Upon hearing this voice, the three people in the room all froze.
At the same time, Zui’Er swiftly walked into the room, her face full of anxiety as she asked.
"I just heard people saying that the young lady had an accident, and all the accompanying guards died. Wasn’t Ya also among the guards this time?"
Tan Ziwang remained silent for a moment, then sighed deeply, "Yes, Ya was indeed among the accompanying guards this time."
This sentence struck Zui’Er in the chest like a heavy hammer, her face instantly turned as pale as paper, her body swayed slightly, almost collapsing to the floor.
"Sister-in-law!" Tan Dong wanted to go over and support her.
Zui’Er leaned against the door frame beside her, waved her hand to indicate she was fine, and then lifted her head to ask seriously.
"Uncle Tan, do you know where Ya went this time?"
"The Great Buddha Temple outside the city!"
"Alright, I’ll go find him."
Zui’Er turned and walked out.
Tan Dong panicked and stepped forward to stop her.
"Sister-in-law, I know you’re worried, but you can’t go! The bandits from Cyan Bamboo Ridge are rampant. The Great Buddha Temple has been razed to the ground. If you go, you won’t find any clues and might even put yourself in danger..."
"Move!" Zui’Er didn’t hear any of it, merely uttering two words softly.
Tan Dong was taken aback.
Zui’Er swiftly moved past him and then ran out without looking back.
Zui’Er had just heard the news.
She had just gotten up not long ago and was sweeping snow in the courtyard when she noticed everyone’s faces full of panic as if something major had happened.
After inquiring, she learned that the young lady who went out to offer incense had an accident.
At that moment, Zui’Er felt as if the sky had fallen.
Because Zhao Ya told her before he left that he was escorting the young lady to offer incense outside the city.
Now that the young lady had an accident, wouldn’t Zhao Ya be in the same situation?
She came to Tan Ziwang with a last glimmer of hope, hoping to hear some good news, but the result was even more despairing.
Zui’Er was left with only one thought.
And that was to find Ya.
Whether alive or dead, she wanted to see him.
If Ya was still alive, everything would be fine. If he was dead, she wouldn’t want to live either.
In an instant, Zui’Er had already run to the front gate.
At that time, the Song Family was in chaos, and no one noticed her.
After leaving the gate, Zui’Er was about to find someone to ask for directions to the Great Buddha Temple when Tan Dong caught up, panting.
"Sister... Sister-in-law, I know the way to the Great Buddha Temple, I’ll take you there!"
"You..." Zui’Er was stunned.
Tan Dong forced a smile, "Zhao has always treated me well, how can I stand idly by now that something has happened to him?"
"If Zhao is really gone, I’ll fight to the death with those from Cyan Bamboo Ridge, killing one would be enough, killing two would be a profit." Tan Dong said fiercely.
Zui’Er hadn’t shed a tear, but hearing Tan Dong’s words made her nose tingle, and she nearly cried.
"Alright, let’s set off now."
As the two were about to leave, they suddenly saw three people walking down the street.
Leading them was an energetic young man, none other than Zhao Ya!
Tan Dong rubbed his eyes in disbelief, "Am I seeing things or is it...it’s Zhao!"
His voice was trembling.
But Zui’Er paid no attention; she immediately dashed forward, not minding the onlookers, and threw herself into Zhao Ya’s arms.
Zhao Ya was taken aback but then smiled, gently patting Zui’Er’s back.
"Alright, didn’t I return safely? Don’t be upset anymore!"
Though he couldn’t hear her, Zhao Ya knew Zui’Er was probably crying.
This little girl always silently shed tears when she cried, the sadder she was, the more she did so.
Behind them, Song Peiwan saw a young girl running into Zhao Ya’s arms and was initially stunned, then smiled without saying a word.
At this time, the Song Family had already received the news, and Song Linqing, the family patriarch, even rushed out personally.
Seeing that it was indeed his sister who had returned, he was overjoyed.
"Sister!"
"Brother, I’ve returned!"
"It’s good that you’re back, it’s good you’re back! Hahaha." Song Linqing laughed heartily.
After bringing the three of them inside, Zhao Ya went back to his small courtyard and said, half crying and half laughing, "Alright, we’re back home, aren’t you coming down?"
Throughout the whole process, Zui’Er, like an ostrich, buried her head in Zhao Ya’s arms, not daring to lift her head, and then shyly bounced down.
At this point, her face was already streaked with tears, but seeing Zhao Ya standing well in front of her, she couldn’t help but burst into a smile through her tears.
"It’s really good!"
"What’s really good?"
"That you could come back, it’s really good!" Zui’Er said sincerely, her eyes shining with an unprecedented light.
Zhao Ya felt his heart move slightly, couldn’t help reaching out to gently touch her head.
"Silly girl!"
At this moment, Tan Ziwang also arrived after hearing the news.
Upon seeing Zhao Ya, his heart filled with relief.
"Well, the virtuous have divine assistance. After this incident, you will surely soar high in the Song Family!"
What happened at the Great Buddha Temple had already spread, so Tan Ziwang was naturally aware and delighted for Zhao Ya.
Tan Dong gazed at Zhao Ya in admiration and only leaned forward to whisper once Zui’Er went to wash up.
"Zhao, you’re truly my big brother. Even the young lady can’t resist your charm. Honestly, how did you spend last night?"
Zhao Ya found it exasperating and amusing, "What nonsense are you talking about? I hid with them in a cave for a night and returned as soon as the sun rose. Why do you make it sound like something should have happened?"
Tan Dong chuckled with a "you’re kidding me" look, "Come on, you didn’t notice, but I did. That young lady looked at you differently!"
"Get out of here!" Zhao Ya said, scolding with laughter, not taking it to heart.
Not long after, a well-dressed chief steward came in with a full smile.
"This must be Master Zhao. The patriarch has invited you; please follow this old servant!"
After saying that, he looked at Tan Ziwang and nodded lightly with an air of indifference, "Oh, Steward Tan is here too."
Tan Ziwang smiled slightly, "Ah, it’s Steward Song. Why did such a small matter warrant your personal attention?"
"Oh, how can this be considered a small matter? Young Master Zhao is promising at a young age, and being the savior of the young lady, no amount of importance is too much!"
With those words, the steward gestured with a smile, "Master Zhao, please!"
From their conversation, Zhao Ya inferred that this person was Li Chunfeng’s godfather, Song Renqiang, the chief steward.
Seeing his well-maintained appearance, it was clear that he was not a mere servant anymore, almost like half a master.
However, his adopted son did nothing proper, behaving lawlessly all day.
With these thoughts, Zhao Ya felt contempt in his heart but remained outwardly apathetic, just nodding slightly.
"Alright."
Following Song Renqiang through the courtyard, heading towards the back residence.
Along the way, Song Renqiang engaged Zhao Ya warmly, while Zhao Ya responded perfunctorily.
Soon, they arrived in front of the study in the back residence.
This was Song Linqing’s personal reception area, where only the closest associates were invited.