The more cowardly a person is, the more wild they are; I've driven the villainous minister craz

Half an hour ago.

Shen was temporarily placed in the academy's guest quarters, and Yun Shang asked Zhou Shi'an and several other classmates to go and search for her.

The others went off to search elsewhere, while Yun Shang and Zhou Shi'an went to the county government office together.

There were guards at the county government office at night, who were specifically responsible for handling emergencies.

The guards recognized Yun Shang and Zhou Shi'an, and the weariness on their faces immediately vanished.

Yun Shang and Zhou Shi'an were both very famous in Huicheng County.

A disciple personally taught by the headmaster of Bailu Academy, he possesses worldly wisdom and has a promising future.

One of them was the only son of Zhou Yuanwai, a prominent wealthy merchant in Huicheng County. Although he was not personally taught by the academy's principal, he was still among the top students at Bailu Academy.

It is worth noting that most of the top ten students who graduated from Bailu Academy became important officials in the imperial court.

Those in high positions are prime ministers, and even the lowest-ranking officials are county heads.

"Young Master Yun, Young Master Zhou," the yamen guard immediately greeted them with a broad smile. "May I ask why you two have come to the county yamen so late at night?"

Yun Shang didn't want to exchange pleasantries with him and asked directly, "Which two yamen runners were on duty at the county yamen gate from Chen Shi (7-9 AM) to Wu Shi (11 AM-1 PM) today?"

The guard was taken aback for a moment, then noticed the slight impatience in his eyes and quickly said, "Young Master Yun, please wait a moment, I'll go take a look."

After reviewing the duty log, the guard quickly returned and reported two names.

"What brings you two to see them?"

Zhou Shi'an said, "Brother Yun's wife got lost at the yamen gate. Perhaps the two of them saw something."

The guard was startled and, without asking any more questions, quickly led the two to find the yamen runner.

Most of the yamen runners lived in the county government's official residence.

The guard woke up the two constables and explained his purpose.

Upon hearing this, the weariness on the faces of the two constables vanished. They exchanged a glance and said in unison, "We didn't see anything."

Yun Shang's eyes darkened.

Zhou Shi'an also sensed something was wrong. His face darkened, and he said sternly, "The one who has gone missing is Brother Yun's wife. If anything happens to her, can you bear the consequences?"

"Brother Yun is Dean Xie's only personally taught disciple. If something really happens to his wife, do you think you two can still keep your official positions?"

The two constables turned pale.

After exchanging glances for a moment, one of them hesitated before saying, "...around 1:45 AM, I saw the woman who was with Young Master Yun being led to the backyard of the county government by a nobleman's maid, and I haven't seen her since."

The backyard of the county government office?

The county magistrate's family lived in the backyard of the county government office. Why would Yu Wan be involved with them?

Having obtained the answer he wanted, Yun Shang did not linger and went straight to the backyard of the county government office.

Upon learning of this, the county magistrate was initially shocked and furious, and somewhat displeased with Yun Shang and Zhou Shi'an for breaking into the county government office at night.

But he didn't show it.

Being a direct disciple of Bailu Academy was enough to prevent him from antagonizing Yun Shang.

Magistrate Yang said, "My two junior brothers, is there some misunderstanding? How could Junior Brother Yun's wife be in my inner quarters?"

Zhou Shi'an glanced at Yun Shang, whose eyebrows and eyes were as cold as frost.

He had never seen Yun Shang so angry.

Zhou Shi'an turned to Magistrate Yang and said, "Someone saw her enter the backyard. I would appreciate it if you could send someone to look for her."

Magistrate Yang had no choice but to order his steward to make a thorough inquiry, and finally they found the person.

"A woman was indeed taken to the pavilion in the East Garden today, and a maid said that she hasn't been seen coming out since..."

Upon hearing this, Yun Shang immediately turned and walked out.

Zhou Shi'an followed closely behind.

