Chapter 91 Chapter 91 Long Aotian's Father 5
Children are incredibly fragile.
Yan Bufan cautiously picked out the dough from Zhuozhu's mouth, fed her a few sips of water, and wiped her dirty little face while she was trying to recover.
After doing all this, Yan Bufan observed Zhuozhu silently. The moment her eyes regained their spirit, he whispered, "Sorry, I shouldn't have stuffed all the dough in your mouth." He held up a new bun and asked, "Do you want to eat more?"
Zhuozhuo leaned over and took a bite of the bun. After a two-second pause, he stood up straight, leaving only two rows of small teeth marks on the bun. Patting his bulging belly, Zhuozhuo said in a baby voice, "Zhuozhuo can't eat anymore. I'm full of water."
Why don't you just lean over and take a bite... Yan Bufan wrapped up the saliva-soaked bun and said, "I'll give it to you when you're hungry."
He bought some long-lasting pot-cakes and prepared three days' worth of food. Yan Bufan set out again with Zhuozhu in his arms. When he arrived at the city gate to line up, the gate was just opening.
Zhuozhuo was dozing off on Yan Bufan's shoulder when she heard someone yelling, "Catch the kidnapper, catch the kidnapper!" The voice was so loud that Yan Bufan's words of defense were completely drowned out. She hummed unhappily a few times and rubbed her little face against Yan Bufan's neck, finally waking herself up. "Daddy."
After a dazed cry, Zhuozhuo opened his eyes and saw a lot of people surrounding them with unfriendly faces. There were also a few ragged teenagers pointing at Yan Bufan excitedly, chattering something.
Zhuozhuo thought these people looked disgusting and turned her head away, unwilling to look at them. She hugged Yan Bufan's neck and said softly, "Daddy."
I didn’t sleep well, I’m sleepy, I want daddy to comfort me.
This time, Yan Bufan failed to understand Zhuozhuo's meaning, but looking at her delicate appearance, he subconsciously raised his hand to pat her back and whispered, "It's okay, go back to sleep."
Before Zhuozhuo could close his eyes, the crowd suddenly parted, and a group of soldiers rushed in, pointing their knives at Yan Bufan. The leader shouted, "You bold thief, how dare you act so presumptuously in Luzhou! Put the girl down, or we will not be polite!"
The onlookers were all dispersed, but the beggars who were shouting the loudest continued to emphasize, "Sir, this man is a beggar. We drove him out of the temple the night before yesterday. The child in his arms looks like the child of a distinguished master. He must have kidnapped him and was selling him off!"
Yan Bufan said to the officers and soldiers: "She is my family member, not abducted. If you don't believe me, you can go and check."
As soon as he spoke, Zhuozhuo immediately understood that this big battle was aimed at them. She opened her eyes wide in fear and looked at the ferocious soldiers. Tears welled up in her eyes and her little mouth was pouting, and she was about to cry.
Yan Bufan held Zhuozhuo's little head in his arms to prevent her from looking.
The leading officers and soldiers regarded this action as a provocation, and rushed forward to arrest Yan Bufan without any fear of harming the hostages.
A murderous look flashed in Yan Bufan's eyes. He stumbled and took a stance, about to grab the knife to resist, when suddenly someone shouted, "Stop!"
The officers and soldiers all stopped and turned to look. Seeing a luxurious carriage and its arrogant entourage, the leading officer immediately stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Master Zhao, are you leaving the city? I'm catching a kidnapper, so I'll make way for you."
He spoke humbly and flatteringly, glaring fiercely and gesturing to his subordinates. Then a weak and gentle voice came from the carriage: "Wait a minute."
The servant accompanying the carriage lifted the curtain, and another servant knelt on the ground to act as a footstool. A woman dressed in silk and satin and wearing gold and jade jewelry stepped down gracefully on the footstool, then turned around and stretched out her slender hands to help a man in moon-white clothes down.
The curtain of the car was lowered, and it seemed as if a figure flashed in the car, but no one came down.
As soon as the man stood firm, he suppressed a cough twice. He did not even look at the leading officers and soldiers, but looked straight at Yan Bufan and Zhuo Zhuo, revealing a smile as gentle as the breeze and bright moon.
"I am the third son of the Zhao family. I was passing by and heard the commotion. I have already sent someone to inquire about the whole story. I believe that the child in this young man's arms, even if not his biological child, is a very familiar and close relationship. Otherwise, why would this child be so dependent on him?"
The leading officer knew something was wrong when he heard this. Zhao San was going to use him as a raft to get to know this young man.
As expected, the next moment, Young Master Zhao San said to him, "Have you received the report from the victim? Have you verified the truth of the beggars' statements? Have you carefully investigated the truth? Have you listened to the defense of this young man?"
The leading officer felt a chill in his heart and subconsciously wanted to quibble, but remembering the rumors about the Third Young Master Zhao, he honestly admitted his mistake, "None of that."
"You believed the one-sided words of a few people and wronged this young master." The third son of the Zhao family said calmly, "I will have someone report the whole matter to Lord Jiang. Lord Jiang will decide how to deal with you."
