Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart tightened. He rushed into the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, and immediately turned and ran out.
In his memory, his home was in the northernmost part of the village. Not far from the village was a patch of wasteland where Chen Qiaoer usually dug for wild vegetables.
When he arrived.
Only Qiaoer's discarded bamboo basket was on the ground; she had vanished.
"Damn it," Chen Xiaobei cursed to himself and turned towards Chen Ermao's house. Sudian Novel Network.
By the time he reached Chen Ermao's doorstep, it was too late. Chen Ermao's door was shut tight; he wasn't home.
Chen Xiaobei pondered for a moment and immediately changed direction, heading outside the village.
He remembered what Chen Ermao and the others had said about selling Qiaoer to Steward Zhao in the county town. If Chen Ermao and his gang had indeed snatched Qiaoer, they would be heading to the county town. There was only one road from Hetou Village to the county town, so he was sure to catch up if he followed it.
Indeed, after chasing for about two li, he saw a donkey cart ahead.
On the small donkey cart, Ermao, Houzi, Er Leng, and two outsiders were packed tightly. Among them, Houzi held Qiaoer's arm, while the other clamped his hand over her mouth.
It seemed Chen Ermao and his group were well-prepared, having planned this to forcibly abduct her.
Chen Xiaobei lamented inwardly. Fortunately, his second aunt next door had reminded him in time.
If he had gone to look for Qiaoer after finishing his own tasks, he might not have caught up.
The people on the donkey cart also spotted Chen Xiaobei. Houzi shouted loudly, "Brother Ermao, hurry up! Chen Xiaobei is catching up!"
Chen Ermao looked back and saw Chen Xiaobei chasing them, brandishing a cleaver. His heart leaped. He quickly whipped the donkey's hindquarters.
The donkey was already weak, and it was pulling four or five people. The road was also uneven. How fast could it go? Seeing Chen Xiaobei getting closer and closer, Chen Ermao stomped his foot.
"Quick, you guys, get off and stop him."
With that, he reached out and grabbed Chen Qiaoer.
Houzi, Er Leng, and the other two youths exchanged glances and reluctantly jumped off the donkey cart.
Houzi pushed Er Leng forward.
"Brother Er Leng, stop him."
Chen Xiaobei, waving the cleaver in his hand, pointed at them. "I already promised Chen Ermao two taels of silver within three days. Why are you still taking Qiaoer away?"
Houzi chuckled, "Brother, can't you do the math? Selling Qiaoer will fetch five hundred coins, enough for you to eat and drink well..."
Before he could finish, Chen Xiaobei swung his cleaver and took another step forward. "I said, I'm not selling her. Don't force me."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei standing so righteously before them, Er Leng couldn't help but feel a wave of surprise.
What was going on with Chen Xiaobei? The day he heard Chen Qiaoer could be sold for five hundred coins, he was so happy his mouth almost split to the back of his head, eager to make the deal.
But today, why was he trying to snatch her back?
Moreover, his presence today was very different from before.
Especially his eyes. The old Chen Xiaobei's gaze was unfocused and dull, but today Chen Xiaobei's eyes were firm and carried a hint of ferocity.
Seeing that they still wouldn't move, Chen Xiaobei became anxious. He raised his cleaver and swung it down towards Er Leng's head.
As the saying goes, the bold fear the stubborn, and the stubborn fear those who are reckless.
Upon seeing this, Er Leng yelped and ran, covering his head.
As he ran, the others also scattered.
"A bunch of cowards," Chen Xiaobei cursed inwardly and strode forward, pursuing them again.
Chen Ermao, driving the donkey cart, hadn't gone far when he saw Chen Xiaobei catching up again. He knew that no matter what, he couldn't take Chen Qiaoer away today.
Helpless, he threw Chen Qiaoer to the side of the road and shouted, "Brother Xiaobei, I was just playing around with you! Take Qiaoer back, and don't forget my ten copper coins."
Chen Xiaobei had intended to catch up to Chen Ermao and teach him a lesson, but looking at Chen Qiaoer on the ground, he held back.
"Always leave room for courtesy." If he showed Chen Ermao mercy, he hoped Chen Ermao would also know his limits.
Seeing her brother arrive, Chen Qiaoer, who had been thrown to the ground, burst into heartbreaking sobs.
Chen Xiaobei gently picked up Chen Qiaoer, as if holding the most precious thing in the world, unwilling to let go for even a moment.
As they walked, Chen Xiaobei secretly resolved.
From now on, he would protect Chen Qiaoer well and never let her suffer any fright.
Not far back, a person was rushing towards them from up ahead on the road.
It was Chen Dachun, the son of his second aunt next door.
Dachun and Chen Xiaobei had grown up together, playing naked in the same yard, and their relationship was very good.
Reaching Chen Xiaobei, Dachun grinned, "Thank heavens, it's good that Qiaoer is alright."
"Brother Dachun, thank you." Chen Xiaobei stepped forward and lightly punched Dachun's shoulder.
Chen Dachun waved his hand. "It's nothing, nothing. Why are you being so polite? Let's go. My mother said she wants you to come over for congee tonight."
According to Chen Xiaobei's memory, people's so-called dinners at this time were eaten very early, before dark, and then they went to bed to save lamp oil.
The second aunt next door was already waiting at the village entrance. Seeing the three of them return safely, a smile also appeared on her face.
"Let's go, come to my house for dinner."
Chen Xiaobei thought for a moment, then ran back to his own house and brought out three wild eggs. He couldn't go empty-handed.
Seeing him take out three wild eggs, the second aunt was astonished.
"Oh my, where did you get these? They are very precious."
Chen Xiaobei could only casually say, "I just went into the mountains to cut a branch and happened to find a few."
The dinner prepared by the second aunt consisted of some wild vegetables and a bit of unknown flour to make a vegetable congee.
There was no oil or salt, just boiled like that. Naturally, the taste was not great, but Chen Qiaoer still ate with gusto.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei's nose felt a little sore. He could imagine what Chen Qiaoer usually ate.
After eating a bowl of congee, the second aunt put down her bowl and began to chat. "Xiaobei, you must keep a close eye on Qiaoer these few days. I heard that Steward Zhao in the city is willing to pay a high price for a boy and a girl to be buried with his deceased grandson."
Upon hearing this news, Chen Xiaobei broke out in a cold sweat.
"My goodness, it's a good thing I chased after her in time. If Qiaoer had reached the county town, would she still be alive?"
"Second aunt, it's thanks to your vigilance that Qiaoer was not in danger." This was Chen Xiaobei's heartfelt sentiment.
The second aunt changed the subject. "Ah, Xiaobei, you're seventeen now, it's time to find someone to take care of you."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei felt like laughing and crying. "Second aunt, look at my home. Forget about betrothal gifts, there's not even a place to sit. How can I get married? I can't expect the bride to bring gold and silver to my house, can I?"
The second aunt chuckled, "Don't say that, there's really such a good thing. Cui Fugui from Cui Family Village in the neighboring village doesn't ask for a betrothal gift when marrying off his daughter; he even provides a dowry."
Upon hearing Cui Fugui's name, Dachun, who was nearby, couldn't help but interject, "Mother, that Cui Hongyu has already caused three men to die. Aren't you trying to harm Xiaobei?"