Shang empire's walls loomed at them as they reached the border between the empires.
"This is as far as this one can go, gongzi," their ride announced, ruefully. He was referring to Han Bingwen because the man, despite his worn clothes and veiled face, sounded like he belonged to nobility. There was something about his regal looks that gave people that sort of impression, thought Xiao Hui.
"But this is nowhere close to Hei Guang city," Shi Ming complained. The boy looked slightly abashed.
"This one apologizes, but he can not go any further. The wall prevents this one from leaving."
Xiao Hui furrowed her brows, not understanding what he meant by his sentence. The others, however, seemed to not be in her predicament as they nodded.
"May the King bless you in your journey," the farmer boy said before hitting the horse with his whip and rearing the cart away, back where they came from, leaving Xiao Hui wondering just how much did the townsfolk respect the Tyrant King.
Han Bingwen looked slightly forlornly towards the distance as they stepped foot into the Shang empire. The Han empire guards had merely glanced at them but the Shang empire guards had made them stop at their tracks.
Who looked like the main guard pointed his spear at their faces and demanded, "What purpose do you have in the Shang empire?"
Shi Ming and Han Bingwen opened their mouth halfway like a fish and paused. For some reason in their haste, they had neglected to find a plausible excuse for entering their neighboring region. Luckily, Xiao Hui had the perfect reason.
"This one is here to visit her shibo," she said, trying to look as earnest as possible. Now for the final and lasting impact, her trump card. "Shang Hao, Chief Advisor of the Shang Court."
The change in the air was instant. The soldiers straightened their backs, with both looks of awe and doubt in their faces. Shi Ming frowned while Han Bingwen simply looked intrigued.
The main guard looked closely at her. He took in the shape of her nose, her eyes and every strand of her hair. It almost seemed as if he could see the very depths of her soul. Finally, after what seemed like ages, he stopped his scrutinizing and moved aside.
"Welcome to the Shang empire," they chorused, bowing as they did so.
Xiao Hui stood still in shock that her stupid excuse actually worked. The previous King and his baobei were left in a similar state. It was almost surreal that despite their lack of planning, they made it. But opportunities were made to be taken, and so they stepped foot out of the Han empire.
As she walked past, the main guard whispered menacingly in her ear. "Mind you, if I find out you lied, not even Guanyin would be able to save you."
The maid simply ignored him, even though her heart beat faster than a rabbit's. Beside her, Shi Ming was looking horrified and - was she dreaming - slightly concerned. She had clearly heard the man's not so thinly veiled threat.
As soon as they were out of earshot, the courtesan rounded on her similar to an eagle when it spots its prey. But Xiao Hui did not panic like one.
"Did Xiao Hui lie to the guards?" Her voice held tones of urgency, making her feel indignant. Did Shi Ming think she was that stupid that she would tell blatant lies to a Royal Guard who could easily confirm whether or not it was true? She was a maid, not a degenerate.
Mimicking the other's tone, she replied, "This maid did not lie. The Shang's Chief Advisor really is her shibo."
She did not elaborate, she had said enough by answering her question. Unfortunately it was not enough for Shi Ming.
"Then if Shang Hao is Xiao Hui's shibo, why did she work in the Han palace?"
Before the maid could answer, Han Bingwen took her place, making her back stiffen. "It was because of the war, was it not?"
The war that he mentioned was the one between the Han empire and the Shang empire. It had happened a few years ago, when Xiao Hui was just 11 years old and had lasted for a little more than 2 years with the Shang empire's loss. To appease the Empress Dowager, Shang shibo was compelled to gift the empire with a number of maids and servants. Xiao Hui was one of them.
Shi Ming's face cleared at her lover's words and, for the first time, she looked rather abashed at her mindless interrogation.
Thankfully, the tense silence was interrupted by a nosy innkeeper.
"Forgive this one's impudence, but he could not help but notice how these gongzi have been walking around this one's inn for nearly an incense stick. Do the gongzi require sustenance?"
Both Xiao Hui and Shi Ming were speechless at the sudden appearance and at the words. Had they really been going in circles this entire time?
Han Bingwen, on the other hand, recovered rather quickly and was answering the innkeeper's question with a polite smile.
"Forgive us for disturbing you. We were merely immersed in an engaging conversation and did not mean to walk around your inn." The other laughed good naturedly. "We would, however, be more than pleased to receive proper sustenance."
The innkeeper was the one who was more than pleased. Leading them to his inn, he said, "Welcome to this humble abode. Lodgings for one night will cost two silvers and if these gongzi wish to have three meals, it will cost three."
Xiao Hui frowned. Was this not a bit too expensive for a ratted down inn?
"Excuse me!" The innkeeper gasped. Too late she realized that her stray thought had escaped from her mouth as cruel words. She felt the shocked and judgmental gazes of the others but knew that she could not stay silent.
"We," she spoke, inwardly wincing at the form of disrespect, "We shall give 2 silvers for lodgings and three meals."
"2 silvers!" Exclaimed the man. "This one will only lower to 2 silvers and 5 coppers."
"2 silvers and 1 copper."
"2 silvers and 3 coppers, that is final."
Knowing that the innkeeper would not lower any more than that, Han Bingwen handed two silver coins and three copper coins to the disgruntled man.
As they were being led to their room, Shi Ming turned Xiao Hui and said, "Seems like the maid is not so useless after all."
The words were cruel, but her voice held a tinge of grudging awe which caused the other to smile.
***
Few shichen later, they were seated at the noisy eatery situated at the bottom of the inn. Its murky darkness would have sent shivers to their bodies had it not been for the rowdiness of the people.
If she were to have never gone to the brothel, Xiao Hui would have been amazed at the unexpected vigor of the people, but now she knew that some places were just safe haven for them.
The innkeeper came to their table with three glasses of baijiu with him. He grinned jovially although it looked slightly forced when his eyes rested upon the maid.
"Are the gongzi enjoying this one's facilities?"
"We are more than pleased by your hospitality," replied the previous King politely. Shi Ming muttered under her breath "what facilities" which made Xiao Hui muffle a snort into her drink.
As the innkeeper was leaving, Han Bingwen suddenly asked, "Do you know of Mount Gujin?"
The man stopped at his tracks. Without turning around, he shakingly said, "Tell me gongzi, who does not know of the mountain where no human ever steps foot on?"