mtl008 Chapter 399: Only 2 hours to reach Miyu Mountain
Chapter 399: Only 2 hours to reach Miyu Mountain
The woman raised her head and looked at Chu Zixi with tears in her eyes. Her bloodshot eyes were filled with despair and helplessness.
"My child is missing, and I'm kicked out by my husband's family. How am I going to live in the future? Woo... my children, where are you?" After the woman said this, she lowered her head and started crying again, her shoulders shaking, which was heartbreaking.
The old man beside him couldn't help but sigh when he heard this, his old voice full of helplessness and sadness. "Alas! I don't know what sin our Fu'an County has committed. All the children are missing, and even the county magistrate's little daughter is missing. It's been half a month, and there's no news at all..." After the old man finished speaking, he shook his head, turned around and staggered away, his back stretched out in the sunset, looking particularly lonely.
Chu Zixi felt very uncomfortable. She stood up and looked into the distance with a firm gaze. She swore to herself in her heart that she must find these missing children and restore peace to Fu'an County.
She turned to Yuda and the others around her and said, "Let's go to the county government office and see if the county magistrate has any clues."
The group slowly came to the majestic county government office. Chu Zixi took a quick step forward, her face solemn, and asked solemnly, "Have anyone from the capital come here in the past few days? Where are they?"
The two guards at the door saw this and looked alert. They stared at Chu Zixi and the others. One of them suddenly shouted, "Who are you? What's your purpose in snooping into these matters?"
When Yu Da heard this, her eyebrows slightly frowned, and she was a little unhappy. She carefully took out a delicate token from her arms, and then raised it high above her head. Her voice was cold and majestic: "How dare you! This is Princess Zhan's thing, why don't you return it to the princess quickly!"
When the yamen runners first saw the token, they were immediately filled with fear, as if they were under a spell. It took them a moment to come to their senses. They turned pale with fear, their legs bent involuntarily, and then they fell to their knees with a plop. They said in a trembling voice, "Princess, please forgive me. I really didn't recognize a great man. I offended you. Please punish me."
Chu Zixi waved her hand gently and said calmly, "Everyone, get up. Ignorance is not a problem. There is no need to panic. Tell me quickly, where are those people who came from the capital now?"
Seeing that the princess did not blame them, the yamen runners finally relaxed a little and quickly responded, "Except for the first day they arrived and investigated everywhere in the county, they did not show up in the county for the next few days. As for where they went, we really don't know. Even our county magistrate has sent many yamen runners out to look for those children who disappeared inexplicably, but they have not returned yet."
Chu Zixi frowned even more tightly when she heard this.
Yu Da asked in a low voice: "Maybe the prince has found some clues and is tracking them down."
"Princess, it's getting late. You must be tired after traveling day and night these past few days." Yu Er said softly, with some concern and respect in her voice, "I will ask the secret guards in the city where the prince and his men are now. Princess, please find an inn to rest for the night first."
Chu Zixi heard this and nodded, "Okay."
After saying that, Chu Zixi turned around and left the yamen. Seeing this, Yu Da hurriedly followed. The two of them walked one after the other, through the bustling streets, and finally came to an inn called "Yixiangju".
When the waiter saw the guests, he immediately came out to greet them. "Dear guests, please come in. I will take the horses to the stables."
Chu Zixi gently dusted herself off and walked in.
The inn was so deserted that no one was there.
The shopkeeper saw that there were distinguished guests coming, so he hurried over to greet them and asked with a big smile, "Dear guests, do you need a place to stay?"
Chu Zixi nodded slightly, her voice gentle and cold: "Open three upper rooms, and prepare some hot water for the rooms first. We are exhausted and need to wash up."
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper nodded in agreement. He told the waiter to prepare hot water, and personally led Chu Zixi and Yu Da upstairs.
The room is located on the second floor of the inn, next to the window, with a wide view, and the window faces a bleak street scene.
Chu Zixi walked into the room and looked around. She saw that the house was neatly arranged and antique. A faint scent of sandalwood wafted into the air, making people feel relaxed and happy.
She nodded with satisfaction and said to Yu Da, "Yu Da, you should also go and have a rest. You have worked hard along the way."
Upon hearing this, Yu Da shook his head and said firmly: "Yes, thank you for your understanding, master." After that, he walked out.
Just as Chu Zixi was lost in thought, there was a knock on the door and Chu Zixi said, "Come in."
The waiter came in with hot water and poured it into the tub. "Sir, the hot water is ready."
Chu Zixi collected her thoughts and threw two taels of silver to the waiter, "Here's a reward for you. I'll prepare some food after one stick of incense."
"Yes, thank you, sir. I will ask the kitchen to prepare the meal right away." The waiter nodded and bowed, then walked out and closed the door.
Not long after Chu Zixi finished her shower, there was another knock on the door. Yu Da walked in, also after washing up, and came in with some food.
Chu Zixi said: "Sit down and eat together."
"Thank you, Master."
At this time, Yu Er also quietly returned to the inn.
Yu Er walked in and reported in a low voice: "Princess, I found the secret guards left behind in the county town and they said that the prince and his men had taken people to Miyu Mountain."
Chu Zixi nodded gently after hearing this. She whispered, "Yu Er, sit down and eat together. Rest for a night. Tomorrow morning we will set out for Miyu Mountain to meet up with the prince and the others."
"Yes"
After they had dinner, it was already dark.
That night, Chu Zixi lay on the bed and fell asleep in a short while. She had not eaten well and slept well in the past few days due to traveling. Now that she lay on the bed and relaxed, she started playing chess with Zhou Gong in a short while.
The next morning, the sky was just turning pale, and the faint light shone through the window onto Chu Zixi's face, as if it was a wake-up gift from nature. Chu Zixi slowly opened her eyes, a glimmer of clarity flashed in her eyes, she gently stood up and stretched her stiff body.
After washing up, she came to the lobby of the inn and ordered some breakfast. Soon, a simple breakfast was placed on the table, including steaming buns, crispy fried dough sticks and a bowl of rich soy milk.
Chu Zixi picked up the chopsticks and ate slowly, but in her heart she couldn't wait to embark on the journey to Miyu Mountain.
After breakfast, Yu Da and Yu Er followed Chu Zixi and left the inn together.
Yu Da rode on the side, "Princess, it's only two hours' journey out of Fu'an County to reach Miyu Mountain."
"Okay, let's speed up once we're out of the city."
"Yes"