GBP Chapter 130 Doubt
Chapter 130 Doubt
Only one morning after Li Xiaonuan's accident, everyone was already on edge. Li's father, still recovering from his illness, searched the city everywhere for people to inquire about Li Xiaonuan's whereabouts. Aunt Zhou and Aunt Huang, who arrived later, also joined the search effort without hesitation.
Things seem to have gotten a bit out of hand, because when Li's father learned of Li Xiaonuan's accident, the village head happened to be at the Li family's house. Therefore, the village head also gathered some people to look for Li Xiaonuan.
Because of Li Xiaonuan's previously proposed idyllic paradise plan, many people in Zhoucun were willing to respond to the village head's call. Before long, nearly two hundred people had gathered.
The grand procession entered the city, startling the gatekeepers. The quick-witted ones hurriedly ran to the government office to report the situation.
Among the men led by the village head, some were experienced and resourceful, so he suggested that they split into four groups and search outwards from different city gates. The village head thought it was feasible and divided the men into five teams. In addition to the four teams at the four city gates, he left one team to search inside the city.
After sending out the men, the village head led the remaining people to search throughout the city. During this time, they successfully reunited with Father Li and his family, and also encountered the Li brothers, Dagong and Li Dagong.
After they met, they discussed the matter again and divided their manpower further, carefully searching in various districts.
After receiving a report from the gatekeeper, the county magistrate sent a group of men to find the village head, saying they needed help finding the person. They also said the magistrate was already aware of the matter and had opened a case at the yamen, stating he would not let the kidnapper off lightly.
By the time Prince Jing and his entourage learned that Xiao Nuan's affair had become the talk of the entire prefecture, it was already late afternoon. At that time, Prince Jing and Wei Yu were discussing with Qi Ji where the woman from the Red Mansion named Ni Chang might be hiding.
"Couldn't you have known more about the trouble you caused? For example, a certain place that girl mentioned to you, or some places she often mentions," Wei Yu asked Qi Ji with a dark face.
Qi Ji looked at Wei Yu with a face full of guilt and regret, and said helplessly, "I only asked her to play the piano and sing for me to relieve my boredom. How could I have paid attention to what she said? Now, I'm just hoping that those scoundrels can find some clues."
Prince Jing tapped the table with his finger and said in a deep voice, "Let's try our best to find her first. As for whether it was that girl named Ni Chang who kidnapped Li Xiaonuan, we can't be sure right now. Perhaps it really was Ni Chang who kidnapped Li Xiaonuan, but what if there's someone else behind it?"
Wei Yu's brow furrowed even deeper: "That's exactly what I'm worried about. After all, the royal ships are ready to set sail. Those with ulterior motives may have already set their sights on this place. It wouldn't be surprising if they found Li Xiaonuan."
Qi Ji slammed his fist on the table, knocking the pastries off the plate: "That's my fault too. If I hadn't pulled Miss Li into this act, those people wouldn't have been able to take advantage of Ni Chang. If it's really as you two analyzed, I think Ni Chang and her maid are probably in grave danger."
Prince Jing said in a heavy tone, "We don't know if things have gotten that serious yet. Let's wait and see."
Wei Yu also said, "None of the people we sent out have returned. We'll have to wait and see. If what we said before is true, then this matter will probably be troublesome."
The sudden appearance of so many people searching for their missing children in the streets caused widespread panic. Everyone gathered together to discuss the situation, saying that child traffickers had reappeared. In no time, the streets were deserted of children and little girls. They had probably all been called home by their parents and locked up.
The men Prince Jing sent out disappeared without a trace, not returning even by sunset. They began to tense up. Wei Yu's previously calm demeanor vanished.
Fortunately, Qi Ji's unorthodox methods seem to be somewhat effective.
"Young Master Qi, we just saw three guards from Qunfang Tower being called away by a young girl. And they sneaked out through the back door. We've already sent someone to follow them. Would you like to send someone to check it out too?" A scoundrel looked at Qi Ji with a cocky, obsequious expression that made Wei Yu's hands itch with desire.
Qi Ji asked the man seriously, "Did you see clearly who that little girl was?"
Na Liuzi smacked his lips, stuck out his tongue and licked the crumbs of pastry into his mouth, saying, "Of course I recognize her. That little girl used to be a maid who boiled water at Qunfanglou. But she was bought last month. The person who bought her seems to be a foreign businessman. I think he originally wanted to buy Ni Chang."
Upon hearing this, Wei Yu said, "That's right. Come on, I'll go with you to take a look. Doctor Jing, you stay here and wait; maybe those people will be back soon."
Prince Jing nodded, indicating they could leave. Qi Ji led the rogue out of the clinic ahead of Wei Yu. Wei Yu followed indifferently, but his hands were busy. Wherever he passed, people would quickly disappear into the street.
As the sun set, Li Xiaonuan stared at the roof in despair. Her hands were so swollen and numb she could barely feel them. She dared not move again. She had spent the entire afternoon trying countless ways to untie the ropes, but to no avail.
She had intended to emulate the Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains, using wheat straw to cut the rope. But that was far too difficult; the wheat straw in the dilapidated house was incredibly fragile. She managed to tear the straw apart, but before she could even rub it against the rope a few times, it broke so easily that she couldn't even hold onto it.
On the contrary, her hands had been cut several times. Because they were tied behind her back, Li Xiaonuan didn't know how badly her hands were injured. But she could feel that a lot of blood had flowed out. At least she could feel the blood-soaked dampness on the back of her clothes.
Her stretched-out mouth was sore and numb, and she felt as if her entire chin had disappeared. Her cheeks were frighteningly cold. Right now, Li Xiaonuan only felt a throbbing headache.
She hasn't been home all day; her family must be very worried. I wonder if Su Shi is crying, and Li Die might have already come out looking for her. Xiao Yang went back to Niushan County today and doesn't know about her accident yet. Xiao Gang is probably holding Xiao Jun, anxiously waiting for her at the village entrance.
The old lady must be furious by now, standing at the door cursing her for being troublesome and causing problems at home all day. After cursing, the old lady will go back to the village and ask someone to go to the city to find her.
But Li Xiaonuan felt she could never go back. She was even hallucinating. Because she saw people, a lot of people. They were holding torches, looking down at her with eerie smiles.
"Release her mouth and let her speak." A voice rang out.
The little girl who had tricked her kicked Li Xiaonuan before reluctantly squatting down to remove the gag from her mouth. With the gag removed, Li Xiaonuan tried to move her tongue to spit out the foreign object. But she couldn't; her tongue was numb.
Seeing that Li Xiaonuan looked like she was about to die, the newcomer said to the hooded man next to him, "You've tortured her to death, and you still want to sell her for a high price?"
The hooded man turned his head and looked at the girl. The girl understood and immediately took out a small dagger and cut the ropes binding Li Xiaonuan.
Li Xiaonuan initially thought the girl was trying to stab her to death, so she glared fiercely at the group. Only when she felt her hands and feet loosen did she realize they were untying her ropes.
Because she had been lying in the same position for a long time, even after being untied, Li Xiaonuan couldn't move for a while. In particular, the numbness and pain in her limbs, which were suddenly free, almost made her faint.