"You have slipped through my fingers countless times," Qin Zhi Hao continued. "I have to say that I admire your speed. You were very good at avoiding others. We received countless damage to property complaints from the merchants and the citizens. From the report that I got, it seemed that most of the damage done during the chase was done by the authorities."
At the mention of the damaged goods, Officer Zhou let out a dry cough before he lowered his head shamefully.
Every day, the government officials would receive countless complaints from the merchants about how their goods and properties were damaged when the authorities had run into them. Later, Officer Zhou was scolded by the magistrate and he had no other choice but to stand silently and listen. What else can he do? No matter how much he reminded his men to avoid making those mess, it was impossible for them to avoid."
The Prince walked around Yu Feng and continued to study her. His expression at this time was very hard to fathom. Suddenly, he stopped in front of her.
A thought came to his mind and he turned to walk over to his table and pulled out a rolled paper. He spread the paper on the table and beckon for the boy to come over.
"Do you know how to read a map?"
Yu Feng stared at the man and wonder what was he up to.
Seeing that the person in front of him was staring back at him, dumbfounded, the frown on Qin Zhi Hao's face became prominent. "I need you to deliver a message to the bureau office in Lotus Street. With your speed and skills, it shouldn't be that difficult right?"
"You just need me to deliver a message?"
Qin Zhi Hao nodded. "If you help me to deliver this message, then I will ensure that all crime records against you will be erased."
"That isn't so difficult," Yu Feng muttered to herself. But still, it does not feel right. Why does she feel like she was going to walk into this man's trap if she was not careful enough?
"If you need to deliver a message, shouldn't you be calling an errand boy?" Yu Feng asked.
Qin Zhi Hao's lips curled into a smile. "Asking you to deliver the message was just an excuse. Xiao Feng, this is a test for you." He pointed to the map and ran his forefinger on the map, showing her the fastest route from their location to her destination.
But of course, the fastest route he knew was different than the route that Yu Feng knew.
His finger stopped just at the bureau's building and Qin Zhi Hao continued, "You need to deliver a message to this place and you will need to do it before a one-fifth time of incense burning."
Yu Feng's mouth gaped open at the man's instruction. She let out a dry cough and spoke, "Gentleman, if you need to deliver an urgent message, you can just ask someone to ride a horse or grab a delivery pigeon. It would be faster. Why did you want me to go?"
To ask her to run over to the bureau to deliver a message and in exchange, he was going to help her erase her crime record… this seemed like a very big deal. If this man was someone who was able to do this, then he will have to be someone with power.
However, she could not understand why he wanted her to run over to the bureau.
"I told you that this is a test."
So in the end, this man had wanted to test her speed and endurance! But why?
Yu Feng continued to look at the map and a mischievous look flashed in her eyes.
Since this man wanted her to run, then she will run. But instead of delivering the message, Yu Feng was planning to run back home. Perhaps she will grab Orange and find a new place to live so that these people will not be able to find her again.
"What? You cannot do it?" Officer Zhou sneered after a long silence. He turned to Qin Zhi Hao and spoke again, "My Lord, I told you that this is impossible. This boy was merely a thief. If you wanted a runner, you can always find one among my men."
"Officer Zhou, have you forgotten? None of your men could run as fast as Xiao Feng," Qin Zhi Hao pointed out. "Or else, you wouldn't spend years trying to catch him and failed."
Officer Zhou pressed his lips into a thin line as he felt his face grew hot with embarrassment. At this time, his gaze met with the boy, and seeing the boy's taunting gaze made him furious.
"What if this boy took this chance to escape?" Officer Zhou asked.
Yu Feng narrowed her eyes dangerously at the elder man and cursed him inwardly.
"Just do it like we did this morning," Qin Zhi Hao pointed out. He looked at Yu Feng with a warning gaze and his lips tilted into a menacing smile. "He won't be able to escape."
Officer Zhou's eyes glinted. "Yes, My Lord."
"You can start preparing for this test," Qin Zhi Hao spoke. "We will begin the test at midnight. If anyone loses this boy from their sight, then everyone will be punished according to the old rules."
Officer Zhou froze at the warning. Then he bowed. "Of course. I understand." When he turned around to exited the tent, his face and his back were full of perspiration.
Once Officer Zhou exited the tent, Qin Zhi Hao turned his attention back at Yu Feng. "What do you say? Can you do it?"
"I have a question."
"Speak."
"What if I fail to deliver your message within the time?"
"You won't. I've seen you run before and running from here to the bureau should not be difficult for you. How about this. If you can cut short the time to arrive, I will reward you. At least, you will be at ease and won't have to worry about your food for a few months."
Yu Feng's eyes widened at his offer. If she does not have to worry about what she was going to eat for a few months, that would be a good deal.
"Of course, if you deliberately fail to reach the place, I will take something very valuable from you."
Her expression changed and suddenly, Yu Feng let out a laugh. "Gentleman, I am a thief. I do not have valuables. If I have some valuable, why would I go around and steal for food?"
Qin Zhi Hao raised a brow. "So the tabby cat called Orange is not valuable to you?"
Her face turned a few shades darker. Her breathing turned uneven as her anger arise.
How did this man know about her cat?
"You're threatening me."
"Yes, I'm threatening you," Qin Zhi Hao admitted. "Xiao Feng, if you dare to escape or try to fail this test, I promise that will make your life miserable. You have no other choice but to succeed."