Chapter 640: She’s Trapped
Chapter 640: Chapter 640: She’s Trapped
The fierce summer sun beat down, and the main hall of the Xie Mansion was filled with people.
Xie Suzhi and Shen Siyi were studying a topographic map. Second Master Xie and Xu Jingxi sat with grave expressions, watching Fang Qingdai, who had just rushed over.
Fang Qingdai held a piece of Liang Yici’s clothing, pleading with Shen Ningning.
"Ningning, we can’t find Yici anywhere. The last person to see her was a woodcutter, who said she ran into the mountain range of Taiyu Mountain. The mountains there are deep and vast, nothing but untamed wilderness. I’m terrified something will happen to her out there all alone."
Seeing Fang Qingdai’s red-rimmed eyes, Shen Ningning said comfortingly, "Aunt Qingdai, don’t panic. I’ll go ask Wolf Father for help. We’ll definitely find her."
True to her word, Shen Ningning left immediately, taking a carriage straight back to Wolf Mountain.
When Mo Lingwei heard the news at the palace, he also dispatched troops to help with the search.
The wolf pack milled around the towering Black Wolf King. He sniffed the clothing in Shen Ningning’s hand, remaining silent for a long moment before asking, "How long has she been missing?"
"Three days."
’Three days. She must have already left the territory the pack controls.’
Animals are territorial. For instance, the whole of Wolf Mountain and the three peaks behind it all belonged to the Black Wolf King.
Other predators knew this and wouldn’t dare trespass or hunt here.
Besides, they all knew that the little girl who could nourish the entire mountain lived on Wolf Mountain.
But if Liang Yici had wandered outside the pack’s territory, there was no telling if she had run into other predators.
Wolf Three muttered from the side, "To the south is a family of black bears. To the north is the territory of two tiger brothers. Farther still, there are jackals and lynxes. Jeez, it’s been three days. Her chances are slim."
Shen Ningning was startled and gasped. "Really?"
The Black Wolf King shot Wolf Three a harsh glare, and Wolf Three quickly changed his tune. "But you never know. The mountains are full of prey right now, so they’re all well-fed. They probably wouldn’t eat a person."
His words were hardly reassuring, and Shen Ningning remained worried for Liang Yici’s safety.
The Black Wolf King gave the order for the pack to split into three teams and search the surrounding area, but he warned them not to stray too far.
Shen Ningning thought for a moment, then told the pack to hold off on heading out.
A large pack of wolves appearing in another predator’s territory could cause unnecessary conflict.
Besides, searching blindly wasn’t a viable solution.
Shen Ningning let out a sharp whistle. Before long, several little monkeys appeared, hopping playfully among the branches in the treetops.
They chittered happily, as it had been a long time since Shen Ningning had asked for their help.
’This time, they would surely get a whole bunch of delicious fruit to take home and eat.’
"Little monkeys, I need your help. You’re quick on your feet, so please spread a message for me all over the mountains. I’m looking for a girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, who wandered into the forest three days ago and still hasn’t been found. Please tell all the predators on every mountain not to harm her if they see her."
"And if you get any news of her, come tell me right away."
When Shen Ningning finished, she gave each little monkey a fresh piece of fruit as a thank-you gift.
"Once she’s found, there will be an even bigger reward."
The little monkeys chittered, then scurried excitedly along the branches, scattering in all directions.
Shen Ningning then called over a dozen small sparrows. She gave them some grain as payment and sent them flying off to search as well.
In the meantime, the girl sat in the Wolf House, waiting for news to arrive.
A short while later, there was a knock at the door. Grandma Qin went to open it and found Second Master Xie and Fang Qingdai.
"Second Uncle, Aunt Qingdai, what are you two doing here?"
Second Master Xie said with a somber expression, "Ningning, please don’t mind the intrusion. My sister-in-law told me the location of the Wolf House. I’m just so worried about Yici that I had to come and see if there was any way I could help."
