Chapter 59 Street Encounter

As the crowd mentally reconstructed the image of Bai Yu, Mr. Yan suddenly jumped up, shouting:

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! The Bai family’s young master has only just taken up his post as a junior captain a few days ago—how could he possibly act so recklessly? This must be a deliberate bluff to intimidate us! I’ve seen similar cases before, fraudsters posing as officials to swindle people!”

Having been neighbors of the Bai family for decades, Mr. Yan simply could not bring himself to believe—or perhaps refused to believe—that Bai Yu had become a ruthless “wolf” capable of devouring others.

Bai Yu responded calmly: “Mr. Yan is quite right! Neighbors, don’t simply follow the crowd or spread rumors! Do not believe or pass on falsehoods!”

The entire assembly ended abruptly, leaving everyone feeling their worldview had been upended.

The next day, Bai Yu told Xia Da: “From today onward, you will accompany me on duty to become familiar with all aspects of the situation. Of course, your most important task is to protect my safety.”

Since Bai Yu’s knives had all been confiscated, he felt insecure going out alone and thus brought Xia Da along for reassurance.

However, as a temporary worker, Xia Da was not officially issued any weapons.

Bai Yu asked again, “Do you have any handy tools that could serve as weapons in a pinch?”

Xia Da replied, “I used to be a sedan chair carrier and might have some strength, but I don’t have any useful tools.”

Bai Yu sighed, “I just remembered there’s an ancestral iron fork at home—take that for now.”

Though it seemed informal, having something was better than nothing; safety was paramount.

So Xia Da carried the iron fork and followed Bai Yu all the way outside the West Gate.

Although Bai Yu was suspended from duty, he still needed to report daily to show he hadn’t fled.

Coincidentally, Qian Qianhu had just arrived and, seeing Xia Da holding the iron fork, couldn’t help but say to Bai Yu, “Your subordinate has quite a unique look.”

Bai Yu replied modestly, “Please don’t laugh—it’s just for self-defense.”

Qian Qianhu said helplessly, “You worry too much. Who would openly harm you at a time like this?”

Bai Yu answered, “I’m not worried about being harmed in public, but afraid of being kidnapped and taken far away, only for it to be said that I fled to avoid punishment.”

Qian Qianhu couldn’t help but joke, “With your cautiousness, I believe you’ll live a long life!”

Bai Yu retorted, “Can the officers guarantee that someone like Yan Hu wouldn’t do such a thing? Have they already forgotten how I was almost framed in the West Courtyard alley?”

While they spoke, a dispatch from Commander Lu Bing arrived from the Western Garden, containing new orders—clearly more work assignments.

Bai Yu and Qian Qianhu quickly found an empty room away from others. As usual, Bai Yu dictated poetry and prose while Qian Qianhu took notes.

Qian Qianhu then personally delivered it to the West Gate, where someone else took charge.

This confirmed that, for now, Commander Lu still relied heavily on Bai Yu as his operative.

Whether Bai Yu was a captain or a minor officer, regardless of where he served, his true role was that of a hired gun.

Feeling the day’s business was done, Bai Yu prepared to leave.

As he stepped onto the street, several horses thundered past close beside him. Feeling unsafe, Bai Yu cursed sharply.

Such reckless riding might be common in the provinces, where local nobles dared to act as they pleased.

But in the capital, such behavior was rare because of the many powerful figures around; racing horses recklessly might offend the wrong person.

Especially outside the West Gate, where many high-ranking elites resided.

The capital’s streets were governed by strict etiquette: who yielded to whom and how to avoid each other was a matter of protocol. Often, failing to observe these courtesies led to lasting grudges, let alone reckless horse riding—which easily caused offense.

Just after Bai Yu’s curses, a tall white horse ahead abruptly stopped and turned back.

“Were you cursing me just now?” asked a young man in white robes atop the horse, pointing at Bai Yu.

Only then did Bai Yu recognize the rider: Lu Baiyi.

Earlier, he’d wondered which reckless scion was so inconsiderate. Now knowing it was Lu Baiyi, he wasn’t surprised.

Given Lu Baiyi’s nature, such antics were expected.

Bai Yu even suspected that if she weren’t the niece of Commander Lu Bing and goddaughter of the top eunuch Huang Jin, she might already have been beaten to death.

“I’m not accusing you falsely. I was just walking along quietly and didn’t say a word!” Bai Yu replied.

Lu Baiyi was sensitive: “When I looked back, I clearly saw your mouth moving—you must have been saying something impure!”

Bai Yu muttered, “Where there’s a will to accuse, there’s always a reason,” then turned to leave.

But Lu Baiyi spurred her horse forward to block his path, inviting, “We’re going to the sorghum fields outside West Straight Gate for spring outing. Come with us!”

In the capital, there weren’t many places for spring excursions; the area outside West Straight Gate was the most popular, with the Sorghum River nearby and Haidian a bit further off.

Without hesitation, Bai Yu declined curtly, “No.”

Lu Baiyi blinked in disbelief, questioning, “I defended you just the other day, and now I kindly invite you along—don’t you owe me some face?”

Bai Yu argued firmly, “I’m currently a suspect awaiting judgment. What do you mean by coaxing me out of the city? How do I know you won’t use this to frame me for fleeing?”

Lu Baiyi fumed with frustration, raising her whip to lash at Bai Yu, who deftly dodged.

“You scoundrel! How dare you speak to me like that!” she shouted.

Bai Yu stepped back, raising his voice, “I truly dare not leave the city. I can’t accompany you!”

Lu Baiyi said, “I’m not trying to harm you! I just need your help!”

By now, Lu Baiyi had figured out Bai Yu’s temperament; preaching empty principles wouldn’t work.

She pulled out a silver ingot. “I heard you’re short on money? Help me today, and this silver is yours! I’ll also get your verdict settled within three days so you can take the official exams!”

Since transmigrating, Bai Yu had never seen such a complete silver ingot and was immediately tempted.

Still, he asked suspiciously, “What could someone like you possibly need my help with?”

Lu Baiyi replied, “Nothing much—just to use your talents to help me deal with a group of wild admirers.”

Bai Yu was shocked and quipped, “From what you say, you want to use me as a shield? Isn’t that a bit cliché?”

Lu Baiyi snapped angrily, “Get lost! Who needs you as a shield? I just want you to help me secure a beauty and keep other men away!”

Bai Yu was speechless.

Despite her antics, Lu Baiyi’s style was surprisingly modern.