Font Size:
Ning Qingyuan, dressed in a dark blue robe and holding a folding fan, smiled lightly as he approached, “Zhoucheng, is this carriage headed to Fengping Village?”
Liu Zhoucheng glanced at Tan Xiaomei and the others inside the carriage and replied, “Yes, we’re going to Fengping Village. What about you, Ning?”
Ning Qingyuan took a step forward and said, “Coincidentally, we are also heading to Fengping Village. Would it be possible to join you on your carriage?”
Liu Zhoucheng’s carriage was not large, and with so many people, it would indeed be a bit cramped. He glanced back inside and then slowly said, “Ning, our carriage might not have enough space. You can always ask Magistrate Cao for another carriage.”
Ning Qingyuan shook his fan twice and smiled, “No need. We’ve never been to Fengping Village, so it’s nice to have some company along the way.”
He then took the little boy and boarded the carriage. Seeing that there was still some space, he quickly made the boy sit down, “Zhoucheng, there’s plenty of room, it’s just right.”
The space was only available because Little Qiyue and Tan Liujin were both asleep, and Wan Chunmei and Tan Xiaomei each had one of them in their arms.
Liu Zhoucheng couldn’t really refuse Ning Qingyuan, so he said, “Ning, if you and the young master don’t mind, you may sit.”
“We don’t mind at all,” Ning Qingyuan replied, smiling broadly.
Wan Chunmei and Tan Xiaomei quickly nodded and greeted them.
The carriage continued forward.
The Third Prince, sitting next to Wan Chunmei, was rather quiet. Perhaps because the carriage jolted a bit, Wan Chunmei’s arms, which were holding Little Qiyue, began to tire. She shifted slightly, and the Third Prince lowered his gaze and said softly, “Let me hold her.”
Wan Chunmei paused for a moment, surprised by the request, and immediately refused, “No need, young master, really.”
But the Third Prince, persistent as ever, repeated, “Let me hold her.”
Wan Chunmei, taken aback by the firmness in his voice and realizing the boy’s noble background, decided not to press the issue. She carefully handed Little Qiyue to him, saying, “Alright, young master, our child is still young, so please bear with her.”
The Third Prince nodded gently, “Hmm.”
Inside the carriage, the little boy cradled Little Qiyue. It wasn’t the most harmonious sight, but there was something warm about it that made everyone feel a little lighter.
Wan Chunmei couldn’t help but ask, “Young master, you seem to like Little Qiyue quite a bit.”
The Third Prince answered bluntly, “Hmm.”
Wan Chunmei, still curious, asked, “Why do you like her so much?”
The Third Prince, without hesitation, replied, “Because I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before.”
The little boy spoke so seriously that Wan Chunmei didn’t find it odd. It was just a bit amusing to hear such an answer. She continued, “It seems that Little Qiyue and the young master have some kind of fate.”
The Third Prince nodded, “Indeed, we have a connection.”
Ning Qingyuan, who had been listening quietly, suddenly piped up, “Young master, you don’t intend to take this little girl as a child bride, do you?”
Everyone in the carriage froze, even though they knew Ning Qingyuan was only joking, it still left an uncomfortable feeling in the air.
How could Little Qiyue, so young, possibly be someone’s child bride?
The Third Prince’s expression remained unchanged as he looked down at the sleeping Little Qiyue in his arms and said softly, “Nonsense. How could I make my little sister a child bride?”
His tone was gentle, though there was a hint of displeasure, which he intentionally softened to avoid waking the little girl in his arms.
This response left everyone in the carriage momentarily stunned. It seemed they had been overthinking things; the children were just expressing affection for each other as siblings.
Ning Qingyuan, half-closing his eyes, waved his fan and said, “My mistake, my mistake.”
The Third Prince didn’t reply and continued holding Little Qiyue, taking care of her with surprising ease.
Little Qiyue, nestled in his warm embrace, vaguely recognized the faint scent around her, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. However, she soon fell deeper into sleep, unaware of what was happening.
The carriage rocked gently, and it wasn’t long before they arrived in Fengping Village.
Liu Zhoucheng, unable to resist, asked again, “Why are you and the young master coming to Fengping Village?”
Ning Qingyuan raised his head casually and replied, “We’re looking for someone.”
“Looking for someone? Why come all the way to a small village like this?” Wan Chunmei couldn’t help but ask.
Ning Qingyuan explained slowly, “Because the person we’re looking for is in Fengping Village.”
Liu Zhoucheng was surprised, “In Fengping Village? Are you sure?”
Ning Qingyuan nodded, “I’ve had my people investigate. The last place where the late Concubine Rong’s confidant was seen was Fengping Village.”
Liu Zhoucheng spoke seriously, “Fengping Village has a small population, and I haven’t heard of anyone here who’s taken in children.”
Ning Qingyuan smiled gently, “No rush, no rush. We can take our time. The village isn’t large, and we’ll be able to search it thoroughly in just a few days.”
Liu Zhoucheng gave the Third Prince a glance and then subtly motioned toward Ning Qingyuan, “Since you’re looking for someone, shouldn’t you have brought more people? Is it wise to come here with only the two of you?”
Ning Qingyuan looked unconcerned, “Don’t worry, there’s no danger. If we brought too many people, it would only cause a commotion in this small village, which would make things worse.”
He was right. Fengping Village was a remote village, and if too many high-ranking individuals arrived, it would undoubtedly cause a stir.
Liu Zhoucheng furrowed his brows slightly, “Where do you plan to stay while you search?”
Ning Qingyuan immediately looked toward Wan Chunmei and smiled, “Aunt, do you have a place for us to stay?”
Wan Chunmei quickly shook her head, “We only have two small, humble rooms. It might be a bit cramped.”
Ning Qingyuan shrugged, “Looks like we’ll have to sleep on the streets then.”
Liu Zhoucheng thought for a moment before saying, “Why don’t you come stay with me? My house should have enough space.”
His home was a three-courtyard residence, inherited from his ancestors. Though it had fallen into disrepair, it was still large enough to accommodate guests.
Ning Qingyuan didn’t hesitate and nodded, “That’s fine, we’ll take you up on your offer, Zhoucheng.”
Wan Chunmei, seeing they had settled on where to stay, didn’t say anything more. But she had a nagging feeling about the child they had found. After all, they had found two children in her household.
With that thought in mind, she cautiously asked, “Master, how old is the person you’re looking for?”
Ning Qingyuan answered slowly, “They should be around eight years old.”