Chapter 21: No Small Influence

When the second young lady of the Mo family hurried back to the Mo estate, the entire household was shrouded in an oppressive stillness.

“Father, what exactly has happened? Why is the family so quiet? Where are my younger sisters? Where have they gone?” Mo Siyu asked, puzzled. Throughout the journey, she had seen no sign of her sisters, which was unusual; normally, the moment she arrived home, they would swarm around her like butterflies, chattering incessantly about news from the Academy of Arcane Cultivation.

“Siyu, your eldest sister has gone missing—her whereabouts unknown. The family has recently been beset by troubles, and your father is overwhelmed. That’s why he asked you to return for a while, to help manage the family affairs,” Lady Leng said, glancing toward Mo Yuan, who sat at the main seat, his face clouded with worry. She reached out affectionately to take Mo Siyu’s hand.

“How could eldest sister disappear? Has no one from the palace been sent to search for her?” Mo Siyu ignored Lady Leng’s words, not even sparing her a glance, and took a seat beside Mo Yuan.

“Father, please tell me what’s going on!” she implored.

“Siyu, I—your father has made grave mistakes. Within the family…” Mo Yuan’s voice faltered, unwilling to speak the full truth. The chain of misfortunes all seemed to stem from his promise to arrange marriage for Lier.

The second daughter had been thriving at the Academy of Arcane Cultivation, highly regarded and nurtured. Now, delayed by family matters, no one knew how many more days she would remain away from the Academy.

“If the head of the family will not speak, then let the second elder do so!” The voice of the second elder cut sharply through the tense air.

“The eldest young lady was abducted by a man and is currently missing. The palace has sent the third young lady to take her place. The reason we called you back is for the sake of the family’s interests,” the elder continued.

“The family is now under intense scrutiny. Luyua, the maid who is close to you, can be a source of information. Stay for a few days and try to learn from her any clues about that man and your eldest sister’s whereabouts.”

“I…” Mo Siyu hesitated, conflicted, her gaze shifting to the second elder.

“No need for further discussion. Let this be the decision for now,” the elder declared firmly.

Outside Wucheng.

Mo Liuli, her swelling belly making movement somewhat awkward, had turned what should have been a one-day journey into three days. Throughout, no sign of the Blood Pact members appeared again, and the Blood Vine jade pendant was gone without a trace.

“Up ahead is Wucheng. The city’s supplies are sufficient. When we arrive, you should check what you need; I’ll take you shopping,” Xiao Junwang said, glancing pointedly at her bare feet. He still couldn’t understand her habit of going barefoot in winter.

“Hmm… Make me two sets of loose-fitting clothes, please. The clothes I have here no longer fit,” Mo Liuli replied with a gentle smile, shyly caressing her rounded belly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks—an unmistakable hint of a woman’s modesty.

“Very well! You’ll rest inside the carriage; there’s no need to get down,” Xiao Junwang instructed before stepping out to sit beside the coachman.

Their entry into Wucheng was smooth until they were suddenly confronted by a lavishly ornate sedan chair blocking the middle of the road.

“What’s the identity of that carriage entering? Why isn’t it being searched?” a smooth male voice echoed from behind the bead curtain of the sedan chair, reaching Xiao Junwang’s ears.

“Master, that carriage bears the insignia of the Phoenix Divine Healer,” the coachman replied.

“Heh, the Phoenix Divine Healer? That’s no small matter. I’m curious to see just who dares to enter the city at this hour!” The master’s face darkened, his scornful snort brimming with arrogance. He allowed the sedan chair to block their path deliberately.

The coachman’s expression shifted uneasily as he hesitated, “Master, what shall we do?”