Chapter 673 - 509: The Person is Gone

Chapter 673: Chapter 509: The Person is Gone

Ji Yuying’s looks are alluring, every gesture carries a hint of flirtation, which is one of the reasons why Yao Mengxian makes such guesses.

After all, an aristocratic lady could never be raised this way, there is not a trace of elegance and propriety in Ji Yuying.

It seems Ji Yuying has a significant agenda, she must have some intentions coming here today. She just saw Ji Yuying glance several times in the direction of the male guests.

"Miss Ji is truly beautiful, sister was amazed at the first sight of her."

In fact, Yao Mengxian also wanted to give a reminder that Ji Yuying is indeed very attractive.

Her exaggerated description was meant to alert Kong Shuhuan further.

Lest Ji Yuying harbors inappropriate thoughts and causes any trouble at the Princess’s Mansion.

Kong Shuhuan couldn’t help but feel a stir in her heart after hearing Yao Mengxian’s words. If even the striking Yao Mengxian finds Ji Yuying attractive, then this cousin indeed requires closer observation.

After all, sometimes trouble finds you even if you don’t go looking for it.

At first glance, Ji Yuying’s appearance is indeed stunning.

Actually, after looking for a while, one finds her somewhat garish, lacking grace.

Of course, as the daughter of an official, Kong Shuhuan was raised from a young age to know that women should be graceful and decorous.

An overly dazzling appearance inevitably makes one seem frivolous, and if one doesn’t pay attention to their manners, others may easily look down upon them.

"The cousin indeed looks nice, very much like Grandmother."

Kong Shuhuan was not lying; her grandmother also favored Ji Yuying a bit more because she resembles her younger self, sometimes even placing her own granddaughter second.

The two of them chatted for a little while longer, but Kong Shuhuan grew a bit restless.

Ji Yuying has been gone for almost half an hour now; even if she had an upset stomach, it shouldn’t take this long, right?

"Ying Yue, go see why our cousin hasn’t returned yet. Is there something wrong? Check and report back quickly."

Kong Shuhuan suddenly had a bad premonition, but after sitting here for so long without seeing Ji Yuying, she felt somewhat reassured.

"Yes, Miss!" Ying Yue received the order and hurried in the direction of the lavatory.

Upon seeing the anxious look on Kong Shuhuan’s face, Yao Mengxian promptly comforted her: "Sister, don’t worry. Miss Ji might just have a slight stomach discomfort. Let’s wait a bit longer."

Yao Mengxian also felt that it shouldn’t have taken this long since it’s already been nearly half an hour since she left.

Coincidentally, Yiren, the head maid serving beside the Tang family’s matron, came looking and breathed a sigh of relief seeing Kong Shuhuan and a young girl chatting in the small pavilion from afar.

It seemed the girl had met a friendly aristocratic girl, hence the delay in her return.

Lowering her guard, she prepared to report back to the matron, who must have been anxiously waiting.

But she suddenly realized she hadn’t seen the cousin, and the matron had earlier instructed her to ensure both the girl and the cousin were safe before returning to report.

Looking over again, she noticed Ying Yue, the head maid beside the girl, wasn’t there either, something didn’t feel right, so she stepped towards Kong Shuhuan.

"Miss, something is wrong. I couldn’t find the cousin, she’s not in the lavatory."

Ying Yue shouted anxiously as she ran over.

"What? What’s going on? Where’s Dong’er who is usually with the cousin? She isn’t here either?"

Kong Shuhuan was shocked; something bad has definitely happened.

Yao Mengxian also realized something was wrong. Such a perfectly fine person had suddenly disappeared from the lavatory. Where could she have gone?

They hadn’t seen Ji Yuying emerge from this side of the pavilion.

"Miss, Dong’er is there, but the cousin has vanished without a trace; it’s unknown where she went."

Ying Yue turned back and pulled out Dong’er, who was cowering by the lavatory with a tearful face.

"Dong’er, where is the cousin? You’re the maidservant next to our cousin, why aren’t you following your mistress?"

Kong Shuhuan asked through gritted teeth, her face pale with anger.

At the same time, she moved towards the lavatory intending to find out what happened.

Dong’er is a third-class maidservant of the grandmother, given to Ji Yuying as a second-class maid to serve her closely when she arrived.

Now Ji Yuying has disappeared, leaving Dong’er behind.

No need to think hard to know that no good could come of it, she must have abandoned the maid to do something shameful.

Dong’er knew something was wrong too, and disregarding the pebbles laid on the ground, she kneeled with a thud.

"Miss, I have no idea what actually happened. I was waiting outside the lavatory, regularly calling out to the cousin, who responded each time."

Dong’er sobbed quietly, not daring to burst into tears, fearing that if she drew people over, she wouldn’t survive.

She held onto the hope that if the cousin was found before anything happened, relying on her parents’ ties with the mansion, she might at most lose her position, have her monthly salary docked, and get a few beatings.

"Just a moment later, I felt a stomach ache as well. I simply couldn’t endure, so I informed the cousin and went to the lavatory. I thought since there was another lavatory next door, the cousin would be fine for a short moment."

"Please spare me, Miss! I was really pressed. If I brought disgrace to the household at another’s place, wouldn’t that be a shame to our residence? I truly had no other choice!"

Kong Shuhuan was furious; this audacious maid dared ignore her due to her parents’ status as elders in the household and having favor before the matron.

Even in such a situation, still making excuses, truly a wretched servant.

"You’re making excuses. Could you not have asked Ying Yue to watch over first? Tell me, did you do it on purpose? Did you and the cousin conspire together?"

Kong Shuhuan wasn’t foolish either; this maid’s stomach ache seemed fishy.

Perhaps Ji Yuying offered her some benefit to help cover up, with the two colluding.

Even if not, it was still this maid’s fault. Once back at the mansion, she’d inform her mother that this maid couldn’t be kept.

"Sister Kong, I think finding Miss Ji should be our priority now. We can deal with this maid later."

Yao Mengxian knew the seriousness, definitely not hesitating with her.

"What is there to delay? We must act promptly. I believe Miss Ji might have accidentally entered the second court. If we look in that direction, the chances are higher of finding her!"