Xie Nanyou set down her teacup and looked at her brother's pleading face. "Why won't you let me track down Lianhuan? If he comes back, he can take good care of Xiaohua."
Hearing Xie Nanyou mention his youngest son, the Head of the Xie Family shook his head slightly. "I don't believe he would simply vanish either, but since he hasn't come home, he must have his own plans. Whatever he wants to do, let him be. With Xiaohua in the Xie family's future, I believe he will be able to hold the family together."
With a gentle look at Xie Nanyou, he continued, "Even if he couldn't, don't we still have Yaoyao? The Xie Residence is the life's work of our parents, and I trust you will protect it." Even though Yaoyao was not their parents' biological daughter, he believed their family bond transcended bloodlines.
Xie Nanyou sighed. "You and Xiaohua should stay for two days and then head back. I'll have An Sheng send Xiao Yi and Xiao Er with you. He will thoroughly vet everyone in the residence, and you can entrust any matters to them. I have some business to attend to, but I'll return as soon as it's settled." With a junior member of the Xie family missing, she had already had people uncover quite a bit, including the actions and abductions carried out by that detestable clan. Originally, she had planned to keep them on edge a bit longer, but she might as well use this opportunity to teach them a lesson.
Seeing Xie Nanyou agree, Master Xie Jiu smiled warmly, knowing his sister would say yes. "Good, good. Xiaohua and I cannot stay away too long, lest people grow suspicious. I'll take him back first thing tomorrow morning."
He could afford to be away for a week at most; any longer, and the people lurking in the shadows would certainly grow suspicious. Besides, there was no telling how much longer those two carriages could buy them, so they had to return as soon as possible.
Xie Nanyou seemed to sense his worry. "Going back early is fine. I've already had someone deal with the people following in the shadows; you don't need to worry about safety." Seeing the exhaustion on his face, she added, "Go get some rest. I'll have Xiao Yi and the others prepare."
The Head of the Xie Family stood up. "Alright, I am indeed tired. I'll go rest first. Yaoyao, don't worry too much either—I can still hold on for a few more months."
Looking at the man who could still joke around, she smiled. "Very well, then I shall plan at my leisure. I must trouble my elder brother to wait a bit longer for Yaoyao." Seeing him freeze, she quickly added, "I'm only joking. Brother, take your time, but I'm also eager to head back and take a look. Go get some rest."
Watching that still-straight figure walk away, Xie Nanyou was reminded of how he had always stood in front of her whenever she was punished in their childhood. Walking toward the study, she softly called out, "Xiao Jiu." Hearing the extra set of footsteps fall in behind her, she didn't even turn her head. "Send word out: find the Zhang Family Patriarch. It's time to cash in a favor. Then, notify The Blind Man yourself—I want to see him at the Xie Residence in a month. If he fails..."
Xiao Jiu watched her figure step into the study. Seeing that his Young Miss was not going to say anything further, he was just about to close the door and leave when he heard her speak again. "Take this and have it delivered to that old bastard. Tell him the Zhang Family Patriarch's favor is to be repaid by him."
Xiao Jiu walked over to the desk, reached out to take the wooden box, and saw a Jade Ring inside resting beside a handkerchief belonging to his Young Miss. He closed the box tightly and silently turned to leave.
Standing outside the courtyard, Xie Yuchen tugged on Xie Nanyou's hand. "Great-Aunt aren't you coming with us?" He had only been here for a day, and he hadn't finished playing with Little Horse yet, nor did he want to part with his pretty Great-Aunt.
"Xiaohua, go home with Grandfather first. Little Horse will be sent back to you as well, and Great-Aunt will return shortly. Can our Xiaohua take good care of Little Horse by himself?" Xie Nanyou tugged at Xie Yuchen's robe, brushing the long strands of hair from his face back over his shoulders.
Hearing this, Xie Yuchen nodded vigorously to assure her. "I can!" He would be able to play with Little Horse at home too—how wonderful.
"An Sheng, take good care of my brother and Xiaohua." Xie Nanyou let go of Xiaohua's hand, nodded at her brother, and watched as the group mounted their horses and rode off until they completely vanished from sight.
"Young Miss, let's go inside," Xiao Jiu said softly, appearing behind Xie Nanyou out of nowhere as he stood by the doorway waiting for her to enter the courtyard.
Xie Nanyou walked into the courtyard. "Is everything arranged?"
Xiao Jiu glanced to the side to make sure the gate was closed, then hurried two steps to follow behind Xie Nanyou. "The men have already arrived in Qinghai. As you instructed, we will make them spill everything, and the Zhang Family Patriarch will be secretly sent back to Sijiu City."
Seeing that his Young Miss made no reply, he continued, "I've left a message for The Blind Man. As for the Jade Ring, Xiao Wu said he would make the trip himself and should arrive tonight."
Xie Nanyou reclined on the daybed, staring at the ledger on the table for a long time before finally speaking. "Once you've squeezed out all the answers, clean things up thoroughly. Scrub that place down, and there's no need to keep feeding the ones we intercepted earlier. Send back something meaningful to remind them of the lesson."