Upon hearing what his subordinate said, Dongfang Qi became displeased.
"You’d better not speak nonsense, under my governance, Chu City is a place where doors need not be shut at night and lost property isn’t picked up by others, got it?"
"Cousin, you are still trying to assert that everything is all right. Even as I came over, I heard the neighborhood talk about how several children have gone missing both inside and outside the city. Sister-in-law Li lost her child this afternoon, there must be something odd going on."
When Dongfang Qi inquired further, there were indeed two or three cases of children reported missing recently.
"This is preposterous, why didn’t you report this to me earlier?"
Dongfang Qi could only stare in anger.
"Third Prince, didn’t you say that as a new official you wanted to handle a big case? These instances of lost children, the subordinates all thought they were minor issues and did not bother you with them."
The government officer reported back to him.
"One is a minor issue, but three have been lost in ten days; how can this be a minor issue?"
Dongfang Qi also realized something was not right.
"Commandery Princess, was Xiao Tian abducted by bad people? He is my only flesh and blood; if anything happens to him..."
Lady Lai cried with red eyes.
"Sister Lai, don’t panic, tell me first, how did the child go missing?"
Feng Bailing supported Lady Lai to one side and inquired about the incident.
"I was buying some calves, chatting with the cattle dealer for a few moments, and then the child was gone. At first, I thought he was just playing nearby due to naughtiness but after searching for quite a while and finding no trace, I realized he was missing."
Lady Lai’s statement was also confirmed by several other villagers; they were all at the market at that time, each busily shopping. The child, six years old this year, was a plump and sturdy little fellow.
Dongfang Qi immediately ordered someone to summon several traders from the market.
Upon questioning, the merchants all said they hadn’t noticed anything: with the comings and goings in the market, no one paid attention to a child.
"It seems we can only post a notice in the city after dawn tomorrow."
It was already time for lantern lighting; Dongfang Qi couldn’t think of a method on the spot.
"We can’t wait; those people are in a rush to find the child, which clearly indicates an emergency. I’m afraid after tonight..."
Feng Bailing stopped without finishing her sentence.
As soon as Lady Lai heard this, she blacked out and fainted.
Feng Bailing quickly stepped forward, pinching the philtrum and helping her regulate her breathing. When Lady Lai came around, her face was pale, crying without catching her breath.
"Sister Lai, rest assured, we will figure something out."
Feng Bailing pondered for a moment and had Lady Lai find a piece of clothing Xiao Tian had worn, including a melon hat he had brought with him during the day.
"Cousin Feng, you’re not planning to use this hat to find him, are you?"
Dongfang Qi wondered.
"People have been questioned, and there are no clues. I have a method, but I need your cooperation, Cousin."
Feng Bailing said and looked towards Dongfang Qi.
"Hey, what are you talking about? I am the Capital Governor, and the entire city’s affairs are my business. If you want to find the child, I will do whatever it takes to rescue him."
Dongfang Qi reassured with a pat on his chest.
"There’s no time to lose, let’s go save him now."
Before Dongfang Qi could fully understand Feng Bailing’s intentions, a commotion erupted outside the Capital Governor’s residence.
The government officers, faces filled with horror, each drew out their knives as a giant wolf appeared outside the government office seemingly out of nowhere.
The wolf, the size of a small calf, was tall and robust, with bristling fur and upright ears oozing a murderous aura. Its mere presence sent the officers into a fright.
A small head popped out from behind the giant wolf.
Feng Xiaoli, dressed in a pink jacket, emerged with a sweet smile.
"I had Chun Liu bring Hei Dian over, who asked you to follow?"
Feng Bailing felt a headache coming on seeing Feng Xiaoli.
"Hei Dian only listens to Xiaoli."
Feng Xiaoli lifted her little head, full of pride.
Feng Bailing picked up Feng Xiaoli. Dongfang Qi and others emerged from the Capital Governor’s office and were astonished to see Feng Xiaoli together with Hei Dian.
"Hei Dian, smell this hat."
Feng Bailing took out Xiao Tian’s hat. Hei Dian had a very keen sense of smell. With the child’s whereabouts unknown, their only hope was on Hei Dian’s nose to find the child.
For now, Feng Bailing just hoped that the child was still in Chu City.
"Is this creature a dog? If it’s a hunting dog, we’ve got some in the government office. But I’ve tried them; the distance is too far, and there are too many people in the market; it’s no use."
Before Dongfang Qi could finish, Hei Dian gave him a contemptuous look.
He was the noble Wolf King.
In a flash, Hei Dian shot into the night.
"Her Majesty~ Let’s follow."
Feng Xiaoli’s eyes were shining as she hugged Feng Bailing’s neck and gestured with a "let’s go."
Half in doubt, Dongfang Qi, along with a team of government officers, followed Feng Bailing and her daughter.
Leading the way was Hei Dian, stopping every few steps, with Feng Bailing and her daughter trailing behind. After zigzagging through Chu City, Hei Dian swiftly charged towards a certain spot.
"Hold on. Cousin Feng, your big dog didn’t make a mistake, did it? That is Purple Bamboo Lane; the ones living there are..."
Dongfang Qi swallowed nervously.
Purple Bamboo Lane wasn’t an ordinary place. Only two or three households resided there, the largest of which belonged to Grandmaster Nalan.
The others were also exceedingly wealthy or noble.
Although Dongfang Qi was a Prince, even he had to act respectfully in this lane.
"Men can lie; Hei Dian doesn’t. Don’t underestimate him; he used to be the lead wolf of Xiao Junci’s Greedy Wolf Army, understand?"
Feng Bailing shot Dongfang Qi a significant look.
Dongfang Qi shuddered.
The lead wolf of the Greedy Wolf Army was none other than the Wolf King!
My goodness, when did his Cousin Feng tame the Wolf King?
During the conversation, Hei Dian dashed like a black streak of lightning and stopped in front of a mansion.
The mansion was distinct from the others, with a broad entrance and two Han White Jade-carved elephants at the door.
Four armored guards with swords stood to the sides.
Alerted by the noise, the guards drew their blades in unison, aiming the shimmering steel at Hei Dian.
"Cease, it’s the Prince."
Dongfang Qi cleared his throat lightly and stepped forward.
Recognizing Dongfang Qi, the guards saluted.
"Third Prince, the night is deep, and the Grand Preceptor is unwell and cannot receive guests. Please forgive us and understand the Third Prince will have to return tomorrow."
The guards of the Grandmaster Mansion were neither servile nor overbearing upon meeting the Third Prince, with no intention of giving way.
"If that’s the case, then I, as the Prince, will have to return tomorrow."
Dongfang Qi, having hit a soft snag, touched his nose and turned around to leave.
But at that moment, Feng Bailing stepped forward.
"Gentlemen, I am Feng Bailing of the Princess’ Mansion. I have heard that the Grand Preceptor is seriously ill, and I have come to offer him treatment."