It was afternoon by the time they made their escape leave of the tavern.

The baths were warm. Gear was packed. And the tavern was short one guard.

At the road, Yingzimò awaited Ye Yu beside a black-and-white dappled horse. Its saddlebags were full of all her equipment and belongings, prepared to be carried from one stable to the next. After all, Revelry Hall was still quite the trek across the city.

Ye Yu was welcome to the saddle should she wish to ride. Yingzimò took the reins instead, guiding the horse forward through the crowded thoroughfares while the sun bore down upon their aching heads.

It was near a quarter hour later when they reached a stone bridge spanning over a narrow canal. Beyond it, rising unmistakably in the near distance, stood a vast crimson building with sweeping eaves.

An excited smile broke across Yingzimò’s face.

“Ah! See!” she said, emitting a soft, self-conscious laugh as her gaze darted about in search of a stable. “I did not get us lost!”

Afternoon already? Ye Yu was still half sleeping on Yingzimò’s horse as they crossed the town, lulled by the steady clatter of hooves on the pavement. She only truly woke up when they passed a sweet shop. Hopping down her mount, she went and grabbed two candied strawberries skewers on display before quickly returning to her ride, handing one to her guide. Did she even paid for that?

“Ooooh, yes, we’re soon there...” she says softly, maybe a bit less excited or just still emerging from her sleep and hangover. “But should we really praise the fact that you found your way in Kaifeng? I mean... if your orientation skill is that bad, you could just have asked! I’d have pointed you to the right direction!” she lied, her own orientation skill resuming to picking random paths and hoping. She chewed on her candy, watching the building in the distance.

“The gardens will be beautiful today, a nice sky and trees blossoming!
Have you ever been there? Depending on the hour, you can hear Flowers singing.
If you have spare money, why not going to the baths, relaxing?
And if you’re famous enough, you could get an invitation to the main building”

Yingzimò accepted the sweet treat without questioning how Ye Yu acquired them. She nibbled on the strawberry to quell her stomach and briefly engaged in a pushing match with her horse, nudging his muzzle away from the candy.

As they turned off the stone bridge and slipped into a narrow alley, her lips tightened into a thin line.

At least she was proud she found her way.

“I have never been there,” she said, guiding them between the buildings. The familiar scent of horse lingered in the air, which must’ve meant there were stables nearby. Even Batbayar nods his head several times, excited for the potential to meet some new mares.

“Is it truly as beautiful as people say? And they have baths, too?!” She sighs. “It must be expensive... Have you ever been in the main hall?”

Eventually, around the corner, they would discover signs for the carriage house and stable where they could stall the horse for the next few hours. Although, she still had to pay for it... More wen gone.

“Beautiful? Yes, truly is. It’s... dangerously splendid.
Just like a sharp, ornamental knife in its velvet sheath
Words are coated in honey, yet can steal your breath
A place where violence is flowery scented”

Ye Yu hopped down the horse and joined her guard in two long strides.

“Of course, everything is expensive there! Many spent all their savings hoping to get a glance, a smile or a second with one Flower Messengers. But let’s not talk about the flora, you’ll soon discover it yourself. A word where every petal is arranged with great care. A place where everyone is walking on thin ice and eggs, also. As for the main hall and its curious fauna... it’s really another world. A world of crushing opulence and fragile dreams. Your first visit is always an unforgettable moment, it moves your soul and steal a part of it. Every time you leave, you’ll feel like wanting more, wanting to return to find something you crave without knowing what exactly. It’s a place where dreams and desire linger, so close yet never within your reach...”

She lost herself in her thoughts, absentmindedly accompanying Yingzimò to the stable.

“... oh sorry, don’t mind my monologue, I got a bit carried away!
We should head to the Springwave Pavilion first, to get last night scent washed away
Also I need to change.
So far, all expenses have been on your side.
So, for this part... Let me be your guide?”

Walking on thin ice?

This did not sound very nice at all!

Yingzimò frowned as she handed the reins over to the stable-boy, then reached for her purse to cough up a few coins to pay him. She listened to Ye Yu curiously-- if a touch more concerned about what might be lying in wait at Revelry Hall. At least they wouldn’t be going inside.

As Batbayar was led away, she turns now to Ye Yu. “It sounds more like a prison for the soul…” she remarks, resting a hand on the hilt of her sword. But, at mention of a scent from the previous night, she quirked a brow and subtly leaned in to take a whiff.

Did she smell? If anything, perhaps it was the stink of horse, but she had grown far too used to it to even notice.

Though, the worry that they were stinky was evident in her face.

“Lead the way,” she said with a vague gesture in the direction they needed to go. “You seem to know a lot about this place.”

“Compared to a simple visitor, I may know a little more
But I’m not a rooted flower. For them, I’m still quite a stranger” she rhymed, reaching her hand out to guide Yingzimò in the first steps towards the Revelry’s inner area.

“Fortunately, the Springwave Pavilion is just a few minutes after the entry, if we go this way.... I think.” she says not that confidently, looking at a touristic map displaying the different must-see places and activities. Was she really a regular... or just a liar?

“I can’t wait to dip into hot water and let all my problems dissolve... Oh wait, but I don’t have any! Guess I’ll just enjoy the hot water then. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the experience too, if you’re not too shy! I suppose you’ve already been to public baths before? Would you enjoy receiving a massage, also?” she asked with what seemed to be a teasing smile.

Yingzimò falls into step at Ye Yu’s side, taking in the sights of the district as they traverse the streets. Her head may have still been a bit hazy after last night, but at least she was not ill!

She placed her trust wholly in Ye Yu, following without question; not once did she protest directions.

“Oh, uh... I have visited public baths before,” she admitted. “But nothing so... opulent.” A faint blush warmed her face. Maybe she was a little shy, after all. “It does sound pleasant, and my body aches... But I do not think it was the walk.”

It was definitely the hangover.

A musing smile flickered across her lips. “Let’s hope we do not pass out and embarrass ourselves in the water.”

A massage? She tilted her head curiously. “Does that service require... additional fees?”

Fortunately, Yingzimò wasn’t asking questions to Ye Yu, because her guide was quite lost. Stopping here and there, pretending to look at a flowers or a paper toys stall, only to ask directions to the merchants in low voice, she eventually managed to find her way to the familiar entrance, an arched leading to the Revelry’s gardens.

“Oh, the sweet scent of wisteria!
Not my favorite flower, yet, it’s always a delight for the eyes, they fill the area!
Do you have any preferred blossom?
A particular plant, something for your heart, being awesome?” she asked, quickly entering the garden with small light hops.

“Welcome to the gardens! Or at least, a few flowerbeds near Pearlglow lake!
The Pavilion is just ahead, let’s start there and have a break!
As for the special relaxing service... It depends on who you are and who services you...
For your very first time, please bare with me for my debut?
I won’t make you pay, I’ll withdraw the fees from your salary” she added, jovial, omitting she was paying her guard the skyrocketing amount of 0 wen per day.
It’s a pleasure to have you as my guest, no need to thank me!”

Without letting Yingzimò a second to react, she grabbed her hand and pulled her over the baths. What was that scam again?

Even for someone as observant as she, Yingzimò was swept up in the splendor of the quarter. Ye Yu’s inquiries for directions slipped past her notice; and even should she have heard, she likely would have kept silent.

When they passed beneath the garden’s archway, she paused in fascination. Cascading wisteria draped over the beams, and beds of rare blooms surrounded the walkways. Their fragrance lingered in the air. It surpassed her expectations, yet before she could really appreciate them, she felt the firm tug at her hand which pulled her onward.

“Um...” The question returned to her belatedly.

Her favorite flower...

“I suppose I favor magnolias!” she said. “Though I’ve seldom had the opportunity to admire them-- or any garden, for that matter.”

She allowed herself to be led toward the pavilion, their pace unbroken. It wasn’t lost on her that she had no salary, but scam or no, she didn’t protest. It’s been a go with the flow couple of... er, several hours.

“Wait... are you saying you will massage?” she asks. Not that she would complain, but she had to double-check so it didn’t get awkward in there.

Seeing all the elegant people made her feel a touch shyer but her feet kept moving forward.

Ye Yu let out a heartily laugh, hearing Yingzimò surprised tone. She swiftly pivoted on her feet, facing the guard and grabbing her other hand, now holding them both.

“Come on, you’re my bodyguard starting today!
A good boss has to make sure her employee feels okay!
Moreover, we’ll have to work much more closely
Don’t be shy! We’re just sharing a bath, not a bed, pretty!” she teased.

“Or... Are you doubting my dexterity?
I’m a skilled musician, you know! My fingers do magic!
With enough practice, from your lips, I’m sure I could get beautiful lyrics~
... Or some cat’s screams melody...”

She shrugged, winked at Yingzimò and pulled her in the Pavilion, waving at the woman at the counter. “Good afternoon, Sister Muci, I’m with a guest! ” she said, bowing slightly before climbing the stairs, leading the newcomer behind her .

“Changing rooms are on the first floor!
Is there any part of your body you feel sore?”

Yingzimò’s wandering gaze is drawn back to Ye Yu as she takes both her hands. She meets her eyes and offers a faint smile.

“Right,” she murmurs. Though in all her years of training, she’s never heard of a patron to grant their guard such indulgence. A massage? What a perk!

Realizing her earlier words might have given offense, she hastily shakes her head. “Oh, no! I do not doubt your skill. Only... I did not want to presume--”

Before she can finish, Ye Yu draws her onward into the pavilion. As they pass the attendant at the counter, Yingzimò flashes her an odd look when Ye Yu speaks her name; it definitely seemed like there was some familiarity here.

They ascend the stairs to the next floor, surrounded by the air of luxury, from silk screens to the scent of exotic herbs and warm water. Yingzimò’s eyes move ceaselessly, taking in all the details.

“I suppose my shoulders are somewhat sore,” she admits, rolling them slightly. Perhaps it was from all the pitch-pot.

“Your shoulders?
Seeing you carrying that weapon around, no wonder!” she pointed out, pulling open a sliding panel, revealing a small changing room.

She put down her guqin and konghou in a corner, grabbing and handing a woven wicker basket with fine linen swimwear.

“You can put your clothes and belongings in there,
Don’t worry for your spear, no-one else will come in, no unwanted stare.
... Oh.
Shall I let you change privately, perhaps?”

Yingzimò followed Ye Yu into the changing room, her gaze sweeping the area warily before accepting the offered basket. Most of her non-valuables had been left behind in the saddlebags at the stable, but she came with her weapons, coin purse (which felt distressingly light), and a few pieces of light armor.

She set her things into the basket in neat order, though her blades accompanied Ye Yu’s instruments, placed against the wall. Her gauntlets were unfastened next.

“If I am to be your guard, I do not doubt you’ll see far worse,” she said evenly. Then, after a brief pause, she added, “Still... I’ll turn aside.”

Taking up the bath robes, she slipped behind a small folding screen. With lightning speed, she began to undress and robe up like her life depended on it, speaking all the while: “I am surprised we were able to just walk in. Are there not many rules for this place?”

((Unrelated to current scene but a little messy sketch of how it’s going so far 😄 ))

“Far worse, far worse...
You’re talking as if you were an ugly horse” she laughed, simply undressing where Yingzimò left her.

She untied her fabric and let her dress slide from her shoulders to pile up at her feet. Walking around in her undergarments to get another basket for her own clothes, she glanced at the screen with a smirk.

“Rules? Oh, yes, there’s a few! None you should trouble your mind with, I’m taking care of everything! I told you I was treating you while on those grounds, right? We’ll start with the baths, a massage... Then we’ll listen to some songs in the garden... And why not boarding a small boat for a little cruise around the main hall?

It sounds like a great plan!” she said, answering her own rhetorical question. “So just enjoy your time and don’t let Sister Muci’s stare disturb you... You should be more worried of mine!” she claimed joyfully, leaning over the screen to peak at her guard with a large smile.

“Everything alright? Need any help?” she inquiried, her tone amused.

👀

Yingzimò half-listened as she wrestled with layers of clothing that tangled in her haste to change.

A bath and a massage? Music in the gardens? A boat ride around the pavilion? Such luxuries felt like a dream.

Had she died last night?

Just as she managed to free one wrist, she heard Ye Yu’s voice over the folding screen, causing her to jolt. She practically jumped out of her own skin, but at least she was mostly decent. From that angle, the woman might glimpse Yingzimò’s bare back:

Ink covered her skin, with traditional clouds that trailed along her left flank, curling over her shoulder. Towards her mid-back, it gave way to the fierce form of a tiger. And along her spine ran lines of taoist symbols and warding sigils.

She cast a quick, flustered glance towards Ye Yu, clutching the front of her robes.

“O-oh, I’m fine... I think I have it now,” she murmured, turning away again to tie off the swimwear. “Alright-- I’m ready. Are you? Do we need anything else?”

Ye Yu chuckled and gave her an appreciative glance, her eyes wandering on the tattoos for some time before she returned to her basket, putting her clothes in and the bathing wear out. She took her time changing, then returned behind the screen to get her bodyguard, her hands soflty landing on her shoulders.

“My, my, you’re so stiff
I’ll make sure you’ll feel a diff
Come, there are special ingredients in the baths
You don’t need to fear about getting rashes”

She grabbed her hands again to guide her upward to the second floor. The steamy room was warm, filled with light fragrances and cloudy mist moving slowly, changing shapes every time a patron was moving around. On a side, many fruits and beverages were at disposal for anyone feeling hungry or in a need for some freshness. The area, mixed gender, was not very crowded at such hour and only a few silhouettes were actually soaking in the hot water.

“There are also a few beds upstairs to relax
And to relax only! It’s not a place to have someone as snack~
Though if you find someone that suits your tastes
I can help you find out if they are chaste...
... or not!”

She laughed and freed Yingzimò’s hands to approach the bath, dipping her foot in to check the temperature. “Mhhh... I’m melting already...”

Without waiting any further, she slipped into the hot water, playing with the floating petals.

“I never asked but... do you know you to swim?
Not that you’d need it here, even when the bath are filled to the brim!”

Yingzimò was indeed stiff and rigid, but that was likely to be expected for someone in her line of work.

Once everything had been stowed away, she followed Ye Yu up to the next level. As they climbed the stairs, her gaze drifted beyond the windows, lingering on the pavilions and surrounding grounds. Even upon reaching the second floor, awe clung to her expression.

Food and drink freely offered? And a bath without pay? She could not help but wonder why she never set foot here before.

Yet, she was not quite so careless to the room. Seeing others gathered, her eyes moved from face to face, weighing each presence to ensure no hidden threat lingered among them. Those who might stare too long would be met with a harsh glance of her own.

At the mention of the third floor and the beds, however, her composure faltered for a second. A faint blush touched her cheeks before she looked away.

When Ye Yu stepped into the bath, she followed soon after, lowering herself into the steamy waters. “I can swim,” she said, a small smile at her lips. “To flounder in a bath would be a tragic way to go...”

The heat seeped into her limbs, loosening the tension a bit. She leaned back, letting her arms drift weightlessly at her sides. It even helped ease the dull ache of her headache.

Ahhh...

“I understand why this place draws so many... and why someone may not ever leave,” she mused.

“Well... Of course, many come for the facilities, to admire the garden and enjoy this fleeting, dreamy feeling, a world of beauty and calculated perfection” she began, poking petals in the water with her fingertip. “But a lot of them also come for the thrill. For a glimpse of a life they’ll never experience but in their dreams.”

She created a little whirlpool with her hand, watching as the petals slowly get attracted by the current to their demise, drowning deep below before surfacing a few inches further, drifting dizzily and randomly, just like someone drunk from a pitch pot game.

“To bump into someone famous at the Heroes Assembly....”

Slowly swimming in the water like a shark swirling around her prey, Ye Yu started to circle around Yingzimò, closing in each time a bit more until she reached her tattooed back.

“...To have their heart stolen by a disarming smile...”

Just like in the changing room, she laid her fingers on the tensed shoulders, applying a very gentle pressure on them.

“I wonder if you’ll get caught in the Revelry’s webs too, and for which reasons?”

The bathhouse steeped in heat and steam, with the warm water gently lapping around her, and Ye Yu’s melodic voice was enough to drag Yingzimò towards the edge of sleep.

She drifted there, half-submerged, and limbs loose, her body sinking slowly per second. Her head tipped back, eyes lidded.

So so drowsy...

Now and then, she let out a quiet hum or murmur just to show she had not completely slipped away from consciousness. It was the opportune moment for the shark to catch its prey.

...Nap time...

Then-- HANDS.

Yingzimò stirred at once, spine straightening, eyes sharp as if she just woke from a dream. For a heartbeat, she looked about, as though she had lost time and she was just getting reacquainted with her whereabouts.

Only when some pressure was applied to her shoulders did her body relax again.

“Me?” she murmured. “I don’t know... As pleasant as this place is, I am still your guard, yes? Some waste I would be to be caught here forever. Although... when I was younger, I dreamed of a place like this.”

A soft laugh escaped her lips at the recollection, quiet again for a moment.

“Tell me... has this place ever ensnared you?” She tilts her head slightly, flashing a smirk over her shoulder. “Or are you the web spinner?”

Ye Yu’s fingers slipped from the nappy girl like a flock of birds when she stirred, hovering for some time to make sure she wasn’t the cause of such epidermic reaction. Maybe she was very sensitive, maybe she was very shy, or maybe it was just a coincidence. Eventually, she let them land again, starting with small caresses going from the back of her neck to the outside of her stiff shoulders, slowly increasing the pressure on her fingertips.

“A solution would be for me to stay in this place
As a guard, you’d have to stay forever in this palace
Yet... I am not sure your spear can protect me here
As danger isn’t made of metal but of words and sneers.”

She moved a bit to adjust her position, getting a bit closer to Yingzimò as she was letting her fingers slide more freely from the neck to the muscles of her tattoed back, taking advantage of the moment to feel her body over her bathing cloth, of course.
Of course.

“Do I look like a spider? Do you see me hanging at the end of some silky thread?”

For a reason, her smile widen.

“Maybe you’re not that far from reality.
If you survive the baths trial, maybe...
Maybe you’ll have some answers to this mystery!”

Her hands plunged beneath the water as she continued to massage her until they came to rest at the small of her back.

“The young Yingzi was dreaming of courts and halls?
Was she dreaming of princes, pretty ladies and balls?”

The warrior had a strong back, but not the bulk of some brute, just lean from a rigorous routine. Ye Yu might feel the faint roughness of old scars, but nothing so visibly displeasing.

At first, her body remained tense, unaccustomed to much closeness. Yet, as time went on, she softened and became more malleable.

It was only when she caught the words baths trial that her brow lifted, and a flicker of alertness crossed her face. If Ye Yu was the spider, then Yingzimò stepped into the web.

She turned her head slightly, glancing over her shoulder.

“Something like that...” she murmured. “When I was a child in the fields, a place like Revelry Hall belonged only to stories. We would play tea ceremonies and dances, pretending to be noble-- waiting for someone to whisk us away.”

She laughed amusedly at the idea now.

“But to remain in such a place forever... I fear it would grow dull, no? When a dream becomes constant, you might lose such appreciation for it.”

“To grow dull? My, my... My dear Yingzi, you sound like you never had a dream
The kind that begins neatly then shifts into a long deadly descent and has you wake up with a scream~” she murmured at her ear, her fingertips now replaced by pointy nails slowly scratching and tracing lines on her back, fortunately protected by the bath robe fabric.

“Oh, I think they are called nightmares!
They often target pretty warriors who, in hot baths, become less aware...

... Don’t fall asleep!” she called out, gently but suddenly planting her nails in her hips with a laugh.

The slow trace of nails along her back was a soothing sensation, coaxing her back to the edge of sleep.

She leaned forward without thinking, offering her full back, while warm steam brushed her face as the water was only inches away.

Ye Yu’s voice and massage continued to lull her away, up until the sudden playful pinch of nails at her hips struck another jolt through her body. She sat upright once more.

“I’m awake!” she declared, her voice echoing through the bathhouse, likely warranting a few giggles from other guests.

Another flush crept across her cheeks. “Oh… forgive me,” she murmured. “A nightmare, in a place such as this? And in the company of the lovely Yóu Yún? I should hope not.”

“Ahhh, even not a day and my bodyguard tries to end her life
I should prevent her from wielding anything dangerous, her spear or even a knife!” she falsely lamented while resuming her back scratches, just like a cat on a couch.
You seem very receptive to our hot baths and soothing herbal water
Or is it something else that turns you into a small and squishable otter?

Beware, beware! Who was talking about drowning in a bath?
From a terrible end, it seems I saved you!
How are you going repay that debt? Do you have any clue?
Should I bring you upstairs to rest from the waters aftermath?” she whispered with a little chuckle, her hands now clasping her hips in a warm embrace.

Yingzimò casts an amused glance over her shoulder at Ye Yu, then with a light, teasing flick of her fingers she sent a few droplets of water in her direction.

“If I were to drown in these waters, it’d be you to blame,” she said with a smile. “Between the water and your scratches, I feel like I could dissolve, or sleep for three days... But then we would miss the rest of the Pavilion...

And I would owe that stable boy a large sum...”

Her gaze drifted towards the stairs leading to the uppermost floor.

“So, up there is where guests receive more private treatments? I take it that means they trade in secrets, too?”

When her eyes returned to Ye Yu, they lingered briefly on the spread of food and wine near the tables. Temptation flickered in her gaze, but they should probably refrain from drink, at least for the sake of their gut and clarity in mind.

But... it was free.

“Hey! You’re playing with fire!
Well, in this case, water.
But... heyy still!
Be careful, or I’ll let you pay the bill!” she threatened with an amused smile, her eyes following Yingzimò’s gaze behind her. What had she seen? A beautiful person? Oh, no, it was a beautiful banquet.

“You’d be surprised to learn what people are willing to reveal
When their senses are dulled by hot water and a good meal.”

She moved away from her prey guard and slowly climbed out of the pool to sit down on the edge, not far from the table laden with food. Reaching out, she grabbed a peach and bite in the fruit, her eyes on Yingzimò.

