How Deep the Crimson Leaves Lie Chapter Ten: Protection

Gu Yu frowned deeply and rebuked him in a low voice. “Have you gone mad?”

Wu Haichao replied indifferently, “I noticed there are all sorts of little trinkets in her room. She’ll never realize if one or two go missing. Besides, after what happened tonight, no one in the household will be paying attention.” Seeing Gu Yu’s grim expression, he could not help complaining, “I’m flat broke, brother. Some days I don’t even know where my next meal is coming from. If I pawn this little thing, it’ll keep me well fed for a month.”

Gu Yu sighed and said nothing more. Knowing he had persuaded him, Wu Haichao slipped the pair of silver flasks into his sleeve. Just then, Cheng Jie suddenly called out to Gu Yu, “Gu Yu, come here a moment.”

Gu Yu froze, then hesitantly made his way from the back of the crowd toward Cheng Jie. Feeling everyone’s eyes upon him, he found himself uncomfortable beneath such attention—he had always been the sort of insignificant person no one noticed. Cheng Jie, seeing his awkward hesitation, grew visibly impatient. As soon as Gu Yu came near, he seized him and pushed him in front of Wang Chengjian.

“Lord Wang, this is Gu Yu. He may look a little slow-witted, but he is a young man of both courage and intelligence.”

Wang Chengjian looked Gu Yu up and down. Having served in office for many years, he had interviewed countless officials during the capital inspections and was an experienced judge of character. This boy was young; his features were ordinary and his manner reserved, but there was a certain uprightness between his brows. Wang Chengjian felt somewhat reassured.

“Very well. Then I shall trouble Constable Gu to protect my daughter.”

Gu Yu was startled. After thinking it over, he understood Cheng Jie’s intention. He had had little contact with Cheng Jie, but he could sense the man’s cold indifference toward him, as though he were no more important than a stray cat or dog. Being entrusted with such an important task left him more than a little apprehensive.

Cheng Jie said, “The young lady of the Wang household is a daughter of noble birth. You must guard her with care.”

Dong Xinwu saw Gu Yu standing there blankly. He turned to bid Wang Chengjian farewell. “It is late. Lord Wang should return and keep your daughter company. We shall take our leave. I have a few words to say to Gu Yu.”

Worried about his daughter, Wang Chengjian said to the constables in the courtyard, “You have all worked hard. Once this matter is settled, I shall invite you all to drink.” He motioned for the household guards to escort them out, then turned and went back inside.

As the constables headed out, Gu Yu said, “I’ll see Master off.”

Dong Xinwu nodded. The two of them walked at the rear of the group.

“Zhou Tu is searching the surrounding area with some men,” Dong Xinwu said. “If anything happens, send a signal at once. Do you understand?”

Gu Yu had not yet recovered from the sudden change in his duties. He answered mechanically, “I understand.”

Dong Xinwu stopped and clicked his tongue, then gave Gu Yu a pat on the shoulder. “The Wang girl may look delicate and gentle, but when trouble comes, she is remarkably decisive. Clearly, she is soft on the outside but firm within. You must protect her safety, but take care not to offend her over trifles. Serve her carefully. If you suffer any indignity, bear it for the moment and come back to tell your master. Do you understand?”

Gu Yu nodded vigorously. “Master, you’re teaching me how to conduct myself.”

The corner of Dong Xinwu’s mouth twitched into a smile. “You foolish boy… All right, you may stop here.”

Gu Yu halted. Dong Xinwu gave him one final warning. “If there’s danger, call for help first.”

Ahead of them, Wu Haichao kept looking back, concern plain in his eyes. Gu Yu waved to him, though even he could not say whether he meant farewell or was merely trying to put his friend at ease.

The constables had worked through half the night and were exhausted in both body and mind. Cheng Jie yawned several times on the way back and, after giving them a few brief instructions, sent everyone home to rest. Dong Xinwu still had plans to make. Having Zhou Tu search the medicine shops was only the first step; the arrangements that followed would require further thought. Since his home was some distance away, he decided to spend the night at the county office.

When Fang Wei returned home, his wife was sitting at the table with her chin propped in her hand. Cold food had been laid out before her. After waiting through the night, Madam Fang was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open, her head bobbing as she struggled to stay awake.

Fang Wei opened the door as quietly as he could, but even the faint sound roused her. She sprang to her feet and rubbed her eyes.

“Why have you come home so late?”

Apology filled Fang Wei’s eyes. He pulled up the thin garment that had slipped from her shoulder and said with mild reproach, “Didn’t I tell you long ago that if I came home late, you weren’t to wait for me? You’re already frail, and you’re ill besides. How can you keep wearing yourself out like this?”

Madam Fang swiftly lit the fire and reheated the food on the table. “I couldn’t rest without knowing you had come home.”

Fang Wei sat at the table and removed his outer robe, staring absently at his busy wife. With her back to him, Madam Fang watched the flames in the stove, occasionally breaking into fits of coughing. Each time, Fang Wei’s expression tightened.

“Did you speak to your master? Your pay was already meager, and this illness of mine has used up all our savings. If your wages don’t increase, we’ll soon have nothing left to eat.”

When no answer came for some time, Madam Fang turned around and saw Fang Wei lost in thought.

“Dear?”

He came back to himself. “What is it?”

A puzzled look crossed her face. “You’ve been distracted ever since you came home yesterday. What happened?”

Fang Wei shook his head. “I’m probably just tired. Don’t worry about the money. I’ll speak to Master tomorrow.”

But when he recalled Dong Xinwu’s strange behavior that evening, a shadow settled over his heart.

At the Wang residence, the household guard Gu Lifu led the way along the garden path, carrying bedding in his arms. Gu Yu followed behind him.

“The young lady has already returned to the western courtyard,” Gu Lifu explained as they walked. “The master ordered me to take you there. If you need anything, just give the word.”

He appeared to be in his thirties, tall and powerfully built. Though his tone was ingratiating, a trace of unease colored his voice. If the master chose to punish someone for what had happened that night, the household guards would be the first to suffer, and his anxiety was therefore understandable.

The two guards behind him followed close at Gu Yu’s heels, carrying bundles and bedding. Gu Lifu had introduced them along the way: one was called Niu Er, the other Li Fu. At his words, both hastily chimed in.

“Exactly. Constable Gu, you’ve taken on this duty without complaint, and we brothers are deeply grateful. If you think well enough of us, please don’t stand on ceremony.”

It was the first time in his life that Gu Yu had been flattered, and he felt distinctly uncomfortable. He could only reply, “Not at all, not at all.”

Gu Lifu glanced from side to side, then slowed his pace slightly until he was walking level with Gu Yu. Lowering his voice, he asked, “Since that lecherous criminal escaped, why isn’t the government pursuing him? Why send someone to guard the young lady instead? Could it be… that he may return?”

Gu Yu could not discern his intentions. His mind raced.

“I’m only following orders myself. As for whether the criminal will come back, I couldn’t say. But if he does appear, I certainly won’t let him have his way.”

He turned his head, letting his gaze pass over the faces of all three men.

“Of course,” they hastily agreed.

When they reached the moon gate of Wang Shihan’s courtyard, the maid Little Red was already waiting inside. She took the bundle from Gu Lifu and looked past him.

“Constable Gu, this way, please.”

Gu Yu took the bedding from the two men behind him and passed through the moon gate with some awkwardness. The three household guards remained outside of their own accord, not daring to take even one step across the threshold.