Hope
keeps us alive

It had been several days since the New Lunar Year fireworks. A night of many superlatives celebrating a brand new cycle that many hoped would be filled with love, prosperity, success and all the usual wishes.

But for one spectator, her wish was a little different than the previous years. Fortune, success, of course! But she, who was accustomed to chosen loneliness, only meeting people for a few hours or days at most before parting ways, was now longing to see a very specific face in the crowd of families, friends and lovers.

A face painted with some innocent naivety, eyes sometimes filled with sorrow and a lot of dumbness. A face partially hidden by many little talismans hanging from a hat, like many planets orbiting a star. A face often hidden behind a mask, preventing most people from seeing the purity of her smile.

Excitement and eagerness slowly gave place to worries and deception as she roamed Kaifeng's busy streets for several hours, in vain. Of all the cheerful voices commenting on the tasty food or beautiful lights, none belonged to her. No hat, no white dress, no talismans flowing in the wind. "Maybe she got sick or something happened and she couldn't make it?" Ye Yu thought, looking for a plausible explanation. As the night went on and her hope dwindled,, she tried to enjoy the festival despite feeling cut off from the surrounding joyful atmosphere.

"Maybe I can get her a souvenir? This looks quite nice" she thought, passing by a temple and looking at the many charms for sale. "Excuse me Uncle. How much for those?" she inquired, pointing at two intricate amulets meant to attract love and good health. "100 wen each" the man answered. "They're very popular. It's a good choice, you'll definitely have a good year with them!".

"It's not for me, it is a gift... Oh! Have you seen this girl?" she asked, showing him a portrait of Yuelan she had drawn in her journal. "- I don't know... I see so many faces... Do you know how many people are coming to the temple today? - It's true... yet she is easily recognizable! - I can't remember. My memory is sometimes capricious but with some help.... Are you buying something or not?" - Mhh... I'll take those two charms" she told the clerk, trading the remains of her money to pay the goods and the service. "- Ahh... now I do remember... this girl in your drawing... Yes! I remember not having seen her at all. Sorry, Xiaojie, now if you could move, people are waiting! the clerk mentioned with a grin as je pocketed the money.

"W-...what... Snap, I got fooled." Yet, her disappointment quickly faded when she looked at her newly acquired charms. With a fond smile, she carefully put them in her bag, already looking forward to gifting them. "Maybe she'll hang them on her hat?" she wondered, trying to imagine what it would look like and whether she had done the same with her previous gift, the origami crane garland.

"Ok, time to earn back some money!". Heading to a group of street musicians that were entertaining the the crowd coming and leaving the temple, she grabbed her own instrument, hoping people would be more generous in this special day. Otherwise... She would have to force her luck on some careless people whose New Lunar Year fortune had predicted financial struggles. It is important to give them right, isn't it?

*

Looking at her now fat goose purse, Ye Yu smiled. "Bad heart, good fortune" she nodded wisely. "Yet... I would have prefer the opposite." It had been days since the first New Lunar Year fireworks and despite searching both familiar and unfamiliar places, she had not managed to meet Yuelan again. Nobody at the festival had seen her and after receiving a hundred negative answers, she resigned herself to spending the event alone.

But she also seemed nowhere to be seen in the following days, with no sign of her in the tea nor bath houses. Maybe she was indeed very ill and bedridden at the clinic? "Let's ask. I do hope she hasn't lost another arm or leg; or I'll lose my mind!". With her talismans in her bag, she headed to that place, reading again her New Lunar Year prediction again:

Congratulations! The cosmic signs are in your favor this year.

People of your sign will enjoy Liuhe Tai Sui (or Six Harmonies with Tai Sui) — one of the most auspicious relationships you can have with the Grand Jupiter.

They will have a Guiren (Noble People) star on their path this year, which means they will have helpful friends and build strong connections. Guiren will offer timely support when they need it the most.

Both work and relationships are set to run smoothly. It's truly a blossoming year for you — when things are finally coming together.

It's good to be open-minded and be thankful, practice enjoying the moment this year, If you spend too much time worrying about the past and future, you'll be wasting the present.

