It was clear to Liu Dai by now that throwing money at the situation wouldn't work. He quickly put on a smile and said, "Brothers, I truly have an urgent matter, or I wouldn't be out at this hour."
"Pass, permit, all in order, and only then can you leave at dawn!" one guard said coldly.
Liu Dai's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. "I don't want to go out either. It's just that my elderly mother is ill and craves a sour pear. I had no choice but to..."
"Do you think we brothers are fools? Where can you find sour pears these days? Hurry back and don't pester us!" the guard waved him away.
"Furthermore, we won't open the gate before dawn. Otherwise, it will be our fault. Are you trying to make things difficult for us?" another guard stated icily. "If you don't leave quickly and someone gets hurt, it will be a disaster for you!"
Liu Dai's heart sank. He suddenly recalled the search by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If he were caught again within the Prince of Chu's manor, escape would be impossible. A shiver ran down his spine, and Liu Dai hurriedly said, "Please, brothers, grant me some convenience. Your great kindness will be remembered, and I will offer prayers for your well-being daily!"
"Brother, what do you think?" one guard asked hesitantly. Seeing a glimmer of hope, Liu Dai quickly added, "Brothers, you both have parents at home. If one day you were in a similar predicament, please be understanding!"
"Brother, this person is truly pitiful. Why don't we let him pass? It won't cause any major issues," one guard pleaded.
"Yes, sir, please let me out. I won't cause any trouble. I promise to keep my mouth shut!" Liu Dai quickly chimed in. "If anyone asks, I'll say I snuck out on my own. It will have nothing to do with you two."
"No, absolutely not! Otherwise, it's military law!" the other guard sighed heavily, looking at Liu Dai. "Brother, it's not that we don't want to let you out, but the rules are the rules. However, look at this city wall. It's old and in disrepair. Perhaps there's a dog hole or something you could use to get out!"
The guard's casual remark was understood by Liu Dai. He clasped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, brothers. I wonder if this is some money you dropped?"
Liu Dai quickly picked it up, blew off the dust, and handed it to the guard. "Brothers, be more careful."
"It really is our money. Brother, I'll stay here and keep watch. You go and check for any dog holes. If anyone gets out, it will be our fault!" the guard said coldly.
"Yes, Big Brother. I'll check carefully!" the guard emphasized the last few words and moved off, muttering to himself, "Our brothers just couldn't fulfill our mother's last wish. You must be filial to her. The child longs to be cared for, but the parent is no more."
"That's right, that's right!" Liu Dai casually agreed. They stopped by a patch of dry grass. The guard paused, feigning surprise. "There's a dog hole here. I'll immediately find someone to repair it. I wonder if anything will happen!"
The guard hurried away. Liu Dai gently pushed aside the weeds, revealing a hole just large enough for one person to pass through. As he lowered himself to crawl out, he heard a booming voice.
"Who is it that wants to leave Liangzhou during curfew? Truly a fearless soul!" Liu Dai felt the chilling cold of the Xiu Chun sword against his neck. He instinctively froze. He had been discovered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard after all. He slowly began to turn around.
"Brothers, I found this person to repair the city wall!" the guard's voice rang out, but the Xiu Chun sword remained poised. The guard stammered apologetically, "We're all working for the lord. What is this all about?"
The guard, who tried to gently push the sword away, was met with a glare from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is handling this. What business is it of yours? Do you intend to obstruct us? Perhaps you'd like to accompany me to see the lord and explain yourself!"
The guard, being a low-ranking official, turned pale and quickly waved his hands. "No, no, please. I was just explaining something to you. It's not for me to speak!"
"Turn around, let us brothers see what you look like!" the Embroidered Uniform Guard boomed, pushing the Xiu Chun sword a fraction closer. "Otherwise, if we kill you, no one will find fault with us!"
"Brothers, why the sudden action? Did something major happen?" the guard asked in confusion, hurrying over. "Does it have anything to do with us?"
The lead Embroidered Uniform Guard glanced around and then decided to speak. "It's not something that can't be told to you. It's not a major incident. The Prefect at the Prince of Chu's manor set fire to the manor and is now missing. The lord has ordered a thorough search for him. You two must not let any suspicious person escape!"
"Oh my, we brothers wouldn't dare. Does he have any distinguishing features? That way, we can look for him," the guard said obsequiously. "Would it be convenient to tell us?"
"Of course!" The lead Embroidered Uniform Guard handed a portrait to the guard. "Tonight, no one is to leave this city gate, regardless of who they are. Violators will be killed without mercy. As for this person, do you know him?"
