Rui was left alone most of his time as the prince was getting his frequent medical baths.
He went out to meet with the maid who helped him.
It was already evening and he saw her walk towards the well.
"Um, hey!", He caught up with her and tapped on her shoulder.
She flinched and almost took out her hidden dagger, which Shen had given her.
"Woah, sorry, I mean…", He continued.
"Yes, I was just taken aback.", She said awkwardly as she recognised the person. From her periphery she could see that Xiao had already hidden himself.
"So, I am thankful for you helping me yesterday! I know I was very rude and no amount of begging would help. But I wanted to sincerely apologise.", he said staring at her.
"I… did what I must, and I really didn't mind it, but I forgive you. Let's work well together.", she said
"Yes, thank you once again. If you don't mind me asking , what is your name?", he asked.
She froze for a second, the cold wind made her slightly shiver.
"I am Xiaxia, what about you?", she asked.
"I am ..Rui.", He said. Xiaxia, that was a cute name. He thought.
"Well then, I must get to my work.", She replied.
"Yes, yes.", he said and soon left the place.
Rui was suspicious. What was a maid of the lady doing at the well near the abandoned courtyard….
Despite his curiosity he couldn't afford to be rude again by being suspicious.
…
Xiaxia got curious, he was lying. She knew it. Yesterday, she had seen his medallion carrying the name, Yang.
Who was he? Why was he lying?
His accent and type of words made her convinced, he was a noble. A fallen nine maybe.
She walked by across the well and met up with Xiao, who said,
"Master has assigned us to find information about the magistrate.", he said looking at her.
"Okay… why are you looking at me like that?", She asked.
"That bodyguard is suspicious. Don't be with him more." He said curtly and left.
"What?", she stood there bewildered.
She crossed over the courtyard through a small doghole. It took her a while but she managed. She had worn the garments of a noble lady.
She walked ahead to where Xiao was.
"Don't leave me like that, you are supposed to guide me.", She said and she met onward crossing the market and going to the famous gambling house where the magistrate met up with his friends and gambled.
The street was filled with loansharks, a few bodyguards, a few beggars and a few drunk and laying on the street.
Inside the building, was the most extravagant place she had seen and she was a princess once, though of a failing nation.
The bright colours sent her mind in a spiral, gold lamps dangling from above, wind chimes playing softly with the wind. Laughter and random sighs.
The lady of the house, dressed in red and gold, with her collar made loose, just enoug to catch the attention of all men.
She walked around with a huge pail of wine pouring wine and chatting with rich men as they gambled.
It was a child's play to realise she was conning them.
Every time she poured wine, she would distract them using her shiny collarbones, while cheating the dice.
But every once in a while, she let them win. She let the addiction build and desperation fill her pockets.
She recognised Xiao, but pretended not to. Her face turned grim but soon continued smiling and serving them.
Xiaxia looked at Xiao, he seemed to be entranced by the lady, not lifting his eyes off her.
"Xiao", Xiaxia asked.
".."
"Xiao.", she asked a bit louder.
"…uh.. yes, xia.", he said snapping back into reality.
"Where is the magistrate, I can't see him.", Xiaxia said. She lied but she had to get his attention, no matter what their past was, she couldn't afford to get caught for impersonating a noble.
"He is on the second floor, wearing blue, he has drunk at least 2 bottles of wine.", he said his eyes still following the lady but not as obvious as before.
"Hmm, what shall we do then?" , Xiaxia thought.
She certainly couldn't serve him more wine, how could she get closer to him? She looked around and soon made her way to the second floor.
On the way, they were blocked by two bodyguards.
"I am sorry, esteemed customer, the tables up are already full. I would suggest you to find refreshmen down.", one of them said.
Xiaxia realised it was an elite place only, she wasn't going to be allowed there so easily.
She sighed. She was going to climb over walls now.
She turned to leave, then the lady came over.
"Min, allow them, they are my special guests.", she said placing her hand around 'Min's' cheek and looked at Xiao and crossed them.
"Come on, My guest.", she said slowly bowing with grace.
"Yes,thank you.", Xiaxia nervously followed.
She wasn't understanding what's going on. She walked on, Xiao looked angry as he still glared at the lady.
After walking around, we came to the spot where the magistrate was gambling,
There were at least 3 young women beside him, making him drink more and eat more,
His hands were wrapped among them. The other noble men, were akin. It was less of a gambling house but a courtesan house.
The noble ladies were similarly surrounded by handsome men, it was strange.
What are they gambling on?
The lady guided them to the place behind the curtains,
An empty room, filled with chairs and tables. There was a huge stage decorated perfectly.
She led them to a spot on the audience.
She gave them masks, and offered wine and snacks. She looked at Xiao and while leaving she smiled and left.
"Care to explain yourself?", Xiaxia asked.
"It's complicated.", Xiao said, looking all flustered and shy.
"Wow," Xiaxia claimed. She felt horribly single. There wasn't any actual PDA but the way they looked at each other, it was enough.
She slowly sipped the wine, it was bitter but it helped. This room was completely empty except for them.
Why did the lady get them here… Xiaxia pondered when, suddenly maids walked in and started laying out food and guiding more of those nobles and people from out inside.
A random man, with beautiful makeup, exposed chest and 'love' tattooed on his chest came and sat beside Xiaxia. He looked pretty and arrogant.
She was caught staring at this beautiful man.
"Miss, I am happy that you find me pretty, but I feel you should keep your bets soon.", he said smiling and drinking wine.
The stage had lit up, there was a dancer dancing and soon the magistrate entered with another official. She recognised him to be the defence minister.
They had taken their chairs beside.
She felt lucky, she could get additional info.
The lady came up on the stage and Xiao became useless. This was a private gambling room, for the richer people, who would bet together on a lottery kind of system.
The rules of it was unclear to Xiaxia, but she kept winning.
The lady seemed to be assiting them.
The rude guy just before started acting all friendly and soon as the celebrations and a dance started, the magistrate finally spoke,
"So, General Wei didn't come to the audience again.", he said.
"Yes, I heard a rumour, he was seen making his way here. I suppose he is going to take some action against Shen… after all the prince is dead.", The defense Minister said.
"Hmm. I will stay on a lookout for the entry and exit of the city. That kid has gotten high up on the wrong side.", the magistrate said.
"I am thankful for that, be on alert.", he said.
The party was interrupted was by the sudden entry of the magistrate's son.
Fearing being caught, Xia and xiao soon exited.
The small kid came to tattle on their Lord.
He was extremely weak, considering the dislocation of joints but he was furious.
After giving the info to Lord Shen, they decided on directly overthrowing him with force as they could'nt get any which would make him weaker in position.