The figure wore an ink-black robe, with intricate floral patterns embroidered in gold along the lapels and collar, lending him an air of indescribable nobility.
Chu Xuanzhen stood atop the wall, looking down at the beggars lying below. Despite the darkness around him, the moonlight allowed him to carefully scrutinize the general build of every beggar there.
When he spotted the child by the wall with his head wrapped up, his gaze lingered. He watched for a while and listened for some time before finally looking away and heading off in another direction.
Shen Yangge had no idea that, by dozing off, he had escaped Chu Xuanzhen's first inspection.
Mostly, it was because he looked far too much like a beggar. His face was grimy, his hair filthy and disheveled, and not a single part of him was clean.
As far as Chu Xuanzhen was concerned, his little liar loved cleanliness too much to hide among beggars, even while running away.
Halfway through his nap, Shen Yangge woke up. Someone had shaken him awake.
He opened his eyes groggily, only to be hit with a barrage of questions. "What's your name? How long have you been here? Have you seen any children your age?"
He immediately realized that the questioner worked for either the Eighth Prince or Chu Xuanzhen. Without hesitation, he answered, "I only just got here. My name is Wang Gousheng."
At that name, the questioner fell silent for quite a while before continuing, "...You haven't answered the last question. Have you seen any children your age?"
Shen Yangge shook his head like a rattle. "No, I haven't."
He never looked up the entire time.
Another man was suspicious and yanked away the clothing wrapped around his head. Once his filthy, disheveled head was exposed, they stopped questioning