Zhan Xiaoli ran fast.
He ran all the way into another small alley.
Then he found a straw basket and hid inside it.
It was very quiet all around.
He never expected to encounter the bad woman.
If he had known, he would have taken another route, and it would have only delayed him by a little to see his great-grandfather.
Suddenly.
There were footsteps outside the straw basket.
The footsteps approached him step by step, seeming to get closer and closer.
He held a dagger in his hand, ready to throw a hidden weapon if he was discovered, but the footsteps stopped, not coming any closer.
Had he been overthinking? The bad woman wasn't chasing him?
As he wondered.
He suddenly felt a gust of wind blow through the straw basket, making him, who was inside, sway.
Then, the straw basket was kicked away.
The next moment.
Jiang Luoxi stood a step away from him, pointing at the dagger in Zhan Xiaoli's hand, and whispered, "Has anyone ever told you that children shouldn't play with knives and swords? They are very dangerous. It's one thing if you hurt others, but what if you hurt yourself?"
This lecture sounded like a kind elder.
Zhan Xiaoli was not so easily fooled. He said coldly to Jiang Luoxi, "You have no right to control me, get out of the way!"
"Hey, why are you so disobedient? And so disrespectful of rules, showing no respect for others? Clearly, you haven't taken my words to heart." Jiang Luoxi was smiling, but the cold glint in her eyes was chilling.
It was clear that she disliked Zhan Xiaoli intensely.
Zhan Xiaoli could naturally feel this, and he looked at her coldly, "Whether I understand rules or not is my mother's concern; no one else has the right to interfere."
Jiang Luoxi had been unable to bear hearing Yun Shu's name lately. She hadn't intended to see Zhan Tianye yet, as it wasn't the right time.
However, since the opportunity had presented itself, she wouldn't refuse it.
While seeing Zhan Tianye, she also wanted to see if there was any rift between him and Yun Shu. She didn't mind adding fuel to the fire.
"I indeed have no right to interfere, but since I've seen it, I cannot stand by and do nothing. I'll take you back first." Jiang Luoxi's face turned cold.
Children were generally disliked, and Yun Shu's three children even more so!
...
Yun Shu searched everywhere with the servants.
Finally, she learned from passersby that Zhan Xiaoli had gone alone towards the city gate.
Hearing that Zhan Xiaoli was going to the city gate alone, Yun Shu felt even more irresponsible as a mother.
She had neglected Zhan Xiaoli's inner pain.
She clearly remembered Zhan Xiaoli telling her about a dream he had, where Qin Lao Taiye was covered in wounds, his injuries bleeding profusely, just like last night.
When a dream becomes reality, it would be a definite blow and shock to a child.
"Go to the city gate immediately! Bring Xiao Li back as soon as you see him!"
Yun Shu commanded at once.
She went with several servants.
...
Just as Yun Shu and her party left.
A carriage arrived from another direction and stopped in front of the Qin residence.
When Jiang Luoxi alighted from the carriage with Zhan Xiaoli in her arms, the servants at the Qin residence were all startled.
Why were the young heir and Miss Jiang together?
At this moment, Zhan Xiaoli was asleep with his eyes closed in Jiang Luoxi's arms. She acted gently, afraid of waking Zhan Xiaoli, and softly said to the servants at the door, "I met the young heir on the road and was worried about him being alone outside, so I brought him back. I didn't expect him to fall asleep on the way."
"Ah? Thank you, Miss Jiang. Please hand the young heir over to this servant." A servant reached out to take Zhan Xiaoli.
Jiang Luoxi dodged, "The young heir isn't sleeping very soundly. He was still mumbling in his dreams in the carriage. Perhaps I should carry him to Lord Ye or Second Miss Yun."
Seeing this, the servant thought that since Jiang Luoxi had brought the young heir back, they agreed.
A moment later, Jiang Luoxi met Zhan Tianye.
After a few days, his features were even more defined, and his aura was even more cold and imposing.
With just one glance, it seemed to freeze one's heart.
And with just one glance, Jiang Luoxi's heart beat faster.
There were probably few men in this world who could compare to him. Once he stood up again, no one in the world would be able to match him.
This world would be his.
Her heart began to churn.
"Hand Xiao Li over to this king." Zhan Tianye glanced at Jiang Luoxi once, then his gaze fell on Xiao Li.
Xiao Li slept soundly in Jiang Luoxi's arms.
Jiang Luoxi nodded slightly, walked over, and handed Zhan Xiaoli to Zhan Tianye.
This was the first time their distance was so close. She could clearly smell a faint, crisp scent from him.
In her peripheral vision, she saw the ice coffin, and Qin Lao Taiye lying within it.
When her gaze fell on Qin Lao Taiye, she quickly averted her eyes.
"I encountered Xiao Li on my way to the Prime Minister's residence. Seeing him alone on the road, with many child traffickers watching him, I was afraid for his safety as a child and took it upon myself to bring him back. He must be exhausted, as he fell asleep in the carriage. Lord Ye, please rest assured," Jiang Luoxi said gently.
Zhan Tianye lowered his gaze to look at the sleeping Zhan Xiaoli. Seeing that Xiao Li's breathing was even and there were no abnormalities, he then looked up at Jiang Luoxi.
His eyes were extremely sharp, as if they could see through Jiang Luoxi's heart.
Under such a gaze, Jiang Luoxi's heart panicked.
But Jiang Luoxi, who had seen many storms, maintained her composure and looked directly at Zhan Tianye.
"Such a coincidence," Zhan Tianye said coldly, his gaze as sharp as a sword, scrutinizing Jiang Luoxi.
Jiang Luoxi was fearless, smiled, and nodded, "Indeed a coincidence. It must be fate. I heard some of what happened these past two days. I ask Lord Ye to accept my condolences."
"What did you give Xiao Li?" Zhan Tianye questioned coldly.
Jiang Luoxi's heart skipped a beat. He still hadn't dispelled his suspicions!
He suspected her of doing something to Xiao Li?
"This humble woman does not like to eat while traveling in a carriage, so there are never any provisions in the carriage. Therefore, I could not offer the young heir any food. The young heir has been asleep for a long time and should wake up soon. It should be timely to have the manor prepare some meals now." Jiang Luoxi knew what Zhan Tianye meant but pretended not to understand.
She had indeed done something.
Otherwise, would Zhan Xiaoli have been so quiet?
He would have already made a fuss, preventing her from appearing before Zhan Tianye as she wished.
"Someone, escort Miss Jiang out of the manor," Zhan Tianye commanded.
The servants guarding the door immediately entered.
They said to Jiang Luoxi, "Miss Jiang, please."
Jiang Luoxi's lips tightened. He still had no regard for her, even though no one else was around, and she had helped him find his son. He still ignored her!
She nodded to Zhan Tianye and the servants.
Then she asked Zhan Tianye, "Where is Second Miss Yun? Xiao Li was mumbling in his dreams in the carriage just now, and I would like to convey these dreams to Second Miss Yun."