Lord Cui, upon learning of his nephew's disappearance, promptly sent people to the Government Office, hoping that the officials there would assist in the search. Although his rank was only of Positive Third Rank, no one in the capital dared to take him lightly. Jingzhao Yin, upon receiving the news, quickly dispatched men to search everywhere, particularly at the city gates, where government officers with Cui family servants familiar with Cui Pingan's appearance kept watch.
Cui Qingrou, worried about the safety of her nephew, could not stand to wait at home for news, so she continued the search with her maids. They would enter every tavern or inn, teahouse they came across to inquire whether her nephew had been there to eat or stay.