“Tasty” she commented. “Come, come. We do have all the day to enjoy the place, and the day after, and after again... You’re not in a hurry, are you?” she asked, pouring two cups of li.

“Come closer so I can work on your shoulders!
To steal all your secrets, I still have to get you drunker!” she said, handing the woman her cup.
“For example... How much are your weapons worth?
Or... where is your place of birth?”

“I’m sure I’ll find out,” Yingzimò murmured, already certain she was on her way to yapping carelessly. “Hurry? No... I suppose there is nowhere we need to be.”

She waded through the warm pool until she settled where Ye Yu wanted her. Turning her back, she reached for the cup of li and took a measured sip, her shoulders easing as she gets comfortable.

Mmm... so good.

“You may be pleased to know that my weapons are priceless,” she said, with a light laugh. “Or worthless, depending on who you ask. The spear is practically an antique, and the sword... was forged my hand alone.” She gave a faint shrug. “Consider it a graduation gift from my order. It is light, well-balanced, perfect for my arm. So, I doubt anyone would try stealing them.”

At the second question, she glanced back over her shoulder, a small, almost dismissive smile at her lips.

“As for my birthplace... nowhere so interesting, just the suburbs south of the city walls, near the Wheatwind Bazaar.”

Her gaze lingered on Ye Yu.

“And you? Where were you raised?”

“Not very far from Heavens, where eternal sunset warms your heart as good as a sip of Parting Tears
Close enough to many villages, for each seasons to be filled with sounds of music, laughter and broken wares.
A simple place really, way different from the bustling streets of Kaifeng, without high buildings with many stairs!
I grew up between flowers and orchards, plums, apples and pears” she sang, her hands having found their place on Yingzimò’s shoulders again, kneading them gently.

“Are body paintings also a graduation gift from your order?
Or just a touch of vanity, maybe a story on your skin you decided to harbor?”

Her fingers seemed to play a bit with the fabric of her clothes.

“I’m sorry. I could not help but noticed them back in the room earlier...
I’m curious to see them closer, but if you undress now... it would make the room a lot more steamier” she joked.
“Let’s abide by the rules, we don’t want Sister Muci to throw us outside, right?
Though it could be fun to stir some mess in this too peaceful place... After a moment, bathing might become trite.”

“Sounds far more pleasant than dusty roads and fields,” she murmurs, her voice soft as her eyes drift shut beneath Ye Yu’s kneading hands. “It always felt brown all year around. A place like where you were raised, it’s understandable how it might inspire a painter, or a poet.”

Her gaze opens slightly as she remembers the tattoos that she often forgot about.

But she listens on, stiffening at the subtle tug at her garments. With a sweeping glance, she casts a wary look to any wandering eyes. One hand comes up to hold her robe in place.

“W-well... I could show you,” she said quietly, “but not right here. I would rather not be cast out on our first visit-- and we’ve yet to see the rest of this place.”

“And it might be nice to be able to return...”

She settles again, taking a sip of her drink before continuing on.

“Some markings were given by the order. Others, I chose for vanity. The tiger, I suppose in particular, is meant to ward off malevolent spirts and bad fortune. A reminder of strength, too. The rests are just sigils for protection or hold importance to the Temple... and some serve to identify me should something happen.”

Her gaze shifts back to Ye Yu, curious.

“Do you bear any marks that hold meaning to you?”

“It’s inspirational... for people who want to open their eyes.
You know, many come to this place to witness 'beauty'
When you just need to look around: beauty often lies
In scenes of daily life: sunrays through a window, a scene of kabuki...”

She leaned backwards to get a bunch of grapes, picking one for her, picking another to present to Yingzimò’s lips.

“A ward to protect you from bad fortune?”

She started to chuckle and eventually, laughed heartily, earning some curious gazes and warm smiles from the other customers relaxing.

“It doesn’t seem to work against financial misfortune!
But don''t worry too much, you’re my guest!
No way someone would come and disturb your rest.”
Oh, now, I’m fancying making a mess!

She would push more grapes between her guard’s lips, her free hand gently running in her hair, massaging her scalp.

“A meaningful mark? Does my makeup count? Those plum petals near my eye
A reminder of my home, you may know understand why!
When, of melting in hot water, you’ll be bored,
We’ll admire the wisteria in the garden and the beach of petals shored!”

As time went on, she could not help but feel she had become like the indulgent nobles she was scoffed at for similar treatment.

She had long since gone pliant, accepting grapes from Ye Yu’s hand as they were pressed to her lips. Each time the woman’s fingers worked through her scalp, her eyes would slip shut again, eliciting a faint sound or two that she would quickly stifle.

Ah, yes... Financial misfortune. She almost forgot, but for now, it seemed a concern for another world entirely.

“Makeup counts,” she murmured at last. “Yours is a fine reminder.”

Her eyes opened once she had taken her fill of the fruit, no longer able to indulge further. The of li was set aside, and she straightened her posture, resisting the pull of drowsiness.

“But I suppose we have lingered here for some time,” she added, a trace of dry humor in her voice. “At this rate, we may come out looking like prunes.”

“Mine are also less... permanent than yours!” she pointed out, tapping the tattooed back.
“Also, it is way less painful and much quicker to make
Even though on the long run, you may save many hours
And you don’t have to redo it every time up you wake...”

She eventually ended her back groping massage and leaned backward again to pour herself a new cup of li, with a grape floating in it because... why not? She liked fancy, unusual or stupid ideas.

“But I’m not brave enough to endure so much pain.
I need soft hands to play or my practice would be vain
To you, strong arms and remarkable scars!
You’ll handle physical fights, with words and music I’ll spar!
But you’re right. My hands start to look like an old lady’s face
Wrinkled and soggy... Let’s change of place!”

She stood up and drank her cup straight with a loud “Ahhhhh~” of contentment, grabbing a last slice of melon.

“You cangn change yourchelf bok in zhe changing room, I gneed to chee and aschke chomching to Chichter Muchi fircht” she tried to articulate, gulping down only after she spoke. “Meet me at the front desk when you’ll be ready?”

Yingzimò sat there still, her thoughts drifting back to each poke along her back, and all those punctures that left behind a trace of ink. The memory of enduring that slow, burning pain for hours lingered on her mind.

She gave a small, agreeable nod, exhaling softly as Ye Yu finished the massage.

When she rose, Yingzimò followed, dripping wet as she stepped carefully from the bath onto lacquered floors. She moved carefully toward a cabinet, a soft giggle escaping her at the rhyme, then she would reach for a cloth and dabbed the ends of her ponytail.

At first, it seemed clear, but then... was Ye Yu having a stroke? Yingzimò turned around in confusion, studying the woman with a puzzled look.

Ah, she was eating.
Relief softened her features, though she remained uncertain.

“Oh... yes...? You are going to talk to... Sister Muci first?” Was that what she said? Her eyes flick toward the stairwell for the first floor. “I will make haste. Do not forget your belongings... though, I suppose if you wish, I can carry them below.”

With that, she inclined her head slightly before slipping away-- literally, almost doing a one-leg splits. She recovered quickly, steps light, and praying no one saw that.

Ye Yu gasped loudly, then muffled a laugh. “Don’t trouble yourself with them, I’ll get them later.” She would send Yingzimò a wink if she ever glanced back before leaving on her side, drops of water falling in her wake all the way down to the ground floor. Her precious instruments were safe in this building, yet, she still gave words to an employee so have them retrieved after her guest would have finished dressing up again.

Minutes passed and Ye Yu never reappeared in the changing room. At some point, a bathhouse attendant would knock on the sliding door, excusing herself as she enters to put a small tray down on the small cupboard, with a cup of fuming green tea, a small and warm towel, a comb, a vial containing rice lotion and some make-up, in case she wanted to freshen up. She would then get Ye Yu’s clothes and belongings back, bringing them away with a deep bow and more excuses for troubling Yingzimò’s dress up...

Yingzimò had always been the suspicious sort.

When the attendant came knocking, she was still fastening her robes after fussing with all the swimwear. Her gaze remained sharp as it lingered on the attendant while she gathered her companion’s belongings-- something that struck her as odd.

A trace of unease stirred within her. Perhaps she should have been more vigilant.

She changed speedily, preserved what she could of her makeup, then gulped down the green tea to clear her mind. Once her weapons were secured at her side, she stepped out beyond the screen, bearing a more commanding presence.

The thought gnawed at her: could these people have spirited her companion away? Though, surely, it could not have been that. Maybe she chose to dress elsewhere.

Her eyes swept the corridor-- looking left, then right, with one hand resting on the hilt of the sword at her side. Slowly, she began to move for the entrance as Ye Yu instructed before.

She must have been overthinking it.

People were attending their business, as usual, stressed men seeking relaxation, lazy ones hoping for something to do or people to meet. A few, riches or important guests perhaps, were accompanied by members of the staff to higher floors, where surely, business would be carried out behind closed doors and private baths.

Discussions spoken with low tones, fainted laughs, sounds of bodies moving in water above... Nothing different from what she’s already seen when she entered the place. On the first floor, Muci was still behind the counter, busy greeting a couple of newcomers and explaining the bath house’s rules. When she noticed the bodyguard stepping down, she took an envelope and handed it over to her assistant, who hastily came to meet her at the end of the stairs.

“You must be Yingzimò-Guniang? We do hope you had a wonderful time and that the baths met your expectations” she said, bowing and handing the envelope with both hands. “We were asked to give you this. Please let us know if we can be of any help.”

She bowed again and returned behind the counter with a strange smirk on the corner of her lips, exchanging knowing glances with Muci.

Yingzimò stood in the corridor, watching the flow of passersby like she was the new bouncer of the establishment, searching from face to face for someone familiar.

When the attendant approached and offered her an envelope, she hesitantly accepted it.

OH NO

Was it the bill?!

In that moment, maybe even a ransom note might have been better.

She broke the seal slowly, dreading what was inside. As the contents came into view, her eyes snapped up toward Muci and the attendant, sharp with unease. What could’ve been so entertaining?

In the envelope was a simple, plain white sheet of paper, carefully folded and keeping a few words freshly written.

Dear Yingzimò,

Thank you so much for the wonderful time together,
It was my first time in this bathhouse also - and it was a pleasure!
I hope you enjoyed your time and that you will for the next coming weeks,
To pay the fees, I got you a position as guard, you need to keep!

Also, to return on my journey, I borrowed your horse!
Watch your language, I do hope you did not cursed!
Maybe you do believe you’ve been screwed?
Enjoy the free shot of adrenaline, nothing of this is true!

- You Yun
PS: Muci has something else for you.

Muci and her assistant were now studying Yingzimò’s reaction with undisguised smiles, even giggling slightly. “Did she pull one of her tricks on you?” she asked with a compassionate tone.

For approximately 10 seconds, Yingzimò was certain she would need to find a window to escape from and vanish from the pavilion.

A surge of adrenaline and rage boiled her blood, truly believing her prized horse was stolen out from under her nose and that she had been taken for a fool. That was, until she read the last line...

Still, there was no way of knowing if even that part of the note was a trick.

She remained where she stood, feigning calm and acting nonchalant, her thoughts turning over several paths she could take to make a swift retreat. She did not answer Muci’s question.

Instead, as she stepped closer, she said, “This claims you have something else for me.”

The assistant’s smile faded, contrary to Muci’s one. She bowed again and retrieved another document from the desk.

“Indeed. Yun-Shimei also left this for you. I hope you like its contents better than whatever she gave you first.
She always had a peculiar way of... 'entertaining' her guests. Or are her guests the ones who entertain her? I’m still not sure.
But if you feel you time with us ran out after such... thorny meeting, please have a last walk through the gardens before leaving?
A garden is full of various flowers. Maybe you’ll find one whose colors will appear to your heart better.”

She handed out the much more qualitative paper, thicker, with a nice creamy tone and its texture was soft to the touch. It was even perfumed with plum fragrances. The handwriting was, this time, much more neat with precise strokes.

“Should I go and let her know her guest won’t be showing up?” the assistant whispered to Muci, who slightly shook her head, her eyes still studying the impassible bodyguard.

If such things could be seen, a chill, dark aura would have emanated off of Yingzimò as she read the contents of the letter. Yet she remained composed, her face tranquil, and only the emptiness in her eyes betraying the storm beneath.

Suspicion still lingered. Could this be another trick, meant to keep her confined to Revelry Hall while Ye Yu fled with her horse and half her possessions? Yet, she knew in her heart that Batbayar was no mount so easily tamed by strangers.

Her gaze lifted from the letter and settled upon Muci with a dead stare. “Will I find Sister Yun at this destination?” she asked, her tone void of any feeling.

She paused to await an answer before turning, intent on making for the exit.

“If she will be there? Are you doubting it? Mhh, I wonder what silly trick she pulled on you... I can’t really tell what crosses her mind, I’m sorry. Yun-Shimei has been the most unpredictable -and somewhat troublesome- flower we had for a long time since she joined. Yet, a formal invitation to the Revelry Hall is not to be taken nor given lightly, so... I suppose she will be? You’re the very first one to get such privilege from her. I guess she does appreciate you. Is it a good news, that... it is up to you to decide” she concluded with a sorry smile.

“Muci-Shijie, should we...” her assistant started, but Muci silenced her with a simple gesture of her hand.

Yingzimò paused at the pavilion’s threshold, considering Sister Muci’s words.

“...Very well.”

She inclined her head politely, then stepped beyond the doorway, the invitation tucked securely in her hand. Her gear gave a soft clatter as she walked-- each step steady and firm. To any onlooker, she made for an intimidating figure, difficult to approach.

But the moment she rounded the corner and slipped out of sight, her composure completely shattered and she started RUNNING.

Her stride unfurled like a loosed arrow, long legs carrying her at a distance with startling speed. One might have thought Imperial guards were at her heels.

Pant, pant...

She bolted past wandering guests with a gust of wind, sending their hair into disarray. Startled cries rose in her wake.

The boat-- get to the boat-- he’d better be at the stables-- and she must be there!

She tore around another turn, skimmed across a bridge, and flew down toward the docks. Spotting the boatman, she hurried forward, thrusting the invitation at his face as she fought for breath.

“I... have... an urgent-- phew-- meeting!”

The boatman looked at Yingzimò with perplexed eyes. He swiped his sweaty forehead with his arm and took the invitation to read it.

“Oh... Sister Yun, huh ? And you still want to go?”

He raised an eyebrow and handed back the invitation. “You’ll have to wait for a bit before going to the main building, I am afraid... It’s time for my lunch break...”

He sat on his boat, opening his bag to get his food.

“You’d better catch your breath before going anyway... If it’s your first time there... The place is... Well. Literally breathtaking!”

LUNCH BREAK?!

Yingzimò exhales sharply, a low groan escaping her as she clasps her hands atop of her head. She paces along the docks, drawing in slow and steady breaths as she lets her heart rate settle.

What else could she do? Forcing the boatman would only make matters worse. She would have to wait. Perhaps the pause would cool her temper as well.

“You seem surprised,” she mentions between breaths. “Are you acquainted with Sister Yun?”

The man opened his lunchbox, waving his chopsticks in Yingzimò’s direction while looking at his meal: white rice with dried plum, grilled mackerel and some marinated vegetables.

“Sister Yun... It’s difficult not to miss her, she’s not really like any other flowers here.” He picked a small carrot and munched it, watching that strange guest. They were all so eager to go to the main building once they were having an invitation... and he could understand it. Yet, his lunch break was sacred! Rowing all day long under the sun was too much tiring to feed only on people’s awes.

“Although she’s fairly new to the gardens, she’s already caused quite a stir” he chuckled between two bites. “Are you one of her patrons?” he asked, now curious.

Yingzimò watched the man eat his meal like an impatient hound-- except it was not his food that she was after.

With another quiet exhale, she halted her restless pacing and lifted her gaze to look across the water to the distant hall. She prayed that this was not some wild goose chase, and that she would find her missing companion waiting within those walls.

The man’s voice drew her back. Her eyes shifted toward him, softening. “So... she is well-known here?” she asked, her thoughts turning quickly to what standing Ye Yu might hold in such a place.

A moment later, Yingzimò shook her head, though she hesitated before she spoke again.

“I suppose so,” she finally said. “Technically, I am her guard. But we came here together.”

“Ooooh her guard, hey? I see, I see.” The man caressed his mustache, thoughtful, eating more rice, then nodded. “You’re simply her employee! You could have told me sooner, hey! Staff members have their own boat to go to the main building. I guess we’re now colleagues if you work around! Zhou!”

Revealing his name, he grabbed and uncorked a bottle to pour some cheap ale in a cup that he handled to Yingzimò.

“For a time, I thought she had found her first patron! But her turbulent attitude... She is causing all the Sisters lots of troubles! And to the poor guests too, her tongue can be either all honey or spicy and sharp! Not to mention I’ve heard she isn’t really skilled in anything, that poor girl. Maybe she’ll eventually learn the ropes...”

He chuckled a bit and resumed his meal.

“Though, it’s strange... she still gave you an invitation?” he mumbled, his eyes returning on the guest or employee.

She accepted the cup with both hands and a slight bow to show courtesy.

“Yingzimò,” she offered simply, tilting the cup back and draining it in a single go. As the man spoke, her gaze wandered, scanning the water for the servant’s boat he mentioned, then returned to Zhou attentively.

At his remark, she shook her head. “I would not say she is without skill,” Yingzimò replied. “She is a very talented poet and is wonderful with her hands.”

Her eyes lowered briefly to the invitation in her hand. Better, perhaps, to remain a guest in a place like this... Else she feared being roped into some unwanted work or obligations after walking through those doors.

“Today I am a guest,” she said assuredly. “She said so herself. We only just come from Springwave Pavilion, and now I...” she paused awkwardly, unsure of this, “...am to enjoy a performance.”

Munch, munch. Munch. Slurp. The man was eating silently, looking at the new official guest as if he was evaluating her. Then, he nodded and packed his lunch.

“You haven’t met any Flower Messengers yet, have you? Nor any Four Flowers or... oh well. You will understand in due time. Fine, fine! Yingzimò-Guniang then. If you’re not on duty today, I still am, unfortunately! Please, hop in, you don’t want to make Sister Yun wait, do you? Maybe she isn’t even there anymore, that would be typical of her. It’s like the ground is burning her feet, she can’t stand on a same place for too long!”

He stretched, armed raised to the sky, drank a last sip directly from his bottle and grabbed his pole back from the bottom of the boat.

“Do you want the scenic tour... or do we go directly to the pier?”

Yingzimò fixed the man with a long, cold stare. Her? Making Sister Yunwait? The audacity of such a statement when he had her standby for lunch.

She seized the opportunity to jump aboard the boat, practically leaping into it and scrambling to a seat at the front, plopping herself down with a heavy breath. As much as she’d probably enjoy a ride around the grounds, she was in a rush.

Her finger shot toward the distant pier. “You said yourself that we can’t keep her waiting. To the pier, at once,” she ordered.

The man, way less in a hurry than Yingzimò, lazily yawned, stretching his shoulders again, checking that he had not forgotten something, taking all his time to store his bag... Only then did he plunged his long pole in the water, pushing the boat slowly, very slowly away from the shore into Pearlglow Lake.

“I did not knew that Courtesans could hire guards... She must have some allowance or savings to indulge herself such services! Is she making so many enemies with her silly tricks, that she need someone to protect her?” he asked with a slightly sardonic tone. “I wish I could swim in taels too... I’ve been working here for months now, but I haven’t been able to make much yet. I’m waiting for the next Heroes Assembly, this time, I’ll try to get into the main building on my break, I want to see the Well of Fortune and get my part too!”

Perhaps emboldened by their shared status of employee, Zhou was starting to blabber and complain to his passenger.

“I do hope she pays you better than what I earn here! How much do you make a month, if I may ask?”

While Zhou dawdled with the pole, Yingzimò would try her best to sit patiently, folding her hands over her lap as she drew in slow, concentrated breaths. The boat drifted across the lake at an unhurried pace, and she would try to enjoy the sights while she could.

Just go with the flow, Yingzimò, go with the flow.

She tilted her head slightly, casting a sidelong glance back at Mister Chatty behind her as he carried on. All she wanted was to reach their destination.

At last, she shot him a brief, sharp look of disbelief. “You truly believe there’s some pot that can magically grant you wealth?” A faint scoff escaped her lips.

Her gaze returned to the water ahead, fixed on the distant entrance that she was certain she could swim. Her body leaned forward, barely restraining her eagerness.

“How much do I earn?” she echoed, weighing the question quietly. This was not the place or person to lament on her foolishness. “I’ve only just begun. You’d fare better staying here-- at least you can take lunch as you please and have your own schedule...”

“If I believe such thing exists? Of course I do!”

Pushing the boat one last time, he let it drift slowly and get to the front, crouching near Yingzimò to talk like they were already old friends.

“Hope doesn’t cost a thing, but if it can make me rich, why would I pass on it? If there are so many people coming at each Assembly, it must be because it’s real, don’t you think? I’m not planning on staying here all my life, you know? Once rich, I’ll get a villa on the east of Kaifeng, with servants and a nice wife. I will help you settle in your new job, I know a lot about the Revelry Hall!” he boasted, giving her shoulder a condescending pat.

“Like... You can get nice tips from guests and heroes, you just have to find the wealthy and generous ones... Flower Messenger also have their own dedicated staff members. It’s a very demanding job but highly rewarding. But if you work for Sister Yun, I fear you won’t get see many taels!”

He cackled loudly, patting Yingzimò’s shoulder again before returning to the back to correct the boat’s direction, seeming to enjoy spending some time with “a colleague” to talk to.

“But don’t worry, I’ll help you find a better position eventually!”

Just her luck... this boat could not go any slower.
Although, maybe it could...

She leaned so far forward on the bench, as if sheer willpower might urge the boatman to row faster. Behind her, Zhou babbled on without end, his voice buzzing in her ear as the water lapped at the sides of the hull. Her eyes closed for a brief moment to keep herself from losing it.

Patience, patience, patience.

