Chapter 669: So Quiet!

The cell was silent for a moment.

Xiao Ran couldn't help but lock eyes with Chen Hao for a split second, "What a chaotic mess is this?"

Why does this person see everyone as Xiao Er?

The Guards burst into laughter, each sheathing their sidearms:

"So he's a lunatic!"

"You talk as if it's true!"

"You scared me half to death, hahaha, Tiegen, when did you change your name?"

The Guard scoffed, "I'm called Zhang Tiegen! When did I ever stay at Ning Prince's Mansion?"

"Although His Highness has many guards, not all of them recognize me."

"But the brothers here have been together for a while, the Guard Captain of Xiao Yuanhang?"

"You pinned the false accusation onto me?"

Xiao Yuanhua's face went pale in an instant.

It's over; I've lost the bet.

But why do they suddenly all look exactly like Xiao Er?

In broad daylight, are they seeing ghosts or what?

"I really saw Xiao Er!" he shouted, shaking the fence violently, "I'm not lying to you! You have to believe me!"

But no one paid him any attention anymore.

Tuan Tuan patted her little chest, "You made my second uncle suffer!"

Lu Qi smiled and patted her little head.

Xiao Er also laughed heartily, "Brothers, you really have it tough. I thought they were all serious criminals, but it's just a bunch of lunatics all day!"

The Guards sighed:

"Exactly! Not like you guys, who can run errands outside."

"Plenty of profit, right?"

Chen Hao's heart sank to his stomach; hearing that, he immediately pulled a handful of broken silver from his pocket and shoved it into Zhang Tiegen's hand, "Take it! Use it to buy wine for the brothers!"

"That might not be right," Zhang Tiegen declined, took it and slipped it into his own pocket, "Alright, you two, hurry up and go."

"If His Highness blames us for this delay, you won't have a good excuse."

Xiao Er nodded, grabbed Xiao Ran's arm, and together with Chen Hao, dragged him outward.

Xiao Yuanhua's shouts still rang on without end.

Reaching the doorway, Xiao Er suddenly stopped.

Chen Hao and Xiao Ran crouched down, their hearts also sinking. What else could be happening?

Xiao Er turned back, "Brothers, don't blame me for not warning you."

"With these criminals spouting nonsense, you should keep some reverence."

"If this reaches His Highness's ears and they say you're some relative of Xiao Yuanhang, the brothers will all be interrogated—that would be a real disaster."

Zhang Tiegen thought for a moment, clasped his fists, and said, "You make a good point! Xie Laosan!"

"In a moment we'll cut out his tongue and see how he can keep spouting nonsense!"

Xiao Yuanhua turned pale with shock, "I was telling the truth! How could you…"

"Brother, go handle your errand first," Xiao Er interrupted, "We'll come back and drink together!"

"Alright! Go then, Laosan!"

"Whatever the good news, don't forget the brothers!"

Xiao Er calmly, with Chen Hao dragging Xiao Ran, walked out.

Lu Qi on the roof finally exhaled a long sigh.

Stepping out of the courtyard, Xiao Er recalled Mo Zhanggeng's words, tore a large piece of cloth from his inner robe, and slapped it onto Xiao Ran's face.

Chen Hao hurriedly pulled the lower edge of the cloth tight.

Guards and servants they met on the road stepped aside to let them pass.

The three passed through the Prince's Mansion courtyard and walked out the back gate with dignity.

Xiao Er turned, closed the door, and tore the cloth off Xiao Ran's head.

The main street was still sparsely populated at this time.

Xiao Er stopped covering him, lifted Xiao Ran, and ran toward a nearby alley's depths, with Chen Hao close behind.

Lu Qi on the roof leapt onto a jujube tree, descended, and rushed over carrying Tuan Tuan on his back.

"Jiu Gege!" Tuan Tuan was overjoyed, "You finally came out!"

Xiao Ran saw her and instantly understood how they had escaped, "Little runt, that was your doing, right? Jiu Gege, thank you!"

Lu Qi urged, "We'll talk later, hurry!"

Xiao Er and Chen Hao stripped off their Guard uniforms and tossed them onto the roof.

Chen Hao loosely tied Xiao Ran's hair, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his face.

