No one was found, and the guards at the village entrances and exits didn't see a single fly, let alone a living person.
After searching for a long time without finding anyone, Zhao Jiaqi finally spotted her father and the special envoy. Only then did she realize her father had truly arrived.
As happy as a little butterfly, she spread her arms and rushed towards Fan Zehao, "Dad, Dad."
She ran towards Fan Zehao, calling out, her eyes like a crescent moon on the first day of the lunar new year. She buried herself in her father's strong and broad embrace, smiling, "Dad, Mengmeng missed you so much."
Her soft and adorable plea finally put Fan Zehao's worried heart at ease. He held her tightly and sighed, "It's good that you're alright. Dad will take you home."
Home?
Yu Meng shook her head. That wouldn't do. Her grandmother's revenge was not yet enacted, and they were supposed to leave?
"I'll go back with you after I dismember that Yama devil."
This foolish daughter was still thinking of dismembering him? Helian Jinli would have torn her to shreds if she didn't.
He said gently, "We'll talk about revenge later. Your mother is very worried at home. Let's go back first, be good."
His words were soft, but his hand gripped her arm, fearing she would vanish like the wind the next second, out of his sight.
She had secretly replaced her cousin as a hostage this time. Her mother would surely be furious if she found out. Looking back at the farmhouse courtyard, she felt a pang of resentment.
She turned her head back, full of reluctance, and nodded. "Then let's go home. Don't make mother wait too long."
The father and daughter swaggered out of the courtyard. Helian Jinli, lurking in the shadows, did not intervene. He knew that blocking them now would be futile. Even if they fought, neither side would gain an advantage, and it would end in mutual destruction.
Besides, he hadn't forgotten that this was Fan Zehao's territory. But it didn't matter. As long as he returned to the inner city, he would eventually have a chance to see him. He had waited half a year, and a few more days wouldn't hurt.
He looked up at the sky, dark clouds pressing down. It seemed it would snow again.
He glanced back at the heated brick bed inside the house. Once lit at night, lying on the bed would be warm and comfortable, allowing him to sleep until morning. It was much more comfortable than burning gold-threaded charcoal.
It was a pity that he could no longer stay here. His identity and whereabouts had been exposed. If he didn't want to be invited to a whipping, he would have to fight his way out and find a new place.
It wasn't that he feared being beaten, but he feared tiring out that stubborn, vengeful little pepper.
However, when they met again, how would he explain the matter with Xueyao?
The thought of Xueyao made his head throb.
On the way back to the mansion, Fan Zehao held Yu Meng as they rode a horse. The father and daughter chatted and laughed all the way home. He didn't feel tired at all, but his heart felt warm.
Family happiness, peace, and joy were enough. He didn't really ask for much.
They rode swiftly and arrived at the prince's mansion late that night. The moment he entered, the servants guarding the entrance saw them and rushed to the back courtyard, shouting that the prince and the princess had returned safely.
Suddenly, the prince's mansion was brightly lit, and people from all the courtyards came out to welcome the prince home.
Fan Xudong saw his elder brother. The two brothers punched each other lightly and smiled, understanding each other without a word.
Fan Xudong said, "Brother is back. Then Pin Ting and I will return to our mansion. After brother rests for a few days, we'll continue our reunion."
Compared to the past, he was more mature and steady. His words were organized, and he was no longer a reckless youth.
He was truly the father of five children, his maturity surpassing Fan Zehao's imagination.
"While I was away, you and sister-in-law worked hard. I'll treat you two to a meal later."
These words made Fan Xudong feel embarrassed. He chuckled awkwardly, "Let's not say such things between us brothers."
Fan Zehao patted his shoulder and walked out of the main hall, heading quickly towards the back courtyard.
Main courtyard.
Zhao Jiaqi pulled Yu Meng's arm, examining her from head to toe, then from front to back, ensuring she wasn't injured. Then, she put on a stern face and poked her forehead fiercely with her finger.
Her tone was a mix of heartache and anger, but what came out was helplessness. "You're such a big girl, why are your actions so troublesome for your mother? When will you grow up and stop acting impulsively!"
Scolded, Yu Meng stuck out her tender pink tongue at her. She pulled out her trump card, lowered herself charmingly, leaned on her mother's legs, and smiled foolishly at her. "Mother~ Daughter knows her mistake. Please don't be angry, Mother. Daughter promises it won't happen again."
Hearing this, Zhao Jiaqi's voice rose sharply. "Again? If you dare to do it again, I'll break your legs first. Don't believe me, try it."
Fan Zehao lifted the cotton curtain and walked in, overhearing this. He chuckled and sat down next to his wife, stroking Yu Meng's hair with his large hand. He glanced at his woman and said, "You always say harsh things. How can I believe you'd break her legs!"
After reprimanding his wife, he lowered his head and winked at Yu Meng. "Your mother has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She's just too worried about you all."
Yu Meng knew her mother's nature. She was just saying it. Besides, her mother's small feet, even if she kicked them, wouldn't be able to catch up to them, let alone break their legs!
Yu Meng didn't dare to say this but nodded vigorously, suppressing a smile, acting very well-behaved and sensible, as if she had transformed into someone else.
"Mother, don't worry. I'll be good from now on and will never risk my life. I'm waiting for you to help me raise my children in the future!"
Raise children?
Zhao Jiaqi's anger had just subsided, but her daughter's words immediately reignited it. She gave her a smack on the back and glared at her impatiently.
"You're such a big girl, aren't you ashamed to say such things? You're so young and already thinking about getting married."
Yu Meng was unfazed and said, "Food is desire, and sex is also desire. The issues of eating and sex have always been extremely important matters since ancient times. Marriage is bound to happen sooner or later. I'm just saying it, why should I be ashamed?"
"What I'm saying are the plain truths, unlike those hypocrites who talk about 'zhi hu zhe ye' (classical Confucian phrases). They publicly say it's shameful and one should be reserved, but in reality, they are very lustful. Otherwise, they wouldn't offer tens of thousands of taels of silver to take a concubine."
"If they were truly gentlemen, why would they marry? Isn't it for 'shameful' acts? Otherwise, they would say that to be unfilial is the greatest sin, and to have no heirs is the worst."
At the end of her complaints, Yu Meng muttered grumpily, "Why are all the words spoken by them? Are we women born only to pass on the family line?"
Hearing her daughter's lengthy grumbling, Zhao Jiaqi sighed helplessly, her heart feeling even more weary.
What her daughter said was right, but that was the way of the world, and it was not something they two could change these people's minds about.
She sighed heavily, but then remembered what her daughter had just said and immediately dismissed her suggestion. "If you can give birth, you can raise them yourself. Don't expect me to raise your children. Your father and I still want to have our time together. I won't have time to help you."
She had raised these three children to be like this. If she had to raise more children, who knew if they would be even more messed up.
Therefore, she didn't want to hinder the growth of the next generation and would leave the children to be raised by themselves. Besides, her daughter was marrying out. Why would she bring her children back to her maiden home after giving birth?
She wouldn't help, and she absolutely wouldn't raise her grandchildren for her.
Her mother's firm reply left Yu Meng stunned for a long time. But then she thought about it. She was only thirteen, and would soon be fourteen. Marriage was still far away.
There was no point in arguing with her now. When the time came and she had a baby, she would just dump it on her, and she didn't believe her mother wouldn't take care of it.
Having made up her mind, she stopped dwelling on the issue and got up, smiling and bidding them farewell.