It was early in the morning when Suyin left, the skies still a dark navy blue with the sun hiding behind the mountains. She felt a flutter of nervousness in her chest; the heart of the Qin dynasty was unfamiliar and potentially dangerous.
However, determination propelled her forward as she hurried through the gates of Shu Qin.
The air was crisp and cool, and the faint light of dawn began to creep across the horizon, casting long shadows over the quiet streets. Suyin wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, her footsteps echoing softly as she made her way deeper into the city. She was alert, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of trouble or information.
As she navigated the narrow alleys and bustling markets coming to life, Suyin's mind raced with thoughts of Zheng An and Zhelan. She had to find answers quickly to prevent Zheng An from taking a path that could lead to further tragedy.
The city was vast, and whispers of rebellion and unrest were common, but she hoped to find the right clues that would unravel the mystery behind the Emperor's ruthless actions and Zheng An's quest for vengeance.
The streets of Shu Qin began to fill with merchants setting up their stalls, townsfolk starting their day, and guards patrolling with vigilant eyes. Suyin kept her head down, blending into the crowd as best she could, her ears tuned to the snippets of conversation around her. She knew she had to tread carefully and remain unnoticed while she gathered the information.
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Suyin had a couple of plans up her sleeve. With the market vendors setting up their shops, she decided to gather some poisonous herbs to sell.
This would allow her to make some money without drawing undue attention to herself. Despite feeling a pang of guilt for her early morning departure, she knew it was necessary to find clothes that she could borrow to blend in better.
As she strolled down the main road into a narrower alleyway, she tiptoed along the walls of various fenced houses, hoping to find some clothing suitable for her needs.
After some searching, she spotted an outfit hanging in a small garden on a clothesline—a simple light-green robe and hanfu, swaying gently in the morning breeze. Suyin furrowed her brows, assessing whether the clothes would fit her.
"It should at least fit," she murmured, taking a deep breath. She gently patted her chest, closed her eyes, and nodded to herself. "I need to do this." She put her palms together and lifted them to the sky, whispering, "I know this is wrong, but please help me this one time."
Suyin scanned the area for a way to scale the fence. The concrete brick fence with blue roof tiles was just out of her reach. She knew she didn't have the strength to jump over it on her own. "Okay," she breathed out, looking around for something to use as a makeshift ladder.
The early morning light was still dim, casting long shadows that concealed her movements. She needed something to give her a boost. Her eyes landed on a wooden bucket tall enough to reach her knees. An idea sparked in her mind. She grabbed one of the dried cattails lying nearby and fashioned it into a makeshift rope, tying it around the bucket.
Flipping the bucket over, she positioned it against the fence. It was just tall enough for her to reach the top. Suyin took a deep breath and, with a sense of urgency, climbed onto the bucket. She needed to be quick to avoid getting caught.
Balancing precariously, she hoisted herself up, grasping the top of the wall. With a final push, she managed to swing her legs over and land softly on the other side. Quickly, she made her way to the clothesline, her heart pounding in her chest. She grabbed the light green robe and hanfu, clutching them tightly.
Suyin wasted no time. She slipped into the borrowed clothes, adjusting them to fit as best as she could. The fabric felt strange and foreign against her skin, but it would have to do. She took one last look around the garden, ensuring she hadn't left any trace of her presence, and then climbed back over the fence, using the bucket to descend quietly.
With her new attire donned, Suyin quickly adjusted her appearance to match her disguise. She brushed a portion of her hair into a bun at the back of her head, leaving the rest to cascade down her back in loose waves. It was a simple yet effective way to appear more masculine, helping to conceal her true identity.
Next, Suyin wrapped her chest tightly with the fabric of her stolen clothes, flattening her curves to further disguise her feminine figure.
Any remaining items she needed were packed into a small bag made from a large brown cloth that she had with her, ensuring she could move quickly and lightly.
As the sun began to rise higher in the sky, casting its golden rays over the awakening city, Suyin hurried back to the main road. With determination in her resolve to make some money, she joined the crowds of people bustling through the streets, blending in seamlessly with her new guise as a "captivating man."
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As Suyin strolled down the bustling streets of the main road, she observed the lively scene unfolding around her. Vendors called out to passersby, enticing them with their wares, while others carried bundles of clothing on their backs, weaving through the crowd.
Carefully navigating the crowd of people, Suyin adopted the demeanor of a noble scholar, her right hand resting lightly on her back as she perused the shops with feigned interest.
Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from a nearby red-brick building, drawing the attention of the crowd. Curiosity piqued, Suyin pushed through the onlookers to get a better view of the scene unfolding.
In front of her, she saw an impoverished, thin man kneeling on the ground, his hands touching the dirt as he pleaded with a wealthier, more prosperous-looking individual standing before him.
The contrast between their appearances was evident—the man on the ground wore tattered clothes and looked to be in desperate need, while the other man, clad in a clean silk robe, exuded an air of wealth and authority.
"You worthless piece of rubbish," the wealthy man spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're just a waste of mouth to be fed here!"
The impoverished man looked up, desperation etched on his face as he begged for help. "Please! You have to help me! No one will come help someone like me!"
