Losing Track of Di Qingyu

The day before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

News had spread that the emperor had ordered porridge to be distributed on all four sides of Xiling Royal City, and another piece of news had spread far and wide as well.

Wei Ning, the vice minister of punishments, had actually submitted his resignation three times!

The first time, he had rushed into the palace in the middle of the night. The second time, he had sought an audience in Xuanzheng Hall at dawn. The third time was that very morning, when he had threatened to kill himself before all the civil and military officials at court.

If he was not allowed to resign, he would dash himself to death in the hall.

The emperor had been so furious that he had ordered Wei Ning beaten ten times with a rod on the spot, then made him kneel outside the hall until noon, when he had ordered him dragged away.

Many commoners were eagerly following the gossip, curious what could have made the dignified vice minister of punishments give up a perfectly good post, preferring death to remaining in office.

Had he grown tired of the struggles at court? Or was someone forcing him? What secrets lay behind it?

Of course, the gossip had spread so quickly thanks to the mouths of those beggars and teahouse storytellers.

No matter what turmoil shook the court, Di Qingyu continued distributing her porridge, seeking no fame and keeping her identity hidden.

Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Colorful lanterns hung throughout Xiling Royal City, and plenty of decorative lanterns had been prepared by the river as well. Red lanterns also hung beside the porridge stall to lend it a festive air.

"...Big sister, this is for you. I made it myself..."

Di Qingyu looked down and found the little girl vaguely familiar. She was the one who had come for porridge yesterday.

"You made this?"

She reached out and accepted the decorative lantern the little girl offered her. Her lips curved slightly beneath her veil, and she said softly, "Thank you for the lantern. It's exquisite."

The little girl gave a bashful smile. "...No, no, we should be thanking you, big sister. Big sister... you're very pretty. I, I like you very much."

With that, the little girl ran off shyly.

When she reached an old man, she hid behind him and secretly peeked out at Di Qingyu, terribly excited.

Seeing this, Di Qingyu pressed her lips together and chuckled. She held the lantern and stroked it with great care. Though its workmanship was somewhat flawed, she could tell that a great deal of care had gone into stitching the details.

Zhu Wuyang leaned against a railing nearby with a sword held in his arms, naturally taking in the entire scene. His clear, unruly eyes were half-lidded, and his expression was calm.

Perhaps word had spread that day, for even by evening, many commoners were still lining up.

Suddenly, Chunzhi leaned close to Di Qingyu's ear and whispered something. Di Qingyu's brows twitched slightly, and she turned to look at Zhu Wuyang.

"Guard Zhu, I hear it's very lively by the moat tonight. I'd like to take a look. You all stay here and keep watch. I'll be back in a little while."

A bright smile lit up her lively eyes, but Zhu Wuyang remained unmoved. He merely frowned slightly and stepped forward.

"If you wish to go, I must accompany you." His tone was insistent.

Di Qingyu protested, "I only want to look around. Can't I go even if I'll be back in a quarter of an hour? I'll take Chunzhi with me."

Zhu Wuyang glanced at Chunzhi beside her, who was just as frail as she was, and shook his head.

"I'm afraid I cannot comply."

Two skinny poles. If something really happened, what difference would there be between one head and two?

Seeing this, Di Qingyu gave ground. "All right, then come with us. Just keep some distance, so you don't frighten people with that saber of yours."

Her gaze was innocent; it was impossible to tell that she was mocking him.

Zhu Wuyang, who had been treated with disdain, said, "..."

After a few seconds of silence, he finally gave a grunt. "Mm."

Afterward, Di Qingyu put on a white veil and led Chunzhi toward the moat. A young man carrying a saber in his arms followed four meters behind them.

The moat was the first line of defense protecting the royal city. Its winding branches ran through the city, and the streets along their banks were among its most prosperous.

The place Di Qingyu was headed was the liveliest street in the royal city. It had not only gambling dens and pavilions selling paintings and calligraphy, but also brothels, taverns, and vendors hawking their wares.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow, it was even more bustling than usual. A sea of heads thronged the street, and colorful decorations filled the eye.

"Chunzhi, look! There are so many decorative lanterns over there. They're beautiful."

Even though Di Qingyu wore a white veil, her bright eyes and delighted voice were enough to reveal her joy and excitement.

"Hey, look at this mask. Doesn't it look like a real fox?"

"How much is this tanghulu? Chunzhi, pay the vendor."

She was like a fairy who had descended into the mortal world, lifting her skirts as she turned lightly among the crowd, her feather-white gauze robes fluttering around her. Every movement was graceful and noble, drawing countless eyes.

Jostled by the crowd, Chunzhi struggled to keep up. Her face grew anxious. "Mistress, slow down! Be careful someone doesn't bump into you!"

But Di Qingyu looked back with a smile. "It's all right. Under the Son of Heaven's very feet, how could I possibly get lost?" She glanced sidelong at Zhu Wuyang, who was also being held back by the crowd behind them.

"Guard Zhu, you'd better keep up."

With that, she arched her lively brows, a hint of mischief in her eyes. If he was so determined to follow her, he couldn't blame her for what happened next.

Seeing this, Zhu Wuyang had a bad feeling. "Sixth Miss, wait!"

He tried to move after her, but the crowd pressed in around him, making it impossible to take a single step. His head throbbed, and he looked ahead.

Where was she?

Di Qingyu had vanished from the place where she had been standing!

Zhu Wuyang's heart tightened. This was bad!

"Chunzhi, where's your mistress?" Only Chunzhi was still where she had been.

"Ah, I don't know either." Chunzhi looked bewildered and anxious. "Guard Zhu, let's hurry and look for her. Mistress is in poor health; something could easily happen to her!"

"Let's split up and search. If we still haven't found her in a quarter of an hour, I'll go back and gather the guards."

Zhu Wuyang's expression inevitably turned cold, but the immediate priority was to find her.

"Ah, all right!" Chunzhi nodded hastily, her face pale with fright.

The two went their separate ways.

What Zhu Wuyang did not know was that no sooner had Chunzhi hurried off in an anxious search than she turned behind a tavern, where a girl in white wearing a fox mask stood waiting.

"Mistress, Du Yutao has already drunk three pots of wine. He's still in the brothel." Chunzhi had shed her earlier anxiety, and her expression was calm.

"Follow behind Zhu Wuyang. If he hasn't found his way to the brothel in a quarter of an hour, lead him there."

"Yes."