Madam Shen listened, feeling as if cold water had been poured over her, and couldn't help but shiver.
At the entrance of the alley, Fourth Master Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, his breath cold as if frozen, Tianjing reported from the side: "This alley is a shortcut from Shen Mansion to South Arch. It's a secluded area, typically not frequented, and the surrounding residents only noticed Shen Mansion's carriage passing by a couple of times in the afternoon, but no abnormalities were seen."
Fourth Master Xiao asked coldly, "Have the people who went to the city gate returned?" From behind Tianjing, someone stepped forward and replied, "They went to the city gate and were told that Shen Mansion's carriage indeed went out in the afternoon." After a pause, he added, "I've already sent people outside the city to investigate."
Fourth Master Xiao squinted his eyes, letting his gaze fall once more on the empty long alley.
