"Where did you take my second sister?"
After hearing the result, Su Yuxi ran to Gu Qianying's courtyard and shouted. Gu Qianying pointed to Duan Xifeng's room.
"He's gone too. I'd like to know how these two people disappeared for no reason."
Gu Qianying truly did not know about this.
Su Yuxi looked at the child anxiously pacing nearby and felt a little inclined to believe that Gu Qianying was also unaware of the matter.
"Who are those two?" She wanted to say elope, but this was the palace. Even if the two had fallen for each other at some point during this time and wanted to leave the palace together, it wouldn't be too late to resolve it later. How could they have forgotten about it for a day or two?
Even so, Su Yuxi still found it unlikely.
Gu Qianying understood her elder brother very well. Let alone that he had remained chaste for so many years, even if he were to bloom like an iron tree one day and truly fancy a certain lady, he would absolutely not elope for love.
Moreover, she was not a feudal person. Miss Su Er was not particularly outstanding, but it was not as if her elder brother would object if he fancied her.
Therefore, this explanation did not make sense.
After their analysis, there was only one conclusion: both of them were missing, not out of affection, but due to some incident.
With this thought, Gu Qianying quickly called Xiao Yihao to accompany her to search the palace.
Firstly, she was worried that the person might have gone somewhere they shouldn't have under the influence of alcohol last night. Secondly, she was worried that someone had taken him away.
Regardless of which possibility it was, the only thing she could do now was to search for them.
Seeing that Gu Qianying was the only adult with her, and it would be inconvenient to bring a child, Su Cheng proactively stood by her side to search together.
Su Jie and Su Ming followed the Su family members to search for Su Zirong.
The palace was vast, but the places they could go were limited. Places guarded by guards would certainly not be where they were, otherwise, they would have been discovered long ago.
After half an hour, they had searched their area of activity no less than three times. Only after confirming that the people were missing did Gu Qianying return to her residence.
However, before she could even stand still, a group of guards entered from outside.
She had a deep impression of the leading guard; he was indeed someone from Grand Tutor Su's side.
"Miss Gu, the competition is about to begin. You shouldn't wander around casually."
After saying this, Su Yuxi was also led in, and then the guards stood on both sides.
Gu Qianying understood the situation. It seemed she would have to see that woman again.
As expected, after a short while, Su Qingqing appeared in the room, dressed in bright and vibrant attire.
"Today, don't think about anything else, and don't look for anyone. Just focus on the competition," unlike their meeting that night, Su Qingqing's words were authoritative and stern.
Seeing her calmly utter such words, Gu Qianying instantly realized that her elder brother and Miss Su Er had been taken away by this woman.
She bent down and bowed. This was Su Yuxi's first time meeting the Grand Tutor, so she respectfully followed suit and bowed.
"However, Your Excellency, my second sister is missing. I implore you..."
Su Yuxi did not have Gu Qianying's comprehension.
Although Su Zirong's disappearance did not affect her, she would not be able to explain it to her mother if asked upon returning home.
Therefore, upon seeing Grand Tutor Su, she cleverly assumed that with her abilities, if she helped, she would surely be able to find Su Zirong.
However, before she could finish speaking, she noticed Grand Tutor Su's sharp gaze.
"My words are as stated. You two behave yourselves." She didn't even look directly at Su Yuxi, but stared intently at Gu Qianying, as if her previous words were directed at her.
With that, Su Qingqing left the room, leaving only Aunt Wang behind.
She initially thought she was someone from Doctor Han's side, but it turned out she served Grand Tutor Su.
"You all wait here. After preparing the items needed for the third round of the competition, this old servant will come to invite the two contestants."
She blocked the footsteps of the four people in the room and instructed the guards to stand guard outside.
Su Yuxi and Su Xiuer exchanged glances, not knowing what had happened and not daring to move rashly.
Xiao Yihao had been standing by Gu Qianying's side. He was not afraid, but worried about his mother.
"You don't need to worry too much. My people and your second sister have been taken away by Grand Tutor Su's people." Although they were competitors, Gu Qianying still told Su Yuxi the truth.
This was meant to be kind, but some people were always inclined to interpret noble intentions with mean motives.
Upon hearing her words, Su Xiuer immediately walked up to Gu Qianying.
"Alright, how do you know my second sister was taken by Grand Tutor Su? I heard you met the Grand Tutor a few days ago. Perhaps you asked Grand Tutor Su to capture her."
Such slanderous words.
Gu Qianying stepped forward, looking at Su Xiuer coldly and said.
"Oh, if it were truly my idea, then it wouldn't be as simple as just being taken away. I would definitely skin her, flay her, and then strip her flesh and bones before bringing her to you, so you could see the consequences of provoking me endlessly."
Her words were sinister and terrifying, and the oppressive aura as she approached made Su Xiuer tremble.
"You, you are truly a wicked woman."
She was clearly still being stubborn, but her body involuntarily retreated.
Xiao Yihao truly detested this woman. At this moment, he chimed in from behind.
"Yesterday you also felt it. If you continue to act like this, that torment will surely befall you."
His words completely frightened Su Xiuer. She collapsed onto the ground, tears flowing uncontrollably.
"Wuwu, wuwuwu, you are all bullying me too much. I just spoke a little too much, and you, you want to treat me so cruelly."
At this moment, she was merely using feigned pity to alleviate her inner fear. Su Yuxi glanced at her lazily and ignored her.
Grand Tutor Su's expression earlier was indeed unusual, and what Gu Qianying said was not false.
She had already vaguely sensed that this competition would not be simple.
Gu Qianying saw a look of anxiety appear on Su Yuxi's face.
After all these days, this was the first time she had seen this woman so nervous. Although Su Xiuer's character was not good, respecting an opponent was respecting oneself. She did not want her opponent to retreat without a fight.
Thus, Gu Qianying walked over to Su Yuxi.
"You don't need to panic. Although Grand Tutor Su's expression was unusual, this is the palace after all, and she wouldn't easily make a move against us. Moreover, not many people know that you and I are in the palace. If we don't come out, someone will definitely question the court. As for the competition, I also see that something is amiss. What we need to do now is to be careful and cautious to avoid endangering ourselves."