Route to the Port

Author's note: I have decided to refer to Prince Yi by his name, Qin Zhi Hao in the story from this chapter onwards. I will make the change in previous chapters as well. Sorry for the inconvenience.

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The street was quiet as it was approaching midnight. At this time, there were not many people who dared to wander around the street and risk meeting a thug.

Once in a while, one or two men walked past the intersection. Some of them were heading home after having a few drinks, and some were heading towards the red-light district.

Hiding behind a corner of a building, Yu Feng was jumping around and rubbing her hands at the same time. The night was getting cold and she was not wearing enough against the weather.

After waiting for a long time, Yu Feng was getting annoyed. A few cursing words escaped her lips as she paced back and forth, craning her neck to look for the person she was waiting for.

Officer Zhou Ming had promised that he was going to meet her at the intersection, but that person had not shown up.

Yu Feng was afraid that that officer had forgotten about his promise to let her see Orange.

Just then, two guards patrolled the area with a lantern in their hand. Behind the two men, a man in an official robe trailed after the two guards closely. In his hand was a small cow skin drum. As the official walk around, he would hit the small drum to announce the time as well as reminding the city folk to put out the fire.

Yu Feng hid well behind the wall to avoid being seen by the guards and only walked out when they went farther away.

"Damn this old man," Yu Feng muttered. "I was tricked!"

Her eyes narrowed dangerously and Yu Feng decided to give up and leave.

However, as she took a step to the street, something hit her around her neck area and everything turned black.

…

Yu Feng opened her eyes to a slit and adjusted her eyes to the light. A groan escaped her as she felt pain around her neck area. The memories rushed back to her and Yu Feng sat up immediately to look at her surrounding.

The space between her brow creased as she looked at the unfamiliar surrounding. Yu Feng immediately checked at her clothing and let out a breath of relief upon knowing that nothing had happened to her.

"You're awake."

Her head spun around towards the familiar voice. "It's you."

The man was dressed in a dark blue robe with silver inlay. He stood up slowly and walked over to Yu Feng.

"What are you doing to me?" Yu Feng heightened her guard. "Why did you take me here?"

Qin Zhi Hao stopped as he was a few steps away from her. He put his hands in his robes and raised a brow. "Didn't you ask Officer Zhou to bring you over to see your cat? What is it? You changed your mind?"

Yu Feng muttered a few cursing words. "Can't you just take me here without making hitting me?" She rubbed at the sore spot and stared at the man with a dagger look. "Damn. It hurts!"

"I was not the one who hit you. Even if you wanted to curse, you shouldn't curse at me," Qin Zhi Hao spoke and turned around to his desk.

Afraid that this man was going to change his mind, Yu Feng stood up immediately and tugged at the man's sleeve. "Wait a minute! What about Orange?"

Qin Zhi Hao glanced at the hand gripping tightly at his sleeve. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he looked at Yu Feng. "Aren't you going to remove your paw?"

Sensing the anger in that man's tone, Yu Feng immediately removed her hand and took a few steps back. Yu Feng realized that she had overstepped her borders.

This man was probably a nobilities, and she dared to touch him. With the difference in their status, this man could chop off her hand because of this petty reason and it would still be legitimate.

Her gaze met up with the prince again and Yu Feng straightened her posture and mustered her courage.

"Where is Orange?" She demanded.

She hadn't seen Orange for a few days and was starting to miss her cat that she had treated like her brother. Orange has been with her ever since she rescued him from those naughty kids, and this was the first time that they have been apart for too long.

Qin Zhi Hao merely glanced at her before he walked over to the screen. He untied his belt and took off his outer robe and threw it aside.

Seeing that he was only in his inner robe, Yu Feng quickly turned around to cover her eyes.

She had thought that this man was a gentleman. But what kind of gentleman would take off his clothes in front of a lady? This man was a hooligan, of course!

Damn! She had momentarily forgotten that this man had thought that she was a boy!

Qin Zhi Hao took out a fresh garment and slid into it in one swift motion. He tied the belt and looked at Yu Feng. "What are you doing?"

"Are you done changing?" Yu Feng spoke through her gritted teeth.

She had only touched the corner of his garment, but he had decided that she had dirtied his clothes.

Qin Zhi Hao pondered over Yu Feng's strange attitude and decided to brush it off. "You can turn around now," he spoke as he returned to his desk and sit down. Qin Zhi Hao poured himself some tea and took a small sip. "Take a seat." He gestured towards the bed where Yu Feng was lying down a while ago.

Yu Feng obediently sat down and wait for the man to speak.

"Before I allow you to meet your cat, you need to answer a few of my questions."

"What is it?"

Qin Zhi Hao stared at Yu Feng but hid his admiration in his eyes from her. He had heard reports from Officer Zhou Ming and was able to find out the timing that Yu Feng had left her house and reached his side.

Although he was unable to find out the truth in time and could not find the missing amount of firework or catch anyone who might be able to lead him to the truth, Qin Zhi Hao could not deny that this boy was able to reach his side in a short time.

Looking at the Capital City's map spread on his table, Qin Zhi Hao then asked, "Tell me, which route did you take to reach the port?"

Yu Feng heaved a long sigh, wondering why was this gentleman had his interest in the route she took.

"From your place, you should have taken the main road until you reached the City Square. Then, headed east until you reach the port," Qin Zhi Hao spoke in an unhurried tone, but not too slow. "This would be the fastest way to get to the port." He looked up from the map and raised a brow. "But I believe that this was not the route you have taken?"

Yu Feng studied the man's expression and spoke, "From the main road, turn to the small alley just beside the fragrant store. Run straight ahead until you reach an intersection at Old Man Han's restaurant and then you go down."

"Go down?"

Yu Feng's lips stretched up into a wide smile as she watched the confused look on the man's face. "Go down." She repeated slowly.

Qin Zhi Hao studied the map for a long time. When he finally understood Yu Feng's meaning, he looked up at her again in disbelief. "You went into the drainage system."

"That's right."