Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

Da Ming and the shop assistant turned their heads at the same time.

They saw two short-statured, delicate-featured boys dressed like young attendants, with small caps perched on their heads, appear beside Da Ming.

One of them held a silver note worth one hundred taels and snapped at the shop assistant, displeased: “Judging people by appearances, are we?”

Then, the boy turned back and gave Da Ming a small, teasing smile.

Da Ming froze slightly, staring at the boy’s face—it looked familiar.

But he didn’t know anyone like this… did he?

The boy seemed to pick up on the confusion in Da Ming’s eyes and couldn’t help chuckling. “Where’s the necklace I gave you?”

At those words, Da Ming jolted.

Necklace…

The tiger tooth necklace!

It’s her!

Da Ming looked carefully at the boy’s face, and realization slowly dawned in his eyes.

It was the girl from yesterday.

Zhao Jiangzhu was dressed in boys’ clothing today, and the “boy” beside her was actually her personal maid in disguise.

The shop assistant’s eyes nearly popped out when he saw the one hundred tael silver note.

He swallowed hard and quickly bent into a bow. “Honored guests, please, come inside!”

Zhao Jiangzhu let out a soft hum, twirling the silver note between her fingers, then turned and gave Da Ming a light smile. “Let’s go.”

Da Ming looked at Zhao Jiangzhu in her male attire and chuckled twice, his smile goofy as ever.

The maid behind Zhao Jiangzhu peeked at him and covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

This guy’s smile is so silly…

The three of them entered Mi Xiang Pavilion together.

Da Ming reached into his chest pocket—he had ten taels of silver.

He wanted to treat the girl to some pastries.

But before he could take it out, Zhao Jiangzhu had already walked up to the counter and slapped down the hundred-tael note.

“One of everything. The best you’ve got!”

The shopkeeper, busy behind the counter, lit up the moment he saw the note and immediately barked at the assistant, “Quick!”

“Wrap up a few pieces of each kind for these three young masters!”

The shop assistant hustled about, wrapping pastries with practiced hands.

Watching the same man who had just looked down on them now scrambling to serve, Zhao Jiangzhu’s lips curved in quiet satisfaction.

Da Ming finally pulled out his ten-tael silver note and offered it forward with a clumsy grin. “I… I’ll treat you.”

Zhao Jiangzhu glanced at the note in his hand, then gave him a soft, warm smile.

“I’ll treat you.”

“You saved me—this is only right.”

As she spoke, she looked at Da Ming’s neck, her round, bright almond eyes blinking as she playfully changed the subject. “Where’s the necklace I gave you?”

“Why aren’t you wearing it?”

Da Ming grinned sheepishly. “I left it at home.”

“I was scared I’d lose it.”

Seeing Da Ming’s silly expression, Zhao Jiangzhu couldn’t help but laugh. “How would you lose it if you wore it around your neck?”

Da Ming scratched his head and just chuckled sheepishly.

The maid beside them quietly stifled another laugh at his behavior.

Before long, the counter was piled high with small packages of pastries.

The shop assistant was running around so much he was drenched in sweat.

Zhao Jiangzhu’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the little packages.

She turned to Da Ming and said brightly, “My mother usually doesn’t let me eat sweets.”

“Today, I can finally indulge to my heart’s content!”

Da Ming gave his usual dopey smile.

The maid in boys’ attire whispered a reminder, “Your High—Young Master, we must be mindful of our words in public.”

Zhao Jiangzhu pouted slightly and muttered, “We’re boys now. What’s there to be mindful of?”

The maid frowned slightly, thinking it over.

Hmm…

Her Highness kind of had a point.

Zhao Jiangzhu rummaged through the pile of pastries on the counter and picked out a small bundle.

She unwrapped it to reveal white, sweet-scented pastries inside.

Da Ming glanced at them and immediately recognized the treat.

Osmanthus cake.

Zhao Jiangzhu picked up three pieces. She popped one into her mouth, then handed the other two to her maid and to Da Ming.

Da Ming grinned as he accepted the piece and shoved it into his mouth. Two bites and it was gone.

Watching him devour it in one go, Zhao Jiangzhu couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“You finished it in one bite?”

She picked out another piece and handed it to him.

Da Ming blushed in embarrassment.

This time, he mimicked Zhao Jiangzhu’s small, delicate bites.

He ate the second piece much slower.

As he chewed and savored it, he realized this osmanthus cake didn’t taste much different from the one Zhang Wan’er had brought yesterday.

Both were delicious.

Da Ming couldn’t really tell the difference.

By now, the shop assistant had finished packing all the pastries from Mi Xiang Pavilion.

Over twenty bundles were lined up on the counter.

Zhao Jiangzhu put the remaining cake back into the paper wrapping, preparing to carry them.

Da Ming quickly stepped forward and picked them all up for her.

Zhao Jiangzhu gave him a beaming smile. “Thank you.”

Da Ming felt his face grow warm and stammered, “It… it’s nothing.”

“Do you know anywhere fun around Yuhang?” Zhao Jiangzhu asked, tilting her little face up to him.

Da Ming looked confused. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I don’t think there’s anywhere fun.”

Ever since he’d moved into the Orphanage, life had been the same each day.

It was either the southern woods or the orphanage.

He didn’t have much interest in other places.

Hearing his answer, a hint of disappointment crossed Zhao Jiangzhu’s face.

Seeing that, Da Ming suddenly felt a little anxious for some reason.

He quickly said, “There’s a river in the south of the city. It’s kind of fun.”

Zhao Jiangzhu’s round almond eyes lit up with delight. “Really?”

“I’ve never been to the riverside.”

“Are there fish in it?”

Da Ming nodded, smiling shyly. “Y-Yeah, there are.”

Zhao Jiangzhu’s smile returned. “Great! Let’s go to the south side!”

The maid, still chewing her pastry, quickly protested, “Your High—Young Master, we can’t go near the river.”

Zhao Jiangzhu looked at her seriously. “We’re boys now. Boys can go to the river.”

The maid puffed out her cheeks, looking troubled.

Does Her Highness really think no one is watching her now?

Zhao Jiangzhu turned to Da Ming, eyes shining.

“Shall we go to the river?”

Da Ming gave a goofy nod.

The three of them left Mi Xiang Pavilion.

Da Ming carried the pastries and was planning to walk.

But Zhao Jiangzhu’s maid had already brought over a carriage.

The three of them climbed aboard, and the carriage slowly rolled out of the city.

It was Da Ming’s first time in a carriage. The cramped space rocked and bumped along the road.

It made him feel a little dizzy.

Fortunately, the ride didn’t last long, and soon they were outside the city walls.

They arrived at the riverside south of the city.

Zhao Jiangzhu leapt off the carriage, her eyes widening in wonder as she saw the clear, gently flowing river.

Da Ming and the maid got down as well.

Zhao Jiangzhu dashed to the water’s edge and crouched down, letting her soft, fair fingers skim across the surface.

The cool, rippling water flowed between her fingers.

The sound of the current was soft and soothing, and the water was refreshingly cold.

Not far from the bank, a few small fish swam freely in the shallows.

A gentle breeze drifted by, and a feeling of peace and contentment welled up in Zhao Jiangzhu’s heart.

She looked around and her eyes sparkled again.

Not far off on the shore, there was a large, flat rock.

She ran toward it.

“Young Master!” the maid behind her cried out in alarm.

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