Chapter 204 (1/2)
Chapter 204
Chapter 204 - Pursuing the Criminal
“Stop trying to create suspense and just say it! Whose residence did she enter?” Yu Xiaocao’s voice was fierce, but she had a pet.i.te figure and was staring at them with her adorably big eyes, so it didn’t seem intimidating at all .
The shorter bandit continued to haggle, “You have to promise to let me go after I say it! Otherwise, I won’t tell you even if you beat me to death…”
Yu Xiaocao was so angry that she started to smile . She sneered, “Still refuse to say? Alright! Young Master Zhu, please accompany me to the county yamen . This kind of ferocious bandit needs to be sent to the yamen! With the methods used by the people of the yamen, I’m sure that they will be able to make you talk!!”
“Don’t! Please don’t!!” The shorter bandit saw that the little girl’s face had turned red from anger . If she really sent him to the yamen, then he would definitely be killed! He might still have a chance to stay alive in this young girl and her family’s hands, so he hastily said, “I’ll tell you!”
Under Yu Xiaocao’s watchful eyes, the shorter bandit obediently explained, “The maidservant entered a residence called ‘Fang Estate’ . It looked quite impressive, so it should be a very wealthy household . At that time, I regretted that I didn’t ask for more money!”
Fang Estate? In town, besides her G.o.dfather’s residence, there probably wasn’t another family called ‘Fang Estate’, right? A maidservant from her G.o.dfather’s household wanted to kill her? Other than that girl Xia Furong, there probably wasn’t anyone else, right?
With her brows wrinkled tightly together, Yu Xiaocao had to reevaluate that girl Xia Furong in her heart . She knew that Xia Furong had always disliked her . However, she had never taken her G.o.dmother’s niece too seriously . She felt that it was just the jealousy of a young girl who couldn’t obtain the favor of her elders . She hadn’t expected a little girl under the age of ten to be so cruel and want her life!
Zhu Junxi asked in surprise, “Fang Estate? Isn’t that General Fang’s residence in town? Isn’t General Fang your G.o.dfather? I heard from my mother that your G.o.dparents dote on you down to their bones . How can they allow a maidservant of their own household to harm you? This guy is definitely lying!”
“Young Master, please spare our lives ah! This lowly one swears to the heavens that the maidservant really did enter a house called ‘Fang Estate’ ah!” The shorter bandit hastily defended himself .
After Yu Xiaocao carefully inquired about the figure and appearance of the maidservant, she felt even more certain within her heart . For this trip, Xia Furong had only brought along one second-rank maidservant from the capital, whose name was Zixiang . She had been serving Xia Furong since she was still living with the Xia Family, so she could be considered one of her most trusted servants . Most of the servants in the residence in Tanggu Town were older servant who had transferred over from the General’s Estate in the capital . Thus, Zixiang was the only one she could use .
“Whether it’s the truth or not, we’ll know after my G.o.dfather finds that person and ask . Young Master Zhu, please help me put them on my donkey . By this time, my G.o.dfather should have returned to Dongshan Village already . ” Yu Xiaocao felt that it was necessary to teach Xia Furong a lesson .
This Xia Furong was so insidious at such a young age . She paid someone to murder her just because her G.o.dparents treated her slightly better . In the future, if her G.o.dmother got pregnant and this vicious girl did something to harm her G.o.dmother, then even crying would be useless at that time!
Young Master Zhu was worried about leaving an eight or nine year old girl alone with two vicious bandits . Thus, he decided to be a good person to the end by escorting the little girl back to Dongshan Village and handing her over to General Fang before returning to town .
After this hold up, the sky had already darkened . Fortunately, it was a smooth official road all the way, which she was familiar with, and the speed of the little donkey didn’t decrease at all . When they were close to arriving at the entrance of the village, they heard the sound of horse’s hooves rus.h.i.+ng over . The tall figure on the horse shouted, “Is it Xiaocao?”
Xiaocao quickly replied, “G.o.dfather, it’s me!!”
A moment later, the figure of Fang Zizhen riding on a tall steed appeared clearly in the dimming night . He came to Xiaocao’s side and looked her up and down for a long time before he finally relaxed and chided her, “Why did you come back so late? Don’t you know that your family will worry?”
Yu Xiaocao felt wronged inwardly, but before she got to speak, Zhu Junxi had quickly cupped his hands in a greeting and said, “General Fang, your daughter encountered bandits on her way back and suffered a fright, so you should stop scolding her!”
“What? What kind of bandits would be so bold as to rob my, Fang Zizhen’s, daughter in broad daylight? I reckon that they want to die earlier!!” Upon hearing his words, Fang Zizhen instantly erupted in fury . His voice, which sounded like a large bell, vibrated throughout the mountain forest and caused all the night birds to fly away in panic .
“G.o.dfather…” Yu Xiaocao had never experienced such a dangerous situation before . Seeing her G.o.dfather being genuinely worried about her, her eyes were sour, and her voice trembled as if she was crying .
Fang Zizhen hastily got down from his horse and hugged his daughter in his arms, feeling heartbroken . He said, “Daughter, don’t be scared . G.o.dfather is here! G.o.dfather will skin that d.a.m.ned bandit and avenge you!”
The corner of Zhu Junxi’s mouth twitched, ‘Was it really alright to say such a gruesome thing in front of an eight or nine year old little girl?’
He looked at the originally strong girl crying in General Fang’s embrace, and sighed in his heart, ‘She is a young girl after all . No matter how calm and strong she appeared, she would also show her weak side in front of her family ah!’