Chapter 21: Leaving Zhao County

The Embroidered Uniform Envoy deployed troops to surround Zhao County for a full day and night, conducting a massive dragnet search of the ground. They uncovered many thieves and kidnappers, but the violent culprits who had killed over a dozen people in a single night had left no trace.

But the investigation stopped there.

"The culprits actually fled long ago," the shop assistant said with an animated expression. "The government troops discovered them outside last night and gave chase."

Thus, Zhao County was left alone.

The troops withdrew, and the city gates were opened early in the morning.

Crowds had gathered in the streets, buzzing with discussion.

The customers in the hall were clamoring: "I told you they couldn't still be here!" "What a waste of time!" "What a chaotic mess!" "I don't think these Embroidered Uniform guards are all that capable."

Hearing this, the shop assistant threatened, "Careful, or they'll arrest you for further questioning to show you exactly what they're capable of."

Terrified, the man dared not say another word. He hurriedly left with his bundle, fearing the gates might close again if he moved too slowly.

In the blink of an eye, the inn had emptied out, leaving only Yang Luo and Mo Zheng behind.

The two of them stayed to eat breakfast.

"The young lady has been through a fright, yet she remains so composed," the shop assistant praised.

Yang Luo said, "Since I've already been frightened, there is nothing left to fear." She then turned to instruct the person behind her, "A-Sheng, walk slowly."

Mo Zheng leaned on his bamboo pole, taking slow, measured steps.

The shop assistant hurried forward to support him. "Young man, you've truly suffered." He added concernedly, "Do you need me to find a doctor to take a look?"

Yang Luo smiled and said, "I'm not quite that composed. Let's leave Zhao County first and find a clinic on the road."

The shop assistants were amused. They saw the master and servant off to the carriage, watching as the young guard, using his uninjured hand to guide the horses, carried his lady away.

Unlike when they entered, the city gates were now crowded, making movement in and out slow.

Yang Luo lifted the carriage curtain to look. The bodies of the Jiang and Li families had been collected from the gates, but people were gathered there burning incense, candles, and paper money—many of them children.

They were all students taught by Jiang Wangchun.

Although the Embroidered Uniform guards claimed there had been a secret report accusing Jiang Wangchun of treason, no final verdict had been reached. Furthermore, it was known that the Li family had killed the Jiang family. To many, the Jiang family's fate was simply a sudden, undeserved tragedy. Many people ignored the risk of suspicion and came to pay their respects.

"Mr. Jiang must have been a very good person," Yang Luo said softly.

Mo Zheng also watched the rising smoke and the fluttering paper money, giving a soft hum of agreement before suddenly turning to look at Yang Luo.

"Do you want to come down and burn some as well?" he asked.

She would burn some too? Yang Luo froze. Although she felt great pity for the Jiang family, she ultimately did not know them...

"Once we are out, we will go directly to the ferry to take a boat. Traveling south by water is very fast; we will completely leave Yuzhou today," Mo Zheng said in a low voice, looking at her. "You... should pay your respects to your mother as well."

That was true. Zhao County and Lu County were nearby and both belonged to Yuzhou; strictly speaking, it was still her homeland. Leaving Yuzhou for a new prefecture would be different.

Yang Luo looked toward the direction of Lu County. To avoid exposing her identity, she had not gone to see her mother's body. Now, taking advantage of the crowd paying respects to Jiang Wangchun, she could pay her respects and speak to her mother.

"Alright," she nodded, her voice tinged with gratitude. "A-Sheng, you are truly thoughtful."

Mo Zheng shook his head. "Actually, I would like to pay my respects as well."

Indeed, he was also from Lu County. The old hunter who had adopted and raised him was also buried in the mountains of Lu County.

Yang Luo jumped straight down from the carriage. "I'll go buy two sets of offerings."

...

...

Upon the rolling hills, Wei Jiao sat on the ground, twirling his Small Snake Sword, gazing at the smoke rising from the gates of Zhao County.

"Commander, should we announce the fact that Jiang Wangchun was colluding with the remnants of the previous dynasty?" an Embroidered Uniform guard asked beside him, his expression grim. "To prevent the public from thinking we have wronged him."

Wei Jiao said lazily, "It is better if they think we wronged him. If people believe we lack evidence and resort to wild speculation, they will be even more daring to cause trouble."

