Prefect Chen frowned, looking at the bustling crowd filling the courtyard, sweat beading on his forehead.
Earlier, while taking stock of the missing persons, he had searched everywhere.
But he couldn't find the Prefect's children.
It was Kong Xingzhuo who mentioned it, saying Prefect Qin's two daughters had gone to Dashui Village.
Prefect Chen dropped everything he was doing and rushed over.
To protect his official hat, he was going all out.
"Elder Yun, say something! Oh, come on!"
Prefect Chen shook Elder Yun's shoulder, wishing he could strangle him...
Elder Yun mumbled, offering no reply.
Prefect Qin?
How high an official was that?
Madam Gu came back to her senses and stepped forward to bow, "Your Excellency Prefect, those two young ladies are likely in the house."
Upon hearing this, Prefect Chen dashed towards the main house.
He nearly stumbled on the steps.
The villagers burst into laughter.
Why was the Prefect acting like he was being chased by wolves today?
What was he so flustered about?
Inside the house, Qin Yiyi and Qin Fenglan were eating until they burped.
Seeing a strange, burly man rush in, the two sisters were startled.
Didn't this person know to knock?
"Found them, haha, truly heaven's help!"
Prefect Chen wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped forward with a smile, "You are Prefect Qin's young ladies, aren't you? Are you injured?"
Qin Yiyi sized him up. Seeing him in official robes and with a smile,
She assumed he was sent by her father to fetch them.
"My sister sprained her ankle. Could you please find a doctor for us!" Qin Yiyi said.
Prefect Chen's heart skipped a beat.
He quickly went to look at Qin Fenglan's ankle, "Let me see quickly."
However, he was too rough and touched the swollen area, causing Qin Fenglan to gasp in pain.
"You're not a doctor, don't touch it randomly!" Qin Yiyi said, speechless.
Prefect Chen felt a bit embarrassed.
These young girls nowadays were so difficult to please...
Little Xi Tian said with a sweet smile, "Sister Fenglan's leg is not dislocated; some medicinal powder will suffice, no need for a doctor!"
Prefect Chen let out an "Oh" and breathed a sigh of relief, "Saving the children this time is also Little Sweet Treasure's credit, right?"
He used the word 'also,'
Indicating that Little Sweet Treasure's contributions in Dashui Village were already legendary.
The Qin sisters were confused but felt that Sister Xi Tian was very capable and imposing.
"No, no..." Little Xi Tian chuckled.
Without the help of that brat, she wouldn't have escaped so quickly.
Seeing her parents and elder siblings enter, she took out a silver hairpin from her embrace.
She handed it to Prefect Chen, saying, "Uncle Prefect, this was found on that human trafficker. Please take it!"
Little Xi Tian would not keep what wasn't hers!
Prefect Chen accepted the silver hairpin and patted Little Xi Tian's head, "What a good child!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
Wait, aren't you going to give me a reward?
Just then, the curtain at the door was lifted, and a little girl of seven or eight years old walked in.
She had delicate features and fair skin, bearing some resemblance to Prefect Chen.
"Daddy!" The little girl hid behind Prefect Chen, peeking at Little Xi Tian.
"Chen Xiaoran?" Little Xi Tian's eyebrows curved.
Wasn't this the girl who had fought with her before and called her a wild child?
Good heavens, after four years, how had she become so elegant?
Prefect Chen pulled Chen Xiaoran over, "Go play with them. No fighting!"
After saying that, he left.
Little Xi Tian: "..."
The atmosphere was so awkward!
Madam Gu and Elder Yun exchanged glances and also left.
But as soon as they stepped into the courtyard, another thunderclap exploded in Dashui Village!
Prefect Qin had arrived.
The mischievous boys surrounded a carriage, rushing towards Elder Yun's large house.
Before they even arrived, cheers could be heard.
"Everyone, come out to welcome the Prefect!"
"Old Yun, is your family related to immortals in your past life?"
"Not only has the Prefect graced this place, but now, Prefect Qin has also been summoned, haha!"
"Old Yun, what are you waiting for? Hurry and call the village chief!"
"..."
Dashui Village was like a pot of boiling water, with everyone rushing to Yun's house.
The old Yun family's residence was even more crowded and lively.
Not enough tables and chairs, so the villagers went home to fetch them.
Prefect Chen was extremely apprehensive, his expression about to crack.
He had already booked a restaurant in the county town to welcome Prefect Qin.
Who knew he would come to Dashui Village.
Before the carriage had even stopped, Prefect Chen rushed forward, his knees buckling as he knelt on the ground.
"Your subordinate... your subordinate respectfully welcomes Prefect Qin!"
Alas, he had to consider recruiting a county magistrate.
He, the Prefect of Heyang, in charge of over twenty townships, why was he always running to villages!
Seeing the Prefect lead the kneeling, the villagers also came to the main entrance and kowtowed.
Only the mischievous boys and the elderly stood aside to watch the excitement.
Although Prefect Qin had reached his early forties, he was still handsome.
Every gesture carried an air of nobility and the oppressive aura of a high-ranking official.
But now, he had no time to put on airs. He jumped off the carriage and ran towards Yun's courtyard.
"Yiyi, Xiaolan, Daddy is here, Yiyi..."
Prefect Chen, seeing that he was ignored, got up, brushed the dirt off his knees, and followed.
"Whose house is this?" Prefect Qin asked loudly.
Elder Yun's body trembled as he stepped forward, "It... it is this commoner's house!"
He muttered to himself.
Would this person, who was even more senior than the Prefect, cause trouble!
Unexpectedly, Prefect Qin grabbed Elder Yun's hand and anxiously asked, "Where are my daughters?"
"Th-they are in the house," Elder Yun pulled his hand away.
Prefect Qin rushed in without another word, his voice choked with emotion.
Yun Sanman's wife, Gao Fengjuan, looked on with shock.
Everything that was happening felt like a dream.
The Yun family had encountered noble patrons multiple times, and she didn't believe these were coincidences.
The Prefect and the Prefect arriving at the same time, what did that signify?
It was equivalent to the mayor and the governor visiting their home.
When she first came to the Yun family, she had been smug and self-satisfied.
She thought that with a few coins or gifts, everyone in the Yun family would respect and worship her.
Thinking back now, how childish her actions had been...
Inside the house.
As soon as Prefect Chen left, Prefect Qin barged in.
"Daddy, sob sob sob!"
Seeing their relative, the two sisters burst into tears.
"Sob sob sob, Daddy, we missed you so much!"
All their grievances and tears were poured out at this moment.
Prefect Qin's eyes were also teary as he patted his daughters' backs, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, Daddy is here, don't be afraid!"
Little Xi Tian clapped her hands, delighted, "Wonderful!"
A happy reunion for everyone.
She hated sad endings the most!
Prefect Qin looked at Little Xi Tian and smiled slightly, "I heard it was you who rescued Yiyi and Xiaolan?"
This little girl looked like a porcelain doll.
Rosy lips and white teeth, lively and cute.
Did she really have such great ability?
Little Xi Tian casually waved her hand, "And that brat Xiao Jinheng!"
Prefect Qin's expression stiffened upon hearing this, "You, you said what? Xiao Jinheng?"