Yingzimò forced her thoughts back to her teachings. All things find their course in time. Ye Yu had to be there, right? And yet... what if Zhou spoke true, and she had already tarried too long? No. It had only been a couple of minutes since she fled Springwave.

The hand on her shoulder pulled her away from her thoughts. Something about a wife, he said? She scooted away subtly, offering an awkward, tight-lipped smile.

“I see. It sounds like a lucrative venture,” she replied. “With my help, Sister Yun may earn more taels than any soul in this establishment.”

She paused, then added with a touch of pride, “I am the Pitch-Pot champion of the south, you know. And Sister Yun’s skill is far from ordinary. Between us, we could amass quite the fortune.”

Her eyes flick from the Hall to the boatman.

“If you hasten our journey, I may be able to reward you for the trouble! Uh-- later, of course.”

“Huh... really?” he replied, his eyes suddenly gleaming with a new interest. “Sister Yun and you, working together to make money?”

His smile faltered a bit when reality hit his newborn fantasies. “Oh, a Pitch-Pot champion? Dang, why haven’t you told me sooner?” he echoed. “No wonder why Sister Yun gave you that invitation, she must have seen your worth then! But... Mhh! I’m going to give you another tip for free. But please remember who help you on your first day, when you’ll be drowning in gold coins!”

Abandoning his position again to come closer to Yingzimò, he grabbed her shoulders and leaned close.

“There is already a well-known Flower in the Hall who is really popular with this drinking game. Be careful not stepping on her feet, Yingzimò-ji! Those ladies are very pretty but you don’t want to suffer their unbearable or dangerous dark side! They can make your life hellish! Ahhhhh... Women...”

He nodded and watched the main building slowly sliding away as the boat was drifting again in the wrong direction...

“Don’t forget your good friend Zhou, huh? I’m counting on you!”

And he returned to the back, stretching as slowly as ever before getting his pole back.

“I’m living not that far, in East suburbs of Kaifeng. You and your protégée could come over to reward me!” he added with a knowing wink. “Ah! I see the pier. We should be there... soon enough!”

Yingzimò’s eyes were on the prize-- or in this case, the pier, which felt so close and yet so far.

Then, without warning, she felt a pair of hands settle on her shoulders and his breath at her ear. It was enough to startle her, body tensing with a ripple of discomfort due to the closeness, however, she would fix her expression and listened carefully. One brow lifted with curiosity. It was good she was mostly all talk about being a pitch-pot champion, but she tucked his advice away in her mind.

“I will remember,” she said, emitting an awkward laugh as she turned her gaze away, letting it drift back to Revelry Hall.

Ugh...
“Soon enough” could not come sooner.

She was already poised to move, one hand braced against the prow as she leaned forward, ready to spring off the boat at any moment’s notice. Yet, given how things have gone, she hesitated a moment.

Turning slightly, she asked, “What do they call the woman famed for her skill at pitch-pot? Do you know?”

The boatman let out a loud snort, almost breaking the otherwise serene atmosphere the other guests must be enjoying, when not bugged by a chatty man.

“Of course I know her name, I know everyone around! That’s how business works here! The more you know, the stronger you are! The stronger you are, the richer you can become! Why don’t you come over tonight, I’ll tell you more with a nice meal at my place! I finish my workday by sunset, just meet me where you first board, right?” he proposed, already nodding as if it was a deal.

“Aaaaand... there you are, the Revelry Hall. Just climb up those few stairs and let the magic begins! You’ll tell me how it struck you tonight, ahahah!”

He guffawed loudly again and waved energically to Yingzimò.

“Go before your lady disappears! Good luck finding her in such place though...”

Some help he was.
And... was he inviting her to dinner?

Yingzimò merely smiled and dipped her chin as they reached the pier, seizing the opportunity to spring off the boat the moment it docked. She turned and offered him a proper, grateful bow, even if it was a touch hurried.

“Yep! Xièxiè! Farewell-- okay!” she said, bowing several more times in quick succession. Without waiting for reply, she spun on her heels, her robe flaring at her feet. Her eyes bulge when her back was turned, hoping dearly their paths would not cross again.

Yet now that she had arrived, she could not help but pause.

Before her rose the grand pavilion, towering far above her head and adorned in silken banners. The crowd wore finer garments than she could afford.

Drawing in a breath, she straightened and stepped forward with purpose, just as though she was meant to be there.

Beneath the canopy of umbrellas and lanterns, she turned slowly, unable to restrain her wonder. Her gaze wandered over every detail, drinking it all in, and for a fleeting moment, she nearly forgot the purpose that brought her here in the first place.

Reality snaps her out of it soon as she heard nearby voices and the sound music. Where was Ye Yu?

“I’ll be waiting for you at the Springwave pavilion pier!” he shouted while some other guests were already boarding his boat while other where disembarking more and more people, dressed with expensive silken outfits or loud outfits. Men, women, nobles, merchants, politicians... But also famous martial artists or renowned artists...

Some where already climbing the stairs to get inside the main building, only to be stopped on top of them by some ladies in green and gold dresses, Velvet members, controlling every guests' pass.

“Welcome honored guest,” one said to Yingzimò with a small bow and polite smile. “may I see your invitation?”

Yingzimò winces, a blush reddening her cheeks as Zhou’s voice raises from the boat, load enough to draw unwanted attention from the silk-robed elite gathered along the pier.

Keeping her head low, she hastens into the crowd, steps quick and light as she pushes through. Yet before she can go far, she finds herself coming to a quick halt near the top of the stairs as one of the women of Velvet Shade stop her. Yingzimò’s eyes sweep over the lady’s attire before flicking past her toward the interior.

Her hand moves to her belt, retrieving the finely crafted invitation, then presents it with both hands and bows her head.

“I am here to see Sister Yun,” she said, holding her breath.

The nightclub Revelry Hall bouncer delicately took the invitation with a raised eyebrow. She read the document, a smile of amusement creeping onto her face.

“Sister Yun’s... guest?”

She examined the letter for a long time, her eyes switching back and forth between it and its bearer, maybe suspecting some discrepancy or a counterfeit document.

“Welcome noble guest,” she eventually said, returning the precious sesame to the guest with another bow. “I do wish you a... pleasant time!”

She stepped aside and turned to the other guests waiting to enter, but her eyes still followed Yingzimò inside. Music and voices echoed under the high main stage, whose roof was lost in the light. There were many railings and floors, each with a crowd enjoying the finest distractions: exquisite food tastings, poetry, songs and dance, philosophical talks and rhetorical debates. In every corner of this high tower, people could enjoy a different activity with various entertainers. Others were simply trying to get the attention of the lady of their dreams.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhh” the crowd shouted in unison as some dancers where performing the Sky Dance.

Yingzimò’s gaze lingered on the woman, the smile offered to her doing little to comfort her. But... from what she had been told, she was beginning to understand.

At last, when entry was granted, she bowed once more and slipped through the threshold.

The hall within stole her breath away, slowing as her bright eyes catch sight of the Sky Dance performers floating across the stage seamlessly. It surpassed anything she had imagined, and for a fleeting moment, she forgot the worries from before.

A familiar plink sounded nearby. She turned, watching a game of pitch-pot unfold where a graceful woman played.

Was this the one Zhou had mentioned?

Her gaze swept across the crowd, searching for a familiar face. A ripple of gasps rose from another corned, drawing her steps that way-- but... calligraphy? Boring.

She turned back at last, returning to the center of the room to look around, uncertain where to find the one she sought.

Yingzimò did not have to search the crowd for Ye Yu for long. She might have, had a chorus of startled gasps and sharp cries not suddenly drawn every eye upward, toward a dancer plummeting from the heights.

From such a distance, the fall should have been fatal. Yet, by some impossible sheer of luck, the girl’s leg tangled in her infinitely long silk ribbon, turning death into a violent, swaying descent that slowed only at the very last moment. A spill of purple hair drifted into view mere inches from Yingzimò, followed by an upside-down face beaming at her as though this had been a rehearsed introduction all along.

“Welcome to the Revelry Hall~
I was fearing you’d not be coming!”

Now offered a closer look at The Amazing Spider Girl the dancer suspended before her, the bodyguard could properly get a better look the unmistakable outfit of the Velvet Shades, though where her sisters favored green, hers was hued in imperial purple.

With a graceful twist, she unwound herself and dropped lightly to the floor. Or tried to. Her landing was elegant enough, but the deep breath she drew and the tremor in her limbs betrayed how close catastrophe had come. Still, she bowed with practiced poise.

Ye Yu smiled, her pupils still wide with the aftershock of the scare. She took a few moments to steady her breathing before continuing:

“A guided tour, would it be to your liking?
Give me your hand, walking we shall!
A break from heights would be a blessing
... Unless to fly, you were wishing?” she asked, her hand still tightly clutching her lifeline to remain standing on shaking legs.

Upon hearing the crowds startled cries, Yingzimò spun around just in time to see a figure descending from the upper tiers in a manner that she has never quite witnessed before. Her eyes widened, and she took a cautious step forward.

She watched, half in awe and half in concern, as the woman swept the room with her silk ribbon, spinning gracefully through the air. Then her brows furrow slightly--

That unmistakable head of purple hair...

Yingzimò feet shifted back as the figure drifted down before her, head tilted slightly as she met the woman’s upside-down gaze. Recognition dawned on her then, and a wave of relief washed over her. Finally, now she could relax.

She waited until Ye Yu landed on her feet, though not without noticing the faint tremor in her limbs as she steadied herself. No... plummeting to their end was not on today’s agenda.

“Walking is fine,” she said, releasing a long breath that she had been holding. “Or sitting, even... but, yes, walking.”

Her head dipped apologetically. “I would have arrived sooner, but-- ah... there was a bit of a wait at the docks. You really surprised me. Good... good job.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed this.... Completely planned and practiced show!
Oh snap, it’s Sister Xu, coming this way... Let’s go!
Quick! Take me in your arms, my fierce bodyguard!
Let’s flee upstairs or outside, before I got scold hard!”

Giggling, she let her ribbon go, now delicately putting her arms around Yingzimò’s shoulders, not for a slow, but to jump on her!

“My legs can’t withstand my body yet
But you must be strong enough to carry me, I bet!”

Clutched to Yingzimò like a shell on her rock, she continued to chuckle. A soft scent of plum flower was coming from the purple shooting star who just landed as she rested her head against her guest’s shoulder.

“I wasn’t supposed to... Try this new move. But they dance the same choreography over and over again!
A bit of novelty would not hurt much, don’t you think?” she asked, forgetting she almost got hurt really, reaaaally bad. “It’s so boring to listen to the same refrain!”
“I’m sure your life must be exciting, far from all those things, very mundane...”

Before she could so much as turn her head, a weight fell into her arms as Ye Yu jumped into her grasp. Fortunately, she guessed right, Yingzimò was certainly strong enough to carry her.

She paused for only a moment, standing there awkwardly as her gaze flicked across their surroundings, searching for an escape. Then, suddenly, she darted toward the crowd milling about, slipping between bodies as she makes for the stairs, carrying Ye Yu away before Sister Xu could intervene.

“There was likely a reason you were advised not to practice it,” she said carefully. “Still... it was quite impressive. But, perhaps next time, choose a lesser height?”

Her steps were swift as she ascended, though it was obvious she had no clue where they were headed.

“My life has grown far more eventful in just these past few hours-- I know that much. But I understand your restlessness... such repetition can grow rather dull.” She glanced ahead, then added with a touch of uncertainty, “Uhh... where exactly are we going?”

“From lesser height? Wouldn’t it give me less time to catch up if I fall? Are you trying to get rid of me already?” she giggled again, still carried around like a spoiled child. She seemed to really enjoy it, her arms still clutched around Yingzimò’s neck.

“That would be a pity, really!
Who would help you find more clues about your Lord of Thousand Lives?
To have an ally in this place can be very handy!
The Revelry Hall is a true spies and informants hive”

The circular upper stairs were all quite similar, with rooms for private talks, balconies allowing guests to enjoy the splendid view over the lake and garden, and more stairs to climb to the skies.

“Maybe we could ask around if you’re willing to?
But every piece of information come with a price
And I fear your current salary won’t suffice...
Fine, fine... I’ll see what I can do...
... But be aware your debt just grew twice!”

“Be rid of you? Never,” she said with a soft laugh and smirk. Her gaze swept the second floor before she turned, headed toward a balcony tucked around the corner.

She stole a glance at Ye Yu from the corner of her eyes when the matter of spies arose, and quickly she looked over the gathered faces in the corridor. A few patrons had already taken notice of them-- after all, being carried such as Ye Yu was, is bound to draw some curious stares. Most simply assume the dancer had a misstep.

Only once they slipped out of sightline of the stairwell did Yingzimò ease her hold, allowing Ye Yu the chance to return to her feet if she wished.

“Ask around?” she echoed, a small amount of hesitation in her voice. “We would have to be delicate. One careless question could mark us both--”

She broke off abruptly, stuttering, “--W-wait... my debt?! No, no, no-- forget it! There’s no need to ask!”

“Don’t worry, I’m not shy!
To ask a favor on your behalf, let me just try!” she replied, jumping down, her legs suddenly all strong and steady again.
“Subtlety is my second name!
Just come with me and watch how I deal with this matter just like a game!”

She winced at Yingzimò and hopped inside, now running around, looking for something. Eventually, she disappeared from view around a corner, only to reappear with her musical instruments and a drum she handed out to Yingzimò with a large smile.

“You’ll be my assistant for today’s representation!
Come! Let’s find a good spot upstairs, somewhere everyone can see and hear us!
Don’t you worry... I’ll handle all the narration!
Meanwhile, watch the crowd for anyone who get fussed!”

Her sudden excitement wasn’t really reassuring, but the little tornado was already pulling her assistant inside the building again, attracting more gazes on them.

“There’s no better way to discover a place than to immerse yourself in it!” she declared, making her way between curious patrons. “Sorry, excuse you, we’re in a hurry, move your honorable bums aside, thank you~”

Before she could protest, Ye Yu had already vanished back inside.

Yingzimò let out a soft sigh, brows furrowing as she wondered whether her companion could truly pull this off. Though, surely there could not be anyone of concern in a place such as this. They were safe. Probably.

When she finally returns and hands over the drum, Yingzimò’s gaze would settle on it and linger for a moment, uncertain what she was supposed to do with it. At least it bore no strings or required wind.

“Assistant?” she questions, glancing up--

Suddenly she was dragged back inside, following in Ye Yu’s wake. “Well-- um--uh... Alright. If you believe it will succeed.”

She hurried after her with light and quick steps. To the patrons, she offered a stiff smile as they pushed past, but then she had an idea.

“Ah! Honored guests, do lend your ears to Sister Yun! Her verses are stirring, and if they please you, perhaps they might inspire some coin! Come, come!”

Then, drawing closer, she would drop to a whisper by Ye Yu’s ear.

“Do you think that’ll help?”

“Don’t we say the more, the merrier?
The bigger our audience, the higher our chances to find an answer!
Do gather the guests! Do drum!
Until your fingers feel numb!”

She continues her way until she found an place lit by sunrays. Ignoring every safety rules, she stepped over the railing, sitting on the edge of it, in a precarious balance.

“Oh my... Just don’t look down...” she mumbled, now realising she was still afraid of height. She closed her eyes, her fingers clutching the railing, looking for inspiration.

“Tell me, Yingzi... Is your Lord and his cult... Proud people? Famed ones? Dangerous ones?” she asked.

Yingzimò followed Ye Yu to the ledge, casting a brief glance over the side before opting to sit cross-legged on the floor, her back settled against the railing. Resting the small drum between her thighs, she idly tapped the surface with her fingertips, the soft thrum echoing down the corridor.

“Well... from what we know,” she began, voice low, “they keep themselves well hidden, and can infiltrate other clans and halls easily to bend them to their will. Dangerous, certainly... but famed? No. They thrive in the darkness and do not announce themselves.”

Her brows furrow faintly.

“One survivor spoke of strange masks,” she added, tilting her head to look up to Ye Yu, offering a meager shrug. “But in these lands, who does not hide behind one guise or another?”

Ye Yu glanced below really quickly to assess, first, the height --way too much for her comfort--, and then, the crowd on every lower floors. People were still distracted by all the activities the velvet members were proposing, from simple games -pitch pot, cards, mahjong, riddles...- to intellectual entertainment -poetry, music, songs, calligraphy...-. Only a few noticed the girl, all dressed in purple, whose legs were dangling in the air.

“Psss, my dear assistant, now is your time to put your hands and this drum at use!
Also, I’m counting on you to be my prompter while this show, on the spot I’ll produce!”

Clearing her throat, she raised a hand theatrically and called out her audience just like a speaker on stage, earning curious glances from visitors and from her sisters.

“Honored guests and dear sisters! To the Revelry Hall, on this beautiful day, welcome!
Today’s special will be... whispers! Stories only spoken at nightfall, stories heard... mhh... seldom!
The story to unfold is a conundrum: if you know the answer, there is a surprise!
Make your voice heard above the humdrum and you could win a big prize!

Hem! Hem!

This is the story... of evil, insidious snakes
Hiding their true faces, their appearances are nothing but fake.
Using smiles and courtesy, they get inside one’s home
Sharing meals, sharing bed, sharing heart!
They do not poison by fangs, they’re smart,
They slowly poison the mind, until it’s nothing but foam...”

Leaning slowly backward, she asked : “Any more clue beside the leader’s name?”

Yingzimò lifted her gaze to Ye Yu and gave a small nod before returning to the drum. This... was beyond her usual skill sets, but how difficult could it be? Surely, she could keep a simple rhythm.

Steeling her nerves, she began with a soft roll on the drum, letting the cadence gain strength as Ye Yu called out to the passersby, drawing onlookers closer. It seemed the crowd sensed a tale worth hearing or at least were eager for a bit of gossip.

As she reached the final line, Yingzimò struck the drum once with a resounding note, then lifted her hand away.

She glanced up, briefly side-eyeing the crowd with a flicker of uncertainty.

“Umm... well,” she murmured, lowering her voice to a whisper only for her companion to hear, “we know they make people vanish-- luring the unwary into their grasp, and then... nothing. Once, an entire village was gone without a trace, save for the mark of a six-eyed demon.”

With a faint shrug and awkward glance, she returned to the instrument, giving a little drum roll as more people came closer.

“Also...
am I doing this alright? Should I go louder?”

“You’re doing great! For next part, could you play something like... Dum, dam, Dum dam Dum dam, Dum dam dumm daaaam, DUM DUM !” she sang, explaining the desired rhythm with a low voice.

Straightening her stance back, she gestured toward the increasing crowd.

“Silencious threat, dangerous foes
In just a night, a whole city fell in their wake!
But dear audience, don’t worry, don’t fret! It’s still too soon for your death throes
To save the day and for your sake...”

She leaned back again to whisper to Yingzimò : “Now, the intense drumming part, build the tension!”

Hem!

“To save the day and for your sake
This tale of very nasty snakes comes with a great hero!
...Whose name must remains secret. I can’t tell you she’s called Yingzimò!”

She giggled a bit at her own joke before resuming.

“That valiant sword artist is known for her accuracy
With arrows, be it with a bow or a pitch pot, she shows no mercy!
Our fierce lady travels the lands
Is it for fame or for revenge?
A father’s death to avenge?
The snakes' necks, she wants to break with her own hands...

...but... With only a name and a marking
To find her target, it’s not luck she needs, it’s a blessing!
So... of the Lord of the Hundred Lives, be you his enemies or minions
If you recognise the mark of six eyes demon
Tonight! In the Revelry Garden under the moonlight,
Midnight! Heavy secrets and burden, let’s trade... Or have a sword fight!”

Turning her head towards her bodyguard, she concluded :

“I think I may have kicked the hornet hive!
It is empty? Are they plenty? What do you believe?
Another day, will we be allowed to live?”

Yingzimò inclined her head, catching the cadence Ye Yu sought. She committed the rhythm to memory before striking the drum again, starting with a slow beat.

Dum...dam...dum...dam...dum dam dum--

She kept her gaze lowered, avoiding as much eye contact as possible with the crowd, and pouring all her focus into the drumming.

It’s all for the show,
she reminded herself.

At Ye Yu’s subtle cue, she gave a small nod and quickened the tempo, gathering more and more tension as if they were going to war.

DUM DUM DAM DUM DUM...DAM DAM DAM--

What she did not anticipate was her own name woven into the tale.

A flicker of surprise touched her face, flushing her cheeks. Her hand slipped against the drum’s rim, the rhythm faltering for half a second. Her eyes swept the gathering instinctively, searching for any sign of hostility, but found none.

A ripple passed through the onlookers. A few women frowned with unease, and several men stroked their beards, murmuring to one another in low voices. Two figures turned away altogether, slipping toward the edge of the crowd.

Yingzimò steadied herself, back to her drum roll:

*dr-dr-dr-dr-dr--DUM--*

She cast Ye Yu a sidelong glance and a meager shrug, leaning close to murmur, “You told it well... though, I wonder, if my name was needed?”

Finally, a woman staggered forward from the throng, cheeks red and eyes alight with excitement from the night. “Oh! Oh!” she cried. “I have heard something similar!”

“If it was needed? Mhhh... let me think...” she wondered, tapping her lower lip with her finger.
“No it wasn’t! Are you mad? You’re going to be famous!”
Some more spices in your life, it’s not that pricey, almost ridiculous!
And to be honest: I do not think I made your days more dangerous...”

And jumped off the railing back on the floor, twirling around.

“After all, you aren’t really hiding your quest, are you?
You told me about it quite openly after a day or two...
If those minions were such a threat
They would already have chopped your head!”

Turning to the loud woman, she joined her in a few long strides and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards herself like a tango move.

“You have a story for us, dear lady?
Let us hear it, we can’t wait to hear your voice, pretty!”

Yingzimò let out a soft huff, but offered a submissive nod to Ye Yu.

“Hmmm... No, I can’t argue with that logic. I suppose you’re correct,” she murmured, though she remained uneasy at the thought of notoriety.