The sound of hoofbeats came from below the hills. Several Embroidered Uniform guards leapt from their horses, rushed forward, and knelt before Wei Jiao.

"Your subordinates were incompetent; we came up empty-handed," they said.

Yesterday, shortly after the interrogation of Old Lady Li, the guards stationed outside sent word that the culprits—who had previously been chased to Lu County before losing their trail—had been spotted again.

It was now known that the killers of the Jiang family were the Li father and son, but the Li father and son had been killed. Furthermore, from the interrogation of Old Lady Li, it was learned that another group—or rather, two groups—was hiding behind the entire matter.

These people behind the scenes were the ones truly connected to the treasures of the previous dynasty.

Thus, Wei Jiao had immediately led his men out of Zhao County to pursue them, only for the trail to go cold once again.

However, looking at the kneeling guards, there was no trace of irritation on Wei Jiao's face; instead, he smiled.

"I know we won't find them," he said. "Because they were intentionally leading us away."

Intentionally? The guards looked at him.

Wei Jiao curled his lip. "Not appearing earlier, not appearing later, but appearing exactly when we are searching Zhao County... such a coincidence is too stupid."

He stood up, and the Small Snake Sword between his fingers vanished into his sleeve.

"Sacrificing themselves to lure us away was naturally intended to allow the culprits hiding in Zhao County to escape."

Although nothing unusual had been found during the search of Zhao County, he felt no disappointment or urgency.

"As long as there is a massive commotion, thieves will inevitably feel guilty and jump out on their own."

And indeed, they had jumped out.

He looked at the guards.

"Leave some men to watch Zhao County. Additionally, distribute the information of the outsiders recorded during the search to all regions to verify their identities."

Wei Jiao reached out and traced a circle in the air toward the distant Zhao County.

The fish was right inside.

...

...

The bamboo pole pushed gently into the river, creating a ripple.

"A-Sheng," Yang Luo called from inside the cabin. "Don't stand at the bow. Come down quickly; you're injured and shouldn't be exposed to the wind."

The boatman at the bow was in his forties with a kind face. He said with a chuckle, "Young man, hurry inside. It's your first time on a boat; be careful not to get seasick."

Mo Zheng put away the bamboo pole, nodded to the boatman, and walked from the bow into the cabin.

Yang Luo looked around the cabin with joyful eyes.

"Even though it's a bit expensive, chartering a private boat is much more convenient," she said.

The cabin was large, furnished with two small beds, and there were no other passengers. With only the boatman, it was very peaceful.

Mo Zheng nodded and laid the previously mentioned map on the table for her to see. "Although we were delayed in Zhao County, by switching from water to land, we will enter the borders of the Capital in seven days."

Yang Luo looked at the simple markings on the map, her gaze lingering on the words "The Capital."

"That's quite fast," she said softly.

Perhaps because the Capital had been mentioned, Yang Luo's sleep was restless that night.

Her small face was tightly furrowed, and she let out whimpers.

"Zhu Yunxiao, why did you kill me?"

*Zhu Yunxiao*, Mo Zheng repeated the name in his mind.

Yang Luo's voice turned angry again.

"Great Uncle, do you want me to die too?"

*Great Uncle*—that was Duke Ding'an.

The man in the Capital whose identity was unclear, and her own relative, the uncle—both were nightmares for this girl.

Seeing Yang Luo's breathing grow increasingly rapid, as if she were suffocating in her sleep, Mo Zheng reached out and pressed lightly against her neck. Yang Luo's head tilted slightly, and she fell into a deep unconsciousness.

"Since you have secrets to keep from others," Mo Zheng whispered, "you should learn to remain lucid even in your dreams."

...

...

The river surface was pitch black under the night sky, and the lanterns hanging from the four corners of the boat cast flickering shadows that shattered upon the water.

The small boat continued to move slowly.

The boatman sat hunched over, clutching his oar, seemingly asleep.

"Uncle Hong, was it you who lured the Embroidered Uniform Envoy away?"

Mo Zheng asked softly.

The boatman was startled awake. He turned to look at the youth standing behind him. "Young Master, you scared me to death!" He added, "We were all nearly scared to death."

(End of Chapter)