The roosters crowed and the dogs barked.
Dawn broke brightly.
The maids pushed open the door, ready to attend to the newlyweds' washing and dressing.
But the bed was empty.
Sang Yan had vanished.
Only Qiuzhi was sound asleep, oblivious to their entrance.
"Qiuzhi, Qiuzhi—"
The maids woke her and asked, "Where's the young mistress? Where has she gone?"
Groggy with sleep and yawning, Qiuzhi said, "The young mistress is in bed."
Yet when she rubbed her eyes and looked toward the bed, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Where is the young mistress?"
Panic struck everyone present in an instant.
They searched inside and out, but found no one.
They had no choice but to inform Sang Kun.
"Master, the young mistress is missing. There's no one in the room. We've searched all of Yingyan House, but she's nowhere to be found."
Tears streamed down Qiuzhi's face in her urgency.