"I guess everything is going to be fine" she thought as she crossed the clinic doors. Believing in fortune tellers' predictions is important for them to come true, isn't it?

Yat-sau is sitting at his usual spot in the waiting room lounge chair, wearing a thick gray coat with fur trim. He found a good ray of sunlight to keep warm and dozed off, arms folded and is slumped in his seat. Having happy dreams about counting bodies.

His dreams are dispelled the moment Ye Yu's footsteps clack across the stone theshold. He groggily blinks awake.

"... Hm? Doctor, is that... oh. Hello. Are you looking for something?"

The sallow man looks up at her, curiosity and confusion in his eyes. Yat-sau doesn't seem to recognize Ye Yu.

"Mhh, oh! I do recognize you! You are... you are..."

She took her journal, scrolled through the pages and compare some drawing to the man before her.

"You're the old antics seller, right? But your true name, I don't have quite. Of two people I could meet here I wasn't looking for you, dear..."* she sang. "But maybe you can help me: I'm looking for someone, Yuelan, a young girl often dressed in white, wearing a mask and a hat with many talismans. I think you may know her already? She was there the first time I met you... here. Have you seen her around? Is she in the clinic? I have some drawings if you need a picture..."

"..."

It takes him a few seconds to process her request. He just woke up, he's still sick, he can't see her face too well in the shadow of the sun... why is this woman singing?

He blinks, squinting his eyes, and answers with a small frown.

"Antiques' merchant, my name is Bao Yat-sau. And... Yuelan? I remember her. I have not seen her in several days, and it was in passing. Why are you looking for her, if I may ask?"

They've met. He is struggling to remember... ah! The minstrel. Ye something.

"Does one need a reason when hearts resonate? Emotions are best seized when they are passionate! And I have gifts for her from the Lunar Year festival To lighten up her mood, as she missed the spectacle" she rhymed again, quite oblivious to her interlocutor's state. "But I haven't seen her for a few days already and last time she left on an adventure on her own, she came back with one arm left... So... I thought that maybe, she would be here again with another injury... ... Are you sick?" she eventually asked, now looking at him in his chair.

He catches himself inadvertently bobbing his head to her poetry when his ears catch that last detail.

He may feel a little guilty after his investigation with the Stars in Ghostlight Market ended in an assassination attempt. That was over a week ago. They got the lead they needed to help his friends at the clinic, but at great cost. Poor Yuelan had not been recovering well, the few times he saw her in the interim. He was especially worried when he overheard her prognosis. Yat-sau knew what that shadow of gloom and doom could do to someone, so he had encouraged the people he knew to go visit her at New Years.

... but she didn't go to the festival. Odd. And she hasn't been here. Also odd. She is clearly close to the sing-songy Ye Yu, and yet ghosted her on her last holiday ever.

Very, very odd. What happened to Yuelan?

Yat-sau's frown widens as he chews on those thoughts, hand propping his chin. Could she be missing?

"When was the last time you saw her? Did she say anything to you?"

"Last time.... Last time... It was a week or so? At the bath house, it's where her face, I saw. We... I... Got a bit mad, that jerk Had the audacity to call her 'beautiful walking corpse' Yet she found him 'lovely' I... think it made me a bit angry."

She exhaled deeply and looked away, as if regretting that moment and her behavior.

"We haven't talk much, barely at all. That man kept her for a long time Despite being clearly banal To go to the festival, he stole me the prime Of asking her out... I... was hurt. In such case, often, I pout."

She flipped the pages of her journal again, looking for recorded information.

"Lingwei, it is his name, he's a doctor."

"Ah. I know him, he is a doctor from the clinic. He is eccentric but well intentioned..."

Many people seem interested in Yuelan as of late... not all of them good. This reminds him of a stray tidbit of knowledge, which burbles to the surface of his thoughts. Yat-sau beckons Ye Yu closer and whispers, cupping his mouth with a hand.

"Did she ever mention to you a man named Lian Po?"

"Lian Po? Yes, I remember that name! Why that? Are they someone to blame? Yuelan told me during dinner That near him, I should not go. Never."

