Chu Nanli had not gone far, watching the old woman being safely picked up by someone before she emerged from hiding, more certain of her earlier speculation.
This old lady was indeed either wealthy or noble, probably bored of being in a large residence and thus came out dressed up. If it were the year 2090, she would have been a punk grandmother.
Chu Nanli gathered her thoughts and quickly headed towards the largest slave market in the Capital City.
She had already delayed too much today and needed to hurry and finish her business and return to the Prince Residence, lest the rogue couple there brewed up more trouble.
After crossing two streets and making a detour through an alley, Chu Nanli stopped and looked behind her.
"Come out."
There was no one around, only leaves swirling in the breeze on the ground.
Chu Nanli continued, "You have been following me since the street ahead, aren't you coming out?"
Someone reluctantly emerged from jumping off a short wall.
It was the girl who had stopped her from rescuing someone and deliberately misled the bystanders.
The girl was chewing on a blade of grass and spat it out, asking Chu Nanli in a harsh tone, "How did you know I was following you?"
Chu Nanli lightly replied, "Your skills are not enough."
"You…" The girl, infuriated but embarrassed, seemed about to curse but restrained herself.
"You're going to the slave market, aren't you?"
Chu Nanli didn't respond, nor was she surprised that the girl had guessed her destination.
After this alley and another turn, they would reach the place. The girl had followed her for a street and knew where she was headed; it was almost certain she was bound for the slave market.
"Why aren't you speaking! Did you become mute?!" The girl couldn't help but curse, her eyes fixed on Chu Nanli, saying, "That man leading the horse earlier offered me fifty coins to sabotage your attempt. I didn't realize you were really capable, and you managed to save the person."
She fell silent then.
Chu Nanli prompted her, "So?"
The girl, trying to keep her composure, said, "I didn't want to harm anyone, I just thought she was bound to die, so when that man offered money to shift the blame on you, I agreed. But he only gave me twenty-five coins, half of what he promised, and said the rest would be given after the deed. Since you saved the person, I didn't get the rest. You owe me compensation."
Chu Nanli burst into laughter.
"You think I would pay you? Rather than join hands with a villain taking lives lightly, I'd rather report to the authorities."
"Don't be so unreasonable! The person didn't die, right? How am I accused of taking a life? It is indeed you who ruined my deal, don't you owe me compensation?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a series of loud 'gulp, gulp' sounds filled the air.
Chu Nanli paused, her gaze moving to the girl's belly, then resting on her sallow face and hair.
The girl's face turned red: "What are you looking at!"
Nevertheless, Chu Nanli was moved by compassion and tossed a silver coin over to her.
The girl awkwardly caught it, then her eyes widened.
"So much!"
Chu Nanli watched her, "Don't do such despicable acts again; even if you don't do good deeds, don't actively harm others."
With that, she turned and left.
"Hey, wait!"
The girl quickly caught up to her, blocking Chu Nanli's path, clenched her teeth and said, "Aren't you going to buy a slave? What about buying me instead? I'll be cheaper than those inside; I'll even sign a contract with you, whatever you tell me to do, I will do."
Chu Nanli was somewhat surprised but she didn't agree.
"I won't buy you."
"Why?!"
The girl found it unbelievable.
"I won't use someone who nearly caused a patient to die in front of me."
"Do you think I'm too bad?!" The girl glared at Chu Nanli, "Then what about those in the slave market! Some of them might be murderers or traitors! Isn't it ridiculous to buy them?"
Chu Nanli calmly stated, "Whether their characters are good or bad, or whatever their backgrounds might be, I will discern for myself. But I am not a good person, I will not easily employ someone who treats human life trivially and maliciously incites the crowd to attack a stranger."
The girl glared at her, her eyes turning red, like a little wolf baring its fangs.
"I need the money! Besides! I told you! I didn't know you could save her. I thought she was already dying. What difference does it make if she died sooner rather than later!"
Her words were sharp, and her tone even carried malice.
A shade of darkness passed through Chu Nanli's eyes, "The biggest reason I do not want to buy you is that you still have not truly regretted your actions."
The girl was taken aback.
Chu Nanli turned and walked away.
She stood there, her grip on the silver increasingly tight, her lips pursed tightly, and her expression obscure and hard to read.