Qian Sheng quickly instructed Nanny Xiang, who had rushed out of the room in confusion, "Old sister, please watch over the Fourth Prince for me, I'll be right back."
This was the elder sister-in-law of the Imperial Concubine, and the "Yun Jie" she mentioned should be the Imperial Concubine's cousin, Lady Sun. Her urgency indicated that something had gone wrong.
However, the Imperial Concubine had gone to the Nine Continents Peace Hall. If one were to intrude without permission, they would be considered an assassin and executed on the spot.
Qian Sheng quickly followed suit and rushed out.
Jiang Yunxia, lifting her skirts, struggled to keep up, but still managed to explain the situation to Wang Dequan: "Master Qian, the Imperial Concubine arranged for people to protect my sister and me. We really didn't wander off. Today, we were with several ladies who wanted to visit the market, so they took us along. Others tried on clothes without incident, and the Imperial Concubine's guards were very diligent, always protecting us. But when we entered the fitting room to change, they couldn't follow us in..."
It was during this brief moment that they only allowed Jiang Yuncai's personal maid to follow her in. After waiting for a long time, no one came out. When she called her sister's name, there was no response.
Everyone realized something was wrong and rushed into the fitting room. Lying on the ground was Jiang Yuncai's maid, but her sister was nowhere to be found.
The female guards responsible for their protection immediately detained the shopkeeper, questioning him about the situation, but he claimed to know nothing.
After several inspections, they discovered that the back panel of the fitting room had a hidden compartment. Jiang Yuncai must have been knocked unconscious along with her maid as soon as she entered.
The thieves removed the back panel of the fitting room and stealthily abducted Jiang Yuncai without anyone noticing.
A maiden who was abducted in broad daylight would never regain her reputation, even if she were found.
The mastermind behind this was truly despicable.
But Lady Sun couldn't care less. As long as her daughter could return alive, she would be willing to care for her for the rest of her life.
Many ladies and young misses had visited that shop today, including the Su family.
Jiang Yunxia and Su Ruyue's second son had exchanged betrothal gifts, indicating a betrothal.
After parting ways with Lady Sun, those people turned their mocking gazes towards the Su family: "Lady Su, I heard your second son is betrothed to Jiang Yunxia? Shouldn't they hurry up and get married? Otherwise, when Jiang Yuncai is found... hehe... where will your family's reputation go?"
Once Jiang Yuncai is found, rumors will surely spread throughout the imperial palace. The Jiang family will be at the center of the storm, and as their relatives, the Su family cannot remain unscathed.
The Su family will become the talk of the entire capital.
In the Su household, there are several daughters yet to be betrothed! If they are implicated, it will be difficult for them to marry well.
In other words, they won't be able to marry into good families.
Lady Su's face was not looking good: "It's just a mutual intention to marry, how can it be so certain? Besides, now is not the time to discuss this. Finding Lady Jiang is the priority. Otherwise, if your words reach the ears of the Imperial Concubine, I wonder if your husband's official position can be preserved?"
Su Ruyue felt both anxious and relieved. Anxious that this incident might affect her future betrothal, relieved that the Jiang family still had the Imperial Concubine to rely on.
The lady who had mocked Lady Su earlier had already lowered her head, not daring to speak.
If this led to her husband losing his official position, she would be the most pitiable.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine, Lady Sun of Minister Jiang Yanxi is requesting an audience. She appears very flustered, as if something serious has happened."
"Clang!"
A bowl of meat porridge was set down heavily. The Xuanwu Emperor watched as a spoonful of seemingly simple yet also bland porridge slipped past his open lips and back into the bowl without a drop lost.
"Your Majesty..."
The Emperor understood her meaning and immediately instructed Wang Dequan: "Let them in."
Outside, Lady Ruan also received the message and brought Jiang Xinyan and Jiang Junze along.
Upon seeing her, Lady Sun's spirit seemed to drain, her legs giving way as she fell to the ground. Lady Ruan quickly caught her: "Sister-in-law, what happened?"
She had been staying in the garden these past few days, afraid that something might happen to Xinyan and Junze. Even if she was bored, she would only stroll around the garden, never daring to leave the imperial palace.
Lady Sun couldn't remember who had been urging her to take her daughter out for a stroll, one word after another.
"Ladies, the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine are waiting, please follow me."
Lady Ruan had only heard rumors and didn't know the truth of the matter. Therefore, when Lady Sun and Jiang Yunxia explained to the Emperor, she also listened intently.
"That shopkeeper must not be doing this for the first time."
After hearing the explanation, Jiang Xinyue turned to look at the Xuanwu Emperor: "Your Majesty, this matter concerns my close relative. My father and uncle are both out on Your Majesty's business, leaving their families behind, and now this misfortune has befallen them. I don't know how to explain to my uncle when he returns."
Jiang Yanxi and Jiang Yankun were both away on the Emperor's business, leaving their families behind, and now such an incident has occurred.
The Xuanwu Emperor also thought of this, feeling somewhat guilty: "Wang Dequan! Order..."
He had intended to have the palace guards search the entire city, but considering Jiang Yuncai was a woman, if it became a widespread affair, even if she were found, the rumors would drive her to despair.
Who would be suitable to handle this?
"Your Majesty, may I handle this matter personally?"
Her eyes were pleading, with tears welling up, clearly very worried about her cousin. The Emperor couldn't refuse: "I'll have the Ministry of Justice accompany you, and bring more guards. Be careful."
Still not reassured, he turned to Wang Dequan: "You go too, make sure no one disrespects the Imperial Concubine."
As the chief eunuch of the Emperor, Wang Dequan's presence alone represented the Emperor. Who would dare to misbehave?
At the clothing store—
"Shopkeeper, these people look like they have a significant background. Are we really going to..."
"Nonsense! Quickly close the door. From today on, this shop is done for."
"Bang!"
Before the attendant could close the door, he was sent flying along with it.
The loud noise attracted the attention of neighboring shops. Before the shopkeeper could react, dozens of garments were thrown at him: "Get them, smash everything here! How dare they use inferior fabrics to deceive me, burn all the clothes here."
The shopkeeper was beaten to the point of being unable to speak. Jiang Xinyue then ordered: "From today on, this shop is closed. How dare they offend me, take them to the back courtyard. I will deal with them personally."
Didn't they say a young lady was abducted here during the day?
Why is there another disturbance?
Has the missing lady been found?