She looked at her journal again, reading the few words she wrote weeks ago : Investigate about someone called Lian Po.

"Well... I did just promised to be careful She said that man was really fearful. She also said a thing very scary About ghosts, they do make me teary!"

"Hmm... well..."

It's too much of a coincidence. Surely the Stars law enforcement are investigating.

... They ARE investigating, right? Yat-sau struggles to remember if he submitted his full testimony to Zhuge Liuyun.

Then Ye Yu sees him knock his forehead with a palm. No. Of course he didn't. He had just learned that Starbridge had its own judicial system. Between that, dealing with the trial, handling the fallout, publishing books, checking on Yue and Nuwu, bribing some bandits, looking for targets, going on an adventure with Krim, preparing for the Spring festival, and then falling ill... he hasn't had the time. He hopes one of the others mentioned it.

"... I think we should talk to the authorities about this. I can explain on the way."

Ye Yu frowned a bit, surprised by such sudden gesture. She was missing pieces of the puzzle, pieces that man seemed to have.

"Can't you maybe explain right now? Authorities aren't my best friends somehow... But why would you ask for their support? Why don't you begin by the start?" she asked, half defensively, half worried, her body tensing subtlety.

Yat-sau folds his arms, the frown persisting.

"... About two weeks ago, Yuelan went to the Ghostlight Market with me, Zhaiya, and Zutah'a. She was attacked. Zutah'a killed the hunter who went after her, but she was injured."

Yat-sau remembers rifling through the dead man's pockets and finding that letter, which he gave to Yuelan. It had suggested the hunter had been sent by a Lian Po, whom Yuelan was apparently familiar with. Yat-sau shakes his head and looks up at Ye Yu.

"The hunter was sent by this 'Lian Po' person, I think. I am worried that they went after her again."

"It would be worth letting Zhuge Liuyun know, no?"

Ye Yu squinted her eyes. Was it because of the revelation or the suggestion?

"....Zhuge.... Liuyun...?"

A quick look at her journal, which seemed to be her second brain at some point. "I don't think I know them. Are they some authorities representative? What would they be able to do? I am not very familiar with... being on that side of justice." she admitted.

Lian Po, a hunter, ghosts... "What kind of mess did you jumped in, you stupid doe..." she wondered, feeling more and more unease and hoping what this dusty objects seller's hypothesis was wrong and that she would suddenly appear near them, looking oblivious to their concern, asking why they were making such gloom faces.

"We may ask for more clues or help, I suppose, but...?"

She realized that except a few things, she wasn't knowing much about Yuelan. Who were her family? Close friends? Favorite meal?

"Yes, I guess we could go the official way. Maybe... Maybe we'll even find out she's actually in jail for some troubles she would have caused?"

"Let us hope she's somewhere safe. We should go to the courthouse immediately."

He says that, rip raring to go, but oddly he doesn't move from his seat.

Ye Yu was already on the move. She stopped after a few steps, hearing nothing from Bao Yat-sau.

"... Aren't you coming with me?" she asked, puzzled when she realized he was still in his chair. "I thought... As going to that Zhuge Liuyun was your idea and acquaintance...?"

His smile looks a little strained.

"... My legs fell asleep. Could you help me up?"

Minutes later and the two of them slowly make their way to the government building to report Yuelan missing.

"... I heard of sleepwalkers whose legs move when their minds are asleep, but the contrary? Never...I hope you're not asking me to carry you around like a sack of potatoes..."

With some difficulties, she helped him to his feet, staying a moment near him, maybe expecting to see him fall. "Alright Laobo, let's move. Do you need a walking stick or something?" she asked, half-mocking and already walking away. The trip to their destination was slow, partly because Ye Yu stopped on the way to buy a stuffed meat bun. "What? I haven't ate today!" she justified. "Can't go looking for Yuelan with empty stomachs, can we? Do you want some? But I'm not paying!"

"Oh no thank you, I can walk well on my own, I'm only a little slow... and don't worry about me, I've eaten." he says meandering along. He watches her at the stall buying a fat bun with a bemused expression on his face, hands tucked into his sleeves.

