Chapter 91: Young Madam Xie’s Gift Box
The moment those words left Miss Zhao’s lips, the lively atmosphere within the Flower Pavilion completely disappeared.
Several noble ladies looked at one another in disbelief, while others instinctively lowered their voices and began whispering among themselves.
A betrothal token... Unlike ordinary jewelry, it was not something that could simply be replaced. It symbolized the promise between two families.
Losing it before the marriage was considered an ill omen, and depending on the family, it could even affect the engagement itself.
Even Wang Gege, who knew very little about the customs of this world, could immediately sense the seriousness of the situation from everyone’s expressions.
’It’s really that important?’ She unconsciously glanced toward Miss Zhao.
The young lady’s face had already turned deathly pale, and the hand holding the embroidered pouch trembled uncontrollably.
The Princess Consort slowly placed the teacup back onto the table.
Her previously gentle expression had become noticeably more solemn, "When was the last time you saw the token?"
Miss Zhao immediately lowered herself into a respectful bow, "Replying to Your Highness... Just before Your Highness arrived. This subject clearly remembers checking my pouch. It was still inside."
The Princess Consort nodded thoughtfully before sweeping her gaze across everyone present.
"If that is the case..." Her voice remained calm, yet carried an authority that immediately silenced the pavilion, "then the token has not left the Flower Pavilion."
No one spoke. Every noble lady understood the implication behind those words.
The token... was still here. Which also meant, whoever had taken it... was also still here.
Wang Gege quietly swallowed, ’Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling again?’
Almost instinctively, she called out in her mind, "Mini. Do you sense anything now?"
After a brief pause, Mini’s familiar voice answered.
"Host... Mini still cannot distinguish it. Mini is sorry. There are too many overlapping fortunes... it limits Mini’s ability..."
Wang Gege let out a silent sigh, ’It’s okay, I can handle it. Just if you immediately sense it, tell me right away.’
Just then, one of the palace maids stepped forward before respectfully bowing toward the Princess Consort.
"Your Highness. If the token has not left the pavilion... This servant believes..." She hesitated before continuing carefully, "Everyone present should be searched."
The moment those words fell, the entire Flower Pavilion became deathly silent.
Several noble ladies immediately frowned.
"Search... everyone?" One of the young ladies was the first to object, "But we are all daughters and wives of noble households."
Another nodded in agreement.
"If word were to spread that we were searched like common thieves, would that not damage our reputations?"
The palace maid immediately lowered herself to her knees.
"This servant understands Your Ladies’ concerns. "However..." She carefully glanced toward the visibly distressed Miss Zhao, "The missing token is no ordinary keepsake. It is a betrothal token bestowed by her fiancé’s family. If it cannot be recovered..."
She did not finish her sentence for everyone present to understand the consequences.
The Flower Pavilion once again fell into silence.
After a long moment, the Princess Consort slowly spoke. "This Princess understands everyone’s concerns."
Her calm gaze swept across the pavilion before finally resting upon Miss Zhao, whose eyes had already turned red.
"However... This matter concerns the reputation of two noble families. It must not be handled carelessly."
No one dared to interrupt.
The Princess Consort looked toward the palace maids standing nearby.
"Close the entrances. Until the token is found... No one is to leave the Flower Pavilion."
"Yes, Your Highness." The imperial guards standing outside immediately acknowledged the order.
Within moments, the entrances to the pavilion were quietly sealed.
Although no weapons were drawn, the atmosphere instantly became far more oppressive than before.
Wang Gege unconsciously straightened her back. She quietly glanced toward Qing’er, who was standing behind her.
Qing’er’s face had already turned noticeably pale. "Young Madam..."
She whispered so softly that only Wang Gege could hear, "Do you think they will truly search everyone?"
Wang Gege gently patted the back of Qing’er’s hand beneath the table.
"They probably will." She smiled reassuringly, "We’ve done nothing wrong. So there is nothing to fear."
At the same moment, not far away, Shen Yurou quietly lowered her eyes. A faint smile briefly appeared at the corner of her lips before disappearing just as quickly.
She slowly rose from her seat before respectfully bowing toward the Princess Consort. "Your Highness..."
The Princess Consort looked at her, "Speak."
Shen Yurou lowered her gaze modestly, "This subject merely recalled something..." She hesitated for a brief moment before continuing, "Earlier... Miss Zhao spoke with my Second Sister for quite some time before returning to her seat."
The moment those words left her lips, several pairs of eyes immediately turned toward Wang Gege.
Wang Gege blinked, ’Me?’
Shen Yurou immediately shook her head, "This subject means nothing by it."
She hurriedly explained, "It was simply the last thing this subject remembered before Miss Zhao realized her token was missing. Perhaps..." She smiled apologetically, "It has nothing to do with Young Madam Xie at all."
Shen Yurou lowered her eyes once more.
"But..." She hesitated, as though unsure whether she should continue, "It would be better to search there first."
She slowly looked toward the table where Wang Gege had been seated earlier. "Perhaps... The pouch was accidentally dropped there."
She immediately shook her head. "Of course... This subject means nothing else by those words. It is merely..." She bit her lower lip lightly, "just in case."
Miss Zhao’s eyes immediately brightened.
"That’s right!" She hurriedly nodded. "I remember speaking with Young Madam Xie for a while. Perhaps..." Her voice carried a trace of hope, "perhaps I accidentally left it there."
The Princess Consort turned her gaze toward the palace maids, "Search the area."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Two palace maids immediately stepped forward and began carefully examining the table, the chairs, and even beneath the long tablecloth.
The entire Flower Pavilion watched in complete silence.
Wang Gege remained where she stood, her expression calm. She had nothing to hide.
After all, she had never even seen Miss Zhao’s pouch.
Several moments passed.
One of the palace maids slowly straightened. She respectfully bowed, "Reporting to Your Highness... Nothing was found."
A trace of disappointment flashed across Miss Zhao’s face. "But... My token couldn’t have simply disappeared..."
The Flower Pavilion once again fell into silence.
Just then, Gu Ruyan slowly set down the teacup in her hand. A thoughtful expression crossed her face before she looked toward the Princess Consort.
"Your Highness... If this young lady may be so bold."
The Princess Consort gave a slight nod, "Speak."
Gu Ruyan rose gracefully from her seat before respectfully bowing.
"Since the token has not been found near the table..." She paused briefly, "Would it not be prudent to examine the belongings that everyone brought into the pavilion as well?"
The moment those words were spoken, several ladies instinctively looked toward the embroidered gift boxes placed beside each table.
Gu Ruyan quickly added, "This young lady does not suspect anyone."
Her voice remained gentle. "However... If the token was accidentally dropped into someone’s gift box while everyone was greeting one another..." She smiled apologetically, "It would save everyone from unnecessary suspicion."
Several ladies exchanged glances before slowly nodding.
"That... does make sense."
"It would be better than searching everyone’s person."
"It is only the gift boxes after all."
Even Miss Zhao quickly nodded, "If it truly fell into someone’s gift box by accident... I only wish to retrieve it and I have no intention of accusing anyone."
The Princess Consort remained silent for a few moments. Her gaze slowly swept across the neatly arranged gift boxes resting beside each noble lady.
Finally, she spoke.
"Very well." She turned toward the palace maids, "Inspect Young Madam Xie’s gift box too."