TFWYH – Chapter 464 Investigation Site

“Alright. Once my wife has taken a look, we’ll go,” Ling Yu responded, following Tang Wan inside.

The courtyard gate of the Tang residence opened and then closed again, shutting out the curious stares of the townsfolk.

No one had lived there for over a month; dust had gathered in many places.

Just as Ye Liu had said, there were faint signs of a struggle in the courtyard. The rooms, however, were in disarray, as if someone had rummaged through them.

After searching the entire place, the young couple found no clues at all.

Once outside, they began comparing notes.

Tang Wan said, “The rooms were ransacked. The culprits must have been looking for something.”

Ling Yu replied, “There are slight signs of a struggle in the courtyard, which suggests Father-in-law didn’t resist with all his strength. It’s very likely he went with them willingly.”

“And here!” Tang Wan pulled Ling Yu toward the pigsty and pointed to a corner. “This spot was dug up. Whatever they were looking for was probably buried here—and Father must have taken it out himself and handed it to them.”

Ling Yu nodded and pointed at the soil near the pigsty’s exit. “There are two palm prints and some pressure marks here. They should be Father-in-law’s. Judging from this, he was likely kneeling at the time.”

Tang Wan frowned. “Father isn’t someone who kneels to others—except to officials.”

In her memory, Tang Hongba feared neither heaven nor earth, let alone kneeling to anyone.

But this was ancient times, where social hierarchy was strict.

If one encountered a high-ranking official, even an ordinary commoner would have to kneel, willing or not.

Ling Yu nodded, then said calmly, “In Xiangxi Town, aside from Su Yuan, no one could make him kneel. But… Su Yuan knows he’s your father. He wouldn’t demand such a grand gesture.”

“Right!” Tang Wan hadn’t even considered Su Yuan. He had no reason to do this. “Husband, do you think it could be some high-ranking official from the capital who came secretly, without alerting anyone, and deliberately took my father?”

Ling Yu saw that she had taken the bait and gave an ambiguous answer. “Perhaps.”

So, come with me, my wife.

Xiangxi Town is no longer safe for you.

Tang Wan didn’t disappoint him. After thinking for a moment, she quickly made up her mind. “Then I’ll go to the capital with you this time. We might be able to find some clues there.”

“Alright,” Ling Yu agreed, though inwardly he let out a sigh of relief.

Father-in-law, forgive me.

If you truly are from the Woman’s Kingdom, then I must not let Wan-niang go looking for you.

What if she goes and never returns?

Or what if she ends up with three husbands and four male attendants in that Woman’s Kingdom?

As he was now, he had neither power nor influence—no ability to contend with such a place.

You must have thought the same way, didn’t you?

You… can understand me, right?

Carrying these thoughts in his heart, Ling Yu left the Tang residence with Tang Wan.

Tang Wan told the constables there was no need to keep guarding the house and locked the gate herself before heading next door.

The Qin household was shrouded in gloom.

Uncle Qin sat with his old pipe in his mouth, puffing away, his brows tightly furrowed.

Aunt Qin sat nearby, silently weeping.

When she saw Tang Wan arrive, Uncle Qin showed no friendliness at all.

Aunt Qin, however, reacted intensely. She let out a strange cry and rushed forward, grabbing Tang Wan by the shoulders and shaking her.

“Are you satisfied now? Back then, the old man and I opposed marrying our daughter into your Tang family, but what did you say? What promises did you make to me? And now? Your Tang family must have offended someone out there, and now my daughter is missing too! Give me back my daughter! Give me back my daughter…”

Ling Yu frowned, pulled Aunt Qin away, and shielded Tang Wan behind him.

But Aunt Qin refused to relent and tried to rush forward to hit her again.

“Enough!” Uncle Qin grabbed hold of his wife and said to Tang Wan, “You should leave. Don’t come to our house again. We don’t welcome anyone with the surname Tang.”