Chapter 5: Mother's Disappearance

The spring flowers were in full bloom, and the peach blossoms were blooming more vigorously than ever. After a night of spring rain, the petals had scattered, making the flecks of green among the peach branches even more apparent. The second young lady of the Murong family had been wailing mournfully for half a month, and she had finally waited for Doctor Shen to return. The First Madam continued to play the role of a virtuous wife and good mother, devoting herself wholeheartedly to the two concubine-born daughters of the Third Concubine. Murong Zhi had spent the night alone in the study, but the next day he acted as if nothing were wrong, spending almost all his time with Su Ying and her two daughters, Bai Lu and Jian Jia, as if nothing had happened except for the absence of the Third Concubine. Pei Chen had finally accepted the fact of her soul transmigration and had made up her mind to live well in this world, thinking that perhaps this was Heaven's compensation for her innocent and tragic death in the modern era.

After the continuous spring rain, a clear and fine day finally arrived. As usual, Pei Chen rubbed her sleepy eyes and sat at the table in the main hall, waiting single-mindedly for her parents to come and eat breakfast. But after waiting and waiting, they did not come. Even when she called for Lian Qiao, she didn't know where she was. After thinking it over, she walked toward Su Ying's inner room.

Reaching the door, she found the washing maid standing outside with her head bowed submissively, holding a washbasin, not even daring to breathe loudly. The door was slightly ajar. Pei Chen pushed the door open and felt a faint, ethereal fragrance floating in the air.

Inside the room, Murong Zhi was sitting on a round stool, holding a piece of paper, looking utterly lost. Lian Qiao was kneeling on the floor beside him, remaining silent. Murong Zhi was muttering to himself, "As expected, she couldn't be kept; in the end, she still couldn't be kept." As he spoke, he stood up and walked out of the room step by step, leaving that single piece of paper to fall lonely onto the hard wood and marble-inlaid round table.

Pei Chen did not understand what was happening and did not dare to call out to stop Murong Zhi. She could only reach out to grab that piece of paper. On it were a few sparse words: *Duty calls, and I am beyond my own control; take good care of Chen'er.* Pei Chen couldn't make sense of it, so she pulled up Lian Qiao, who was still prostrate on the floor, lost in thought, and asked, "Lian Qiao, what happened? Where is my mother?" Lian Qiao spoke woodenly, "She left." Pei Chen felt her brain go numb with a *buzz*: "Left? Where to? Or... is she dead?"

Lian Qiao seemed to finally snap out of it and repeatedly comforted Pei Chen, "Miss, please don't be anxious." Pei Chen finally couldn't help herself; she jumped up and grabbed Lian Qiao, "How can I not be anxious? You should explain it clearly!" Lian Qiao hurriedly supported Pei Chen and organized her words, "The Madam... she comes from a family of healers. She is treating the sick and saving lives; it is her duty. After some time, Madam will naturally return."

"You're still trying to hide it from me," Pei Chen said sharply, but unfortunately, her milky voice lacked three parts intimidation and gained several parts grievance. Lian Qiao immediately lowered her head, "Miss, as for Madam's true identity, even Lian Qiao is not quite sure. However, Madam has made arrangements; when the time is ripe, Miss will naturally know. For now, Miss, please go eat breakfast first."

Pei Chen felt helpless. It seemed Lian Qiao did indeed know something, but she certainly wouldn't say anything more. There was no point in asking further. She then thought that if she hadn't occupied this body for no reason, a five-year-old child whose biological mother suddenly vanished and whose biological father was struck down by grief would be incredibly helpless and terrified. Just as she stood up to leave, she suddenly realized: right, she was currently a five-year-old child; being this calm would be too strange. Thus, she began to wail ostentatiously, "Mother, do you not want Pei Chen anymore? Waaaah, Mother~" Lian Qiao hurriedly tried to comfort her...

Su Ying was gone, but Bai Lu and Jian Jia had not caused much of a stir. With Lian Qiao around, everything remained as it was. Pei Chen couldn't help but marvel that one truly could not underestimate the ancients; despite her young age, Lian Qiao's ability was quite good. Even after such a major event, the maids and old women in Bai Lu and Jian Jia's quarters were still orderly. In fact, even after three days had passed, the other people in the Murong Estate actually still didn't know that Su Ying was missing! But just what method had her mother used to sleep with her father so that he hadn't noticed anything at all? However, such peaceful days could only last a few more days. Once the people in the estate found out, there would likely be more waves, especially with the First Madam. With Mother gone, there was no telling what kind of schemes she might concoct; Pei Chen had to make plans early.

In the First Madam's courtyard, the First Madam was sitting before a rosewood inlaid dressing table, grooming herself. "Su Ying is missing?" The one helping her groom behind her was her other dowry maid, Luyi. Like Nanny Song, Luyi had followed her since childhood and was fiercely loyal. Luyi had even remained single after her coming-of-age ceremony to serve her for the rest of her life.

Luyi inserted a gold hairpin into the First Madam's hair bun and replied, "Yes, she has been missing for three days. It's just that the little maid by Su Ying's side has been forbidding the servants in their courtyard from speaking out, thinking that way she could hide it from everyone. Hmph." The First Madam adjusted her peony-patterned hollowed gold hairpin and sneered, "No wonder. These past few days, the Master has been acting as if he's lost his soul, not even visiting Bai Lu and Jian Jia. It turns out the person isn't there. It's better that she's gone. Why didn't she take that little brat with her? Leaving her here is just an eyesore."

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Luyi's eyes. "Now that Su Ying is gone, wouldn't it be the simplest thing for Madam to make it look like a little girl has gone missing?"

