"Just joking." Charles Reed turned to look at the campfire again and said seriously, "I won't run away. I don't want to live in hiding, always on the run."

"But we've offended the Crown Prince..."

"It's only the Crown Prince who wants us dead, not the entire government."

Ethan Green saw how calm he was and was momentarily stunned. She said, "If you don't want to run, then fine. I—I was just joking earlier too."

The two of them didn't bring up the topic again.

Ethan Green felt a bit annoyed for a moment, thinking that this scoundrel had hugged her, yet now said such things. But then she thought, he saved her life, and she was using that to force him to like her—did that really make sense?

She couldn't help but feel very down, thinking that Charles Reed just didn't like her. Then, feeling indignant, she reminded herself that she was clearly quite pretty too.

Her thoughts twisted and turned, going who knows where.

"Tell me about the world," Charles Reed said. "My memory isn't good. A couple of days ago, Edward Brooks was telling me about local customs, but something happened."

"Alright." Ethan Green pondered, "Where should I start?"

"Just say whatever comes to mind. Pretend I'm a stranger here."

Ethan Green propped her chin on her fingers, thought for a moment, and said, "I was born in the eighteenth year of the Kaiyuan era. That year, His Majesty once again invited all the officials to stay and drink at the Hua'e Xianghui Pavilion. My father went too. His Majesty liked to throw coins from the pavilion for the officials to catch. My father had just been promoted to a fifth-rank official and picked up a few shiny Kaiyuan Tongbao coins, which he displayed at home. I saw them when I was little. My mother said he came home grinning from ear to ear, and when I was born, he gave me the name '萼' and said I was lucky. From ancient times to now, I was born in the most prosperous Kaiyuan years ever..."

As she spoke, she began to cry again. By the end, wiping her tears, she said, "But my father wasn't wrong. These really are the most prosperous times in history. Even a criminal's daughter like me has never gone hungry."

Charles Reed was silent for a long time before replying, "Yes, it's prosperity at its peak."

The sky grew darker.

The ruined temple quieted down as well.

Ethan Green sat hugging her knees, resting her chin on them, thinking it was time to sleep. But on such a cold night, should she lie down and huddle with him for warmth? Or just sleep sitting up?

In the end, she decided that as long as Charles Reed didn't move, she wouldn't move either.

"Is that Chang'an over there?"

Ethan Green looked up. Through the wind and snow, she saw a glow on the horizon.

Even under curfew, the lights of Chang'an illuminated half the night sky.

She had never seen Chang'an at night from this angle before. For a moment, she was entranced and couldn't help but sigh, "Isn't it beautiful?"

Charles Reed said, "Yes, such a flourishing Tang dynasty..."

Chapter 8: The Journey Home

On the outskirts of Chang'an, sunlight shone on the Ba River, and willows lined the banks.

After walking along the river for a long time, Charles Reed was exhausted.

He stopped, bracing his knees and looking down, noticing that Ethan Green was still wearing those ill-fitting boots. He asked, "Are you tired?"

Ethan Green had been holding in her feelings all night, but when he showed concern, her eyes turned red.

"Why would a servant girl like me be tired? It's just—just that I feel wronged. Last night, I said we should hide our identities, which made it seem like I was heartless to my master and only cared about your looks. But you said 'go back to Chang'an and turn things around'—is that really so easy? Who are we, really? Those people took us away in a carriage for half a day, and now we can barely make it back to Chang'an, not even knowing where we are..."

As she spoke, she turned away and wiped her tears.

Charles Reed pointed at the river and said, "We just have to take things one step at a time. If we follow the river, we'll find people. Let's find someone first, alright?"

"Mm."

Charles Reed was very patient and asked again, "Once we find someone, we can ask the way back to Chang'an, pawn this fox fur coat, settle down, get ourselves together, and then talk about the next step. How does that sound?"

"Alright."

Since the incident, Ethan Green had only just now complained for the first time. Hearing his words, she nodded and even stepped forward to support Charles Reed, saying softly, "It's good to have you."

Charles Reed nodded.

The two of them supported each other and walked upstream for a long time, until they finally saw a bridge ahead.

"Look!" Ethan Green exclaimed with delight, pointing ahead. "There's a little market!"

"Do we have any money?"

"Yes, I still have twenty-six coins in my purse."

It was just a bit of change, but the thought of being able to buy food made Ethan Green very happy.

Charles Reed smiled and looked around as they walked.

By the main road, there was a small market. The porters waiting for hire were huddled by the stall selling sesame flatbreads, warming themselves. Next to them was a tea stall, and across the way was a carriage and horse shop, with the smell of horse manure in the air.

A dark-skinned old man had already harnessed his donkey cart early and was using straw to try to turn his stubborn donkey around.

Several children nearby laughed and ran around the donkey cart, shouting, "Old Mr. Brown's dumb donkey won't turn around!"

The carter, Old Mr. Brown, had sharp eyes. Seeing people approach, he immediately called out, "Handsome young master, lovely maid—one look and I can tell you're nobles heading to Chang'an! Hire a cart? Horse carts are too expensive, but a donkey cart is just right!"

The children nearby shouted, "A donkey cart that won't turn around isn't any good!"

"Go on, go on, don't make trouble for an old man."

Old Mr. Brown shooed the children away and hurried over to Charles Reed to chat. "Young master, heading to Chang'an, right? It's far from here—thirty li on foot would take a whole day, and it's so cold at night... Hey, hey, the maid's shoes don't even fit."

"May I ask, how much to get to the East Market of Chang'an?"