Watching Wu Weiwei's retreating back, He Yaya touched the palms of her hands, finding them slick with cold sweat.
Though she was unwilling to admit it, given the Heir's deep affection for her, Wu Weiwei certainly had the power to make life difficult for her entire family.
For now, getting her family to help look for Wu Heran was the most pressing matter; otherwise...
Wu Weiwei had just left Qingsong Courtyard, but she now turned back because of her younger brother.
Seeing Wu Weiwei return so soon, Cuiyun asked in puzzlement, "Miss Wu, did you leave something behind?"
"No. I need to see the Heir. Cuiyun, when does he return from court?"
"That's hard to say. If there are matters to attend to, it could be afternoon. If all is quiet, it will be at least midday."
"The noon hour?"
That meant the Heir would be back in an hour.
"Miss Wu, is something urgent the matter?"
Seeing Wu Weiwei's anxious expression, Cuiyun added, "If it's urgent, you could ask Rufeng to help you find the Heir."
That's right, even if the Heir wasn't here, she could ask Rufeng for help.
Rufeng was currently training the estate guards in the back courtyard. Upon hearing that Wu Weiwei was looking for him, he gave a few instructions to the guards and hurried over.
Although Wu Weiwei was currently only a concubine in the Heir's chambers, given how doted on she had been by the Heir lately, Rufeng certainly didn't dare to neglect her.
Arriving at Qingsong Courtyard, he saw Wu Weiwei pacing back and forth in anxious agitation.
Seeing him, Wu Weiwei hurried forward.
"Rufeng, could you help me find someone?"
"Please go ahead, Concubine Wu."
"It's my younger brother. He is only five years old this year, but he's thin and small, looking more like he's about three. He went missing around the outskirts of the Capital..."
Rufeng's brows knitted together as he listened. Based on a mere description alone, he had no way of knowing what the child Concubine Wu was looking for actually looked like.
"Miss Wu, do you have a portrait of your brother?"
Oh, right. In her panic, she had forgotten—with a child that small, searching based on description alone would be difficult.
"Wait a moment."
Wu Weiwei looked at Cuiyun. "Cuiyun, could you please get me some writing brushes, ink, and paper?"
Though puzzled, Cuiyun ran into the room to fetch them.
A short while later, Cuiyun came out with the requested items.
Under the watchful eyes of the servants in the courtyard, Wu Weiwei dipped a brush in ink and swiftly sketched the outline of a face on the rice paper.
Then, she filled in the contours, drawing the eyebrows, the bridge of the nose, followed by the eyes and the mouth.
A quarter of an hour later, a lifelike and handsome little boy sprang to life on the paper.
Everyone watched in astonishment as she effortlessly painted her brother, especially Rufeng.
He had not expected Wu Weiwei to have this skill. Having originally heard she was merely a coarse-sweeping maid from the outer courtyards, he never imagined her painting technique would be so exquisite.
Having served by the Heir's side, Rufeng was certainly accustomed to masterpieces by various renowned artists.
Without at least a decade of practice, it would be impossible to achieve Miss Wu's level of skill in painting.
Moreover, her brushwork was so practiced that it showed a truly solid foundation.
Seeing Rufeng standing in a daze with the portrait of Miss Wu's brother, Cuiyun prompted, "What are you standing there for, Rufeng? Hurry up and help Miss Wu find him."
Although Cuiyun had also been given a shock by Wu Weiwei, she wasn't as startled as Rufeng.
After all, as a maidservant, she knew nothing of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but she could still recognize Wu Weiwei's excellence.
Considering she had won the Heir's favor not long after arriving, she was surely no ordinary person.
Coming to his senses, Rufeng gathered a hundred guards from the estate and set off in a formidable procession.Watching Rufeng and his men depart, the crease between Wu Weiwei’s brows finally softened.
"Miss Wu, you needn't worry. Rufeng is reliable and always earns the Heir’s praise. I am certain he will be able to bring your brother back for you."
Wu Weiwei turned back and said to her, "Thank you, Cuiyun. If not for you, I would never have thought to ask Rufeng for help."
Every minute they waited, her brother was in more danger; Cuiyun had indeed done her a great service.
"Miss Wu, you are too kind. It is only my duty."
Given the Heir’s affection for her, there was certainly nothing wrong with providing a little extra help.
Three days ago.
After Wu Heran left the He family, he ran toward the wide thoroughfare.
He had heard that if one followed this official road, they would eventually reach the bustling streets of the Capital, where the Dingguo Marquis Estate was located. He knew only that if his sister found out he was looking for her, she would never turn him away.
He didn't know how long he had been running. He only remembered that it was dark by then; exhausted, famished, and terrified, he had stumbled into a dilapidated temple and drifted into a hazy sleep.
When he woke up, he discovered he was locked inside a crude woodshed.
"Little one, you're awake? Come, have some water."
Wu Heran opened his eyes wide, looking at the middle-aged woman who held out a bowl and kindly urged him to drink.
"Who—who are you? Why am I here? Is this the Capital?"
"Little one, were you trying to get to the Capital?"
Wu Heran looked at the woman in fine clothes with suspicion. His sister had once told him that he could trust no one but her, and this woman certainly didn't look like a good person."I am a young master of the Dingguo Marquis Estate. Ma'am, could you please take me back there? If my father learns that you saved me, he will surely reward you handsomely."
Wu Heran had once overheard Madam Li saying that his sister was now a concubine at the Dingguo Marquis Estate. He reasoned that if he told the woman he was merely the brother of a concubine, she might not be willing to take him to the estate. But if he claimed to be the Marquis's son, then, whether out of caution or the desire for a large reward, she would surely return him to the estate.
"Are you truly a young master of the Dingguo Marquis Estate?" The woman looked him up and down. Although he claimed to be a young master, the plain fabric of his clothes made him look nothing like a scion of a wealthy family. She wondered if he was trying to swindle her.
Though his heart hammered in his chest, Wu Heran nodded firmly. His sister had once told him that if one told a lie, countless more would be needed to cover it up, and eventually, the truth would come out. She said children shouldn't lie, and that a child who lied was not a good child. But to him, this woman seemed just like Lady He—not a good person at all. He decided to keep the lie going for as long as he could, and worry about what happened when he could no longer keep it up later.
Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, the woman began to believe him. "Wait here. I'll be right back."
At the same time, Rufeng had led his men to search the entire Capital, yet they had been unable to find the brother of the concubine Wu as depicted in the portrait. It didn't make sense; if the boy had wandered off, it was impossible that no one had seen him.
Just as he was filled with doubt, a subordinate rushed over. "Sir, we’ve discovered a group of suspicious individuals in a courtyard in the alley ahead..."