At the same time, Gordan and Yuno were rushing through the streets and alleys, anxiously looking for that familiar figure.
"Sir, have some water." Yuno came hurrying out of a nearby teahouse, holding a bowl of tea and offering it to Gordan.
"I don't want it. You drink it."
Gordan stared blankly at the faint orange light reflected on the stone pavement, his head hanging lower and lower.
It was already late afternoon, and the hottest part of the day had passed. More people were appearing in the streets, and the sound of women laughing softly floated through the air, sweet and gentle, making passing men turn their heads to look.
But to Gordan, it all sounded unbearable, like sharp knives cutting slowly into his chest and tearing apart his soul.
"Yuno, let's go to the government office." His thoughts slowly came back together, and his eyes became firm.
"Sir, if we go to the government office to report Sasha missing, they'll check the household registry and report it to the Ministry. What if..." Yuno stopped himself from finishing. Sasha had just gotten her registration. If they looked into her past, things could go very wrong. If Sasha didn't have a legal identity — like being the child of a criminal — then not only would she be in trouble, but Gordan and the entire Duke's household would also be affected.
Before, they could pretend they didn't know anything. But once they went to the government, it would be beyond their control.
"Yuno, is there no other way to find Sasha?" Gordan looked at the tall red gate in front of him and clenched his fists tightly.
Yuno looked at the lifeless expression on Gordan's face. He opened his mouth but said nothing and lowered his head.
"Let's go." Gordan let go of his fist and stepped onto the stone stairs.
Just as the two of them stepped inside, they ran into Hagord, who had come earlier to cause trouble.
"Well, isn't this Gordan from Bright Moon Teahouse? What's the matter? Can't accept it? Coming here to file a complaint against me?" Hagord's eyes scanned Gordan's handsome face with a cold look. In his heart, he spat: a peacock showing off to attract girls to work for him.
"No, we're here to report someone missing," Yuno quickly answered. He really hated this man. One day, he'd find a dark night to teach him a lesson.
"Oh? Someone missing? Who? That Sasha girl?" Hagord asked casually, flipping open his fan with a flick, smiling as he looked at them.
Gordan and Yuno didn't answer, but their faces turned even gloomier, like a layer of dust had settled on them.
"She was taken?" Hagord's expression suddenly changed. He closed his fan with a snap and stepped in front of them, voice sharp.
A missing woman was a serious issue. Misty Water Town hadn't had something like this happen in twenty years. If they didn't find her, his father, the local governor, might lose his position and be sent far away to a remote place. Their whole family could be ruined.
"What happened? Tell me now!" Hagord slapped his fan into his palm hard, looking like he was about to grab Gordan and shake him.
Gordan explained everything that had happened. He knew who Hagord was. If Hagord got involved, they wouldn't have to follow all the official steps.
"How are you so sure she's really missing? What if she just went out and will come back on her own?" Hagord stared at them, frowning so deeply that his eyebrows almost met.
"Sasha has never been gone this long alone. Something must have happened to her! If you can't help, fine. We'll report it ourselves!" Yuno shouted angrily. He was getting more and more annoyed with this man. He talked too much and wasted precious time.
"Draw what Sasha looks like. I'll take people out to look for her!" Hagord was stunned for a moment by the shouting. He wanted to argue but realized he couldn't ignore it. What mattered now was finding her as soon as possible.
Gordan hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Half an incense stick later, a graceful woman in a pale yellow dress was clearly drawn on the paper.
"Sasha, time is tight. Please honestly draw Lin's face. Now is not the time to show off your painting skills." Hagord almost lost his temper. This guy really is a peacock, always showing off everywhere. Did Sasha really get fooled to come find him?
"My master's painting is Lin's true likeness. But because of the rush, it only shows half of her spirit. Hagord, can you take people to find Lin now?" Yuno urged.
"Yuno." Gordan quietly warned him not to say too much, then looked at Hagord and asked, "Hagord, how many men can the government office send to search?"
"Hagord, tell everyone in the office to stop working and go find her immediately!" Hagord held the corner of the painting tightly, his eyes growing darker, making Gordan feel deep unease.
More than one hundred officers rushed out, searching through the crowded streets like a carpet sweep, covering all of Mistwater Town and nearby villages, including Little River Village.
"If Lin is outside Mistwater's area, then I can't help," Hagord wiped sweat from his brow.
The sky darkened. If they didn't find her before nightfall, it would be even harder to search.
With so many people, the search was quick. Soon, there was news about Lin.
Hagord's assistant found that two people at Spring Breeze Teahouse saw a woman in a yellow dress faint near a black carriage. Later, a man dressed like a guard carried her into the carriage.
"Guard?" Gordan's heart tightened.
"Did the carriage hit her?" He anxiously grabbed Hagord's assistant, face pale.
"No... they only said she fainted. They didn't mention a collision." The assistant recalled.
"Did the carriage have any marks? What kind of knife did the guard carry? Where are those two people?" Gordan asked quickly, his heart pounding. He hated not being in Cool City to call more men.
"Gordan, don't worry, there are details. The two said the carriage hung a special wind chime, with a pink flower deer that has a cow's tail. And the guard carried a red tassel big knife." The assistant told all the information.
The red tassel big knife is only allowed for guards of officials ranked two or above.
A pink deer with a cow's tail?
Gordan thought hard about the details. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
It's a qilin! The pink qilin is the symbol of Prince Xian's mansion. Has Xian come to Mistwater Town?
"Hagord, does Prince Xian have a residence here?" Gordan asked.
"You know Prince Xian?" Hagord was shocked. How could a pretty face know a noble prince?
"Yes. Is there one or not?"
"Yes, at number six Misty Sun Street, the Wind Breeze Garden."
"Thank you!"
Gordan thanked Hagord and hurried with Yuno toward that place.
"Wait! Walking is too slow, I will take you." Hagord had his assistant bring a carriage, and they all headed toward Wind Breeze Garden together.