The matter of Zhu Er was dealt with.
After Zhong Li had the Dali Temple personnel notify Ji Chen's family to take his body back, she prepared to clear the scene and leave Hua Man Lou.
As she stepped out of the pavilion, before she could even put on her medicine box, a voice drifted down from the third level above.
"Lord Zhong, I trust you are well? Since when have such minor cases in Hua Man Lou required your personal attention?"
Zhong Li followed the sound and looked up. She saw a woman lounging by the carved balustrade. The woman had skin as white as snow, lips curved slightly, and a loose, white silk shirt draped over her smooth shoulders, exuding an air of seductive allure and vibrant charm. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Miss Tian, long time no see." Zhong Li smiled and greeted Tian Lianxue.
Tian Lianxue glanced around Hua Man Lou and chuckled, "I thought tonight would be a night of great profit, but I didn't expect this incident. It seems human plans are no match for heaven's will. It's almost dawn, and there will be no business today."
"It's no great matter if Miss Tian misses a day or two of business; you are not lacking in money," Zhong Li replied, shouldering her medicine box, preparing to leave.
"Lord Zhong, aren't you going to come up for a sit?" Tian Lianxue called out to her again.
Zhong Li frowned, looking up at the person above.
"Lord Zhong has just returned from Linzhou, haven't you?" Tian Lianxue, seemingly oblivious to Zhong Li's displeased expression, continued, "You must not know about the matter in Jincheng. I hear the Wise Prince's mansion is already preparing to propose to the Shen family. The Empress has found many skilled craftsmen to rush the wedding dress for Miss Shen Ying overnight. I wonder what Lord Zhong's thoughts are?"
"My thoughts?" Zhong Li raised an eyebrow and retorted, "The Wise Prince's mansion is taking a wife, and you ask me what my thoughts are? Miss Tian, you might be asking the wrong person."
"Not at all!" Tian Lianxue picked up Zhong Li's words. "Everyone knows the Heir Apparent once favored you. Now that Lord Zhong has become a laughingstock in Jincheng, I, an old friend, am here to express my concern."
"Then thank you for your concern, Miss Tian." Zhong Li curved her lips, displaying a seemingly carefree demeanor. "It's just that I've been busy with Dali Temple matters and haven't had time to bother with such trivialities. Compared to me, shouldn't Miss Tian be more concerned about yourself?"
Upon hearing Zhong Li's words, Tian Lianxue replied somewhat blankly, "Concerned? Myself?"
Zhong Li's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Has Miss Tian forgotten?" She said this, pointing to her own chest.
Tian Lianxue was even more perplexed by Zhong Li's sudden action. Her bright eyes darted around. Before she could reply, when she looked again, Zhong Li was nowhere to be seen. She had already left Hua Man Lou and disappeared.
Zhong Li climbed into the carriage and, with a sense of exhaustion, placed her medicine box on the couch. The madam of the house followed, greeting the other Dali Temple colleagues as usual.
"Go safely, officials. Apologies for keeping you all night. Next time you come for drinks, Mama will give you a discount!" She waved her handkerchief, uttering polite words.
After many had begun to depart, she drooped her tired shoulders and complained, "My old arms and legs are worn out from this night's work. I'm almost drained. I don't know what's up with Lianxue. Normally, it takes days to get her to appear, but today is strange. With no guests, she doesn't even come out to see anyone."
Zhong Li, who had been dozing off, suddenly heard this. She lifted the curtain and looked at the madam outside. The madam quickly put on a smile, "Lord Zhong..."
"You said Miss Tian hasn't appeared for several days?" Zhong Li asked.
The madam nodded and leaned towards the carriage. "Yes, ever since Lord Zhong saw her last and went to Linzhou, she entertained guests for three days and then refused to come out. The prices offered by the young gentlemen outside were astronomical, but she claimed to be ill and refused visitors."
"Good. I understand!" Zhong Li thought for a moment, gave the madam a smile, and called out to the coachman. The carriage sped off towards Wenchang Street.
Zhong Li sat in the carriage, her earlier drowsiness gone. She looked at the empty seat opposite her, her gaze drifting. After a long while, she picked up a teacup from the table, poured a cup of clear tea, and took a sip.
The carriage arrived at the separate residence just before the hour of Chen. Zhong Li gave a few instructions to the coachman, took her medicine box and bundle from the carriage, and stepped down.
She didn't rush to open the door. Instead, she prepared two items she had bought earlier for Zhong Wuyou, intending to surprise him upon entering. She thought that for nearly a year, she had been busy with Dali Temple matters and often away from home. Even though the child was looked after by a wet nurse, Zhong Wuyou was still more attached to her. Especially every time she returned home, he would await her with expectant and joyful eyes, longing for her warm and sweet embrace.
"Oh, Lord Zhong is back?"
As Zhong Li stepped half into the courtyard, a friendly greeting came from the side. She followed the sound and saw Sister-in-law Awen from next door watering flowers with a basin of water.
"Good morning, Sister-in-law Awen!" Zhong Li greeted politely.
Sister-in-law Awen waved her hand. "Looking at your travel-worn appearance, Lord Zhong, you must have been busy again."
"Yes, I just handled a small case," Zhong Li replied.
Sister-in-law Awen smiled. "Then hurry inside. Little Wuyou must be waiting impatiently."
Zhong Li nodded and prepared to walk further in. "These past few days, Little Wuyou seemed to be unwell, especially last night. He was restless the whole night. The wet nurse, Tao Shi, said she wanted to find you at Dali Temple to see if you were back. It seems you truly cannot escape people's thoughts."
Zhong Li's steps halted. She turned back to look at Sister-in-law Awen, who was still watering the flowers. After a moment of contemplation, she walked into the house. Her house was not large. When she was appointed as the Vice Minister of Dali Temple, the Emperor intended to allocate a residence to her. However, Zhong Li was alone and felt that a large house would be too empty. So, she requested this separate residence.
The separate residence did not have many rooms. Besides her master bedroom, there were two secondary bedrooms on the sides. Most of the time, the wet nurse would take Zhong Wuyou to play in the secondary bedrooms and the courtyard. Today, the hour had passed, and the courtyard was quiet. The doors of the two side rooms were locked.
"Wet nurse!" Zhong Li felt that the separate residence was unusually quiet. With the bundle on her back, she called out in the courtyard. Her call was met only with silence. A bad feeling began to stir in Zhong Li's heart. Recalling what Sister-in-law Awen had said earlier, she didn't even have time to set down her bundle before rushing into the two side rooms to search. Zhong Wuyou's spinning top and his nine-link puzzle lay untouched on the bed. By the side of the heated brick bed lay a small shoe, its sole completed but the rest not yet finished. However, the child was not in either room.
Seeing this, Zhong Li's worry grew. Zhong Wuyou had fallen ill before, and she had been absent then too. But most of the time, he would be taken to a fixed medical clinic and then return. This was the first time he had been away overnight.
Just as Zhong Li was preparing to go out and search, a weak, hoarse cry came from the master bedroom.