Chapter 47: Making an Arrest

Li Fu said with a shiver, “I do not know the exact location either. Once Ji An and I left the ward gate, we were dragged into a carriage. It took so many twists and turns that we lost all sense of direction. After we got out, we were shoved into a private residence. It seemed to be surrounded by spice merchants—the house was thick with a powerful fragrance...”

Suddenly, the door was kicked open. Seeing Gu Yu, Zhou Qingbai cursed, “Damn it!” He strode forward and kicked Gu Yu squarely in the shoulder. Gu Yu felt a sudden gust sweep over him; his whole body was sent flying, and he crashed heavily against the wall before tumbling to the floor. Zhou Qingbai then kicked straight at Li Fu’s face. Caught completely off guard, Li Fu let out a shriek and fell backward. Zhou Qingbai barked, “Take him!”

Two Embroidered Uniform Guards sprang out from behind him, hoisted Li Fu up like a chick, bound his hands behind his back, and followed Zhou Qingbai away without a backward glance.

The constable was so terrified that he stood there in a daze, staring helplessly at everything unfolding before him. Wu Haichao rushed inside and helped Gu Yu, who had been knocked senseless, to his feet. Blood ran from Gu Yu’s nose and the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away with one hand and glared resentfully in the direction Zhou Qingbai had gone.

When the two arrived at the second court, the Embroidered Uniform Guards were already nowhere to be seen. Seeing Gu Yu enter, Cheng Jie said angrily, “I told you not to meddle. Those men are all murderous devils who can kill without paying for it. Why did you have to stick your nose in?”

Gu Yu lowered his head and said nothing.

Dong Xinwu tried to smooth things over. “All right, all right. The Embroidered Uniform Guards did not say anything, did they? Let the matter pass.”

Gu Yu raised his head and said bitterly, “But Tang Haiqiu also said His Majesty would be in danger...” His tone was sharp.

Dong Xinwu cut him off. “Silence! Which case handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guards does not reach the ears of the Son of Heaven? What do you think it means that they have intervened? Tang Haiqiu’s crime must be grave indeed. He may already be entangled in matters far beyond what we can resolve. If His Majesty is in danger, the Embroidered Uniform Guards will deal with it. Stop worrying about things that do not concern you.”

Cheng Jie said, “This matter ends here. Every person in this court will keep his mouth shut. Tomorrow, we will post a proclamation announcing that Tang Haiqiu has been apprehended and brought to justice, and that will be the end of it. Bury everything that happened tonight in your bellies. If I discover anyone gossiping, I will tear his mouth apart myself!”

Everyone hurriedly nodded and agreed. What had happened that night was the strangest scene any of them had ever witnessed, and fear had taken root in every heart.

Cheng Jie waved a weary hand. “All of you, go home.”

The others clasped their hands in farewell and withdrew one after another. Cheng Jie looked at Dong Xinwu. “Keep an eye on your man.”

His gaze flicked toward Gu Yu. Dong Xinwu sighed and gave a slight nod.

At the gates of the prefectural office, Wu Haichao put an arm around Gu Yu’s shoulders. “Don’t look so glum. Today we caught the great lecher who has been terrorizing the entire capital and settled the old case from five years ago. That is something worth celebrating. Come on, give your big brother a smile.”

Gu Yu walked on in silence.

Wu Haichao pulled a face. “Not smiling? Then I’ll smile for you.” He stretched his mouth wide, baring a gleaming row of white teeth.

“Old Seven!”

Gu Yu turned around to find Dong Xinwu hurrying after them.

“Master.” Gu Yu and Wu Haichao stepped forward to greet him.

Dong Xinwu looked at Wu Haichao. “Go back and rest. Come at noon tomorrow. There is no need for you to report for duty in the morning.”

Wu Haichao glanced at Gu Yu, then at Dong Xinwu, and understood. He bade them farewell and hurried away.

Gu Yu continued forward with his head bowed.

