The Sorrowmender

Chapter 19 – Safe and sound

After killing someone and making a trip to the yamen, it was really just a formality. Xu Qingzhou came out.

From the main hall of the yamen to the outside, it was only a few steps, but both sides were crowded with people.

Constable Zhang walked beside Xu Qingzhou, occasionally shouting loudly.

"Make way, Mister is coming—"

The crowd naturally squeezed to the sides, making a wide path in this place where there was barely room to stand.

Xu Qingzhou walked among them, talking and laughing, like a carefree scholar with a folding fan.

"Mister, are you still going to the Wang Family Diner for storytelling today?"

"Mister, well done, Mister."

"Mister—"

Voices calling "Mister" came one after another. Xu Qingzhou sometimes responded with a fist salute, sometimes with a smile, sometimes with a hearty laugh.

"Thank you all for your concern, thank you."

"Much appreciated, much appreciated."

"Farewell, farewell."

Surrounded by the crowd, like flowers in full bloom, it was lively, indeed very lively.

Xu Qingzhou knew very well that today's matter was probably already known to everyone, and as for the County Magistrate, someone must have sent a message behind the scenes, returning a favor.

Naturally, he also owed a favor.

"Constable Zhang, you can go about your business. I can walk the rest of the way alone."

"Mister, I can't. The County Magistrate's task is to ensure you return safely. If anything happens, I'm afraid I won't keep my head." Constable Zhang said timidly.

Just now in the hall, he felt the County Magistrate's gaze on him, knowing he had caused trouble.

Beyond the law, there are other principles and considerations. Bringing back Mister Forgetting Worries without thinking was indeed a bit careless. Now he could only ensure a safe return, not daring to make any mistakes.

Xu Qingzhou waved his hand, "Oh, Constable Zhang, in broad daylight, under the clear sky, who could harm me? Enough, no need to escort me."

"Well—alright, then Mister, take care." Constable Zhang bowed in respect.

Xu Qingzhou declined repeatedly, his brow showing displeasure. He couldn't afford to offend the County Magistrate, nor could he offend Mister Forgetting Worries, so he had to give up.

After bidding farewell to Constable Zhang, he walked a few dozen more steps and entered an alley.

Two figures appeared in front of him, one in red and one in white, one tall and one small, complementing the blue tiles and red walls, the green fields and blue sky, creating a unique charm.

Xu Qingzhou looked closely. The smaller one in white was Wuyou, and the taller one in red was the one who had captured his heart, Lin Shuang'er.

Seeing the two standing together, Xu Qingzhou didn't need to think much to understand what was going on.

"Master, are you alright?" Wuyou asked.

"Mister!" Lin Shuang'er said.

Xu Qingzhou pretended to be angry, giving Little Wuyou a sidelong glance. The latter lowered her head guiltily, fiddling with her fingers.

Then he looked at Lin Shuang'er, his feigned anger dissipating, replaced by a subtle smile.

"It seems I haven't taught my disciple well, troubling Miss Lin."

Lin Shuang'er slightly bowed her head in return, speaking slowly:

"Mister's words, Shuang'er cannot bear. Mister is blessed by the heavens, even if Shuang'er didn't intervene, nothing would have happened. Shuang'er intervened only by chance, repaying a favor to Mister, and it eases my heart a bit."

Xu Qingzhou raised an eyebrow, "It seems Miss Lin doesn't want to owe me a favor."

"Of course not."

"Healing the sick and saving lives, resolving disasters, is what I've pursued all my life. If the Young Lady found me, it's fate. Helping the Young Lady is also for fate, so there's no favor involved. Besides, Miss Lin paid that day, so there's no debt. Instead, today, I owe the Young Lady a favor."

Before Lin Shuang'er could respond, Xu Qingzhou looked at Little Wuyou and called out.

"Wuyou!"

"Wuyou is here."

"It's already this time, why aren't you going to class?"

Upon hearing this, Wuyou quickly replied, "Master, don't be angry. Wuyou will go now, right away."

With that, she ran into the street, not forgetting to look back, her eyes and mouth filled with the usual joy.

Even if scolded by her master, what does it matter? As long as her master is fine, Wuyou has no worries.

At this moment, at the end of the long street and alley, the crowd that had followed did not approach but stood at a distance, watching from afar.

Yet they tilted their ears, listening carefully, even if they couldn't hear clearly, they dared not get closer.

That red dress, who in Frostsky City wouldn't recognize it?

Lin Shuang'er, the City Lord's daughter, an outstanding talent, the pride of Frostsky, hence no one dared to disturb.

"Who would have thought, Mister Forgetting Worries actually knows Miss Lin. No wonder the County Magistrate concluded the case so hastily."

"Indeed, Miss Lin is the Ice Goddess, famously cold as ice. In Frostsky City, besides the City Lord, what man dares to approach her? Only Mister Forgetting Worries."

"You can't say that. Back in the day, Jian Lintian was inseparable from Miss Lin."

"That's the past, why talk about it? I'm talking about the present."

Wang Dong'er was in the crowd and saw this scene, her expression particularly complex.

"Lady Boss, why are you here too?"

"This is your family's road, why do you care so much?"

"Disperse, disperse. Today's story, I'm afraid we won't hear it. Our Mister Forgetting Worries has already been captivated by Miss Lin, hahaha." A Young Master laughed.

"Please make way, good dogs don't block the road—" Wang Dong'er said, about to leave.

"Why is the Lady Boss leaving again?"

"…………"

Meanwhile, Xu Qingzhou, having finished the pleasantries, was about to leave but was called back by Lin Shuang'er.

"Mister!"

"Does the Young Lady have more to say?"

Lin Shuang'er hesitated, her eyes filled with some loneliness, some confusion, her voice lowered, "If Mister is not busy, could you accompany Shuang'er for a walk? I have some doubts I'd like to discuss with you."

Xu Qingzhou thought for a moment, pointed with his folding fan, "Sure, after you, Young Lady."

"Thank you, Mister."

".................."

And so, the two walked side by side, heading out of the city, in this empty alley, under the watchful eyes of the people, gradually moving farther away. Suddenly, a breeze arose, adding a touch of meaning. If captured by an artist, this would be a scene.

A first-class scenery...

A young man in white, a lovely lady in red.

Meanwhile, outside the city, at an official post, stood a forest of iron armor, covering the post in a layer of bronze and iron.

In the courtyard sat a woman, her head adorned with golden hairpins, wearing a phoenix robe, surrounded by more than a dozen maidservants.

She was enjoying pastries, sipping tea, watching the peach blossoms slowly fall at the gate.

Suddenly, someone hurried in from outside the courtyard, approaching and bowing in greeting.

"Lady, something has happened!"

The woman's face, originally full of smiles, more vibrant than the peach blossoms, changed dramatically upon hearing this, a chill arising. The surrounding maidservants were all terrified, their heads lowered even more, their waists bent further, their legs that didn't tremble now began to shake.

The tea seemed to lose its flavor, moved away from those bright red lips.

"Speak!"

"The retainer sent to invite Mister Forgetting Worries was killed by him."