A Message About the Disappearance of Mrs. Tong

"Xiaobei, did you wake up early? Are you tired? I was thinking of heading towards the water pavilion to greet you. It's almost noon, are you hungry? I brought some Biyu cakes for you."

"Yeah, hungry." Xiaobei thought to herself: Was Dad also this gentle when he was young? Mom is so lucky. They walked together, and it's also a beautiful ending, right? Xiaobei looked at this face so similar to Dad's, greedily savoring this gentle expression, and unconsciously whispered the question she had silently asked countless times in her heart, "Dad, how are you?"

Qiao Ziqiu was taken aback, hearing her call him Dad again. He didn't know what this "Dad" meant, but he went along with her, "I'm fine. Do you want some cakes?"

"Shouldn't you two discuss food matters after getting on the car?" Cheng Mo clenched his fists, his knuckles almost crushed, interrupting the conversation between the two.

"Yes, let's get on the car first. We can eat after getting on." Qiao Ziqiu helped Xiaobei onto the car and gave a nod to Cheng Mo, "My apologies, Young Master. Shall we?" He then entered the carriage.

Cheng Mo turned his head, refusing to look at him, and said angrily, "Is it only a few days, and you've forgotten the brotherhood between us? Hmph."

"It's my fault as a brother. I apologize, wise brother, please forgive me." Qiao Er, in a very good mood, continued to gaze at the young girl in front of him. This morning's letter could be said to be the first warm sunshine in the many gloomy years for him. Can he also look forward to more moments of the rising sun in the future? "Xiaobei, do you miss your mother?" He asked lightly, concealing his joy.

"My mother? She has been missing for many years. Dad comes to the town every month to wait for her. No one knows where she is or if she'll come back."

"I want to tell you that she'll be back soon. Once I get confirmation in a few days, I'll accompany you home and deliver this news to your father. I should personally pay a visit as well."

"What? You have news about her? Then let's go back now and inform my dad." Xiaobei quickly stood up, grabbing Qiao Er's hand.

"Xiaobei, don't be in a hurry. I still need to wait for another confirmation letter. At the latest, in three to five days, and I also need some time for preparation." The carriage had stopped in front of Fuhai Tower by this time. Qiao Ziqiu got off first, waiting for Cheng Mo. But Xiaobei, without waiting for Cheng Mo's response, had already taken Qiao Er and left.

Cheng Mo fiercely hit the carriage with his fist, then swiftly went upstairs to the third floor, and Zhong Shu followed him.

"What's going on with Xiaobei's mother? Didn't I ask you to investigate? Qiao Ziqiu is acting suspicious. Find out what happened." Cheng Mo said angrily.

"Young Master, our report is delivered every day at the hour of the Pig, two hours earlier than the letter received by Young Master Qiao Er. We thought you would be back soon with Miss Xiaobei, so we didn't pursue it further." Zhong Shu regretted his oversight in arranging the information.

"Never mind. It's not urgent. Zhong Shu, tell me what you know."

"Yes, Young Master. Miss Xiaobei's mother was originally the only daughter of Marquis Huo Wu. From a young age, she was engaged to the eldest son of the Qiao family. Sixteen years ago, she came here and disappeared when meeting her fiancé, who was stationed in Haifang City at the time. Until three or four years ago, she found her family's Renji Medicine Hall in our town and returned to the capital. It is said that she lost all memories of the past ten years after arriving in Zebei Town, until about ten days ago, when she suddenly fainted due to heart pain and sought the imperial physician. Upon waking up, she remembered everything. However, about the Qiao family, as you know," Zhong Shu paused slightly, trying to organize his words to convey what would come next.

"Well, yes, I didn't expect Xiaobei's mother to have such a fate. But it's good; this means she is bound to leave the mountain," Cheng Mo responded.

"What the Young Master said is true," Zhong Shu bit down on his teeth and continued, "When Miss Huo learned about the situation with the Qiao family, she dressed in mourning attire, went to the Qiao family to pay respects at the memorial tablet of the deceased Qiao family head, and claimed to have a daughter of marriageable age, requesting her to be married to Qiao Er. Marquis Huo surprisingly agreed wholeheartedly. The letter Qiao Er received this morning was probably about this matter."