Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Kesi silk (a luxurious Chinese tapestry-woven textile) was precious, and using it to make shoes for a child was utterly extravagant. At this point, the crowd realized the man was likely a child snatcher who had abducted the boy and changed his clothes as a disguise.

Unfortunately for him, his carelessness in failing to change the child’s shoes had given him away, allowing the lady to spot the discrepancy.

During the Lantern Festival, the crowds were always dense, and it was almost an annual occurrence for families to lose children, some of whom were never found, leaving their households in turmoil. Observing Ming Tang’s calm demeanor and the little boy beside her—who, under the scrutiny of the crowd, showed no fear but instead stood tall like a strutting rooster—it was clear he was a well-bred young gentleman.

In contrast, the abducted child remained unconscious in the guard’s arms, unresponsive despite the noise, likely drugged by the man. One couldn’t help but imagine that this child, too, had once been doted on by his parents, living lavishly. The stark difference only made the man’s actions all the more despicable.

Sensing the shift in the crowd’s gaze, the man pinned to the ground felt despair. *Who in their right mind dresses a brat in such expensive shoes? Too much money to burn?*

What should have been a smooth operation had ended with his capture, and he knew there was no way out now. Struggling to lift his head, he glared at the nosy woman and snapped resentfully, “Even if that’s the case, it’s not your place—a woman—to order my arrest!”

Just then, the deputy commander of the Eastern City Patrol arrived with his men. The sight of his official uniform and the officers behind him made the crowd part instantly, allowing them to reach the center in moments. At a glance, he saw Ming Tang standing calmly on the steps by the street, a faint smile on her lips, with Pei Ze beside her, still holding his pose defiantly with his hand raised. Pei Yue, relieved, couldn’t help but find it amusing.

No sooner had he arrived than he overheard the man’s outburst.

The situation was clear at a glance. The deputy commander chuckled, “Don’t worry, don’t worry—we’re here now!”

With a wave of his hand, his subordinates swiftly bound the man.

The swift arrest was met with cheers from the onlookers.

The easygoing deputy commander grinned and waved at the crowd. “Alright, folks, that’s a wrap! Rest assured, this villain won’t be going anywhere.”

With the excitement winding down, the crowd gradually dispersed, though not without casting admiring glances at Ming Tang. Thanks to her sharp observation, decisive action, and immediate explanation, they had all borne witness to justice being served.

A happy ending, and they had played the part of righteous bystanders—even better!

They could now return home and brag about being part of the takedown, supporting the brave lady who had exposed the trafficker and ensured he faced the law.

The deputy commander ordered his men to take away the captive, along with the one apprehended by Pei Yue and Ming Tang. Watching them leave, he couldn’t help but feel pleased.

Today had been a stroke of luck—first, Crown Prince Pei swiftly quelled the disturbance, and then Lady Pei uncovered the trafficker. Not only had his district stayed trouble-free, but he might even earn a commendation. This couple truly was his good-luck charm!

His eyes crinkled into slits as he grinned. Noticing how Pei Yue had immediately gone to Ming Tang’s side upon arrival, he tactfully kept his thanks to Pei Yue brief, instead piling on the praise for Ming Tang like it was going out of style.

Pei Ze listened in awe. In his short life, he had never encountered someone so talkative. His bright eyes fixed unblinkingly on the deputy commander.

The intensity of the child’s gaze finally made the deputy commander falter. Shifting uncomfortably, he changed the subject. “Crown Prince Pei, about this child… Would your household be willing to look after him for now?”

“Certainly.”

Relieved, the deputy commander thanked him again before departing with his men.

With the officers gone, the passersby grew bolder, stealing glances and whispering among themselves.

Unlike before, when Pei Yue had often been the subject of covert stares, now it was Ming Tang who drew more attention.

Unaware, Pei Ze watched the chatty stranger leave, then curiously glanced at the sleeping boy in the guard’s arms. Finding him uninteresting, he quickly lost interest and instead took both Pei Yue and Ming Tang’s hands, looking up eagerly. “More fun now!”

It was still early, and the lantern festival was in full swing. Since Pei Ze was unfazed by the earlier events, and Pei Yue was keen to continue enjoying the festivities with Ming Tang—who had no objections—he nodded in agreement.

Thrilled at not having to go home, Pei Ze visibly lit up, bouncing excitedly in place before waving goodbye to the returning guards and Nanny Zhou. Then, he immediately seized the hem of Pei Yue’s robe, staring up—well, at his shoulders—eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Uncle, A Ze wants to ride up high~"

Having once again gotten his favorite perch, Pei Ze sat atop Pei Yue's shoulders and immediately went back to happily enjoying the outing.

Word had spread through the lantern festival about someone spotting and capturing a child snatcher on the spot. Parents walking with their children held them tighter while inwardly sighing in relief, silently grateful to the legendary eagle-eyed woman who could take down a criminal in one move.

As Ming Tang walked side by side with Pei Yue, she often overheard similar descriptions from passersby, making her lips quirk: she had truly witnessed how fast rumors could spread.

Fortunately, they had nothing particularly noticeable about them. Away from the scene, no one could possibly connect them to the rumored woman of extraordinary strength. The occasional glances they received during their stroll were merely normal reactions to their good looks.

Following the brightly lit path, they unknowingly arrived by the Kunyu River.

Thanks to the recent clear weather, the river hadn't frozen over yet, despite it being winter, its waters flowing gently.

The clear river reflected the colorful lanterns along its banks, shimmering with rippling light. Together with the floating lanterns drifting downstream, it created a radiant, crystalline world where heaven and earth mirrored each other.

