Blood of Deception [ON HOLD]

Chapter Ten

The next morning, Meiyue assembled her little group to the courtyard where they discussed what to do with the bag of silver and gold that Yuzhe brought with him. At first, Meiyue thought of just handing the needy the money but Yuzhe suggested it would be better to give them things that they needed instead. He said sometimes cash was like drugs, often used for healing yet it could also be used in the wrong way. In the end, they decided primarily upon rice, salt, and some cooked food.

Meiyue did not get to inform Kenshin with what they planned for he was nowhere to be found. She rejected escort from the guards at the manor and headed out into the town with just her group.

In the daylight, the square looked different. For one moment Meiyue could imagine that she was strolling in the market square near Yuzhe's house back in the north, though there were fewer stalls and much lesser crowd. Sellers occupied the sides of the street. From vegetables, fruits, and meat up to beautifully handmade crafts were spread upon woven grass mats. They called upon the group as they passed. The princess desired to take a look at the merchandise but told herself to focus on the task first.

The men purchased bags of rice and salt from a publicly-owned grocery store down the street. Meiyue and Xiaonu went to find a place where they could exchange gold coins into smaller changes before buying dozens of buns put in a paper bag. (Their breakfast was included in there too).

They deposited their purchase and ate in front of a building that had been closed down. It was late morning, though the sun was shielded behind clouds. The air felt cooler, and Meiyue wondered if it was because of thick forests that surrounded the town.

"Do you think we've bought enough?" Meiyue asked Yuzhe after they ate. He was looking down at the string bags at their feet. The color of the bags matched his clothes, a pale shade of yellow that reminded her of sugarcane. "Should we ask for a wagon?"

"They should be enough, and we can carry them," he said, meaning the guards. They were rid of their armors and dressed plainly. "Maybe we can split into groups. That way we might be able to offer help to more."

Meiyue turned to the others. Xiaonu was explaining something to Baotong while the others listened intently. "We can make four groups."

"Are you alright to separate with Xiaonu?"

Caught off guard at his implication, Meiyue said, "I think she's enjoying this adventure well enough." Her maid was laughing at something the soldiers said. Then sensing the princess looking, she came to her.

They then divided into groups of two, Xiaonu being with Baotong, and the rest of the soldiers in pairs. Meiyue instructed Baotong to bring Xiaonu back to the manor at nightfall before they set off in separate ways.

"Do you have any place in mind that we can go to help?" Meiyue asked once alone with Yuzhe. He was carrying the heavier bags of rice and salt while she held a parcel of warm buns.

They were out of the market square now. Wagons bearing timber and iron rods passed them. Padding on foot were vendors with yokes over their shoulders. On either side were adjoining workshops and stores belonging to the government, laborers crowding the buildings.

"I remember there's a slum where most of the unprivileged roamed. I'm not sure it lasted until now though," Yuzhe answered.

Meiyue hugged the parcel tighter, remembering their conversation with Kenshin from dinner. "Let's go check then."

Yuzhe nodded and led the way. He navigated the way with a little ease, sometimes pausing to check the direction with others. Meiyue supposed he had put his days here in a dark part of his mind where they eventually turned to hazy memories of what had passed. Staring at his back as they walked, she wondered shortly about his past.