Her gaze drifted over the crowd, while idle fingers continued to tap the drum’s rim, carrying a low, steady thrum throughout the corridor. She made sure the beat wasn’t overbearing so that everyone could hear the girl’s story, of which, Yingzimò was keenly interested in.

The woman who stepped forward was finely dressed yet lacked the opulence of some of the more elite women within the hall. She might have been a maidservant or attendant who slipped away to enjoy some of the activities.

She bounced alongside Ye Yu, striving to draw someone’s eye.

“Yes!” she cried, unable to contain herself, her voice full of excitement. “I heard that at Master Fan’s a residence, a grand banquet was held... Strange men attended that night, all wearing peculiar masks. Together they drank and supped and talked of money and grandeur.”

She leaned in, lowering her voice, “But come morning, the young mistress had vanished completely! And what’s most curious of all... Master Fan forbade any inquiry or investigation.”

Ye Yu was making a few dance moves with the lady while listening to her story. She pulled her back into her arms after she finished mentioning the strange disappearance.

“A mysterious banquet held in bright light,
A mistress vanishing over the night,”
Peculiar masks at the party,
Here thicken our mystery...

Maybe our hero should pay a visit to Master Fan?
But to enter the manor, she does need a plan!
Tell me, tell me pretty young lady,
To get into this house unnoticed, what would be your idea?” she sang, continuing her story improvisation... or was it an investigation?

That woman was clearly having the time of her life.

She swayed clumsily beside Ye Yu, her steps lacking any sort of grace, and she laughed giddily and wholly unrestrained. The wine dulled her senses to the point that she paid no heed to the refined ladies nearby as they cast sidelong glances and whispered among themselves.

Yingzimò kept the rhythm of the drum steady, though her attention was on the dancing pair. She leaned slightly closer to listen, her curiosity piqued, and what she said seemed to match.

Now that they stood so close, the attendant looked Ye Yu straaaight in the eyes, her voice lowering, “Well, these days, the household has grown unusually strict with its servants. But...” she hesitated, then continued, “I heard from one of the maids that the residence on the north side of the estate has gone into disrepair. The master forbids any entry-- even to dust cobwebs! She mentioned seeing one of the walls on the upper floor was out.”

“You do overhear many things, little bird,
Do you, by chance, have some last words?
Tell me something interesting, maybe a password?
And I’ll make sure the next sound leaving your lips will be purrs~” she whispered to the slightly drunk woman while she was close to her. She even gently raised her chin with her finger, only breaking eye-contact to give her a little wink.

Ye Yu also was oblivious to the crowd, having forgotten they were all assembled to listen to her story. She was too focused on getting information from her prey informant! Was she even remembering Yingzimò was playing drum nearby?

The woman lets emits a breathy little laugh as her composure further dissolves beneath Ye Yu’s touch. For a fleeting moment, she lingers in place, her mind adrift-- all that earlier excitement over the secret she carried now ebbing away.

“Uhhh...” Her voice falters. She grasps for any excuse to remain longer beside the songstress, already forgetting the one she had hoped to impress among the crowd.

“...Nope! That’s all I heard,” she admits at last. Then, almost as an afterthought-- and mostly to herself, she adds, “I haven’t seen my friend in a long time. I wonder how she’s doing...”

Meanwhile, Yingzimò indeed continues to play, though her wrists began to strain and the melody slowly begins to lose strength. She waited until she given any signal to finish.

There came a slight commotion across the far side of the hall. Judging by the shouting, it appears a lady’s attendant was lost...

“I sent her to fetch the wine an hour ago!”

“My, my, another tantrum?!
Therefore I believe here stops our drum!” she said out loud again, nodding at Yingzimò.
“Will our hero find any answer?
Will she find her way at Fan’s house and its Master?
Come back another time, maybe I’ll tell you
What happen next, if there’s something new!”

Letting the woman’s hand go, she bowed deeply before hopping lightly to Yingzimò, grabbing her hand to pull her again away from the crowd.

“You can leave the instrument here, we won’t need it anymore!
I do hope your hands are fine, I’ll massage them if they are sore!
What do you think of all this little story?
Do you think this... rumor has any link to your Cult leader’s conspiracy?” she asked her assistant, while heading on the balcony again, leaning against the railing to watch the boats slowly drifting on the Pearlglow Lake.

“If I’m not wrong... Fan’s manor should be... over here! Or... maybe here?” she mentioned, pointing two opposite directions. “Mhhh... Are you busy tonight?”

The shout from the other side of the hall was sharp enough to make the attendant girl stiffen. Her face suddenly paled, and with a hurried, “Oops-- gotta go!” she slipped away into the bustle of people.

A unified “awe” rose from the crowd as the story came to an end. And though it was over, it left behind some fresh gossip.

At the tug, Yingzimò rose to her feet, leaving the poor drum behind. It sat there all alone, and so forlorn-- but in the end, it was only a drum.

Once they reached the balcony, Yingzimò settled beside Ye Yu, leaning on the railing as she glanced over the lake. For a moment, she thought she spotted Zhou in the distance and narrowed her eyes, though they were far far away from each other.

“Hmm... it sounds like a good lead,” she agreed. “It wouldn’t hurt to look into it.”

Her gaze drifted in the directions Ye Yu points out.

Then, she gave her a flat look. “No. For I am in your employ. Although... the boatman down there seems to believe I am going to have dinner with him tonight... it’d be best we avoid him.”

On second thought... she tilts her head. Free food? No, no. Terrible idea.

Ye Yu turned her head to look at Yingzimò, her eyes wide like plates. Then, a large grin appeared on her lips and she quickly filled the gap between them.

“Oh ohhh?~ Is that so? This explains a lot!
While I was waiting for my bodyguard to come and meet me
Lady Yingimò was flirting with a man on a boat!
Aannd... so you’re a Ying-Yang girl! Ah, what a pity...” she said with malice, leaning over the railing to look at all the small boats on the lake.

“Which one is it? Do I know him? What is his name? What made your heart melt?
Is he pretty? Is his strong? Is his rich? ... ... Is he... ... carrying... a huge sword under his belt...?”

Yingzimò blinked rapidly, then shook her head at once.

“What?! No! I just said we should avoid him! And I was not flirting with him,” she said defiantly. She waved a flippant hand over her shoulder, refusing to glance down at the boat drifting on the lake.

With her back against the railing, she folded her arms across her chest.

“He was the one chatting me up while I was trying to find you--
But it was only a ruse! In any case, he’s not my type.”
--and to hasten things, I might have agreed to share dinner...

“Mhh mhhhhhh?~” the young Velvet dressed girl answered, curious and definitely not buying a single word of her bodyguard.
“Then do tell me, dear not chatty not flirty lady
... Your type of men, what is it, exactly?”

Her grin was growing larger and larger, as she inspected Yingzimò’s expression.

“Just to be on my guards, if during our journey, such a man, I see!”

Yingzimò would not so much as spare Ye Yu a glance. With her chin tilted high, she kept her gaze on the clouds in a proud display.

However, soon, a long, reluctant sigh escaped her. Her chest rose and fell with it before she finally yielded.

“It isn’t just men...” she began, pausing after a moment’s thought. “But if such a rare specimen were to appear, then my preference would be...”

What followed was less of a quick answer and more like a wandering tale, with a long-winded description of such a man so completely out of her league, that it reached the level of absurdity-- especially for someone in her position. And even if this man did exist, then woof, would she need a sizeable dowry or at least the personality and charm that even an immortal would find irresistible.

What she essentially describes, is this:

“...Anyway,” she concluded with another dismissive hand-wave, “I seriously doubt we’ll stumble upon a prince, so it doesn’t even matter. And Brother Zhou was not it.”

Only then did she turn back to Ye Yu, her countenance softening a bit, and hesitation creeping into her voice.

“Do you think my standards are too high?”

Ye Yu laughed heartily, tapping on Yingzimò’s shoulder.

“Not if you’re ready to use your skills -and I’m not talking about your charming ones- to kidnap that prince of yours!
In Kaifeng, during the Heroes' Assembly, I’m sure there would be men matching your description we could lure
With your martial skills and my songs, we would kidnap them to a remote place! Everyday, they would endure
Your seductive personality until they’d fall in love completely. It would work, really, I can assure!” she giggled.

“But before that moment of the year, maybe you should also give that Zhou a chance, maybe?
I don’t know him, personally, but if he laid his eyes on you, then it’s a man of good tastes!
And who knows? Perhaps one day, he will become a grand lord, covering you in jewelry,
With his own manor in Kaifeng and underground rooms full of gold in safes!”

She continued to tease her companion, now looking at the lake again.

“Zhou! Zhouuuuu! Where are youuuuuu?!” she even started to shout.

“The boatman?! A great lord? I-- no, no thank you. I would sooner stick to my fantasies than--”

The instant Ye Yu began to call the man’s name, Yingzimò sucked in a sharp breath and dropped into a crouch, pressing herself into the shadow cast by the railing. It was instinct, and far more preferable than tackling her companion and causing a scene.

Oh no, oh no, oh noo!
Surely, he had not seen them. They were so high up and far away, at such a distance, there’s no way he could have noticed....
...Right?

Then another thought surfaced, though an unwelcome one, and she knew she’d regret asking, but the words slip out regardless.

“...What if he knows the way to Fan manor?”

Dangerously leaning over the railing, Ye Yu was doing large waving signs from her high position... to someone far away who was waving back at her.

“Mhh! I think I found your lover! Whoa, he rows so fast, I’ve never seen such dedication in one’s simple work!
... Yingzi? What the goose are you doing, hiding? Come on, stand up and say hello to Zhou, you dork!
If he’s working here since a long time, Master Fan himself he may even know!
All the latest news, the secret passages and that north side wall, to reach it, he could tell us how!

Really! You did well flirting around! You should maybe consider joining the Velvet Shades, you’d do great as a spy and informant!” she teased again.

Meanwhile, on the lake, a boat was indeed speeding really fast to come closer to their balcony...

From her crouched position, Yingzimò dared a glance through the gaps in the railing, peering down to the lake below to see the boat zipping across the water with such speed that it was hard to believe.

“What?!” she near shouted, narrowing her eyes for a better look, refusing to believe it was him.

Impossible!
Well... It seemed the man could move swiftly.

“I’m telling you, he wasn’t like that when he ferried me across,” she muttered, slowly pulling herself to her feet.

The only reason she had not immediately snatched Ye Yu away was the chance they might turn the situation to their advantage. Still, a pitiful frown tugged at her lips, knowing Ye Ye was probably right...
...She would have to flirt her way through this.

A little, defeated wave was offered to the boatman down below.

The man shouted them something but, with the distance and all the discussions, music and animation nearby, his words were lost to the wind.

Ye Yu giggled and grabbed Yingzimò’s hand to pull her again -it was becoming a habit- inside the Revelry Hall.

“It is decided then, you’ll be spending the evening -and the night?- with that handsome Zhou!
This is going to be so excitiiiiiing” she exclaimed, being the only one to be excited in the duo. “My bodyguard and the boatman, a dinner, candles... a kiss or two?
I can’t wait for you to tell me everything in the morning! All about Fan’s Manor, yes, of course... But also... How it went! What you ate, how a gentleman he was...
Come! Let’s not have your lover’s longing for you too much! I will bear your absence for tonight, it’s really because it’s for a good cause!”

She dragged Yingzimò downstairs, casting all the guests and her sisters out of her way by shouting loud and clear :

“Move aside! Make way! This is an emergency!
Free the passage, don’t slow us down, this is priority!
Don’t stand in the way of fate!
My bodyguard is having a daaaaaate!”

Yingzimò felt her soul leave her body the moment they left the balcony behind.

As they hurried down toward the first floor of Revelry Hall, the world around her dissolved into a passing haze. All the talk, laughter, and musicians plucking at their instruments... all to be traded for a night with Zhou...

“Ugh...” she groaned, trailing behind Ye Yu with some reluctance. “You’re certain you won’t need me? What if assassins suddenly appear? Or-- you sprain your ankle and need someone to carry you to a physician? Uhh... what if some drunk patron refuses to leave you be?”

Guests scattered aside as the two swept through the crowded hall, though Yingzimò’s steps dragged just a little. Her gaze lingered on the entryway to the dock, absolutely dreading going through those doors.

“And must we call it a date?” she sighs. “What if he cannot cook? Worse-- what if he expects me to cook?! Are you sure you won’t come along?”

“Assassins? Why would anyone want to kill me? If any, then it would be you on a list!
You’re the one tracking down a powerful leader, I’m a mere storyteller, what do I risk?
Noo noo, don’t worry for me my dear Yingzi and do enjoy your night!
I know you’re all stressed and everything, but trust me, I am an expert in delights!
And for dinner... wait...”

She slowed down until a stop then turned around to look at Yingzimò, eyebrows raised.

“You don’t know how to cook?!
Oooh! We do have something in common, look!” she rejoiced. What a common point to share...
“Then if none of you know how to make a meal
Just do as I did when we met: go to a restaurant and after some drinks... make some deals!”

She continued to look at Yingzimò... But this time, from top to bottom.

“Yeah... I see... Ok! Let’s meet your man and confirm the date
Then we’ll have you prepared: you really can’t have dinner like that. Would you dare?!”

Yingzimò searched for any convenient excuse to get herself out of this so-called “date” with Zhou, even though it might yet prove useful in the end.

At Ye Yu’s dismissal, her shoulders slouch a little like a wilting reed under the rain. She offered a simple nod, finally giving up.

“I mean... I can cook,” she muttered softly, “but that does not mean Ishould.”

Her gaze lowered to her feet as Ye Yu’s eyes swept over her from head to toe.

“What do you mean?” she protested at once. “Is there something wrong with the way I’m dressed? I made an effort today!”

Had she truly come here looking like a horse girl? There was admittedly a little mud clinging to her boots, and the hem of her skirt had begun to fray from too many days on the road, and maybe her clothes did stink a little of Batbayar, but surely it was notthat bad...

With a sigh, she asks, “Do you have something in mind? But uh-- yeah, okay... Let’s meet Zhou...”
“...I guess.”

Ye Yu stepped closer to Yingzimò, with the same playful attitude she was having with the noble lady’s attendant, her fingers gently grazing her chin and cheek, replacing a lock of her hair behind her ear.

“And during a date with me, would you show off your cooking skill?
What would you do? Duck dumplings? Braised pork belly? Fished on a grill?
... mhh... Now I’m hungry and curious. You need to give me some money for my meal tonight!
It’s your first payment to repay your debt... Oh, and I’ll add to it my dressing-up service, right?

Now come!”

She giggled and fled to the pier, looking around for the boatman she’d seen for afar. And surprisingly, Zhou was already there, standing near his boat, his long rowing stick in his hand just like a proud warrior would do with his spear. Ye Yu hopped to him with a large smile on her face and started exchanging words with him, both waiting for the main star of the evening to join them... unless she uses the opportunity to run away?

Yingzimò tried to ignore the chill that ran down her spine at the playful touch. She turned her gaze away for a moment, a faint flush rising across her cheeks.

“Well, I could roast pork, perhaps...” she muttered under her breath. “And I faintly remember how to make dumplings.”

But then, the matter of money was brought up.
Her head snapped back toward Ye Yu, and an incomprehensible babbling of word sounds came out of her mouth.

“Bah-- bu-- you-- ugh-- grt... I’m dangerously short on coin!” Even so, she reluctantly reached into her purse and scraped together the bare minimum. “You’re a Velvet Shade lady, aren’t you? Don’t wealthy patrons shower you in coin?”

Her feet dragged after Ye Yu toward the pier, standing at a distance.

Truthfully, this was the perfect chance to flee while she still could. Yingzimò lingered in the threshold, seriously weighing the idea of vanishing into the crowd... yet, what if he did know the whereabouts of this manor and this family? All of this was for the sake of information. Surely it would be worth enduring a little humiliation.

So, she remained where she was, stiff and awkward, until it seemed like they were waiting for her.

Slowly, she approached, muttering a lackluster hello.

“Ni hao...”

“Ahhh! Yingzimò-gunian! I see you came to our rendez-vous! Of course you did!”

Zhou caressed his absent beard and burst in a loud laughter, attracting attention from nearby guests.

“Sister Yu was telling me how much you were eager to see me again, haha! I do understand you, how would you not be impatient to spend the rest of your life... I meant, day, with the best boatman of Kaifeng -and future hero of the next Assembly-? I’ve told you I was going to take good care of you, haven’t I? Well, dear colleague, now is the time for me t-”

“Tût tût tût!” Ye Yu stopped him, stepping between Yingzimò and him before he could reach his future wife her. “She’s not ready to come with you yet! Dining with such a promising hero, she must do me proud, she is my bodyguard after all! So I am expecting her to live up your reputation, as I am expecting you to bring her to the best places in Kaifeng tonight, rrriiight?”

She grabbed Yingzimò’s arm and whispered to her : “And I’m expecting you to bring -lots- of leftovers to me!”

Zhou looked at her, then at Yingzimò, rubbing his head.

“Y-yyeeaaah, of course. Actually, I was thinking of bringing her to ... a very nice soups place...”

Yingzimò stood with her hands on her hips, watching the exchange with a skeptical gaze.

“...Future Hero, right...” she murmured, slow and doubtful. Her frown deepened when he was cut off mid-sentence, leaving whatever he was about to say hanging.

As Ye Yu caught her arm, Yingzimò cast her a sidelong glance and gave a faint nod at the mention of leftovers. “I’ll see what I can do,” she whispered in reply before turning her attention back to Zhou at the mention of soup.

A long sigh escaped her as she weighed her options. In truth, she would have preferred to draw her sword and force an answer from him directly-- but causing a scene was rather dramatic and not worth a night in a cell.

She gave Ye Yu’s hand a small reassuring pat before facing Zhou again, her expression softening at once into the sweetest, most demure smile she could manage. One finger curled a loose of strand of hair, feinting shyness.

“Actually... since Master Zhou seems so familiar with all the finest places,” she said in a gentle, honeyed tone as she lowered her gaze in a modest manner, “I was wondering if perhaps you might take me somewhere near Fan Manor. You know it, right?”

“If I know... Fan Manor? O-of course I do! Ha! Master Fan is in fact one of my old friend, actually! I do carry him a lot around when he comes to visit his favorite girl. A place near Fan Manor, a place near Fan Manor... I... I do know a place! But... I’ll go there to book us a table, it is very popular, you know! Even if they would surely make some room especially for us if I was showing up without notice” he boasted, “but as I’m respectful, I’ll just let them know to prepare us a grand meal! I... just need to go there before, hehe, eeeehm. Let’s meet near... near... a place nearby? Goldwater travelstone, perhaps?” he suggested, looking not that confident suddenly. “In.... two hours? Ooooor... do you want me to come and get you here on my boat, so we can enjoy some trip on Pearlglow lake by the sunset before?” he asked, his voice full of hope, sending a knowing wink to his lady.

The longer she listened, the more she grew doubtful about this whole ordeal. But fortune might yet favor her-- at the very least, the man seemed to know the manor’s location, however, everything else he had to say did seem a little suspicious...

So, when he suggests a trip around the lake, she blurts a stern, “NO.”
Realizing she lost her cool, she immediately softened and played into her demure side. “I mean...” she said gently, “I just... really wish to go to this place you know as swiftly as possible. I shall meet you at the travelstone soon. I need time to prepare myself.”

She turned to Ye Yu, giving her arm a tight, tight squeeze, and an awkward smile.

“Right?” she urged. “I need proper attire.”

Zhou laughed loudly again, this time even getting some whispers and comments from nearby people.

“My dear Yingzimò-ji! I see, I see and I totally understand! You know what they say about women with huge appetite!” he cackled, giving the all sweet bodyguard another very pronounced wink. “Then I’m eager to be your dessert! I meant, to be with you there! AHAHAH!”

He jumped into his boat with both feet, causing it to sway considerably, but surprisingly, the man managed to stay afloat despite the small tsunami he just caused.

“I’m leaving you to get on with your preparations then!” he said loudly, already pushing his boat away from the pier and shouting even more. “Knowing Sister Yu’s reputation, I’m really looking forward for tonight!”

With a large, large grin on his dumb face, he waived frantically before turning his vessel, singing out loud with his gravelly, weather-worn baritone voice.

“🎵 Moon on the river, wine in my bowl,
Tonight my bamboo pole will warm that pretty soul~
Oars on the water, creak goes the bed
By dawn she’ll forget every wise word her mother said.

Red lantern swaying, soft little feet,
She poured me rice wine and called me sweet.
The river runs slow, the night runs long
Tomorrow I’ll boast she begged for my song! 🎵”

Ye Yu looked at the man as he was drifting away, her free hand on her hips. Then she turned to Yingzimò, trying not to burst into a laughter.

“_That’s... PFFHFFRRRRFrrrr!... Sorry.... You... huh... It’s indeed a -how did you called it?-... ”A rare specimen!'_” she mocked, laughing and even ending up coughing. “But at least, I do not have to worries about your high standards, you can definitely get his heart. Well, I think you did already! But let’s put all the chances on your side, come! Let’s find you a proper dress and... Have you perfumed, with some make-up and you need also a few accessories! My my my... My bodyguard will soon steal all my patrons from me...”

...Whaaat...?

....Yingzimò stood motionless upon the pier, watching her victim “date” drift farther away on his skiff, his voice echoing across the water as he sang all about the fortune supposedly awaiting him tonight.

Maybe she would end up in jail, after all.
Given how the day has gone, the thought barely surprised her.

Slowly, she turned her hollow stare toward Ye Yu as her words finally registered in her mind. “My expectations for tonight grow dimmer by the moment,” she muttered. “I may end up punching him...”

With a long groan, she let her shoulders slump and trudged alongside Ye Yu back toward the interior.

“You should make me as unattractive as possible,” she declared. “Paint a beard on my face, perhaps! Wrap me in so many robes that even I would get tired from trying to remove them.”

“... what? I suppose you’re kidding! I have a reputation to maintain! I don’t want people to say that after I helped my bodyguard, she ended up looking like a sick mountain monkey! But... For the clothes, if you like to be wrapped like a gift... I’ll see what I can do! My Yingzi likes to be playful~ But you’ll be sweaty like a fountain, though!”