The butler finished his sentence, "However, the East Garden is guarded by people sent by a nobleman today, and no one is allowed to enter or leave..."

After he finished speaking, the steward and Magistrate Yang looked at each other in bewilderment.

Magistrate Yang's expression changed several times, and he frowned as he said, "Why would a nobleman like you make things difficult for Yun Shang's wife?"

The butler shook his head, equally bewildered.

……

Yun Shang hurried along, feeling a panic she had never experienced before.

Numerous ominous images flashed uncontrollably through his mind, almost causing him to lose his composure.

Yun Shang had no time to think about why he was so worried about Yu Wan; he only had one thought: to find her as soon as possible.

From afar, they saw a figure huddled tightly together inside the pavilion.

Yun Shang's steps faltered.

He ran straight to the pavilion, leaving Zhou Shi'an, who was traveling with him, far behind.

Zhou Shi'an's face was full of surprise as he looked at Yun Shang's retreating figure and fell into deep thought.

Brother Yun, do you truly have no feelings for Miss Yu whatsoever? Your anxious demeanor doesn't seem like one at all…

"Yu Wan? Yu Wan! Wake up!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Yun Shang pulled the person into his arms and strode out.

His usually cool and aloof expression turned flustered.

The person in my arms was completely still, their body burning hot, their breath scalding.

Yun Shang tightened his grip on her, a hint of killing intent, unnoticed even by himself, flashing in his eyes.

Even Zhou Shi'an couldn't keep up with his pace while jogging.

He was panting, "Go to Min'an Hall. I've already arranged for the carriage to wait at the county government gate."

Yun Shang strode forward, his face frosty. "Thank you."

After that, Yun Shang never spoke to Zhou Shi'an again.

He walked along, calling Yu Wan's name softly, hoping she would suddenly open her eyes and look at him with those bright and clear eyes.

But Yu Wan did not respond until the carriage arrived at Min'an Hall.

Min'an Hall is a business owned by the Zhou family. With Zhou Shi'an, the young master, accompanying them, Min'an Hall dared not slack off in the slightest and immediately found the best doctor to examine Yu Wan.

When the old doctor took Zhou Shi'an's pulse, his expression was solemn, and Zhou Shi'an's heart was in his throat.

He glanced sideways at Yun Shang, whose eyes were deep and unreadable.

Zhou Shi'an knew that it was precisely this that indicated Yun Shang was truly enraged.

"The situation is not optimistic." The old doctor sighed heavily. "This lady not only caught a cold, but she must have also been given medicine before, which aggravated her cold and caused her to have a persistent high fever."

"I don't know what kind of medicine she has been given, so I dare not prescribe any medicine. I can only use other methods to lower her fever for the time being."

The old doctor instructed the apprentice, "Go and fetch a jar of strong liquor."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Yun Shang, "This is your wife, right? When my apprentice brings some strong liquor, you can use a cotton cloth to soak up the liquor and wipe her neck, armpits, limbs... it's best to wipe her whole body."

Do you know what kind of medicine she had been given before?

Yun Shang remained silent, while Zhou Shi'an frowned and shook his head. "I don't know."

He hesitated and looked at Yun Shang, "Brother Yun, why don't I go and ask?"

“It’s no use.” Yun Shang’s voice was slightly hoarse, and his expression was cold. “A person who can be treated as an honored guest by Magistrate Yang is no ordinary person.”

"The fact that the other party dared to make a move proves that he is fearless."

"Why would I care about Yu Wan's life or death?"

Yun Shang paused for a moment, then asked Zhou Shi'an, "Could you go to Shijia Village and bring me a doctor? He might be able to treat this."

Zhou Shi'an immediately agreed without delay.

As soon as he left, the apprentice brought in a bottle of strong liquor. The old doctor gave a few instructions and then left, leaving only Yun Shang and the unconscious Yu Wan in the room.

Yun Shang was silent for a moment, then bent down to unbutton Yu Wan's clothes...