The steward ran in covered in sweat and said: “Old lady, we’ve located Li Jing. He left Jinling yesterday and has already reached Zhenjiang. Miss Jia is not with him. However, he left his personal attendant at the inn, saying he feared Miss Jia might have something to instruct him about and specifically had the attendant wait at the inn. I’ve already told the attendant about Miss Jia’s situation, and the attendant has sent someone to Zhenjiang to inform Li Jing.”
“How can this be?” Zhou Shaojin’s hands and feet turned ice cold.
Cheng Jia wasn’t with Li Jing… then where was she? Could she be in danger?
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes immediately moistened.
Even Grandmother Guo’s expression changed dramatically: “Then we can only rely on the great monks of Ganquan Temple!”
The steward nodded repeatedly, not even daring to wipe his sweat.
Though Zhou Shaojin was anxious and burning with worry, she still had a maid pass over a handkerchief.
The steward looked at Zhou Shaojin gratefully and said: “Old lady and Second Miss Biao need not worry too much. Miss Jia has never been out before. She shouldn’t have gone far. As long as we search carefully, we’ll surely find her.”
Now they could only think this way!
Grandmother Guo nodded.
Cheng Lu and Jiang Shi arrived.
Jiang Shi grabbed Old Lady Guan’s hand and burst into wailing tears.
Cheng Lu knelt before Grandmother Guo as soon as he entered, his eyes red as he said: “This nephew thanks Great Aunt. If not for Great Aunt’s help, I’m afraid we wouldn’t even know where our girl Jia went!”
Since his words were sincere, Grandmother Guo said: “Don’t be anxious either. The more anxious you are, the easier it is to make mistakes! The journey here must have been tiring. First drink some tea and wash your face. Perhaps that girl Jia will be found soon.”
Cheng Lu nodded through his tears.
But Jiang Shi was clamoring there: “It must be that lowly wretch who lured Cheng Jia away…”
That good-tempered Cheng Lu, in front of family elders and servants, turned and delivered a sharp slap to Jiang Shi’s face, saying grimly: “If you dare say one more word, spend the rest of your life in a temple.”
Jiang Shi covered her face, staring stupidly at Cheng Lu, her gaze vacant. She didn’t recover for a long while.
Zhou Shaojin was also stunned by Cheng Lu’s slap. Like a startled bird, her face pale, she retreated several steps and hid behind Grandmother Guo.
Grandmother Guo didn’t know what she had experienced in her previous life. Seeing how frightened she was, she embraced her, gently patting her back, saying softly: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Your Uncle Lu isn’t angry at you.”
Of course Zhou Shaojin knew that.
It took her a long while of trembling before she could catch her breath.
Grandmother Guo couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
This child was not only as delicate as a flower in appearance, but also in temperament. If she married into an ordinary family, she would likely wither and fade within days!
Thinking this, she felt even more pity for Zhou Shaojin.
Old Lady Guan feared Jiang Shi and Cheng Lu would start quarreling at this critical moment.
She quickly pulled Jiang Shi toward the side room where Old Madam Li was resting.