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Chapter 587 We're out of money, let's run away...

For the rest of the time, the children wandered around the streets.

The little prince found everything new and interesting; he wanted to buy one of each: candied hawthorn, dough figurines, and windmills.

Gu Qingchen was also infected by his enthusiasm and followed him to buy things here and there.

As Qian Zhenyun watched the silver in his purse dwindle, he grew increasingly uneasy.

"Sister, have we bought enough?" he whispered a reminder.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. It's rare for me to come out, so I'll just let the little prince have some fun." Gu Qingchen waved his hand dismissively.

Lin Jiayou followed silently behind, his brows furrowing slightly as he looked at the last few coins in his purse.

As they walked, they came to the front of a restaurant.

A delicious aroma wafted from the restaurant, and the young prince's stomach immediately rumbled upon smelling it.

"It smells so good!" The little prince swallowed hard. "Let's go in and get something to eat!"

Gu Qingchen looked at the restaurant, which was decorated quite exquisitely, and felt a little hesitant.

"This looks pretty expensive," she said softly.

"It's alright, it's on me!" the young prince said, patting his chest, and then strode into the restaurant.

Gu Qingchen: "..."

Qian Zhenyun: "..."

Lin Jiayou: "..."

Where did he get the money? Wasn't it all paid by Lin Jiayou?

The other three could only follow them inside.

When the restaurant owner saw the children, especially the young prince in his bright yellow robes, his eyes immediately lit up.

"Young gentlemen, please come in!" the innkeeper greeted them warmly. "We have the best private rooms and the best dishes!"

The young prince, flattered by the warm hospitality, nodded and said, "Then bring your best!"

Soon, they were led to a beautifully decorated private room.

The shopkeeper came over to take the order himself, calling the young prince "young master" repeatedly, which made the young prince very happy.

"One serving of poached chicken, one serving of braised pork, one serving of steamed fish, one serving of seasonal vegetables, and four bowls of rice," the shopkeeper announced skillfully.

Gu Qingchen clicked his tongue inwardly as he listened to the names of the dishes. These dishes didn't sound cheap.

"That's enough, that's enough." She quickly waved her hand. "We're just a few kids, we can't eat that much."

"No problem, order more!" the young prince waved his hand. "It's on me!"

The shopkeeper left with a smile and soon brought out a table full of dishes.

The children, who had been hungry for a long time, couldn't resist eating heartily when they saw the delicious-smelling dishes.

The young prince ate with great relish, saying between bites, "This is even better than the food in the palace!"

Qian Zhenyun whispered to Lin Jiayou, "How much did this meal cost?"

Lin Jiayou shook his head. He wasn't quite sure either, but he had a vague sense of unease.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the innkeeper walked in with a smile.

"Young gentlemen, this meal will cost three taels of silver in total." The innkeeper held up three fingers.

Gu Qingchen and Qian Zhenyun exchanged a glance, both seeing astonishment in each other's eyes.

Three taels of silver, that's an astronomical price!

"How much?" Gu Qingchen couldn't help but ask. In her small purse, there were only a few coins left that Lin Jiayou had just taken out.

The shopkeeper smiled and repeated, "Three taels of silver, fair and square. You young gentlemen enjoyed your meal, so the money was well spent."

The young prince was taken aback when he heard that it was three taels of silver. He usually spent money extravagantly and didn't have a clear concept of money, but three taels of silver did sound like a lot.

Qian Zhenyun's face turned pale. He quickly touched his sleeve pocket, which was empty. He had spent all his change while buying things on the street.

"Sister, sister..." he said, his voice trembling as he looked at Gu Qingchen.

Gu Qingchen also reached into his pocket and found nothing but a few copper coins.

She looked at Lin Jiayou again. Lin Jiayou silently took out the deflated purse from his pocket, turned it over, and only a few copper coins fell into his palm.

"We're out of money." Gu Qingchen's voice was a little hoarse.

The shopkeeper's smile froze on his face. He looked the children up and down, and a hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes, especially when he saw the expensive-looking robe on the young prince.

"No money?" The shopkeeper's voice turned cold. "Young masters, please don't joke with me. Dressed so elegantly, how could you be short of money?"

"We really have no money left," Qian Zhenyun hurriedly explained. "We are students of the academy, and we sneaked out today. We didn't bring much silver with us."

"You snuck out?" The shopkeeper's face changed completely. He realized he might have been tricked by these children. "You're trying to dine and dash?"

He slammed his hand on the table, his voice rising several decibels: "Guards! Keep an eye on these kids! They're not leaving without money!"

The waiters in the restaurant immediately surrounded them, glaring at them menacingly.

Gu Qingchen's heart tightened. She looked around and then at the little prince's pale face.

"Why don't we run away!" she whispered to the young prince and Qian Zhenyun, gesturing towards the window.

When the little prince heard the word "run," his face suddenly tightened. He straightened his little body and pursed his lips tightly.

"No way!" The young prince's voice carried an undeniable stubbornness. "How can I, the dignified prince, eat for free! I'd lose all face!"

Gu Qingchen was taken aback, not expecting the young prince to still care about his reputation at a time like this.

"Oh dear, let's go for a while and have the servants bring the silver, won't that be fine?" Gu Qingchen said quickly, her mind racing, trying to find a way to get away without losing face.

"Nonsense!" The shopkeeper was even more displeased upon hearing their words. "Trying to renege on your debts at such a young age? I'll send you to the authorities!"

While the atmosphere in the restaurant was tense, the scene inside Bailu Academy was quite different.

The prince's guards, eunuchs, and palace maids were frantic when they learned that the prince was missing.

They searched the entire academy, inside and out, but couldn't even find a trace of the young prince.

"The Crown Prince is missing! Go find him quickly... over here, over here..." The terrified cries echoed throughout the academy.

The headmaster and Master Li also rushed over upon hearing the news, and both of them turned pale.

This is a matter of utmost importance! The young prince has disappeared from the academy, and none of us who are teachers and educators can escape responsibility. This is a matter that could cost us our lives!

"Quickly! Go and inform the Duke of Zhenguo!" the headmaster roared, his voice trembling.