Where prosperity ends, flowers never end

Shenhuzhai

Several burly men with knives stood in front of the quiet village, looking very imposing.

Hong Fan was shooting arrows in the yard. He was a young man with a heroic appearance and a carefree spirit. He didn't look like a bandit leader at all.

"Young Master, there are business guests outside the door."

He shot another arrow and hit the bull's eye. When he turned around, his high ponytail was blown up by the wind, making him look elegant and graceful.

"What business? Didn't I send them all away?"

"I don't know, why don't you go and take a look."

Hong Fan picked up a handkerchief and wiped his hands, wantonly and unrestrained.

"Okay, let me see."

When he walked to the front yard, he looked at Liu Xun, who was dressed in brocade clothes, which was stunning and elegant, and pleasing to the eye.

"Hey bro, you're really good looking."

Liu Xun bowed generously.

"Miscellaneous praise."

Hong Fan brought him into the hall and ordered someone to serve him tea.

"Please take a seat."

Liu Xun took a seat and looked like a free and easy gentleman.

"Thank you."

At this moment, a subordinate suddenly walked up to Hong Fan and whispered something in his ear. He smiled slightly and ordered him to leave.

"Isn't the official here to suppress the bandits this time?"

Liu Xun raised his eyebrows. The hidden guards were easily discovered.

"We are not suppressing bandits. We are just asking the young leader for information. As long as the young leader does not put up a stubborn resistance, the forest guards will not move forward an inch."

Hong Fan treated everyone with courtesy. All those dirty businesses and dirty people had been dealt with since he took office. Now he mainly engaged in the escort agency and dock business.

"The brothers in the village are originally from the underworld, and they are used to making quick money. My father tacitly allowed them to do so, so I couldn't interfere. Now that I am in charge of the Shenhu Village, I will definitely not do any illegal business. I have also driven those brothers out. Now everyone in the village is a law-abiding citizen. The official brought so many soldiers, which really scared us."

"In this case, I have only one thing to ask."

Hong Fan smiled.

"I wonder what's going on?"

Since it is a business, there must be records of transactions, so there must be traces of Ran Qianxi's kidnapping.

"Can I borrow your village's record book for the past ten days?"

Shenhu Village does a lot of shady business. If the imperial court finds out about this muddy place, all the people in it will be killed.

"There are too many records, and I really can't find them all at once."

Liu Xun's eyes turned, and since he was unwilling to reveal it, he had to bring up his identity as the queen.

"This is a serious matter. The one in trouble now is the queen of the dynasty."

Hong Fan was stunned and stood up anxiously!

"The current queen, the daughter of the president of the Hanlin Academy?"

Seeing how emotional he was, Liu Xun realized something was wrong.

"Judging from the expression on Young Master's face, do you know the Empress?"

Hong Fan sat down slowly. He not only recognized the person, but he probably remembered him clearly. Before Liu Xun could ask any more questions, he told him everything.

"Before I dismissed those brothers, four of them took on a business deal. I asked someone to ask them."

"Then it'll be hard work."

After a while, Hong Fan called the steward.

“Who took the last order?”

"Reporting to the young leader, it was Ma Yi and his men who accepted a high-priced kidnapping order."

Hong Fan's expression was obviously more anxious.

"Where did you pick it up from?"

"It seems that the second blind man brought a rich lady here. The lady is dressed gorgeously and spends lavishly, spending three thousand silver coins for one order."

"Where's Ma Yi?"

The manager lowered his head, speechless.

"This...the four brothers took the order and never came back...I'm afraid they ran away with the money."

Hong Fan's eyes darkened!

"Go find him immediately, no matter where in the world, I'll find him alive or dead!"

"Yes!"

Speaking of rich ladies, Liu Xun immediately thought of Zuoqiu Ruan'er.

"Why don't I order someone to draw a portrait and ask the second blind man to come and identify it."

"Does the officer have any idea?"

Liu Xun stood up and bowed. You will know whether you have asked a few times or not.