She giggled and guided Yingzimò to the staff members' pier, boarding a small boat. Their destination? A discreet but cute pavilion, surely a place where Velvet members could retreat to rest, freshen a bit and prepare themselves between their daily activities.

“Come in, come in!” she invited Yingzimò to follow as she enters a room, already piling dresses and clothes on the bed.
“We don’t have much time and so many outfits to try!
Fortunately, you’re quite thin,
All those dress will suit you for sure, it will be a feast for the eyes!”

Reacting to her own words, her stomach started to growl loudly.

“I can’t wait for you to dine... and come back!
Don’t forget your mission, retrieve as much food as possible and don’t slack!
... Ah! And find some useful intel, of course...
... ... mhhh~... A meal with five course...” she drooled, sorting the dress by skin coverage, from the skimpiest to the most chaste -mostly winter clothes-.

Once they arrived at the staff’s pavilion, Yingzimò’s gaze drifted curiously around the chamber before she stepped beside the bed, watching Ye Yu heap the robes and dresses upon the mattress in a pile.

The thought of becoming a feast for Zhou’s wandering eyes made her tense-- and not in the fluttering nervousness of wanting to impress someone, but in a “Oh no, please don’t look at me at all” sort of way.

She gave a distracted nod, fingertips brushing over the lighter silk and admiring the skimpy gowns. Ordinarily, she might have liked them. For Zhou, however, she quietly shook her head and turned her attention toward the heavier robes instead.

“Right... food,” she murmured at last, belatedly noticing the ache in her stomach. It had been many hours since they had eaten anything of substance.

“I think I’ll need a strong drink, as well,” she admits, glancing back to Ye Yu. “When I finally manage to escape, where should I find you? I’m vaguely familiar with Goldwater Street-- it’s not far from the Armaments Bureau. Should I return here?”

Ye Yu, on her side, was holding different short or long skirts, putting them in front of her new doll, trying various combination. Was she dressing Yingzimò for tonight date or for her own pleasure? It was difficult to say. This outfit she was combining would wrap Yingzimò’s silhouette in silk and fire, a dual tone of deep red and smoky black highlighted by gold embroidery and yellow talismans. The top, a crop-top to be exact, was showing much skin, as was the asymmetric skirt, short on the front, long on the back, and secured with a long crimson ribbon, giving it a sense of movement.

“Drink? That’s a good idea! Alcohol helps to loosen tongues and to remove inhibition.
But be careful: too much of it and you may forget your mission
Or even worse... You may wake up in someone else’s mansion” she giggled.
“But you’re a grown up adult, as long as everyone involved has given their consent...”

She threw a pair of necklaces on the bed, with... matching black lace underwear.

“Just in case you need to be more... persuasive!” she continued to tease.
“But too much and he may be speechless, with thoughts... huh... intrusive!
Goldwater Street? Armaments Bureau? I have no idea where those are
You can either return here and ask for me, or... I can follow you from afar.

Your call!” she suggested, holding the bra in front of her, one eye closed, trying to picture her bodyguard with it.

Yingzimò stood quietly as Ye Yu fussed over her, observing as she held dresses up to her figure before setting them aside. Though, the robes she chose grew increasingly... scandalous.

“Yes, yes... perhaps you are right. I can still feel the haze from last night’s wine, anyway. But if I could just get him drinking...”

She trailed off, falling into thought before her gaze drifted toward the delicate undergarments. Her face flushed again.

“D-do you really think I must reveal that much. Surely a little glimpse of leg would be enough?”

When Ye Yu lifted the bra for inspection, Yingzimò instinctively folded her arms at her chest, glaring ever-so-slightly. “I hardly believe all this is necessary. His imagination will explode! Or... worse!”

With a defeated groan, she tilted her head back before finally snatching the garment away, intent to gather up everything Ye Yu had laid out.

“But fine. I shall change, and you may judge the result.”

Gathering the stack of garments into her arms, she slipped behind the folding screen and began to disrobe-- again. Perhaps she might have been wiser to spend the day napping away within the comfort of the Springwave Pavilion... yet that lacked excitement. So, maybe buried beneath all her embarrassment and complaints, she was enjoying herself far more than she cared to admit.

Ye Yu laughed at Yingzimò’s comment about Zhou’s imagination and watched her disappear behind the screen.

“True, maybe you should start with a little bit of innocent skin first
It would be a good idea to measure... or exacerbate his thirst!
If his mouth runs dry, he will drink a lot more and be talkative!
Be careful not to cause him a stroke if you’re being too... suggestive!”

She laughed and peaked behind the privacy screen, leaning on one side with a curious and playful, almost naughty look on her face.

“So far, so good? Do you need a hand?
Oh my! You look more tasty than any food! Next to you, even roasted duck would look bland” she gulped, her eyes on her guard’s silhouette. She disappeared again, leaving Yingzimò to, what sounded like, opening a drawer, then jumping on the bed.

“So Master Fan may be involved in your cult thingy?” she asked from there, some paper ruffling being made.
What if, of his engagement, we do find proofs?
Will you try to make him talk too, to locate the leader and end his story?
You’yy have chou be perchwuasive again, che’s a noble. A worg from him, and you go... pooof!” she munched.
“Mmmmh... Do you have any connechions?
Allies or friends who may invite you to a recepchion?”

Yingzimò cast a glance over her shoulder when Ye Yu snuck a peek. This time, however, it didn’t seem to surprise her nor did she flush with embarrassment. Instead, a soft breath of laughter escaped her lips, finding some amusement in the thought of Zhou keeling over from ✨sexiness.✨

She turned slightly, peering down to her backside at Ye Yu’s offer to help.
“I... think I got it. But does it tie in the back?”

One brow lifted when she heard Ye Yu eating. Leaning past the folding screen, she tried to catch sight of what she had gotten hold of. Was she hoarding food in here, after all?

“Well...” she began slowly, mulling over the lines of questioning. It’s possible she had not considered every step of the matter, things have been happening so quickly, she had not much time to really sit down and think. “It would be best if I could slip into the manor undetected and try to gather evidence without Master Fan ever knowing. Like receipts or... something.”

Bit by bit, she withdrew behind the screen to finish dressing, growing a little more doubtful about this plan.

“Reception?” she asks to clarify. “I... what sort of reception?”

After a minute, she shuffled out from behind the screen, checking herself out while several ribbons drag loosely behind her. Drawing one closed fist to her open palm, she lifted her chin and asks, “How does this look? Am I still intimidating if I threaten to strike him?”

Ye Yu was looking at the ceiling, eating some rice crackers she got from her secret stash.

“A reception, any kind, if you want to appro---”

She froze when Yingzimò exited her cover. Her eyes ran on her bodyguard’s body from top to bottom several times consecutively and she even forgot the cracker she was about to put in her mouth.

“-----... huh? Huh, sorry, I... My, my.
That’s not good, that’s not good!
In this outfit, you’ll leave him speechless, jaw dropping
How are you going to make him talk if he keeps on starring?” she asked, quickly looking away and digging into the pile of clothes to hide her slight blush. “Or at least, take something to cover yourself a bit, that’s so... naughty!” she said, wearing not that covering clothes herself.

“You.... look... mhpf! ... -Okay-” she eventually mumbled, glancing at her before quickly focusing, a bit too intensely on a random cloth.
“If you’re feeling comfortable in those,
Let’s find some accessories to go with the outfit you chose.
Seductive or threatening, I think that your Zhou lover will love it either way...” she continued to grumble, with a hint of... jealousy in her voice?

“First thing first, we need to find more intels on Master Fan
Let’s not go too fast rushing things, let’s stick to the plan!
You’d better not forget me... I mean, to bring me some food
While you’ll be having the best time of your life with that... dude...”

“The only people I’m close to are my mother and uncle... and a few... colleagues,” she said after a moment’s thought, her gaze gravitating toward the outfit she had on.

She gave a small, defiant stomp.
“I thought that was the entire point! Let it be known that I was the one who chose the prudish robes from the start.”

Letting out an exasperated sigh, she strode over to stand behind Ye Yu as the other woman sorted through the accessories intently, seemingly far more focused on those than on her. She arched a brow and leaned slightly to the side to study her face. Yingzimò’s eyes narrowed faintly, as if trying to unravel Ye Yu’s thoughts-- perhaps catching that subtle hint of jealousy.

“Hmmm...” she hummed, staring for a long moment before gesturing toward a dark cloak.

“What about that? I could wear it over these robes, and it would conceal my sword as well,” she suggested. Then, after a brief pause, she added more gently, “And do not worry. I will not forget about you. The time of my life? As if! I’d sooner try to conjure the dead... But I will gather the information and return with dinner as quick as possible.”

Still looking away -oh, what an interesting choice of cape-, she swallowed her crackers and quickly pulled another subject.

“Sword? Why would you carry a weapon to a date?
Are you considering making a skewer out of him?
Do you fear what could happen if you end the dinner very late?
Or are you afraid of darkness, when streets -and bedrooms- lights dimmed?”

She grabbed the cloak but quickly threw it away.

“Nah, it won’t suit your outfit. Better go without!
It would also give you an excuse to steal his coat
An easy way to go thought his pockets when you’ll go out
Or to go to his place. 'He will take good care of you', quote!” she said, almost sarcastically.

Was she upset about her own plan? She eventually looked at Yingzimò again, about to say something blunt judging by her momentum but she looked surprised again at how close her bodyguard was. Or perhaps by how good her outfit made her look. She stayed speechless again for a few seconds then mumbled : “R-rright. Take those earrings... a pchit or two of sweet fragrance and we shall go before I... before Zhou believes you stood him up.”

Indeed, the sun was slowly sinking towards the horizon, painting the city in orange lights, and they still had to walk all over their rendez-vous location.

Yingzimò reached for the cloak the moment Ye Yu cast it aside, but it slipped just beyond her grasp.

“Wha-- go WITHOUT my sword?!” she blurted loudly, stricken with surprise. That blade never left her side; it was just as essential as underwear, and she never went without it.
Usually...

“I can’t just abandon it! Look, I can-- uh.... hide it under, er... my skirt, yeah!”

She tried. Poorly.
The sheathed sword pressed awkwardly against the fabric, lifting on side of her skirts crookedly, as though she had suddenly sprouted a tail from her left-side hip.

Her brows lifted when Ye Yu spun around as if to speak, only to stop herself. Yingzimò caught it immediately-- though she was a little oblivious as to why. Still standing close, she leaned nearer with a sly grin.

“Mm? Is our Yóu Yún perhaps feeling a touch... jealous?” Her tone teasing. “You could come along, too~ We both can wow Zhou together, then leave immediately.”

She nudged Ye Yu lightly in the backside with her elbow before glancing around for the earrings. Finding them, she swapped out her own and tucked the originals into her purse.

At last, she let out a long, reluctant sigh.
“Fine. I guess I’m ready...”

Wait... She sometimes does not wear underwear? o_o

“Who is talking about abandoning it!
You’ll simply leave it here, or if it can ease your mind
I can carry it while you’ll be dining, with Zhou confined
You can trust me, I won’t go to any pawn shop to get the most of-” she was saying in a very teasing tone, blurring the line between jokes and real threats, but stopped, her cheeks coloring with a soft shade of deep pink.

“W-what?! What is that nonsense?! J-jealous, me?
Of w-who? You? Zhou? W-why would I be?
Aaaat the very least, I could be envious, you’ll be eating for free!
B-but let’s go, let’s head to the rendez-vous... Me, jealous... you’re silly.”

She held out her hand... but not to take Yingzimò’s one.

“... Your weapon, miss! You’re only ones for tonight will be your charms!”

Yingzimò did not look entirely convinced, especially with the way Ye Yu stumbled over her words. A faintly mischievous smile lingered on her lips as she uncorked a small vial of fragrant oil, dabbing it lightly onto her wrist before rubbing them together.

But wait-- what is she doing? Perfuming up for Zhou? She’d rather roll around in the barn! She quickly puts the oil back.

“Mhm... mhmmm...” she hummed in disbelief while listening to Ye Yu’s defense. Stepping away from the dressing table, she turned to join her companion’s side. “You’ll be eating for free regardless, since I’ll be bringing food back.”

Her hand instinctively brushed the hilt hidden awkwardly beneath her skirts. Instantly, she turned aside protectively, shielding her coveted sword. Her poor beloved blade... without it at her side, she felt naked and vulnerable.

After a long moment of reluctance, she tugged the sword free, struggling briefly with the folds of her skirt before finally offering it over.

Then, just as Ye Yu might take it, Yingzimò pulled it back again.

“You must swear you’ll guard it with your life.
...I truly dislike the thought of going in unarmed.”

Ye Yu’s cheeks went red again, this time not from the view Yingzimò was offering, but from her words.

“W-what, don’t you trust me? Is... is it because of the small joke about your horse?” she asked, a bit pouty, crossing her arms on her bust.
C’mon, it was funny, wasn’t it? You can trust me, I’ll protect it against... mh.... greed!”
You know, I’m a very strong martial artist, no risk of having it stolen by thugs or worse!
You can enjoy your date, worries-free! Oh, speaking of horse, while you’ll dine, I can have it feed?”

She stretched her hand again, asking the warrior to entrust her the precious weapon. It was... only two days since they’ve really met and she was already asking for so much from the brunette! But she could be trust, right?

“You’re... We’re going to be late! We don’t want to have to run there and be all sweaty, do we?”

A loud gurgle from her stomach concluded her sentence. She cleared her throat, pretending she heard nothing.

The joke about her horse might have been a big part of her mistrust...

She considered for a long moment, looking at the woman’s outstretched hands before she heard another gurgle from her stomach. With a sigh, she gently placed the weapon into her hands.

“Alright, fine. I’m trusting you to keep it safe,” she said, planting her hands to her hips as she looked seriously at Ye Yu.
“...And yes. The horse probably needs to be fed.”

Finally, she turns to head out the door, lifting the skirts so they didn’t drag. “We might have to run there a little bit. That street is on the other side of the palace? Wait-- are you coming with?”

Once Ye Yu was ready, Yingzimò would start at a brisk pace, with ribbons and tassels fluttering in the wind behind her.

“No need to rush,” she called, contradicting her own hurrying previous comments. She looked for somewhere on her outfit where to attach that new item and seeing at how she was handling it, it was pretty easy to see she had never manipulated such weapon in her life.
“Even if you’re very eager to see your crush,
It’s important to know when to make an entrance:
Let him cook a bit. You appearing like a goddess must be his life’s sweetest remembrance!”

She hastily caught up with Yingzimò, visibly uncomfortable with walking armed, while carrying bunch of instruments was fine. Habits, perhaps.

“If I’m coming with? I’ll accompany you to the stables, it should be on the way?
I have still much to do in the Revelry, patrons to entertain... otherwise, my bodyguard, I can’t pay!”

It was a bold comment, considering Yingzimò’s wage was the astronomical amount of... 0 wen.

“Why that? Are you shy walking in Kaifeng in such attire?
Fearing to get followed by a bunch of satyrs?
Do you need me to be your new bodyguard?”

She giggled.

“Are we reversing roles? I mean, being a warrior should’nt be --that hard--!”

“My crush!?” she bursts, aghast.

Her nose wrinkled as she shook her head, walking ahead-- quick for a few breaths, then slow again-- as though she could not decide whether to rush or turn back entirely. In the end, she settled on their brisk pace. Better to get this date over with quickly.

“I would never have feelings for that man. This is solely for gathering information. Honestly, now that I think about it, we could have asked any rich patron. Gah...” She flung her hands in exasperation, only to be distracted a moment later by a cluster of flowers by the walkway.

She stopped for half a second before stomping onward. No time for flowers.

At the mention of payment, she cast Ye Yu a deadpan look before glancing down at her sheer skirts fluttering around her legs.

“I am not shy,” she huffed. “I would rather dress this way for someone I favored. Anyway--”

Her gaze shifts to her weapon Ye Yu held. “Being a warrior is difficult. Didn’t you just say you were a martial artist?”

“A partial artist? What did you say!?
Oh, martial? Uh, of course... I’ll show you one move or two, another day!” she eluded, picking flowers from the very cluster Yingzimò was looking at.

“Here, come closer!”

She hopped back to the maiden and placed the delicate plant-based decoration in her hair.

“Never say never!
Every rich patron was once a poor silly man in love
Except, perhaps, for heirs from powerful families, princes from long-standing dynasties, and all those types of men you’re such a fan of!”

Her stomach growled again when the duo walk by some food stands and restaurant from which appetising smells of grilled salted fishes and various stews could be smelled.

“Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up liking that Zhou guy?
Have you already had love stories so far? Been through jealousy, desire and cries?” she asked, her pace slowing down almost to a stop in the restaurants' street.

Yingzimò dipped her head just enough for Ye Yu to tuck the flower into her hair before the two carried on their way.

Although, she might be looking a little too good for Zhou...

By the time they stepped into the bustling street, she too would catch the scent of sizzling meat, fish, and stews. Her stomach tightened faintly at all the delicious smells, and despite last night’s grand banquet on her purse, hunger still had a way of creeping back in.

“It almost sounds like you want me to take a liking to him!” she teased, forcing herself to ignore the tempting aromas as she strode forward.

At the mention of past romance, Yingzimò’s expression shifted ever so slightly. She turned her gaze away, suddenly far more interested in the architecture lining the street.

“I... don’t know,” she admitted softly. “It’s complicated. There may have been one or two.” Her fingers brushed lightly against the flower in her hair before glancing back to Ye Yu.

“And you? Someone from Velvet Shade must receive admirers every day. Has there ever been anyone you really liked?”

“What? No, I don’t want you to like him! Not him specifically... I just...
I... Coloring our lives with beautiful feelings, it is a must,
Red passion, pink tenderness, yellow happiness, blue serenity, green curiosity
Love makes everything more vibrant, you live the world with such intensity!”

Her tone became more nostalgic and sad as she continued her verses, now looking at the sky while strolling slowly, her hands carefully set in her back.

“But... But it can be a drug difficult to quit...
In the melons fields outside of Kaifeng, there, her, I did meet...
I felt in love for the very first time, for a clumsy white doe.
Our story was short, intense but destined to woe,
She was very sick, had dangerous foes.
...They... Stole her from me, right before chūnjié
... But I-... Don’t want to kill the mood with sad stories of people passing away...!”

She forced a smile, her eyes watering but she pretended it was caused by smoke from a barbecue nearby. As she realized they were closing their destination, she quickly switched the subject.

“Let’s make a new deal! After your dinner, when you’ll bring me food, let’s talk about your lovers! Those one or two complicated people and how Zhou fits in your heart!”

How this unilateral exchange was a deal, it was a mystery.

Yingzimò kept pace beside Ye Yu, keeping an eye on people they pass and the different eateries lining the street as the lanterns were being lit for the evening. A faint crease tugged at her brows, though it eased when Ye Yu’s voice softened.

She glanced back at her companion, listening quietly as she told her tale of love. After a while, her eyes lowered to the stone path beneath their feet, feeling a sense of empathy for her friend. It was plain enough to her that it wasn’t the barbeque smoke that brought on tears, but Yingzimò only offered a small, understanding smile.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured softly.

Her gaze lingered on Ye Yu for a moment longer before turning back toward the road ahead.

Yet the request caught her off guard. She stuttered, as words tangled awkwardly on her tongue before she finally managed, “O-oh uh... weeell... Eugh. I suppose I could, if you truly wish to know. It’s just... not something I often speak about with... others.”

A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment.

“...It seems I will need that wine after all.”

Ye Yu quickly wiped her wet eyes and smiled at Yingzimò, hopping again with her light footed approach.

“Ooh I can’t wait for your return tonight!
... F-for the fun stories and all the delights!
I wonder w-”

Yingzimò would never know what she had in mind as a loud, manly and excited voice called them out from across the street.

“YINGZIMÒ-JI! YINGZIMÒ-JI! IT’S ME, I’M HERE!”

No doubt, her date was on time. Dressed to impress with mismatching clothes and shoes, way too much colored, he was waving at them with both arms. Some bypassers giggled when looking at this eccentric character.

” Look! Who’s that, an entertainer?
- Have you seen his outfit?” a couple of women puffed.

Zhou, surely oblivious to all the attention, ran toward Ye Yu and her bodyguard, almost causing an accident with an incoming cart full of goods.

“Yingzimò-ji! You’re... Girl, you shine brighter than a fat carp in morning sun!”

He stopped to admire the girl, his eyes running on her, top to bottom, several times, starring at some parts way too long, jaw half dropped. He would surely have drooled if Ye Yu hadn’t spoken up.

“Weeeeell... Dear fishy.. Sorry, Yingzi,
I’m leaving you in good company!” she teased, trying to not burst into laugher again.

Yingzimò was far too invested in what Ye Yu had to say to notice the man lingering farther down the street-- at least, not until his voice rang out loud enough to turn heads.

Her steps halted at once.
And for a fleeting moment, she genuinely considered turning around. What unfolded before her was so painful to watch.

The corner of her mouth twitched, and her eyes were half-lidded with a look balanced somewhere between unamused and humiliation.

It was the exact expression her mother used to strike her upside the head for as a child. Whenever her grandparents arrived at village festivals with some garish little accessory crafted specially for her-- a ridiculous flowered cap or some straw cloak that made her into some sort of abomination.
Evennow, she could almost feel that phantom smack descends on her head from a distance, followed by some quiet lecture about her “future prospects.”

The thought made her grimace.

She quickly smoothed her expression, managing a strained smile and she lifted her hand to shade the embarrassment rising across her face. Only after the man planted himself before and blurted his... compliment... did she finally grant him an ounce of her attention.

“Oh...” she murmured softly. “No one has ever... said such a thing to me before.”

Then Ye Yu mentioned leaving.
She immediately turned toward her with widened eyes, begging she did not go.

Help me.

“...I mean, if you truly must go,” she said carefully, “you’ll need me to return in roughly... t-two or three hours, yes?

That should be enough time to eat, pry out whatever information she needed, and flee before it could get any... worse.

