C15 Qingcheng's Disappearance

In the Yang family's main hall, after the meal, Yuh Ting'en engaged in conversation with the Grand Elder about Xu Ruxian.

Yuh Ting'en gave the Grand Elder a look of resignation. The elder, with his hair graying in his fifties, lit up at the mention of Prime Minister Xu as if he were a child receiving his favorite candy.

The Grand Elder eagerly rubbed his hands together and inquired, "Tingen, since your daughter is Prime Minister Xu's disciple, have you ever met him? What does Prime Minister Xu look like?"

Yuh Ting'en responded, "Qingcheng turned sixteen this year. She took part in the Leap Test in June. Her performance was impressive, so Prime Minister Xu accepted her as his disciple. At the time, I was more concerned about Qingcheng getting hurt during the competition to pay much attention to anything else."

"It's truly a shame. I've lived so long and yet have never laid eyes on Prime Minister Xu. I don't know when I'll have the opportunity. If I could just meet him once, I could die without any regrets," the Grand Elder lamented.

Indeed, the Grand Elder seemed very much like a child at heart.

Yuh Ting'en glanced around the hall. Where had Qingcheng gone?

His wife was the epitome of grace and tranquility, and he himself was understated and reserved, but their daughter was spirited and full of life.

Nevertheless, it wasn't a concern. Those with lesser abilities couldn't intimidate her, and she was careful not to offend those more powerful. He decided to retire to his room for some rest.

After a restful night, Yuh Ting'en checked the time; it was already seven in the morning. Qingcheng usually woke him, and her absence was unsettling.

He sent his maid to fetch Qingcheng, but she returned in haste, "Lord Yu, Miss Qingcheng isn't in her room, and her bed is untouched. Her personal maid hasn't seen her since last night."

A wave of panic washed over Yuh Ting'en, and he demanded, "Where is Brother Dingshan at this moment? Take me to him immediately."

"The patriarch is likely attending to matters in the main hall. I will escort you there," the maid replied, her own anxiety palpable. Serving Miss Qingcheng was her sister's responsibility.

If Miss Qingcheng were to come to harm, one could only imagine the dire consequences for her sisters.

Yang Dingshan noticed Yuh Ting'en's distressed expression and quickly inquired, "Tingen, what's the matter?"

"Brother Dingshan, Qingcheng has been missing since last night. You've spent your whole life in Qingzhou City; you know it like the back of your hand, so I have no one else to turn to but you. You must find Qingcheng," Yuh Ting'en urged.

"Xiao, take some men and search for Qingcheng immediately. Report back to me the moment you have any news," Yang Dingshan commanded Yang Xiao upon hearing the situation.

"Yes, I'll ensure Qingcheng is returned safely. Rest assured," Yang Xiao assured them, leading a group out of the hall with haste.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the Yang Mansion had been thoroughly searched, yet Yuh Qingcheng's whereabouts remained a mystery.

"With the Yang family's main gate locked tight at night, where could she possibly have gone?"

After pondering for a moment, Yang Xiao wondered if she might have gone to Yang Xuan's quarters.

The only place left unsearched in the entire Yang family compound was Yang Xuan's courtyard.

Yang Xiao and his men made their way to Yang Xuan's courtyard without delay, pushing the door open to begin their search. As they reached Yang Xuan's room, a figure suddenly descended from the rooftop, landing before Yang Xiao.

It was Yang Xuan himself.

Yang Xuan had been restless the previous night and had only just managed to catch some sleep when he was disturbed by the continuous noise in the courtyard. Recognizing Yang Xiao, he knew all too well that his visits usually resulted in significant damage to the yard's contents.

With a furrowed brow, Yang Xuan thought of the girl asleep inside his room. He couldn't allow these men to witness her in her vulnerable state. He quickly positioned himself in front of the door, blocking Yang Xiao's path. "Brother, what is this about?"