"I will order someone to draw your portrait right away."

Seeing him stand up, Hong Fan stood up as well.

"I'll go with you. We'll go straight to the Blind Man's house after getting the portrait."

Hong Fan looked extremely nervous, and Liu Xun had to ask about his relationship with Ran Qianxi.

"Young Master, are you willing to tell me about the past between you and the Queen?"

Ten years ago—

Ran Yuelian had just been appointed as the president of the academy, and originally wanted to move Ran Qianxi and her daughter to the imperial city. However, due to his daughter's special background, Xiahou Jin took the initiative to stay in Jizhou, and stayed for ten years.

During adolescence, Ran Qianxi was as rebellious as any other kid and was invincible in Xiao County.

It was afternoon again that day. She was strolling around when she suddenly heard a commotion in the distance. She ran straight over and saw a young man fighting with three boys of the same age. A longbow was lying on the ground.

"Damn it...isn't this bullying?"

She looked around, picked up a bamboo pole and rushed forward. She swung it hard, scaring away the three teenagers.

"Where did this little girl come from!"

The other party spoke arrogantly, and Ran Qianxi rolled her eyes in dissatisfaction.

"It's so funny. Aren't you guys also yellow-haired boys?"

At that time, Ran Qianxi was fourteen years old, and those young men looked like they were at the age of dancing elephants.

"Little girl, this is our business, don't get involved!"

Ran Qianxi doesn’t care about anyone else’s business. If she happens to see someone, it’s her own business.

"You still have the nerve to say that. Three people beat one. Your parents are ashamed of you."

The three young men were choked by her, their eyes wide open with anger.

"I'm letting you go because you're a girl. Don't be so harsh with your words."

"Haha, that depends on whether I let you go or not!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he rushed forward waving the bamboo pole. The boy behind him was stunned for two seconds, then rushed forward as well.

Seeing that the other party was not giving in, the older boy, full of youthful energy, was determined to confront him head-on.

"A girl this wild won't get married!"

No matter whether Ran Qianxi can get married or not, there is only one word for her now: beat her!

After a round of competition, Ran Qianxi gained the upper hand, and the three young men turned and left after saying some harsh words.

"Wait for me!"

Ran Qianxi threw the bamboo pole away and sat down on the ground with a plop.

"Oh my god... I'm so tired..."

The boy looked at her with a smile and stretched out his right hand in admiration.

"The little girl is quite good at fighting. She is so brave."

Ran Qianxi held him and stood up quickly.

"I hate bullying the most."

"How old are you?"

Ran Qianxi looked at him and adjusted her clothes and hairstyle.

"Fourteen, what about you?"

The boy smiled.

"One year older than you."

Ran Qianxi raised her eyebrows. Although they were of similar age, he kept calling her a little girl.

"You are only one year older than me, so don't call me little girl. It sounds pretentious."

"Hahaha, what do you call me?"

"Ran Qianxi, my father is the newly appointed president of the Hanlin Academy. What's your name?"

The boy looked at her with a smile on his face.

"Hong Fan."

"Then why were you beaten by them?"

Hong Fan turned around and picked up the bow on the ground.

"They lost the archery competition that day, so they must be angry and want to come and beat me up someday."

Ran Qianxi walked up with admiration on her face.

“Are you good at archery?”

"It's just so-so, but it's good enough to shoot a rabbit."

Ran Qianxi always loved to play in the woods, and when she heard him say that he could shoot rabbits, she immediately became interested.

"Hey? Then can you teach me?"

Hong Fan turned around and smiled gently, and Ran Qianxi's cheeks turned red instantly. They were very close to each other, and he looked handsome.

"Sure, I'll teach you tomorrow?"

"Sure! Any day is fine..."

Looking at her cute appearance, Hong Fan blushed helplessly.

"Then...then you wait for me here tomorrow."

"Um, what time tomorrow?"

Hong Fan swallowed nervously.

"At noon..."

Ran Qianxi smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Okay Master."