Transmigrated Leftover Woman in Rural Style

While things were going wrong in Li Xiaonuan's family, in the Zhao family's backyard, Zhao Wangchuan cracked open the newly erected wooden stake.

Zhao Fan stood beneath the persimmon tree laden with fruit, looking at Zhao Wangchuan and sighing deeply. He knew why his master had been troubled these past few days. But he truly had no way to relieve his master's worries.

Zhao Wangchuan shouted and stopped. Zhao Fan promptly handed him a damp cloth. Zhao Wangchuan took it, wiped his hands haphazardly, and asked in a deep voice, "So, someone beat us to it and went to find those two families?"

Zhao Fan replied, "Yes, almost at the same time as learning about the incident involving Miss Li's family, the other party contacted those two families. Moreover, it wasn't just one group. When our people were leaving, they happened to encounter another group that was heading there."

Zhao Wangchuan reached out and pulled down a branch from the persimmon tree, examined the persimmons closely, and then asked, "Have you found out who they are?"

Zhao Fan replied, "Apart from the first group of people who left no trace, the group that went later was sent by the Qi family of Cang Baicao."

Zhao Wangchuan released his grip, and the branch snapped back with a snap. Several small, green persimmons fell from the branch, which Zhao Wangchuan caught casually. He examined the persimmons for a long time before asking again, "Really, not a single clue was left?"

Zhao Fan looked ashamed and lowered his head, replying, "Yes, not a trace can be found."

Zhao Wangchuan knocked the persimmons in his hand at the wooden stake one by one, muttering, "This is strange. As far as I know, the people in Qisong who can do things so cleanly and efficiently all come from there. Could it be that this place has already been noticed by that person?"

Zhao Fan stood respectfully to the side, without replying. He knew this was Zhao Wangchuan's secret. Since his master didn't speak, as a loyal subordinate, he naturally wouldn't pry.

Zhao Wangchuan gazed up at the tall persimmon tree for a long time, until it was completely dark, before asking Zhao Fan, "Has Master replied saying when he will arrive?"

Zhao Fan replied, "The old man said he's run into some trouble; someone is harassing him. He said he'll arrive in two more days."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wangchuan frowned and asked, "Did they mention who was harassing Master?"

Zhao Fan replied, "They are from the royal family."

Zhao Wangchuan then turned and walked out of the courtyard, replying, "I understand."

In the Wei residence, Wei Yu sat behind his desk in the study, his face dark and brooding, looking at the letters in his hands. He habitually tapped his fingers on the table, his deep gaze unreadable.

Xiao Si took the dinner that Chunling brought, knocked on the door and went in. After placing the dinner on the table in the outer room of the study, Xiao Si stepped forward and reminded him, "Young master, dinner is ready."

Called back to his senses by Xiao Si, Wei Yu calmly placed the letter in his hand under the paperweight and walked out. Xiao Si stood in front of the washstand and helped Wei Yu wash his hands. After washing his hands, Wei Yu sat down at the table and leisurely enjoyed his dinner.

After dinner, Wei Yu rinsed his mouth and sat back down at his desk. Xiao Si closed the door behind him, gesturing for Chunling, who was waiting outside, to come with him. Once the two left, Wei Yu's courtyard became utterly deserted.

Qinghuo leaped lightly from the phoenix tree and silently slipped into the study. Wei Yu seemed to sense something, slightly raising his head to look into the shadows, and asked, "How did things go?"

Qinghuo appeared and respectfully replied, "That old Taoist priest did indeed return from the sea with his men. However, he took thirteen men with him when he left, and only seven have returned. The families have all been properly settled and have not caused any trouble. It's just that the old Taoist priest is unwilling to return with his men and refuses to reveal any information about the voyage."

Wei Yu nodded, his expression inscrutable as he looked at the rubbings on his right. These were copies he had made when Li Xiaonuan handed over the maps. Now, someone had successfully returned from the voyage. He needed to determine if these maps differed from the actual voyages, and how much so.

"Leave that old Taoist priest aside for now. Go ask those who came back alive. You'll get some useful information."

Qinghuo clasped his hands in agreement, then said somewhat uncertainly, "It's said that there was another person who went to sea with them, but that person had someone and a boat to escort him. After that person returned, he disappeared without a trace."

Wei Yu tapped his fingers, pondered for a moment, and said, "Leave that person aside for now, just focus on gathering usable information. As for that old Taoist priest, just send someone to follow him and make sure he doesn't lose track of you."

Like the Buddha, Qinghuo vanished into the shadows in an instant. Wei Yu flipped through the blueprints, feeling inexplicably irritated. For a moment, he didn't even notice Qingyuan standing right in front of him.

Wei Yu glanced at Qingyuan's expression and knew that they hadn't found any useful clues again. So, he didn't ask any more questions and simply said, "You've worked hard. Go and rest."

Qingyuan clasped his hands in a fist salute, and after thinking for a moment, he asked, "Young Master, do you think that person might be the one who went to sea with the old Taoist priest? Otherwise, we've searched for so long, it's impossible that we haven't found a single trace."

Wei Yu, reminded of this, suddenly felt he had found a breakthrough. He stopped Qingyuan, who was about to leave, and instructed her: "You guys rest for two days first, and the day after tomorrow, go and investigate the person who took the boat and people out to sea."

With Qingyuan gone, Wei Yu's courtyard fell silent once more. The servant stood dutifully outside, watching the graceful figure approach, and pleaded with a mournful face, "Grandma, please, please don't come looking for our young master at this crucial moment!"

What you fear most is what comes your way. Heaven seemed to ignore Xiao Si's pleas, and Sang Qiqi finally stopped at Wei Yu's courtyard gate. Seeing Xiao Si pacing aimlessly outside, she went up and asked, "Xiao Si, why are you standing guard outside? Is your young master receiving guests?"

The woman's voice was soft, sweet, and melodious. Xiao Si snapped out of his daze and quickly replied, "My young master is in a bad mood tonight and kicked us all out. Miss Sang, what brings you here?"

Upon hearing that Wei Yu was throwing another tantrum, Sang Qiqi chuckled and said, "Your young master really hasn't changed at all. I'm fine; I just thought the night was nice and came out for a stroll. Since your young master is in a bad mood, I won't disturb him any longer and will head back now."

Xiao Si readily agreed: "Yes, yes, when my young master is in a good mood tomorrow, I will definitely tell him that the young lady has come."

Sang Qiqi smiled gently and said softly, "No need to tell him. I'm leaving now. It would be a real shame not to appreciate this moonlight."

Watching the graceful figure still strolling slowly, Xiao Si looked up at the sky in confusion and muttered to himself, "Is the moonlight really that good tonight?"

Li Xiaonuan stood in the courtyard, looking at the nearly full moon in the sky, feeling somewhat ethereal from the moon's halo. She sighed, "What a beautiful day, perfect for those who are melancholy about spring and autumn to recite poems and lyrics while gazing at the scenery."

A cool summer night breeze wafted by, carrying the scent of rice paddies. Li Xiaonuan was so captivated by it that she momentarily forgot about the blazing fire burning brightly inside the house.