“Oooooh nooooo... I will be fine, don’t worry! Take all the time you need!” Ye Yu replied with a large grin.
“It’s not everyday you get to dine for free with such a hero who knows no greed!
I would be devastated at the thought of having cut short such an exciting evening!
Zhou, I’m entrusting you with my Yingzi, please take good care of her! Now, I’m leaving!”

With a last small giggle, she waved at her bodyguard and quickly fled, disappearing in the crowd.

With his hands on his hips, Zhou continued to stare at Yingzimò as though he had X-ray vision. When Ye Yu left, he nodded, put his large, calloused hands on Yingzimò’s shoulders and pulled her closer to him. One of his arms was now wrapped around her neck as he walked down the street, pointing at the different stores with his other hand.

“Ah! Sister Yu certainly recognizes people’s worth and talent, doesn’t she? Look at this street, one day, all those stores will be mine! Though for now, most of them are Master Fan’s business. We are going to dine at the best dumplings' shop of all Kaifeng, I do hope you’re hungry! The cook works hard but I still get the sweetest thing at my table tonight! Maybe I should save room for dessert?” he asked, giving his date a powerful nudge and a knowing wink before laughing loudly.

“There we are!” he announced proudly, stopping in front of a small, unpretentious local restaurant. Old wooden furniture and simple stools on the terrace, a worn-out noren, an old wrinkled and stooped man with no hair under his cook hat... The place stood out like a sore thumb between the two other big restaurants.

Yingzimò watched Ye Yu’s retreating figure disappear into the crowd with a long frown on her face.

Oh, how she loathed being left alone with this man.

Slooowly, she turned her head back, only to catch his gaze lingering shamelessly over her figure. At once, she folded an arm across herself, guarding what little dignity she had left. Yet before she could do much more, his arm had already slipped around her shoulders and swept her away.

She stiffened, awkwardly allowing it while keeping as much distance between their bodies as possible, her hips angled away.

“And what makes you think all these shops will belong to you?” she scoffed lightly.

Then came the sudden nudge, enough to throw her balance off for a beat. Her entire body went rigid afterward, as straight as her spear-- which she unfortunately had to leave behind. If he dared try it again, he’d nearly bump into a stone wall.

When they roll up to the modest dumpling place tucked between two other restaurants, Yingzimò took a moment to pause and faintly quirked her lip as she looked it over.
For some reason, she had expected something more... grandeur.

“Oh.. dumplings,” she chimes, forcing a little enthusiasm. “You really know how to treat a lady.”

She stepped inside, sparing the cook a brief glance before approaching one of the wooden stools. Out of habit, her eyes swept every corner of the establishment, inspecting it from floor to ceiling. Once satisfied, she brushed the seat clean and carefully lowered herself down, taking care with the garments she had been lent.

“So... many of these establishments belong to Master Fan?”

Contrary to what Yingzimò may have expected, Zhou did not sit across the table. Nooo, that would have been too easy. No. Zhou decided that it was more friendly to sit directly next to her, on her right. That way, he was still able to put his arm across her shoulders, while showing the small wooden slates on the wall with half-erased inscriptions.

“Right?! Dumplings are so underrated! The subtle mix of noodle and stuffing! It’s like a soft treasure chest hiding something warm and tasty!” he said, his eyes looking at another kind of chest. “I’d recommend the Guo Tie or the fried Wonton! Maybe some Shen Jian Bao? Or perhaps you want a bit of everything to try them all? Ahahah, Yingzimò-ji, you’re such a big foodie! You know what they say: A woman who eats well loves well too, eh?! Hahaha!”

He waved at the old tenant, signaling he was ready to order.

“My lady will have a bit of everything! Heeeeeee, just one of each actually, I haven’t been paid yet... And I’d be sad if she doesn’t have room for dessert later tonight! Hahaha! Ah! And wine! Ahhhhhhh... Heem. Mhh. Yep yep...”

He nodded, quite satisfied of himself and now at loss for any other comments. He watched the empty restaurant before starting his speech again.

“Yeaaah, Master Fan owns many places around here. But he has slowed down his expansion in this part of Kaifeng lately. Apparently, someone has been robbing his coaches carrying fine goods, do you believe it? Master Fan has had to increase security, which is costing him quite a lot! Ah! Maybe I should propose my services as bodyguard too, what ya think?” he asked, bulking up his biceps.

She tucked her arms closer to her body when he settled down beside her, yet she could not escape him long. With his arm draping itself across her shoulders again, it caused her to spine to stiffen once more.

She listened in silence as he enthusiastically named every variety of dumpling the establishment had to offer, not once speaking up. Her? Thefoodie? Although, her stomach did give a faint growl.

...Wait-- he hadn’t been paid yet?!

Her gaze snapped back toward him, brows knitting as she stared for a long moment while he remained busy surveying the restaurant. Fortunately for him, he seemed entirely oblivious to the dagger-sharp look aimed his way.

But finally, he arrived at the interesting part.
She stills her icy expression for the sake of information and dinner. Against her better judgement, she relaxed her posture and let out her sweetest giggle when he flexed his arms proudly.

“Heehee... Wow! So strong,” she cooed, reaching up to give his muscles a firm squeeze. “Someone has been robbing his coaches, you say? That’s terrible!” Then she gave him a little swat on the arm. “You should absolutely apply! I... I could even accompany you when you go, and I’ll tell them about how formidable you are.”

Zhou, getting reddish while he had not drink a drop of wine yet, started to stammer incoherent things. He cleared his throat and pulled Yingzimò even closer -if such thing was possible-, his hand now resting on her hip.

“Ahahaha my dear Yingzimò-ji! You haven’t seen the most interesting part yet! I have plenty of muscles everywhere! Bwahahahaha!”

He teased her vigorously and poured them both a glass of alcohol, gulping his down in one go.

“Bweaaahhh...~ Working for Master Fan?... Y-yeah, I should probably think about it but... Heeeh... Y-you know, many important patrons are counting on me to, ehhh, bring them here and there on the Pearlglow Lake! I’m the fastest of all Revelry Hall! Well, faster, but I also know when to take my time! Bwahaha!”

He winked at her lady, his breath smelling like cheap ale.

“Buuut you’re a bodyguard, aren’t you? Want me to apply as guard also? Want me to be your mentor? Heh! Already trying to get me into a new position, closer to you, heh?! Don’t worry, we’ll find many of that kind tonight bwahahaha!”

He poured himself another glass and swallowed it again, either being thirsty -he sure was, but not for drinks only-, or trying to fill his courage gauge. His fingers started to tap on Yingzimò’s side while with his free hand, he pushed her glass, preparing a toast.

“To your -formidable- mentor and to my new disciple HAHAHA! Ahhh I’m hungry, I should order something too... ... Heh, do you have some spare money?”

Oh, the surge of pure loathing coursed through her veins the moment his hand settled on her waist and drew her nearer. Her eye twitched faintly, shoulders tugging inward as if she could somehow make herself smaller in his grasp.

“Heheh... h-heeeh...” She uttered such an awkward laugh, then cast a cautious glance over him, but she hardly needed to guess what he meant.

Salvation arrived in the form of cheap booze, and quickly she snatched up the offered cup and drained it in a single swallow. She extended it again without shame, demanding another fill.

Her eyes rolled at nearly every word that spilled past his lips, but after a moment she clucked her tongue softly and formed a slight pout. “Ooh... then perhaps the Great Zhou could at least show me the manor so I could apply later?”

As she spoke, her fingers teasingly crawled up his arm-- that was until he had the AUDACITY to ask her for money. She couldn’t even believe it! Well... she could, but there was no way she was going to spend a single, precious coin on him. Suddenly she flicked his arm.

“Me? Pay? Surely a man of your reputation has not fallen into poverty?”

Zhou, too happy to share more alcohol with Yingzimò, emptied the bottle in her glass up to the brim.

“Ahaha you’re such a honest girl! I like that! You know what you want and you’re going for it! That’s why you’re here, right? Bwahaha!”

He shook the poor girl some more, tapping her hips and below cheerfully.

“Weeeell, you see... Being popular just like me, it’s... complicated! People asking to drink everytime, I’m always in parties and receptions! And being so generous, I have to pay for everyone! That is why I am so poor... but money isn’t important!” he said, contradicting his own tale. “I’m already on the path to be the next Great Hero of the East, then, swimming in gold, it will be just like sand: many and insignificant. So I... uhhh... Enjoy it’s value while I can! And uhhh... Well, I’ve been enjoying it a bit too much lately, see? So huuu... Heh... But I’ll repay you!”

He nodded, seemingly pensive... or just an excuse to fixate Yingzimò’s chest again.

“Yeah, I can totally repay you with a service! I, heeeem, can show you Master Fan’s place, before we go to mine? That’s a pretty good idea actually, you’re such a daring woman, Yingzimò-ji! Buuuut take your time or I’ll believe you’re not hungry only for the dumplings! Héhéhéhé!”

She draws in a deep, deep, deep breath, holding it within her lungs before exhaling all that tension and frustration in her chest.

And that was it. After this meal, her purse would be completely empty. Every copper she had scraped together at the pitch-pot game was about to fly away just like those arrows... all for dumplings.

Without hesitation, she throws back her second cup of cheap ale in one burning swallow.

“Fine! I might as well, right?! RIGHT!? After all, I’m DROWNING in money!” she snaps, smiling so hard that she was baring her teeth.

“Cook! Two more orders of sweet dumplings! And pack one to go!”

Only after the words leave her mouth does she realize she may have lost her composure. She turns back to Zhou with a little laugh, nudging her shoulder into his side. “Heheh... Sorry. I’m just... so excited... a-and hungry. You-- uh-- don’t live far from the manor, do you? But yes, definitely show me on the way to your...”

She pauses for a half a second...
“...Your house.”

“AHAHAHAH what a temper! You’re really a fierce woman, aren’t you?! Fire in the heart, fire in the bed as they say!”

He laughed loud and loud, but fortunately, there were no other guests in the restaurant. The old tenant arrived with the order, was smoking hot on a plate and one in a little box, ready to go. There was also another bottle of wine.

“Heeere Xiaojie, the wine is on the house” the elder mumbled with his mouth full of holes. “At last, Zhou-Di brings us his wife to meet! It’s been so long I’ve been waiting for him to do the presentations! Please do take good care of that fat brainless dog, heeh? I’m looking forward to seeing you often and give him pleenty of kids, heeeh?”

He nodded, just like Zhou used to do, and returned behind his counter while the brainless dog was looking all embarassed.

“C’mon! Don’t talk to me like that in front of my wif-... my.. Hhemmhehmm!”

The boatman pretended to choke on a dumpling to avoid clarifying anything and quickly changed the subject.

“Eeeeerrr, sooo emm Yingzimy” he started, “Yeaaah I do have my own manor buut errr... it is currently undergoing renovation so... I am renting a place outside of Kaifeng... but it’s a nice place, with a very sturdy bed, you’ll see! Even a fierce bodyguard like you won’t be able to break it, dare to try? Ahaha! Fine fine fine, we’ll go after you finish eating then! You hear the old man, heeh? Soon, you’ll have to eat for two AHAHAH! But don’t worry, I told ya I was going to take good care of you, and the Great Zhou always keeps his word!”

She could not quite hide the wrinkle of distaste on her nose at being mistaken for the man’s wife, but this was her life now...

For tonight, at least.
Or so she hoped.

It took every bit of self-restraint not to flip out and overturn the plate of steaming dumplings she had technically just bought, and inform Zhou mercilessly that she would NEVER bear him children.

Instead, she calmly drew the bottle and takeout box nearer to her side of the table, staking her claim. She lifted a freshly steamed dumpling and bit into it quietly. Too quietly....

Zhou could likely feel the side-eye she cast him.

“Mmmmhmm...” she hummed softly around the bite. “Just as you took care of supper, hm? Hehe. I tease! Naturally, the great Zhou will look after me well... and I, in turn, shall look afteryou tonight.”

She leaned toward him to rub shoulders.
“After our stroll-- past the manor. Also, I require custard tarts! You can at least get me some from a stall on our way,” she added pointedly, finishing the dumpling before reaching for another.”

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer.... yeaah I guess so! Ahahah Of course I can find you errr, custard tarts!” he said, trying to sound confident. “Let me just... Give me a minute!”

He reluctantly removed his hand from Yingzimò to get up, quickly disappearing behind the counter where whispers from him could be heard.

“Uncle, can you please lend me some wen? I need to get some... to get even more gifts to my wife!
- What? More money? You expensive cricket, I’ve been feeding you for free for soooo long, you almost ruined me! You still owe me six taels, you torn purse, have you paid me back yet? Not a single wen! And you want more? Ayaaaaaaa, what a disaster of a nephew you are!
- Shhhhhhhhh! C’mon uncle! I told you that, errrrr, I was about to get a lot of money soon! As soon as I’ll get into the Hero Assembly, I will be able to repay you hundreds time! But for now, I need just a small... very little help! You know my wife is, errrr, a noble from the East! She’s a Princess from Hexi actually, I have to treat her correctly or she’ll leave me! Please Uncle, I really need to, huuuh... Satisfy her hunger! I’ll help you with the shop next week after my shift!
- If you are a sheep, don’t seduce a horse, you should know that! Ayaaaa... *sighs*”

Some metallic sounds could be heard alongside a small, low giggling.

- Nonsense! I’d be living in Master Fan’s manor already if I had not lost so much money on you, ayaa... Here, bring this to your wife!
- Hehehe, thank you Uncle, thank you! Your generosity will rewarded soon!

Zhou returned with a large grin and a small plate with some glutinous rice balls filled with sweet bean paste.

“Heeere, have this also, I ordered you some desserts!”

This time, he sat in front of her, head resting on his both palm, watching her eat with a blissful look.

“Soooo, eeeer, Yingzimò-ji.... eeer... Have you ever... huuh... are you... eeeeeh... experienced in... ahahah, you must be really popular, right?”

Yingzimò continued eating as Zhou vanished toward the back, her gaze following him until his figure was out of sight.

The moment he was gone, she hastily stuffed several dumplings into her mouth, disregarding just how hot they still were.

“Haw-haw-haawt--” she said under her breath, fanning the flames in her mouth as the dumplings scorched her tongue. Even so, she slipped a few more dumplings into the takeout box using the chopsticks, then closed it up.

Her brows lifted faintly, catching a few fragments of the conversation from the kitchen. Did she feel bad for Zhou? Maybe a little, but he clearly fell into the pit he dug for himself.

By the time he returned, Yingzimò had already straightened her posture. She delicately dabbed the corner of her lips with a cloth before accepting the rice balls he offered as dessert.

“Experienced?” she questions, staring back at him.

Oh...
Her stomach dropped a little.
But... if only to get what she wants...

Beneath the table, she slid her foot lightly against his, brushing teasingly along his leg.

“Eh--hehe... Silly Zhou,” she laughed. “How can you ask a lady something so scandalous? Of course I am. The things I will treat you to later~ You need only to obey me tonight.Whatever I say, you must do. Understood?”

Surprisingly, Zhou seemed to lose all his confidence, getting red and embarrassed.

“Aaaaaaaaah.... Ahahah ahahah!” he laughed awkwardly. “Y-Yingzimò-Ji ! Ahahahah eeeeeeemh... W-what... Such... Confidence ! Are you learning all... that from Sister Yu? You looks like a Velvel member right now, are you sure you are only a bodyguard? Maybe I should get one too, it just looks like you’re going to kill me tonight! From exhaustion I hope ahahahahah!.. Ahhhhhh..... Errr.... Hem...”

He picked one rice ball and put it whole in his mouth.

“Let’ch go find yorch couchtarg tarkd?” he tried to articulate, mouth full, just like some other girl Yingzimò knew. “I can’t wait tou... Ehhhccch... Show you my plache! Heheheh!”

He swallowed the dessert and, for twenty long seconds, choke on it, coughing more and more. Was he about to die, right here and now?

She found the resemblance uncanny, though she kept her composure and finished her meal while he rambled on, giving a few fluttering looks and smiles his way. She began to gather her takeout after he suggests they go get the tarts-- until...

Was he choking?

She pauses at once, watching him for a solid moment before abruptly rising from her seat.

“Don’t you dare die on me now, Zhou!” she snapped, rushing around the table. One firm palm struck between his shoulder blades with enough force to jolt his entire frame.

Honestly, she could scarcely believe she was trying to save this insufferable man’s life. Yet, however irritating he might be, he didn’t deserve going out this way.

Hooking an arm around his waist, she yanked him from the stool and spun him around against her. Her hands locked beneath his ribs as she delivered several sharp thrusts, trying to dislodge the food.

“Don’t-- ngh-- choke! I... nnnNEED YOU!”

“Krr! Kkkro! Kkkkof! KOOOF!”

A half munched, sticky white rice ball flew out of his mouth and landed further away on a wall, staying there like a wart.

Zhou coughed heavily and gasped for air, inhaling deeply as if his life was depending on it... Which was the case, actually.

“Ying... Yingzimy-ji! You... You saved me!” he stated, in shock, while the old man was rushing to check on him.

“Ayaaaaa stupid boy, what are your teeth for? If you don’t use them, you should give them to me!” he said, slapping the boatman’s head with the fan he was using to revive his charcoal. Then, pushing Zhou’s head down, he had him on his knees and together, they prostrated themselves in front of Zhou’s savior.

“The Heavens are so generous to have given my idiot nephew such a beautiful and caring wife! Ayaaaa, you really should not have saved such a burden but a wife does need her husband after all! Please, I don’t have much because of that idiot but I can still offer you that modest meal! Zhou, you monkey, you’d better take good care of this pearl! You won’t find such dedicated woman any time soon! I really don’t know why she fell for a fool like you, but don’t lose her now! Act like someone responsible! Ayaaaaaa!”

The old man continued to prostrate for some time before eventually standing up again to clean the table, shooking his head all the way before leaving for the kitchen with many more bows.

“Hehe Hehe... That was... Quite a scene, ehhh?” Zhou said, embarrassed, scratching his head. He got up and brushed his pants with his hands.

“So... Eeeeer... It was... Errr... Ahah... So you -need- me eeeh? Always the direct and honest woman, ehhh? Come! I’ll buy you the most tasteful tarts of all Kaifeng!” he claimed, extending his hand as an invitation... A romantic one, of course.

Yingzimò turned her gaze away from the unsightly wall after forcing Zhou to cough up the mouthful lodged in his throat. Once he had stopped hacking, she calmly smoothed the wrinkles in her dress and glanced toward the old cook after he came hurrying out to smack his nephew.

As they both bowed deeply, she merely flicked her hair behind her shoulder and lifted her eyes modestly toward the rafters. “Oh-ho... that’s what this humble wife is for,” she said with an awkward laugh.

Only after the cook shuffled back into the kitchen did she slowly turn her gaze upon Zhou again, her expression utterly flat. It took no small amount of restraint not to berate him for swallowing his food whole. Instead, she exhaled a long, weary breath and rolled her eyes to the back of her skull.

She just had to say *”I need you.”*
How embarrassing.
And not even in *THAT* way.

“Yes,” she finally sighed, eyes still shut. Reaching across the table, she gathered the takeout and wine into arms. “I... I need you. Let us hurry and fetch the tarts... then you can take me past Fan manor, and-- uh, then your house. I can’t wait!”

“Hem... Yeah, let’s go, I’m sure you’re really hungry and you -do need- that tart, heh?” Zhou awkwardly laughed, feeling slightly ridiculous with his outstretched hand left unclasped. He scratches his head again and waited for Yingzimò before leaving the restaurant, waving at the owner.

“I’ll come back later, Uncle!
- Ayaaa, please don’t!” the old man answered back without even looking.

Outside, night was already falling, as was a moderate rain. The streets were now lit by the lanterns of the nearby restaurants, which were beginning to fill up as passers-by sought shelter and a meal. Zhou returned inside the dumplings' store, claiming loudly :

“Uncle, I’m back! I’m borrowing you an umbrella!
- Help yourself to whatever you want, but make sure you bring it back! And with my money! Otherwise, don’t bother coming back! Ayaaa....”

With a large grin, he now presented Yingzimò his arm.

“Yingzimò-ji, please come next to me, I’ll protect you from the rain! You don’t want to get wet, right? I mean... I’m sure you’ll be soon enough, bwahahahaha!”

Yingzimò strode right past him without a glance, only to halt when she noticed the rain had begun to fall. Beneath the eaves of the building, she frowned and hugged the wine and takeout box close to her chest, guarding the precious spoils.

She muttered under her breath about bad fortune just as Zhou turned back inside. A moment later, after he emerged with an umbrella, she cursed the weather harder for favoring her so-called date.

That joke of his nearly earned him a slap!
Nearly.
Instead, she forced out a thin smile and awkward little laugh.

“Yeeeeup, especially after I get everything I want~” she chimed, inching closer slowly before slipping her arm through his from beneath the umbrella.

Rolling her eyes to the side, she tugged him along toward the lantern-lit street.

“Come on, I think I spotted a stall this way! And exactly how far are we from the manor? I’d... I’d just like to know so I don’t ever get lost.”

Zhou was having the time of his life, on a perfect date with such a loving girl. He could not believe how lucky he was: this morning, he was still single and now, he was bringing a cute and very docile girl back to his place? Maybe his charming skills weren’t that bad after all!

“Thank you, thank you, I’ll burn incense for a month” he mouthed silently to the gods when passing in front of a temple, before walking in the direction Yingzimò indicated. “The Manor? Ahhh, yes, Master Fan’s Manor! It’s a few blocks away if you turn here actually, but maybe we can go there tomorrow morning! This late, they won’t grant us an audience! So, you are seriously thinking about applying there? I do believe you will earn much more than with Sister Yu bwahahaha! How much does she pay you actually?” he asked, curiosity audible in his voice. Are you going to tell her you’re leaving her? That’s... A bit sad, I was already imagining us going to work together, sharing lunch and going back to -our home, every day- ahahah!”

Zhou might feel the crushing squeeze around his arm as her limb cinched tight like a coiled snake around its prey. With determination, she tried to steer him toward the turning, guiding her steps with her strength.

