16 The Lost Child (1/2)
XieRong and FeiHong quickly left the back alley and went to the main street to buy provisions.
”Jie, why did you choose to go with Young Lord Bai instead of the fourth prince?”
”Because a lot of people would choose to travel with the fourth prince rather than Lord Bai.”
”Then wouldn't that make us a more easier target by the bandits?”
”No, more people doesn't necessarily mean more security, FeiHong. Think about it, the number of people with the prince far outnumber the guards with him and most of the people travelling with the prince will be the common people with hardly any cultivation because they think that the guards with the prince will be high level cultivators who will protect them. However, the favoured second prince is arriving today. So whose security do you think will be the priority?”
”The second prince's.”
”Exactly. So who do you think will have better guards?”
”The second prince.”
”Yes. Wait and see FeiHong, the fourth prince's party will have at most, ten to twelve cultivators whose cultivation is in the mid to late Spirit Stabilising Realm. I also didn't want to travel with him because he is the second prince's blood brother. Who's to say that if one turned out to be a rotten apple, the other will not be one too? Now, I want you tell me the other reasons as to why I chose to travel with young lord Bai.”
XieRong let her sister think as she quickly made her purchases.
After XieRong was done shopping for clothes and food she looked at her little sister who was still in deep thought.
”FeiHong can you please put all these in your ring? I can't carry all these much longer!”
FeiHong sheepishly put all the things in her space.
”So, have you come up with an answer? It's okay if you're wrong. All people make mistakes, and the smart ones learn from them. I made a lot of mistakes too when mother taught me.”
”Jie, I think the other reason you chose first young lord Bai was because of the provisions. Since more people are travelling with the fourth prince he'll have to carry more provisions, while Lord Bai will have to carry less. This will attract bandits to the fourth prince's group rather than first young lord Bai's”
”Good girl, FeiHong!” XieRong praised.
”You're right. I chose him because of that as well. I'll tell you the last reason; young lord Bai has more influence than the fourth prince because he is older. Also, the fourth prince lives in the shadows of his older brother. Naturally, the first young lord Bai will have more powerful friends who would have provided him with extra guards with high cultivation levels and other provisions for the journey.”
XieRong looked around for a weapon shop. The capital was so big and crowded that not losing her sister in itself could be considered a great feat.
”Jie, let's ask that steamed bun vendor for directions.”
FeiHong pointed to a small booth.
XieRong pushed her way to the vendor, holding FeiHong's hand firmly.
She took a deep breath once she made it out. She felt like she'd just fought a war and emerged victorious.
She picked up FeiHong in one arm. After the poison had been removed from her, XieRong found it easier to carry FeiHong in her arms for longer periods of time. The streets were getting busier by the minute.
”Mister,” XieRong said, addressing the vendor,”are the streets always this crowded at this time?”
”No young miss, the second prince has arrived, so everyone is rushing to see him. Otherwise this street is usually empty.”
XieRong's eyes gleamed with joy.
'So, he'd returned had he?'
XieRong laughed at the second prince in her heart. She'd prepared a surprise for him that he'd never forget. She couldn't wait to hear the rumours when they reached the west province.
”Say, mister, do you happen to know any weapon shops around here? I've been looking around but haven't found any so far.”
”Miss, you should go the Jin weapon shop that's on the fifth street, it's the only shop that will be open today. You will find it if you go straight down, take the fourth right from here and then the third left.”
”Thank you, mister,” she said, paying for the steamed bun she bought for her sister.
XieRong turned to leave when she felt someone grab her pants.
She turned around to see a little girl younger than FeiHong.
”Jie Jie, have you seen my big brother anywhere?”
XieRong saw the little girl had tears in her eyes. She knew she didn't have the time to help someone else besides herself but the girl reminded her so much of FeiHong that she just had to help her.
She would have been distraught if something similar had happened to her sister. Her mother had always taught her to treat people the way she would want others to treat her. XieRong knew that she would want someone to help FeiHong if she were in the same predicament as this little girl.
Putting FeiHong down, XieRong bent down to the little girl's level.
”Little miss, can you tell me what happened?”
”I was here shopping with my elder brother but then I lost him.”
”What a strong girl you are!”
She patted the little girl's head with her free hand,”You didn't cry and looked for help. How about I buy you a steamed bun for being so brave?”
The little girl's face brightened a little.
”This Jie Jie will also help you look for your elder brother while you eat the dumplings. Can you tell this Jie Jie your name?”
”ChuHua.”
”Okay, ChuHua, let's look for your big brother.”
XieRong bought another steamed bun and gave it to the little girl.