The little maid then leaped back into the private room and questioned Xiao Mu, "Do you recognize the people who just left?"
Xiao Mu shook his head, "No, I don't. Judging by their accents, they aren't locals."
Hearing this, the little maid stomped her foot, "Quick, report it to the authorities!"
Then she thought again, "Forget it, it's too late to go to the county town. I'll go find my brother."
The little maid sprinted to the inn, mounted a swift horse, and galloped towards Hetou Village.
Even though it was night, the little maid held up a torch and rode like the wind, arriving at Hetou Village in less than half an hour.
The village patrol members guarding the entrance saw the little maid arriving so late and looked astonished. As they stepped forward to speak, they saw the little maid yank her horse's head and charge past them.
She then called out, "I have something urgent to find my brother."
The village patrol members shook their heads helplessly. This girl was so impulsive. Well, they couldn't stop her anyway.
The little maid rode her horse into the school and, as soon as she entered the courtyard, shouted loudly, "Brother, brother, come out quickly, something big is happening, something big!"
Fang Jun was about to go to sleep when he heard the little maid's shouts. He pushed open the door and asked loudly, "Why are you here so late?"
The little maid jumped off her horse, her voice filled with urgency, "Brother, hurry and go see. Sister Xiao Yue has been abducted." Sudan Fiction Network
Fang Jun's mind buzzed upon hearing this, "What did you say? What happened?"
The little maid stepped forward and grabbed his arm, "Oh, big brother, come back with me first. We can talk on the way."
Fang Jun broke free from her grasp, "I need to get dressed first."
At this moment, two household servants from the neighboring room also rushed out, busily preparing horses.
Soon, the four of them hurried out of the school again.
They arrived at the entrance of Hetou Village once more. The on-duty village patrol members quickly intercepted them, "Mr. Fang, where are you going?"
Fang Jun only then realized that he hadn't informed Chen Xiaobei yet. He cupped his hands towards the patrol member, "Please tell Brother Xiaobei that Miss Xiao Yue has gone missing and I need to go to Xiaojia Town."
With that, he urged his warhorse and galloped away.
Watching Fang Jun and the others disappear into the night, the village patrol member took a long time to snap back to reality. He slapped his forehead and sprinted towards Chen Xiaobei's home.
Chen Xiaobei felt very tired after dinner and was about to go to bed when he was woken up by the village patrol member.
"Chief Xiaobei, Mr. Fang Jun just rushed off to Xiaojia Town, saying that Miss Xiao Yue is missing."
Chen Xiaobei's mind buzzed upon hearing this. What was all this about?
Cui Hongyu, standing beside him, was even more anxious, "Husband, you should go and see quickly. Fang Jun is a gentle scholar, and that little maid is very rash."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and sprinted towards Liu Rumei's residence.
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's purpose, Liu Rumei also became anxious. She quickly called out to Liu Ziming, Liu Ziliang, and the others, led the horses, and again hurried towards Xiaojia Town.
Fang Jun was, after all, a scholar, and the little maid's horse had already run one leg. Therefore, their speed towards Xiaojia Town was not fast. They hadn't gone far along the official road when they were caught up by Liu Rumei and Chen Xiaobei.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei and the others arrive, Fang Jun was filled with gratitude. He cupped his hands towards everyone, "I apologize for disturbing you all with a private matter. I truly feel remorseful!"
Chen Xiaobei's eyes widened, "Brother Fang Jun, what are you saying? Miss Xiao Yue is like family to us. How can this be your private matter?"
Liu Rumei also chimed in, "Yes, let's all go and see together and help brainstorm some ideas."
No one spoke further. They urged their horses and soon arrived at Xiaojia Town, reaching the Sihai Inn.
The innkeeper, Yao Sheng, had also arrived.
Yao Sheng looked surprised to see so many strangers. He looked at Xiao Mu, "Who are these people?"
Xiao Mu pointed to Fang Jun, "This is my brother-in-law."
Then he pointed to Chen Xiaobei, "This is Brother Xiaobei."
"And that is Sister Rumei."
Yao Sheng didn't hear anything else besides the part about Fang Jun being Xiao Mu's brother-in-law. He inwardly mused that this person, with his appearance, was indeed much more handsome than He Zhen.
Yao Sheng stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting, "I am the innkeeper of Sihai Inn. My name is Yao Sheng. I was very worried to hear of Xiao Yue's disappearance."
Yao Sheng was about to say more, but the little maid directly interrupted him, "Alright, alright, stop rambling."
With that, the little maid directly pulled Fang Jun and headed straight for the second floor. Liu Rumei and Chen Xiaobei quickly followed.
Entering the private room and going to the window, the maid recounted her discovery. Liu Rumei frowned, then leaped outside the wall and squatted down. Following the little maid's account, she examined the ground carefully. Indeed, there were two deep footprints on the ground.
Only by carrying a heavy load could such deep footprints be made. Thus, it seemed the little maid's deduction had some merit.
Soon, Chen Xiaobei also came around from the front entrance. Looking at the footprints on the ground, he frowned, "Further inside is farmland. Let's search along and see how far we can track."
Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang lit torches and searched inward. After walking for a while, they returned disappointed, "Further inside, the footprints disappear. Either someone was waiting for them, or..."
The two of them didn't finish their sentence, but Chen Xiaobei understood the unspoken implication: they had lost the trail and couldn't continue searching.
Everyone returned to the hall of Sihai Inn.
Chen Xiaobei cupped his hands towards Yao Sheng, suppressing the anger in his heart, "Innkeeper Yao, has Miss Xiao Yue exhibited any unusual behavior these past few days?"
Yao Sheng looked at Chen Xiaobei nervously, "To be honest with you, sir, I rarely come here as Miss Xiao Yue manages the inn. You should ask Xiao Mu."
Xiao Mu nodded and recounted the night's events. After finishing, he deliberately emphasized, "Those people spoke with foreign accents and haven't been here recently. If they came a long time ago, then I've forgotten."
Chen Xiaobei's brow furrowed. This was akin to a brazen abduction. If one were to say it was a random act of malice due to Feng Xiaoyue's beauty, that possibility existed, but it was unlikely. In this era, there were all sorts of prostitutes everywhere. There was no need to take such a risk.
Then, only one possibility remained: these people came to dine, but they were actually after Feng Xiaoyue.
If that were the case, had Feng Xiaoyue offended someone?
"Xiao Mu, has your sister offended anyone recently?"
Xiao Mu thought for a moment, then shook his head, "It doesn't seem so. My sister has always believed in 'harmony brings wealth.' She greets everyone with a smile."
Just then, the little maid suddenly interjected, "I know! I remember someone. His name is He Zhen. Yesterday, He Zhen rode past the inn and even verbally harassed my sister."
Upon hearing this, Yao Sheng's heart skipped a beat.
He quickly waved his hand and said, "That's impossible, absolutely impossible."
"He Zhen did indeed ask me to propose marriage to Miss Xiao Yue a few days ago, but Miss Xiao Yue said she was already betrothed, so the matter was dropped."