Her eye twitched ever so slightly when he asked how much Ye Yu was paying her, though she pretends not to hear the question at all.

“I only want to pass by!” she blurted out in haste. “I don’t care about an audience!”

“Heheh... I mean... besides, the manor is close to your home, right? I should become familiar with the surroundings so I can return more swiftly... and... and waiting properly for you, like a diligent wife ought to.”

She’s trying her best to hold it together...

Then, she adds, “And perhaps... ah... Sister Yu could come to the manor and play for everyone! She could use a... um... good, rich patron! B-big money! You say he owns all these businesses! So he must be... v-very very rich! I’ll let you take my shoes off if you just--just show me where it is!”

Hearing Yingzimò’s offer, Zhou steered suddenly, almost lifting his date from ground to carry her faster.

“Y-yeah! You’re right, let’s have a look at Master Fan’s manor, for... eeeeer... Sister Yu’s sake! Let’s see if it’s a proper place for her to work in! I mean... I do already know, I’ve been there plenty of time, hem! But... It’s better you see it yourself, ya know? Hahaha! Yeah, let’s have a look and...”

He slowed down the pace a little.

“Eeeeeeeeer.... Actually, Uncle does live nearby, as you’ve seen it. I... eeeer... used to live there for a time. To help him run his business, of course, ahah! But... eer... Eventually he, eer, -I- decided to move into my own place... for... eer... intimacy, you know? A great hero like me, bringing girls every night to his place, it was complicated, bwahahaha! But well... now... My manor is outside of Kaifeng, east, in the suburbs...”

He stopped in front of a large gate set into a long boundary wall that surrounded a large house. It was difficult to see anything inside from street level...

“There! Master Fan’s front door! Closed, as you can see! But inside, it’s all lacquer, porcelain and silk!”

Finally, that was more like it!

Yingzimò ran alongside Zhou beneath the rain, delighting in the sudden vigor within her guide.

“Yes, yes! For Sister Yu!” she laughed, tugging his arm and urging him onward down the street. She had no idea where they were headed, but so long as he got her to the manor, what did it matter!

Even when his pace slowed, she remained light on her feet, half-skipping beside him in exaggerated enthusiasm, all where her eyes swept the area-- familiarizing herself with the alleyways, rooftops and placement of houses.

“Mmhm-- of course! Heehee... Zhou, you fox! What a ladies' man you are. I’m truly lucky to tie you down!” She feigns dreaminess before blinking suddenly. “Wait... East? That’s near Revelry Hall. Perfect! We can head toward your house straight after. You can... uh... tend to my ankles, then! ...Ahhh, they ache. Ooo...” she rambled on until they arrived at the gate.

She slipped away and stepped into the drizzle, eyes darting to the high walls surrounding the grounds. Rising onto her toes, then hopping once or twice in vain, she tried to peer over the barrier. The wall still towered over her, revealing only glimpses of the rooftops and overgrowth spilling through the courtyard.

Still... it looked wealthy enough, so maybe Zhou pulled through.

“Zhou! You dreadful-er--dreadfully WONDERFUL man!”
She rushed back beneath the shelter of the umbrella and delivered several pecks that never quuuite reach his cheek. Just a little, faint touch.
mwahmwahmwah!

Surprisingly, Zhou grabbed Yingzimò’s bags, put them at his feet, then placed the umbrella into her arms.

“Hold this a second!” he said with his hoarse voice. Then, -without even asking or waiting for any consent-, he put his large, calloused hands on Yingzimò’s hips and.... ~~ kissed her languidly, his tongue going deep into... no, wrong scenario~~ lifted her up like she was weighing nothing, despite huffing loudly. Soon, she was sat on his shoulders -while being still protected from the rain-!

“Mfpph! Do you have a better view from there? I hope you are not subject to vertigo BWAHAHAH! Alright, let’s go home, your poor feet deserve some massage and so do I! Eeeerrr not that you’re especially heavy nor anything like that!” he blurted, while walking slowly along the wall to let the curious woman enough time to peak inside the luxurious mansion, the neatly arranged garden with a pond and even a bridge, the different buildings around the main court... and the many servants and guards.

Yingzimò accepted the umbrella with some hesitation. Her confusion only deepened when his hands suddenly settled at her waist.

She NEARLY drove a knee toward his groin but before things got weird, she suddenly felt weightless. Effortlessly, he lifted her from the ground and settled her atop his shoulders. Was she blushing??

“Oh!” she exclaimed, caught off guard by his strength.

At last, she stood high enough to peer beyond the perimeter wall, taking note of the courtyard and all the guards within.
And hopefully no one saw her head and the umbrella peeking over the top....

“Yes! I can see!” she said excitedly. “Good thinking, you... you sexy beast!...”

Her eyes rolled at her own words before she scanned the estate for any sign of a broken wall or collapsed window. If the attendant was right, it would be somewhere toward the rear grounds. Perhaps she would have to investigate at a better time.

“Wow... it’s so nice in there. Even the servants are dressed like nobles!” She paused and looked back. “Hey-- wait! Don’t forget my leftovers!”

“Sexy beast huuuh? Bwahahaha, Yingzimò-ji, you naughty woman! I think Sister Yu’s influence is rubbing off on you! Not that I mind at all, AHAHAH! But just wait for tonight, you’ll have other reasons to call me.... Master Zhou, your sssssexy beast!” he claimed loud and clear, laughing his lungs out, causing Yingzimò to shake on his shoulders.

“Oh right, the food.”

He bent his knees to crouch down and a cracking noise could be heard in the night, along a “Outch...”. He slowly stood again, huffing and carefully balancing the woman on top of him. “Can’t wait for a good massage....” he complained a bit, bags in his right hand, his left one on the girl’s thigh to secure her as he started walking again when a voice arose.

“H-HEY! What is -that-?”

A servant, handing a tray with what seemed to me exquisite foods, spotted Yingzimò’s head above the high wall. But... It wasn’t someone just climbing the wall. From her perspective, it was rather... a giant lady walking near the residence. “Ohhh by the heavens! A yaoguai!” she exclaimed, afraid, attracting the attention of nearby staff members.

Just at that moment, from the lovers’s side of the wall, a night patrol appeared at the corner of the Manor. Three guards, all in armors and spears, were talking lazily to each other in what seemed to be yet another routine evening when they froze at the view of the elegant umbrella lady, perched on top of some boor-looking man, near a rich place.

” ... and I told him: Who do you think I am? I’d never accept such deal!
- Ahahah no way you talked back like that to the.... ... what ...?
- HEY YOU TWO ! Stop right here! What the hell are you doing?!”

Yingzimò was still rolling her eyes at Zhou’s teasing, a helpless laugh escaping her while he stooped to gather the food box. She lifted herself a little higher atop his shoulders, straining to peer over the courtyard wall.

Then...
“Yaoguai!” She heard the servant shriek.

Yingzimò stiffened, eyes darting toward the rooftops under the cloudy moonlight, searching for the demon that had caused the panic... Only to realize the “yaoguai” was HER!

Her breath caught in her throat, and she dropped at once, ducking over Zhou’s head. One arm wrapped around his face in panic while she shoved the umbrella down to only blind the poor man further. Her thighs tightened instinctively around his shoulders as she yanked at him urgently.

“Run, run, run!”
But before they could flee, more guards appeared down the street!

“What?! Huh?! N-nothing suspicious!” she blurted frantically in response to the guard. “We were merely out for a stroll! M-my husband refused to let my feet touch the muddy road, so he carried me! Ummm... this silly, sexy oaf dropped our supper, so we’re just-- just picking it up!”

Poor Zhou was completely and double blinded, by his lady’s arm on his face first, and by the umbrella in front of him. The only thing he was, at that time, able to comprehend was the sudden proximity of their two bodies and especially Yingzimò’s breast suddenly pressing against his head. Enough to fry the few neurons still working at this hour.

Therefore, when he heard her ordering him to “run Forest, run!”, he blindly obeyed and... charged right in front of him! The guards, taken aback by such bold -and stupid- reaction, jumped out of his way. Stunned, they looked at the fugitives fleeing, then gave them chase.

“C-Come back here you bunch of scoundrels!” they shouted, grabbing their weapons and running at them.

Zhou, just like an enraged bull, keep running straight forward, fortunately in a long straight street also. But at the end of it... was water.

Despite her earlier orders, Yingzimò still seemed surprised when Zhou suddenly burst forward like a bull!

One arm was hooked around his brow to steady herself and hold on for dear life, while the other fumbled desperately with the umbrella, the thing wobbling wildly in the wind instead of shielding either of them.

“S-sorry!” She cried over her shoulder at the pursuing guards.“Please stop chasing us! He just startles easily!”

Yingzimò groaned as she bounced atop Zhou’s shoulders, jostled around with every stride. Zhou probably only dreamed of this kind of proximity... but now it was real. After several frantic attempts, she finally managed to snap the umbrella shut--

Only for the dark sheen of water to flash before her eyes.

ZHOU! WET! EH--ERrr... RIVER! RIVER RIVER RIVER!!

She uses the umbrella to smack his side, trying to steer him like a horse with a riding crop.

Roaring just like a spurred horse, Zhou accelerated, his heavy strides turning into long ones as he was getting faster and faster and closer to the canals surrounding Kaifeng Palace.

“WET ALREADY YINGZIMY? BWAHAHAHA! I SHALL SHOW YOU MY MARTIAL SKILLS BUT THOSE POOR GUARDS WOULD----”

What would the guard be? Nobody will ever know. For a second, Yingzimò could feel her body to be lightweight, floating in the air. The only next sound coming to their ears was a huge splash and their bodies falling into the cold water.

“Quick! You, this way, you, the other way! They are trying to escape by the canal!” the guards shouted, dispersing to cover more area. “Where are they? Do you see those robbers? They were surely scouting! They must be somewhere near, continue to look around!”

Meanwhile, underwater, Zhou was fighting for his life, moving his members in all and every directions, grabbing Yingzimò’s leg, body or whatever part he could reach with his left hand and holding to it like a safety line, his right hand still clutched around the now soaked food bag.

NO! NO NO N--!

Yet, no amount of steering could turn this “horse” from its chosen path. Like a mad steed charging to its doom, Zhou barreled straight for the canal, and the two of them went soaring forward, her legs tangled around his chest.

With a tremendous splash, she belly-flopped into the canal.

Water shot straight up her nose, and darkness swallowed everything beneath the surface. All she could see were the bubbles rising around as they sank like a couple of idiots.

She thrashed, trying to shove Zhou away while fighting to figure out which direction was up, plus she had to contend with his own grabby hands.
--and were those his hands on her chest?!

Even through the water, she could faintly hear the muffled shouting of guards from above, but there was no way to tell what they intended to do. Then, at last, she tore herself free and seized Zhou by the arm, dragging him toward the surface to cease their awkward water tango.

She burst through the surface with a desperate gasp, tugging Zhou alongside her as she quickly scanned their surroundings and wiped her eyes.

“Z-Z-Zhou... You-- you... YOU--

--DONKEY! AGH.”

“I-- Ugh. Sorry. I’m sorry. Are you alright?”

Nearby, the umbrella popped up peacefully.

Zhou coughed, coughed, coughed and spat some water back, with what seemed to be green algae. Just like a dog, he shook his head to shake the water off his face, sending droplets on Yingzimò.

“O-of course! It’s not some water that will defeat the Great Hero Zhou! Yet... fortunately, you had those two nice buoys, I’m not a very good swimmer! AHAHAH! Hey, don’t be mad! You asked me to do everything you wanted to tonight, didn’t you? You asked me to run, and I did! Besides, a midnight bath isn’t that bad!ATCHAAA~!”

He snort and clung to her like a barnacle to a rock. Leaning on the side, he tried to collect the umbrella back with his free hand. “Oh, Uncle will be mad at me again if I lose his thing... Speaking of.... I fear your leftovers will be a bit soggy and mushy... But don’t worry, if you’re still hungry, I have something else for you tonight! HAHAHAHAHA!”

His loud voice was quickly followed by other ones on the shores.

“THERE THEY ARE! HEY YOU TWO! SURRENDER NOW! DON’T MAKE ME SEND GE TO FETCH YOU!
- ... Hey! Why me? Send Pei instead, he’s a better swimmer than me! I don’t want to drown in the canal!
- Idiot, you just have to remove your armor before going in!
- Oh yeah? To get stabbed by those two criminals? Who’s the idiot now? Are you trying to get me killed so you can have my wife?!
- Hey, hey you two, stop that! ... Ge, be reasonable. Why would Huiyu try to steal your wife? .... She’s so ugly and short-tempered!
- What?! I swear, you two, I’m going to kill you both and tell the General you got killed by the burglars!
- And how exactly do you plan to beat both of us? You can’t even beat your wife!
- Of course I don’t beat my wife, you awful pig! ... ... she’s way to scary, I don’t want to die!”

“... what are those three buffoons...” Zhou mumbled, puzzled.

Yingzimò winced as cold water hit her face, her lips pressed into a deep frown while she treads water for the both of them.

The worst part was that he was right. She had told him to run. A portion of the blame was on her, and she knew it. Still, her expression deadpanned further when he mentioned the ruined leftovers. All that money she spent... WASTED!

As he reached for the drifting umbrella, Yingzimò drew in a slow breath to steady her temper, holding herself back from shoving his head beneath the water.

Then after a moment, her voice soft and eerily composed, she asks, “...Tell me the wine at least survived?”

Suddenly, shouts erupted from above, and startled she jerked her head upward before lowering herself slightly into the murky canal, listening while the guards argued over who would pursue them.

Her gaze swept the area ahead until she spotted a bridge to their north, its shadowed underside could act as a cloak. They might be able to hide there... or find a way back onto the streets.

“Shhhh...” she whispered. “Pray those aren’t imperial guards. They already think we’re thieves!” She turned her shoulder toward him. “Hold onto my back. Maybe we can slip by unnoticed.”

The sound of an uncorked bottle resonated over the water, followed by a gulping noise.

“HAAAA~... Yep, yep yep. Survived and still tasting good! Maybe even better now, just like me BWAHAHAaaoooosssh” he said, putting the cork back again with a slam of his palm and lowering his body to appear less visible. Slipping unnoticed would be quite a challenge with such an idiot!

“Wait, I know a trick!” he suddenly whispered, as if struck by a brilliant idea. “But I need my hands.... huh...”

Getting closer to Yingzimò, he wrapped his thick legs around her waist. “Don’t get turned on too quickly, Yingzimy, he he, I’m just getting us out of this!”. With a very proud look on his face, he opened the umbrella and lowered it almost at water level to hide them under.

“Hehehe... Looks! It just looks like we’re a big water lily! Now, swim very slowly so they won’t notice the--

- There! The umbrella! Here they are!” one guard shouted, pointing at them, at thatbig round red spot shinning under the moon light, just like a “You are here -->🔴 ” sign.

“Mā de! How did they find us so quickly?” Zhou swore, clueless.

Yingzimò could only drift there helplessly, watching Zhou drink the precious wine, unable to wring his neck.

She was 100% certain she had been cursed.

Unfortunately, there were more pressing concerns. Escaping the patrol would be difficult. Several scenarios flashed through her mind, yet every one of them seemed doomed, especially with how the night was going. Then Zhou latched himself around her, and despite her groans of discontent, she reluctantly went along with the idea.

“Water lily-- pft.

She began to paddle at an agonizingly slow pace.

Yet, before they got anywhere, the guards spotted them almost immediately.

“DID YOU EVEN LOOK AT THE UMBRELLA?! We’re so finished--glrp--bblrp--”

Canal water surged into her mouth as she fought to keep both their heads above the surface.

“--Agh! Brilliant plan--brp. Investigate Fan Manor. Nothing--blrgh--bad could possibly happen. No food. No wine. Ppeh! Not even a weapon! Not that we can-- peh!-- fight these guys anyway. We’re juustblggh-- going to jail!”

With their cover blown, Yingzimò abandoned all subtlety and threw her strength into her strokes, driving them upstream with Zhou clinging on to her.

They reached the stone bridge. There were places along the embankment where they might be able to climb, but the patrol would intercept them in no time. So, she pressed onward, slipping beneath the bridge’s shadow and forcing their way through a cluster of reeds. Ahead, she notices a silhouette of something.

Boat!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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More people were gathering near the canal banks: the three guards, of course, but also Master Fan’s personal security staff who had been alerted by the shouting. Equipped with torches and lanterns, they were deploying all around, issuing orders and looking for any trace of “the two burglars who had tried to sneak in”. It was a serious situation that had escalated quickly on fragile grounds with barely any proof, but better safe than sorry: if the two had fled the scene, they must be guilty!

“This way, this way!
- Bring more torches!
- I see something over here! It moves! It moves! Wait, it’s just a duck...”

Kwek! 🦆

Zhou giggled.

“I knew that learning the language of the fauna at Pearlglow Lake would come in useful one day!” he boasted in a low voice. “Though I haven’t found an opportunity to use the fishes' dialect yet... What are you babbling about, Yingzimy?” he asked, still clinging to her, not helping at all.

“Ooooh, I see! So you do remember my impressive boatman skills! Yes! It could work!“. He struck his palm with his fist, nodding in agreement with himself and not bothering to share his new, brilliant plan. “There’s no way they could compete with me, even on foot! Go Yingzimò, go! Let’s board our ticket out of here!” he cheered her, almost spurring her like a horse.

The roles were now reversed. Everyone’s turn!

Yingzimò continued to kick upstream, her focus fixed on the skiff up ahead. She barely spared enough attention to roll her eyes as Zhou quaked at the men gathering above.

And... fish dialect?

Under other circumstances, she might have a comment about that, but right now, panic left no room for her to make some smart comeback. She sputtered between mouthfuls of river water, venting her dread to anyone who would listen.

“Pah--! I can’t go to jail! Master Guiwáng will kill--pfft--me! They’ll stick me with some ridiculous job--gkrrh--!”

Water slapped against her face, dunking her head briefly beneath the surface. She came back up with a sharp gasp and redoubled her efforts, arms burning as she paddled toward the vessel.

Then finally, she caught the side of the boat in her grasp.
Clinging to the wooden rail, she hauled herself up just enough to rest her forearms atop it, giving Zhou the chance to scramble off her back and climb aboard.

“Get in! Get in already!” she hissed. “This canal should lead out to Pearlglow, yes? Hurry!”

Only once she began pulling herself higher did she notice the unfortunate state of her robes. The sheer, fashionable layers were now completely drenched... and distressingly transparent.

“Oh no...”

Zhou, who was seemingly not very alarmed by their situation or too dumb to realize what they were risking, used Yingzimò as a ladder to get into the boat, his foot ending up on her shoulders, face and head.

“I’m in! You can come, there’s no-one else!” he claimed as if he was a pirate boarding a merchant vessel. He grabbed the rows, weighing them with a satisfied nod, before turning around to lend the girl a helpful hand.

“The Lake? Yes, it’s at the end of that canal. But you know, a boat trip would have been way more romantic at sunset... Are you sure you wa-....”

He froze and stood there, realizing also how... Revealing her outfit now was, watching her and especially staring at her chest, forgetting all about their pursuers.

“Thanks Heaven for this blessing... The Ancestors are smiling at me at last...”

That was it.

That was the final straw for her.

Not all those other times, no.

But this time, the one time it truly mattered.

While they were out here risking their lives,
she finally...

SNAPS.

“I’M GOING TO THROTTLE YOU!”

💭 💭 💭
“Remember your woooosah, Yingzimò... Calm your mind. Ease your tension. Deep breath in-- and ooout... wooosah. Patience. Compassion. Inner peace. The world is only as difficult as you insist on making it. Life is short so don’t spend it angry... Deep breath--”
-Master Mùchén

💭... 👿 🌪️

Try as her Master might to intrude upon her thoughts, his teachings were swept away by the tornado currently tearing through her meridians.

Not only had Zhou failed to start rowing, but he also thought this would be a good opportunity to attempt to be romantic-- and a pervert.

And that was it.
With a furious cry, she vaulted over the side of the boat and pounced the unfortunate man, driving him flat onto the deck. Grabbing him by the shoulders, she shook him wildly.

AHHHH! WHY COULDN'T YOU JUST ROW THE DAMN BOAT!!

shake

I'M NOT LOOKING FOR A ROMANTIC BOAT RIDE!

shake shake

I. JUST. WANTED. TO. GET. OUT. OF HEEEEERE!

shake shake shake

By now, the entourage of guards had undoubtedly heard the outburst. Yet at the moment, she couldn’t have cared less. Let them come! If they threw her in a cell, maybe she’d have some peace.

A large laugh echoed in the air. But this time, it wasn’t coming from Zhou, but from one guard on the bank, watching the scene.

“Hey, are we sure those two are burglars? They look more like a clown duo from the Masked Troup or some old couple to me!” he mocked, causing more laughs. “Your nighty walk ends here! Surrender, don’t force me to send you Ge!
- HEY! We already talked about that!”

The pursuers seemed a bit less in a hurry to capture the fugitives, maybe enjoying the chaotic scene they were witnessing and, surely, believing they were two harmless fools, easy to catch.

Meanwhile, Zhou was watching Yingzimò with round eyes.

“Haaa... Women... Such mysterious creatures! They tell you they want to take a look at some place, then ask you to run away from it. They demand to be obeyed and get upset when you do. They throw you into a canal, talk about Pearlglow lake but in the end, they just want to go back to your place! You sure are complicated bwahahahaha!”

He grabbed Yingzimò by her shoulders also and, in a very condescending manner, he said : “Do not worry. I told you I would take good care of you, didn’t I? Nobody will end up in jail tonight, mark my words!”

He stood up, brandishing the rows like swords, and claimed loudly “I am Kaifeng’s future Hero! Nobody will lay a finger on you!”.

He started swinging them above his head, shouting louder : “Stay back, you filthy dogs! Don’t you dare interrupt our romantic night, bunch of envious donkeys! Leave at once or I-- oh dung!” he let out, watching the oar flew in the air, landing on a guard with a heavy sound.

