Having received reward money today, Gu Qingyun wanted to treat herself. Carrying Little Black with her, she walked straight to Bai Fan's door and knocked three times.
“Bai Fan, time to get up! Tonight, let's go straight out for oil-drenched noodles and order a few meat-stuffed flatbreads. My treat.”
At the thought of the meat-stuffed flatbread, Gu Qingyun swallowed her saliva. The flatbread was cooked on a griddle until both sides were slightly golden, then stuck against the oven wall to bake before being stuffed with tender, slow-braised meat. The flavor left an endless, savory aftertaste. The only downside was the slightly steep price—it cost several copper coins apiece.
“Hey, Sister Yun, I'm changing! Out in a second, wait for me!”
Bai Fan's joyful voice sounded from inside the room, accompanied by rustling noises that betrayed just how eager he was.
In just a few moments, Bai Fan finished changing and stepped out. The moment he caught sight of Gu Qingyun's outfit, he froze in surprise.
She was wearing the new clothes made for her by the Liu estate. The dark gold thread embroidered onto her belt glinted subtly under the sunlight.
With her waist badge hanging at her hip, a saber in her hand, and boots made of deerskin on her feet, she looked refined and carried a crisp, elegant aura—resembling a wealthy young master from a prominent household, radiant and full of spirit.
“Sister Yun, now that you're wearing these clothes, I almost didn't recognize you! You look way too handsome. If you hadn't said anything, I'd have thought you were some rich family's eldest young master. What on earth did you eat growing up to get this tall?”
Standing at nearly seven chi tall, Gu Qingyun made Bai Fan look quite short beside her.
“Alright, you'll definitely grow taller than me in the future. There's nothing to envy. Let's go eat,” Gu Qingyun said, glancing at him with a nudge.
Bai Fan was just teasing; he too couldn't wait to have dinner. As he walked out alongside Gu Qingyun, his eyes drifted back to her new clothes.
“Sister Yun, we still have to go on night patrol tonight. Is it okay for you to wear casual clothes like this?”
“Don't worry, I'll change back after we eat. I'd hate to ruin these clothes on patrol; I'm only wearing them now to enjoy them for a bit.” Gu Qingyun smiled at him and gently patted her new outfit like a precious treasure.
“Honestly, this fabric feels amazing. I've never worn clothes this nice before.”
“Sister Yun, you look good in whatever you wear. Let's go eat first—I really can't wait,” Bai Fan flattered, patting his growling stomach.
It was right around dinnertime, and the street was lined with vendors. Delicious, intoxicating aromas drifted out from the shops on both sides.
Gu Qingyun trailed behind Bai Fan as they walked toward an eatery.
She divided her attention to sense the spiritual energy circulating through her body. Watching her meridians grow firmer and broader, and the spiritual energy in her dantian grow richer, she felt confident that she would successfully transform her mortal body this time.
Gu Qingyun couldn't explain why she felt this way. It was merely an instinct in the back of her mind—a feeling that she had failed once before.
As for the reason behind that failure, she couldn't say. She only had a sense that once the day arrived when she truly transformed her mortal body, everything would be resolved.
The two entered the shop and sat down at an empty table. Before long, two large bowls of oil-drenched noodles and four meat-stuffed flatbreads were served.
Gu Qingyun and Bai Fan didn't even pause to talk. They picked up their chopsticks and dug in—taking a bite of noodles, then a bite of meat-stuffed flatbread, feeling as happy as immortals.
“Oho, you two little kids are grabbing an extra meal here too?” Head Constable Liu's voice sounded from outside the doorway, his words arriving before his person.
Gu Qingyun and Bai Fan quickly stood up as they saw him push the door open and enter.
“Uncle Liu, off duty? Come eat with us, my treat!”
“No, no. Thanks to you, I got a bonus today, so how could I let you spend your money? Every household has expenses to manage. My kids love the meat-stuffed flatbread here, so I'm just buying a few to bring back to satisfy their cravings. You two go ahead and eat.”
Head Constable Liu declined, but Gu Qingyun wasn't about to be so unthoughtful. She went straight to the shopkeeper and paid in advance. Head Constable Liu glanced at her and slapped her shoulder firmly.
“You silly girl... Fine then, you two eat up. I'll take my leave.”
Only after Head Constable Liu left did Gu Qingyun and Bai Fan sit back down to eat.
Bai Fan said, “I didn't expect you to be like this, Sister Yun.”
Gu Qingyun gave him a cool look.
“Eat your food.”
...
On Yongan Street,
Clack, clack...
“The weather is dry, beware of fires!”
Hearing the night watchman's call in the duty room, Gu Qingyun immediately stood up and motioned for Bai Fan to head out.
“It's the first watch. Time to patrol the streets.”
Though night had fallen over Yongan Street, a few pedestrians still passed through in small groups. Gu Qingyun and Bai Fan followed behind the night watchman, walking with lanterns in hand.
Following along, as they passed a house, Bai Fan pointed at the lit room and said to Gu Qingyun,
“Sister Yun, that's a rest spot for the night watchmen and patrolling constables. There's basically one every two streets. This one is near the drum tower; someone guards it, and there's hot water to drink all night long.”
“Though mostly night watchmen go there. Us constables usually go back to the county yamen to rest, where we can even get hot porridge in the middle of the night during winter.”
“You're pretty well-informed, kid.” Gu Qingyun glanced in the direction Bai Fan was pointing, indeed seeing shadows through the window before looking back. She continued,
“This place is nice. Come winter, we can stop by for a short rest mid-patrol before heading back to the county yamen.”
Bai Fan chimed in,
“Whatever you say, Sister Yun. I'll do whatever you tell me to. Following you makes me feel safe.”
Gu Qingyun nodded.
“Pay close attention on patrol. Especially around the fourth and fifth watches, make sure to stay sharp. You know a bit about what happened at the Liu estate.”
“Working night patrols, we sometimes encounter unusual disturbances. Remember, if you run into anything, ignore it and run away immediately. If you really can't get away, blow your whistle, and I'll rush over to save you.”
After saying that, Gu Qingyun felt like she might be getting a bit ahead of herself.
“Sister Yun, you're so good to me.” Bai Fan nodded earnestly, his heart swelling with warmth. Sister Yun really treated him well.
Accompanied by the clacking sound of the watchman's rattle, households in the county town began hanging lanterns. Some prominent families even lit candles at their main gates, making it easier for Gu Qingyun and Bai Fan to see their surroundings while patrolling.
As for why they walked down Yongan Street, there was only one reason: the merchants here paid far too well. Several households gave nearly a qian of silver a month. For the sake of this extra income, Gu Qingyun and Bai Fan had to make sure they did a thorough job.
Bai Fan concentrated on watching the street around them, then seemed to remember something and turned to look at Gu Qingyun.
“Sister Yun, how about having lunch at my cousin's place tomorrow? I've already spoken with my aunt and the rest of them, telling them I'd bring a colleague home for lunch tomorrow.”
Gu Qingyun continued forward under the moonlight without turning her head.
“Sure. It'll give me a chance to see what's going on with your cousin.”
Bai Fan said, “Awesome! It's a deal then. Tomorrow morning after we get off shift, we'll rest for an hour or two and then head over. I'll come get you when it's time.”
In his heart, he truly hoped his cousin was just possessed or bewitched by something, because that meant he could return to normal. That way, his aunt and cousin-in-law wouldn't have to wash their faces in tears every day, and his young nephews wouldn't have to live in fear every single day.
Rate on N.U.
