Lu Baofang was not in the manor.
But Wu Hongyun's misfortune would not pause because of this.
Xie Jiang and the other two met the steward of Lu Baofang's courtyard in the reception hall.
Steward Lu was very respectful.
Whether it was the Fifth Prince and the Third Young Master of the Xu family, no matter the reason for their visit, it was right to show them respect. As for the Poison Doctor Young Master Xie, since he came with them, he naturally had to be respected as well.
Xu Hengyi was the first to state their purpose.
He dared not let Xie Jiang speak, for this scoundrel's ability to make enemies was as outstanding as his cooking.
They had come for a maid?
Steward Lu was somewhat surprised.
The name also sounded familiar. The young girls in the roasting room were all personally screened by him, and he knew their origins, but he didn't pay much attention to them.
He wondered what kind of relationship this maid had with the Fifth Prince, the Third Young Master Xu, or this Young Master Xie?
Steward Lu replied calmly, "To tell the Fifth Prince and the Third Young Master Xu, we did indeed buy a few maids a few days ago, but I truly don't know if there was one named Wu Hongyun. Shall I go and ask?"
Xu Hengyi said, "Then go and ask quickly."
"Please have some tea and sit for a moment, the three of you. I will be back shortly." Steward Lu bowed and retreated.
When he was far enough away, Steward Lu beckoned a young servant.
"Have any of the girls sent to the smoking room in the past few days been named Wu Hongyun?"
The servant shook his head blankly. What names did pigs and sheep have?
Steward Lu said, "Go and ask."
The servant ran off quickly.
Steward Lu ducked into the nearby tea room to rest.
Before long, the servant returned and whispered a few words to Steward Lu.
Steward Lu understood, but his expression remained unchanged. He then returned to the reception hall.
"You three have waited long enough." Steward Lu remained respectful.
Xu Hengyi couldn't sit or stand, so he could only lean on Yi Shan. Seeing Steward Lu return, he asked impatiently, "How is it? Have you found Wu Hongyun?"
"I don't know if you three have made a mistake somewhere. We don't have a maid named Wu Hongyun in our manor. Perhaps she was sold to another manor?"
Xu Hengyi would not be so easily dismissed.
"There is no mistake. We have already confirmed that the person entered your Nanxiong Marquis Manor. If we weren't sure she was in your Nanxiong Marquis Manor, we wouldn't have come today."
Steward Lu remained calm and composed, a look of doubt on his old face. "That is indeed strange. I have already asked, and there is truly no one named Wu Hongyun."
Xu Hengyi frowned and looked at Yi Shui. Could they have made a mistake?
Yi Shui was certain they had not made a mistake. Wu Hongyun had changed hands several times and finally ended up in the Nanxiong Marquis Manor.
After several interactions, they had become somewhat familiar with Wu Hongyun, and he did not wish for such a capable young girl to suffer such a fate.
When he found out that Wu Hongyun had been sold to the Nanxiong Marquis Manor, he was also unwilling to believe it. He had only reported back after repeatedly confirming it.
"It is absolutely true that she entered the Nanxiong Marquis Manor. We can even find the person who handled it at the time. Steward Lu, are you sure you asked clearly?"
Steward Lu said with sincere fear, "It is an honor for the Fifth Prince, the Third Young Master Xu, and the Poison Doctor Young Master Xie to personally visit. How could I dare to be perfunctory or evasive? There is truly no such person in the manor now."
Xu Hengyi secretly glanced at Xie Jiang, unable to discern the great master's mood, and felt a little uneasy. "Where are the new maids you've brought in? Perhaps we can look for her ourselves?"
Steward Lu gave a dry laugh. "Third Young Master Xu is joking." Was their Nanxiong Marquis Manor a vegetable garden?
"There is no such person now..." Xie Jiang, who had been silent all along, finally spoke, his words chilling. "Does that mean there was such a person before?"
Xia Zeshi's heart skipped a beat at this.
Xu Hengyi was also startled and immediately looked at Steward Lu.
Steward Lu bowed respectfully and said, "Who knows if there was someone before? No one pays attention to the whereabouts of a maid. Perhaps she was sold in before, but then disappeared somewhere..."