Lady Ji didn’t react for a moment, looking at Liu Neng in confusion.
Liu Neng gritted his teeth and, bracing himself, reported, "Earlier today, when the Princess of Nanjiang was attacked, didn’t His Majesty send people to find the Second Young Master to treat her at the post station?
At the time, I sent people to search many places, but we couldn’t find him. Later, I noticed activity in the Second Young Master’s courtyard and assumed he had returned. So I went to inform him that the imperial examination results were announced today and our Eighth Young Master was on the list. I also thought you might be planning a celebration and wanted to remind him not to go out.
To my surprise, when I arrived, the Second Young Master wasn’t there at all. The person in his courtyard was Zhao Fei, the disciple he had just accepted yesterday.
I only found out after asking that the Second Young Master had received a letter in the morning. After reading it, his expression soured, and he immediately took his horse and left."
He just took his horse and left?
Lady Ji asked in surprise, "Where did he go? Will he be back before supper?"
Liu Neng hesitated to reveal the Second Young Master’s destination, but his loyalty compelled him to answer his master’s question.
"I asked Zhao Fei, the Second Young Master’s disciple. He said the Second Young Master received a letter from the Eldest Young Master and, without a second thought, headed straight for the Illusion Sect."
"What did you say?"
Upon hearing this, Lady Ji’s mind went blank for a moment before she processed it. The Eldest Young Master is at the Illusion Sect, so what business could the Second Young Master possibly have there? The Second Young Master is just a medical practitioner. Besides, the Illusion Sect has plenty of seasoned experts; why would the Eldest Young Master specifically write to summon the Second Young Master?
"Where’s the letter? Did it say what the Eldest Young Master wants the Second Young Master to do at the Illusion Sect?"
Liu Neng shook his head. "I don’t know."
Lady Ji waved her hand dismissively and sat lost in thought. She didn’t even notice when Xiaosuisui entered the room.
"Grandma, Suisui is back."
Xiaosuisui hugged her grandmother’s legs as soon as she entered.
Only then did Lady Ji snap out of her reverie. She quickly picked Xiaosuisui up into her arms. "Oh, Suisui, you’re back! Goodness, why did you take off your veil today?"
Lady Ji gently touched the little girl’s cheek. The scar on her left cheek was still there, prompting her to ask with concern,
"’Suisui doesn’t want to wear the veil anymore; it’s too much bother,’ Xiaosuisui pouted and continued. ’Grandma said that if Suisui can endure people’s strange looks without the veil, then it doesn’t matter.’"
Lady Ji was initially puzzled. After some thought, however, she found wisdom in the Empress Dowager’s words and chuckled. "The Empress Dowager is right. Since you’ve chosen this face, you must face the world with it. If you cannot face the world with such a face, then why wear this human-skin mask in the first place?"
Hearing Lady Ji’s words, Huo Xing’Er, who had been worried, felt relieved.
"’Mother is right. It was I who was too concerned with appearances,’ she admitted."
Lady Ji shook her head. "You meant well, wanting this girl to have a peaceful and smooth life. But while we want her to grow up safely, we must also temper her mind and broaden her horizons!"
Huo Xing’Er lowered her head, indicating she had learned her lesson.
"Oh, and Xing’Er, could you use your divination skills today? See if your Eldest Brother and Sister-in-Law have encountered any major trouble at the Illusion Sect."
Huo Xing’Er was taken aback and looked at Lady Ji in confusion. "Mother, why do you ask? Have you heard some news?"
"This morning, the Second Young Master received a letter from your Eldest Brother. Afterward, he immediately took a fast horse and left for the Illusion Sect."
Hearing Lady Ji’s words, Huo Xing’Er immediately began her divination. Hmm... Eldest Brother and Sister-in-Law... what could have happened to them...?