The leading officer begged Mr. Zhao San to put in a few good words for Lord Jiang, but received only a faint smile. Embarrassed, he prepared to leave when he heard Mr. Zhao San say, "Since you've wronged the young master and frightened the little girl, do you want to apologize to them?"
So, the officers and soldiers stood in a neat row again, bowed to Yan Bufan and apologized, and Yan Bufan accepted it with peace of mind.
After apologizing, the officers and soldiers were about to withdraw, but suddenly remembered something and rushed over to a place with great momentum. Like an eagle catching chicks, they caught the beggars who had first shouted "Catch the kidnappers!" After the arrests, the leading officer and soldier came to ask for instructions from Mr. Zhao San, "Shall we take our leave?"
"Take care, everyone." Young Master Zhao San smiled warmly.
The officers and soldiers fled as if they had been pardoned.
After sending the soldiers away, Young Master Zhao invited Yan Bufan and Zhuo Zhuo to get in the carriage. "I see that you two have a connection and would like to make friends. Please give me this opportunity, young master."
Yan Bufan sneered. It was obvious from the look of Third Young Master Zhao that he was coming for him, so he had no choice but to agree.
After getting on the carriage, Yan Bufan discovered that there was a small screen inside the carriage, dividing it into two parts, inside and outside. They sat on the outside. The carriage began to move, but the water in the teacup on the table inside the carriage did not even ripple.
Young Master Zhao San smiled and said, "Four of us is too crowded. I think the little girl is tired. Let the maid take her to the inner room to rest."
As soon as the beautiful woman finished speaking, she was about to embrace Zhuozhuo, but Yan Bufan gave her a sharp look, forcing her to retreat. He said to the Third Young Master Zhao, "No need. If you have anything to talk to me about, please tell me directly."
"Young Master, you really don't know how to be gentle with women," said Mr. Zhao San, without getting annoyed. He touched the maid's face to comfort her and said leisurely, "I may know where you are going. We are going the same way."
Yan Bufan remained calm when he suddenly heard the news about the Immortal Gate. He had already roughly determined the location of the Immortal Gate and planned to give it a try today.
Yan Bufan was calm, and Young Master Zhao San was also calm. He said calmly, "I just don't know if the young master can find a way to pass through the threshold of the master's house." His gaze fell on Zhuozhuo, and there was a well-hidden exploration and predatory desire in his eyes.
Yan Bufan raised his hand to block it, unsurprised. He was alone and had nothing worth coveting, save for the jade pendant he'd snatched back last night and the unexpected Zhuo Zhuo. He wondered if Third Master Zhao had noticed Zhuo Zhuo's uniqueness, or if someone had tipped him off.
Yan Bufan said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Master Zhao. I have only one goal, and I don't want to cause any trouble. It's not easy to recover an heirloom, and I don't want to give it away or sell it."
With so many members of the Bai family dead, perhaps eight hundred of them would have reported the incident to the authorities. But now, things are calm; someone must have suppressed the situation. If Third Young Master Zhao was involved, it's time to clarify the purpose and use both kindness and force to get him to cooperate.
"Young Master, you're worrying too much. Although I may not be aboveboard, I won't steal someone's love. I invited you to join me simply because I wanted a companion. After all, the road ahead is uncertain."
Yan Bufan did not comment.
Just then, the sound of something heavy falling was heard in the inner room. Young Master Zhao San asked his maid to go in and check. He picked up the teapot and poured tea. Pointing at the cakes and fruits on the small table, he said, "Young Master and Young Lady were in a hurry. Perhaps they didn't have a proper breakfast. They should try these."
As he spoke, Young Master Zhao gathered his wide sleeves with one hand and picked up a piece of mung bean cake that Zhuozhuo had been staring at for a long time with the other hand, "It's sweet, try it." Seeing Zhuozhuo shaking his head, he leaned forward and brought the cake to Zhuozhuo's mouth.
Zhuozhuo buried her face in Yan Bufan's arms, and said in a muffled, baby-like voice, "No! Go away!"
Young Master Zhao wasn't angry either. He sat back down leisurely, teasing Zhuozhuo with a smile, "You really don't want to eat it? It's sweet, soft, and melts in your mouth. If you don't eat it, your father and I will finish it. Are you really not going to try it? You won't eat even if your father feeds you?"
It's like a loving person who has great patience with children and suddenly wants to experience the joy of feeding the child.
9972 was furious. [What the hell is that, Third Young Master Zhao? Don't you know how to respect others?! Are you deaf and can't hear the refusal?! Yan Bufan, you idiot! You can't even tell that your child is being bullied!]
Finally, the little foodie Zhuo Zhuo was tempted. She slowly turned her head to look at the mung bean cake on the plate, then looked at Yan Bufan and said softly, "Daddy, feed me."
Yan Bufan picked up a piece of mung bean cake, took a bite himself, and waited for a moment before feeding it to the anxious Zhuozhuo.
Young Master Zhao said with a smile, "Eat slowly, don't choke. Here's some bayberry drink. It doesn't have too much sugar, sour and sweet. Try it." He pushed the cup forward, but Zhuozhuo immediately turned around and pointed the back of his head at him, "No, no!"