"You're awfully energetic, it's refreshing to see.". ✨

"And you, on the contrary, Look like someone... weary! Given where I found you A glance at your health, it's quite a clue!"

She joined him in three long strides, biting in her bun with delight. "Shooo, why do chyou care sho much aboutch Yuyu? Do you know her alsho?" she asked, with resuming their walk and eating at the same time.

Yat-sau couldn't tell if the last part was meant to be a rhyme through her stuffed garbling. He shrugs casually, walking along beside her.

"We met a few times at the clinic. I worried when I heard the news about guniang's health. I wanted to see her at the first day of the Spring Festival but unfortunately my body said 'no', haha..."

Yat-sau chuckles ruefully. They pass by a stand selling candied hawthorne. A young man and woman, giggle as they purchase a pair of sticks.

"You seem much closer to her than I am."

Ye Yu very perceptibly slowed down when they passed by the new stand, eyeing at the couple for a long time before checking her deflated purse.

"Mmh? Oh, Hem... Yes indeed... She's... Someone special. We shared a melon on our very first day and..."

She moved to the stand, asking for some candies too.

"It somehow tasted very sweet Meeting her was a treat. Since that day, together we often stick Mmh... Could you pay for what I just picked?"

Without waiting for his answer, she showed the seller who was going to pay and strode away, waiting for him ten meters farther, already enjoying her dessert.

"You seem to be a regular at the clinic. I hope this New Lunar Year will bring you and Yuyu a better health!" Instinctively, her hand went to her bag where her new talismans were safely packed and waiting to be gifted. "Did you get your prediction already?"

"What prediction?" He looks between her and the waiting stall owner, resists the instinct to sigh, and drops a few coins into the man's hands. Tanghulu candies are HIGHLY overrated and overcharged this time of year.

"Well... Fortune-tellers! For the New Year!" she answered as if it was obvious. She offered him a bright smile before sliding a sugar coated fruit between her lips, sucking on it for several seconds.

"Mhhh...~ I could eat this all day! Alright, we should stop losing time or the office will be closed when we'll eventually reach it" she commented with audacity. "Come on, Laobo Bao! Let's find that... Zhuge... Liu... That person you talked about. Who are they anyway? How do you know them? What are you going to tell them? Do you think they'll help us? What will they do? Do you want a bite?"

He quickens his pace, pursing his lips. "Hmmm... I don't believe in readings, so I don't bother."

Ye Yu's questions come one after another like a torrent, to the point where Yat-sau leans into an increasingly acute angle with each question as if physically being pushed. Yet he responds calmly, an easygoing smile stretching wider as his eyes rest.

"Zhuge Liuyun is the local magistrate (Zhixian)."

"He helped me."

"I'm going to tell him everything I told you and request a search for Yuelan."

"I doubt he'd turn a blind eye to another Star's plight."

"He'll drink tea singing Jiāng Jìn Jiǔ backwards while dancing naked on the rooftops."

"And no thank you." ✋

At least one of those answers may have been made in jest. They approach a stately square building, which stands over the walls like a proud lion. A bamboo placard by the archway simply reads 'Magistrate's Office'.

"You don't believe in...?!" she stated, looking shocked. "No wonders why you're a regular at the clinic..."

As they approach the building and Bao Yat-sau continued his answers, she eventually let out a gasp.

"... ... On the rooftops?!" she exclaimed, looking at them, expecting to see some naked as a worm man wiggling and singing like a drunkard would do. She blinked several time, and wonder out loud "How can one sing and drink tea at the same time... Oh well... I'm not sure I want to know the answer. I knew it was a wise choice to stay away from representative people, moreover from the law... You go first Laobo! He's your acquaintance after all. Please, have them move every stone around Kaifeng, interrogate every soul and search every sky!"

"In a minute."

Yat-sau's tired, the fatigue pushing down on his shoulders. He chooses a bench outside the entrance to sit down and pulls out his handkerchief to cough.

It's early afternoon by now, the sun hanging high overhead. They were able to enter the office with no issue, but is anyone actually there right now?

Looking at Bao Yat-sau, hands on her hips, she sighed deeply and started walking around, impatient, before joining him to sat heavily on the bench.

