In the blink of an eye, Vivi had been studying with Lucas for three months.
Now Vivi could read some simple letters and short stories, but her handwriting was still as bad as ever.
Every time Lucas scolded her with a serious face, she was no longer afraid.
After spending time with Lucas, she knew that the heir was actually a good person. Though he seemed cold and kept people at a distance, deep down he was gentle and kind.
"Malia, you are hiding here slacking off again," Wuner said as he found Vivi sleeping in a tree. This was the countless time he had caught her up there.
After learning some basic martial arts, Vivi liked to practice her moves in the trees and often hid there when she wanted to slack off.
"Brother Wuner," Vivi immediately acted cute when caught, "I'm just resting a little."
"Don't use that trick. Come down quickly and get ready. We are about to leave the mansion," Wuner said helplessly, shouting up to the girl in the tree.
"Leave the mansion?" Vivi jumped down, confused.
"The New Year is coming soon. The heir wants us to go buy some New Year goods, so we came to get you."
"Is the heir going too?"
"The heir doesn't like to go out, you know that."
"Alright, I'll change my clothes. Wait for me." Vivi said and quickly ran to her room.
Vivi changed into a light blue short jacket trimmed with white fur and a matching skirt. She also put on a white cloak. The whole outfit made her look cute and lively.
After she changed, Yinu and the others were already waiting at the door. Seeing everyone dressed in casual clothes, she happily ran over.
Since Yinu and the others needed to shop for the New Year, they split up halfway and told Wuner, who was closest to Vivi, to protect her all the way.
When they arrived at the busy street, Vivi's eyes were full of curiosity. She looked around excitedly.
Seeing her eager look, Wuner patted the money pouch on his waist and said generously, "You can buy whatever you want. The heir specially gave us extra silver."
Vivi shook her head. Most things on the street were just interesting to her but not what she really wanted.
Suddenly, Vivi was attracted by the sound of cheers and applause from far away.
Her curiosity was sparked and she walked toward the noise, with Wuner closely following.
It turned out someone was performing.
They were showing sword skills, breaking big stones on their chests, spitting fire… many amazing acts that kept Vivi fascinated.
"Bullies are coming, everyone run!" someone suddenly shouted in the crowd.
The crowd quickly scattered, breaking up the group watching the performance.
Vivi was knocked to the ground by the rushing crowd and twisted her ankle. She tried hard to find Wuner but sadly could not see him.
Even worse, someone stopped her.
"What a beautiful girl," a greasy and creepy man lifted Vivi's chin with his hand.
Vivi tried to struggle, but the man's servants held her arms and legs tight so she could not move.
Vivi glared at the creepy man and said angrily, "Let me go. What do you want?"
"Don't be angry, beauty. I just want to invite you to my mansion for tea," the creepy man said playfully, shaking the fan in his hand.
"I won't drink tea with you. Do you know who I am? I am a maid from Madam Yon's mansion. If you are smart, let me go."
One servant laughed loudly and said arrogantly, "You're just a little maid, but you dare to talk big here. Our young master is the third son of the Prime Minister's mansion. Inviting a maid like you for tea is already being polite."
"Exactly, exactly." Other servants joined the teasing.
Her father was trying to get close to Madam Yon, who was known for being honest and upright. If this girl was really a maid from Madam Yon's mansion, taking her away by force could cause trouble.
The creepy man thought for a moment, then interrupted the servants' laughter. He said seriously, "Do you have proof that you are a maid from Madam Yon's mansion?"
"Yes," Vivi was happy to hear him ask and quickly said, "I have Madam Yon's exit permit."
After saying this, Vivi touched her money pouch, but it was already empty.
Oh no, her money pouch had been stolen.
She had kept her token together with her money pouch. It must've been stolen when the crowd was scattering just now.
Vivi's face turned pale as she looked at the sleazy man and tried to explain seriously, "I really am a maid from Madam Yon's residence. My token was stolen."
The sleazy man, who had just been acting serious, now smirked again. "Beautiful girl, lying isn't good. You'd better come with me to my house for some tea. Let's get to know each other a little better."
As soon as he said that, he ordered his men to carry Vivi back to his residence.
On the other side, Wuner had been separated from Vivi in the chaos and was now pushing against the flow of people, searching for her everywhere.
Not being able to find her, Wuner had no choice but to turn back and regroup with Yinu and the others, informing them that Vivi was missing.
"Here's the plan," Yinu said steadily after hearing the news. "Eric, go back and report this to Lucas. The rest of you split up and help me search for Malia."
At Lucas's residence, in his private quarters.
"She's missing?" Lucas could no longer sit still after hearing what Eric reported.
"Take my command seal," Lucas said with a cold tone. "Mobilize the spies in the city. I need to know exactly where that girl is today, no matter what."
"But, if we use the spies, won't that reveal the network you've been building for years?"
"Do you have a better idea to rescue that girl?"
Eric fell silent. After spending so much time together, he couldn't bear to see Malia in danger either.
He said nothing more, took the command seal, and left quickly.
An hour later.
"Lucas, we found her," Eric said excitedly as he brought a message from the spy network.
"Chancellor's residence," Lucas muttered after reading the report, his face expressionless.
He spoke calmly, "Prepare the carriage. We're going to the Chancellor's house."
Inside the Chancellor's residence, Vivi was tied up tightly and locked in a room.
After being forced back to the house by that sleazy man, he had only teased her for a few moments before a servant called him away.
Vivi felt like crying. Since she had come to this world, she'd always lived in Madam Yon's residence. She never knew the outside world could be so dangerous.
Even if women were protected by Sheng Country's laws, people with power still did whatever they wanted.
Was she really going to fall into their hands today?
While Vivi was lost in her thoughts, Lucas had already arrived at the Chancellor's residence.
"I heard the young lord of Madam Yon's house is here. Forgive me for not coming to greet you personally," said Chancellor Li as he came out quickly to welcome Lucas, leaving behind his scolding of his disappointing third son.
"No need for formalities, Chancellor," Lucas replied with a polite gesture.
After a few polite exchanges, Lucas finally stated his purpose. "A maid from my residence went missing today on Changping Street. I wonder if you or your son have seen her? She was wearing light blue clothing and is rather slim."
Chancellor Li turned to look at his third son. "Chong'er, have you seen a maid from Madam Yon's residence?"
"N-no, I haven't," Li Chong stuttered. But his nervous expression showed he recognized the girl Lucas described. He knew for sure the girl he'd taken was from Madam Yon's household.
"You're certain you haven't seen her? Perhaps I can help jog your memory," Lucas said in a calm tone, his emotion unreadable.
"Chong'er, be honest. Did you or did you not see her?" Chancellor Li asked sternly, knowing exactly what kind of person his son was.
Scared by his father's anger, Li Chong immediately dropped to his knees and confessed. "F-Father, I did invite a girl I saw on the street to come back for tea. I-I didn't know she was from Madam Yon's residence."
"You unfilial son! Apologize to the young lord at once!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know she was from your household. If I had known, I never would've—" Li Chong quickly apologized.
Lucas stared at him coldly, cutting him off. "Where is she now?"
"In my room," Li Chong answered in panic. "I swear I didn't do anything to her."
"Then lead the way," Lucas said sharply, his gaze slicing through him. Knowing that Vivi was locked in this man's room only made his anger rise.
"Yes, yes, I'll take you right away," Li Chong stammered, immediately understanding that Lucas wanted to get her himself. He quickly led the way.