Chapter 83: The Streaking Duck

The Prime Minister drained a bowl of pitch-black medicine in one gulp—it was unbearably bitter! The thought of the elusive thief made him furious. Everything was prepared, all that was missing was the little criminal falling into the trap, but even after waiting until midnight, not a single trace appeared!

For days, Bai Zhanshuang and her companions kept vigil in the Imperial Garden, hoping to catch the culprit, but after seeing nothing, they decided to call it quits and head home. Unexpectedly, just then, word came to the Grand Court that the thief had appeared in the Bai family’s rear garden!

Bai Zhanshuang was dumbfounded.

Bai Yurou had noticed that her country-bred cousin had been acting strangely lately, sneaking off to the back garden every day. She often played with a plump fish from who-knows-where. At first, Bai Yurou hadn’t seen the odd bird, but one day as she strolled through the garden, she spotted a fat bird carrying a fish, strolling leisurely by the lotus pond.

Soon, she realized the fish in the family pond were disappearing, and recalling the recent fish thief incident in the Palace, she quickly identified the true culprit. Without hesitation, she reported it—perhaps this could help her gain a stronger foothold in the Bai household, considering her father’s indifference and her mother’s early passing.

Bai Zhanshuang: Did the investigation just circle back to my own home?

Fubao was terrified; Duck-duck was about to be taken away, and she herself would be caught, too.

Gu Yun, who had been supervising Fubao, reassured them that it was nothing serious. Then, out of nowhere, he produced an enormous pair of scissors!

Fubao: What does the big guy intend to do?

Bai Zhanshuang and her retinue marched into the back garden with great purpose, finding the pond’s fish indeed depleted, and a fat, oily fish had somehow mixed in.

Everyone marveled: The Prime Minister’s household must be well fed—look at how plump their fish are!

Bai Zhanshuang was speechless.

Where was the thief? According to Bai Yurou, it should be right here! The four investigators—A, B, C, and D—searched near the garden’s rockery, when suddenly, a strange creature darted out from within!

Knives flashed instantly, and a chorus of “coo coo coo” echoed through the air!

What on earth was this creature? Completely bare, with absurdly long legs, and a silk scarf wrapped around its head—a bizarre sight indeed.

Was this a plucked, exotic chicken?

Bai Zhanshuang wondered how long it had been since she’d visited her own garden—how could such peculiar creatures appear in a place so meticulously tended?

They failed to find the thief, but unearthed a strange fat bird instead. The group left, casting odd glances at Duck-duck running through the residence, and at the Prime Minister, before departing with curious expressions.

“Who would have thought—the Prime Minister has such peculiar tastes! He actually likes plucking chickens and letting them run around naked—tsk tsk,” a bizarre rumor began to spread.

Bai Zhanshuang: Damn it! Who are they calling a pervert?

The rumor spread so wildly that the next day, the Prime Minister attended court carrying the imperial scissors bestowed by the Emperor!

It seemed the Emperor was very concerned for his ministers.

Bai Yurou was punished by the Old Madam, made to kneel in the ancestral hall for acting recklessly and bringing shame to the family—locked in a dark room for her troubles.

At that moment, Fubao was comforting Duck-duck.

“It’s all right, your feathers will grow back!”

Duck-duck: “My feathers…”

“I’ll make you something delicious.”

Duck-duck: “And fish!”

Nearby, the fat fish floated lazily, blowing bubbles and occasionally chiming in, “Hey, boss, don’t worry—featherless, you’re still the most dazzling bird on the street!”

Duck-duck: That makes sense!

With that, the bird was soon hopping around again, causing quite a stir in the household. The masters of the residence showed little reaction to this odd bird, except for the dwindling fish in the pond. Yet, the bird proved somewhat useful—wherever it was, mosquitoes were noticeably fewer.

Indeed, it had its uses—no more worries about mosquito bites during garden strolls!

But why did it chase after Master Gu every day?

Duck-duck: Give me back my pure, flawless feathers!

Gu Yun: Those feathers will make the warmest winter coats!

Bai Jie, who practiced diligently every day, eyed the bare “big chicken” and was determined to stew Duck-duck; having it parade before her daily was enough to make anyone hungry, wasn’t it?