Calming down, she realized the trouble—was she supposed to raise the child like the legendary Orphan of Zhao, then seek revenge for the Guo family? The old lady let her thoughts run wild, but Edward Clark knew exactly what to do.

If the historical records were correct, there were only a few days left before William Harris entered the city.

As long as they made it through these few days, once Elder Harris entered the city, they could deliver the child and immediately achieve a great merit.

A few days wouldn’t be hard to endure; they just needed to find a place to hide.

Edward Clark glanced at the earth god temple behind them and pulled Clark inside.

But Edward Clark hadn’t expected that this temple already had occupants.

Several beggar children suddenly appeared before them, and Edward Clark immediately became alert, staring at the beggars across from him.

The leader of the beggar children looked about fourteen or fifteen, quite sturdy. He smiled at Edward Clark, then said in a gruff voice, “I saw it on the wall—Grace jie-jie gave you the child, you must be good people!”

Edward Clark exclaimed in surprise, “You know Grace?”

“Yeah!” the beggar boy leader replied. “These past two years, Grace jie-jie always brought us clothes and food. Without her, we’d all be dead!”

The other little beggars nodded desperately. At the thought of the generous The Harris Residence being raided and the kind Grace jie-jie dead, they started crying, rubbing their red eyes with their dirty hands.

The lead beggar snorted, “What are you crying for! The yamen’s dogs chased Grace jie-jie—they all deserve to die! Sooner or later, we’ll kill them and avenge Grace jie-jie!”

Don’t underestimate these little beggars—they knew to repay kindness and had real spirit!

And now, with a common enemy, it was the perfect opportunity to work together!

Edward Clark wanted to protect William Harris’s son, but the biggest problem was being a stranger in a strange place—like a blind and deaf man. If he could cooperate with the beggar children, it would be a match made in heaven.

He immediately proposed, “As long as you let us stay here and keep our secret, you’ll get enough to eat. Are you willing?”

Chapter 4: Edward Clark’s Crow’s Mouth

Every year around the time of the first frost, Mrs. Carter would give out lots of food and clothing. The beggar children relied on this charity to survive the cold winter. In fact, without Grace’s care, they wouldn’t even have this broken temple to stay in—there were so many beggars and vagrants, they would have been driven out long ago.

Edward Clark also changed his mind; just waiting a few days for Elder Harris to enter the city didn’t seem so simple.

The first problem was food. The beggar children brought out their last bit of coarse rice and cooked a pot of porridge—it would run out today. Edward Clark didn’t hesitate; he took a string of coins from his grandmother and handed it to the beggar leader, whose name was Mark Brooks.

Mark Brooks looked at it, silently returned most of the coins to Edward Clark, and only said, “If we take too much, it’ll draw attention.” Then he turned and ran out to buy rice.

He was gone a long time. Little Harris woke up and started crying from hunger.

Clark was experienced. She mashed some red dates and cooked a bowl of jujube water for the little one to drink. Sure enough, little Harris wasn’t picky—he quieted down as long as there was something to eat.

Clark called her grandson aside.

“It’s been almost an hour. Could it be…?”

Edward Clark understood his grandmother’s worry. He shook his head slightly, “Grandma, those yamen officers and soldiers are all bad people. If a beggar went to inform on us, who would let him take the credit? They’d kill him in secret. Even if he got a reward, would he live to spend it?”

Clark took a deep breath. Indeed, people’s hearts were treacherous. She sighed, “When will this world ever get better?”

Edward Clark opened his mouth, but didn’t dare reveal the truth.

About half an hour later, Mark Brooks finally ran back. He pulled a small pouch from his coat, filled with top-quality polished rice, and everyone’s eyes lit up.

Clark was both surprised and delighted. She quickly washed the rice and cooked porridge—jujube water couldn’t fill little Harris’s belly; thick rice soup was best. Mark Brooks told Clark that there was no such good rice at the grain shop, and going there would draw attention. Some bad beggars were planning to rob anyone carrying grain in a secluded spot.

He had gone to The Miller Estate and traded with the kitchen’s Master Bennett; he was considered an honest man.

“Old Madam, I told Master Bennett I picked up a little beggar with no milk to drink. He agreed to help get a yellow dog. Soon, Master Harris will have milk to drink.”

Clark smiled so wide her wrinkles unfolded. “Good, you’re thoughtful!” Edward Clark blinked twice, both amused and helpless—getting an old yellow dog as a wet nurse, little Harris, your fate is a bit rough!

Before long, the porridge was ready. No beggar could resist the lure of food; everyone ate until their bellies were round. Mark Brooks kicked two beggars on the butt, sending them out to keep watch, then plopped down next to Edward Clark.

Mark Brooks stared at the ground in front of him, as if his gaze could bore through the broken bricks. His whole body radiated a violent energy. After a long while, he finally said, “I went to the execution ground.”

Edward Clark’s heart clenched. What had to come, had come!

“The The Harris Family people were killed?”

Mark Brooks’s face darkened, fists clenched. Not just the The Harris Family, but also the The Carter Family, the The Thompson Family—over a hundred people, all killed! Their bodies left in the street!”

Mark Brooks ground his teeth so hard they creaked, his eyes blazing with fury!

“Killers! Killers! All the court does is kill! Is there any law, any justice left?” Mark Brooks roared.