15 The Debt Repaid (1/2)
By the time XieRong and FeiHong had made it to the capital, the sun was at its peak above their heads.
XieRong made her way to the ChuanLi restaurant and ordered lunch.
She knew people wouldn't recognise her and she would rather keep it that way, even asking FeiHong to keep her spatial ring inside her own.
”FeiHong,” XieRong whispered to her sister,”we have to look and behave like complete outsiders. If someone asks you if I've come here before, you must say no, understand? ”
FeiHong nodded her head.
”FeiHong understands.”
”Good,” she said patting her sister's head as she listened to the gossips from the nearby tables.
With her hearing improved she could hear the entire conversations than just join bits and pieces of information like she did before.
”Did you know that the second prince is returning today from the north?”
”Yes, and the crown prince is going to go greet him.”
”The sickly crown prince? Wasn't he too ill too even get out of bed?”
”He was, but from what I've heard recently, he has been getting better as of late.”
XieRong smiled.
She already knew the second prince would be returning today and she had big plans in store for him.
”Jie, the second prince is returning today,” FeiHong whispered to her sister,”The intruders are also returning today. Is it a coincidence?”
XieRong looked startled. She hadn't expected FeiHong to join the dots, but perhaps she had underestimated her little sister.
”Shh, FeiHong. It's no coincidence, but there are too many ears here. I'll tell you somewhere else okay?”
XieRong felt proud that her sister was growing smarter by the day. XieRong had to start training her sister more seriously.
”FeiHong, from now on you'll follow me wherever I go.”
FeiHong nodded happily.
Soon the waitress had arrived with her food.
”Young miss reminds me of someone who came here a few days ago,” He Ting commented, as she served the food.
”Actually, I came to the capital on someone's recommendation.”
”Oh, young miss is new?”
”Yes, it's my first time here. My cousin told me that there was a waitress here who made out that she was an outsider just from her ordering a dumpling stick from this place. She said that she liked that waitress a lot because she was very helpful and kind. Are you by chance that waitress?”
”Yes! That young miss looked lost so I wanted to help her.”
”Hm, HeTing, I think she said your name was. Am I right?”
”Yes, miss!” HeTing exclaimed, happy that someone had remembered the name of a insignificant waitress like her.
”So, tell me HeTing,” XieRong said, waving her closer,”is there any place where I could get information?”
XieRong saw HeTing's grip on her empty tray grow tight.
”What kind of information, miss?”
”I'm leaving for the West Province with my sister. I'm looking for someone with a good reputation and guards to take me there. Is there anywhere where I could find information like this?”
XieRong noticed HeTing relax. She found it odd that HeTing would tense over a matter like this.
Suspicion began to take root in XieRong's mind.
”Young miss, there is the Fa store which sells information, but,” He Ting bent down to XieRong's ear and whispered,”they aren't very reliable and do business with selected customers only. If you go to the lane behind the Fa and Bai Jewellery store. There is a very small street connected to it. Go down that alley and knock on the third door. When someone asks you for a password, say 'Jin' and they will open the door for you. You can ask for information there.”
”How will I know which narrow alley?”
”There is only one in that lane. Young miss can't get it wrong.”
XieRong smiled gratefully and thanked the young waitress as she scurried off to take orders.
XieRong laughed in her heart.
So HeTing had been one of the crown prince's people all along.
'Oh, second prince,' she thought,'how greatly you've underestimated your opponents.'
She paid her bill and headed to the location she had planned on visiting all along. It had been the main purpose of her trip to the capital besides getting provisions.
XieRong quickly made her way to the shop, asking for some directions on the way, so that if someone were following her, they'd think that she was indeed an outsider just looking for some information.
Once again, XieRong stood in front of the familiar door.
She knocked on it thrice.
”Password?”
”Jin.”
The door clicked open and Chanming greeted her, a slightly surprised look in his eyes which he masked well.
”Come in, young miss.”
”I was directed here by someone. They told me I could get the information I wanted here.”
”What kind of information is young miss looking for?”
”I want to know if someone powerful with a good reputation, who is allowing people to travel with them, is leaving for the West Province today. I'd like to be dropped off as near to Qianhe city as possible.”
”Young miss, there are two such people who're leaving for the West Province today; The first young lord Bai and the fourth prince, both of whom are travelling to Qianhe city.”
XieRong felt FeiHong's grip on her fingers tighten painfully.
”FeiHong, is something wrong?” she asked, confused at the sudden change in her sister's demeanour.
”No, Jie, it's nothing,” FeiHong said, loosening her grip.