Chapter 194: Another Kid Scam!

Inside the Yiguan.

Tuan Tuan had just vividly narrated to Qing Qing the heroic deed she and Qing Qing performed tonight.

Qing Qing arrived, this time dressed as a common Da Xia citizen.

"Qing Qing!" Tuan Tuan lunged forward, "Thank you, Qing Qing! Without you, those young ladies couldn't have been rescued."

After this, Qing Qing truly came to like Tuan Tuan.

He said softly, "What I did is something anyone can do; what you did is something others can't, Little Princess."

Xiao Er asked, "Qing Qing, those girl children?"

Qing Qing led Tuan Tuan to the table and sat down: "I came precisely for this matter."

"Do you know, those girl children are all from the Fiery Nation and all come from Jingcheng."

"Jingcheng?" Xiao Ningxun was surprised; he suddenly recalled something, "Tuan Tuan, I remember, that time you were abducted, those bandits said they would send you to Da Xia, right?"

Tuan Tuan suddenly understood, "So they were sending them to become Gongsun Zhi!"

Xiao Ze also understood, "No wonder they had to bring them from such a distant place as Jingcheng!"

"Gongsun Zhi spends his days on the streets blessing countless citizens; if they used Da Xia children and someone recognized them, wouldn't that cause a huge uproar."

"Compared to children from the border forts, Jingcheng children indeed look and act more like Gongsun Zhi."

"Despicable!" Xiao Er said resentfully, "They wouldn't dare use their own, yet they waste our Fiery Nation's people like this—truly hateful!"

Xiao Ningxun, ever meticulous, said, "Gongsun Zhi was chosen by Wu Luo, who spread the word that he became a Shen Tong; there must be a reason."

"But it seems Wu Luo has long prepared; if he can't be used, they'll use these girl children as replacements."

"At the Palace banquet, Gongsun Zhi's antics seem no longer needed."

"Now that these girl children are gone, this Divine Child Manifest Holy Ceremony, Da Xia probably can't pull it off."

Xiao Ningchen snorted, "It's best if they can't manage it! Flashy scams that seek the crowd's favor should have ended long ago."

Tuan Tuan was delighted, "Third Brother, if that ceremony is canceled, can we go home then?"

Xiao Ningxun smiled, "Right, now the ceremony is only a few days away; this unworkable edict should arrive within the next two days."

"Once the edict arrives, we can set off home!"

Tuan Tuan leapt up, running all over the room, "Home! I'm going home! Grandpa! Father! Mother! Big brother! I'll see you all right away!"

The adults in the room laughed as they watched Xiao Tuanzi slipping and scurrying on the floor.

Xiao Ze, speaking earnestly to Qing Qing, "After tonight's incident, the Da Xia people will surely keep a close eye on us."

"Those girl children will probably still need you to look after them for a while; perhaps you could take them away, and when you return, hand them over to the officials of our Fiery Nation's border forts, who will take them back to Jingcheng."

"I'll hand‑write you a letter; it won't cause you any trouble."

Qing Qing nodded, "Thank you, Seventh Prince."

Tuan Tuan thought of Jifeng, "Uncle Jifeng, where did he go?"

Qing Qing pursed her lips, "He just went off to drink somewhere."

Tuan Tuan yawned, Xiao Ningxun hurried to stand, went over and took her little hand: "We've been busy all night, Tuan Tuan, you're tired too; let's rest."

Qing Qing said goodbye and left; everyone returned to their rooms and slept straight through until noon the next day.

The group had just finished lunch when the imperial edict arrived.

"By the Heaven's mandate, the Emperor decrees: Shen Tong Gongsun Zhi, of bright nature and innate wisdom, now feels the divine summons, must retreat for seclusion and quiet cultivation, to comprehend the profound mystery and align with the Dao of Heaven."

"Therefore, the originally scheduled Divine Child Manifest Holy Ceremony is hereby cancelled. All officials and the people should understand the profound will of Heaven, each remain in their positions, and do not speak out. This proclamation is announced to the world for all to hear. So be it."

Everyone who heard it smiled inwardly, just as expected!

Xiao Ningchen said, "The Emperor of Xia really knows how to plaster gold on Gongsun Zhi's face—talking about a divine summons and seclusion. Hmph!"

Xiao Ningxun smiled slightly, "Second Brother, this is an edict announcing to the world!"

"You think you can make it explicit? If they openly say the Shen Tong is abolished, rumors would spread, and Da Xia would be in total chaos, wouldn't it?"

