38 Still a Man (1/2)
The stars were all scattered in the dark sky. Surrounding the speck of stars was the crescent-shaped moon right in the center, hovering above a small little white cloud. The streets of the district were empty. From time to time, one or two people would be walking down the streets, either drunk or coming out from a brothel. A figure not too far from the center of the district heading toward the tree was the petite, strong-headed Han Suyin.
She rushed as fast as she could to meet up with Qin Fuhua to tell him the good news. Another thing that worried her was the letter that was written before she even decided to head out of the Junli's pavilion. If the Prince had to send a letter to her, it must have been very important.
At the moment, all Suyin wanted to do was hurry to meet up with the Prince to figure out whether or not the key she had in possession with her was the item that they were looking for this whole time.
Suyin had arrived at the large plum blossom tree in the center of the district. A large plaza laid in front of the tree that was preoccupied with plenty of vendors and sellers a couple of hours ago. The sound of the countless wooden ornaments was spinning on the tree, some hitting against each other because of the wind. Suyin took a glance around the area to see whether or not Qin Fuhua had arrived but there was no one other than herself there.
Suyin stared at the plum blossom tree, decorated by the wooden ornaments that were filled with dreams, desires, and wishes of the people in Liaoping. Suyin could see her ornament hanging at the edge of the tall tree, facing the whole city. Although it was hard for her to see the characters written on the wood, she could see the name she had placed: ”QSY” with an orange flower drawn in the front. It spelled, ”Qin Suyin” borrowing the dear Prince's first name in hopes of making his wish come true: treating the Princess so that she would be well.
”Why are you wearing that?”
A familiar voice called out to Suyin from the darkness behind her. Suyin jumped, but then slowly turned around to see the person that she was looking for.
”T-Tienzheng!” Suyin called out.
”Qin Fuhua,” Suyin said in her head with relief.
Just as she was about to take a step closer to him, Qin Fuhua was stumbling, as if he was intoxicated. She froze in place, watching him come towards her as he held her shoulders.
Right as he pulled her to him, he pulled her hair tie, revealing herself to him.
Han Suyin was dressed up as a medicine man, so it was natural that she had her hair tied up in a bun with a common robe worn by many small physicians that didn't have a big name.
Qin Fuhua wrapped his hands around her shoulders, whispering to her.
”Follow what I do.” He calmly said. The small, petite woman was perplexed but nodded anyway.
Qin Fuhua carefully held her wrist, pulling her as he immediately ran to one of the brothels nearby.
”Where did he go?” One of the followers of Jianhong asked the other. The two panicked. After feeling relaxed, thinking that Qin Fuhua was drunk and was not in the right state of mind, they didn't think that he would escape so quickly.
”Right there!” The other shouted, pointing their finger at the two silhouettes far from them.
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When Qin Fuhua had stumbled upon the old man at the vendor, it was actually one of the Prince's men that were secretly watching out for him. The old man was one of Qin Fuhua's trusted soldier that had fought alongside him in plenty of battles. During the conversation of Jianhong and Qin Fuhua was happening in the room, two familiar men stood in the next room listening to the conversation through the walls.
One, the old man of Qin Fuhua's trusted soldier, Zhaoyun, and the other was none other than Wansun. After Qin Fuhua had stumbled at the vendor (which was Zhaoyun), he made a quick notice that the Prince had dropped two letters for him. One letter was for Han Suyin and the other was a command for Zhaoyun and Wansun to follow orders of what to do next before it becomes dangerous.
Wansun, dressed in all black shot the arrow through Junli's home and toward Suyin after seeing her. Getting directions from the Prince was easy enough for Wansun to know where she stayed in since it was the former general's home (Junli's father).
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”They came in here.” the soldier said, kicking the door of the brothel. Many of the girls screamed. A couple of the ladies covered their mouths gasping, others were shocked at what they had done. The two soldiers scanned the room, looking around to see if they could find Tienzheng.
”Who dares to come in and barge in my home?” A voice called out.
The soldiers both looked at each other and then looked at the delicate, older lady descending down the stairs.