Chapter Fifty-One: A Costly Oversight

Chapter Fifty-One: Carelessness

“Brother Ye?” Helpless, Yun Hao could only step outside, discovering that the wretched fellow making the commotion was Ye. Wasn’t this guy one of the shop’s assistants? Why had he come here?

Standing at the entrance to Yun Hao’s courtyard were two hulking men in black attire. While womenfolk like Zhang Miaoke and Xing’er could come and go freely, a strapping youth like Ye was absolutely forbidden entry. At this moment, Ye was being dragged by the collar, a glaring red handprint across his face.

“Damn it! The Second Master just went to sleep, and here you are making a racket. Make one more sound and I’ll skin you alive,” growled the leading guard, his fierce visage making it clear that another outburst from Ye might well end in violence.

“Sir, he’s one of the assistants here, probably has business with me. Would you please let him go? I promise he won’t shout again,” Yun Hao had no choice but to step forward and intercede. After all, they were all from the pharmacy, and he couldn’t just stand by and watch one of their own be bullied—especially with Zhang Miaoke at his side. In situations like this, he had no choice but to play the peacemaker.

Recognizing Yun Hao, the lead guard’s expression softened. This youth was not to be trifled with—the Second Master’s health depended entirely on him. He released Ye’s collar, bowed to Yun Hao, retrieved his broadsword from his companion, and stood guard at the door.

Ye was nearly frightened out of his wits, having been struck with no one to whom he could appeal. With a tearful face, he said to Yun Hao, “Brother Hao, the manager says the Duke of Tang’s mansion has sent over some foodstuffs and medicinal herbs. You’re to go see what’s useful and have it moved to your courtyard. Anything not immediately needed should go into storage.”

“Oh!” Yun Hao replied, following Ye out the gate. Great households truly did things with efficiency—no unnecessary fuss. Yun Hao was curious what fine things had been sent to Li Er. Could there be legendary thousand-year ginseng or ten-thousand-year snow lotus? In both his lives, he’d never seen such treasures. He was filled with anticipation.

“Wait for me—I want to see too! Xing’er, keep an eye on the rice porridge!” Zhang Miaoke’s voice called out behind them after they’d taken only a few steps. Clearly, the young lady’s curiosity was not to be underestimated.

With a beauty for company, Yun Hao was naturally overjoyed. Though his body was but eight years old, his mind was well over sixty. His fondness for beautiful women was perfectly normal, not precocious in the least! A pity his body had yet to mature—otherwise, he’d have tried to win her over already.

The two of them followed Ye through a moon gate. Yun Hao, puzzled, asked, “Ye, why are we going to the back door?”

“The front’s not for deliveries—the shop isn’t even open yet,” Ye muttered, rubbing his cheek.

Leaving by the rear, Yun Hao saw neither goods nor people and asked, “Where is everyone?”

“At the alley’s end! The carriage is too big to get through this narrow lane,” Ye explained, leading the way. Yun Hao and Zhang Miaoke followed, resigned. The Zhang Pharmacy wasn’t far, and this was Yun Hao’s first time stepping out since arriving. He looked around with the curiosity of a child, but most importantly, he relished the chance to hold Zhang Miaoke’s soft little hand.

How could a girl’s hand be so smooth—so soft! The feeling was indescribably pleasant.

Reaching the mouth of the alley, they saw a carriage. Before Yun Hao could react, everything went black as someone hefted him onto a shoulder. At the same moment, Zhang Miaoke’s shriek rang out.

His small feet kicked desperately, but it was useless. His head throbbed as it struck something. A soft body landed atop him, and soon after, his own body began to jolt and sway.

Careless—far too careless! Yun Hao was filled with regret. He’d avoided leaving the house for days, fearing he’d be kidnapped by ruffians, thinking surely they’d still be sleeping at this hour. He’d let his guard down and followed Ye out, never suspecting Ye was part of the setup. Now not only had he been caught, but Zhang Miaoke had been dragged into it as well.

He struggled, but the sack was tied tightly—clearly the work of professionals. Oddly, this realization steadied his nerves. Since these were experienced kidnappers, they were unlikely to harm them so long as ransom was paid. As long as money could resolve the matter, he’d be fine. Anything solvable with money was a small thing. So long as he came to no harm, all would be well.

“Sister Zhang, are you all right?” Yun Hao called out through the sack.

There was no answer. The soft body still lay atop him—she must have been knocked unconscious. Yun Hao was now certain: these were hardened criminals.

The carriage rattled on for a long time. Yun Hao, eyes closed, eventually drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, he was lifted out and tossed onto a pile of soft objects, soon joined by another body—likely Zhang Miaoke.

Meanwhile, Xing’er tended the rice porridge, watching it nearly boil dry. Still, neither her mistress nor Yun Hao returned. Perplexed, she searched the front of the house, but there was no sign of Zhang Miaoke or Yun Hao—nor even Ye. She found Zhang Wenzhong and explained: he had sent Ye to summon Yun Hao.

“You say Miaoke and Brother Hao were called away by Ye?” Zhang Wenzhong’s eyes widened. His niece was the apple of his brother’s eye, more precious than gold. If anything happened to her, how could he ever explain it? And Yun Hao was no ordinary boy; the Second Master of the Duke of Tang’s household depended on this prodigy for his recovery. If the boy were abducted and the Second Master’s illness relapsed, the Zhang Pharmacy would bear the blame.

“I saw it with my own eyes. The young mistress told me to watch the porridge, but she never came back.”

“Old Yang, Old Yang! Quickly, have the assistants search for the young mistress and Brother Hao!” Zhang Wenzhong instantly realized the gravity of the situation. He immediately dispatched his staff to search. The warrior Wu Shuo, who lived at the pharmacy, soon heard the news, and the search party now included soldiers.

When Changsun Wuji learned of the incident, Jinyang City was thrown into turmoil. Soldiers swarmed every street and alley, questioning all young women and children. Some truly sought the missing pair; others had ulterior motives. For a time, not a single young woman or married lady dared venture out in Jinyang.

“Search! Turn Jinyang upside down if you must, but find them. There will be a hefty reward for anyone who does. And pass word to the city’s underworld—anyone with information will be richly rewarded. Anyone who dares cross the Duke of Tang’s household must have a death wish.” Chai Shao at once determined this was a well-organized, meticulously planned crime committed by professionals. The most capable trackers were dispatched, hoping to glean clues from the carriage’s tracks.