“Yes, you’re right. I’m my father’s only son. He’ll definitely find a way to save me. I just need to wait patiently. I just need to wait...”
Zhang Yutang sat on the ground, muttering incoherently to himself.
The scholars beside him didn't look much better. Their families were of modest means; otherwise, they wouldn't have been currying favor with Zhang Yutang just to ride in his carriage back to their hometown.
Now, their only hope was that Zhang Yutang’s father was capable and fast enough to rescue them from this living hell.
After finishing her shift, Gu Qingyun had breakfast at home. Holding Xiao Guai with one arm, she called out to Old Lady Zhang, who was busy in the kitchen.
“Grandmother, I’m going to the market to buy some tofu. I have a craving for braised tofu in soy sauce.”
Old Lady Zhang gave her a helpless look and fished out one qian of silver from her pocket.
“Go on then. Bring back some pork bones while you’re at it. I’ll brew some broth for everyone. It’s too cold; we need to drink something warm.”
“Understood, Grandmother. Don’t worry, I’ll get them. If I see any brown sugar, I’ll bring some back too. It’s good for your health.”
Watching Gu Qingyun and Xiao Guai leave, Old Lady Zhang shook her head with a smile. Her granddaughter was both capable and thoughtful. To think that in her old age, she would be blessed enough to enjoy her granddaughter's care.
On the way, they encountered a vendor selling tanghulu. Gu Qingyun handed over three copper coins.
“Old man, give me one stick, please.”
“Coming right up!” The old man nimbly plucked a stick from his straw bundle and handed it over. Gu Qingyun gave it directly to Xiao Guai, who was perched on her arm.
Xiao Guai’s eyes crinkled into crescent moons as she held the tanghulu up to Gu Qingyun’s mouth.
“You eat first, Auntie.”
Gu Qingyun chuckled softly and bit off one candied hawthorn.
“You eat the rest yourself, Xiao Guai.”
...
Gu Qingyun first bought two blocks of tofu, then went to the butcher’s stall for the bones and some pork belly. Seeing that there were pig trotters available, she bought those too before heading home.
As she strolled back to the courtyard, she saw Bai Fan looking around anxiously. When he spotted her, he rushed over, shouting as he ran.
“Sister Yun, where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you! It’s urgent! To the yamen, now! The County Magistrate has summoned us for an emergency!”
Gu Qingyun carefully set Xiao Guai down and took the groceries to the kitchen.
“Grandmother, I have to go to the yamen. I’ll be back soon. Don’t forget I want tofu for lunch!”
“Little Black, keep up!” As soon as she spoke, a small black cat bolted toward her. She scooped it up, settled it on her shoulder, and hurried toward the yamen with Bai Fan.
“Bai Fan, do you know what happened?”
Bai Fan shook his head.
“I’m not entirely sure. I only know that several people came to report something today. The County Magistrate looked grim and ordered an immediate assembly of all Constables.”
Gu Qingyun stopped asking questions. She rushed to her rest quarters, changed into her uniform, grabbed her saber, and hurried to the main hall.
In the hall, County Magistrate Yu sat with a stern expression. Standing below him was a pot-bellied middle-aged man, his face etched with anxiety.
County Magistrate Yu slammed his gavel.
“Head Constable Liu!”
Head Constable Liu stepped forward, dropping to one knee with a straight back.
“Your subordinate is here!”
“Young Master Zhang Yutang and his friends, Shen Qinghe and Lu Mingyuan, along with the Zhang family's book boy and carriage driver, should have returned home the day before yesterday.
“The Zhang family waited for two days, and Zhang Yutang has yet to return. The route is mostly mountains and forests, and there are bandits about. I fear they have met with misfortune.”
County Magistrate Yu pointed to the portraits on the table, his tone grave.
“Immediately select twenty Constables. Prepare dry rations and fire starters. Enter the mountains at once for a search and rescue. You must find them. If the worst has happened, you must bring back the bodies.”
“Understood!”
The middle-aged man took a step forward and grabbed Head Constable Liu’s hand.
“Head Constable Liu, it’s a lot to ask in this cold weather. I will give every man ten taels of silver—regardless of whether my son is alive or dead, I will pay.
“If you can bring him back alive, I’ll give everyone another twenty taels. He is my only son. I beg you, save him!”
Head Constable Liu sighed.
“Rest assured. Your son is blessed by the heavens; I will bring him back.”
With that, he immediately selected twenty skilled men, including Wang Hu, Gu Qingyun, and Lu Hu. They mounted their horses and rode toward the mountains.
Due to the urgency of the situation, those without horses borrowed them from the drill ground. They soon reached the entrance to the forest.
Head Constable Liu looked at the continuous mountain ranges and felt a headache coming on. He had no lead. Searching these vast woods was like looking for a needle in a haystack. By the time they found anything, it might be too late.
Gu Qingyun rode her horse up to Head Constable Liu.
“Uncle Liu, do you remember that village we passed when we came back from the provincial capital? We might have some luck checking there.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a voice cut in.
“Don't we Fast Constables have more experience than a Night Constable like you? How long have you even been a Constable, yet you’re telling us to go search a specific village?
“If Young Master Zhang is actually lost in another part of the mountains and we follow your wrong lead, delaying the rescue, how will we face the County Magistrate’s punishment?”
The other Constables began to whisper and exchange glances.
Wu Yong and several others were about to speak up, but Head Constable Liu’s face darkened.
“Sun Kuan, you don’t understand the specifics of that village. Don't speak out of turn.”
He looked around at all the Constables and declared, “We are heading straight to that village. None of you are to be careless. Let’s move!”
...
After riding hard for a day and a night, Gu Qingyun and the others finally reached the village from their previous trip just as dawn was breaking.
Head Constable Liu looked down at the settlement from the mountainside, his eyes narrowing. He gestured with his hand.
“Everyone, take a short break. Do not light any fires. Eat some rations and drink some water. We’ll enter the village for a search in a moment.
“I’ll say the ugly truth first: you must remain vigilant toward everyone in this village at all times. Blind arrogance can cost you your life.”
The village below was small, consisting of about a few dozen households. As a faint light began to touch the sky, it was strangely quiet. No one was out tending the rice fields, and no cooking smoke rose from any of the houses.
Inside one house, the man who had met Gu Qingyun’s group before opened his eyes. He dressed and walked out, knocking on doors one by one.
“You’re all acting like pigs! I told you to get up and work as soon as the rooster crows! If you stay this lazy, anyone with half a brain will see something's wrong!”
A young man in a coarse cotton jacket opened a door.
“Boss, we’ll get to work right away. Please don’t be angry.”
The man suddenly slapped him hard.
“Didn’t I tell you to call me ‘Village Chief’ while we’re in the village?”
The young man bowed and scraped. “Chief, I won’t make that mistake again.”
The man snorted coldly. “After breakfast, gather everyone. We need to discuss moving the sacrifice to tonight to avoid further trouble.”
After waking everyone up, the man returned to his house. A meal of meat and vegetables was already set on the table, where a good-looking woman was waiting for him.
“Husband, come and eat.”
The man’s expression softened slightly.
“Mm. One of the people we caught this time comes from a wealthy family. Once this month’s sacrifice is over, I’ll take you to the provincial capital to buy some gold and silver jewelry and new clothes. We’ll have a good New Year.”
The woman giggled. “Alright. Thank you, husband.”
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