Shen Yangge, who had stayed hidden the entire time, did not dare breathe too loudly. His mind went blank with nerves.
Perhaps because the space was too cramped, Shen Yangge's little face flushed bright red.
He held both little hands over his mouth, one atop the other, not daring to move.
Chu Xuanzhen merely swept his gaze over every corner of the room before turning to leave.
Once he had gone far enough, Little Bamboo Shoot shakily pushed the door shut with a creak. After waiting a moment, he ran over to Shen Yangge's hiding place. "His Highness the Crown Prince has left. You can come out now."
Even after saying that, Little Bamboo Shoot was still shaken. This was his first time lying to someone so important. His master had warned him before that some lies could not be told lightly.
Because once you told them, you had to face deadly consequences.
Shen Yangge slowly crawled out. His pale clothes were stained with ash and filthy, and some had gotten onto his little face as well. He brushed himself clean.
He motioned for Little Bamboo Shoot to extinguish the oil lamp, lest someone think he was still awake and come in to check again.
Little Bamboo Shoot did as instructed, and the two children sat beside the bed to discuss what to do next.
"Um, why do they want to capture you?"
Shen Yangge looked into Little Bamboo Shoot's innocent eyes, thought for a moment, then said, "Because they want to live forever. Eating me will make them immortal."
Little Bamboo Shoot's face instantly drained of color.
"E-eat you?"
"Mm-hmm."
Shen Yangge spoke in an especially frightening voice:
"So you must keep this a secret, Little Bamboo Shoot. Don't let anyone find me, or they'll stew me into soup