Fang Qingdai quickly added, "Me too. If you need someone to search, I can leave immediately."
Seeing their anxiety, a helpless look appeared in Shen Ningning’s clear, beautiful eyes.
"I’ve just sent out the message to look for her. All we can do is wait. Why don’t you, Second Uncle and Aunt Qingdai, wait here with me for news?"
A little while later, Xu Jingxi also arrived.
Fang Qingdai said with some concern, "Your injuries haven’t healed yet. You should go back. Second Master Xie and I will be fine here."
Xu Jingxi shook his head. "This happened because of me. I have to see it through to the end."
Second Master Xie and Fang Qingdai both sighed at the same time.
They exchanged a look, their expressions complex.
’If they had known it would come to this, they never should have hidden the truth from Liang Yici.’
Lang Si appeared, balancing a tray on his head, and served tea to Fang Qingdai and the others.
Second Master Xie was surprised. He hadn’t expected such a plump fellow to actually be a wolf, let alone one so attuned to people.
"Seeing how intelligent the wolves Ningning raises are gives me hope. I’m sure we’ll get news of Yici soon. That puts my mind at ease."
As he spoke, Second Master Xie accepted the teacup and gently stroked Lang Si’s head.
Grandma Qin smiled and stroked Lang Si’s back. "Our Lang Si knows how to do all sorts of things."
Lang Si proudly lifted his head. ’After all, I’m Grandma’s favorite big, plump wolf.’
An hour later, a sparrow was the first to return, flapping its wings in mid-air and chirping incessantly.
Second Master Xie and the others jumped to their feet, overjoyed. "Is there news about Yici?"
But when Xu Jingxi looked at Shen Ningning, he saw that her expression had turned grave after listening to the sparrow.
Xu Jingxi’s heart sank.
"Little Sis, what is it? Did something happen?"
Shen Ningning gave the sparrow some grain and let it fly away before she turned to Second Master Xie and the others, hesitating.
"The little sparrow just said... it heard from a friend on the next mountain that Liang Yici was apparently bitten by a snake. After that, they lost track of her."
Fang Qingdai’s knees gave out, and she nearly collapsed. Second Master Xie quickly caught her.
"Stay calm! The girl will be alright."
But Fang Qingdai’s eyes were already red-rimmed, her voice filled with immense regret.
"It’s all my fault. Why did I have to hit her? I’m the one who did this to her!"
Shen Ningning rushed over. "Aunt Qingdai, don’t panic. There must be more to the story. If she was bitten and in serious trouble, she wouldn’t have been able to travel so far afterward. Besides, we don’t even know for sure if it was Liang Yici."
Fang Qingdai’s face was pale. Shen Ningning and Second Master Xie helped her to a lounge chair.
Grandma Qin thoughtfully brought over a cup of hot brown sugar water.
After another half an hour, two little monkeys came scrambling through the door, chittering nonstop and pointing outside.
Xu Jingxi shot to his feet. "Have they found her?"
This time, Shen Ningning nodded. "Yes, she’s alive. But from what the monkeys are saying, she’s trapped somewhere. We need to go find her now."
But as they were about to leave, Shen Ningning realized there was a problem.
The place the monkeys described was three mountain peaks away. She could ride the Black Wolf King, but it would be difficult for Second Uncle and the others to keep up.
"Second Uncle, Aunt Qingdai, please wait here. I promise I’ll bring Liang Yici back to you."
"No," Second Master Xie said, getting to his feet. "Let General Fang rest here. I’ll go with you."
Xu Jingxi insisted on joining them. "My horse is tied up outside. I can go too."
Fang Qingdai pushed herself to her feet, her lips pale. "I have to go. I’m the one who hurt her. I must be the one to find her."
Seeing her unsteady on her feet, Second Master Xie took her by the arm. "You’ll ride with me."
Fang Qingdai pressed her lips together and looked at him, only to see his eyes filled with resolute determination.
She didn’t object, just gave a slight nod.