Yan Jin Chao felt a jolt. "Is your father gone?"
Xue Xing Yue didn't speak. Yan Jin Chao felt it might be inappropriate to ask that. He stroked her head and said, "If he is, then consider me your father."
Xue Xing Yue couldn't help but roll her eyes. *You are already my father*, she thought. But given that her father had lost his memory, she would reluctantly accept this.
"Then you have to promise, to always, always be my father."
Yan Jin Chao was slightly taken aback. He looked at the little one, and she looked back at him, her brilliant eyes sparkling with a crystalline light.
His heart softened slightly, and he nodded. "Okay."
Xue Xing Yue smiled sweetly. "Daddy..."
They finally arrived at Windchime Town. Yan Jin Chao gave the order to set up camp, and he took the little one to wander around.
Windchime Town wasn't prosperous, but thankfully, the people seemed to have enough to eat. Yan Jin Chao bought some snacks for the little one, who danced with joy. If things could stay this way, he felt life wouldn't be boring.
However, one day the little one would find her parents, and that would be the day he and the little one parted.
But for now, he would cherish every day he had with her!
"Daddy, look, they all seem to be wearing the same thing..." Xue Xing Yue said, taking a pastry from a brocade box and popping it into her mouth with her little hand.
Yan Jin Chao's gaze froze. He glanced around, pulled Xue Xing Yue closer, and whispered, "Little one, let's go back."
Xue Xing Yue didn't fuss, nodding obediently. "I'll listen to Daddy."
Yan Jin Chao carried Xue Xing Yue back to the camp. The little one was already asleep, bubbles escaping her lips. He placed her on the bed behind him and summoned Xue Song.
Xue Song was slightly surprised to see the little one behind his young master. Yan Jin Chao said faintly, "Be quieter."
The last time, he had clearly seen the little one's distressed look when she woke up and couldn't find him, a sight that pained his heart.
Xue Song could see the deep affection his young master had for the little one. While he thought this made his young master more humane, he wondered if his young master would be heartbroken if the little one were to return to her family one day.
"Xue Song..." Yan Jin Chao spoke, seeing Xue Song standing in silence for a long time.
Xue Song quickly lowered his head. "Young master, Windchime Stronghold is heavily guarded. I only scouted the perimeter and dared not venture in, lest I alert them."
Yan Jin Chao nodded. "You did very well. Today, when the little one and I were out, a word from her reminded me..."
Xue Song blinked slightly and asked, "What word?"
Yan Jin Chao said, "The fabric and style of the clothes worn by the people here all look similar, with only differences in color."
Xue Song frowned, then his eyes brightened. "Young master, are you saying there's something wrong? After all, how could ordinary folk wear clothes made of the same fabric? It's obvious someone distributed them, which is why they're wearing identical materials."
Yan Jin Chao nodded. "Exactly. It's clear that the entire Windchime Town is under the control of Windchime Stronghold. I'm afraid we are no longer the ones seeking them out."
Windchime Stronghold was as Yan Jin Chao had anticipated. The Great Chieftain frowned at the message his subordinate had brought. "I really haven't heard of this person. Second Chieftain, Third Sister, do either of you recall him?"
The Second Chieftain shook his head. Only Xue Zi Ning's heart stirred. If she wasn't mistaken, this person was Yan Zhao!
Why was he here? Was he here to save her?
Soon, she cast aside this self-indulgent thought. Yan Zhao was still suffering from amnesia. Even if he knew she was trapped here, he probably wouldn't come to save her. If not for her, then for whom?
"Third Sister, do you recognize him?" the Second Chieftain asked.
Xue Zi Ning raised her eyes and said faintly, "Never seen him before."
Upon hearing this, the Great Chieftain said, "All of you go back. I will summon you again if there is any news."
The Second Chieftain and Xue Zi Ning left the Great Chieftain's room. The Second Chieftain suddenly whispered, "You know that person."
Xue Zi Ning looked up at the Second Chieftain. "Second Chieftain, what exactly do you want to say?"
The Second Chieftain said, "Third Sister, I mean no harm. I just want to help you..."
"No need to help me. If the Second Chieftain doesn't leave, then I will." With that, Xue Zi Ning turned and walked away.
Returning to her room, Lin Shi Shu had already woken up and was clumsily tidying the room. After all, she had never had to lift a finger before. Asking her to serve people now was clearly asking too much.
However, Lin Shi Shu didn't show any dissatisfaction. Instead, she redoubled her efforts.
Seeing Xue Zi Ning return, she stepped forward. "Miss, you're back."
Xue Zi Ning looked at Lin Shi Shu. Lin Shi Shu bit her lower lip, looking a bit embarrassed. "Miss, please don't dislike me. I will work hard."
Xue Zi Ning stepped forward. "You are already doing very well. There are maids to do this. You don't need to do this."
Lin Shi Shu shook her head. "Even though there are maids, I still want to do it myself. Otherwise, I cannot rest easy."
Whether it was her father or her mother, or the teachings of the sages, a drop of kindness was like a gushing spring. Therefore, she had to do this.
"Miss Lin, you don't need to thank me. I have my reasons for doing this. On the contrary, I feel ashamed." During the time she governed the country, such things could still happen. She felt ashamed.
"Miss, you are truly too modest. What do you have to feel guilty about? If anyone should feel guilty, it's others." Lin Shi Shu felt that this girl, not much older than her, had a kind heart. She couldn't understand how she could be associated with bandits.
"When will your family come to pick you up? I'll make arrangements." Xue Zi Ning asked.
Lin Shi Shu hesitated for a moment. "I have not yet received a reply from my father."
She trusted Miss Shu, but she couldn't trust others. Without absolute certainty, she couldn't act rashly.
Xue Zi Ning also sensed Lin Shi Shu's reticence. She wasn't at all displeased or angry. This was normal; she would do the same in her position.
"Miss Lin, have you ever heard the name Yan Jin Chao?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Lin Shi Shu trembled all over. Perhaps her movement was too obvious, as Xue Zi Ning continued, "Do you know him?"
Lin Shi Shu looked at her cautiously and asked, "Miss Shu, are you asking about this because something has happened?"
"He has brought people here. They are in Windchime Town now."
Lin Shi Shu's body stiffened, and the joy on her face became evident. "Really? Young Master Yan is here?"
"Miss Lin, do you know the purpose of his visit?"
Lin Shi Shu's expression became a little shy. "He must be here to save me."
"Why are you so sure?" Xue Zi Ning asked.