Mengyao decided to go into the marketplace under the guise of picking up vegetables for Luli. When Peizhi asked to go with him, he told her to stay and behave herself. He wouldn’t be long in the market and he’d even pick her up thread for her embroidery. That was enough to sate her and prevent her from coming.

He walked the marketplace, observing the bright colors of people and stalls. He made his way to the closest tavern. If there was anyone who knew anything, they’d frequent a tavern.

Mengyao entered the dark tavern. When he entered, many looked up at him. Most turned the head back to their doings but Mengyao heard some murmurs.

“What’s someone like him doing here?”

“He must be loaded! Look at his yuanlingpao!”

For now, Mengyao ignored them. He approached the barkeeper, who looked to him and raised an eyebrow. Mengyao smiled at him. It was then Mengyao placed a small bag of coins in front of him and pushed them forward.

“I want information.”

The barkeeper took the bag and looked inside. Mengyao’s smile widened as he saw the barkeeper’s eyes almost pop out of his head. The barkeeper cleared his throat as he tucked the small bag of platinum into his pocket.

“What information are you looking for?”

“It’s about the Su Family.”

The barkeeper scoffed. “Everyone knows they died twenty years ago by fire. Don’t no one know nothing else.”

Mengyao's smile never faltered as he brought his voice down to a whisper. “Really? I guess I must repeat myself: Give me what you know about the Su Family and any happenings involving them or else, Madame Tung-Mei will find out that a few drunken idiots made a makeshift doll of hers and burned it in this tavern.”

The barkeeper’s face paled. “Y-you wouldn’t!”

“Wouldn’t I? And considering how disgustingly dirty it is in here, you’d be shut down as soon as I gave word,” Mengyao commented. “Now, information about the Su family if you so please.”

The barkeeper bit his lip, glancing around before whispering, “The only thing that I can tell you is that a few nights ago, someone went riding around the old Su Family residence. They went rummaging around the debris before leaving and carrying something. That’s all I know.”

Someone went to his old family’s home? Why?

Mengyao nodded and smiled. “Thank you, sir. And please, begin cleaning this place up. It’ll be our secret from Madame Tung-Mei.”

With that, Mengyao walked out of the tavern. With a wave of his hand, any dirt that covered his boots and sleeves disappeared. He began going to stalls and picking up vegetables for Luli and got many colors of embroidery thread for Peizhi.

As he walked, he began pondering the person who went to his old family’s residence. And carrying what? Were there still treasures left by the fire? Or was there something else he didn’t know?

Mengyao was so in thought, he almost walked past the carriage that brought him there. Mengyao chuckled to himself before getting in and setting the basket of vegetables snuggly beside him.

He tapped the window to give the driver the initiative to leave. 

He began to think of a way to ask Madame Tung-Mei to allow him to investigate his old family home and possibly even wait for the rider who decided to rummage through. Madame Tung-Mei knew this was important to him; there was no way she’d deny him.

When they arrived at the Yi residence, he saw Peizhi outside sweeping the entrance. He chuckled as he approached and placed a hand on her head. She looked up and her face seemed to beam.

“Yao-gege! You came back!”

“I did! And I bought your embroidery threads, Zhi-er. Who told you to sweep the entrance?”

“Madame Tung-Mei. She said if I was so bored, I should go sweep the entrance. She shoved a broom in my hands and then told me to go. All I was doing was telling her stories.”

Mengyao smiled. “I’ll drop your embroidery thread in your bag in the kitchen, ok?”

“Ok!” she responded.

Mengyao headed toward the kitchen first to drop off the vegetables Luli asked for. When he entered, he knocked on the doorframe before entering. He glanced over to see Luli sitting in front of a basin and washing dishes.

“Luli-mei, I brought the vegetables you asked for,” he said, setting the basket on the cutting table.

“Thanks. Just keep them there. Madame Tung-Mei is about to head out soon. You might wanna catch her soon,” Luli said, not looking up from her chores.

“Heading out? Where?”

“Probably to deal with the Duan Family. More gathering and shit,” Luli said, waving the rag in her hand before going back to cleaning.

“Ah. I also have Zhi-er’s embroidery thread in the basket. Once you’re done, could you please place it in her bag? It’s very important to her.”

“Will do. Go.”

Mengyao nodded before speedwalking out of the kitchen and toward the Main Hall. He hoped he wasn’t too late to catch her! As he walked, he saw her crossing the courtyard. He knew she was heading toward the entrance.

“Madame Tung-Mei! A moment of your time, My Lady,” Mengyao said, bowing and stopping in front of her. Mengyao had to admit, the speedwalking took some breath out of him.

“What is it, A-Yao? I have to leave very soon,” she said, her hands tucked into her sleeves.

“My lady, I have a favor to ask of you. You’ve been very kind but there is something that I must do that requires me to leave the residence for a few hours,” he said.

Madame Tung-Mei looked at him. He knew she was thinking about whether she should let him go or not. 

“Go ahead of me,” she said to Lei and her servant that were escorting her.

“Why? Mama, just let him go on his way and let’s go!” Lei complained. Mengyao was so annoyed with Lei’s complaining. He was an adult. He needed to act like it.

