𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬
Early the next day, Jiang Chu got up and cast a divination.
The result this time shocked her to the core—
From the divination, the person who tricked Yue Yue away was not a stranger.
The fact that it was not a stranger who took her away was quite significant.
Jiang Chu felt complicated, but acted promptly, having a quick breakfast with the coachman and Wu Yu, packing a meal for Mrs. Hao, and then heading to the courtyard in Qingyi Lane.
She went with Wu Yu, leaving the coachman outside.
There was a difference between men and women, and she couldn’t ruin others’ reputations.
Mrs. Hao had taken medicine yesterday, but still looked unwell today. It wasn’t that the medicine wasn’t working, but her illness had been caused by extreme fatigue and a sudden attack of anger, and it wouldn’t improve without proper care over time.
Moreover, this was assuming Yue Yue could be found smoothly. If anything happened to Yue Yue, her condition might even worsen.
“Mrs. Hao, I have something to ask you.”
Jiang Chu sat by the bed, first inquiring about Mrs. Hao’s health, and then asked, “Is it possible that the person who took Yue Yue away is someone you know?”
“N, Not possible.”
Mrs. Hao shook her head without thinking, “The people we know live nearby. If Yue Yue and I knew the person, the shopkeeper of the needle shop would recognize them.”
“But if it’s not someone she knows, why would Yue Yue go with her?” Jiang Chu frowned, “Yue Yue is not that careless, is she?”
Yesterday, Mrs. Hao had said that her eyesight was poor, and many things were completed by Yue Yue, such as dealing with neighbors and buying groceries, medicine, and sewing supplies. Sometimes they were together, sometimes Yue Yue went out alone.
So although she was young, she was very responsible and not an innocent child kept in seclusion.
“I have specifically taught Yue Yue to be wary of strangers. I’ve thought about the possibility of someone we know, but in the end, I don’t think so.” Mrs. Hao looked worried, “So I don’t understand why she left with that person without telling me.”
Jiang Chu glanced at Mrs. Hao.
Mrs. Hao was sure that the person was a stranger, not a local resident, but the divination said the culprit was someone they knew. . . . . .Which was correct?
Comparing the two, Jiang Chu decided to believe the latter unconditionally.
Mrs. Hao’s words were only a guess, no one knew the specific circumstances, but the divination was solid, and Jiang Chu had confidence in her findings.
Considering this logic, was there a possibility—
The person giving the orders was someone they knew, but the woman who took action was hired, so she was a stranger.
Jiang Chu thought about it and felt this was highly likely.
“Madam, among the people you know, is there anyone involved in the liquor business and living not far away?” Jiang Chu asked, “Anything related will do, even if it’s not business, like a drunkard who loves wine.”
Mrs. Hao paused, “Why do you ask this question, have you discovered something?”
She tried to get up, “Miss, do you have a clue about Yue Yue? Please tell me, take me with you to find Yue Yue. Five days have passed, if something has happened to her, what’s the point of living!”
“Calm down, if I knew where she was, I wouldn’t be asking you here. Can you answer my question first?”
Jiang Chu and Wu Yu held Mrs. Hao down, covered her with a blanket, and asked again.
“Related to liquor. . . . . .On Maozi Alley in the front street, the third house is Xu Dazhuang, he’s a wine steward. And to the west, there’s Mrs. Liu, her husband’s a drunkard who is never happy without wine. Other than them, there’s no one else,” Mrs. Hao thoughtfully said.
“Front street? In which direction?” Jiang Chu asked.
“The south,” Mrs. Hao replied.
Jiang Chu’s heart stirred.
If it was to the south, it matched the clues.
The other one, Mrs. Liu to the west, Jiang Chu didn’t consider seriously.
The divination showed that the person was to the south, so the priority was to investigate this direction. Others had to be checked too, but not as a priority.
“. . . . . .Yu Fen, Yu Fen?”
Someone came to the door; it was a thin and dry auntie carrying a bowl of porridge, and by her dress, she looked like she came from a poor family. When she saw that there were people in the house, she hesitated for a moment, “You are. . . . . .”
“Chun Rong has come.” Mrs. Hao looked in the direction of the newcomer, “These two young ladies are here to help me find Yue Yue. I’m acquainted with them, there are still many good people in the world.”
She exclaimed, somewhat moved.
“It’s always good to have help, these two young ladies are beautiful and kind-hearted.” The woman named Chun Rong looked at Jiang Chu and Wu Yu with admiration, and then put down the porridge, “I heard that you spent money on porridge yesterday. You really don’t treat me like your own. Although my family has been busy with work these days, I can still help with this. Where’s your medicine? I’ll cook it for you, you must take it on time.”
“Thank you, but I have already had breakfast, and you had to trouble yourself to come here.”
“We’ve been friends for many years, why talk about this?” Chun Rong said helplessly, “I’ll take the porridge away and bring it to you when it’s warmed up at noon.”
“Ah, I’m troubling you. . . . . .When I find Yue Yue and feel a bit better, I’ll wash your clothes.”
“What are you talking about? I have hands and feet, I can wash my clothes myself, why trouble you? Look at yourself! Yu Fen, you have to hold on, otherwise, if Yue Yue is found and you fall ill, what will we do?” Chun Rong bent down and patted Mrs. Hao’s arm.
Mrs. Hao had tears in her eyes and just held Chun Rong’s hand, “Thank you.”
“Is there any clue about Yue Yue?” Chun Rong asked.
Mrs. Hao just shook her head silently.
“I’ll go to Brother Liu later, have him write some missing person notices, and then I’ll paste them on the street; it might help.” Chun Rong sighed, “But don’t worry, Yue Yue is so clever, she might come back on her own today.”
“I hope so.” Mrs. Hao nodded, holding back her tears.
Jiang Chu stood up, “Auntie, you two chat, I’ll go see if there are any clues.”
“Thank you, young lady. Please be careful and come back soon,” Mrs. Hao said.
Jiang Chu agreed and left with Wu Yu.
With someone to look after Mrs. Hao, she could go out with Wu Yu to search.
After asking around and finding the location of Maozi Alley, Jiang Chu walked over and, after counting to the third house, she saw a small, old residence.
(End of Chapter)
