After an additional two days of travel. Ying Yue and Su Ru finally makes it into Jianxiang. It was a beautiful kingdom and larger than Xinjing. Once the merchant family and Ying Yue made it through the checkout point, Ying Yue hands over an additional twenty gold coins to the father.
"Thank you, for bringing us here safely. As promise here is twenty gold coins."
"Thank you, little ladies. I hope you two find the people you came searching for."
"Maybe someday our paths will cross again."
"Yes, I hope so too."
Ying Yue gives the mother and father a tight hug before bending down to pat their little girls. Reaching into her pocket, she hands out one gold coin each to the girls. Even with their parents protest that Ying Yue has given them enough, she wanted to show her appreciation and money was the only thing she had.
After bidding each other farewell; everyone went their separate way. Once the merchant family was out of sight, Ying Yue headed straight into the market area in search of a clothing store.
Quickly settling for a random small clothing store, Ying Yue had them both change their clothing. As much as the clothing resembled each other, Ying Yue couldn't risk standing out in Xinjing clothing. She quickly chooses some plain clothing for the both of them. A light blue outfit with no designs, no embroidery and nothing extra. After changing their clothing and purchasing extra cloths to wrap her sword in, Ying Yue heads off in search of a tea shop.
"My lady, why are we looking for a tea shop?"
"Gossip tends to gather there the most. I might find clues or someone who knows of the man Duan Da."
"My lady, do you think he's still using the same name?"
"Uh.....That's a good point."
Ying Yue stops in her track. There was a chance this Duan Da was now going by a new name. There was no guarantee he was still alive either. After five minutes of silence, Ying Yue clenches her fist and continues walking. Ying Yue knew that she has come too far to give up now. After walking around and asking people for the best tea shop, everyone pointed to a large building at the end block.
As Ying Yue and Su Ru approached the building. They could see why it was the most popular one. A clean well-kept building, beautiful paintings and designs filled the main lobby. Even the workers inside the building were beautiful. As Ying Yue and Su Ru walks in, they were greeted by and old woman.
"Greetings ladies, welcome to lotus tea shop. Would you like a table for two?"
"Actually, we're sisters looking for work. We're new into town and have run out of money and wanted to see if you would be willing to hire us."
"Hmmm....well you are easy on the eyes. However, your younger sister isn't to my liking."
"Please hire us both! I work best with my sister by my side!"
"What're your names?"
"My name is Yin and my sister's name is Sue. We're orphaned sisters from the countryside."
The old woman takes a look at Ying Yue and Su Ru. Breaking into a small smile, while smoking a pipe. The old woman walks away from the counter and walks closer to Ying Yue and Su Ru.
"Well, the work here isn't easy. I train my staff hard, are you sure you still want to be hired?"
"Yes! We'll be sure to work hard!"
"Very well! I like your determination! You may head up the stairs. I will ask for the head of the staff to assist you."
"Thank you so much!"
Su Ru wasn't sure of what Ying Yue was planning, but remained silent. Once the girls made their ways upstairs, they were greeted by a young woman. She had beautiful brownish hair and dark green eyes, a thin figure, small face and pale skin.
"Hello, and welcome to lotus tea shop. I am the head trainer of the workers here. You may call me Lin An. The second floor of the shop is for workers only. You two will be in this room. It was recently a storage room, but we converted it into a small bedroom. It only has one bed so you will have to share, which shouldn't be a problem since you're sisters from what I heard. If you have questions, let me know. Since the day is pretty much done, you two can rest for today."
"Ah, thank you!"
A light knock on the bedroom door had everyone turning their gaze.
"Knock Knock."
A smaller woman walks in with a pair of outfits for Ying Yue and Su Ru. Ying Yue takes a quick glance and realizes it was the uniform of the tea shop. It was a pale pink dress with lotus designs on the front and back.
"Here, you will wear these when you're working."
"Ah, yes."
"I will leave you two, so get some rest. The shop owner will introduce you two later."
After those parting words, the woman leaves and closes the door behind her. Once Ying Yue could no longer sense her nearby, she finally breaks down and seats herself onto a chair by the small table.
"Sigh.....that was scary."
"My lady.....what's your plan?"
"Sorry, Su Ru. I should've told you this first before making the decision on my own."
"It's alright, I will follow you no matter what you do."
"I figured working here at such a busy place was our best bet at gathering information. Originally I was just going to ask around, but that might draw too much attention. As we entered the shop I noticed their hiring sign outside the door, so in the spur of the moment I blurted it out. At least things ended better than I expected."
"Wow, my lady. You've really thought ahead. I wasn't sure what to say so I remained silent. I figured you had a plan in mind."
"Well.....lets hope we get a clue or lead sometime soon. I have a feeling the crown prince isn't going to just let me off so easily."
Soon, the day was over and the tea shop was finally closed. Once everything was cleaned, the shop owner asked for everyone to gather as she wanted to introduce new members. The shop owner asked for Lin to bring down, Ying Yue and Su Ru.
As they walked down the stairs, Ying Yue could feel all the eyes on them. With both her hands out to the front and clasped together; Lin motioned for the both of them to stand next to the shop owner.
"These two will start training tomorrow. Introduce yourselves to the crew, ladies."
"Ah, hello. My name is Yin."
"Eh...I am called Sue. It's a pleasure to meet everyone."
"Alright, everyone you hear that? Now introduce yourselves to them."
Ying Yue glances around the room. Counting everyone, there was about ten other workers. Six were females, not including themselves and four were male. Ying Yue couldn't help but think the owner had a thing for pretty faces. Even the men were well dressed, and good-looking. The first one to introduce himself was a tall man, with broad shoulder and dark hair and eyes.
"I am Jin. I manage the stock crew and do the heavy-duty things."
Soon, everyone followed and introduced themselves. Looks like Ying Yue and Su Ru were not the only pair of siblings. A pair of sisters also worked there. Although they were pretty, they were much shorter than Ying Yue.
"I am Sun Ju , and my sister is Gao Jia. She is shy and will not talk unless needed to do so. We're the main cooks of the kitchen."
"Ah, hello."
One by one, Ying Yue listened as everyone introduced themselves. Once everyone was done, Ying Yue points to them once again and named them off.
"So, for the ladies we have; Sun Ju, Gao Jia, Lin An, Lu Lan, Meng Xia, and Yuan Chen. For the gentlemen we have Jin, Kong Jie, Zheng Dong, and Xu Bao. Got it, I'll be sure to remember everyone's name and faces."
Ying Yue and Su Ru lightly bows to greet their new co-workers. Once, introductions were finished the shop owner finally remembers that she hadn't introduced herself yet.
"Ah, I should introduce myself as well. Everyone here calls me mother Duan. You may call me that as well."
"Mother Duan?"
Ying Yue glances to Su Ru who looked just as confused. From the scroll she had, Duan was a man and yet the person in front of them was a woman. Ying Yue couldn't help but stare with her jaw hanging.
"Is something wrong?"
The old woman tilts her head and stared back at Ying Yue as she smoked her pipe.
"Ah! No, it's nothing."
"Good, feel free to head to the baths and clean up for the night. We have a long day tomorrow."