Lu Qi took off his outer coat, draped it over him, glanced up and down, "Alright, it'll do for now."

The few kept weaving through the alley until they reached a small door.

Xiao Ran asked, "Where is this?"

Lu Qi lightly knocked on the door panel; the door swung open, a runner‑in‑a‑waiter's‑uniform glanced at them, stepped aside, and Lu Qi led the way inside.

The others followed in a stream, walking in.

The waiter stuck his head out, looked around, and shut the door.

He turned and gave a salute to Tuan Tuan: "Subordinate pays respects to the Lord Master."

Chen Hao widened his eyes in surprise: "Is Tuan Tuan really that formidable?"

Tuan Tuan smiled and said: "Good!"

Xiao Er stumbled and said: "Please follow me, everyone."

Several people followed him to a secluded room.

The man pointed at the clothing laid out on the table: "The private room in the center of the third floor has already been prepared with food and drink; you just need to change your clothes and go up directly."

Having said that, he turned and withdrew.

The clothes and hats on the table were brand new, with complete accessories; even the fake beards, fans, and jade pendants came in full sets.

Underneath each set of clothing was placed the corresponding travel warrant.

A basin of clear water was placed on a nearby stool, with a clean cloth laid atop it.

Xiao Er couldn't help but praise: "Tianji Pavilion really does things with utmost rigor."

Lu Qi gave a proud smile.

Xiao Ran washed his face clean, and after everyone had tidied their appearance, completely transformed, they then swaggered across a small courtyard and entered the main hall.

Only then did Xiao Ran realize: "This isn't the Fu Yun Tea House!"

Everyone went up to the third floor, pushed open the door of the central private room, and saw the table laden with exquisite dishes, steaming hot aroma rising.

Xiao Ran's eyes lit up; he lunged over, sat down, and began to wolf down his food.

Chen Hao silently kept placing his favorite dishes into Xiao Ran's bowl.

Tuan Tuan furrowed her brow watching Xiao Ran's eating manner: "Big Brother Nine, how many days have you gone without food?"

Xiao Ran's hunger eased a bit, he slowed down, mouth full of roasted chicken leg, muttering a complaint: "Is that even considered food?"

"It's all slop! I still have to choke it down!"

"How could they be so nasty!" Tuan Tuan pouted, "They actually gave you slop to eat!"

Lu Qi laughed: "It's not all leftovers in prison; if they actually served a decent meal, it would scare people to death—that's called 'execution meal'."

Xiao Ran failed to swallow a mouthful of tea and began coughing: "kakaka."

"Slow down!" Chen Hao hurriedly patted his back gently: "Now that you're out, it's fine; no one will ever give you that kind of thing again."

Xiao Ran lifted his gaze to look at him, then at the bowl of white rice before him; since entering the private room, Chen Hao hadn't taken a single bite.

He picked up a piece of stewed meat and placed it on that bowl of white rice, said nothing, lowered his head, and resumed eating.

Chen Hao's face instantly broke into a bright smile; he picked up that piece of stewed meat and put it into his mouth.

Xiao Er and Lu Qi exchanged a glance, both thinking: "This is what they call 'one smile settles all grudges'."

The two of them filled Tuan Tuan's small bowl with dishes: "Miss, you should hurry and eat; you came out before dawn—are you hungry?"

"Mm-hmm! Uncle Two, Uncle Seven, you eat too! If it's not enough, just have them bring more!"

"Having been anxious for most of the day," Lu Qi picked up the wine jug, "I'll still have a few drinks first to relax."

Everyone was exhausted, no time for idle chat; they all buried their heads and ate heartily.

Xiao Ran finally wasn't hungry, and then noticed something amiss: "Why isn't there any storytelling at the Fu Yun Tea House today? It's so quiet!"

No sooner had the words fallen than a series of thudding footsteps came from outside, heading straight up to the third floor.

Xiao Er's clear voice rang out: "Oh dear, you officials really have worked hard!"

"These days everything outside is in chaos; only here we still have a few tables of regular patrons."

"They're all familiar faces who regularly come here to listen to storytelling while eating; we know their backgrounds, and they behave properly."