Yan Bufan observed her and realized that Zhuozhuo wasn't in a bad mood, but rather a little afraid of the Third Young Master Zhao. However, the fear wasn't too deep, and perhaps she herself didn't even realize it.
And because there are no adults to patiently guide and ask questions, children are unable to accurately express these subtle emotions and behave like they are throwing a tantrum.
But Young Master Zhao San seemed to think Zhuo Zhuo was so adorable, so he moved a little closer and coaxed her: "Just drink a sip, just drink a sip..." His shadow-like appearance made it impossible for Yan Bufan to hug Zhuo Zhuo and avoid her.
Zhuozhuo waved her little hand and knocked over the cup. Half of the bayberry drink spilled on the table, and the other half splashed on the face of Mr. Zhao San.
Yan Bufan immediately stood up holding Zhuozhuo, ready to jump out of the car at any time.
The Third Young Master Zhao's face turned pale, but he finally put on a wry smile and sighed, "It seems that Zhao and the young lady are not close enough. It will be fine once we get to know each other better. Don't blame me, young master. I'll go in and change my clothes."
Yan Bufan raised his eyebrows, a little impressed by him, "Please."
To be honest, seeing Third Master Zhao being humiliated in his attempt to please Zhuo Zhuo, Yan Bufan felt a secret sense of satisfaction in his heart - he really wanted to see Third Master Zhao's expression when he found out that Zhuo Zhuo was a useless little guy who knew nothing.
Zhuozhuo had no idea that he had gotten into trouble, and complained to Yan Bufan unhappily, "Daddy, Zhuozhuo doesn't want him to see Zhuozhuo. Zhuozhuo doesn't like him, and doesn't want to be with him."
So, Yan Bufan was considering whether to force Zhuozhuo to leave. From behind the screen came the helpless voice of the Third Young Master Zhao, "Zhuozhuo, the mung bean cake you are eating was made by my chef, and this carriage is also mine."
Zhuozhuo was stunned for a moment, then leaned forward to place the remaining quarter of the mung bean cake on the table and said to Yan Bufan, "Zhuozhuo doesn't want to eat anymore. Daddy, I don't want to ride in the carriage."
"If he doesn't take the carriage, does he have to fly there?" Mr. Zhao Sangong's words were joking with a hint of temptation.
Zhuozhuo couldn't understand, so he said stubbornly, "I won't tell you, and you don't have to talk to me."
Young Master Zhao San did not respond immediately. There seemed to be a woman's voice and some vague and strange sounds from behind the screen.
Zhuozhuo didn't notice that she was very active and would do whatever she was told. She instructed Yan Bufan to go outside, and she lifted the carriage curtain to look out. She saw the coachman, three big round horses' butts, and the horses' legs that were running all over the place.
Zhuozhuo's attention was immediately drawn to the horse's legs. He widened his eyes and said in surprise, "Daddy, the legs are tangled together."
Yan Bufan said: "When a horse runs, it looks like this from behind." Some dignitaries also train ponies to walk in order to make the horses look good when running. Such horses are very elegant and beautiful whether they are walking or running.
Observing the surroundings discreetly, Yan Bufan discovered that the mounted guards on both sides of the carriage did not look like ordinary people, nor were they like orthodox martial arts masters. Perhaps the Zhao family had some martial arts secrets that were related to the fairy world.
These people guarded the carriage very tightly. Even if someone jumped off the carriage, they would be picked up before they hit the ground and put back on the carriage in the same condition.
The carriage was heading in the same direction as Yan Bufan had guessed. He gave up the idea of escaping and coaxed Zhuozhu back to the carriage. Firstly, he wanted to prevent Zhuozhu from disturbing the coachman, and secondly, the dust behind the horse was really thick and blinding.
There was a rapid cough from behind the screen, and two calls almost simultaneously.
"Young Master!"
"Third Young Master!"
Yan Bufan had a good memory and could tell that one voice belonged to a beautiful maid and the other belonged to Bai Zhuer.
Yan Bufan's heart tightened, and he rushed behind the screen in an instant, holding Zhuozhuo in one hand and grabbing Mr. Zhao San with the other. He then kicked Bai Zhuer, who was closest to him, towards the carriage door, and then knocked her out through the window.
The accompanying guards rode their horses towards the carriage. When they heard the noise and turned back, Yan Bufan had already landed, rolled over, and sprinted away, taking the two of them ten meters away.
"Ah——!" At this time, the frightened maid and Bai Zhuer screamed.
"Chase!"
The guards rode on horseback to chase after him, and the entourage followed closely behind. Just as they were about to catch up, Young Master Zhao San, who was half-dragged on the ground like a dead dog, was thrown at him like a sandbag.
Everyone rushed to catch it, and whether it was a mistake in the chaos or everyone was trying to take credit, no one got it, but the Third Young Master Zhao fell hard to the ground, his face almost flattened. He coughed and cried out in pain, looking half dead. "Go, go chase him!"
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