Chapter 187: The Wen Family’s Lifesaver
Li Fu and Li Yi merely assumed their guard had frightened the little girl, so they hurriedly asked, “Xun Feng, what did you do?”
Xun Feng immediately jumped down from the carriage and dropped to one knee on the ground: “Master, this subordinate didn’t do anything at all! I was just waiting by the carriage.”
Li Fu’s expression rarely darkened, but just as he opened his mouth to say something, he saw Wen Ying pulling at Old Madam Luo and saying excitedly, “Grandma, Datou! The person who saved Datou, the one who went swoosh-swoosh-swoosh flying back and forth, it’s him!”
Her tiny finger pointed directly at the guard, Xun Feng, who was kneeling on the ground apologizing.
As soon as these words came out, the Wen family froze. Li Fu and Li Yi were also taken aback, while Xun Feng was even more utterly baffled.
What saving people? When did he save anyone?
The expression on Old Madam Luo’s face shifted rapidly. She steadied Wen Ying and asked, “Yingzi, did you see clearly?”
Wen Ying nodded repeatedly: “Grandma, I didn’t see it wrong. It’s definitely him. That day he was wearing this exact same outfit. He fished Datou out of the water and then flew away.”
Xun Feng looked down at the guard uniform on his body; he always wore this outfit.
Having received a certain answer, Old Madam Luo turned around and knelt right down toward Xun Feng. The rest of the Wen family also hurriedly ran over, preparing to kneel as well.
Xun Feng was terrified out of his wits. In a flash, he dodged behind Li Fu and cried out for help, “Master!”
Li Fu quickly pulled Old Madam Luo and the others up, thoroughly bewildered: “Old Madam Wen, what in the world is going on?”
Looking at the group with a face full of excitement, Old Madam Luo asked, “Mr. Li, dare I ask if you visited Yunwu Town before the New Year? Bringing this great hero along?”
Li Fu froze: “Before the New Year? No.”
How could he possibly leave the capital before the New Year?
It was Li Yi who tugged at Li Fu’s sleeve, whispering, “Dad, I came. I came to visit the master, and I brought Xun Feng.”
Li Fu looked at his son. Xun Feng also scratched his head, thinking hard, and suddenly remembered something.
“Y-Yes, Master. Before the New Year, this subordinate escorted the Young Master to visit Mr. Qiu, and we passed through this area. Ah, I remember now! At that time, our carriage was parked by the roadside. I originally wanted to fetch some water from the nearby river to feed the horses, but I saw a child fall into the water, so I fished him out.”
“Ah? This…” Li Fu looked toward Old Madam Luo and the others, saying in surprise, “Could it be that the child Xun Feng saved was from the Wen family?”
Now everything fell perfectly into place. The look in Old Madam Luo’s eyes as she gazed at the Li father and son was exceptionally fervent. She nodded repeatedly while simultaneously instructing Wen Xiuzhu to go to Qiu Rongrong’s manor to fetch Wen Xiuyi back, and telling Lu He to go to the docks to fetch Wen Yao, who was watching the shops.
The Wen family’s carriage had been driven by Lu Jiang that morning to take Wen Yao and Wen Nong to the docks, leaving only the ox cart.
Li Fu kindly offered up his own carriage, letting Lu He drive it to go pick them up.
On the Wen family’s side, Old Man Wen was also called back from the fields. Upon learning that the Li father and son were the masters of the benefactor who had saved Datou back then, his attitude was simply indescribable. He was even more enthusiastic than before, looking as though he wanted to set up a shrine for the father and son.
Xun Feng, on the other hand, was pulled in every direction by the Wen family showering him with concern and warmth, making him feel quite unaccustomed to the attention.
“I never imagined our two families would actually share such a twist of fate. Hahaha, Old Uncle Wen, Old Madam Wen, this is truly too much of a coincidence.” After the Wen family calmed down, Li Fu also learned the full sequence of events from their mouths.
Upon learning that the rescued child was actually Qiu Zhi’s adopted son and Wen Xiuyi’s youngest son, the corners of Li Fu’s mouth split into an even wider grin.
