He headed straight east and soon arrived at the edge of Shichahai. His hiding place was to the east, actually an abandoned residence. Last year, a fierce plague of rats swept through Beijing, leaving nine out of ten houses empty. It only began to subside by the end of the year, but in reality, the city still hasn’t fully escaped its shadow. During this period, more than a fifth of the population died, which was also one of the reasons why Chongzhen was powerless to resist Li Zicheng.

　　Everyone was dead.

　　Those who survived no longer wanted to resist.

　　But now he had to go back, which meant he had to pass through Shichahai. There was no way to take a detour, because the massive Imperial City still separated the center of the Inner City. To go around, he’d have to pass in front of the Daming Gate, and would probably still run into Li Zicheng, who was likely just arriving there at this very moment.

　　However, here he ran into trouble.

　　A large force of Shun troops controlled all the bridges across Shichahai—whether between Qianhai and Houhai, or between Houhai and Jishuitan, every bridge was guarded by Shun soldiers, and in great numbers. There were even cavalry patrolling the streets in this area, and Shun commanders would occasionally gallop past. After all, this area had more mansions of the powerful and wealthy, and the troops were busy seizing these residences. Although these people might not know about his situation, it was possible they did. Right now, what Li Zicheng cared about most was Chongzhen. If it hadn’t been certain before that Chongzhen had been rescued by him, his escape now made it clear. The whole city would definitely be searching, and it was entirely possible that word had already reached this area. If he went in, he’d be walking right into a trap.

　　He hid among some trees on the west bank, watching the large group of Shun soldiers at the bridgehead across the lake, and in the end, gave up on taking the risk.

　　It was simply too dangerous.

　　Besides, this area was hard to escape from. The wide lake ahead blocked the way, and the nearby villas belonged to high officials and nobles. They would be eager to catch a criminal who dared defy fate and curry favor with Li Zicheng. These households had plenty of servants, and he had no desire to be swallowed up by a people’s war.

　　“A tragic day!”

　　He muttered helplessly.

　　Then he leapt over the courtyard wall beside him, and the moment he landed, a pair of beautiful eyes appeared before him...

　　“Shh!”

　　He made a silencing gesture, looking awkwardly at the beauty in front of him.

　　She instinctively opened her mouth.

　　Brian Carter immediately covered her mouth with one hand, wrapped his right arm around her waist from behind, and, as she struggled desperately, dragged her straight into the rockery and flower bushes behind them. At that moment, a young maid carrying a tea set walked by on the path, looking around in confusion. The beauty stretched out her arms and legs, struggling with all her might, but Brian Carter’s right arm, locked around her waist like a steel band, held her fast. Her eyes widened in terror, her pretty face turned pale with fright, and through the gaps in the rockery, she looked out in despair as the little maid left, still puzzled...

　　Brian Carter let out a long breath.

　　Only then did he take a good look at the beauty.

　　She was absolutely stunning, but unlike Princess Kunxing’s elegant serenity, this one was more dazzling and radiant, and also more mature—clearly well cared for, but definitely had never given birth. Her slender, supple waist was even more delicate than Princess Kunxing’s. At this moment, her pretty face was pale with fear, her whole body trembling, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes, looking at him with a pitiful helplessness that made Brian Carter’s mouth go dry.

　　“Can you not scream?”

　　He put on a gentle, spring-like smile and asked.

　　The beauty nodded vigorously, her eyes full of a guilt-inducing innocence, but since Brian Carter was still covering her mouth, she couldn’t actually say anything.

　　Brian Carter cautiously moved his left hand away.

　　The beauty immediately took a deep breath, her face turning to one of shame and anger.

　　“What do you want, you lecherous scoundrel?”

　　She raised her pretty face and said hatefully.

　　Her accent was not northern, but had the soft lilt of Wu dialect.

　　With this movement, her chest was pushed forward—though not large, in this posture it was fully displayed. Her pretty face was now almost right in front of Brian Carter, her breath warm against his chin, a faint fragrance wafting into his nostrils, like a blade of grass tickling his nose, making him feel itchy inside. Her slightly parted, rosy lips seemed almost provocative, with the tip of her tongue just barely visible.

　　This woman was no ordinary person!

　　“Since I’m a lecher, of course I’ll do what a lecher should do.”

　　With that, Brian Carter kissed her without hesitation.

　　The beauty’s eyes widened in shock, her face instantly flushed crimson, and she struggled with all her might, but her frail strength was useless. Brian Carter held her tightly, and despite her frantic resistance, kissed her for a full half minute before finally lifting his head, smacking his lips shamelessly. But just as he looked up, the beauty yanked a hairpin from her hair and, mortified and furious, stabbed it at his face. Brian Carter dodged to the side, opened his mouth and bit down on it, then jerked his head to snatch it from her hand.

　　“I’ll be taking this. I’ll come see you again!”

　　He whispered in her ear.

　　“L-lecher!”

　　The beauty muttered in shame and fury.