jdhmnovel Chapter 216 This is Hell
Chapter 216 This is Hell
"Miss, it's getting late, it's time to go back."
At Chen's Shop, Chen Ranran had just finished calculating one account book and picked up another when the shopkeeper reminded her.
"When is it?"
"Just past the hour of You (5-7 PM)."
At the hour of You (5-7 PM), Chen Ranran would return on time, put on her fur coat, and go out.
"Miss, please get into the carriage."
"No, I've been sitting for too long, I'm thinking of taking a walk."
Although the weather was cold and it hadn't snowed, Chen Ranran was in a good mood watching the people packing up their stalls and heading home.
Now, some people at home are hoping she will return.
A carriage sped past her, stirring up a gust of wind.
"Miss, be careful." Guard Zhang Qian pulled her aside.
The carriage curtain swayed, and Chen Ranran caught a glimpse of a familiar face inside.
"The person inside looks like Xiyao."
Watching the carriage drive away, Chen Ranran thought the person she saw was Ye Xiyao, but then realized something was wrong; the driver wasn't the Ye family's coachman.
"Zhang Qian, get in your carriage and hurry up and catch up with that carriage ahead. It looks like my friend Xiyao is inside. Please confirm."
"Yes, ma'am."
After giving the instructions, Chen Ranran quickly ran towards the Ye family's residence.
Liu Yunshu had prepared dinner, but no one came to eat. The steward went to inform them as Ye Li'an had instructed.
"Madam, the two young masters and the third young lady have gone to the Marquis's residence. Please have your meal first."
"Why did they all go there?"
"Isn't it because we're rushing back to the Marquis's residence to update the family genealogy? I guess the Marquis has something to discuss with us?"
Liu Yunshu nodded, "Yan Yan is going to the Marquis's residence too!"
Ye Yaoyao felt strange eating alone at her grandfather's house.
"Yes, ma'am."
Ye Li'an brought Yueyan to the Marquis's residence and informed her that Ye Xiumu and Ye Xiyao had gone missing, and that more people should be sent to search for them.
"Are you suspicious of the candidate?"
“Father, my little sister said that Xiyao would be sold into a brothel. This matter is somewhat related to Liang Xiaozhe. I sent people to observe him secretly before, but Liang Xiaozhe has not made any moves yet.”
Just in case, Jingyang sent people to search various brothels.
Xiyao had been at home for several days, and trouble struck as soon as she went out; this person must have been secretly observing her for a long time.
The Peony Pavilion was sealed off after Chen Chengsi was exiled, but that didn't mean Ye Xiyao's fate had changed, so they dared not gamble.
"Then let's search the whole city in secret."
As night falls, the Ye family will find no peace today.
"My lord, a Miss Chen has arrived outside. She says she has something to tell me about the Third Miss. This old servant has brought her in."
Ye Xiumu quickly went out to greet the guest.
Chen Ranran paced anxiously in the living room. She had first gone to the Ye family to ask Liu Yunshu, and was told that Ye Xiyao had gone to the Marquis's residence.
I wasn't sure if I was seeing things, so I came over to check after saying goodbye.
Now that the steward says the Third Miss is not here, she is certain that Ye Xiyao must be in the carriage.
As soon as Ye Xiumu appeared at the door, Chen Ranran immediately went to greet him.
"Lord Ye, Xiyao has been kidnapped."
"Ms. Chen, please sit down and tell me slowly."
“I saw Xiyao faint in the carriage on the road. The carriage was driving extremely fast, so I became suspicious and had the guards follow behind.”
Chen Ranran finished speaking in one breath.
"Is the carriage leaving the city?"
"I'm not sure, but that direction leads to the city gate."
"Thank you for letting me know, Ms. Chen. I'll have someone take you home."
"My lord, Xiyao has been kind to me, you must find her."
"Yes, I will send someone to inform you when Xiyao returns."
"My lord, I await your news."
