"Aunt and uncle, perhaps Sister Ajiu is truly in trouble."
Tuoba Yan's words jolted the couple back to reality.
"That's true, having water is already heaven-sent grace," Cai Lihua suddenly realized.
Wang Shi, who had been sitting for a while, spoke.
"Ajiu, come here."
Ajiu shuffled over to her grandmother. "What is it, Grandma?"
"The ranks you spoke of, do they refer to stages of progression? I've seen how you conduct yourself, never selfish or self-serving, possessing compassion for all sentient beings. You're a good prospect for cultivation. Come with Grandma and cultivate the path of immortality."
"Huh?" Ajiu knitted her brows, her small hands waving busily. "I don't want to be an old woman."
Ajiu was terrified. This was even scarier than her mother talking about everything in the space.
"You refuse?"
"I absolutely do not want to," Ajiu waved her hands repeatedly.
"Lihua, where is Steward Li?"
Meng Shaode shouted with a loud cry.
Cai Lihua's pupils constricted. "This is bad."
Carrying the mud-covered bullhorn knife, she quickly ran to the carriage and peeked inside.
Only a hemp rope remained.
"He ran? Shaode, hurry and chase him! That's five hundred taels of gold."
It was the capital for raising their daughter.
Saying this, Cai Lihua, holding the bullhorn knife, ran with great speed, instantly leaving the woods.
Meng Shaode followed closely behind. They ran wildly onto the road and looked around.
Ajiu also stood up to look. Judging by the situation, Steward Li had indeed fled.
"Little Yan Yan, go see if you can find him. If you can't, then..."
"Understood, boss."
Before Ajiu could finish speaking, Tuoba Yan called out to Zhao Kun and they chased after him.
"That kid, he's full of youthful vigor, but his legs are quick. Don't worry, granddaughter."
As soon as Wang Shi said this, Ajiu's heart temporarily settled.
After all, she had instructed Little Yan Yan not to kill anyone before, and he was usually obedient.
Ajiu nodded and leaned against a rock, dozing off.
Suddenly, her head drooped. She opened her eyes and found that it was already dark.
She quickly nudged Wang Shi awake. "Grandma, Grandma, Father and Mother still haven't returned. It's been so long."
Wang Shi slowly opened her eyes, her palms facing downwards, and exhaled.
"What is it?"
"Everyone is still not back. Did something happen?" Ajiu anxiously looked around.
Aunt Li, leading her two sons, also walked over anxiously.
"Ninth Sister, where are your parents?"
Ajiu knitted her brows and shook her head. "They went to chase Steward Li and haven't returned. It's been several hours."
Ajiu burrowed into her clothes, very worried.
Encountering two good officials indeed proved that this era was quite safe, but Qiming Mountain did not seem to be within the jurisdiction of Nanming City.
Someone reported a case, and the constables from Nanming City went to the border to investigate.
What did this imply?
If one were to use the old saying, it would be like pulling a tiger's tail; no way to get more than you're entitled to.
Just then, the sound of hooves echoed from outside the woods.
Ajiu had no time to ponder. She got up and walked a few steps forward to look outside.
A group of people slowly entered the woods.
Their attire was the same as the Nanming City yamen runners they had seen the day before. One of the leaders rode his horse forward.
Ajiu flinched and retreated a couple of steps.
"Don't be afraid, little girl. We are not the bandits from Menghua City. We are here specifically to inform you, little girl. Someone has accused your parents of extortion and kidnapping. They have been taken to the Nanming City yamen for questioning, and we are entrusted to deliver this notice."
Ajiu's eyes instantly lost their light.
How could Steward Li have reported to the city so quickly?
"Little brother, please wait." Ajiu saw the man preparing to ride away.
"Little girl, is there anything else?"
"How did you receive the report?" Ajiu looked at these soldiers. Although they seemed kind, she was inwardly fearful.
Back then, to escape from the Li family, she had been caught and beaten more than ten times with a military staff in the yamen, nearly losing her life.
"Regarding this strange case, during the investigation, we happened to encounter Li Dachang and received this accusation. Take care, girl."