76 All So Foolish (2/2)

Rin nods her head, however, due to his sentence Rin couldn't help but look at the middle-aged man beside her.

After her meeting with Wei Jingyi in the Eastern Empire when she was visiting her mother's grave, she believed she'd never see him again.

Yet she never would have thought she'd meet him once more as a servant working for Governor Tao. Because of their early separation, she didn't know much about him even when he was her servant in the Li Palace.

She was aware based on rumors she heard on her visit to the Eastern Empire, that one of Li Chang's members betrayed him and ran away. Tightly guarded that day, Rin could guess they were all searching for Wei Jingyi.

Discovering him in the Northern Empire and knowing the Tao's for so long relatively gave her an idea of what his betrayal was about. Knowing Li Chang's weariness, he must have assumed of Wei Jingyi being a spy from another country or empire.

Either way, Rin didn't care to ask him about what happened nor did he ever mention it.

Rin looked up at the gray, chilling sky, the winter days becoming colder and colder.

Currently walking down a long hallway, Rin suddenly halts upon perceiving the familiar figure of Madam Tao's old maidservant. The elderly maidservant was looking slightly agitated at the moment, her wrinkled face pale.

Upon recognizing the young boy, the old maidservant's eyes lit up as she scurries quickly toward him.

”Greetings, young Master Bai.” The maidservant bowed hastily.

”En.” Rin nodded motioning for the woman to raise. ”Is something the matter?”

”Ah…yes! Young Master Bai have you've seen Madam Tao by any chance? The madam ordered for this servant to personally prepare her some tea, so this servant followed their given orders. However, when returning, Madam Tao was missing!”

Wrinkling her brows, Rin's eyes narrowed.

What was she saying? They just saw Madam Tao just a few minutes ago. Why would she leave without alerting her servant?

Rin could understand she may have wanted to go alone and see Governor Tao before they offered him for surrender, but was there a need to leave her maidservant behind without notifying her?

At times like this, maintaining a guard or servant around was important in case of the enemy attacking.

Rin couldn't help but feel an eerie feeling enter her heart.

Without a word, Rin swiftly walks back toward the courtyard where Governor Tao's head, rest. Wei Jingyi, noticing the girl's hurried steps also followed behind.

The cold biting snow, kissed Rin's cheek as she walked faster, her expression stern and frail.

Midway toward the courtyard, Rin saw the figures of the previous two soldiers running in their direction – their faces drained of color.

Seeing them caused the unpleasant feeling in Rin's heart to increase.

”Captain Bai! Captain Bai!” One of them shouted frantically.

”What is it? Where's Madam Tao?” Rin walked hastily toward the men.

Upon hearing Madam Tao's name, both soldiers stiffen, their heads dropping.

”The madam she…” One of them spoke, his voice quivering.

Rin widened her eyes. Running past the men, Rin made her way toward the courtyard to enter the room where the golden chest rest.

The sight before her caused Rin's knees to weaken and go soft.

Thump--!

Falling to the floor, Rin stared at the bloodied body of Madam Tao, a sharp dagger clattered next to her and a faint puddle of blood beneath her.

Rin's expression dulled.

”Why…”

She scrunched up her face in a harsh, pained expression. Once the first tear broke free, the rest followed in an unbroken stream. Rin's body bent down on the floor with her trembling hands pressing down onto the cold floor, her teeth gnashing harshly together as droplets fell from her face onto the floor.

”Why are you all so foolish...”

Why did they give up their lives so selfishly?!

As Rin sobbed a sudden foul taste rose from inside her mouth causing a violent cough to erupt from her.

”Cough! Cough!”

Coming into the room to see Rin coughing violently on the floor, the two guards stood frozen in place while Wei Jingyi walks toward Rin's side to support her.

”Are you all right?” He creased his brows.

”I'm…” Rin once more broke out into another series of coughs.

”Captain Bai you're…”

As more coughs came out, Rin felt something trickle down the side of her mouth. Wei Jingyi, crouching beside her, widened his eyes slightly.

Blood had come out from the young girl's mouth and spread across her palms.