CHAPTER 189: CHAPTER 189 HOW DID SHE GET OUT

"This token..."

Xie Pan’Er took the Jade Token from Xiaosuisui’s hand, examining it closely. It was a Hetian Jade token, translucent and of superior quality, delicately engraved with the character ’Lin’ and nothing else.

"Let me see it!"

The elderly shopkeeper, hand trembling, took the Jade Token from Xie Pan’Er.

He said tremulously, "This belongs to our master. Only key people like shopkeepers are aware of this. Initially, there were only eight of these. Three years ago, one more was added. This must be that additional one, which I heard was intended for our master’s wife."

"Your master’s wife? Then this Xiaosuisui isn’t your master’s niece—she must be your Young Mistress!"

The old shopkeeper nodded repeatedly. "So, it is the Young Mistress who has graced us with her presence! This old one deserves severe punishment for not recognizing you."

Xiaosuisui was bewildered. "So, my Third Uncle isn’t just the owner of Bright Moon Pavilion, but he also owns Zhiwei Restaurant?"

"What? Your Third Uncle is also the owner of Bright Moon Pavilion?"

Both the shopkeeper of Zhiwei Restaurant and Xie Pan’Er were flabbergasted, their expressions a sight to behold. Xiaosuisui nodded, hugged Xiaobai, and left.

"Hey! Young Miss! Your Jade Token!"

The old shopkeeper hurriedly chased after her, but she had long since vanished.

Xie Pan’Er returned home with the gift the old shopkeeper had given her, still in a daze. The day’s events had been too overwhelming. She had actually met His Majesty’s adopted daughter, Chang Rongshun, and the Eldest Princess Shunhe!

Not only had she met them, but she had also spoken with them at length.

Good heavens! When I’m old, I must tell my descendants about this day over and over again. I, Xie Pan’Er, have actually met such esteemed individuals!

「Ji Mansion」

When Old Madame Ji awoke to find Xiaosuisui missing, she was stunned for a long moment. She then summoned the Steward to inquire and immediately dispatched people to search. Alas, even as the sun began to set, they had not found her.

Zhu Xiuxiu instructed the household servants, "Steward Liu, send more men to guard the Imperial Palace gates. Whether it’s the Seventh Young Master or the Eighth Young Master, as soon as either of them comes out, immediately tell them Suisui is missing."

The Steward replied, "I have already sent men, Madam."

"People have been sent to the Imperial Palace, but what about Bright Moon Pavilion? Your Third Young Master is there going over the accounts. Have you sent anyone to inform him?"

"We haven’t sent anyone to Bright Moon Pavilion yet, Madam. I will immediately dispatch someone to inform the Third Young Master."

"Apart from Bright Moon Pavilion, you should also check Zhiwei Restaurant. Suisui, that girl, loves their preserved fruit. I gave her my Identity Token. She’s a glutton; if she hasn’t been abducted and just wandered out on her own, she’ll definitely go to Zhiwei Restaurant to buy something to eat when she gets hungry."

"Yes, Madam. I will dispatch men immediately to search there."

"Have the remaining men spread out. They are to regroup at Bright Moon Pavilion every hour. We must find her today, even if we have to dig three feet into the earth! Do you understand?"

"Yes, Madam!"

The Steward left with the men.

Zhu Xiuxiu went to Huo Xing’Er’s room, only to find it empty; no one was there.

This Second Sister-in-law, how can she be so unhelpful at such a crucial time? Where on earth has she gone?

Huo Xing’Er’s voice suddenly came from behind her. "Oh? How am I unhelpful?"

"Oh, heavens, Second Sister-in-law, you scared me! Suisui is missing. Mother is so worried she’s fallen ill, and Second Brother is at her bedside performing acupuncture right now! I came to ask if you could divine whether our Xiaosuisui was abducted or if she left the Mansion on her own."

Huo Xing’Er glanced at her. "You came looking for me just for this?"

"The main priority now is to find the little girl. Does our family have any other matter more important than this?"

"I’ve done a divination. She wasn’t abducted. She should be fine, and we’ll be able to find her. Don’t worry. I’ve already spoken to Mother about it."

"Not abducted? Our Mansion’s Main Gate is closed, and the smaller gates are guarded too. No one saw her leave the Mansion. How could she have gotten out then?"

Huo Xing’Er looked at her. "You want to know?"

Zhu Xiuxiu nodded frantically. "Of course, I do! Only by knowing how she got out can we figure out a way to bring her back."

"Fine! Then follow me."

"Where are we going?"

"To show you how the little girl got out!"