The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Chapter 630: Chapter 617: Full Moon

“They said that the shop was closed a few months ago, which intrigued them. They couldn’t understand why a thriving noodle shop would suddenly close down.”

“Since I couldn’t get any information, I had to go to the County Government Office, in the hope that they could help us investigate. But Manager Shang is a businessman and not a native here. It is normal for him to travel away from home. Furthermore, no one from the surrounding counties or towns has reported any case. Therefore, we cannot confirm whether Manager Shang encountered any mishap, so they can only help with a casual inquisition.”

“Our villagers also tried to obtain information, but still no traces. I have thought it through, but at last I couldn’t find any solution, so I could only try to ask you, Manager Zhuang. However, I didn’t know where you live and it took me a long time to find this place.”

After Village Chief Su finished speaking, his face became more solemn.

After listening, Zhuang Qingning hesitated for a moment and said, “Manager Shang hasn’t visited me for quite some time either. At first, I thought he was busy with work. I didn’t expect him to suddenly disappear without any trace.”

“However, on the other hand, Manager Shang has business to deal with in the capital city. If something urgent cropped up and he was called back home, it is entirely possible. I think we should be patient and wait. He should be returning soon or send us a letter.”

“Manager Zhuang, you make some sense.” Su Zhengshi nodded his head, “In that case, I will go back and wait for the news.”

“Yes, Village Chief Su, it’s better to wait after you go back.” Zhuang Qingning replied.

Since Zhuang Qingning advised him so, Su Zhengshi did not linger around. He exchanged a few more words and then bade farewell and left.

After he saw off Su Zhengshi, Zhuang Qingning returned to the courtyard and picked up the teacup to take a sip.

Xiangqiao came to collect the tea cups on the table. She moved sluggishly, and even stopped to backtrack, as if she had some reservations.

“Just speak your mind,” Zhuang Qingning put down her teacup.

“Miss, I found something strange about that man,” Xiangqiao began.

“Oh?” Zhuang Qingning lifted her eyelid, “Tell me, what is strange about him?”

“Although I don’t know Manager Shang’s temperament, since Village Chief Su said that Manager Shang intended to hand over the management of the workshop to him temporarily, this indicates that Manager Shang was unavoidably occupied by affairs and didn’t specify when he would return. Perhaps even Manager Shang himself was uncertain how long it would take.”

“If that’s the case, it’s not unusual for businessmen who often travel to be gone for a few months. Even small traders often go away for half a year or even a year. That’s all very normal, let alone for someone like Manager Shang.”

Xiangqiao spoke, “Yet, Village Chief Su was overly anxious and asked around, even wanting to ask the County Government Office to help search for him. It seemed a bit overdramatic.”

“Indeed, it was a bit overdramatic.”

Zhuang Qingning nodded, “which makes it tremendously suspicious, and overly deliberate.”

It’s as if someone is intentionally swaying people’s opinions in this direction, making them anxious and suspecting the worst.

By the time we find out that Shang Chengen met with a mishap, it would just seem like something we expected.”

Upon hearing Zhuang Qingning’s explanation, Xiangqiao’s expression grew even more serious, “Miss, should we notify the authorities?”

“We still don’t know what’s really going on, or what these people are planning. If Manager Shang is in danger but still alive, our report might only put him in even greater jeopardy.”

“Then…” Xiangqiao looked worried.

“There’s no need to worry, just attend to your tasks,” Zhuang Qingning spoke, “I have a handle on the situation.”

Seeing Zhuang Qingning speak like this, Xiangqiao just nodded her head and carefully washed the teacups.

Zhuang Qingning drained her tea, then left the room.

Finding a secluded area, Zhuang Qingning called out Su Mu.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Miss, what are your instructions?” Su Mu made a salutation gesture.

“I need to ask you to go to Shijiazhuang and keep an eye on Su Zhengshi, and see if you can find anything.” Zhuang Qingning commanded.

“Yes, I will go at once.” Su Mu accepted the task and disappeared from Zhuang Qingning’s sight in a blink of an eye.

Zhuang Qingning looked tense, lowered her head and headed towards the century egg workshop.

—-

The palace, capital city.

The place was bustling with crowds. Everyone was filled with joy.

Today was the full moon celebration of Chu Yunhe’s first son.

Being the royal grandson, even though he was just an illegitimate child, Chu Shengrui was delighted and decided to host a grand celebration with the queen.

The queen was overjoyed, accepted the responsibility, and arranged an elaborate Full Moon Banquet for her grandson in the palace. She sent out invitations to the royal relatives and noble families, as well as women of high-ranking officials above the third degree in capital to attend the banquet.

Such a joyous occasion naturally attracted everyone to come and soak up the festive atmosphere. Furthermore, it was a great opportunity to show goodwill. Thus, everyone who received the queen’s invitation, with carefully chosen gifts, happily arrived at the palace to attend the banquet.

Surrounded by well-wishers expressing their joy and congratulations, the queen stood tall. Immersed in all the attention, her smile widened and she gracefully acknowledged the greetings and compliments from the guests.

The banquet commenced at noon, and the Emperor even paid a short visit behind the palace, exchanged a few words, and personally held his chubby grandson. He gave many gifts.

The wives of the officials were gossiping about the Emperor’s affection for his grandson and his favoritism towards Chu Yunhe, and even vaguely implied a dispute over the succession to the throne…

The queen was poker-faced but was uncontainably happy.

“Your Majesty, the princess is yet to arrive.” A maid beside whispered.

“This child, I wonder where she is fooling around.” The queen murmured but didn’t seem bothered.

After all, nothing seemed important against the backdrop of the current glory and the Emperor’s favor.

“But a servant just informed me that the people in the princess’s palace claimed she came here early. It was strange to me, so I asked the guards in the garden about it. They said indeed the princess arrived early but had no idea where she went later.” The maid furrowed her brows, “Shall I go look for her…..”

Before the maid could finish speaking, another round-face maid hurried over, anxiously whispering into the queen’s ear.

“What?!”

The queen’s face turned pale, and she stood up abruptly, slamming the table.

The lively hustle and bustle around them suddenly died down due to the queen’s action. Everyone looked at the queen in disbelief, her face filled with shock and deep anger.