Now, Qiu Zhi owed him a massive favor.
Old Man Wen and Old Madam Luo hadn’t expected things to be this coincidental either.
“Yes, we truly never expected that our family’s great benefactor was right in front of our eyes. If Young Hero Xun Feng hadn’t acted in time back then, that child Datou probably would have… Fortunately, good people are rewarded with good karma. Our family finally has the opportunity to repay this debt of gratitude.” Old Man Wen and Old Madam Luo exchanged a glance, both wearing expressions of utmost joy.
They had originally almost forgotten about this matter. After all, the person was merely passing by and hadn’t left a name or anything; even if they wanted to repay the favor, there was nowhere to do so.
But everything was great now. The benefactor had been found, and the Wen family was absolutely not the type to receive a favor and not repay it.
Xun Feng was made entirely embarrassed by their praises. Moreover, with his masters present, it wasn’t his place to claim the credit.
“No, no, no, I… it was just a coincidence for me too. It’s all thanks to my Young Master and Master. If they hadn’t ordinarily taught us servants to always strive for goodness, I wouldn’t have saved the young Master of the Wen family. Yes, exactly! It’s all because my Master and Young Master taught me well.” After speaking, Xun Feng even shot an accommodating smile toward Li Yi and Li Fu.
His master wanted to score free meals at the Wen family; wasn’t this reason delivered right to his lips? As their lifesavers, eating a few meals wasn’t going overboard, right?
The Wen family showered the Li father and son with another round of thanks. Ultimately, it was Old Man Wen who reacted, hurriedly instructing Old Madam Luo.
“Right, right, right! Quickly, have them slaughter chickens and ducks, and go into the village to get some fresh vegetables. And the fish from the pond—Uncle Lu, hurry and catch a few fish! Mr. Li, Young Master Li, Young Hero Xun Feng, you absolutely must stay for a simple meal today.
“And, what’s his name, Third Son, Third Son!”
Wen Xiuqing hurried out, only to hear Old Man Wen say, “Hurry to the Village Chief’s house, borrow their ox cart, and go to Jishi Hall to invite Divine Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu over.”
“Aye, alright, I’ll go right now.” Wen Xiuqing turned around and left immediately.
Old Man Wen was incredibly excited and overjoyed, continuously pulling Li Fu into conversation.
Li Fu had originally just wanted to drop by for a free meal, but he hadn’t expected that he wouldn’t need to sponge off them at all now; they were specifically throwing a feast to entertain them.
Wen Xiuyi and Wen Yao received the news at almost the exact same time, and both were practically stupefied. The person who saved Datou was actually a guard from the Li family? Wasn’t this far too much of a coincidence?
Then, one dropped his farming and the other abandoned her shops, and they both rushed home in perfect unison.
By the time they hurried home, Old Madam Luo had already led Lady Li and the others in preparing all the side ingredients.
“Dad.” The two bumped into each other at the main gate, exchanged a glance, and walked into the courtyard.
From afar, they could hear the sound of Old Man Wen and Li Fu conversing.
“Eldest is back! Eldest, come quickly! As it turns out, the one who saved Datou that day was Mr. Li’s guard! Would you look at this coincidence? The benefactor we’ve been searching so hard for was actually right in front of our eyes!” Old Man Wen said excitedly to Wen Xiuyi.
Wen Xiuyi also learned the sequence of events from the mouths of the group. He looked at the Li father and son, then at Xun Feng, and solemnly bowed to the two men.
“Brother Li, no amount of words can express my gratitude for this massive favor. In the future, if there is ever any place Brother Li has use of me, Wen Xiuyi, I will definitely go all out.”
After speaking, he cupped his fists toward Xun Feng: “Young Hero Xun Feng, thank you very much for saving our family’s Datou.”
This kind of life-saving grace, to put it plainly, was something where even kowtowing to the person would be completely justified. However, with the Li father and son present, if he knelt to Xun Feng, Xun Feng would definitely not accept it.
However, it didn’t matter. This favor definitely had to be repaid. In the future, whenever there were good things, he would just make sure to prepare an extra portion for Guard Xun Feng.