Tuan Tuan, not understanding the rhetoric, asked, "Third Brother, does this edict mean that the ceremony is canceled?"

Xiao Ningxun nodded, "Yes! That's exactly it! It's just flowery language, said in a pleasant way."

Tuan Tuan happily grabbed Xiao Er's hand and headed out, "Let's go! Uncle Xiao Er! We'll see what good stuff there is, buy it and bring it back to Mother and the others!"

Xiao Er looked at Xiao Ningchen with a questioning expression.

Xiao Ningchen nodded, "Third Brother, you go with them, and bring two more people. Whatever you want to buy, just follow Tuan Tuan's lead."

Tuan Tuan, in high spirits, dragged Xiao Er and Third Brother around Tianqi Cheng.

In just two days, Tuan Tuan bought a huge pile of items, arranging everything for the family clearly.

All preparations complete, they would set out the next day.

That evening, Xiao Er invited Jifeng and Qing Qing to the Yiguan together.

Xiao Ningchen waved his hand, ordering a top‑grade banquet at the city's finest restaurant, set up in the courtyard.

No outsiders, no formalities; everyone sat around one table, the atmosphere lively.

Home is within sight; how could anyone not be delighted?

Jifeng, even more generous, smashed the clay seal of the wine jar and filled it to the brim for everyone who could drink.

Jifeng raised the sea‑bowl, "Come! To celebrate our little Tuan Tuan's great victory, let's drink this bowl!"

"Cheers!" Xiao Ningchen, not showing weakness, tipped his head and drank it all in one go.

Xiao Ze and Xiao Ningxun were much more refined, each sipping lightly.

Tuan Tuan couldn't drink alcohol, so she held a cup of sweet cheese, mimicking the adults, gulped a big mouthful with a glug, foam white around her mouth like a milk mustache, making everyone burst into laughter.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes, the atmosphere grew ever more convivial.

Jifeng suddenly got excited, "Xiao Er! Dare you spar with me?"

Xiao Ningchen, already in high spirits after the great enemy was defeated, raised his sword‑like eyebrows and said without hesitation, "What wouldn't I dare!"

The two immediately rose, assumed their stances on the open ground, and engaged.

Xiao Ningchen's moves were wide and open, his force great and power heavy; Jifeng was stalwart and agile, his fists whistling.

The two traded blows, fists and feet clashing, dazzling the crowd, who shouted praise repeatedly.

Tuan Tuan excitedly stood on the stool, waving her little fists: "Second brother, go for it! Uncle Jifeng, go for it!"

Finally, they exchanged a palm strike, each recoiling a few steps, gazing at each other briefly, then burst into hearty laughter.

Jifeng wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Exhilarating! Exhilarating!"

Xiao Ningchen clasped his hands: "Brother Jifeng, excellent skill!"

Jifeng sat back down, took another big gulp of wine, looking at Tuan Tuan's excited, flushed little face, and let out a soft sigh.

"Going home is wonderful. Though the prairie is vast, it also has its worries."

Xiao Ningxun, the most thoughtful, said: "Brother Jifeng, you dominate the prairie, settling grudges with ease—what further troubles could there be?"

Upon hearing this, Jifeng flung his head back and drained the remaining wine in his bowl: "Haha! What worries could I have?"

"No matter how great the affair, it's just a pot of wine and a blade! If I'm not happy, I'll simply leave!"

He laughed carefree, but those four words 'one walked away' made Xiao Ningxun's brows furrow slightly.

Only when night deepened did the banquet disperse.

Jifeng bade farewell to Qing Qing and departed.

The next day at noon, at the Yiguan entrance.

The carriages and horses were already ready, luggage fully packed; several adults were busy checking documents, inspecting the horses, while the guards examined the carriage axles and such.

Tuan Tuan hopped about beside the carriage: "We're going home, we're going home! We'll see Mom and Dad soon!"

Suddenly, a child's shrill cry rang out from across the street: "Let me go! I don't know you! You're not my mother! Help!"

The crowd turned toward the sound and saw an anxious-looking woman forcefully pulling a boy about five or six years old.

The child struggled desperately backward, his little face flushed red, tears and snot smearing his face.

The woman scolded: "You child! How can you be so disobedient! Hurry home with mother!"

"You're not my mother! I won't go with you! Help!"

Another child-abduction trick!

Tuan Tuan rushed over without a second thought.