Chapter 23: The Pursuit

“Shopkeeper, may I ask, do you know which pastries the constables at the yamen prefer?” Hong Xiaoduo turned to ask the person still standing at the doorway.

The pastry shop owner glanced across the street and thought for a moment. “Although they only come occasionally, it's roughly just a few kinds. Young lady, may I ask—”

“That’s fine. Please weigh one jin of each kind,” Hong Xiaoduo said promptly.

With a business opportunity, the shopkeeper immediately went to weigh the pastries. As for why this young lady wanted to buy pastries for the yamen’s constables, that was a curiosity only idle women might entertain.

He didn’t take the chance to add extra pastries either.

Soon the pastries were wrapped up. Hong Xiaoduo swiftly paid and carried six packages across the street.

She wasn’t sure if those constables were looking for her and the seven children. Either way, if they really wanted to find them, running now wouldn’t get them far, and hiding would be useless.

So she steeled herself and came over to clarify the matter.

If it was truly about that villain’s affair, she hoped to leave a good impression on Captain Jin, so he wouldn’t trouble the seven little shaved heads.

Before she got close, one constable spotted her and signaled. Captain Jin turned just in time to see her approaching.

Seeing the constable’s reaction, Hong Xiaoduo’s anxious heart calmed somewhat. Then, catching the puzzled look on Captain Jin’s face as he looked at her, she took a deep breath and settled completely.

The constables weren’t asking for her and the seven children.

“Captain, what a coincidence to meet again,” Hong Xiaoduo greeted with a smile.

Captain Jin nodded but didn’t respond otherwise.

However, upon seeing the seven little shaved heads behind her, he couldn’t help but glance at them a few more times.

“Are these the little beggars?” he asked instinctively, relieved. When he saw her friendly expression earlier, he thought she still intended to hand those kids over to him to take back to the yamen.

Since she was willing to buy them new clothes and had them cleaned up, it seemed she wasn’t planning to give them up.

Neither of the two facing each other knew that both their hearts had just breathed a sigh of relief.

“Yes, I just took them out for a stroll and happened to see you constables. Thanks to you, we won’t have to sleep on the streets tonight. I was just thinking about how to thank you, and what a coincidence to run into you now. These pastries aren’t valuable; I offer them to you, Captain, as a token of gratitude. Please don’t despise them and accept them,” Hong Xiaoduo said, bowing slightly as she handed over the pastries.

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Hmm? Not very old, yet quite savvy.

Captain Jin was somewhat surprised. He had thought the pastries were for the children, but he saw the seven little shaved heads each carrying bundles of pastries.

He nodded to his subordinate, who took the pastries.

“Well, I won’t keep you from your duties. Goodbye,” Hong Xiaoduo said, feeling reassured as she clasped her fists.

Captain Jin nodded and watched her and the seven charming little shaved heads continue their leisurely walk.

“Boss, this young lady isn’t very old and doesn’t seem very experienced. Is she out from home for some training? With that appearance, in these times, isn’t it risky?” the subordinate, holding the hefty, sincere bundles of pastries, asked curiously.

Captain Jin withdrew his gaze. “That’s none of our concern. Who she is doesn’t matter, as long as she doesn’t dump those seven kids on us.”

At this moment, the seven children sensed their mother’s good mood and were even happier, dazzled by the wares at the nearby stalls.

When they were with that villain before, they had been to many places and walked many bustling streets, far more prosperous than this one. But back then, they thought only of how to avoid hunger and beatings.

Most of the time, their eyes watched passersby, analyzing whom to beg from, hoping to scrounge a few coins to pay their master.

They also kept an eye on food stalls, waiting for leftovers. When the vendors were too busy to shoo them away, they’d seize the chance to snatch scraps.

“Hey, young lady, fancy meeting you again!” someone approaching greeted Hong Xiaoduo with a smile.

Already changed into new clothes, Hong Xiaoduo sized up the newcomer and nodded with a smile in return.

“Please don’t misunderstand, I’m Dong Yuefan, the yamen’s secretary here. I am definitely no scoundrel,” Dong Yuefan hurriedly introduced himself.

Earlier, worried about his friend’s initial embarrassment, he had rushed back with comforting words ready, only to be rebuffed.

He quickly changed and came out to try his luck, hoping to meet this interesting young lady again. Luck was indeed on his side.

He had been stuck in this small Mopan Town for over three years, nearly bored to death, so it was a relief to meet someone intriguing.

Though she was young, her manner was graceful and confident. Before, she had paid for steamed buns and wontons upfront, a modest sum but done with a style that suited his temperament.

Hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo said, “What? Secretary of the yamen? Aren’t secretaries usually older men? And so young too?”

“I can tell good from bad. Otherwise, why would I have invited you for buns earlier? Actually, the money for those buns wasn’t even from my own pocket—some heedless scoundrel gave me the chance to pick his pocket,” she explained.

Seeing how straightforward and easygoing she was, Dong Yuefan clapped his hands. “Exactly! Young lady, you give me the impression of being carefree and generous, unlike those other young ladies who are all shy and coy, full of affectation and dullness.”

“That’s a one-sided view. Daughters of noble families are strictly raised and bound by many rules. Even if they wanted to be like me, they couldn’t dare,” Hong Xiaoduo disagreed.

Dong Yuefan nodded. “You’re right; that was my narrow perspective. May I ask your name?”

“Hong Xiaoduo,” she hesitated briefly but felt no need to hide it.

He hadn’t expected her to be so frank, though it fit his impression of her straightforwardness, so he was a bit surprised.

“And what brings you here? Shopping or something else? I’m quite familiar with this place,” Dong Yuefan asked without hesitation.

Before, she was addressed as “young lady.” Now that she had given her name, he added her surname, which felt less awkward and more natural.

“It’s still too early to rest at this hour. I just wanted to take them around for a stroll. By the way, sorry to ask, but how should I address you properly without being rude? Mr. Dong? Secretary Dong?” Hong Xiaoduo asked directly.

Neither title pleased Dong Yuefan. “Young lady Hong, I’m quite a bit older than you. Would it be suitable to call me Brother Dong?”

“Brother Dong,” Hong Xiaoduo accepted the title without any resistance and said it crisply.

“Ah ha ha, since you’re bored, come, Brother will take you to listen to some storytelling,” Dong Yuefan said happily, his face radiant.

Indeed bored, Hong Xiaoduo agreed to his suggestion immediately.

Dong Yuefan pointed in a direction. The two walked side by side, followed closely by the seven little ones, who looked up at her with eyes full of admiration.

Mother is amazing—just buying buns and wontons got her acquainted with the yamen’s secretary.

But the older kids—Tianshu and Tianxuan—worried: Is Mother being tricked by this man? Are yamen secretaries really so approachable?

“Jintou, look! That young lady actually knows our secretary…”