fall ill at this moment, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.
Li Chuan Hu was too eager for profit. If Madam Li fell ill, he would undoubtedly seize the opportunity.
Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly. Perhaps she should ask Gu Yan Chen for some help.
Lu Fei had an exam next month. Although she felt he wouldn't be in the mood to study under these circumstances, she still decided to send him to Mr. Feng's. With a teacher watching over him, it would be better than him staying home and overthinking.
However, this had to be approved by Mr. Feng. Thus, after Gu Yan Chen returned home that evening, he was given an additional task.
He finished dinner and left. Upon his return, he informed Lu Nian Fu that it was settled.
The next day, Lu Fei was packed off to Mr. Feng's. As for his study boy, Feng Shou, who had just recovered from a fever and was still very weak, the gatekeeper, Shuan Zi, had to step in.
For three consecutive days, Madam Li received no news of Lu Fei.
On this day, she went to the county yamen to inquire again. Song Ming was the one who received her. Seeing her pale and haggard face, Song Ming said with deep sympathy, "Madam Lu, in your son's situation, he's likely been kidnapped and taken out of the province. If you want to find him, it's as difficult as ascending to heaven. Of course, if you're willing to spend money, you can ask the escort agencies to keep an eye out at various docks; you might get some news. Also, those intermediaries who deal in human trafficking might have seen the young master."
Madam Li clutched at the last straw of hope. "Really? I'm willing to spend any amount of money to find him."
Song Ming looked troubled. "This is just a suggestion. I really can't guarantee we'll find him. Moreover, it's not certain if the young master was met by kidnappers. If the other party initially wanted the young master's life, he might already be beyond help by now."
What mother could bear to hear such words? Madam Li's eyes immediately welled up. "No, he's so young, how could anyone be so heartless?"
"Who can say? People die for wealth, birds die for food. If the young master is gone, the Lu family's vast fortune will have no heir."
Madam Li's voice suddenly rose by eight octaves. "Lu Nian Fu, it was Lu Nian Fu, wasn't it?"