After separating from the little ancestor, Tang Xiaobai thought for a moment, feeling that it was also necessary to ask for Xin Yi’s opinion.

So she called a maid and instructed, "Go and check on Xin Yi—"

"Check over there!" someone shouted, their voice urgent.

Tang Xiaobai felt her heart skip a beat.

Princess Runan?

Today was Tang Ziqian’s birthday, also the day of his coming-of-age ceremony.

Therefore, after the coronation ceremony during the day, a grand night banquet was held in celebration.

Tonight, many unexpected noble guests arrived, such as Prince Jin Li Shu, and Princess Runan and Princess Hengyang.

Why did Princess Runan run out? What is she looking for?

Tang Xiaobai watched the shadows flicker in the distance, pondering anxiously while quickening her pace to approach.

She hadn’t yet seen clearly who those people were, but someone saw her first: "Why are you here?"

The tone carried a hint of impatience—it was Tang Jiaojiao.

Tang Xiaobai glanced quickly, showing some surprise: "Princess, sister, why did you come out?"

Not only Princess Runan and Tang Jiaojiao, but also two commandery princesses, three princesses, and several noble ladies close to Princess Runan—all crowded together, with varied expressions on their faces.

Tang Jiaojiao hadn’t even opened her mouth to answer when Princess Runan interrupted, "We can’t find Hengyang, she hasn’t come back for a long time, we were just going to look for her—"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaobai’s heart skipped another beat.

This scene feels like they’re about to catch someone in the act?

"Ah Jiao should come with us too—"

"What is she going there for?" Tang Jiaojiao coldly interrupted Princess Runan, "It’s already chaotic enough with so many people searching, is she joining to search or to add to the chaos?"

Princess Runan sneered, "If we don’t find Hengyang, your Duke Yan Mansion will be even more chaotic!"

Tang Jiaojiao also sneered, "Whether Duke Yan Mansion is chaotic or not, the princess doesn’t decide!" Then she glanced at Tang Xiaobai, "Go back and entertain the guests, don’t run around!"

Tang Xiaobai nodded obediently, watching Tang Jiaojiao and a group of noble ladies walk into the depths of the garden.

Once the group had gone far, her expression also turned serious: "Mo Ji? Mo Huan?"

She only knew that Mo Ji and Mo Huan appeared and disappeared mysteriously, unsure if either was nearby.

But after she spoke, she soon had a response: "Second Miss, what are your orders?"—yet no one was visible.

The tone was leisurely—it was Mo Huan.

Tang Xiaobai breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "Follow them and act accordingly!"

"Act on what?"

Tang Xiaobai rubbed her forehead: "Do I need to call Ah Xiao to explain to you?"

Mo Huan chuckled, "No need, no need..." The last word faded as the voice drifted away.

Tang Xiaobai stayed in place for a moment, then turned back toward the banquet.

Tonight’s banquet was teeming with guests, divided into four locations.

The back garden hosted girls from various families, overseen by Tang Xiaobai and her sister.

Just now, Tang Xiaobai wasn’t there, and Tang Jiaojiao accompanied Princess Runan outside, so the responsibility of entertaining guests temporarily fell to Miss Gu.

Among Miss Gu, the unmarried and eldest was Gu Wan, who was allowed to enter the Duke Yan Mansion with difficulty.

So when Tang Xiaobai returned and saw Gu Wan smiling as she exchanged pleasantries with Miss Pei, she could well imagine the eldest lady’s multiplied displeasure.

Gu Qinglan, who was also assisting with hosting guests, ran up to her and asked, "Did you find her?"

Tang Xiaobai shook her head, her eyes quickly swept over the room and she soon found Qin Rong.

A proper princess going missing at the Duke Yan Mansion’s night banquet gave many a sense of unease.

But not Qin Rong, whose snow-indigo gown made her seem radiant as the moon, sitting gracefully and elegantly, unmatched in presence.

Despite the worry over Princess Hengyang’s disappearance, some couldn’t help but cast envious glances at Qin Rong.

Tang Xiaobai greeted Miss Gu and her companions, then briskly walked to Qin Rong, ignoring the elegant smile she slowly unfurled, grabbing her hand, "Come with me!" and running off.

When they found Tang Jiaojiao and Princess Runan’s group, they saw them gathered outside a small courtyard.

"Let’s go in and check if Hengyang is inside!" Princess Runan said.

"This room has no light at all, how could there be anyone in there?" Tang Jiaojiao expressed dissent.

"But I clearly heard noise from inside just now!"

"..."

"Second Miss should stay out of this matter," Qin Rong chuckled softly, retrieving her hand and slowly massaging it.

Tang Xiaobai tugged her and whispered anxiously, "Think of a way quickly!"

Qin Rong looked surprised, "Why should I think of a way?"

Because you’re the female lead! Tang Xiaobai roared inwardly.

Though the scenario of catching someone seems crude, it is highly effective.

If caught indeed, it would surely be a dire situation!

She couldn’t think of a good solution immediately, so she placed her hopes on the aura of the main character.

"Ah Xiao said you’re skilled in martial arts and unmatched in wit and strategy—you must have a way, right?" Tang Xiaobai gazed at her pitifully.

Qin Rong laughed, "Ah Xiao would praise me like that?"

"He would! He would!" Tang Xiaobai nodded vigorously, "He’s just stubborn; he actually admires you!"

Qin Rong cast a sidelong glance, her charm blossoming, "Alright, I’ll give it a try!"

Tang Xiaobai practically wanted to kiss her fiercely.

What is it like to be favored by the female lead? Anyway, it’s a joy beyond your imagination!

Qin Rong responded to her, then walked towards the crowd, raising her voice: "Princess Hengyang is not inside!"

Immediately, everyone turned to look at her.

"How do you know?" Princess Runan scowled with hostility.

"Because I know where she is," Qin Rong replied mildly, her eyes bright and radiant, drawing attention involuntarily to herself.

Only Tang Xiaobai understood—that light in her eyes was the glow of the female lead aura.

Though she didn’t know why Qin Rong knew or whether she truly did, trusting the female lead was never wrong!

"Where is she?" Princess Runan frowned, questioning.

Qin Rong answered smoothly, "From here, go west, circle around..." listing off directions.

Others might not know the place, but Tang Xiaobai instantly understood.

It was one of the resting areas prepared for guests tonight, completely in the opposite direction, closer to the East Garden where Tang Ziqian resided.

"In that case, let’s go check over there!" Tang Jiaojiao suggested, preparing to call everyone away.

"Wait!" Princess Runan insisted, refusing to leave, staring at Qin Rong, "How do you know Princess Hengyang is there?"

Qin Rong smiled slightly, "I saw that Princess Hengyang seemed lightly drunk, being helped inside to rest."

Princess Runan’s eyes flashed urgently, "Who knows if what you say is true?"

"Whether or not it’s true, you’ll know once you check it out," Tang Jiaojiao, though not fond of Qin Rong, had to coldly agree, "Is Second Princess really looking for Third Princess, or is she more interested in this courtyard?"

Princess Runan bit her lip, stubbornly glancing at the courtyard.

Just then, a sharp scream emanated from the courtyard: "No—"