When Wanwan heard Xiao Qi call her name, she turned around to look at him.
A face that was always smiling and sunny was now scrunched up in a small ball, full of grievances, and her bright eyes were full of mist and moisture, which made Xiao Qi's eyes flicker.
He grasped her slender, curved arm in a comforting manner, drew closer to her, and spoke sincerely.
"Instead of fighting a losing battle, we should find out why Uncle Wan was a bandit before, so as not to give others any leverage. Even if we can protect him for a while, we can't take care of Uncle Wan forever. At this time, the best strategy is to cut the flesh and use strong medicine."
Xiao Qi's eyes were like torches, his sword-like eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his bright black pupils reflected the warm firelight, like clean glass. The three-foot-long ice in his eyes, which had remained unchanged for a hundred years, had become somewhat gentle, like sunlight shining into a deep pool, making people feel a little at a loss.
However, his words were still somewhat profound for Wanwan. She blinked her tear-filled eyes and stubbornly refused to lower her head.
"Wanwan, believe in Brother Xiao."
Xiao Qi's voice was more pleading, and his eyes became clearer and more transparent. In his blue pupils, his small, curved face was reflected in the flickering firelight.
As Wanwan slumped her shoulders, releasing her tension, she slowly lowered her hands. Xiao Qi immediately pulled her to his side, reaching out to put his arm around her shoulder, like an older brother protecting a younger sister.
Seeing that Wanwan had made way, the constables took out their handcuffs. Wan Kongshan remained silent, his expression unusually cold. He stretched out his hands and silently allowed the constables to lock the handcuffs on his wrists.
The constables acted swiftly and quickly subdued Wan Kongshan.
"Let's go," the constables sighed.
Wan Kongshan remained silent and obediently followed them outside.
“Master…” Zhang Xiu took two steps forward, her voice trembling slightly. The usually fierce woman softened at this moment. Wanwan felt even more sorry for her and subconsciously buried her face in Xiao Qi’s body.
Upon hearing Zhang Xiu's voice, Wan Kongshan glanced back, his eyes gradually softening.
"Let's go!"
Still impulsive, people urged him on, and public resentment made it difficult to openly protect him. In the end, Wan Kongshan was taken away.
The crowd carrying torches gradually moved away, and the courtyard was gradually plunged into darkness again. The Wan family members remained silent in the darkness, with only a few sniffling sounds heard.
Suddenly, Wanwan broke free from Xiao Qi's embrace and rushed into the darkness, as if she were chasing after them to snatch him away.
"Waist!"
Zhang Xiu almost shouted himself hoarse.
"It's alright." Xiao Qi's two calm words were enough to dissuade her. "Wanwan knows what she's doing."
Wanwan was very fast, and caught up with the group of people carrying torches before they had gone far. "Uncle Magistrate! Uncle Magistrate!"
Magistrate Cao, who was in a complicated mood, hurriedly stopped when he heard the clear and familiar voice. After looking around, he finally found Wanwan, who was still panting heavily, next to his legs.
Why did you run out all by yourself?
Magistrate Cao bent down and lovingly took out a handkerchief to wipe Wanwan's sweat.
"Wanwan has a favor to ask. Could you please buy Wanwan's uncle three days? Wanwan will definitely be able to prove her uncle's innocence within three days."
Her little face was very serious, and her round eyes even had a hint of toughness. Such a look on her grandmother's face did not make her look fierce, but only made people feel sorry for her.
Magistrate Cao was already feeling guilty and worried about how to make amends to the Wan family. When he heard Wanwan's plea, he immediately agreed.
Regardless of the difficulty, even if it meant going against everyone's wishes, he had to give the Wan family a chance.
Even after receiving a positive reply, Wanwan remained sullen, feeling as if her heart was stuffed with cotton, making her feel very uncomfortable. She walked home much slower and had no interest in looking up at the full moon overhead.
"It's all your fault! Father was framed after going out with you! It must be your fault!"
As soon as Wanwan reached the door, she heard Wan Yuekui crying and making a fuss inside. She hurriedly quickened her pace and rushed into the house.
"Wanwan, you've come at the right time." Wan Yuekui was already crying his heart out, and when he saw Wanwan, he felt even more aggrieved. "Look at Xiao Qi, it must all be his fault!"
Wan Yuechi also chimed in.
"No." Wanwan suddenly felt even more aggrieved, and the tears she had managed to hold back welled up again. Without saying a word, she stood in front of Xiao Qi and said, "Brother Xiao is a good person. Uncle was not taken away because of him. It was bad people who took Uncle away."
"Yue Kui, Yue Chi." Wan Suizhou stopped the two brothers, his usually amiable face now stern. "How has your grandfather always taught you? Never make baseless accusations without evidence. Now is the time for us to unite against a common enemy. How can you speak ill of Young Master Xiao?"
Seeing their grandfather's stern expression, the two brothers' anger seemed to have been doused with ice water. They immediately quieted down, lowered their heads, and stammered, "Grandpa..."
"Alright, alright." Wan Suizhou waved his hand. "You two are at the age where you're full of vigor, so Grandpa won't pursue the matter with you. Xiao Qi, Wanwan, come with me."
After saying that, Wan Suizhou lifted his leg and walked into the inner room.
Wanwan stood in front of Xiao Qi with her arms outstretched as if protecting a chick. When she heard her grandfather call her name, she remained motionless as if her soul had been captured, until Xiao Qi reached out and held her cold little hand, at which point she came back to her senses.
Xiao Qi looked down at her, a warm color appearing on his indifferent face. When she met his gaze, it felt as if a small, gentle spring had been poured into her heart, and her cool little hands regained some warmth.
Two figures, one tall and one short, entered Wan Suizhou's room and stood side by side in front of him.
"Young Master Xiao, I have a favor to ask of you this time."
Wan Suizhou's voice sounded much more weathered, and in such a short time he seemed to have aged considerably, which stirred the hearts of both children.
“I have been fortunate enough to receive your guidance, Mr. Wan, and I will certainly fulfill your request.”
Wan Suizhou did not feel relieved upon hearing this; instead, the shadow in his eyes deepened. "I know that Young Master Xiao has a capable subordinate. I hope that Young Master Xiao can make use of this person."
"Without hesitation."
Xiao Qi answered fluently.
"Wanwan." Wan Suizhou waved to Wanwan, "Grandpa will only tell you what's coming next."
That night, the three discussed things in the room for a long time before emerging one by one at 9 PM.
The three of them left the Wan family home without explaining anything to anyone else, and simply left one after another without saying a word.
Xiao Qi summoned his guards, gave them a few brief instructions, and they departed.
His mission was to find witnesses who could prove that Wan Kongshan had not committed any heinous acts in the bandit stronghold and had even saved people on numerous occasions. This task was urgent, involved a long journey, and required a great deal of effort, so it was most suitable to entrust it to him.
Wan Suizhou then took Wanwan to the county town overnight to find Magistrate Cao and discuss with him the matter of leading bandits through the main street three days later under the pretext of quelling public grievances.
Each person had their own task, and they set off on their respective journeys before dawn.
As Wanwan watched the sky gradually lighten in the east, a heavy sense of helplessness welled up in her little mind for the first time.
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