The riverside was mostly young couples walking, and the crowd was sparser than on the main street. As if by some silent understanding, everyone lowered their voices here, adding to the tranquility.

Gazing at the brilliantly lit Kun Tower and Jade Terrace in the distance, Ming Tang found herself smiling. She glanced up at Pei Ze, whose awe had given way to dazed wonder by the scenery, then at Pei Yue standing tall beside her, just as he had been that day. "Come to think of it, the first time I saw A Ze and you was atop that Jade Terrace. Too bad the river was so wide—I couldn’t see your face clearly across it."

The Jade Terrace was only open during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Pei Yue still remembered that day vividly. First, he had taken the opportunity to be granted an official post, marking the Pei family’s return to the world of court politics. Second… he recalled it was also the day his mother first mentioned Ming Tang to him.

Wait, had they really met for the first time that day? He had always assumed his mother had already been acquainted with Ming Tang before arranging their marriage.

Though he didn’t understand what had prompted his mother to arrange a marriage alliance with the Ming family, the outcome had worked out well in the end.

Pei Yue lowered his gaze, watching the strands of hair by Ming Tang’s ears flutter lightly in the wind, lending her an unusually carefree look. His fingers twitched, brushing the stray locks and tucking them behind her ear.

His hand lingered, sliding down to rest on her shoulder as he met her eyes. "Can You Niang see clearly now?"

The lanterns in the trees cast shifting hues, while the river of lights beside them flowed endlessly, their reflections dancing in each other’s eyes. When Ming Tang looked up, she could see her own image mirrored in Pei Yue’s gaze.

The warmth of Pei Yue’s palm on her shoulder seeped steadily into her. Ming Tang’s heart stirred, but before she could speak, Pei Ze—long ignored—reasserted his presence by pointing at the Jade Terrace in the distance. "A Ze, been there!"

His memory of the event from over half a year ago had grown hazy, but after much deliberation, he confirmed he had indeed been there, declaring it with all the triumph and relief of someone solving an ancient riddle.

In his excitement, he even started squirming a little on Pei Yue’s shoulders.

His weight was negligible to Pei Yue, who had only needed one hand to steady him as usual. But now, with Pei Ze’s slightest movement, Pei Yue winced as if struck, his expression darkening.

Grabbing Pei Ze’s flailing arm, Pei Yue frowned, gritted his teeth, and growled in a low voice, "Stop squirming!"

Do you always have to butt in?

Ming Tang was jolted from the moment, watching Pei Yue’s vivid expression with an amused chuckle.

Pei Ze, oblivious to his uncle’s irritation, thought it was all part of the fun and laughed gleefully while clutching Pei Yue’s hand.

Pei Yue’s indignation went unnoticed, and after a moment, it melted into fond exasperation.

Ah well, he should have expected this when he brought the boy along.

Back at the Duke’s residence, Mrs. Pei was startled when Nanny Zhou mentioned, "The young mistress and little master encountered child traffickers tonight," and urgently pressed for details.

Only after learning that Ming Tang had exposed the trafficker, apprehended them on the spot, and even rescued a child did she relax.

Even so, after arranging care for the rescued child and summoning a physician, Mrs. Pei began to frown when there was still no word of Pei Yue and the others’ return, her expression darkening.

Our son and daughter-in-law have always seemed reliable, so how could they encounter criminals and still go about sightseeing so casually outside, unaware that their family is worried sick about them?

When the news finally came that the heir's group had returned, Mrs. Pei's expression remained stern. Even after they greeted her, she did not soften her gaze. With a dark face, she asked, "You clearly ran into child traffickers—why did you linger outside?"

In such crowded places, the chance of trouble increases. Though nothing happened today, what if some troublemaker might take advantage? What if Pei Ze got hurt?

Pei Ze was already very familiar with the term "child trafficker," knowing it referred to the man from a few nights ago who tried to snatch children away. Not scared at all, he piped up, "A Ze is good! Mama can spot bad people and protect A Ze, so no one can take me!"

Mrs. Pei was momentarily speechless. Recalling the night's events, Pei Ze grew excited again, oblivious to his grandmother's expression. He trotted to her side, lowered his voice, and said with mock secrecy, "Grandmother, do you know how Mama spotted the bad guy?"

Mrs. Pei remained silent, her face still dark, but Pei Ze didn’t need prompting. He rose on his toes, swaying unsteadily in his eagerness.

Though her expression didn’t change, Mrs. Pei instinctively extended her hand to steady him, allowing him to lift his foot higher. "Mama said the little brother’s shoes were expensive, and that man couldn’t afford them, so he definitely wasn’t his father!"

His eyes lit up as if he had discovered a foolproof way to spot bad guys. "Grandmother, from now on, buy A Ze expensive shoes!"

Mrs. Pei rolled her eyes at him but couldn’t help laughing. "Aren’t you already protected? What do you need expensive shoes for?"

Pei Ze paused, deep in thought, then suddenly understood. "Oh, right! A Ze doesn’t need them~"

Lost in his thoughts, he forgot he was standing on one foot. With a slight shift in balance, he tilted to one side.

Mrs. Pei had been waiting for this moment. She tightened her grip and pulled him into her arms, giving him a good squeeze. Seeing that the incident hadn’t cast the slightest shadow over him, she thought to herself: A Ze is truly blessed…

Glancing down at the hall, where Pei Yue and Ming Tang sat close together, whispering intimately, she sighed again: Yue is also blessed…

Now it seemed Yue knew what he was doing. Thankfully, she had followed his wishes back then.