“I said go ahead of me. I will be out to the carriage shortly,” Madame Tung-Mei commanded, shooting a look at her son.

Mengyao saw Lei huff before stomping off as the servant trailed behind. Mengyao turned his attention to Madame Tung-Mei who gave him her undivided attention.

“Where will you be going?”

“To my family’s residence. I will only be gone for a few hours and back before dawn.”

“Wouldn’t you rather leave at dawn? That way, you’d be here before it got too dark.”

Mengyao shook his head. “This is very important, My Lady. Someone was spotted rummaging through my family’s residence and I must see what they took. Or maybe see if they left any clues.”

Madame Tung-Mei continued to stare at Mengyao before closing her eyes. Her expression softened as she touched his face. Mengyao couldn’t help but smile at her. She was a concerned mother and he was grateful for that.

“Be careful. Take a flare and shoot it off if you’re in danger. I will come,” she said softly. “I hope you find answers, Yao’er.”

Mengyao nodded before bowing. “Please have a safe trip, My Lady. You wouldn’t want to keep your guests waiting.”

Madame Tung-Mei nodded. With that, she began walking to the entrance and out to her carriage. Mengyao nodded as he headed to the kitchens. He saw Luli sitting and reading a small book while reclining against the wall. He looked around and saw that the kitchen looked flawless.

“Luli-mei. I need you to help me pack some food,” Mengyao said, walking over to her.

Luli raised an eyebrow as she looked up from her book. “Food? Where are you going?”

“That’s not important. I’ll be leaving quite soon.”

“I’m guessing Madame Tung-Mei gave you the go ahead to go wherever it is you’re going. Fine then. Give me about twenty minutes and I’ll pack you a lunch and dinner. How long are you planning to be gone?”

Luli put the book down on the stool as she stretched. Mengyao noticed the title was in a different language than he recognized. If he had to guess, the book must have been from Aldshore. He didn’t know Luli knew multiple languages. He would have to ask her about that when he got the chance.

“A few hours.”

“I’ll pack you a lunch, dinner and breakfast in case you decide to rest,” Luli said, putting her apron on and going to the stove to start a fire.

“Thank you, Luli-mei. I will be back to pick up the food,” Mengyao said, nodding.

As he left, he heard her give a small grunt in response. He headed to his room and began to pack. He knew he’d be gone for a little while but thought it best to pack extra robes. He also thought about what weapons he could bring to protect himself. He knew he could bring his bow and arrows but thought they’d be less than effective if in the case of an ambush.

He looked to his wall and saw the sword he was given on his twentieth birthday. Lei had given Madame Tung-Mei so much grief over giving Mengyao a sword.

“He needs to know how to protect himself A-Lei,” Madame Tung-Mei had said.

“He’s a servant! What does he need to learn how to protect himself for?!” Lei whined back.

Mengyao shook his head at the memory. It was a beautifully crafted sword made of glass. When Mengyao got it, he was sure that it was decorative and not for actual protection. Madame Tung-Mei assured him that the sword was for protection as the glass was enchanted. 

He told her that he’d keep it in his room but he may never have use for it.

Mengyao took the sword from the wall and strapped it to his hip. Well, it was time to see if the sword could protect him. After packing up what he could for his trip, he headed to the kitchens to find Luli finishing up the food she made.

“Alright, here’s your food. You should be able to make it to where you need to go and back and still have food left over. Just give whatever you don’t eat to either A-Zhi or the koi. I don’t care,” Luli said, shaking her head.

Mengyao smiled. “Thank you, Luli-mei. I think you care more than you let on,” he teased as he took the boxes.

“Don’t think too much into it. I’m just doing my job,” Luli said, rolling her eyes. “Just make sure to tell A-Zhi you’re going. I think there’s a horse still in the stables.”

“Thank you. You’d make one lucky man happy.”

“Ugh. Let’s not even talk about stuff like that,” Luli remarked, shaking her head as she got to cleaning the kitchen. “Hurry up and get out of here before it gets too dark for you to travel.”

Mengyao nodded before leaving the kitchens and heading out through the entrance to the stables. He heard small footsteps behind him and someone pulling at his sleeve.

“Yao-gege! Where are you going?”

“I’m going to be out for a little bit, Zhi-er. Make sure to watch over the residence with Luli-jie, ok?”

“I wanna go with you! I can protect you and me!” Peizhi said, as she did her kicks and punches in the air.

“Zhi-er, I’m just going to the market. I’ll be back.”

Peizhi paused before looking to Mengyao. “But I can still protect you!”

Mengyao shook his head. “Zhi-er, go inside ok?”

With a defeated sigh, Peizhi nodded. “Ok, Yao-gege.”

Mengyao nodded as he patted Peizhi on the head. He walked to the stables and saw the lone horse. She was a beautiful mare of Black with white hooves and markings. He approached her and petted her head.

“Good evening, Tao. Are you ready to go riding?” he asked her.

The horse gave a snort in return and nudged Mengyao. He smiled as he led her out of the stables and got her ready for riding. He patted her side as he hoisted himself onto her back. With a small kick, he galloped away down the road.