The word made Sheng Lengshuang instinctively feel something was amiss, yet she couldn't pinpoint what. This was indeed her in-laws' home. As an orphan, she had married Luo's only son, Luo Dawa, half a year ago through a matchmaker.
But why was she lying in bed in broad daylight?
It seemed she had fallen while looking for something in the mountains?
But where had she fallen?
Sheng Lengshuang looked around but found no injuries on herself, nor could she recall where she had fallen. She felt perplexed and confused. What exactly was going on?
"Dawa's wife, why are you still lazing in bed? Hurry up and wash the clothes!"
At this moment, a woman's loud voice was heard.
It pierced Sheng Lengshuang's head, causing it to throb. She subconsciously replied, "Okay."
This was her mother-in-law. Because she hadn't conceived for a long time, her mother-in-law had always disliked her, assigning all the dirty and tiring chores to her.
As she stood up, her gaze inadvertently fell upon her own fair and tender hands. "Huh?" she exclaimed. How could a village woman like her have such fair and tender hands?
Looking at her own delicate skin and tender flesh, she felt even more that something was wrong. She recalled that before she was married, she often went hungry and was poorly clothed, living a very difficult life. She looked much older than women her age.
After she got married, life improved considerably, but it still wouldn't have resulted in such a good appearance.
What was going on?
"Dawa's wife, are you laying eggs?"
Hearing her mother-in-law's angry voice again, Sheng Lengshuang couldn't think further and quickly grabbed a bucket of dirty clothes and headed towards the river.
However, she got lost not long after leaving the house and accidentally wandered into the mountains.
"How did I end up in the mountains?"
She was supposed to go to the river to wash clothes, but how could she get to the river?
Sheng Lengshuang thought for a long time but couldn't recall the way to the river. Moreover, she realized she was very unfamiliar with this place, not at all like a place she had lived for over a decade.
"So strange."
Logically, this was the village where she had lived for over ten years...
The village?
What was this village called?
The more she thought, the more Sheng Lengshuang sensed a problem.
Just as she was racking her brain, she heard a strange woman's voice.
"Dawa's wife, why are you here?"
Sheng Lengshuang turned her head and saw a simply dressed young village girl standing before her. "I was going to the river to wash clothes, and halfway, I wanted to find something in the mountains."
Who was this woman in the village?
"I am the second daughter-in-law of your paternal uncle's family. You can call me Sister-in-law Luo."
Sister-in-law Luo smiled and pulled Sheng Lengshuang towards the river. "You shouldn't go into the mountains alone, woman. It's dangerous. I'll take you to the mountains when I have time. I'll take you to the river."
Sheng Lengshuang followed her, secretly memorizing the village paths without showing any outward signs. "Sister-in-law Luo, are you also going to wash clothes?"
"No, I'm going to the river to see if there are any fish or anything," Sister-in-law Luo laughed heartily. "If I can catch a fish, we'll have something delicious to eat. You can look while you wash clothes later, maybe you'll catch a fish."
Sheng Lengshuang nodded.
On the way to the river, they encountered many villagers who greeted Sheng Lengshuang enthusiastically.
However, the way these people looked at Sheng Lengshuang made her uneasy, and she felt even more that something was wrong. Yet, she smiled and greeted the villagers, listening as Sister-in-law Luo addressed each of them by name.
Upon reaching the river, Sister-in-law Luo went to catch fish.
Sheng Lengshuang found a spot, washed clothes, and chatted with the villagers while secretly observing.
She noticed that everyone who came to the river was quite good-looking, and even the clothes they washed were very new, with hardly any old or patched ones.
When did life in the village become so good?
Life in the village had always been difficult. Being able to eat one's fill was considered very good, let alone having so many new clothes.
This place was becoming increasingly strange. She had to be more vigilant.
When she finished washing the clothes and was about to head back, Sister-in-law Luo insisted on escorting her.
"I'm worried about you. You just fell in the mountains, you need to be more careful."
Sheng Lengshuang thanked her and walked and chatted with Sister-in-law Luo, secretly observing the surroundings.
As she paid attention, she noticed that on her way back, there were quite a few villagers who either greeted her or stared at her, which darkened her gaze.
Something was wrong, very wrong!
Upon returning home, she thanked Sister-in-law Luo again and then heard her mother-in-law's extremely displeased voice.
"Dawa's wife, where have you been? Washing clothes for so long, hurry up and cook. Do you want to starve me to death?"
Sheng Lengshuang obediently replied, "Okay." After hanging the clothes, she went to the kitchen to prepare the meal but found herself completely unfamiliar with the kitchen, not even knowing where the seasonings were kept.
She stood there for a long time before sitting down at the stove to start the fire.
After the water boiled, she searched for a long time, not only finding the ingredients needed for cooking but also discovering hidden meat and good rice, her sharp eyes narrowing.
She discreetly put everything back in place and prepared the meal.
After eating, she pretended to be unwell and returned to her room, sitting on the bed to ponder the entire situation.
It was better not to think about it, but the more she thought, the more she realized she didn't even know what her husband looked like. Apart from knowing his name was Luo Dawa, she knew nothing else.
She even learned his name from others.
"This is too strange."
Suddenly, she shook her heavy head.
Before she could think further, she fainted on the bed.
As soon as she fainted, Old Madam Luo tiptoed in and forcibly poured a bowl of medicine into Sheng Lengshuang's mouth.
After cleaning up any traces, she left, letting Sheng Lengshuang sleep.
...
Sheng Lengshuang's disappearance caused quite a stir in the Eastern Capital, with people discussing the matter everywhere.
"I heard Sheng Lengshuang was taken from the Rui King's Mansion. The Rui King's Mansion is in trouble now."
"I don't think this matter is that simple. Think about it, who could take Sheng Lengshuang from the Rui King's Mansion in front of Prince Ming Rui? Don't forget, envoys from the three kingdoms are all in the Eastern Capital."
"Hiss~~ The more you think about it, the more terrifying it becomes. Prince Ming Rui and the Sheng family both value Sheng Lengshuang greatly. If they could kidnap Sheng Lengshuang, they could negotiate with Prince Ming Rui."
The envoys from the three kingdoms, sitting in a private room in a restaurant, looked at each other upon hearing this.
"Regarding the kidnapping of Sheng Lengshuang, what are your thoughts?" asked Official Zhao.
The old man stated that the Western Yue Dynasty had nothing to do with it. "Our Western Yue Dynasty is not so foolish as to do something as counterproductive as kidnapping Sheng Lengshuang."
The envoy from the Southern Jin Dynasty also stated that the Southern Jin Dynasty was not involved. "Our Southern Jin Dynasty wanted to win over Sheng Lengshuang, not kidnap her. The consequences would be severe if such a thing were discovered."
Official Zhao smiled. "It wasn't our Northern Yuan Dynasty either. Our Northern Yuan Dynasty is not foolish and would not do such a thing."
"Then the question arises, if it really wasn't done by our three kingdoms, then who did it? And another question, many people... including Emperor Wenzong and Prince Ming Rui, suspect us."