Chapter 186: Chapter 186: The Seventh Prince is Missing_l

Translator: 549690339

Upon seeing this, the three of them no longer resisted and accepted Wei Ruo’s loquat syrup, expressing their gratitude.

“Thank you, Miss Wei. We will accept this loquat syrup. If there’s anything we can help with in the future, please don’t hesitate to approach us,” Yuan Qiniang said.

Wei Ruo nodded with a smile.

Before leaving Tianqin Garden, Wei Ruo saw Qingyi, who had come to fetch some things for Madame Yuan. She gave her two tins of the syrup and asked her to give it to Madame Yuan on her behalf.

Qingyi looked joyous as if she had received a treasure. “Miss Wei, your loquat syrup has come at the right time. Madame has had a sore throat for the past few days, and this servant has been worrying about what could be used for her. The loquat syrup from Miss Wei must be the best.”

Wei Ruo didn’t say much. Before they parted ways, Qingyi stopped Wei Ruo and reminded her solemnly: “Miss Wei, it’s not very safe out there these days. If you don’t have any urgent business, try not to leave the city.”

Qingyi’s words sounded as if she knew something.

“What has happened?” Wei Ruo asked.

Qingyi could only reply: “Well, nothing. I just wanted to remind you, Miss Wei.

Please keep in mind that I meant it for your own good.”

After saying this, Qingyi walked away.

After returning to the Military Prefecture, Wei Ruo specifically called over Nanny Zhang and asked her if anything significant had occurred in the city recently.

Nanny Zhang firmly shook her head, “Everything in the city has been very peaceful these past few days. This old servant has heard nothing about significant incidents.”

Wei Ruo then asked, “Has the city gate been more closely guarded?”

Nanny Zhang denied. “No, early this morning, this old servant went out of the city on behalf of Madam. It was just like usual. Yesterday, Old Zhang from our place also went to Xingshan County. He brought a cart of grain back this morning, and nothing happened.”

“I understand.”

Wei Ruo dismissed Nanny Zhang.

She believed that Qingyi’s words were not said randomly, but she did not know the reason behind it at the moment.

###

That night, Wei Mingting unexpectedly returned home.

Madam Yun had already gone to sleep, but she got up with the assistance of her maids when she heard the noise.

“Why didn’t you notify us before you came back, my lord?” While helping Wei Mingting to change clothes, Madam Yun asked with concern.

Wei Mingting’s brows furrowed. “Something has happened. Don’t make a fuss about my return, and don’t tell the children either.”

Hearing this, Madam Yun tensed up, realizing the severity of the situation.

“My Lord, have the Japanese Pirates invaded again?” Madam Yun asked tentatively.

“It’s not about the Japanese Pirates, it’s the Seventh Prince. He was ambushed while on his journey,” replied Wei Mingting.

Madam Yun’s eyes widened in shock, “The Seventh Prince was ambushed? How could this be? Who would dare to make an attempt on the life of a prince?” Wei Mingting’s face was marked with worry, “It’s probably related to a struggle within the court. The position of crown prince has been vacant for a few years now, and the power struggle between several princes is well known to all.” Upon hearing this, Madam Yun’s heart leaped into her throat. “How is the Seventh Prince now?”

Wei Mingting shook his head, “His whereabouts are currently unknown, and his life or death is uncertain. The magistrate and the guard commander have dispatched government soldiers and some of the Anti-Japanese Army to conduct a search.”

“Will you be implicated, my lord? Your involvement in the Anti-Japanese Army should have nothing to do with the power struggles within the court. You wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire, would you?” Madam Yun asked anxiously. “It’s hard to say. It really depends on the Emperor’s decision. If he decides to hold someone accountable, there could be consequences,” Wei Mingting revealed.

Since the incident happened within his jurisdiction, and the prince involved was highly regarded by the Emperor, they couldn’t escape responsibility if the Emperor was furious.

“But you are responsible for combating the Japanese Pirates, and the incident with the Seventh Prince occurred within the city. What does it have to do with you?” Madam Yun expressed her discontent on behalf of Wei Mingting and the other commanders of the Anti-Japanese Army.

“How can everything be judged fairly in the court matters?” Wei Mingting sighed slightly, “Let’s not think about it for now. The top priority is to find the Seventh Prince. If he’s alive, we need to see him. If he’s dead, we need to see his body.”

Although Madam Yun was worried, she couldn’t help with court matters. She only prayed silently, hoping that the Seventh Prince was fine, her husband was fine, and the Wei family was fine.

###

In the following days, everything in the city remained calm. Most of the citizens were worried about how to get through the winter and celebrate the New Year. Apart from this, they hadn’t heard any other news, and even the Japanese Pirates had been quiet these days.

Every day, Wei Ruo would take some time to visit the manor to check on the status of the injured man.

The man was in a coma for three days. On the fourth day, Wei Ruo discussed the follow-up medication with Manager Yu.

“In the following days, continue using the previous medication in the morning, afternoon, and evening. At noon, add a few more tonics to his medication to replenish his nutrition.” Wei Ruo instructed.

“Understood.” Manager Yu agreed.

While they were talking, Wei Ruo caught a glimpse of the man on the bed moving from the corner of her eye.

After that, Wei Ruo quickly walked up to the bed. The man opened his mouth and with great difficulty, said, “Water…”

Hearing this, Manager Yu immediately got some tea that was still warm. Manager Yu supported him while Wei Ruo fed the water into the man’s mouth. After drinking the water, the man laid back down. Following this, he looked around with a puzzled expression in his eyes, eventually settling on Wei Ruo. The Wei Ruo in the man’s sight was a clear-faced and round-faced young man. Because the mask that Lin Fang had made for her was very convenient to wear, Wei Ruo had gotten into the habit of wearing it when she went out or went to the manor.

“Where is this…?”

The man still weak, let out a very hoarse and slow voice as if saying a single word had used up all his strength.

“This is my manor. We found you in the mountains nearby and brought you here for temporary shelter,” Wei Ruo answered.

Whether the man responded slowly or not, he only said, “Thank you,” after a while.

Although he was still a bit weak, Wei Ruo was already eager to ask some questions: “What’s your surname and name? Where do you live? How did you get injured?”

If the man’s answers were problematic, Wei Ruo planned to send him back to where they found him and let him fend for himself.

“My surname is Zhu, my name is Zongyu, and I live in Taiyuan Prefecture. I’m a businessman…”

The man paused, taking a breather as it seemed to exert him quite a bit to speak that much just after waking up.

After the pause, the man continued to explain in a slow voice:

“I was traveling south to deliver New Year’s gifts to my maternal grandfather’s family in Wenzhou Prefecture when I was attacked by bandits on the way. To save my life, the family servants and I changed clothes. He led the bandits away, and I took the opportunity to escape.”

“But I was still caught up with and was wounded by several slashes. I was badly injured and could not move. Fortunately, a trusted servant risked his life to save me. Protected by him, I managed to escape to a hidden spot, but the bandits were still searching the mountains. To protect me, the trusted servant chose to go out and draw the bandits away….”