No one so important had ever come to Wind Brocade Commandery before.
By the time Lu Yao arrived at the prefectural offices with the others, the broad open space outside was already packed with townspeople who had heard the news and come to see the "Little Highness." The magnificent sight of people packed layer upon layer made them realize, for the first time, that they could apparently get "crowd-sick."
The townspeople on the outside could not see what was happening within and could only imagine it from the scraps of news passed back by those at the front.
Well, not exactly scraps-
"They've cracked it! They've cracked it!" someone cried excitedly, turning to loudly "spoon-feed" the news to the townspeople behind him, who were like baby birds clamoring to be fed.
Lu Yao and the others froze briefly, then hurried forward.
Had the case been heard already?
Then they had to find a way inside quickly and bring their little one out safely!
They had barely taken two steps when-
"That little dumpling is the 'Highness'! Not the big one!!"
More than a dozen gasps immediately rose from the crowd.
"Whoa! It really is that little girl!"
"Heavens! She bought sugar cakes at my shop just a few days ago! I'm going home to make a sign that says 'The Little Princess's Favorite Sugar Cake Shop'!!"
"Nonsense! The Little Princess clearly likes our pastries best!!"
"You're the one talking nonsense-"
"You have no shame-"
The formerly harmonious atmosphere became thick with gunpowder in an instant. Lu Yao even watched someone take advantage of the chaos to jab the person beside him several times.
"..."
"..."
Their silence was deafening.
Only after a long while did Lu Yao roll up his sleeves and manage to say, "Let's go..."
If they did