Zhao Wu saw the madam panicked and hurriedly said, "Madam, don’t worry. The Prince Mansion sent a message saying that Sister Ling entered the palace, and when she came out, there happened to be an argument on the street. The crowd was too crowded, and by the time the nanny realized it, Sister Ling was no longer in the carriage. Now, someone has been sent to look for her. The Prince and Mr. Zhou Sr. sent a message to the madam to prevent her from worrying after hearing from others."

After hearing this, Lin Youning became even more anxious, "How could she just disappear from the carriage? She must have been deliberately taken away by someone, and now finding her won’t be easy. The other party surely hid her well."

As she spoke, Lin Youning was heading outside, "Where is the Marquis? Did he go over there?"

Zhao Wu followed closely behind, "The Marquis went over immediately after receiving the message. He instructed me to inform the madam and told me to tell her to stay in the mansion. After all, it’s a tumultuous time. If, unfortunately, the cousin is not found, and anything else happens to the madam, they might be using this to lure away the tiger and leave the mountain unguarded."

Lin Youning, who was initially walking briskly, stopped abruptly upon hearing Zhao Wu’s words. Her mind was in turmoil, realizing that Zhao Wu was right. Everyone is anxiously searching for Sister Ling, but if she rashly goes out now, who knows if someone might kidnap her too?

Sister Ling could be abducted on the street, let alone her.

Zhao Wu quickly glanced up at her, then quickly lowered his head, "Madam, the Marquis instructed that if you insist on going to the Prince Mansion, I am to escort you with guards."

The guards of the Prince Mansion lost Sister Ling, not to mention those of the Marquis Mansion.

Lin Youning sighed, "Let’s just wait for news in the mansion."

At this point, she couldn’t add to everyone’s worries. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Zhao Wu secretly heaved a sigh of relief, "Any messages from the Marquis will be sent over immediately. Madam, please return to the backyard to wait."

Lin Youning nodded, "There’s nothing going on in the mansion; you should go and see if there’s anything the Marquis needs help with."

Zhao Wu responded and withdrew.

Lin Youning, attended by Shanmoi and Hailan, couldn’t help but sigh, "Sister Ling must have a blessed life, her status has become increasingly noble. Yet such nobility is not entirely good, as seen today, enjoying such a status brings these entanglements."

"Miss, you need to have a more open mind," Hailan advised.

Lin Youning smiled, "I’m fine."

However, she knew that these two maids couldn’t say much, as it concerned the Royal Family, and not just anybody dared to comment. Moreover, this time it was clear the Second Prince was behind it, and now that the Second Prince was detained, he would likely make a desperate move.

Back in the backyard, Lin Youning waited from noon until evening, but no news came. Lin Youning could no longer sit still. She knew it wasn’t possible to find someone so easily, but as time slowly passed, she couldn’t help but grow frustrated.

Hailan had already reheated the dishes three times and couldn’t reheat them anymore, so she couldn’t help but step forward to advise, "Miss, you need to think of the baby inside you. The more critical the time, the more you should eat. If something happens to you, how could the Marquis and the Prince possibly be at ease?"

Lin Youning nodded, yet still didn’t move.

Hailan sighed and shook her head at Shanmoi. Shanmoi didn’t know what to do either. Seeing a young maid rush inside from outside, Hailan’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly stepped forward.

Shanmoi had already pulled the maid over for questioning, "Did the Marquis send a message back?"

"It’s the aunt who came." As soon as the young maid finished speaking, Liang Hui had already entered.

Shanmoi and Hailan hurried to pay their respects, and Lin Youning, hearing the commotion, stood up quickly, "Sister-in-law?"

Liang Hui approached quickly and took Sister Ning’s hand as they met, "I was worried about you, so I rushed over in the darkness. It’s already this hour, and you still haven’t eaten. While you may not eat, the baby inside you must."

As she ordered Shanmoi and the others to serve the dishes, she said, "I haven’t eaten either, so I’ll join you."

Lin Youning knew her sister-in-law was doing this to make her eat, but knowing her sister-in-law was the one who was really suffering, yet came to comfort her, made her feel even more distressed. She didn’t want her sister-in-law to worry about her, so she began to eat while placing food into her sister-in-law’s bowl.

Liang Hui also had no appetite, but seeing Sister Ning’s worried eyes, she could only force herself to eat. After they finished their meal, they moved to a soft couch, where Liang Hui sighed deeply.

"I don’t blame anyone for Sister Ling’s disappearance; it’s her fate. Now that she’s the Commandery Prince’s daughter, she’s respected wherever she goes. This status requires her to endure everything that comes with it. I’m just afraid she might be scared and frightened."

"Sister-in-law, thinking that way puts me at ease. Don’t worry, they won’t hurt Sister Ling. They’re using her as a bargaining chip for benefits." Lin Youning reached across the table to hold her sister-in-law’s hand, hoping to give her some strength, "Sister Ling has always been obedient and sensible; she’ll be fine."

Liang Hui nodded, "When I came over tonight, I sent a message to the Marquis that I’ll be staying here to accompany you, and I won’t go back tonight. Let’s wait for the news together."

Lin Youning didn’t intend to cry, but upon hearing her sister-in-law’s words, she felt a lump in her throat, and tears welled up. Her sister-in-law’s kindness felt like that of a mother, how could it not move her?

Liang Hui didn’t say much, only had Hailan come in to make the bed. That night, Liang Hui also rested on the bed. The two of them spoke of Sister Ling’s childhood, and before they knew it, it seemed as if they drifted off mid-conversation, falling asleep just as dawn approached.

On the other side, Mr. Dong Sr. furrowed his brows and looked at Mr. Zhou Sr., "How could you act this way? It doesn’t take much to figure the blame might fall on you. Aren’t you jumping into the fire pit?"

"Hmph, when they framed the Second Prince, did they consider this? Now, I have no other intention. Unless they clear the Second Prince’s name, they shouldn’t expect their granddaughter or daughter to return safely. Once they explain everything to the Holy Emperor, I will release them." Mr. Zhou spoke with a dark expression, leaving no room for negotiation.

Mr. Dong Sr. listened anxiously, having only instructed his daughter to do it covertly, hoping to help the Second Prince. In the end, not only did he fail to help, but the Marquis Mansion also turned the tables on them. This secret was only known between him and his daughter. If the Second Prince and Zhou Mansion found out, they would surely tear them apart.

---------

Baba’s new book, "Rebirth of a Broken-Down Village Wife": The younger sister looked down on and broke off her engagement with a soldier about to retire. With no dowry to offer, the elder sister had to marry instead. Yet, secretly, the younger sister became unwilling and communicated privately with her brother-in-law. Where will the protagonist go? After rebirth, she has new ideas.