Hot flashes

Xiao Jue's sobs gradually subsided.

The howls that had been stuck in his chest turned into intermittent sobs, and his body was still trembling, one after another, as if all his strength had been drained away.

Zhou Heng held him without saying a word.

The door was gently pushed open.

Uncle Chen slipped in, carrying a bundle. He put the bundle on the ground, opened it, and revealed a few dry, hard flatbreads and a pot of water.

"Young master," he lowered his voice, "have something to eat."

Xiao Jue did not move.

Zhou Heng took the cake, broke off a small piece, and held it to Xiao Jue's lips.

"Have something to eat."

Xiao Jue turned his head away.

Zhou Heng's hand froze in mid-air. After a moment, he pulled it back and stuffed the piece of cake into his mouth.

He was chewing on a biscuit when he suddenly heard Xiao Jue's voice.

"Back to Fuyun Manor."

Zhou Heng paused for a moment, then looked down at the person in his arms.

Xiao Jue didn't look up. His face was still buried in Zhou Heng's chest, his voice muffled and heavy with nasal tone.

"My activities at Floating Cloud Manor are no secret. The authorities will definitely send people to arrest me."

Zhou Heng's heart sank.

Xiao Jue continued speaking.

"If they can't find me, they won't let Master go."

Uncle Chen's expression also changed.

The three of them exchanged a glance, said nothing, and began packing their things.

He stuffed the flatbread into his pocket and hung the water bottle at his waist. Uncle Chen went out to fetch the horse, and Zhou Heng helped Xiao Jue to his feet.

The three men, on two horses, disappeared into the night.

Fuyun Villa is located on the mountain.

They traveled day and night, and after countless days, they reached the foot of the mountain as dawn broke. Uncle Chen reined in his horse, signaling them to dismount. The three tied their horses to a secluded spot and began their ascent on foot.

Xiao Jue walked in front, his pace quickening. Zhou Heng followed behind him, watching his taut back, his unease growing stronger.

Passing through that familiar mountain forest—

They saw Floating Cloud Manor.

Firelight.

The entire resort was illuminated as brightly as day.

Zhou Heng's heart sank to the bottom.

Uncle Chen pulled Xiao Jue aside and lowered his voice.

"Young master, you cannot go there."

Uncle Chen led them around the back of the mountain. The path was extremely hidden, concealed behind bushes, a secret passage known only to the residents of the mountain village.

The three climbed over the back of the mountain and landed behind an abandoned woodshed.

At the base of the woodshed wall, there was a loose floorboard. Uncle Chen gently lifted it, revealing a dark hole.

That was a cellar dug many years ago to store grain, but it was later abandoned, leaving only this empty, deep pit.

The three slid down.

Uncle Chen covered the floorboards from the inside.

A few rays of light shone through the crack, and faint voices could be heard.

Zhou Heng peered out through the gap.

The courtyard was full of people.

The soldiers held torches, illuminating the open space in front of the main hall. The flickering flames cast shadows on the faces of the men.

The old man sat on the steps in front of the main hall.

He wore a worn gray robe, his hair was somewhat disheveled, but his back was ramrod straight. The firelight illuminated his face, making the wrinkles on it clearly visible. He sat there as if he were sunbathing in a courtyard, rather than surrounded by soldiers.

A man who looked like a military officer stood in front of him.

The man was in his thirties, with a fleshy face, and dressed in the uniform of a sixth-rank military officer. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the old man with an impatient expression.

"Mr. Mo," he began, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone around to hear, "we meant no offense. You are a highly accomplished and renowned person, and we respectfully address you as 'Mr.'"

The old man didn't look at him.

The officer waited for a while, and seeing that he didn't react, his impatience deepened.

"But you cannot harbor serious criminals of the imperial court."

His voice rose a little.

"As long as you tell us where the prisoner is hiding, or if you know where he went, we won't make things difficult for you."

The old man finally moved.

He raised his eyelids and glanced at the officer.

"I already said," his voice was flat, like a stagnant pool, "I don't know."

The officer's face darkened.

"Mr. Mo," he took a step forward, "is there any point in you keeping us hanging on like this?"

The old man didn't say anything.

The officer looked at him and suddenly smiled. The smile didn't reach his eyes; it was cold and icy.

"You won't listen to reason," he said, "then we'll have to resort to force."

He turned around and waved to the soldiers behind him.

"search."

The officers and soldiers swarmed forward, rushing into every corner of the villa. Footsteps, doors being pushed open, and the sounds of rummaging through chests and cabinets came from all directions.

Through the gap, Zhou Heng saw several soldiers rush into the woodshed.

They rummaged through the woodshed, throwing the old farm tools everywhere and kicking the pile of firewood in the corner. One of the soldiers even took a few steps towards the wall, stomped on the floor, and stomped hard.