Liu Dai's legs trembled, and he gritted his teeth, ready to be taken back by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. After all, he couldn't implicate others.
"Of course, I know him. He's our neighbor. He usually works as a bricklayer. He'd be the perfect person to handle this. Moreover, he admires the Prince of Chu and won't ask for a single coin this time!" the guard said earnestly.
"Since it's someone you know, Brother, we shouldn't be suspicious. However, it's our duty to be thorough. Could you have your friend turn around so we can take a look, and then you can leave?" The lead Embroidered Uniform Guard, showing consideration for the guard, spoke calmly.
The next moment, Liu Dai received a hard kick to the backside. The guard roared, "You fool, hurry and turn around and let the two sirs have a look! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the guard hurriedly apologized to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. "He's a simple countryman with little experience. Seeing you two esteemed gentlemen, he's become flustered and confused. He didn't think clearly for a moment."
Before Liu Dai could react, he received several more kicks. "Are you deaf? Turn around quickly, or I'll kill you!" the guard barked, now puffed up with a borrowed authority. He believed Liu Dai was just an ordinary person.
Liu Dai, his voice trembling and tearful, whispered, "Brother, it's not that I don't want to turn, but the dog hole is stuck. Could you please help me? And you gentlemen too? I will turn around then!"
"You fool! What is your status, and what is the status of these lords? How dare you ask for their help!" the guard cursed.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard sheathed his Xiu Chun sword and laughed heartily. "It seems your villager is no Prefect. Otherwise, he'd tolerate you laying a hand on him? We were worried for nothing!"
"My villager is very honest. He's never stolen anything," the guard quickly put in a good word. "If you have any work in the future, please consider my brother!"
"Naturally, naturally!" The lead Embroidered Uniform Guard gave a perfunctory reply and was about to lead his men away. He suddenly turned back and instructed, "Make sure you keep a close watch on this city gate. Do not let anyone in or out. Otherwise, killing you would be justifiable!"
"Naturally, naturally! You can rest assured, brothers. We'll handle it!" The guard chuckled obsequiously, bowing and scraping as he saw off the two Embroidered Uniform Guards. Only then did he speak haughtily, "Brother, I'll pull you out right now!"
The next moment, Liu Dai scrambled out through the dog hole. Seeing that things had gone awry, the guard quickly followed. He saw Liu Dai cup his hands and say, "Brother, thank you for helping me send those Embroidered Uniform Guards away this time!"
The guard, having initially assumed that someone dressed so shabbily couldn't possibly be Liu Dai, was stunned. Hearing this, his heart skipped a beat. He understood what had happened. Just as he was about to shout, Liu Dai spoke calmly.
"Your words, Brother, could cost you your life. Have you truly thought it through?" Liu Dai stared intently at the guard. "Since the deed is done, why not leave with me, your Prefect? I will ensure you have food and shelter."
"Please, Prefect, leave quickly. I have no connection to this. My family is all in Liangzhou. Where else can I go? I will pretend I never saw you," the guard said hurriedly, closing his eyes. "As for this place, I will seal it up. Don't think you can use it for any trouble."
"Are you truly unwilling to come with me?" Liu Dai sighed heavily. "You might lose your life!"
"For my family, I will not leave!" the guard said firmly. "If you truly wish me well, Prefect, then say we never met. It's best not to mention this at all."
"Alright," Liu Dai agreed. He casually unfastened a jade pendant and placed it in the guard's hand. "If, one day, this matter comes to light, this jade pendant might save your life. Also, please convey a message to the Prince of Chu: I, Prefect Liu Dai, am not his enemy. If, one day, I can be of service to the Prince of Chu, I will gladly do so."
"I will certainly deliver it. Please leave quickly, Prefect!" the guard said hastily, tucking the jade pendant into his tunic. Anxiously, he reached the city gate. The other guard saw this clearly and quickly asked, "What's wrong? You look so dejected."
Seeing that they were alone, the guard quietly recounted the entire incident. Then, to his shock, he received a slap across the face. The elder guard jumped up in a panic, scolding him tearfully, "You let him go? Do you know you've endangered our entire family? You should have captured him and presented him to the lord! Now it's too late, everything is too late!"
"Big Brother, what... what should we do now?" the younger guard stammered. "I... I'll go and catch him now!"
"Kneel!" the elder guard commanded. He then pulled out a noose, his face full of tears. "Don't blame your Big Brother. Your Big Brother is doing this for the good of the whole family. Who told you to do such a foolish thing? Don't worry, Big Brother will visit you every year and find you a wife!"