With both parents gone, Pei Chen sat in the pavilion, doing nothing, nibbling on the hibiscus cakes Lian Qiao had prepared and swinging her legs. Lian Qiao accompanied her, reading some book with great interest.

At that moment, the nanny guarding the courtyard came to report, "Fifth Young Lady, the Master is at the First Madam's place; he requests your presence." Pei Chen sighed; what was meant to come would eventually come. "Then let's go." Lian Qiao hurriedly stood up, "Miss, I will go with you. Chun Niang, go to the Winter Reading Courtyard immediately and tell the Fourth Concubine about this." Pei Chen felt a warmth in her heart; what a good girl. But why tell the Fourth Concubine? The Fourth Concubine's presence was truly not strong.

Inside the First Madam's room, the First Madam was reclining on a rosewood chaise lounge, her left hand resting on a semi-new bolster and her back against a matching cushion. Murong Zhi sat cross-legged on the other side, looking at Pei Chen with a complex expression. It made Pei Chen feel a bit uneasy, but she still stepped forward and dutifully paid her respects.

The more Murong Zhi looked, the angrier he became. He rose to leave, but the First Madam was quick-handed and hurriedly pulled him back, "Master, the senseless servants below are spreading rumors, and they may not necessarily be true. Since we have already called the Fifth Young Lady here, we might as well perform the blood-recognition test."

Pei Chen felt as if she had been struck by lightning. What did this mean? Suspecting she wasn't his biological child? Rumors? What rumors? She knew nothing! Between her two lives combined, Pei Chen had only lived for about twenty years. At this moment, she truly could not restrain herself: "Father, what does this mean? What do rumors have to do with me!"

The First Madam still maintained her appearance of tolerance and compassion, "They are just some rumors; there is no need to take them to heart."

Pei Chen's head felt like it was about to explode. "Since the rumors are related to me, I should have the right to know."

The First Madam glanced at Murong Zhi's expression and feigned a sigh, "They are just rumors spread by undisciplined servants, saying... saying that Fifth Sister and Doctor Shen... do not blame me and the Master for our suspicion."

Pei Chen heard this and was utterly confused. What on earth was she talking about? She hadn't heard any such gossip. Pei Chen turned to look at Lian Qiao, but Lian Qiao shook her head, indicating she didn't know either.

Murong Zhi could no longer endure it. With a loud *smack*, his left hand struck the low table of the chaise lounge, and he stood up abruptly. "Rumors? The servants saw Su... and that libertine meeting secretly at the back gate and fleeing together. Duty? A family of healers? What facts would require a married woman to take responsibility for?"

A flash of successful scheming crossed the First Madam's eyes, though she outwardly pretended to defend Su Ying, "Hasn't Luyi gone to the Herb Hall? If Doctor Shen were here, this matter wouldn't exist." Murong Zhi sneered, "I fear it wouldn't be anyone other than Shen Mingyuan."

Pei Chen had, after all, grown up in the 21st century and was unfamiliar with the behind-the-scenes infighting of noble families; her mind was filled with the concept of monogamy. Hearing Murong Zhi say this, she was practically exploding with rage and couldn't help but retort, "Father, don't you know what kind of person Mother is?"

Murong Zhi was even more incensed. "Know? Aside from knowing her name is Su Ying and that she understands pharmacology, what else do I know?"

Just as Pei Chen was about to continue, Luyi returned and bowed to Murong Zhi and the First Madam. "Master, First Madam, the manager of the Herb Hall says that Doctor Shen left without a word five days ago and her whereabouts are unknown."

Murong Zhi laughed toward the sky, "Whereabouts unknown? What a fine 'whereabouts unknown'! Hahaha! Su Ying, the person I held in the palm of my hand... you have failed me, you have failed me!" Before his voice could fade, he suddenly clutched his chest and actually spat out a mouthful of blood.

The First Madam was startled, nearly scrambling off the chaise lounge on all fours to support Murong Zhi, "Master, don't... don't scare me! Luyi, go call a doctor, quickly!"

Murong Zhi raised a hand to stop Luyi and, with the First Madam's support, sat back down on the chaise, but he looked as if he had aged ten years.

Pei Chen also recoiled in shock. Lian Qiao was quick to catch her, preventing Pei Chen from falling flat on her bottom. Having been Su Ying's daughter for a month and possessing the memories of the real Murong Pei Chen for five years, Pei Chen did have a certain level of affection for Su Ying as a mother, yet she did not fully understand or trust her. Hearing such news so suddenly, she found it difficult to accept for a moment, yet she could not find the words to argue.

On the contrary, Lian Qiao stepped forward and bowed, "Master, before the Fifth Madam left, she told Lian Qiao that it was because her father was critically ill that she had to leave overnight without notice, and that she would return after some time. Doctor Shen might just be a coincidence. The Fifth Madam has always stayed within her quarters, and only because of her shared background does she maintain a closer relationship with the Herb Hall. Master, do you truly not trust Madam?"

Hearing this, Murong Zhi hesitated slightly, "If it is a critical illness, there is no need to rush; why leave overnight? Furthermore, why did she leave a message saying it was due to duty?"

Lian Qiao thought for a moment and said, "Madam never said it explicitly, but Lian Qiao dares to guess that Madam likely has intricate connections with the Herb Hall. It is likely that Madam's natal family is also... also quite extraordinary in the medical field. Madam's father is the leader of their family; such an illness would naturally have a massive impact on the family. Madam's urgency to return must have an extraordinary reason. When Madam returns, if Master asks her personally, you will know." Her words were logical and poised, leaving Murong Zhi with nothing to say.

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