After Xu Tianran finished praying, he went to the study and asked the captain of the guards, "Has Ju Zi been found?"
Upon hearing Xu Tianran's question, the captain secretly thought, Ever since the First Prince was stripped of the Crown Prince Position, many factions have distanced themselves from him. Those who had once been willing to help him are no longer willing to lend a hand.
Those who once gave him face no longer do so. On top of that, the waters of Mingdu run too deep, making the search extremely difficult, and the men under me aren't very willing to do it.
That's why Ju Zi still hasn't been found. But if I tell him the truth... it might provoke the First Prince into anger. It would be bad if he took it out on me. I need to come up with an excuse to brush him off.
The captain cupped his hands in salute. "This subordinate has stationed men at all major roads and checkpoints throughout Mingdu. At the same time, we have been searching outward from the residence, but we have not found even a trace of Ju Zi.
"This subordinate suspects that someone is secretly helping Ju Zi, either aiding her escape from Mingdu or providing her shelter. This subordinate is incompetent. Please punish me, Your Highness."
Hearing that Ju Zi still had not been found after so many days, Xu Tianran's brow furrowed tightly. He knew very well that the more time passed, the lower the chances of finding her became.
The captain's suspicion, in particular, convinced Xu Tianran that his earlier guess had been correct.
Otherwise, how could Ju Zi, a mere maid, possibly evade Xu Tianran's pursuit without someone helping her?
Someone had to be supporting Ju Zi in secret. This also