39 Cautious hear (1/2)
”Haha. Yes, it has been a while, sir Tienzheng.”
Suyin carefully walked down the hallway to the front of the brothel where groups of women sat down on the tables, eyeing on the dear Prince. Some of them chuckled, their eyes darting to and away from Qin Fuhua.
Right in the middle of the brothel was the owner of the brothel and Qin Fuhua. Right as Suyin appeared in the scene, many of the pleasure and entertainment women's faces turned dark and somber. Their eyes now glaring at Han Suyin who casually sat down next to Qin Fuhua.
”My dear. Now that the lady is here, shall we finish our business here?” The old lady exclaimed, clapping her hands to usher the women to get back to their work.
-------------------------------In a small-sized room, beautiful decorations of red, black, and gold were painted in the bedroom. The bed was beautifully decorated and covered in layers of thin red cloth-like silk. Right in the center of the room lies a round brown table with three occupied seats. The aroma of green tea filled the room.
”It is the pleasure of seeing the Prince again,” The older lady immediately clasped her hands together and placed it on her right hip, gently bending her knees as she graciously smiled.
”W-wait what?” Suyin was freaking out, turning her head immediately to Qin Fuhua who calmly watched her. He turned to stare at Suyin but didn't utter a single word to her.
”How long has it been?” Qin Fuhua spoke, calm as a river flowing down from the mountains.
”My dear. Has it been about three years already? Look how much you've matured.” The old lady smiled, laughing as she fanned herself with a folding fan as she looked at Suyin. She paused for a second, looking at the Prince for a while before she put her fan down.
”Is there something important that caused you to be in this much trouble?” She questioned in a serious tone. Her eyes furrowed like a worried mother. ”You know that if your subordinate didn't come here, I wouldn't have prepared this quick for you.” She stated.
Qin Fuhua looked at Suyin and then looked back at the lady. ”It's that Jianhong.”
The old lady immediately covered her face in a gasp, ”Don't tell me that he's trying to steal your woman-- er.. lady here.” she teased, exclaiming in a sarcastic tone. ”Oh dear, no. What is your name dear?” The lady kindly asked.
Suyin was lost in the moment with their conversation but immediately answered the question when she asked. ”H-Han Suyin.” She replied. Suyin had been zoning in and out of their conversation because she had no business in knowing what they were speaking about.
”Han Suyin...” The old lady smiled and held Suyin's hands. ”It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Huang Qiyao, the owner of this beautiful brothel.”
The lady carefully caressed Suyin's hands. She then let go of her hand and poured a cup of tea for the two.
”Something is off with 'that' person. There was another group of soldiers that weren't his men that followed him into this small little shop when I followed him that one night.” Qin Fuhua mentioned.
Qiyao stared at Qin Fuhua for a second, reflecting whether or not she had seen Jianhong anywhere suspicious. She quietly listened with Suyin observing the two's conversation.
”There has to be something big going on with him other than the plan he had talked to me about tonight.” Qin Fuhua added. ”What he spoke to me about today... it seems like it was urgent as if he wanted to use me as his decoy.”
The door suddenly slammed open, Weizhe and Zhaoyun lowered their head in respect for Qin Fuhua. Immediately after, Weizhe came to whisper next to Qin Fuhua.
After a few seconds, Qin Fuhua nodded as he stood up from the chair.
”I'm sorry but I will have to take my leave with Suyin now. It seems like we need to get going now.” Qin Fuhua lowered his head as a quick goodbye. Qin Fuhua held Suyin's wrist, pulling her up. ”Let's go.” He commanded.
Suyin, unable to grasp with the sudden need to leave, blankly nodded. ”G-Goodbye and thank you for such kind hospitality.” She quickly said, before following Qin Fuhua out of the door.
Qiyao watched the two leave in a hurry. With a surprised face, she then smiled, laughing to herself. ”Oh, dear. He has grown so much, hasn't he?” She said to herself.
-------------------------------------------Outside down the empty streets of Liaoping, Qin Fuhua, Han Suyin, Weizhe, and Zhaoyun walked together, with the two guards behind Qin Fuhua and Suyin.
To kill off the silence, Suyin had a question. ”How did she....know?” Suyin questioned, turning her head to him. It was obvious that Suyin could see through the magic barrier, but how could that lady know that he was the Prince of Qin? Suyin had the question wrapped in her head ever since she was there.
Qin Fuhua grew silent, looking ahead instead of looking at Suyin. He stopped his footsteps and so did the three of them. He paused for a second, thinking as he put his hands behind his back. He turned to Suyin.
”She's a friend of my Master.” He answered with a straight face. The four of them continued to walk down the streets. ”I grew up with her and my Master. She was practically my other mentor.” He added.
It was interesting that a lady who owned a brothel would be a well-known martial artist, although no one knew except those that were taught by her and Qin Fuhua's Master. The two of the Masters were well-known as a duo for fighting against demons and assassins.
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