Chapter 51: Father is Here!

Chapter 51: Father Is Here!

The rhythmic clip-clop of hooves couldn't drown out the frantic thumping of their hearts. In the darkness, each rapid beat seemed unnervingly clear, so urgent it stole their breath.

They rode on, eyes squeezed shut, as the faint moonlight filtered through the mottled branches and leaves, doing its utmost to illuminate the two hapless figures on the path.

Darkness invariably breeds a sense of dread, making every fleeting moment of the night feel interminably long.

Jiang Wan had no idea how long they had been riding. Just as the autumn mountain wind had nearly numbed her to the bone, she vaguely discerned flickering lights ahead.

And was that someone shouting in the distance?

"Li Chengxiu, do you see people up ahead? Listen carefully—is someone calling for us?"

Jiang Wan quickly reined in her horse, turning to question the person behind her. Li Chengxiu, thus prompted, widened his eyes to peer forward, straining his ears to catch the sounds.

"There are lights, yes, but I can’t quite make out what they’re saying. Should we sneak closer for a look? I think it’s very likely my brother sent a search party for us!"

"I agree. If they were pursuers, they wouldn’t be making such a racket. Let’s go check it out!"

"Alright!"

"Hold on tight. Ru Hua, let’s go!"

As they drew nearer, Jiang Wan dared not gallop anymore, fearing the sound of hooves would give them away. The two dismounted, and Jiang Wan thrust the reins into Li Chengxiu’s hand.

"Stay here with Ru Hua. I’ll go scout ahead."

But as she turned to leave, a hand from behind grabbed her sleeve.

"No way!"

Li Chengxiu, exasperated, pulled her behind him and pressed the reins back into her hands.

"You should stay here with Ru Hua. I’m the man—I’ll take the lead!"

"But you’re injured…"

"I’ll be fine! You stay right here and wait for me!"

Afraid Jiang Wan would stop him, Li Chengxiu took off. After running about a few yards, he suddenly stopped and called back, his voice trembling.

"Wan Jieer, if I’m not back in the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, get on Ru Hua and go somewhere else!"

Without looking back, he charged into the darkness.

Jiang Wan stood quietly in place, watching as the not particularly tall or burly youth vanished into the woods.

A sudden warmth stirred within her.

"Li Chengxiu seems... braver than he gives himself credit for. Right, Ru Hua?"

"Neigh～"

A soft question, a soft answer. Jiang Wan smiled inexplicably, which made Ru Hua stomp impatiently again.

In the darkness, the horse’s snorts were clearly audible, and human heartbeats seemed unusually loud. Once out of Wan Jieer’s sight, Li Chengxiu crept forward.

Was he afraid?

Of course he was.

But no matter what, he was a man, damn it. How could he let a young girl take the lead in a dangerous situation like this?

Without Ru Hua’s help, the dense forest made it impossible to see the path underfoot. He could only inch forward, feeling his way, trying not to make a sound.

The scattered lights grew closer and closer, and he cautiously halted. Hiding behind a large tree, he craned his neck, listening hard, trying to make out what the people were shouting.

Finally, he heard a very anxious, rough male voice.

"Jiang Wan! Eldest Daughter, where are you? Don’t be afraid, your father is here! Father is here!"

Father is here?!

That voice belonged to Wan Jieer’s father, Second Uncle Jiang!

Certain he’d heard correctly, Li Chengxiu broke into a huge grin of relief and sprinted back to Jiang Wan as fast as he could.

"Your father is here! Wan Jieer, we’re saved! Your father brought people to find us!"

"My father?!"

Jiang Wan also grinned with relief.

"Quick, get on the horse!"

"Alright!"

The two swiftly climbed onto the horse’s back again. Jiang Wan tightened the reins, kicked Ru Hua into a gallop, and urged the horse toward the flickering lights.

Jiang Huailiang, who had been shouting till he was hoarse countless times, now had eyes red-rimmed and wild.

His Wan Jieer, his eldest daughter! Where on earth was she? Could she already be...

No, no, his eldest daughter was blessed with great fortune! She’d been fine all those years she’d lived foolishly—there was no reason she’d get herself killed now that she’d become clever!

Jiang Huailiang never could have dreamed that, after finally fighting their way to the capital and successfully seen the Prince of Huai take the throne, he’d be ordered to return to escort the prince’s family—and his own.

But before he could even step through his own gate, he ran into his second and third sons rushing back in tears to seek help.

He immediately led men to search the southern suburbs, but so far, he hadn’t found a trace of his daughter—or even a hair of that youngest Li boy!

He swallowed against his raw throat, and widened his eyes to carefully scan the shadowy undergrowth around him, afraid his daughter might be lying in some inconspicuous spot.

The forest at night was far more dangerous than during the day. Every moment later they found her, the greater the danger his child was in!

Thinking of his daughter huddled in some unknown corner, and his wife who must be worried sick at home, Jiang Huailiang scrubbed a hand over his weary face.

He hadn’t had time to rest properly after coming off the battlefield. Upon receiving the Prince of Huai’s order, he’d pushed on day and night to get back—only to be met with this terrible news. Ah, truly!

"Jiang Wan! Eldest Daughter…"

His voice was already hoarse beyond recognition, but he continued yelling himself raw. Wang Hu, his aide, immediately came over and offered the water pouch hanging at his waist.

"General, please drink some water and rest your throat. Let me take the men and look!"

His brother was supposed to be protecting the young lady when she went missing. No matter how you looked at it, Wang Hu knew he had to give it his all!

Jiang Huailiang brushed aside the water pouch with a weary shake of his head.

Turning to look at the soldiers who had followed him through all the dust and grime of the journey, and after searching for most of the day, it was clear that every one of them was dead tired.

"Brothers, take five right where you are. Eat and drink what you need, and make it quick. We’ll resume the search after a short break!"

His voice was hoarse but clear.

"Thank you, brothers, for helping me search for my child! Today, Old Jiang owes you a debt of gratitude. I won't forget this!"

"We’re brothers who’ve faced life and death together—why all the formalities? Your little girl calls us uncles—how is she any different from our own children? What’s there to thank us for?"

Zhang Jingguang waved his hand, signaling the men under his command to rest where they were. Seeing how distraught Jiang Huailiang was, he hurried to reassure him.

"Don't get too worked up. Even though we haven’t found the children yet, at least we haven’t found any sign of trouble, right?

Who knows—maybe they’ll pop out on their own any minute now?

Don’t worry. All our brothers are here searching together. We’ll definitely find them!"

After comforting his brother, he quickly grabbed the water pouch at his waist and took several good gulps to wet his whistle.