“Stubborn boy,” Dong Xinwu muttered.

They walked on for a while before Gu Yu suddenly stopped and looked at him. The words he had been holding back could no longer be contained.

“Why wouldn’t you let me stop Tang Haiqiu? He clearly had something to say!”

“He could have said the same things to the Embroidered Uniform Guards.”

Gu Yu snapped, “But those guards plainly came to seize him. Who knows what they intend?” Breathing heavily, he challenged his master, “Just because they have power, are we supposed to do nothing at all? Do you know there is still a child who has been abducted by villains, with life and death unknown? Are we supposed to turn a blind eye to that as well?”

It was not that he did not understand how terrifying the Embroidered Uniform Guards were. Born and raised among the alleys beneath the imperial city, he knew better than anyone the might they commanded.

His barrage of questions left Dong Xinwu looking somewhat flustered. The moon was bright and clear that night, and Gu Yu could see the embarrassment on the old man’s face, an embarrassment that even his deep wrinkles could not conceal. For a moment, Gu Yu cursed himself for being inconsiderate.

He knew that Dong Xinwu was one of the foremost constables in the capital, indeed in the entire realm. When Dong Xinwu had selected him from among the crowd, Gu Yu’s first reaction had not been delight, but astonishment. He considered himself reasonably objective about his own abilities: he was neither clever nor quick-witted, and he knew nothing of the tact required to deal smoothly with people. The praise he had received from childhood onward could be counted on one hand.

How could such an ordinary boy from an ordinary household have caught the eye of the God of Detectives?

For that reason, during his first days in the profession, he had lived in constant unease, terrified that one mistake would see him sent home. He had followed Dong Xinwu with reverence, watching him patiently unravel the threads of each case and calmly organize men to hunt down criminals. Yet tonight’s events had brought that towering figure crashing down in his eyes. How could Gu Yu possibly control his emotions?

“You’re lecturing me now, are you?” After a brief silence, Dong Xinwu gave a wry smile. “In this capital there are countless officials senior to me, and offices more powerful than the Shuntian Prefecture are everywhere. Matters cannot be settled by brute force alone.”

He patted Gu Yu on the shoulder. “Young man, do not let your emotions rule your thoughts. Go back and sleep well. We can discuss this tomorrow.”

Gu Yu exhaled a breath of stale air and clasped his hands in farewell.

Dong Xinwu watched his limping back disappear. Only then did he remember that the boy had spent a truly exhausting day, followed in the evening by a terrifying and desperate struggle. His eyes held both relief and worry.

The next day, Gu Yu did not rise until the sun was high in the sky. He sat on the bed for a long while, tormented by the cicadas shrilling outside the window. When he moved his hands and feet, every part of his body ached. He remained in bed a little longer, then hurriedly washed and dressed before making his way to the Shuntian Prefecture office.

As soon as he entered the courtyard of the duty quarters, Fang Wei happened to come out. Seeing Gu Yu, he smiled.

“Guess who has come to see you.”

He stepped aside from the doorway. Gu Yu looked behind him in confusion, only to see Yao Feng and Qian Gui emerge, followed by several burly men who looked familiar. They were all faces Gu Yu had seen that night at the ruined temple.

With a delighted cry, Gu Yu felt the gloom that had weighed on him vanish at once.

“What brings you two old brothers here?”

Qian Gui came forward with a grin.

Gu Yu asked, “Is your injury feeling better?”

Qian Gui walked around him twice, leaving Gu Yu utterly bewildered. Then he slapped him hard on the shoulder.

“I hear you’ve done yourself proud, lad!”

The blow was heavy enough to make Gu Yu rub his shoulder as he looked helplessly at Fang Wei.

Fang Wei explained, “The two of them saw the proclamation and learned that Tang Haiqiu had been apprehended and brought to justice, so they came especially to congratulate you. You rescued me and my wife yesterday—surely you ought to tell these two old brothers all about your heroic deed?”