"Don't die on me right now, Laobo. It would be very suspect and I don't want to get into any trouble. At least, if you do need to die, please do it in a dark corner, far from me!"

She lazily observed the surrounding and the few people passing, waiting for the man to recover his strength. "You said the magistrate helped you? Dare to say more or are you keeping your last forces for when we'll meet him? Oh, any last wishes you want to share also?" she added with a grin.

Yat-sau checks the handkerchief and tucks it away. He answers her questions with a hoarse voice and a smirk.

"No worries, I don't plan on dying yet.". ✨

"Anyways, tell me about yourself. I haven't seen you in a while, did you come here for a reading?"

"A reading? I already have my book" she said, showing him a printed and bound romance novel she took from her bag. "It's a whole drama with love triangles and everything! And the further you progress in the story, the darker it becomes, with murders, betrayals and... And maybe I should not spoil you the whole plot..." she considered, as if Bao Yat-sau could be interested in such genre. "As for my future, I already got my fortune told! I was traveling around before returning here for the festivities. There is less competition in the countryside than in Kaifeng's busy inns, especially with all the talented artists coming for the events. How are your store's going on your side? Are you making a living of it?"

He beams. "Business has been very good with the festivities! People are willing to loosen their purse strings for the odd trinkets and exoticwares this time of year. The people of Kaifeng especially so. You should come visit the town more often, there's a very good teahouse nearby."

"Who would have thought the New Lunar Festival would have such an impact on an antic shop? What are you selling there anyway, I wonder? All I can imagine is a bunch of broken things and some hidden treasures."

She stored her book away and started to wiggle softly from left to right, to a tune in her head.

"Are you talking about the one with Xiaojie Kaena? I've been there a few times. With Yuelan too. It is a nice place, but crowded during peak hours. I heard they were planning on building a stage, maybe I could enjoy a tea and make some coins at the same time!"

The corner of his smile twitches. Ye Yu has an odd way of speaking that takes a while to adjust to. "... 'Antiques.'. I sell antiques. Old objects that have intrinsic worth in their deep history in realms beyond Tianxia. You would be surprised the stories even an old teacup can tell."

He sighs, leaning back in the seat. Beyond, they can see merchants hawking Spring festival goods on the street, like sweets, decorations, toys, and jewelry. All popular products in Kaifeng.

"A shame the new dynasty has yet to appreciate foreign commodities. They are hard to acquire and even harder to sell."

"I also stock accessories, spices, costumes, props, scrolls... grammar books."

He offers helpfully.

"But I would be interested in hearing one of your performances if the teashop hosts you. I am sure Lady Kaena would not mind some music to accompany her dances.". ✨

"Even if they don't, you can still hear my songs I may play at your shop if we happen to get along Maybe it will attract buyers? Would you be looking for a geji to hire?" she asked, half-serious. "Be aware I'm not a cheap woman!"

"Hah!" Yat-sau snorts. He pushes himself up to a stand, and turns to face her.

"I appreciate your offer, Ye-guniang, but I must decline. I am but a humble merchant, I don't have that kind of money~"

The conversation is interrupted by an attendant who leads them inside the government building.

"Well in that case, just cut the cow to two, and you can share both....." he is judging a case where two farmers claim a cow to belong to each other. The other farmer paled visibly and says "N-no Daren! let him have it, please dont kill Ah Niu"

Liuyun would look at the other guy, who is nodding quickly...before he says "YOU DARE TO TRY AND SWINDLE THIS COURT? GUARDS, FLOG THIS MAN TEN TIMES AND THROW HIM OUT" he shouted.

The Farmer who was all grin and triumphant, would suddenly paled. "D-d-Daren!" but despite his protest, he is brought outside forcefully.

"The cow belong to this person." he point to the guy who didnt want to cut the cow.

"Next case!" he said boredly.

Sighs, as she makes notes of the case, the punishement, and all the sordid details...cattle cases where so dull...

Bao Yat-sau walks into the office with Ye Yu and bows. "Greetings, Daran. It has... admittedly not been a while, which is a shame. I'm afraid I have a missing person to report."

