In the long corridor inside the barge your footsteps come to a halt. You look at Xiao Ze, your eyebrows raised in surprise.
Xiu Ying: Why didn't you say?
Xiao Ze: [Innocently] You didn't ask.
Xiu Ying: [Hitting forehead with palm] Xiao Ze, what are you really doing here?
Xiao Ze: I need to make sure of something. It's very important. If you don't want to come with me, that's fine. You can leave. I won't blame you.
Xiu Ying: [Sighing] How can I leave you here all by yourself? Go on, tell me where we're going first.
You proceed through the boat, staying out of sight, but you walk straight into a guard patrol coming around a corner. You react quickly and shove Xiao Ze into an adjacent cabin. You're about to dive in after him, but a guard calls out to you.
Guard: What are you doing here, sneaking around?!
Xiu Ying: Sorry, my Lord. I'm a Wang family servant. I got lost.
Guard: [Pointing back the way you came] Go back that way. You're not allowed back here. Now move!
You thank him and go back. When you hear them move off you return and open the door to the cabin you shoved Xiao Ze into. You can't see him.
Xiu Ying: [Whispering] Xiao Ze? Xiao Ze?
Xiao Ze: I'm here.
You follow the sound. The room is piled high with junk. Xiao Ze is in the corner, looking forlorn. Next to him is an open window. Seems he heard something through it.
Xiao Ze: I know now.
Xiu Ying: [Heaving a sigh of relief] Good. Let's go then. The guards here don't miss a thing. We can't afford to get caught.
You go back the way you came, but when you reach the doorway you realize the barge has already left the shore. While you're still wondering what the heck to do, a familiar figure walks into sight.
Xiu Ying: Oh! Glad it's you! My young master's always trying to sneak off. I suppose once the boat has left the show, there's no way he can escape, is there?
She peers at Xiao Ze who is standing behind you, and replies in a quiet voice.
Grandma: Once the boat is moving there's no way to get off. I hear Lady Zhang will be sending something back to the shore later. They will use a small row boat. There's no room for and adult, but there's probably room for a kid. Keep an eye out!
Xiu Ying: Okay. Thank you.
You quickly lead Xiao Ze in the direction of the row boat, but when he realized you'll have to stay behind he becomes defiant.
Xiao Ze: No! I'm not leaving without you! You've got to come with me!
Xiu Ying: [In a low voice] Get in, Your Majesty.
Xiao Ze's eyes open wide.
Xiu Ying: You are the Crown Prince. It is your task to stop Prince Jin taking the throne. The fate of Western Liang rests on your shoulders. You cannot stay here. It's too dangerous.
Xiao Ze: How did you guess...
Xiu Ying: [Smiling] Who else could you be? There's no time to lose. We can discuss it later. I'll go and distract Lady Zhang. When I do, you get in the boat and hide.
You leave him and approach a woman walking your way. You grab her by the arm.
Xiu Ying: Hey! You sneaking food out of the kitchen again?
Lady Zhang: [Frowning] Do you know who I AM? I am Lady Zhang!
[Terrified] Oh! Lady Zhang! I'm so sorry!
Lady Zhang: Let go of me! Where did you come from... Hey! Come back here!
Xiu Ying: I'm looking for a thief!
You yell back at her as you run. She is stomping her feet angrily.
Xiu Ying: [Dodging patrols, mumbling to yourself] So many people. I'm gonna get caught eventually. Better find a good hiding spot.
As you look for suitable spot to hide, you hear high pitch screams. A row of young women standing to attention have seen you. You stop running and dive through the nearest door. You immediately regret your decision. The room smells lovely, the furnishings are exquisite. Whoever stays in this cabin must be of high rank. You turn on your heel and are about to exit when a young woman appears in the doorway. One look at her clothes and you can tell this one will be hard to fool.
Xiu Ying: [Looking fiercely] Sorry mistress!
Before she can react, you put your hand around her mouth and drag her forcefully into the room. She is surprisingly strong and breaks away. She grabs a vase and hurls it at you. You are faster and smack her over the head with a heavy ink stone. Her eyes roll back into her head and she passes out.
Xiu Ying: Suh... sorry! I'll make it up to you sometime! Bye!
Your place her down carefully, full of apologies, turn around and find several people looking at you.
? ? ?: Ugh! What a dog!
You rolled your eyes and almost fainting from the anger. The man who said it has hard eyes. His hostility is palpable.
Xiu Ying: Greetings, Lord Jin.
Prince Jin: You know me?
Xiu Ying: I have seen you at a distance, my Lord.
Prince Jin: Oh? You have a good memory.
Xiu Ying: Your noble bearing is hard to forget my Lord.
Prince Jin: [Coldly] You think to keep your life after breaking into my home and attacking my maid?
The Dark Guard standing behind him walks forward and grabs you. You scream for mercy.
Xiu Ying: I didn't mean to my Lord! Mercy!
Dark Guard: Let me throw her in the river, my Lord.
Xiu Ying: No! Don't interrupt! We're still talking! My Lord, I beg you...
The Dark Guard waits for the Prince to speak. The Prince's features betray nothing, except cold contempt.
Prince Jin: Speak.
Xiu Ying: [Speaking quickly] Someone kidnapped me and tied me up on the boat. I was trying to escape and somehow ended up in your room. I was trying to get away when...
Prince Jin: Throw her in the river.
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