Love at First Sight Chapter 76: Could It Really Just Vanish?

Early the next morning, in the living room of Zun You’s residence, Zun Yi joined him for breakfast. Wen Yueqing, still angry from the previous day, had slept in and not gotten up at all.

Between the two brothers, any lingering unpleasantness had dissipated. Wen Yueqing’s situation had not driven a wedge between them. Though they were not born of the same concubine, both had been raised by Lady Lu, and their bond was exceptionally strong. This was precisely why Zun Yi dared to ask his brother so forthrightly for help.

Once things had been discussed openly, everything seemed much simpler. In truth, Zun You trusted his younger brother greatly. Although he still felt somewhat ill at ease, as long as Wen Yueqing was willing to remain in the residence, he felt reassured.

After they finished eating, the two of them made their way to the study. Zun You gave Liu Yi an order: “Go and find the little maid who brought the message yesterday.”

“Third Brother, there was a eunuch as well. I recall that Miss Wen was carried in by a eunuch,” Zun Yi reminded him.

“Oh? Do you remember what he looked like, Fifth Brother?” Zun You turned to him and asked.

Zun Yi frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then shook his head. “The room was rather dark at the time. I didn’t really see…”

He paused, thinking further, then added, “But I believe Miss Wen or Tong’er would know.”

“Very well.” Zun You nodded lightly. “Liu Yi, see if Miss Wen is awake. If not, have Tong’er come here first.”

Liu Yi accepted the order, replied in assent, and hurried out.

A long while later, Liu Yi finally returned to the study, bringing Tong’er with him.

“Your Highness, I searched the whole residence for that A-Ying, but everyone says she hasn’t been seen since last night. I sent people to look again and found she took all her belongings with her. It’s possible…”

Liu Yi hesitated, not finishing the sentence, fearing Zun You would blame him.

“Possible what? Can a mere maid vanish into thin air?” Zun You’s irritation was clear.

“Well… but I truly couldn’t find her. Maybe she ran away, or—”

Liu Yi was baffled. The household rules were usually enforced strictly—how could something like this happen?

“Useless. I really don’t know why you didn’t detain her yesterday,” Zun You rebuked him sharply.

“Yes, it was entirely my fault. In the urgency of the moment, I completely forgot something so important,” Liu Yi quickly admitted, bowing in apology.

Seeing his admission, Zun You did not press the matter further but continued, “You said her name is A-Ying? Then you must know whose maid she is.”

“Yes, I remember her. She used to serve Lady Li. After Lady Li’s staff changed recently, she was assigned to work in the laundry,” Liu Yi explained quickly, seeing that Zun You was not blaming him further.

“Lady Li? You mean A-Ying is hers?” Zun You mused aloud, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

“Yes, Your Highness, but she wasn’t brought by Lady Li—she was assigned to her by the household,” Liu Yi clarified.

“I see,” Zun You replied, a hint of doubt in his heart.

Could this have been orchestrated by Lady Li? But then he recalled Lady Li had been under house arrest, and such schemes didn’t seem likely to be her doing.

“Tong’er, let me ask you—do you recognize the eunuch who visited Wen Yueqing last night?” Zun You turned to Tong’er.

She had been standing there for some time, worried she might be punished for failing to protect Qing. Hearing the question, Tong’er felt a wave of relief: “Thank goodness, it seems His Highness isn’t blaming me.”

With a serious expression, Tong’er answered, “Your Highness, I do remember what the eunuch looked like. I’d never seen him before, so I paid close attention to his appearance. I recall his features very clearly—if I see him again, I’ll be able to recognize him for certain.”

“That’s good. Liu Yi, have Kang Qi take a few men and go with you—find him as quickly as possible and bring him here,” Zun You said with some excitement, eager to uncover the truth.

“Yes. Tong’er, come with me,” Liu Yi said, urging her along.

Kang Qi, having received the order, promptly gathered four men to follow them.

“Chief Liu, let’s go straight to the back courtyard to look,” Tong’er suggested cleverly.

“Are you sure? There are plenty of eunuchs in the front courtyard as well,” Liu Yi questioned.

“I’m sure. That eunuch looked very unfamiliar—he’s definitely not from the front courtyard. There’s no one in the front courtyard I don’t know,” Tong’er insisted.

Kang Qi laughed at this. “She’s right—Tong’er strolls around the front courtyard every day with Jinzi, and often drops by to see me while I’m on duty.”

Tong’er blushed at his words, glancing up to see Kang Qi’s broad, sunny smile.

“Kang Qi, you’re teasing me,” Tong’er muttered softly, turning her head away.

Ever since she realized her feelings for Kang Qi, she found excuses to walk her dog and watch him every day.

“I would never,” Kang Qi replied with a grin. “I just wonder if Jinzi gets tired running around with you all the time.”

He had no idea about Tong’er’s feelings, simply thinking she was a playful younger sister and thus enjoyed joking with her.

Liu Yi pursed his lips, thinking, “Is this really the time to be laughing? If His Highness hadn’t insisted on keeping this matter strictly confidential, I’d have scolded you both already.” But there was nothing to be done—Zun You’s orders were clear: no one else could know about this, and even the reason for the search was to be fabricated. Kang Qi didn’t know how serious the matter was.

“In that case, let’s hurry to the back courtyard,” Liu Yi sighed.

The group bustled off to the back courtyard, searching everywhere and checking all the eunuchs. Not a single one matched the man from last night.

Tong’er grew anxious as she searched in vain, frowning deeply. “How could he not be here?”

“Don’t worry just yet. Let’s try searching again,” Kang Qi reassured her. Seeing their urgency, he realized whoever the prince was looking for must be very important.

Kang Qi, too, began to take the matter seriously. He hadn’t thought it possible for someone in the residence to simply disappear.

So the group meticulously checked every eunuch in the back courtyard once more, but the result was the same—there was no trace of the man.

“Are you sure you didn’t mistake his appearance?” Liu Yi asked skeptically.

“Impossible. Even if he turned to ashes, I’d still recognize him,” Tong’er replied, her emotions running high.

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. With only Tong’er having seen the eunuch, none of them had any idea what to do next.