Western Liang is not an overly secretive kingdom and you learn a lot about it along the way. It is autumn by the time you reach the capital. Exotic shops line the broad avenues. The mourning period for the dead king is several months finished and the streets are bustling with merchants and customers.
Xiu Ying: (The court of Western Liang is in uproar, but the ordinary people seem to be managing. How long can the peace last?)
Little Girl: Mummy, look at the ugly lady with the handsome man!
You look over to where the voice came from and see a girl of 5 or 6 standing there pointing at you, her eyes wide. The mask maker certainly did a good job. Your eyes are oddly angled, your mouth twisted and you have a large birthmark the color of wine. For Fu Heng's mask. The craftsman just made him look a little less handsome – enough to disguise his identity but not enough to stop people looking.
Xiu Ying: [Sincerely] Little girl, you will hurt my feelings talking like that. Look at the tears in my eyes.
Little Girl: [Bottom lip quivering] Mummy, the ugly lady is scaring me! Waaaaaaah...
Woman: [Quickly picking up her child to comfort her] There, there my darling. Don't look at the ugly lady. She doesn't look like a very nice person. Stay away from her.
Xiu Ying: [Irritated] I might be a bit ugly, but at least I'm not rude!
The woman glares at you fiercely, then walks away with her baby, leaving you behind feeling foolish and upset. It's noon and you tug Fu Heng's sleeve.
Xiu Ying: [Annoyed] Brother, they were mean to me.
Fu Heng: Ah... Would you like a candy, sister?
You decided to start calling each other brother and sister when you put the masks on. You like calling him brother, but for some reason it embarrasses him every time.
Xiu Ying: We should find an inn. Tomorrow we can look for rooms to rent.
Fu Heng: Okay. There's an inn just up ahead.
At the inn you take a couple of rooms, leave your baggage, and are about to go and get some food when a group appears and pushes you out of the way.
Passerby A: Prince Jin is coming! Outta my way, ugly!
He shoves you forcefully out of the way. You stumble backwards. Fu Heng catches you. Fu Heng stares dagger at the man. You sense him tensing up to attack, but you tug on his robe and shake your head in warning.
The rude fellow's attention is focused on the street outside. He runs downstairs and out the door.
Xiu Ying: [Quietly] We just got here. Better not draw attention to ourselves. Did you hear what he said? Prince Jin is coming this way. Come on, let's go take a look.
You head outside and see the crowd parted, leaving the avenue clear. The clattering of horses hooves hitting flagstones fills the street. A contingent of cavalry surrounding a sumptuous looking litter moves towards you. The sight is awe-inspiring and people look on in fear.
Xiu Ying: (Very imposing. Not so different from the Emperor.)
Passerby A: Majesty! Majesty! Help me! I beg you!
The man who just shoved past you in the tavern bursts out onto the street. Before he reaches the litter, he is intercepted by one of the guards who promptly lops his head off with this long sword. Blood sprays out of his neck. Screams fill the street. The crowd starts to stampede. You're caught in the middle of the crowd and are pushed along by others trying to escape.
Guard: [Yelling] Everyone stop! You are in the presence of Prince Jin! Have some respect!
The guard's furious command stops the crowd in its tracks. You have become separated from Fu Heng.
Xiu Ying: (I heard Prince Jin was ruthless, but this is something else!)
A bored, disinterested voice sounds from inside the litter.
Prince Jin: What's happening? Why are you killing people in the street?
Guard: My Lord! The man was a fugitive! I recognized him immediately. I feared he might hurt you, or an innocent bystander. Please forgive me!
Prince Jin: I see. Well, I suppose what you did is understandable then. Very well. Clean it up.
The Prince's retinue moves on, leaving behind several guards who move the body and start washing the street. You start looking for Fu Heng. As you're searching you see a young boy of 7 or 8 get pushed out onto the street. He bumps into one of the guards, an especially nasty looking one.
Not thinking, you charge into the street and put yourself between the boy and the guard. You smile apologetically at the guard.
Xiu Ying: Sorry! My brother's a bit simple. Always running around, bumping into people. Sorry sir.
Guard: [Angry] Is he blind as well?!
Xiu Ying: Please forgive us, my Lord...
Guard: [Noticing your face] Ugh! Ugly! Pay me something and maybe I'll forgive you.
Xiu Ying: [Pulling your purse] Take this, good sir. Sorry to bother you...
Child: [Grabbing the purse and shoving it back in your top] Royal guards don't take bribes!
We were not expected the kid to be so chivalrous. You feel oddly proud, but also scared.
Xiu Ying: [Pulling him behind you again] Sorry, sorry. He's simple.
Guard: He doesn't sound simple! You've got a nerve! Are you making fun of me?!
Xiu Ying: No, sir! Not at all! Take the money. Sorry for the trouble!
You grab the kid's hand and whisper in his ear.
Xiu Ying: Try not to get us both killed, okay?
He is clearly still angry, but manages to hold his tongue.
Guard: [Taking the purse and laughing] You don't look very sorry!
Xiu Yingl: We are! We are! Let's go boy! Let the gentleman do his job!
Fu Heng has spotted you, and comes over to your side. Seeing Fu Heng's military bearing, the guard stuffs the purse in his shirt and stalks off.
Fu Heng: Are you hurt?
Xiu Ying: [Letting out a breath] I'm fine, just out of pocket!
Child: You're too soft! Don't bow and scrape to a man like that!
Xiu Ying: I'm not soft, I just don't see the point in dying for no good reason. You've got spunk kid! Where are your parents?
Child: [Looking strangely blank] They died.
The feisty kid suddenly looks small and overwhelmed. You feel sorry for him and take him to the inn.
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