Yu Feng's Family

The frown on Qin Zhi Hao's face deepened as he watched Yu Feng continued to exchange a few words with that older man for a long time. He did not know what the two were discussing about and he was starting to worry.

Around them, the beggars were watching with their curious eyes. However, there was nothing that they can do about it. The Emperor was present and Qin Zhi Hao did not have the intention to get into trouble. It would not be a good thing if they attracted their pursuers attention.

His grip on his sword loosened when Qin Zhi Hao watched Yu Feng returned to their side with a bright smile on her face.

"Don't worry," Yu Feng spoke to Qin Zhi Hao. "They agreed to let us pass this area. Once we go through this area, we will reach the palace's back door. The other group should be waiting for you with a new carriage. Then, you can escort the Emperor back to the palace."

Qin Zhi Hao glanced at the group of people who were watching them. "How do you know these people? Can we trust them?"

"I trust them. I know that they won't betray me," Yu Feng spoke with confidence.

"How are you sure?" the Emperor asked. He has been observing the people around him and as time passed, the Emperor grew scared that these people might suddenly pounce on him and tried to harm him.

The excitement from a few hours ago where he was facing assassins had not yet disappeared, and now, this boy had brought him over to the beggars' den.

"Living in this city is hard enough for people like us," Yu Feng said. "The only thing we can do is to look after each other. These people… I know them. They are like my family."

It was at this time that the Emperor realized that he knew nothing about Yu Feng. However, as he looked at Yu Feng's shabby clothes, the Emperor could guess that Yu Feng was one of the beggars. The thought that his son had chosen to put his trust into a beggar, gave him a mixed feeling.

"You live here," Qin Zhi Hao said.

"Mmm…" Yu Feng nodded.

Yu Feng would always feel grateful towards the people in the beggar's den, especially towards Uncle Deng.

After her father passed away, Yu Feng had decided to return to Capital City to look for her mother. The route from that small village towards Capital City was not easy. She had encountered a lot of people who wanted to harm her. There was once where she was almost kidnapped and to be sold as a slave.

Once she entered the Capital City and saw that her mother was living well with another family, Yu Feng was disappointed and had nowhere else to go. She was lost.

It was at this time that she had met the group of beggars.

Uncle Ding had seen her roaming around the port for a few days. Back then, she did not know how to steal and would often go through garbage for food. The result was that she would often have a terrible stomach ache. The old man then convinced her to come with him and had put her into one of the unoccupied houses.

A few years ago, during the old Emperor's reign, they had emptied this old residential area and planned to turn the area into shop lots. However, a disaster occurred in northern Lantian. A big flood had destroyed quite a several houses and the Emperor decided to build the area instead of spending the money on this shop lot.

Soon, the project was slowly forgotten and the beggars began to occupy this area. These days, no matter how much the authorities wanted to shoo them away, the beggars were determined to protect their house.

If it was not for Uncle Deng who had given her a place to live… if it was not for everyone who had to look after her the past few years, there was no way that Yu Feng will be able to live. Perhaps, without this bunch of people, Yu Feng would live with her heart full of bitterness. There was no way that she would be able to stay positive and live freely on the street as a street thief.

Therefore, for Yu Feng, Uncle Deng was not only her family but also her savior.

"This is the safest path I know for you to return to the palace safely," Yu Feng said. She turned to Qin Zhi Hao and looked at him straight in the eyes. "I hope that you can trust me one more time. I will send you to meet with the others safely."

The two continued to look into each other's eyes for a long time.

"We're already here. At this time, there was no other choice but for me to trust you one more time." It was the Emperor who had spoken. His voice low. Other than the group of guards, no one else could hear his words.

If the others had heard the way the Emperor had addressed himself, perhaps, they would think of him as a crazy old man.

Yu Feng shifted his gaze to the Emperor and smiled.

"Furthermore…" The Emperor looked at her with displeasure. "Why do your words sounded like you were going to send us to the palace's door and leave? Don't forget. You will come with us. I still have many questions for you."

Yu Feng sighed helplessly. However, before she was able to come up with anything, Uncle Deng had already called her to hurry. Yu Feng took a deep breath and spoke again, "The street might not be very comfortable to look at. I hope that you will bear with the condition for a while."

The guards tightened their grip on their swords as they followed Yu Feng and the other to enter the beggar's den.

Deng Xiao Lin glanced at Yu Feng's benefactors and felt a little uncomfortable. Usually, he was always the kind of person who would talk a lot, but looking at this group of people, Deng Xiao Lin had a hunch that with these people around, it was better if he did not speak a word lest he would accidentally offend them.

At this time, a group of boys ran out and halted when they saw Yu Feng.

"Xiao Feng!" One of them ran over and held Yu Feng's hand. "I haven't seen you for a few days, where did you go?"

Yu Feng coughed and glanced at Qin Zhi Hao. The past few days, she was forced to stay with Qin Zhi Hao's guards and prepare herself for this festival and did not have the chance to come home.

"I have something to do," Yu Feng said.

"What is it?" The leader of the boys spoke. He gave Yu Feng a scrutinizing look and narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me that you went out to eat something good and didn't share it with us?"

Hearing the boy's words, Deng Xiao Lin raised his hand and slapped the boy in his arms. "You brat. All you can think about is food! Go away and help your mom to look over your sister!" A string of cursing words escaped his lips as he scolded his son. Once he had finished, Deng Xiao Lin turned around anxiously. "That is my son."

Deng Xiao Lin swallowed as he sensed that the atmosphere does not seem right. When he looked at the older man at the center of the group, Deng Xiao Lin was surprised that the old man was staring back at him with his dark face. Suddenly, he grew scared.

Just what did he do to offend this old man?