Ying Lan had learned long ago where to find the finest horses in city Jiao city: at the brothel where Marquess of Jiao's men spent their silver on beauty and wine. They came riding on splendid steeds, and Ying Lan had made it her habit to 'borrow' these horses whenever she needed to travel.
She waited across the street from the brothel's entrance, watching the ebb and flow of people. The street was alive with colors and sounds: merchants hawking their goods in loud voices, beggars pleading for silver with outstretched hands, courtesans beckoning for customers with coy smiles. The noise was deafening; but it did not drown out the sound of hooves when it came.
Ying Lan turned her head and saw a man galloping down the street on a chestnut mare with a white star on her forehead, a fine creature that looked swift and strong. The crowd parted like water before the horse, cursing and yelling at it rider; but he paid them no mind.
He was dressed in robes of green hue that marked him as one of Marquess of Jiao's men. He brought his horse to the brothel door, jumped off his saddle, threw the reins to a stableman, and walked into the brothel with a smirk on his face.
Ying Lan left her hiding spot, crossed the street, and followed the stableman at a safe distance. She watched as he led the horse to the back of the brothel, where a wooden shed housed other horses. She hid and waited for him to secure the horse and leave; then she sneaked into the shed.
She went straight for the soldier's mare, untied it from the post and stroked its neck softly. The mare whinnied quietly and nuzzled her hand. She smiled and quietly led the mare out of the shed. She headed to the front of the brothel, looking around for any trouble; she saw none. She quickly crossed the street again; then she slipped into an alley with her prize.