Chu Qianli left the grey-clothed boy at a medical clinic.
She put down the silver and was about to leave.
But he chased after her.
Blood was still flowing from his forehead, but thankfully the wound wasn't large, and the bleeding wasn't severe.
However, as it trickled down his dirty face, the sight was rather startling.
"I paid them to treat your wounds. If you weren't staying, why are you following me?"
Chu Qianli turned back and glared at him, her expression icy. "Don't think I don't know what scheme you're up to."
Her expression suddenly darkened, and she took a step forward, grabbing his collar.
Her eyes instantly turned extremely cold. "What is your purpose in approaching me with such a self-inflicted injury?"
The boy stared at her, his eyes wide, remaining silent as if he couldn't speak.
He seemed mute, but it was unclear if this was part of his plan.
Chu Qianli stared at him for a long time, then casually pushed him away and turned to leave.
The grey-clothed man continued to follow her.
Chu Qianli lightly stepped, instantly ascending to the rooftop, disappearing from sight in a blink.
The grey-clothed man looked up at the empty sky, completely lost.
After an unknown amount of time, he lowered his head and continued to walk aimlessly on the street.
Occasionally, other dirty-looking people, resembling beggars, could be seen on the street.
There had been some unrest in the border towns in recent years, with small nations and tribes provoking the empire from time to time. It wasn't unusual for some people in the imperial city, after losing loved ones, to fall into destitution and become beggars.
The grey-clothed boy continued to walk forward, gradually moving away from the bustling streets and alleys.
He reached a more secluded spot and sat down under the shade of a tree, intending to rest.
Unexpectedly, several burly men soon rushed over and surrounded him.
"Where is that beautiful woman?" The leading man was the one whose head Chu Qianli had pierced.
The grey-clothed boy said nothing, merely staring at him blankly.
"It seems that beautiful woman isn't with him."
"Indeed, how could someone so dirty know that beauty?"
"See? You risked your life trying to play the hero, and after being saved, she abandoned you. What are you still being heroic for?"
"Brother, stop wasting words with him. Beat him! Beat him to death! If I don't get revenge for this, I won't be able to swallow this anger!"
Several men swung their clubs and charged.
The grey-clothed boy no longer intended to resist, perhaps knowing he was utterly incapable of doing so.
He raised his hands to shield his head, his eyes filled with darkness.
With a resounding thud...
In the end, Chu Qianli handed the grey-clothed boy over to the steward of the Ling Prince's manor.
"I apologize, I don't know how to explain it, but this young lad... could he perhaps do some work in the manor? I don't know his background, only that he's likely not very safe out there."
"Yes, he might also be a bad person, a spy... I'm sorry, I can't do anything else right now, so I brought him back. Perhaps in ten days, or half a month, I will have him leave..."
"Miss Chu, you needn't worry. We will certainly treat the person you brought back well."
In fact, the steward didn't need her to explain anything; his attitude had always been friendly and welcoming.
It was Chu Qianli herself who felt guilty.
Who knew if this grey-clothed boy was a spy sent by some enemy?
But she was always swayed by her soft heart. After leaving him, she couldn't help but turn back to find him.
As expected, she saw him being retaliated against... Always too soft-hearted, what could she do?
Before she could dwell on it, a figure caught her eye in the depths of the courtyard.
Chu Qianli's gaze sharpened, and she quickly strode towards it.