CHAPTER 223: CHAPTER 222: INCENSE EVERYWHERE!

"Oh child, I beg you not to do anything rash! You’re taking your mother’s life with this; all the mistakes are mine. I’m the one who lost the child, it’s got nothing to do with you. Don’t punish me by ending your own life; if anyone should die, it should be me."

The middle-aged woman ran after her, holding onto the woman who had collapsed on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

"What a sin it is."

The middle-aged man stood to the side, wiping his tears.

"Miss Yu, these are my Uncle Liu and Aunt Ms Liu."

Liu Yi quickly spoke, "Aunt Ms Liu, please stop crying and let Miss Yu divine where the child actually went!"

"Five days, a full five days have passed, what’s the use of saying this now?"

Liu Tong covered her face and cried, "Clearly, we’ve reported to the authorities, but there’s been no news at all. Everyone tells me that the longer it takes, the less likely it is to find the child alive. Just three days ago, I dreamt of the child as if his cries were right beside my ear. He cried so pitifully, I don’t even know if he’s been eating well or sleeping well? Eventually, I couldn’t hear his voice or dream of him anymore; I’m his biological mother, I can sense him. Though I don’t want to admit it, I just have this intuition that he’s... he’s been harmed by someone."

Her voice choked with emotion, tears streaming down, she cried like her heart was breaking.

Zhixi listened, her eyes moist, and comforted, "Maybe he’s still alive? We haven’t found him yet, which might be a good sign."

Liu Tong couldn’t stop shaking her head, her gaze already frenzied.

Mr. Liu, with red eyes, first scrutinized Yu Nianzhao and then lifted his robe, kneeling on the ground, and prayed, "Miss Yu, although you look young, my elder brother mentioned that you truly have skills. You can even summon souls to let someone see their eldest son one last time. We beg you to divine where the child is and whether he is dead or alive. We need a resolution."

Ms Liu wiped her tears, took out a stack of silver notes from her sleeve, "This is just a little token from us, incense money included. Please give us some clarity, Miss Yu."

Yu Nianzhao glanced, and Jing Rui happily accepted the silver notes.

"Dry your tears, and follow me inside."

Yu Nianzhao entered the main hall and lit three sticks of incense in the censer.

Turning to look at Liu Tong, who was supported by Ms Liu, she pursed her lips and said, "Your Children Palace is indeed dim, but not completely extinguished; this shows your progeny fate is still present, the chances of the child surviving are fairly high."

Liu Tong’s eyes suddenly brightened. She exclaimed excitedly, "Miss Yu, is my child really still alive? Where is he? Is he alright?"

"Clean your hands, burn incense."

Yu Nianzhao did not answer her questions, instead instructed Jing Rui to present the items.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

With a glimmer of hope, Liu Tong hurriedly followed her instructions.

After using pomelo leaf to clean her hands, she respectfully offered incense and prayed devoutly.

Yu Nianzhao could sense her incense value increasing. Liu Tong was desperate to find her child; her sincerity brought high faith value.

Yu Nianzhao casually grasped, capturing abundant incense.

She vaguely felt the disappeared Divine Power slowly returning.

[Wow, Master, this incense is nice!]

[I want to eat, I want to eat!]

[Master, the incense value from these people can’t be underestimated.]

[It’s not just this person in front, those outside hold strong obsessions too. Truly, progeny is tremendously important to humans.]

[If these people’s issues could be resolved, the harvest will be substantial.]

[In such cases, the Divine Power previously sent out can be returned.]

[Not only returned, but even more will come.]

Yu Nianzhao fed the incense in her hand to Jiu Ying, agreeing, "Mm, obtaining the faith of these people can recover a portion of my Divine Power."

"Miss Yu, do I have to do anything else?"

Liu Tong asked timidly, her hopeful eyes fixed on her.

Yu Nianzhao inquired, "Where did the child go missing?"

Ms Liu said chokingly, "I took the child to my parents’ home, on the way back I saw a familiar person and left the child in the carriage while I chatted a few words. When I turned back, the child was gone."

Speaking of sad matters, tears began falling again.

"Disappeared inside the carriage? Who was taking care?"

"A nanny was supposed to be caring for him. She said she just dozed off and the child disappeared. Her words were incoherent; I suspect maybe she conspired with someone to steal the child, but she shouldn’t have had the guts. Eventually, I dismissed her."

Ms Liu beat her chest and stamped her feet, "This nanny wasn’t even in service for a year. Had it not been for the nanny who usually serves us having a stomach upset that day, I wouldn’t have brought her along. I truly regret it, regret so much."

"The nanny? Where is she now?"

"She... probably returned to her hometown?"

"Go check where she lives!"

"Ah? Okay... okay."

Despite being confused, Ms Liu and Mr. Liu obediently sent someone to investigate.

Yu Nianzhao turned and fixed her gaze on Liu Tong, "Your marital palace is dim, how is your relationship with your husband?"

Liu Tong bitterly smiled, "We used to get along well and were loving; otherwise, my parents wouldn’t have trusted me to marry him. But ever since this loss, my in-laws have blamed me. Although my husband protects me, my mother-in-law wishes for my death, insulting me badly. So my husband suggested I return home to avoid being affected and out of concern that my mood would worsen."

Yu Nianzhao heard Liu Tong’s love for her husband.

She pursed her lips, calculated, with coldness stirring in her eyes.

"Harmonious spouses? You might be sold out by close ones and be oblivious to it."

Yu Nianzhao sneered, "Indeed, it’s quite a strategic move."

"Uh, Miss Yu, what do you mean by that?" Liu Tong vaguely sensed something amiss.

"Master, madam, we’ve found the nanny’s residence; she lives in the town near Shangjing and hasn’t returned home yet."

A servant of the Liu Family rushed to relay the address.

"Go and have a look."

Yu Nianzhao said calmly.

"Alright, we’ll listen to Miss Yu."

To leave King Yan’s temple, one must pass through the main gate.

Jing Rui suggested, "Miss Yu, why not use the back gate? Or even climb over the wall?"

"No need, open the door."

Yu Nianzhao spoke casually, "They won’t harm me."

"This..."

"The princess said open the door, so open the door."

Zhixi obediently stepped forward and opened the door.

The crowd was waiting outside, upon seeing Yu Nianzhao, they desperately attempted to rush in.

Yu Nianzhao flicked the Seven Star Brush, drew in mid-air a Clear Heart Talisman, softly chanting the Heart Clarity Spell.

The anxious and agitated devotees calmed down, tearfully kneeling on the ground.