He gestures to Ye Yu, who stands beside him. "This is Ye Yu, I'm sure you've met? She is... erm, an entertainer? Who is close to Yuelan."

Ye Yu was looking at the poor farmer who was being dragged outside to receive his sentence and punishment. Justice was indeed served quickly and harshly, she thought. Better stay far from it or, at least, on the good side of the stick. Bao Yat-sau's voice brought her back to their own case and she quickly tried to grasp the last words he was pronouncing.

Entertainer? It was the first time someone categorised her that way, but it was still better than "Melon thief"... And a title easier to carry. She remained in the background, slightly behind Bao Yat-sau, mimicking him when he bowed to the two people in the room.

"Huh... Yes, Yuelan! It's been several days now, maybe even a week since we haven't had any news? We were supposed to meet at the New Lunar Festival to watch the fireworks together, but alas! She did not come. Since, she was nowhere to be found... Laob-... Shushu Bao Yat-sau suggested we report it as... There could be more behind this disappearance?".

She turned toward the antiques' seller, letting him detail his suspicions.

"Yuelan's been missing and we're worried for her. She wouldn't have missed something important like the festival... even with her illness." Yat-sau almost mutters that last part as he steps closer.

"We're concerned that something's happened to her, especially since... well... something DID happen to her when she helped me in the Ghostlight Market 2 weeks ago."

He rubs the back of his neck, looking ashamed.

"... She was attacked. By an assassin sent by a man of ill repute named Lian Po. I suspect these events may be related to her disappearance."

"Yuelan is missing?" He raised his brows. "Are you sure she's just not...travelling or perhaps doing something?"

He would look at Xianglian before looking at the two again. "Why are you quite sure this is related to this...Lian Po?"

Zilin would stood up and pace.

"Perhaps she went into hiding? If you are really sure this is related, then where she was attacked last time, might be a good start."

She sighs and gets out a new record book, to see if she can find anything relevant to this case!

Bao Yat-sau shakes his head, frowning.

"I don't think Yuelan would be the type of woman to leave her-" he glances at Ye Yu, as if to confirm, "... 'partner'... all alone on the day of the Spring Festival. And she has not appeared at the clinic, either."

He bows slightly, tucking his arms into his sleeves.

"I can confirm she's been critically ill, and had been consistently visiting the clinic until about a week ago."

"Last time we talked... It was at the bath house, before the Festival. She had met that Doctor... ... ...".

She quickly grabbed her journal to check the name she couldn't remember.

"Lingwei" she finished with a slight disdain in her voice. "He was talking about bringing her some handmade buns at the Festival, so she could enjoy them with her friends and... For what I can remember, she seemed to be looking forward to living this moment, all together?"

"She already left once, alone, to become stronger as she said. But she wasn't secretive about this and we shared a tea before she departed. It was before we became... much closer so I don't think... I hope she wouldn't leave again for a long time without even telling me or leaving me a note? Unless she had to go in a complete hurry, but... why?"

She shrugged, puzzled by the inexplicable disappearance.

"She was... She knew time, her time was getting scarce. Why would she miss such a memorable event? Or maybe she just had an accident somewhere, given her weakening state and is needing urgent help?"

Ye Yu looked alarmed by this hypothesis she had not considered yet.

He continues where Ye Yu left off. "... In any case, I feel Yuelan's situation is dire, and the Stars should check in on her, Magistrate Zhuge."

His dark eyes flit up to Liuyun's, piercing deep, as if probing Liuyun for an answer.

"She 'is' one of your own, isn't she?"

"I have duty to attend to in Starbridge Town. Ghost Market is in Kaifeng. While i am a "Star" like you mentioned, Bao-Yat-Sau, i cannot go myself. Nor does it iw my jurisdiction." He would look at Xianglian and raise his brows.

"100 wen extra payment, with lodging and accomodation covered. What say you? Maybe take Song Sunxiang with you if he is interested."

"I need a pay raise more than a bonus..." She grumbles, "At least another 100 wen, you know how dangerious that place is, and as much as Song Sunxiang is a good fighter, he is the sort who will just charge in face first..."