Chapter 56 Xiao Bao is missing!

As the sedan chair swayed away into the distance, the crowd slowly emerged from their hiding places.

Fan Xiaoxiao and the others, who were mixed in with the crowd, walked to the place where Hou San and Zhu Er had fought earlier. Watching Huang Yuan and his group's figures disappear into the distance, Aunt Wang clicked her tongue and shook her head: "Tsk tsk, I didn't expect that Zhu Er and Hou San would be even fiercer than the village women in our countryside when they quarrel! And those two are actually relatives of Huang Yuan."

"Huh? Aunties, you didn't know about this?"

"ah!!!"

Startled by the sudden sound behind her, Aunt Wang cried out, startling Fan Xiaoxiao and Madam Fan, who were beside her. Turning around, they were both amused and annoyed to see who it was.

It turned out that the person who came was Ji Yushu, who had gone out to deliver fish balls. He was clutching his chest, looking somewhat dazed as he stared at Granny Wang, seemingly quite frightened by her scream. After calming himself down and letting out a long breath, he said to Granny Wang with a pitiful expression, "Granny! It's me!"

"Oh dear! Young Master Ji! Why do you walk so quietly? You startled me! I thought you were some kind of bad guy!"

Aunt Wang was clearly still a little shaken, and she patted her chest while glaring at Ji Yushu in a joking manner. Ji Yushu felt even more aggrieved by Aunt Wang's reaction, and he muttered, "I, I've been standing here for a long time, but you were all too busy looking at Huang Yuan to notice me."

After listening to Ji Yushu's words, which were tinged with accusation, Aunt Wang gave an awkward smile.

"Uh, hehe, is that so? I really didn't notice! Oh right, just now you asked if we knew anything about this? Does everyone in town know about the relationship between Hou San and Zhu Er and the Huang family?"

Aunt Wang was clearly trying to change the subject with a limp, but her clumsy acting left Fan Xiaoxiao both amused and exasperated. Fortunately, Ji Yushu was usually a bit slow on the uptake, so he didn't notice anything amiss. Instead, he scratched his head and earnestly answered Aunt Wang's question: "Well... not everyone knows, but the major clans in town all know about it. When Miss Fan brought up that plan at my house last time, I thought you all knew about it."

After all, the Huang family's ability to maintain a firm foothold in Guqu Town stems from their large number of relatives there. Uh, you didn't know about this all along? Then wouldn't Lady Fan's plan be...?"

Ji Yushu's voice gradually softened, but his gaze towards Fan Xiaoxiao slowly filled with admiration. This amused Fan Xiaoxiao, who waved her hand at Ji Yushu, deciding to explain things to this honest young man.

"Regarding their relationship, I have some guesses. Perhaps you have forgotten, but when we were discussing matters in your family's flower hall last time, it was Madam Ji who reminded me of this. Madam Ji said that the Huang family relies on many relatives, and I naturally connected this to Hou San and Zhu Er."

After all, collecting rent and managing territory is different from other things. It must be entrusted to trusted confidants. Just as a sage might entrust some of his fiefdoms to his descendants, I boldly speculate that Hou San and Zhu Er must have an extraordinary relationship with this town mayor.”

After listening to Fan Xiaoxiao's words, Ji Yushu's face showed a look of sudden realization.

"Oh! I see! But my wife is quite remarkable. I never expected that you could think so much from such an insignificant remark from my mother. I truly admire you!"

Fan Xiaoxiao was surprised that this honest man would praise her so much after hearing her words, and she was a little embarrassed by his compliments. Fan Xiaoxiao subconsciously touched her nose and coughed lightly, "Ahem! It's not as exaggerated as you say!"

"No, my lady, there's no need to be modest! I'm telling the truth! You are indeed exceptionally intelligent! If you don't believe me, you can ask Madam Wang and Granny Wang!"

The "elder wife" Ji Yushu mentioned was referring to Madam Fan. Madam Fan glanced at Fan Xiaoxiao with a smile, nodding emphatically with an indescribable pride on her face: "Yes! My little sister! She's been clever since she was a child!"

Hearing Fan's words, Fan Xiaoxiao felt a sudden pang of sadness. She glanced at the sky with a complicated expression—yes, the original Fan Erya was indeed a very clever and mischievous child, loved by everyone since childhood. But this very child ended up dying in the wooden cage of the human traffickers.

"Girl?"

Fan Xiaoxiao was brought back to her senses by Fan Shi's call. Looking at Fan Shi's eyes, which were filled with deep concern, she gently shook her head. She quickly dispelled the sadness in her heart—now she was the owner of this body! She would definitely take good care of the family members who were good to her for that little girl.

"Sister, I'm fine. I was just thinking about our plan! By the way, Ji Langjun, now that we've done everything we could, it's your turn. Are you all ready?"

Upon hearing Fan Xiaoxiao ask about the plan, Ji Yushu confidently patted his chest and gestured with his chin towards Fan Xiaoxiao, saying:

"The Ji family is always reliable in handling matters! You can rest assured, Miss Fan!"

Seeing Ji Yushu's confident demeanor, Fan Xiaoxiao nodded in relief, unaware of the somewhat puzzled look in Fan Shi's eyes behind her.

Just then, Granny Wang looked behind Madam Fan and asked with some confusion:

"Hmm? Where's Xiaobao?"

Everyone was startled and immediately looked around, but sure enough, they couldn't see Xiao Bao, who had been with them. Xiao Bao was gone! This was like a bolt from the blue, and panic instantly gripped everyone. Madam Fan burst into tears. Without hesitation, she rushed into the crowd, desperately searching for her child, calling out Xiao Bao's name loudly.

"Xiao Bao! Xiao Bao!"

Fan Xiaoxiao was also quite anxious. They had been so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't even noticed when the child had disappeared! Thinking of Xiaobao holding his porridge, wanting to drink it himself, and holding two sugar figurines, surely not forgetting to share one with her, Fan Xiaoxiao bit her lower lip. Turning her head to see Fan Shi on the verge of tears, she felt even more guilty. Fan Xiaoxiao opened her mouth, her voice slightly strained, and if you listened closely, you could hear an uncontrollable tremor in her voice.

"Sister! Sister, don't panic! Let's split up and look for the child!"

"Yes! Fan Niang! Xiao Bao must be nearby! Don't worry! I'll go look for him over there!"

"Yes, madam! I'll find more people right away to help us look for the child! You all wait here!"

After saying that, the group immediately dispersed. Ji Yushu ran off to find someone to help. After comforting Fan Shi for a couple of minutes, Fan Xiaoxiao also disappeared into the crowd, searching for Xiaobao.

"Xiao Bao! Xiao Bao! Hey, uncle! Have you seen a three-year-old child? About up to my thigh! Fair-skinned! Very clean, big eyes! And a mole next to his eyebrow!"

"No, I didn't see it."

Fan Xiaoxiao and her companions asked several people, searching the entire market, but to no avail. Ji Yushu's servants also searched the surrounding area, but found no trace of the child.

(End of this chapter)