But the wealthy man's response was cold and heartless. "If you think you can come to an established clinic like this without any money, then don't come back! We do not accept people like you!"
The crowd murmured amongst themselves, echoing the sentiments of the wealthier man. Suyin listened intently, her heart aching for the poor soul before her.
"I heard he's been turned away from every clinic in the village," one person whispered. "Doesn't he have any shame?"
"There's a clear divide between the rich and the poor," another added. "He needs to know his place and leave."
As the wealthier man retreated into the clinic, threatening the impoverished man with death if he ever returned, the crowd began to disperse. Suyin, too, melted into the crowd, only to approach the poor man as soon as the coast was clear.
With gentle care, Suyin used her handkerchief to lift the impoverished man's face, helping him to stand and face her. The man's condition was important; he was thin and frail, his clothes tattered from what seemed like years of hardship. Dirt covered his face and body, evidence of the struggles he had endured.
As he gazed up at Suyin, his eyes widened with wonder and reverence. "The Gods did not betray me," he murmured, his voice filled with awe. "For it seems as if a God has come down to face me like this."
Suyin felt a pang of sympathy for the man before her. "I'm sorry," she said softly, "but I think I can help you."
The man's eyes lit up with hope, his expression shifting from despair to cautious optimism. "I don't have much to give—"
Suyin interrupted him with a shake of her head, remembering her disguise. With a graceful gesture, she helped him to his feet. "There's nothing that you need," she reassured him. "What do you need help with?"
The man's eyes brimmed with gratitude as he looked at Suyin, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and disbelief. "I... I don't even know where to begin," he admitted, his words tinged with emotion. "I've been turned away from every clinic in the village. No one will help me, no matter how much I beg."
Suyin's heart went out to him. She knew she couldn't solve all of his problems, but she was determined to do what she could to alleviate his suffering. "Tell me what is wrong with you," she said gently. "Perhaps together, we can find a solution."
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On the other side of the bustling streets, far from the gates and down the road, Suyin and the man traversed through a little forest before reaching a village. The houses were more like shacks, abandoned and dilapidated structures, with some little huts made of dried hay, likely repurposed for human habitation from their original use for animals.
As they walked, the stench of urine and alcohol permeated the air, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the city in the distance. Suyin knew she couldn't turn the man away, despite the harsh conditions of his surroundings. Eventually, they arrived at his home—a small, cramped hut barely large enough for two people, constructed from dirt and charcoal.
Inside, the sound of coughing echoed, so severe that it caught Suyin's attention even before she entered the hut. It sounded familiar, and Suyin's heart sank with concern.
"I'll take a look inside—" Suyin began, but the man stopped her, worry etched on his face.
"I'm sorry, Sir. But I'm worried it's contagious," he explained, blocking her path.
Suyin shook her head, offering a reassuring smile. "There's something I suspect might be causing it."
With his hesitant consent, Suyin squeezed herself into the small hut, barely able to fit. Inside, she found a woman lying on a makeshift bed, her breathing labored as she coughed.
"My wife," the man called from outside. "She hasn't been feeling well for a few days."
Suyin nodded, taking in the woman's appearance. She approached cautiously, addressing the woman with a gentle tone. "May I?"
The woman weakly nodded, allowing Suyin to examine her. With a careful touch and close observation, Suyin's suspicions were confirmed: pneumonia.
Suyin's heart sank at the diagnosis. Pneumonia was a serious illness, especially in these conditions where proper medical care was scarce. But she was determined to do whatever she could to help.
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It took Suyin a couple of hours to prepare a brew for the poor man's wife using the herbs she had suggested. She instructed the husband to gather green leaves resembling camellia flowers from the nearby forest, assuring him that this simple remedy could provide some relief for his wife's condition. (NOTE: DO NOT USE SUCH THINGS FOR LIKE THIS IN REAL LIFE!!)
"It's important to keep her hydrated and exposed to sunlight," Suyin advised as she prepared to leave the small hut. The poor man was overwhelmed with gratitude, his eyes brimming with tears as he thanked her profusely.
Suyin offered him a reassuring smile. "With a little knowledge like this, it's important to help others if you can," she said, gently patting his shoulder. He wiped away his tears, thankful for the guidance he had received.
Turning to leave, Suyin's gaze fell upon the bustling city in the distance. She knew she had to focus on finding answers to Zhelan's concerns.
But before she could take another step, the poor man called out to her, his voice trembling with emotion. He approached her, out of breath, and handed her an old, thick cloth.
"T-There's nothing I could give you," he stammered, his eyes filled with gratitude. "But I hope this is something to remember us by. I tried to sell it, thinking it was valuable, but please take it as a token of our gratitude."
Suyin accepted the cloth with a warm smile, nodding her head in thanks. As she waved goodbye and continued on her way back to the city, she couldn't help but examine the cloth. It was dirty and worn, with a hint of golden brown staining it behind the dirt, weaved with ropes. The burnt sides were a story of its own. With a shrug, Suyin tucked the cloth into her bag and ventured back into the bustling city, her mind focused on the task ahead.