Gu Yun did not go after her. Based on past experience, she would be back soon enough.
He instructed someone to buy some of Xu Jingzhou’s favourite foods, then glanced around. Sure enough, the child had not obediently stayed put. She was nowhere to be seen.
Zhou Si and another Night Watch guard named Zhou Wei both looked ashamed.
“After she got the silver, she said her stomach hurt and that she needed to use the privy. Since she was a girl, we didn’t stand guard directly outside and kept some distance. Who could have guessed she’d pry loose one of the privy’s boards and squeeze through the gap with her tiny frame? By the time we realised what had happened, she’d already vanished without a trace.”
“It’s fine,” said Gu Yun. He had simply thought the girl clever and wanted to recruit her.
Most thieves were orphans. The fortunate ones had masters to teach them; the unfortunate ones merely answered to some gang leader. Petty theft was hardly a proper livelihood.
If she wanted a way out for herself, he had intended to take her to the workshop. He would provide food and lodging, give her spending money, and have her assist Craftsman Wang. Once she was older, Craftsman Wang could teach her properly, and eventually she could help him train others. After all, one man could only do so much.
But since she had run away, there was no point dwelling on it. If they met again in the future, they could discuss it then.
Gu Yun looked towards the rear courtyard wall. He was just considering climbing the bamboo ladder to see what Xu Jingzhou had been leaning over the wall cursing about earlier.
A shrill outburst sounded from nearby.
Turning his head, he saw the physician crouched in front of the privy, swearing loudly.
“Which shameless bastard knocked a hole in my privy? What rotten luck! Just as unlucky as that little master!”
A thought immediately occurred to Gu Yun. Pointing towards the rear courtyard wall, he asked, “Is it related to that?”
“Of course it is,” the physician replied. “The one that little master saved woke up this morning and climbed out over the wall from here. The ungrateful wretch didn’t thank the little master, didn’t thank me, and simply ran off…”
So that was it. No wonder Xu Jingzhou had been lying on the wall swearing his head off, Gu Yun thought.
“How much did it cost to treat him?” he asked.
“The little master already paid part of it,” the physician replied. “He said he’d settle the remainder later.”
“I’ll pay the rest. How much is it?”
…
Xu Jingzhou left the clinic and walked several li before finally calming down beneath the forest breeze.
The rescued person escaping from the clinic had left him irritated all day. As a result, the moment he encountered an opposing viewpoint, he had exploded before taking the time to think things through.
Now that he had calmed down, he felt he should not have argued with Gu Yun.
He turned around and crossed the tiny artificial woodland, intending to head back.
Fine rain pattered densely against the leaves like the steady beat of drums. As he stepped across damp, decaying foliage, a piercing scream suddenly rang out.
What in the world was that?
The hairs on the back of Xu Jingzhou’s neck stood on end.
Just as he was about to quicken his pace, he heard cries for help in rapid succession. Without thinking further, he snapped off a thick tree branch and rushed towards the source of the sound.
“Your Highness, spare me! I swear I won’t tell anyone that you killed the Empress Dowager! Please spare me! I’m not like my two brothers. My mouth is the tightest. And I’m not greedy for money like they are…”
Xu Jingzhou stopped among the trees.
A woman dressed in coarse cloth had fallen to the ground in a miserable heap. Several people stood before her.
Whoosh—The sound of an arrow slicing through the air rang out.
Xu Jingzhou watched as the arrow struck the woman directly through the chest. Blood blossomed across her clothing.
Her body convulsed. Then she fell still.
Taking a slow breath, he raised his eyes and looked towards the person who had loosed the shot. It was a young man clad in black, his clothing blending almost seamlessly into the gloomy surroundings.
His appearance was exceptionally handsome, not delicate but strikingly masculine. His prominent brow cast deep shadows over his eyes, concealing them completely. Cold rainwater streamed down his face.
Their gazes met.
With a single glance, Xu Jingzhou recognised him. It was none other than Crown Prince Chao Ziyu.
Several people stood behind him. One of them was Li Lan.
Xu Jingzhou’s heartbeat accelerated.
Backing away, he said, “I’ve arrived at an unfortunate time. I’ll be leaving now. Please continue with whatever you were doing.”
Chao Yan lifted his rain-dampened eyes.
Taking an arrow from Li Lan, he nocked it and drew the bowstring.
