Chapter 963: Chapter 963: Shu Yu Holds Her Vest Tightly

Shu Yu listened from the side, feeling incredibly guilty–damn, a single mirror had actually attracted so many people to the black market in Jiangyuan County.

If they found out she was the one selling the mirrors, wouldn’t they tear her apart alive?

No, she had to stay low-key.

Shivering, Shu Yu clutched her disguise tightly. Absolutely, she couldn’t let this slip!

Hu Li didn’t notice her nervous expression. As they walked, he said, “The Fifth Prince’s instructions are also for Lord Jiang not to get involved for now. The situation in the capital is tense, and one wrong move could ruin everything. This is a critical moment. So regarding the black market, Lord Jiang only occasionally has someone check in under some pretext. Months have passed, and the watch isn’t as strict as it was before.”

From what Monarch Lu Xiang mentioned, they had hiked partway up the mountain yesterday. In the past, they’d be stopped at the foot.

Shu Yu understood now. This was a rare opportunity–if they missed it, who knew if there’d still be clues to find after so much time passed?

What she needed to worry about now was her disguise being exposed. In the future, she might… best not get involved again. If she accidentally slipped up, she wouldn’t even know how she ended up dead.

She had originally intended to follow Hu Li into the bamboo forest, but now she’d completely abandoned that thought.

No, it’s better to avoid the black market folks altogether.

Even though she was confident in her disguise skills, she couldn’t guarantee that people who had seen her before wouldn’t recognize her.

She’d better come up with an excuse to stay behind later.

Hu Li finished his explanation, and the two of them had already entered the courtyard of the manor.

Uncle Hu, seeing the group slowly returning one by one, found it somewhat peculiar.

Standing at the doorway to a room, Shu Yu glanced inside and asked, “Is Little Ya’er awake?”

Uncle Hu replied softly, “She did wake up once in the middle of the night but only cried a couple of times before falling back asleep.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than faint sobbing sounds came from inside.

Uncle Hu spoke quickly, “She’s awake.”

He rushed into the room, and Shu Yu and the others followed him inside.

On the bed, the little girl was curled tightly into a ball, murmuring “Grandpa” while her eyes remained closed.

Only as Shu Yu approached the bedside did the little girl slowly open her eyes.

After opening her eyes, she stared straight ahead, as if something were there on the floor. She didn’t say a word, only let silent tears stream down her face.

The sight left everyone in the room unsure of what to do.

Finally, Shu Yu sat down by the bed and called out softly to her, “Little Ya’er?”

The girl still didn’t respond. She suddenly shut her eyes tightly.

Shu Yu lifted her head and shook it at Hu Li.

Seeing this, Hu Li understood that there was nothing to be gleaned from her. “Then we’ll head out.”

Shu Yu glanced at the little girl. “With the child like this, I’m too uneasy to leave. I won’t go with you. If you need to find that steep path, have Ying Xi take you there.”

“Alright.”

Hu Li left, leaving Shu Yu, Uncle Hu, and Jiang Kuanyu alone in the room.

Not long after, Aunt Hu entered with a bowl of congee.

Uncle Hu said, “Little Ya’er hasn’t eaten anything for two days now. It’s a struggle just to wake her up. If she doesn’t eat soon, she won’t hold out much longer.”

Shu Yu made room for Aunt Hu and allowed her to try feeding the congee to Little Ya’er.

But no matter what, Little Ya’er kept her mouth and eyes shut tight, clutching herself with all the strength she had. She wouldn’t speak or eat.

Aunt Hu tried several times without success and couldn’t help but fret, “What do we do now?”

Since Aunt Hu knew Little Ya’er, if even she couldn’t get her to eat, there was little chance of anyone else succeeding.