Chapter 410: Are You Trying to Get Yourself Killed?

Chapter 410: Are You Trying to Get Yourself Killed?

"Let's go to the authorities," Xingxing suggested, crouching beside An Ningxin, who had collapsed to the ground in tears. "Since Sis Cheng was kidnapped, perhaps the authorities can be more reliable."

Fan Pingfang also said, "Come on, I'll accompany you to report it to the Shuntian Prefecture."

An Ningxin took a while to compose herself. She wiped her tears, nodded, and hoarsely agreed, "Alright."

An Ningxin looked at Xingxing, "...Xingxing, thanks for your help today. It's getting late; you should head back home now."

Xingxing nodded, feeling a pang of sadness thinking about little Sis Cheng.

Before Xingxing could leave the courtyard, Yu Yonghuai showed up to pick her up.

"Big bro, you came to get me?"

Yu Yonghuai nodded and added, "The bandits outside the city are incredibly sly. I heard the Shuntian Prefecture sent troops to crack down on them twice, but both times they came up empty. Now, those bandits have vanished without a trace, and it's suspected that they've dispersed and hidden in the city... Even though you brought household guards when you came out, the family is still really worried. I figured I'd come and take you back."

Yu Yonghuai noticed the tense atmosphere in the courtyard and paused, "...What's going on?"

He only knew that Xingxing had come over to Fan Pingfang's to hang out and was unaware that Xiao Ancheng had been kidnapped this afternoon.

Xingxing whispered, "...Xiao Ancheng was kidnapped this afternoon." She then explained how they had searched all afternoon without finding a single clue.

Yu Yonghuai's brows furrowed deeply.

He had a buddy serving in the Five City Military and Police Command who had mentioned a few things about human traffickers in the capital.

Human traffickers do exist in the capital, but they're pretty rare.

First off, the capital is right under the emperor's nose, and the regulations are stricter. Plus, the famine years a while back were absolutely devastating, leading to a long time where, in many places, human life was worth less than dirt, with tons of people selling their kids. Why would anyone break into a yard to kidnap a kid?

"...I'm afraid this might be a targeted abduction," Yu Yonghuai said gravely. "Have you pissed anyone off lately?"

Fan Pingfang frowned, "We're in business; harmony brings prosperity. How could we have offended anyone?"

An Ningxin murmured, "The Earl of Qin'an... No, even though things between me and the Earl of Qin'an are over, he wouldn't specifically come to snatch Sis Cheng."

Moreover, they all knew very well that Sis Cheng was not the Earl of Qin'an's daughter.

If the Earl of Qin'an were to snatch anyone, it would be Master Hao.

Sis Cheng, Sis Cheng...

An Ningxin suddenly thought of something, her face instantly turning pale, and her body swayed.

Fan Pingfang quickly supported An Ningxin, concerned, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should we call a doctor to see you?"

An Ningxin grabbed Fan Pingfang's arm, both agitated and panicked, "...I, I remembered."

Everyone looked at An Ningxin.

An Ningxin found it difficult to speak, but after a while, she managed to utter the words, "...Sis Cheng's biological father, back then, might not have died..."

Back then, An Ningxin had been abducted into a mountain stronghold and later rescued by the Earl of Qin'an from the dungeon. But before that, she had already been pregnant.

During those unspeakable days, she had only been with the second-in-command of the stronghold...

Before An Ningxin was rescued by the Earl of Qin'an, she had specifically checked the pile of bandit corpses in the stronghold and did not find the body of the second-in-command.

The Earl of Qin'an had told her that several bandits had been struck down into the mountain stream by them, and at that height, it was almost certain death.

An Ningxin, desperate to escape the nightmare, naturally hoped the other party was dead.

Over the years, in An Ningxin's heart, Xiao Ancheng's father was as good as dead.

But now, hearing Yu Yonghuai's analysis, An Ningxin was reminded of the nightmare from years ago, the man with a scar across his face...

She was trembling all over.

Fan Pingfang had a maid bring a cloak and draped it over An Ningxin, comforting her, "...If it really is Sis Cheng's biological father, even a tiger does not eat its own cubs. Sis Cheng should be safe, at least for now."

An Ningxin nodded frantically, utterly bewildered.

Yu Yonghuai glanced at Xingxing; he truly didn't want his sister entangled in bandit-related affairs.

But things had escalated to this point, and his sister was already caught up in it.

"...Alright, tomorrow I'll go and talk to my comrades in the Five City Military and Horse Division again," Yu Yonghuai mused, "and have them pay extra attention during their patrols. If it really is Ancheng's biological father who took her, then with a little girl, he probably won't be able to hide very well."

An Ningxin nodded anxiously, looking at Yu Yonghuai with gratitude, "Thank you!"

Yu Yonghuai remained silent, simply taking Xingxing's hand, "Let's go. It's getting dark, and if we don't head back soon, our grandparents will be beside themselves with worry."

Xingxing obediently nodded.

An Ningxin seemed to cling to a lifeline, "I'll see you off!"

As they left the small courtyard, Xingxing was on Yu Yonghuai's left side, his broad body shielding her, so from the right side, it looked as if An Ningxin had come out alone to see Yu Yonghuai off.

A roar erupted from the right side of the alley, "Good! That day at the clinic, I wondered why he was protecting you so fiercely! So you're already involved?!"

An Ningxin was startled as the Earl of Qin'an strode out from the shadows of the alley, his eyes blazing with anger, pointing at Yu Yonghuai and accusing An Ningxin, "It's only been a few days, and you're already letting him into your home?!"

An Ningxin, already worn out from her daughter's disappearance and the possibility that the bandit who had tormented her was still alive, was at her limit. Now, she was barely holding on by a thread, and seeing the Earl of Qin'an like this, she trembled with anger, unable to speak.

Yu Yonghuai scowled, "What nonsense are you spouting!"

The Earl of Qin'an, his face flushed with anger, pointed at Yu Yonghuai, his eyes blazing, "His Majesty has betrothed you to Miss Cen, the daughter of the Marquis of Jiangtai, and you turn around and mess around with my mistress! Aren't you afraid His Majesty will punish you for this?!"

With Cen Yueyi involved, Yu Yonghuai stepped forward, seizing the Earl of Qin'an by the collar and hoisting him up, his eyes filled with murderous intent, "—Do you want to die?!"

It was only then that the Earl of Qin'an noticed Xingxing standing beside Yu Yonghuai.

Who brings their sister along to meet a lover?

The Earl of Qin'an vaguely realized that he might have misunderstood...

"Don't talk nonsense!" Xingxing was very unhappy and shouted, "My big brother is just here to pick me up. You're not only insulting my big brother but also insulting Lady An! You've been with Lady An for so long, don't you know what kind of person she is?! You're so confused, no wonder Lady An left you!"

Xingxing's voice, sweet and soft, cut through the Earl of Qin'an like the sharpest sword.