223, Begging (1 more update)
It’s not that she wasn’t cautious, but as a maid, her life was deemed cheap, and having been sold to the Liang Family, a single misstep could lead to her death, or even worse, implicate her family.
Xuan Mu looked at Xiangye, who was bowing her head.
Neither of them spoke. Xuan Mu knew that now was not the time to press Xiangye; pushing her would only frighten her more.
A mere maid and Nuannuan’s friend, if not for the monk then for the Buddha’s sake, out of consideration for Nuannuan, she ought to be treated with some kindness.
“Young Master Xuan, I don’t know much else. I only know that before Nuannuan disappeared, it seemed like something went missing. Rumor has it that it was the clothes from her childhood, and also a Jade Pendant!”
Xuan Mu remained silent.
But Xu Xuanjin furrowed his brows and asked urgently, “Have you seen that Jade Pendant?”
Xiangye shook her head, “I haven’t. That Jade Pendant was as dear to Nuannuan as her life; she never showed it to anyone. But as for that little piece of clothing, I have seen it. It was a fine brocade silk, though old…”
“Enough!” Xu Xuanjin interrupted Xiangye with a grave tone.
He had already guessed that the Liang Family had switched daughters, sending their own to take Nuannuan’s place. That likely meant that Nuannuan’s fate was grim.
“…”
But Xuan Mu’s eyes were already red, “No, it can’t be!”
Xiangye knelt down, crying and begging, “Young Master Xuan, if you have even a shred of affection for Nuannuan, please find her. She, she, she should be the young miss of the Marquis’ household…”
The Liang Family’s young miss had been acknowledged. Said to be the legitimate young miss from the Fengping Marquis’ family in the capital, though for some reason she was taken away, and the master and mistress hid it well, there were still people who knew something.
The clothes and Jade Pendant that recognized her, they were clearly, clearly Nuannuan’s, but she dared not say anything, not even show the slightest hint. All she hoped was that one day, someone from the Marquis’ household would e to Fengping County, or that she could somehow discover the truth of what had happened.
She also harbored a terrible thought that Nuannuan might no longer be alive, but she still could not help but pray to the heavens to have eyes, to bless Nuannuan with a large fortune and a long life to avoid disaster, and to finally be found by her family and recognized.
Xuan Mu stood up.
He took a few steps forward, his gaze at Xiangye filled with sorrow and regret.
He opened his mouth to say something but couldn’t utter a word. His mind went blank, his vision darkened, and he collapsed.
Xu Xuanjin, quick to react, caught him before he hit the ground.
But his body was utterly powerless, slumping to the floor. Xu Xuanjin held him there, sitting on the ground.
“Xuan Mu, Xuan Mu…” He called out in a mix of worry and shock.
Xuan Mu’s eyes finally regained some brightness as he clutched Xu Xuanjin’s sleeves, “Cousin, Cousin…” Tears fell continuously.
“I’m here, I’m right here!” Xu Xuanjin quickly responded.
Seeing Xuan Mu’s pale face, veins popping on his forehead, his temples throbbing, and his hands trembling as they grasped the sleeve.
“It’s me, I’ve ruined her, it’s all my fault, wuu…”
Men are not supposed to cry easily, but only until their hearts are truly broken.
Even a maid could guess that Nuannuan’s prospects were dire, how could he be ignorant?
He no longer had the right to deceive himself, nor could he lie to his conscience saying that he would wait, that he would send someone to look for her.
With the person gone, where to seek her shadow?
“If, if only I had freed her sooner, brought her to my home earlier, she wouldn’t have met with this fate, wuu wuu…”
Xu Xuanjin found it hard to listen.
They had grown up together; among many brothers, it was only Xuan Mu who would follow him, calling him ‘Cousin’ endearingly and sharing every tasty bite with him.
Good-natured and obedient at heart, he did whatever Xu Xuanjin asked, and Xu Xuanjin happily protected him in return.
But who could have imagined that he would encounter such an ordeal?
Chapter 224
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