When Zhao Fei saw his benefactor wailing, he grew anxious.
"Benefactor, please donât cry! Even if you donât know where your home is, itâs not hopeless. We just need to think of another way. Crying wonât solve the problem, will it?"
Zhao Fei quickly took her into his arms, patting her back to soothe her Qi as he comforted her.
Upon hearing his words, Xiaosuisui stopped crying. Her large, tear-filled eyes blinked; a solution had appeared.
Zhao Fei had been comforting his benefactor. When she finally stopped crying, he heaved a sigh of relief. But just as he relaxed, he sensed something was amiss.
Sheâs stopped crying, but she shouldnât be *this* quiet, should she?
"Benefactor!" Zhao Fei called out tentatively.
No response.
"Benefactor?" he called out again.
Still no response.
Zhao Fei carefully laid her down, only to realize his benefactor had fallen asleep...
Shaking his head, he chuckled. He simply sat on the deck, holding her gently in his arms, afraid to move a muscle.
ăMeanwhile, at the Bright Moon Pavilion branchă
Madam Ji was so anxious she felt dizzy. This was the second time her precious little darling had disappeared without a trace.
Oh, heavens! Iâm an old woman; can you please not play such jokes on me?
"Mother! Please sit down and rest. I assure you, Iâve already sent people to find Seventh Uncle. Iâve asked him to request that the Emperor have the city gates guarded. Any child resembling Suisui who attempts to leave the city will be stopped.
"As long as sheâs still in the city, we can find Suisui!"
Ji Youcheng, wearing his usual veil, looked on helplessly as his mother paced in distress.
"Whatâs the use of just saying these things?
"Suisui is still so young. If a maid hadnât seen her fly away with Feifei, I would have worried sheâd fallen into the water.
"Youâre her uncle! Why arenât you worried? Why arenât you out looking for her too? What are you doing just standing here?"
Madam Ji was terribly worried and, in her anger, pointed at Ji Youchengâs nose as she continued to scold him.
"Look at you! Youâre supposed to be a head proprietor, yet you canât even manage a painted pleasure boat properly! Itâs all superficial with you. Couldnât you have taken precautions? Couldnât you have installed some barriers on the boat to prevent people from flying off?"
Ji Youcheng:
This misdirected anger is a bit much, isnât it?
"Whatâs with that look?
"Why are you staring at me like that?
"Am I wrong?
"Isnât that painted pleasure boat yours?"
Ji Youcheng quickly nodded.
"And did it, or did it not, lack protective measures?
"Did my Xiaosuisui fly out because of that?"
Ji Youcheng nodded again.
"So, isnât it your fault?"
Ji Youcheng kept nodding. After nodding, he suddenly felt something was off!
"Is it your fault or not? Do you admit it?"
Ji Youcheng instinctively said, "I admit it," but then immediately shook his head.
"No! Mother! Youâre twisting things around! Xiaosuisui can flyâI... I didnât know that! How is this my fault?"
Ji Youcheng suddenly snapped to his senses and retorted to his mother.
Hearing this, Madam Ji glared at him, her eyes conveying a clear message:
You unfilial son! It is your fault, and you still wonât admit it!
Ji Youcheng felt helpless and also thought his mother was being incredibly biased.
"Mother! I know Suisui is your precious granddaughter, but Iâm your biological son too! Canât you be a little fair?
"She disappeared because she flew away on her own! Itâs not like I threw her out onto the Main Street. Do you really need to take your anger out on me?"
Ji Youcheng felt
I need to have a good talk with my mother about this. The blame really isnât on me.
However, as soon as he said this, a Golden Ruyi appeared in his motherâs hand, seemingly from nowhere.
"Iâll beat you to death, you unfilial son..."