Yang Xiao let out a cold huff. "Yang Xuan, don't interfere. I'm acting on our father's orders."

Without waiting for a response, Yang Xiao seized the moment of Yang Xuan's distraction to push the door open. His gaze immediately fell upon a girl lying in the bed – it was Yuh Qingcheng!

"Yang Xuan, to commit such a heinous act is unforgivable! You truly are the disgrace of the Yang family!"

Yang Xiao was both anxious and furious. He had set his sights on claiming Yuh Qingcheng for himself, yet to his surprise, Yang Xuan had already made her acquaintance—perhaps they had even engaged in unspeakable acts...

So, you're quite the strategist, first aiming to cozy up to the City Lord, and now you're trying to connect with Yuh Ting'en and even Prime Minister Xu. I'm eager to see how you'll explain yourself later!

Overcome with rage, Yang Xiao couldn't help but laugh. He leaned in and whispered to an associate, who immediately spun on his heel and dashed toward the lobby.

Yuh Ting'en was present in the lobby as well.

Upon receiving the report from Yang Xiao's servant, Yang Dingshan's brow furrowed deeply. Turning to the worried Yuh Ting'en, he said, "Tingen, we've located Qingcheng. Come with me to assess the situation. If the Yang family has indeed done something untoward, I will deal with them harshly."

"Qingcheng might not be in any trouble. I'll accompany you. Perhaps she simply mistook the room," Yuh Ting'en replied, letting out a half-relieved sigh upon hearing news of Qingcheng.

They hurried to Yang Xuan's quarters. Ignoring the standoff at the door, Yang Dingshan instructed a maid to awaken the sleeping Qingcheng inside.

Yuh Qingcheng, roused by the irritating noise, wondered who had disturbed her slumber. Rubbing her eyes, she took in her surroundings—was this not the young man's room? She hadn't expected to fall asleep, and judging by the sunlight streaming through the window, she had slept quite soundly in a stranger's abode.

The maid, seeing Yuh Qingcheng awake, quickly recounted the events from her disappearance to their discovery of her, then added anxiously, "Qingcheng, we should freshen up quickly. There's quite a commotion brewing outside."

Realizing the extent of the trouble she might have caused, Yuh Qingcheng worried about her father's potential punishment. She hastened to get ready and headed for the door.

Stepping outside, she immediately locked eyes with the youth from the previous evening.

Yuh Qingcheng offered him a sheepish smile, about to speak, when Yang Xiao cut her off.

"Qingcheng, your father was beside himself with worry upon learning of your disappearance. What happened to you last night? If he abducted you, fear not—the Yang family will not let this transgression stand." Yang Xiao, seeing Yuh Qingcheng emerge, was itching to bring Yang Xuan to justice and, without waiting for her to speak, pointed accusingly at him.

Could there be some misunderstanding here?

Yuh Qingcheng avoided Yang Xiao's gaze, turning instead to her father and Yang Dingshan with an apologetic tone, "This is my fault. I was utterly exhausted last night and the house seemed so run-down, I assumed it was abandoned. That's why I decided to spend the night here. I never intended for my actions to lead to such a significant misunderstanding..."

Yuh Ting'en exhaled in relief, grateful that she was unharmed.

"Qingcheng, you were gone all night, and I was so worried about you! Dingshan, please handle your household matters. We haven't caught up in years; let's resume our conversation later." With a gesture of respect, Yuh Ting'en clasped his hands together and, despite Yuh Qingcheng's reluctance, quickly led her away.

He had taken in the scene in the courtyard. Yang Xuan's gaze was lucid; he didn't strike him as malevolent. Yang Xiao clearly harbored a strong dislike for the young man, and the tension between them was palpable. However, as much as he was an outsider, it wasn't his place to meddle in the Yang family's internal affairs. Departing was the wisest choice at this moment.

Yang Dingshan gave a nod of acknowledgment. "Very well, we shall meet again another time."