“They are attacking us! Beware!”

Yingzimò remained kneeling where she was, utterly deflated after her outburst and watches Zhou as he leapt to his feet, bellowing his warning to the guards. She was mortified. One could almost feel the spirits of the ancestors looking down upon this spectacle shamefully.

And what was she doing?

They really were like two idiots in a pod.

No... She had not endured years of training only to make such a disgraceful showing of herself. The servants at Fan manor shouted about a yaoguai, so a yaoguai they get.

As one of the oars sailed toward the guards and Zhou stood there in all his “heroic” glory, a tall silhouette slowly rose behind him.

Long black hair hung dripping over her face, dripping with river water. Moonlight washed over her pale skin, lending it a ghastly sheen, as though a drowned spirit had clawed its way from the depths. Her soaked dress clung to her frame, while the shadows cast by her lowered brow concealed most of her expression.

For a moment, she simply stood there, silent and ominous.

Then, in a cold and spooky voice, she said, “...I am the Riiiver Maaaiden...”

Her hand rose toward them...

“Begone from this place, so I may claim my neeeew husband and return with him to my watery grave... or perhaps...”

She paused.

“...you shall become my next husband instead!”

“Yingzimy... whaaaAARAHGGRGG§!!” the poor Zhou choked as he turned around to discover such creepy spectacle.
And we’ve seen in a previous episode how Yingzimò was good at dressing as a ghost.

As he stepped back in horror, he tripped over the oar he had just dropped and fell overboard, making a large wet watery splash sound, quickly followed by cries of distress:

🏊‍♂️ “Arggblbl--, helpblblb, someone! Help! A hero is sinkinblblblbg--, koffgblbub, koffblblbl--, heeelp! I don’t want to die a virgblblblbblupblup---”

Fortunately, perhaps the ancestors were not that ashamed, or maybe they were so ashamed that they decided to help the duo save what remained of their family’s reputation. As Zhou was drowning loudly, a heavy wind arose and hid the moon behind dark clouds. Now, not only was the boat no longer visible in the darkness, but the cries of Zhou echoing from behind the bridge sounded even more ominous.

“H...heee I’m not dying for those stupid burglars!” the guard named Ge stammered. “I-I-I already have a wife waiting for me!” And he ran away. Some servants looked at each other hesitantly.

“... We have no proof that they are actually burglars, do we?
- Even if he is, he’s going to die: that yaoguai is going to drag him into the depths! I don’t want to upset her! I walk down this road every day! ”

More people fled, leaving only the two remaining guards.

” Sooooo.... are you going?
- No way, you, are going!
- You may be the boss but I’m not paid enough to risk my life dealing with whatever is lurking in that canal...
- _ ... guess we’ll just come back later to recover his body?_”

And so the last pursuers left the crime scene, leaving only silence... and the sound of Zhou drowning, even though the water was only one meter deep in this area.

“...Oooo... huuusbands...” she wailed, still waving her arms after the retreating guards. Zhou plunging into the canal barely phased her, and if anything, the commotion seemed to have worked in their favor.

Only after the last of the guards had disappeared from sight did she let out a quiet breath and abandoned her performance. Turning, she peered over the edge of the boat at the man thrashing in the water below. She’d hunch down, resting her elbow on her knee as she watched him flounder for a moment, weighing the decision whether to leave him there or help him out.

In the end, she seized him by the collar of his shirt, effortlessly lifting him until his head and shoulders broke the surface. She left the rest of him to dangle over the shallow water.

“If I save you... you will still owe me my custard tarts, and I need a robe to cover up! Then I would like to be taken back to Revelry Hall. Understood?”

Zhou stopped panicking and coughed, calming down as he realized he they Yingzimò handled all the situation. They were safe for now.

“Uhhh-kof kof! W-what? Uhh... sure Yingzimy, sure, custard tarts! But eerrrr... Now? Most shop must be closed by now... as for a robe... errr... I can give you some clothes if we cross the city to go to my place, hehehe... Can you help me get back on the boat? The water is a bit cold! Let’s go back to my place so we can warm ourselves a bit, hehehe”

Yingzimò narrowed her eyes and promptly shoved him beneath the water’s surface before hauling him back up by the collar.

Water still streamed from her hair, dark strands clinging to her cheeks as she stared back at him dead in the eyes.

Then, in a low and ominous voice, she said, “I am the River Maiden. Present me with the custard tarts this instant, or I shall drag you into the depths for all of eternity!”

Was she finished with the act? Perhaps not.
But then, realization struck her.

Her gaze flicked from him to the boat, then to the canal itself.

“...Wait. You’re a ferryman who can’t swim... What happens if a passenger falls overboard in transit?! Oh, Heavens... help this man.” She shook her head and finally pulled him aboard the boat, dropping him to the deck.

“As for the robes... I officially don’t care. I’ll walk around like this if I must!”

“W-well.... nobody ever fell overboard yet! And they usually know how to swim, I guess? They are just taking a boat to avoid getting wet! And if really they would be drowning... Eeeeeeeeeeeer... I guess... I guess there would be someone around to save them! Or... errr... Perhaps I could hold out my oar to them? Why would you want anyone to fall in the first place? Ahahaha you have such weird ideas! Midnight custard tarts and people drowning... eerr... Huuh... Fine, fine... Don’t give me that look!

You know, I think it’s better we get back to the Revelry Hall before the guards come back. Maybe we could find Sister Yu and ask her to lend you some clothes before you get sick! They must have some kitchens open all night also... Mhhh... Yep yep yep... That’s a good idea.”

He took off his wet top, wrung it out and put it back on, before retrieving the remaining oar. Sliding to the back of the small boat, he started to row, guiding them to Pearlglow Lake. The not-so-romantic trip took about half an hour, firstly because it was much more difficult and slower to navigate with only half the oars, and secondly because they were trying to stay unnoticed despite Zhou occasionally humming songs out loud. Fortunately, nothing noticeable happened during all the trip and, eventually, the illuminated buildings of Revelry Hall came into view, with soft musics and laughs.

“You should drink a bit; Yingzimy-ji, it will help you relax a bit!” the boatman suggested as they arrived near at the mouth of the canal, offering her her own bottle of wine, or what was remaining of it.

Finally, a sensible thought. Yes, Sister Yu!
But... the kitchens were open through the night? If that were true, Ye Yu shouldn’t have had trouble finding food... right?

She kept her narrowed gaze fixed on Zhou, weighing the matter in silence. After a moment, she finally took a seat and settled in for the ride.

Throughout the journey, she remained quite the same-- quiet, watchful, staring him down uninterruptedly. Her hair had become slightly disheveled and frizzy from the night’s events, one leg crossed over the other as she rested her cheek against her fist. Her dress was still damp, and a lingering chill clung to her skin. Every so often she shivered, though to her only observer it might have looked more like an irritated tremor-- especially whenever he hummed a new melody.

When Revelry Hall finally came into view, she scrambled up and immediately pointed toward the side pavilions where she prepared herself earlier.

“There! Drop me over there! Quickly!” she said, before hastily adding, “Oh, yes, a drink! Let me just take that--”

She snatched the wine from his hands and pulled out the stopper, peering inside to judge how much remained after his healthy swig earlier. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.

Tilting her head back, she drank heavily, leaving only a few sips at the bottom. Warmth spread through her chest almost immediately, easing some of the tension that lingered.

“Ahhh...” she sighed, satisfied. “That was good. If only there was just a little more.” She cast a small glare over her shoulder.

“This has certainly been an interesting outing. Tell me, Zhou... How does it feel to nearly die twice in a single night?”

She laughed, completely unhinged.
“Hah hah haah! What are your thoughts on that, ehhh?”

( Incredibly nice screenshot! ✨

Zhou slowed down the pace as they arrived on Pearlglow Lake, taking some time to take in the view. He was never bored of this spectacle. Many little lanterns were moving around just like fireflies, he was used to say. When Yingzimò teased him, he looked at her, first a bit surprised, then, he joined her in her laugh.

“Bwahahaha! You sure know how to make a night memorable, Yingzimi-ji! Do you often pick on the guards like that? I know my presence can boost confidence but please, do not try to get into too much troubles! I can’t save you from everything, every time, even if I’ll try my best! Really... Sometimes, I swear you just looked like you were trying to get me killed BWAHAHAAAHaaaaAaaa.... ahah.... Soon, I’ll be the one in need of a bodyguard -ohh right, you’re one already hAHAHAHA!”

He let the boat drift slowly towards the side pavilion and sat down, looking at his companion.

“Such an eventful night we had! It was turbulent and wet, but not how I was expecting it, bwahahaha! ... .... ...Eeeeerrr and I still owe you your custards tarts. I don’t want that gloomy River Maiden to prey on me again...”

He shivered, imagining the horror of waking up with such a view right by the bed.

“I’ll drop you there and I’ll make a detour by the Hall’s kitchen to grab something to replace your lost leftovers... and the desserts, yep yep yep. And, eeeeeeeeer.... maybe... Maybe we can, eeeer... go to my place after that? ” he asked, hopefully, as they arrived near the pier.

Yingzimò laughed and laughed, perhaps a little on the hysterical side.

“AHAHAHaaa! Yes, yes, I did...” She waved a hand dismissively before clearing her throat and looking away. “Ahem. Though if you’re thinking of hiring me as a guard, you’d best rethink that idea! My fee is far beyond what most can af--ford...”

She began to second guess her words... Were her lies lining up? If she charged so much, then why would she be looking to make more money at Fan manor?

Her body shifts and quickly she changes topic.

“Anyway-- you may replace my leftovers and retrieve my tarts. Leave them at the pavilion here. Yes... ahh...”

A heavy “yawn” overtook her just as the boat neared the pier. The instant it brushed the stones, she sprang ashore, nearly tangling herself in damp skirts as she scrambled over the side.

“Whew! How strange. All of a sudden, I find myself terribly sleepy! And ughhh... stomach cramps, too? You know what they say: no swimming right after you eat!” Another yawn escaped her. “Perhaps I’ll consider visiting your residence another day. And if my food arrives promptly, I may be persuaded to visit sooner!”

She pointed vaguely over her shoulder, already retreating.

“Gotta go find Sister Yu!”

Zhou watched Yingzimò escape with a deep, long sigh. Tonight would not be his night, again.

“Rhaaaaaaa! Damn you, Uncle! Why did you serve my future wife some stale dumplings? You’ve ruined my lovely night!” he grumbled, pushing on his long stick to return to the lake. “Now... I need to find custard tarts and a good meal, or she’ll think I’m not a man of my word. Where will I find the money to pay for that? I guess I’ll have to ask him for some more!”

And so, our boatman returned to his uncle’s shop, where he received an explosive reception for ruining an umbrella and begging again. But that’s another story! For now, let’s leave our future Hero of Kaifeng and focus on Ye Yu. Several hours have passed since she left her bodyguard and her date at their meeting point before fleeing.

But what the swordmaiden was ignoring was that, as soon as she disappeared into the nearby streets, Ye Yu rushed into the first clothes shop to change into dark, ample, plain and boring outfits. With her hair tied up and covered by a scarf and her face and eyes masked by a large hat, she was able to return to the restaurant incognito to spy on the duo, which she did with great amusement... until they lost her after their wild run to the canal. Fortunately, it was easy to spot them thanks to all the commotion they were causing.

Realizing then they were returning to Revelry Hall, the songstress once again found herself in a frantic race against the thankfully slow boat. That said, unlike them, she had to go all the way round the lake to get back to where she’d started. Exhausted, she jumped onto her bed, still wearing all her previous clothes... and then realized that she was still in disguise. She hurriedly stripped, getting stuck several times in the process as she tried to remove several layers at once. Then, as fast as she could, she dressed in her previous attire, putting half of it on the wrong way round. Finally, she lay down again, out of breath, waiting for Yingzimò.

The instant she slipped free of Zhou, she bolted, racing toward the pavilion where she had prepared herself earlier that evening. Ah, sweet freedom. And yet, deep down, she had an uneasy feeling that she had not escaped the man entirely.

Following the winding stone path under the moonlight, she eventually arrived outside Ye Yu’s quarters. She paused, eyes sweeping the surroundings to ensure no one had followed her. Satisfied, she pressed herself against the wall and crept toward the latticed windows.

Most normal people might have knocked on the door.
But tonight was not an ordinary night for her.

Pale fingers worked carefully at the window before she eased it open. Grasping the sill, she hauled herself inside headfirst, moving like a slippery phantom over the wall. Keeping low to the floor, she crawled inward, likely still wary that Zhou might discover where they were staying.

Her legs wriggled through last, and she dropped to the floor with a soft thud and a muttered “oof.” After a moment, she reached back and slid the window shut behind her. Only then did she finally relax.

Her gaze fell to Ye Yu, who lay peacefully on the bed. Yingzimò had yet to notice how her clothes might not be fitted on properly and remained oblivious to the songstress’s escapades. Relief washed over her at once.

“Thank the Heavens...”
Dropping into a crouch, she began creeping toward the bedside. “Yun... are you asleep?” she whispered. “You won’t believe the night I’ve had...”

Ye Yu was pretending to sleep, even if her mind was everything but sleepy. Heavy breathing, loud snoring... It would have been really convincing if only her stomach hadn’t betrayed her by greeting Yingzimò with a loud gargle. Stretching out on the bed, she rolled to the edge to watch her bodyguard, head upside down. With a fake enthusiasm, she asked:

“Yingzi! You’ve returned! You are so late!
How was it? The meal, the night... where is my plate?” she demanded, already knowing the sad, sad reality of her soaked dumplings floating somewhere in the canal and not in her belly.
“I am so hungry, I’ve wanted for you all night!
... But... oh my! What happened to you, did you get into a fight?”

She coughed and started digging into the pile of previously discarded clothes.

“You smell like someone who bathed in a sewer!
Why don’t you go get a nice, warm shower?
I’ll get you something more suitable for sleeping
And... of course, I’ll deduct from your pay the cost of those clothing!”

She did not mention how expensive the outfit was, but at an hourly rate of 0 wen, the poor swordmaiden was a long way from regaining her “sweet freedom” anytime soon!

Yingzimò sat slumped beside the bed like a doll that had seen too much playtime. Her legs were spread, arms hanging limp at her sides, and tangles of greasy hair framed her face. Even the fancy dress was looking worse for wear.

For a long moment, her mind was completely vacant, devoid of all thought or awareness. Only when the word “fight” reached her ears did she snap out of it.

“Huh? What? Uh, no, no fighting.” She released a weary sigh, rolling her head back to look up at Ye Yu. “Though I wish I could’ve fought...”

Her shoulders sagged.

“I... lost your dinner. But they were only dumplings. Made by his uncle. Paid with my own money...” She paused, then added with a faint grimace, “They weren’t even that good, honestly.”

Glancing down at herself, she took a cautious sniff and immediately frowned. With another sigh, she rolled onto her side and began crawling toward the washbasin while listening to Ye Yu talk about deducting the cost for sleepwear.

“All my coin has flown from my purse. Though he did at least show me Fan manor before everything went... more wrong... ugh.”

She eventually reached the washstand, found the water pitcher, and poured some into the basin. Then some herbal mixtures for a cleansing agent. There she undressed partially and began to scrub her arms and face.

“A patrol caught sight of us and thought we were thieves!” she complained. “They chased us all the way into the canal surrounding the palace outer walls.”

“You -what- my dinner?! ”

Ye Yu pretended to be offended, rising from the bed before dramatically falling on it again. “Ohh my! And to think I have refused Sister Xu’s invitation to share a fine dinner with her! There would have been duck and oysters and fried lotus roots... And now, my dumplings are lost, drowning in the can-... in the... lost somewhere!”

She rolled on the bed, one hand on her growling stomach.

“Such a waste... And your boat-lover man... he did not pay for them? Such a skinflint!”

She rolled again onto the other side of the bed, opened a drawer in a small cabinet and took out several items, vials and perfumed soaps. Rolling back to Yingzimò, she stood up to join the weary girl.

“Let me help you. You’ll need more than just some herbs to clean yourself from... whatever you had! At least, it wasn’t a complete disaster, was it? Did you learn anything about the Manor, Master Fan or his presumably ties to the snakes group? Or...

Did my young bodyguard get carried away
With some dreams she was having today?
That Zhou doesn’t not seem to be your ideal prince
Let me help you take off your dress I’ll rinse...

Of course, I’m putting all those fees on your bill
Maybe keeping your sword or horse as deposit, I will?” she added, teasing -or was she serious?-.

“It was a total disaster!” She said dramatically, slumped over the washbasin, barely capable of keeping her head up.

Even so, she managed to glance over her shoulder as Ye Yu sorted through some soaps and fragrances. More expenses to add to her debt? Yet, she seemed entirely unamused about her sword and horse acting as collateral.

“Absolutely not,” she said at once. “We-- well, I-- will simply have to find another way to repay you. In any case...”

With a groan, she turned back to the basin and plunged her hair into the water. After wringing it out, she continued, “I had to persuade that... that... man... to take me there. I told him Sister Yu and I were searching for a wealthy patron--
But the moment we arrived, he picked me up so I could peer over the wall, then the servants caught sight of me and thought I was some yaoguai! There was no way to get a proper look... and then a patrol came around the corner!”
--among other things...

She scrubbed at her hair more aggressively.

“I learned nothing useful. Nothing at all. The only thing I gained was the location of the estate-- which I likely could have learned from any local. Hah... what a waste. Now I stink like sewage, and I haven’t got your dinner, and--and--urghh...”

For her part, Ye Yu giggled a bit and put a comforting hand on her guard’s shoulder, gently massaging her.

“Indeed, that isn’t the best infiltration story I ever heard,
Yet, look! It isn’t, as you called it, 'a complete disaster':
What have you learnt tonight? That the servants do fear spirits
And you’ve got yourself a handyman in love. For you, no demerit!”

She uncorked a small bottle, releasing the scent of fresh mint into the air. One, two, three drops... Half the bottle got poured into her hand.

“Please allow me?” she demanded, touching Yingzimò’s hands then hair.
“This will help you relax, guarantee!”

If she was allowed to, she would give her a slow, deep scalp massage using lotion, delving her fingers under her hair in small, circular motions.

“Maybe... Maybe we could even use the commotion you created today?
Why not returning to that place tomorrow, and... let’s say...
You could present yourself as a famous Yaoguai hunter
Tracking them before they could harm the Master?
You could pretent you need an access inside for... investigation?
I do wonder... How should we dress you this time for this new mission?”

Yingzimò gaze a small nod and sat back, allowing Ye Yu to work her magic and massage the fragrant oil into her scalp. The gentle pressure drew a quiet sigh from her as the weariness of the night left her body.

“Mmm...” she mused, eyes half-lidded. “It’s not a bad idea. After the stir we caused, I imagine they would be easily persuaded that a restless spirit is haunting the area...”

One eye cracked open.

“Must I disguise myself at all? I was trained for such things, after all! My usual armor should suffice. I can simply appear as I am and offer my services to rid their home of the malevolent ghost.” A faint smile tugged at her lips. “It may even earn use a few silvers in the process.”

Still seated upon the ground, she turned slightly to face Ye Yu, newfound confidence brightening her features. Her arms folded across her chest out of modesty.

“And what if you accompanied me as my assistant?!” she asked, leaning forward with growing enthusiasm. “We could search around the place and pretend to perform an exorcism and then bust out of there once we get what we need! Surely that’s believable! Oh... that is if you want to. I know I agreed to accompany you to Gracetown.”

Ye Yu continued to massage Yingzimò, slowly neutralizing the sour smell of canal water with her lotions. Her fingers descended on the neck and she applied circular pressure from bottom up the way to the top.

“Come on, Yingzi-silly! Of course you need to disguise!
If Master Fan is indeed having business with your enemies,
You don’t want them to be able to trace your real identity!
Disguises are the very first weapon of professional spies!”

She giggled, looking back at all her clothing.

“Oooh, to be your assistant, that sounds exciting! Wait, I have no clue what to do?
Should I learn some martial tricks? Or would I only be carrying your weapons and doing what you demand to?
I’m even not sure to have what it takes to dress up like a hunter
Or... Maybe I have but... It’s would be more... hem... like a night runner?
Other than those cultist snakes, have you already tracked somebody down?
...mhh? Oh! True, I’d completely forgotten about Gracetown!”

Yingzimò grumbled under her breath about disguises as she turned to the washbasin, splashing some cool water over her face and arms while Ye Yu tended to her neck and backside.

“...Hm. You make a fair point,” she conceded after a moment. “If we’re truly to disguise ourselves, we’ll need something unremarkable. Perhaps some plain robes? Like two wandering Taoist exorcists. Do you have anything like that?”

She shook her head lightly, drops of water scattering from dark strands of hair.

“There’ll be no need for martial tricks... I think. If we present ourselves as exorcists, we need only to perform a convincing rite-- or at least look like we’re prepared to. Some paper talismans, a bell, and maybe some mugwort should suffice.”

Her fingers worked at a stubborn bit of dirt on her knee as she hummed thoughtfully.

“As for tracking someone down... yes... and no. I’ve done it before but under my Master’s guidance at the time.”

“Two... Taoist exorcists? I... uuh... I think you’ll have to dig in my wardrobe to see if anything fit
I’m not sure for the outfits, but for accessories, there should be everything required for the rites!”

She started to massage Yingzimò’s hair vigorously, like she was trying to scrub every inch of her scalp from any residue collected in the canal.

“Really, to swim in the canal, what a dumb idea! You really should find that man again and ask for compensation!
I think to the Spring Pavilion we’ll have to make a jump again, for a thorough cleansing operation!
There’s no way you get into bed in such a state of filth and squalor
Grab some spare clothes and let’s hurry before they close the doors” she sighed in resignation at the scale of the mess she had to sort out.

“Hot water will do you good,
Pretty sure it’ll brighten your mood!
Then, we’ll go and find some food
While you’ll tell me more about your dude!”

Already stuffing clothes in a bag, she grabbed her poor (literally and figuratively) bodyguard and dragged her out again to the very first place they visited today: the circle was complete.