Chapter 148: An Unforeseen Mishap

Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu were thrilled, grinning widely with joy. Having a large shop and planning to open a clinic was quite impressive.

Lu Man had already sent two guards to the tavern to fetch some food. In the second courtyard, there was a stone table where she sat with the two siblings to eat, while the others ate separately. Lu Man invited Manager Li and Mama Wang to join them, but they politely declined.

During the meal, Lu Man realized that only Qichang was quietly eating on the side, and Sweet Pea was missing. Qingqing, who usually looked after Sweet Pea, was absent, and everyone was too engrossed in the house to notice when it disappeared.

This unexpected turn of events dampened everyone’s spirits, halting their meal as they hurried to search for Sweet Pea.

They searched every nook and cranny of the shop and courtyard but couldn’t find Sweet Pea. Jiang Jiu became so distressed that she burst into tears.

Mama Wang and the servants began apologizing profusely.

Lu Man was anxious but didn’t blame the servants. After all, Sweet Pea was mainly carried by Jiang Jiu, so it was understandable that others didn’t notice its absence, not even herself.

Seeing Lu Man’s beloved cat missing, Manager Li also grew frantic. Leading several guards and Qichang, they searched the neighboring areas but to no avail.

Now, even Jiang Zhankui, Wang Dou, Xing, and Lu Ying were in tears.

Despite her worry and frustration, Lu Man realized it was getting late and decided to return. She left the two guards behind to continue searching while she arranged for Lu Ying and another maid, to stay and wait.

They had come in high spirits but left dejected, sighing heavily.

Deep down, Lu Man held onto a glimmer of hope, believing that Sweet Pea would find its way back to Tongren Hall, formerly Renhe Hall. She speculated that if Sweet Pea was indeed a Black-footed cat, like a Black-footed cat, it would have an exceptional sense of direction and speed. Even if it ran for miles, it could find its way back to its original home. Since Sweet Pea had left the Princess’s residence in a carriage, it might not find its way back there but should be able to find its way to its initial departure point, Tongren Hall.

Upon returning to the Princess’s residence, Lu Man took the siblings straight to the Crane Hall. Seeing Jiang Jiu’s tear-streaked face, Princess Changting hurriedly inquired, “What’s wrong with Little Jiu?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiu burst into tears again.

Lu Man sighed, “Sweet Pea has gone missing.”

Princess Changting had grown fond of Sweet Pea as well and expressed her regret, saying, “Oh, what a pity. The old Marquis will be upset when he finds out.”

Lu Man instructed to continue the search, hoping for Sweet Pea’s safe return.

Indeed, Sweet Pea’s absence left the old Marquis restless, neglecting his recovery training. He even made a list, saying, “Changting… First, granddaughter-in-law… Second, Zhanyan… Third, Pea… Fourth, Zhanju… Fifth, Jiu… Sixth, Deyu… Seventh.”

Sweet Pea held a significant place in his heart.

This ranking greatly displeased Madam Hong. Her own family was the main branch of the family, yet her son’s rank is lower than a cat, more than his own child and grandchildren.

Five days later, Lu Ying brought Sweet Pea back from Tongren Hall. Lu Man had already lost hope, shedding tears several times, while Jiang Jiu cried incessantly.

One morning, as Lu Man was getting dressed, she heard loud meowing outside the window. Initially thinking it was an illusion, she shook her head and blinked, only to witness a cat squeezing through the window gap into her room. Suddenly, she found herself holding Sweet Pea in her arms.

Seeing it was Sweet Pea, Lu Man was ecstatic. She first let out a shriek of excitement and then scolded the cat while holding its ears, “You little troublemaker, where did you go? You had us all worried sick…”

Sweet Pea let out a cry, shook its head, and freed its ears from Lu Man’s grasp.

Lu Ying rushed in to report, “It was just getting light early this morning, and I was still asleep when I heard a cat’s meow in the courtyard. Upon listening carefully, I realized it was Sweet Pea. I rushed outside and, dear me, Sweet Pea was actually standing on the roof, meowing loudly. When it saw me, it immediately jumped down and leaped into my arms. I took a closer look, and oh my goodness, it was terrifying! It had blood in its mouth, fur and flesh stuck to its claws, and bloodstains on its body and face…” She started to cry.

Mama Wang, frantic, scolded, “Oh, stop crying! Quickly, tell me what happened.”

Continuing to cry, Lu Ying explained, “It had blood in its mouth, fur and flesh on its claws, and bloodstains on its body and face…” She went on to describe how she and the guards had been searching nearby for days but hadn’t found Sweet Pea. Rumors had spread about reduced rat populations, scattered rodent bones in corners, dead chickens in three households, and dead rabbits in two households, all with bite marks, and even a watchdog killed with only bones left of one leg. Strangely, all these animals had fatal injuries with a small hole on their necks.

Through tears, Lu Ying continued, “I saw Sweet Pea’s agility and suspected it might be responsible for these incidents.”

It was certain that Sweet Pea was the culprit.

Lu Man inquired anxiously, “Were there any human injuries? Did it harm anyone?”

Shaking her head, Lu Ying replied, “No reports of human injuries. The neighbors speculate it might be the work of a cunning yellow weasel… They even say a cunning weasel wouldn’t be this fierce…”

As long as it didn’t harm humans, it was manageable.

Observing Sweet Pea in her arms, Lu Man pondered how such a small creature, less than six inches long and less than three pounds, could be so formidable. Sweet Pea, a Black-footed cat, had sharp, gleaming teeth as it meowed with pride, seemingly basking in its achievements.

Lu Man, frustrated, scolded, “You annoying thing! You have food at home, why sneak out to hunt? If you dare do it again, I’ll chain you up with an iron leash. And no more stealing chickens or harming others. Absolutely no harming others, do you hear me?”

In her anger, Lu Man tugged at Sweet Pea’s ears, causing it to yelp, then watched as it leaped onto the wardrobe’s top.

Hearing Sweet Pea’s cries, the siblings from the East Cross Courtyard rushed over. Sweet Pea jumped into Jiang Jiu’s arms, causing her to burst into tears.

Lu Man instructed Lu Ying that Sweet Pea must always have sufficient food, never to let it go hungry, to prevent any further mishaps with nearby animals.