Chapter 52: Returned

Chapter 52: The Return

Honestly, that old bachelor's words must have been blessed. No sooner had he spoken than the rapid sound of horse hooves clearly echoed from the distant mountain path.

Ma Fei, Wang Bao, and the other guards, awaiting their punishment, sprinted towards the source of the hoofbeats. Moments later, Wang Bao, the swiftest among them, raced back.

"It's the Eldest Miss and Fourth Young Master Li! They're back, General! The Eldest Miss is back!"

"Wan'er!"

Jiang Huailiang vanished in a flash. Wang Hu, right behind him, took a moment to kick his brother. The furious glare he shot over conveyed a clear message:

*Just you wait until we get back—I’ll settle this with you then!*

"Hehehe, they’re back, they’re back. *Sob sob sob*, as long as they’re back, it’s all good!"

Wang Bao wiped away his tears.

Truth be told, these guards, having failed their duty, had already contemplated how they would atone with their lives. Now that the Eldest Miss had been found safe and sound, their own lives were finally spared!

"Dad!"

"My dear girl!"

Jiang Wan was swept off her horse by her father, pulled into a bear hug for a fleeting two breaths, then quickly released as he began to examine her from head to toe with immense tenderness.

"My daughter, are you alright? Does anything hurt or itch? Are you tired? Thirsty? Hungry? Sleepy? Uncomfortable…?"

"Dad!"

Jiang Wan looked at her father, as robust as a black bear, his eyes noticeably red from crying. Suddenly, tears welled up in her own eyes.

She quickly wiped them away, forcing a relaxed smile onto her face.

"Don’t worry, Dad, I’m perfectly fine! I’m just a little tired from riding for so long, and really hungry because I didn’t eat enough today. Other than that, nothing’s wrong! Really, don’t worry, okay?"

Li Chengxiu, who had also dismounted, quickly came over to offer reassurance.

"Uncle Jiang, please don’t worry, we are both truly fine! I—"

"Get out of the way!"

Seeing his daughter, who had finally grown so beautiful, now with disheveled hair and dirty clothes, Jiang Huailiang’s heart ached terribly.

He glared fiercely at Fourth Young Master Li.

If it weren’t for this kid’s future noble status, he would have loved to slap him senseless with his large, fan-like hand.

*Hmph*, if it weren’t for this unlucky brat, how could his precious daughter have gone through such an ordeal?

He knew he was being a bit unreasonable, but as the unfortunate father whose daughter had been implicated, he felt that restraining his anger and not taking it out on Li Chengxiu was already showing great respect to his sworn elder brother!

"Fourth Young Master Li, not another word, or I’ll want to hit you!"

Jiang Huailiang was a straightforward man—he didn’t hide his grudges and spoke his mind. Li Chengxiu looked at Wan'er, then at Wan'er’s father, with a hurt expression.

"Uncle Jiang, what did I do to make you want to hit me?"

"You didn’t do anything. I just purely don’t like the sight of you, alright?"

Not wanting to deal with this unlucky kid any longer, Jiang Huailiang turned to his tender eldest daughter, instantly changing his demeanor.

"Wan'er, quickly go sit on Big Green and rest for a bit. I’ll lead the horse for you. Don’t be afraid, Dad’s here!"

"Mm, now that Dad’s here, I’m not afraid!"

The obedient child, protected by her father, slowly made her way out of the dangerous forest.

Li Chengxiu watched as Wan'er, unceremoniously abandoning him, opened his mouth bitterly but had nothing to say. Zhang Jingguang, who had just received a meaningful look from his old friend, quickly stepped forward to assist the young master.

"Fourth Young Master, Old Jiang is leading the horse for Wan'er. How about I lead the horse for you in a bit, Old Zhang? It’s getting late—we should hurry back. I’m sure Lady Qiao is already very worried at home!"

"Alright. Thank you, Uncle Zhang!"

Mentioning his mother was more effective than anything else. Li Chengxiu thanked him and immediately started walking. Zhang Jingguang followed behind, smiling with apparent sincerity.

"You’re welcome, it’s the least I can do. Hahaha, truly, it’s nothing."

Indeed, it was the least he could do—after all, this young master would soon transform into a dragon among men! Getting on his good side now, whether it paid off later or not, certainly couldn’t hurt.

The large group marched out of the mountains, and along the way, they encountered Li Yanxiu, who was leading a search party frantically scouring the forest for his brother.

"Brother! I’m over here, brother!"

Sitting high on his horse, Li Chengxiu spotted the silver-white figure in the distance and waved vigorously with his uninjured arm.

Li Third Brother, whose eyes were blurry from searching, thought he heard his wayward brother’s voice in his daze. Shaking his head to clear it, he followed the sound and saw someone sitting tall on a horse, waving happily in his direction. Who else could it be but his brother?

"Fourth Brother!"

"Brother!"

The two brothers, reunited under the moonlight, shed genuine tears of relief.

After learning the full story and the heroic deeds of their savior, Li Yanxiu bowed deeply to the young girl sitting tall on her horse.

"Li Yanxiu thanks Miss Jiang for saving my brother’s life. This life-saving kindness is something my brother and I will never forget! If there is ever anything you need from me in the future, as long as it does not break the law or harm others, Miss Jiang, you need only ask!"

*Whew*, she had finally managed to gain the antagonist's favor! Though the path had been winding and the process perilous, his straightforwardness—no, his decisiveness—was still quite gratifying.

Jiang Wan wore her signature smile, looking at Li Third Brother with an eager expression.

"Third Brother Li, there’s no need to be so polite. Fourth Brother Li and I have been classmates for so long—how could we not have a bond of friendship? If I could save him and didn’t, how could my conscience ever be at peace?"

Though she wasn’t quite sure where her conscience resided, it didn’t stop her from projecting a radiant, saintly image that shone brilliantly in the darkness.

"You’re right, Wan'er. You’re truly loyal and kind-hearted. I was being too formal. Thank you again, little sister!"

"You’re welcome."

The two children exchanged pleasantries, each word polite and thoughtful, leaving the adults listening with pensive expressions.

Zhang Jingguang discreetly elbowed his old friend, with a sly grin.

"Hey, old brother, I’d say your dear niece is destined for something great in the future, don’t you think?"

"If anything good comes of it, you better not forget about me. Once we’re in the capital, I’m following your lead."

"But remember, tell your wife to put some effort into finding me a proper wife! It’s tough being a lone wolf day in and day out. It’s really hard."

"Hard my foot!"

Jiang Huailiang retorted with little patience.

What kind of judgment did Old Zhang have with those beady eyes of his?

With Li Third Brother’s flamboyant appearance, how could he ever entrust his daughter to him? What was he thinking?