Chapter Fourteen: The Clown

Successfully sneaking back to the corridor of the women’s prison, Chao Chao happily prepared to feed herself.

Just as she was about to get some calcium milk for a treat, she noticed the nutrition fluid still clutched in her hand. Memories of her third aunt’s help flashed through her mind twice in quick succession.

The little one paused her small steps, thought for a moment, then took a steamed bun, broke it open, poured all but a third of the medicine liquid inside, pressed the bun flat, and tucked it into her chest near her collar. Only then did she take out the milk she claimed was bought for her father and gulp down a whole plate in one go.

[Warning, warning: excessive consumption of added beverages is harmful to the health of younglings. Warning, warning…]

Chao Chao snorted softly, swiftly unwrapped the straw, inserted it neatly, and slurped it down with a melody of delight. Life was truly sweet!

Ignoring the wildly flashing red light on the bracelet, Xiao Yi quickly finished a whole tray of milk, burped contentedly, patted her rounded little belly, and wiped her mouth with satisfaction.

Chao Chao remained nonchalant yet still harbored resentment.

“Xiao Yi, you’re so naughty. I bought cola and roast chicken for you, and you dodged; I bought fireworks and planes, and you still dodged. But for a sip of my father’s milk, you dodge again! Are you tired or what?”

Xiao Yi sulked, “Xiao Yi doesn’t want to talk to you.”

“Fine, have it your way!” Both sides agreed to ignore each other.

Chao Chao shrugged alone, tossed the empty bottles towards the recycling station, called to the birds, and walked back to the women’s prison with light steps.

As she slipped back inside, in the darkness of the cell, a pair of eyes gleamed with excitement.

Just as someone was about to shout out, they saw the little brat heading straight to a spot. Li Wenxin felt puzzled but suppressed her nervous excitement when she saw the brat calling out.

“Aunt Third, Aunt Third?”

Her child was sick, and she had been taking care of him most of the night. Just as she finally rested her eyes, a familiar voice reached her ears.

Startled awake from her dream, Song Shi opened her eyes quickly and saw it was Chao Chao. Thinking something was wrong, she hurriedly asked, “Fourth Miss, what is it?”

“Shh!”

Chao Chao was up to some secret mischief and couldn’t afford to attract attention.

Fearing discovery, she covered Song Shi’s mouth and shook her head toward the other person.

Song Shi understood instantly, tightened her hold on the little one in her arms, and nodded silently. Chao Chao then released her hand, took out the now-cold flattened bun from her pocket, shoved it into Song Shi’s hands, and pointed toward Li Changying, lowering her voice.

“For the little brother to eat.”

Song Shi was startled and tried to refuse, but at that moment, Li Wenxin, sensing the opportunity, suddenly jumped out.

“Well now, you’re secretly conspiring behind the elders’ backs. Where did you get that? Little brat, did you run off and steal it?”

Song Shi was shocked, quickly hid the bun in her arms, pulled Chao Chao behind her, and glared at Li Wenxin as she defended herself.

“What conspiracy and theft? Are you seeing things, eldest miss?”

“Bah, no mistake here! I saw with my own eyes from the moment that brat slipped out of the cell until she came back. I kept my eyes wide open, no way I’m wrong!”

Li Wenxin pointed at her own eyes, brimming with excitement.

Song Shi was both shocked and anxious. The little one in her arms woke and wanted to cry but had no choice but to argue with Li Wenxin.

Unexpectedly, Li Wenxin grew clever this time. Seeing people gathering in the cell one by one, with her protective mother and capable grandmother both awake, she followed her pre-planned scheme, ignored Song Shi, and dashed to the bars. Stretching her neck, she shouted loudly toward the corridor.

“Someone’s escaping! Someone’s stealing!”

Her voice stirred a great commotion across the city. The prison officials and guards stationed near the interrogation room were instantly alert. Without even tying their shoes properly, they grabbed their knives and charged toward the corridor.

“Stop the thief!”

“Who? Who’s escaping?”

Seeing the swarm of guards rushing over, Li Wenxin proudly pointed at Chao Chao.

“It’s her!”

Everyone looked at Chao Chao, whose face was innocent.

The head guard was puzzled. “Her? Such a tiny little girl? Escaping? Isn’t she right here? What escape?”

Nearby, a dark mole quickly sheathed his blade and sneered sarcastically.

“Boss, this girl’s just making a fuss. Earlier she complained about the food we gave her and haughtily refused to eat. Now, in the middle of the night, she points at this little furball and claims she escaped. Must be crazy, trying to mess with us.”

Li Wenxin denied the accusation vehemently. “I’m not lying!”

To prove it, she angrily stepped forward, snatched the bun hidden in Song Shi’s arms, held it high, and argued fiercely.

“Look, this bun was brought by that brat when she slipped out and came back. It might even be stolen from you! I saw it clearly. This is the evidence.”

Song Shi never expected the once-proud eldest miss to be so arrogant. She was an elder after all, yet the eldest miss dared to confront her so boldly. In a moment of carelessness, she inadvertently let Li Wenxin snatch the bun. Regretting it, she tried to take it back but was stopped by Chao Chao.

Chao Chao stepped forward, innocent-faced, and complained to the pointing finger, “My little brother is sick. This bun is for him. Two kind uncles gave it to me during the raid. If you don’t believe me, you can ask.”

Among the imperial guards, there were ranks and distinctions. Those who could accompany officials on business were far superior to these lowly prison guards. Asking them? Only fools would.

Besides, they knew exactly what they ate that night—and there was no bun at all.

The dark mole, who already disliked Li Wenxin, couldn’t resist mocking her with a cold laugh.

“Tch, do they take us for fools? Such a little age and already betraying her own sisters. She’s clearly black-hearted. Boss, don’t believe her.”

“I’m not! Are you all idiots? That brat really went out! If you don’t believe me, have her slip out again. One try, and you’ll see this lousy cell can’t hold anyone!”

Li Wenxin stomped her foot in anger, utterly hating these brainless guards.

The dark mole, furious at Li Wenxin’s insolence, wanted to hit her but was stopped by the head guard.

“Boss?” the dark mole asked in confusion.

The head guard grew wary, waved the dark mole away, and carefully examined Chao Chao, then measured the width of the bars, squinting.

Song Shi tensed, instinctively pulling Chao Chao behind her, trying to shield the little body.

“What are you looking at, boss?”

The head guard shook his head but already understood.

He hadn’t paid attention before. Most prisoners were adults, and the gaps in the cell bars were fixed. Adults simply couldn’t slip through.

Although children sometimes accompanied adults in prison, who dared let their precious kids wander alone in a place like the imperial prison? No parent would be so reckless.

Only today was different. The little brat had exploited a loophole.

But it didn’t matter. Nothing was lost, no one missing, and the little girl was still inside the cell. As long as they fixed the vulnerability, there’d be no trouble from above.

When the commotion died down, he could report this matter, maybe get a promotion and some perks.

For now, while on duty, he wanted to minimize the issue.

With this in mind, the head guard turned and calmly instructed the guards.

“All right, serving the emperor with loyalty. Since someone reported this, and you all earn your wages, you can’t take it lightly. To be safe, regardless of whether the little girl went in or out tonight, let’s get some materials from the storage. This one cell door—we’ll reinforce and seal it tight tonight for peace of mind.”

The guards behind him nodded in agreement. The head guard assigned the dark mole to stay, while the others turned and left briskly, making Li Wenxin look like a clown.