Everyone grew terrified!
If they had still clung to a shred of hope before, that hope was now shattered. Lady Shen had not wandered off on her own-someone had abducted her!
Who was the ringleader?
Although Le Pang had disappeared along with Lady Shen, everyone had met him, and he was the Provincial Deputy's son. He hardly seemed like someone who would do such a thing. Besides, with his abilities, could he have spirited Lady Shen away without a sound and then vanished? Even if he could, wouldn't disappearing with her amount to confessing without being questioned?
Thus, although they had found no lost possession of Le Xiaopang's as they had found the hairpin, most people did not suspect him. The few who harbored doubts were either muddleheaded or exceptionally thorough in their thinking. The former had already been led astray by the narrative Wang Yang had set while organizing the search, accepting from the outset that Le Xiaopang was also in danger. As for the latter, they had no evidence and would not voice their suspicions.
This was not wartime, but an age of peace, and they were not in the wilderness, but the county seat! In this Yongming era, with no warning smoke of war, someone had dared abduct a young lady of the gentry in broad daylight-and a young master of a great clan besides. It was simply appalling!
Several young ladies trembled inwardly, afraid the villains would return and make them their next target. The Shen Family's servants were also pale with panic, at a loss for what to do. Having lost his own young grandaunt, Shen Tanliang was utterly bloodless. Even as he held the hairpin, his hands would not stop shaking:
"N-notify the county office! Get the magistrate! Tell him to bring men here