Chen Ranran curtsied and left.
"Outside the city?" The direction they sent to look was probably wrong.
"Uncle, what happened?"
Despite the Ye family's quiet demeanor, Qin Jingyu still noticed and came over to inquire.
Ye Jingyang was nowhere to be found, but he ran into Qi Jinlan and they returned together.
"Xiyao is missing and may have been taken outside the city."
"I couldn't find Xiyao. It turns out she's already left the city. Who planned this so accurately?" Qi Jinlan's eyes were red with anger.
"Send men out of the city," Qin Jingyu instructed Lian Jin.
"I will go right away."
"I'll go look outside the city too." Qi Jinlan quickly left.
"I'll go as well."
Ye Jingyang chased after him but was stopped by Ye Xiumu.
"You stay here and go back to be with your mother."
Liu Yunshu knew nothing yet; she must be worried that no one was coming home.
"Yes, Dad."
"Brother, my older sister bought me some delicious food, and then she got kidnapped by bad guys."
Yueyan, her face streaked with tears, ran in from outside and hugged Qin Jingyu's leg, crying and complaining.
"Don't worry, we'll find your older sister. Just wait here obediently."
Qin Jingyu stroked her head to comfort her.
"Ok!"
"Young Miss, Miss has sent word. I'll take you to have your meal."
Fu Ya led Yue Yan away.
The city gates were closed, and Lian Jin led his men out of the city with the token.
After walking two miles, a horse-drawn carriage was parked by the roadside.
"It's the Chen family's carriage, heading this way."
At the three-way intersection, a man was lying on the ground.
"He's dead. He was the guard from the Chen family."
"Separate to search."
The first three roads are pitch black, leading to three different places.
Qi Jinlan took the lead and set off. Ye Jingyang told him to look in the direction of the brothel. He didn't know why Ye Jingyang was so sure. Thinking that Xiyao would be in such a place, he didn't want to waste a moment.
Ye Yaoyao finished developing the antidote just before midnight.
[Host, something terrible has happened! Wake up!]
[What's wrong?] It's almost noon, and Ye Yaoyao has had a good sleep.
Your sister was arrested yesterday.
[My sister has been arrested, System, could you have told me a little later?]
Ye Yaoyao quickly got dressed and went home with a somersault.
"Your mother is being kept in the dark; go find your second brother."
Ye Yaoyao ran into Liu Yunshu as soon as she got home.
"Yaoyao, you're back."
"Mother, the antidote is ready. You'll fall asleep after taking it. Take it now!"
"No need to rush. Your sister stayed at your dad's yesterday and hasn't come back yet. I see your two brothers acting all mysterious. I'll go check on them."
"You're worried about your sister staying with Dad? Hurry, hurry, take the antidote first!"
The medicinal effects of the phoenix tail flower won't last long, so you should eat it quickly.
Ye Yaoyao lied in the last sentence.
"Oh, I see! Then let's eat first."
Liu Yunshu ate it and fell asleep.
"Sister Dongzhu, please keep an eye on Mother. She'll probably sleep for a long time. If she has any adverse reactions, and I'm not home, go find Grandpa first."
"Miss, are you going out again?"
"Yes, remember what I said."
"Yes, I have remembered it."
Ye Yaoyao went out with Ye Jingyang, while Ye Li'an stayed at home.
Ye Xiyao was awakened by the cold and found herself in the woodshed. Moonlight shone through the window, allowing her to see a small patch of ground.
She huddled up in the cold, recalling what had happened during the day. She had been too careless; someone had impersonated Qi Jinlan and tricked her.
A weak cough was heard.
"Who?"
Ye Xiyao looked into the shadows in horror; there was another person inside, and she could smell blood.
The only response she received was a cough.
Ye Xiyao mustered her courage and slowly walked into the darkness until she tripped and fell.
Who are you? Where is this?
The mournful, hoarse voice was quite eerie.
"This is... hell."