Zhao Pu suddenly left the military camp and arrived at Dao Fu Town without any clear reason. This was a significant event. Given their official ranks, Bao Zheng and Pang Ji wouldn’t normally have the right to question him too much—after all, he was the Grand Marshal of the armed forces, held military power, and was even a relative of the emperor. Even Emperor Zhao Zhen didn’t interfere with him. However, regardless of why Zhao Pu had come, it was evident that he had been ambushed. That was something Bao Zheng couldn’t ignore, and Pang Ji had to be extra cautious as well. If anything happened to Zhao Pu, his son-in-law’s hold on the empire would be at risk.

Bao Zheng ordered that the corpse and the assassin, whom Gongsun had managed to save, be taken back to the yamen. At the same time, he had Zhao Pu—who was reluctant but had no choice—dragged back as well.

Zhan Zhao was walking at the rear of the group, prepared to return to the yamen with the others, when he noticed Bai Yutang heading off in a different direction alone.

Standing in the middle of the road, Zhan Zhao turned back to look.

That white figure was walking further and further away. Bai Yutang’s back was just as striking as his front—not losing any of his charm. His gait wasn’t overly refined like a nobleman’s; rather, he moved with a casual, unrestrained air, quick and agile like a true man of the Jianghu.

Zhan Zhao scratched his chin slightly. For some reason, just looking at Bai Yutang’s back made him feel as if the man had something on his mind.

Zhan Zhao turned back to look at the departing group. If that black-clothed man was Zhao Pu, then Bai Yutang had already fulfilled his end of the deal. However, Zhan Zhao had yet to fulfill his own promise—to help him find Tan Jin.

Frowning slightly, Zhan Zhao turned around again.

At that moment, he saw Bai Yutang standing at the entrance of an alleyway in the distance, watching him with an amused expression. Who knew how long he had been standing there?

Zhan Zhao scratched his head.

Bai Yutang chuckled. Just a moment ago, he had turned around and spotted Zhan Zhao standing in the middle of the street—one moment looking at him, the next turning back to watch the others—spinning around in circles like a cat that couldn’t decide which way to go.

The two of them stared at each other across the street for a brief moment. Bai Yutang then raised a hand and pointed toward the distance.

Zhan Zhao followed his gesture and saw a tall rooftop—the largest and finest inn in Dao Fu Town. He immediately understood. Bai Yutang was wealthy, so he was likely staying there.

Earlier, Grand Preceptor Pang had not yet finished talking about Tan Jin. Zhan Zhao wondered if Bai Yutang had forgotten about it. Maybe he should ask him to come back to the yamen to inquire further? They could have a meal together and play with Xiao Si Zi for a bit.

But from a distance, Bai Yutang simply raised his hand slightly in a farewell gesture.

Zhan Zhao still had his hands behind his back, gripping his sword Juque, when Bai Yutang disappeared into the alleyway.

Stepping aside, Zhan Zhao peered into the alley. As Bai Yutang walked in, it seemed he also glanced back at Zhan Zhao for a moment. There was a slight curve at the corner of his mouth… Was that expressionless face actually smiling?

Narrowing his eyes, Zhan Zhao turned and ran back to catch up with Bao Zheng’s group. In any case, now that he knew where that white-furred weasel was staying, he would first gather information about Tan Jin and then find him for a drink later.

As he jogged back toward the yamen, he passed a small inn nearby. Glancing up, he noticed a little child peeking out from a second-floor window. When the child saw him looking, he quickly waved.

Amused, Zhan Zhao leaped up directly to the second floor, crouching by the window. “Xiao Si Zi.”

Xiao Si Zi was standing on a small stool, only able to poke his head out of the window. The room was empty; Gongsun was nowhere to be seen.

“Zhan Zhan.” Xiao Si Zi leaned against the window sill, glanced downward briefly, then looked up at Zhan Zhao. He spoke a sentence before continuing to watch the street below.

Noticing his expression, Zhan Zhao figured he was waiting for Gongsun. “Where’s your father?”

“Daddy went to buy medicinal herbs. There were still some missing.” Xiao Si Zi lifted his foot to show Zhan Zhao. “Got a blister on my foot, so Daddy won’t let me go out.”

Leaning in, Zhan Zhao saw that Xiao Si Zi was barefoot, wearing wooden clogs. A small piece of gauze was wrapped around his tiny foot with some yellow medicinal paste—seemed like it had already been treated.

“Does it hurt?” Zhan Zhao frowned, wondering if the child had walked too much today and tired himself out.

“Nope. New shoes rubbed my feet.” Xiao Si Zi wiggled his toes inside his wooden clogs before asking, “Zhan Zhan, have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet. What about you?”

“I ate something. Daddy said we’ll have dinner when he comes back.” Xiao Si Zi said as he climbed down from the stool, ran to the table, and brought over a small food box. “Want some?”

Curious, Zhan Zhao opened it and found it filled with osmanthus cakes. Taking a piece, he tasted it and was surprised. “Delicious! Where did you get this?”

“Daddy made them.” Xiao Si Zi grinned proudly. “You can’t find these anywhere else. Eat more!”

Zhan Zhao grabbed another piece. Xiao Si Zi, apart from being a little slow to react, wasn’t mischievous like other boys his age. He was obedient, sensible, and quiet. Gongsun had really raised him well.

At this thought, Zhan Zhao curiously asked, “Xiao Si Zi, where’s your mother?”

Xiao Si Zi blinked. “Still looking for her.”

Zhan Zhao was startled. “Looking for what?”

“Looking for my mother,” Xiao Si Zi replied matter-of-factly.

“You mean… she went missing?” Zhan Zhao was surprised.

Xiao Si Zi shook his head vigorously. “Nope. Never had one.”

Zhan Zhao was a sharp person. After thinking about it, he realized—Gongsun was too young to have a child this old. Perhaps Xiao Si Zi was adopted. That made sense.

Deciding not to probe further, Zhan Zhao changed the topic to pastries, discussing osmanthus cakes and mung bean cakes. Turns out, the two of them had similar tastes.

…

While they were chatting, a shadow suddenly darted in through the window.

Xiao Si Zi was startled. A big black blur!

Zhan Zhao saw a black-clothed man slip inside, closing the window in one smooth motion.

They stared at each other for a moment before the figure put a finger to his lips and shushed them.

Zhan Zhao frowned. Wasn’t this Zhao Pu?