Liguan and Yiangyiang strolled through the bustling market, a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds swirling around them.
"Look! Whoa, so pretty!" Yiangyiang exclaimed, her eyes widening with delight. Liguan turned to follow her gaze and spotted a beautiful set of intricately crafted bracelets.
"Young miss, these are lovers' bracelets," the vendor, a woman with knowing eyes, said. "They were blessed at the Buddha's temple. Any couple that wears them remains destined forever."
Liguan felt a pang of longing, a wistful yearning for such a bond. She couldn't resist the allure of the bracelets.
"Thank you, young miss," the vendor said, after she purchased the jewelry with a generous tip.
"Candy!" Liguan's maid, squealed with delight, her eyes sparkling like a child's. Liguan shook her head, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
"Stop behaving like a child, Yiangyiang ," she chided, though her tone was laced with fondness.
"Give us two, please," she said to the sweets vendor, handing over a few coins.
"Thank you," Liguan replied, her smile warm and welcoming.
From a distance, two gentlemen from the hall earlier watched them with a mix of amusement and intrigue. Their eyes followed Liguan and Yiangyiang as they made their way through the throng of people. The girls caught sight of a lively crowd gathered around a performer, a street artist showcasing his talents. A nimble juggler effortlessly tossed ceramic bottles, a mischievous monkey danced to a rhythmic beat, and other performers captivated the audience with their skills.
"Chang'er...oh beautiful Chang'er, the city of gaiety and exuberance, the place of joy and a haven of lovers' reunion..." The quizmaster's voice boomed through the square, the question echoing in the air.
Liguan's eyes lit up. "Mei Xiang! The talented Mei Xiang composed it," she blurted out, her voice ringing with confidence.
The crowd erupted in applause, "Correct!" A wave of cheers swept through the square, this being the tenth question she had answered correctly as the quizmaster beamed.
"And for your correct answer, a prize! A cute and fluffy bunny!" He presented them with a white plush bunny, its soft fur inviting to the touch. As they walked away from the bustling streets, heading toward a quieter alleyway, a voice stopped them in their tracks.
"Hey, there you are."
Both girls spun around, their hearts pounding in their chests. The two gentlemen from Bao Hall stood before them, one of them reached out and held Liguan's wrist.
Liguan swiftly pulled her wrist free from the man's grasp, her voice firm despite the tremor in her heart. "Thank you for the tea earlier, kind sirs, but we must be on our way now."
"Not so fast, beauty," the man sneered, blocking her path. His eyes, cold and calculating, lingered on her form. "Tea is just a pleasantry, but we want something more familiar than mere pleasantries." He smirked, a predatory glint in his eyes as he checked her out.
A guttural "Haa..." escaped his lips, a sound that sent a shiver down Liguan's spine.
"Hey!" she shouted, pushing Yiangyiang back as the second man moved to grab her.
"Don't touch her!" she roared, her voice laced with fury. She grabbed Yiangyiang's arm, pulling her close.
"Why are you acting so naive, huh?" the first man sneered, his hand reaching out to touch her arm. "Don't tell me you don't like this, huh?" He fondled her arm, his touch a violation.
"Let go of me..." Liguan pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.
"Arh!" Yiangyiang yelped as the second man roughly shoved her aside.
Suddenly, two figures emerged from the shadows followed by a third: a man in a wide-brimmed hat. With a swift movement, he pulled Liguan away from the first man, delivering a powerful blow to his jaw. And the second figure turned to the second man, kicking him squarely in the gut.
"Mistress?!" Yiangyiang gasped, her face contorted in fright and worry.
Then Yiangyiang's eyes widened. "It's him again!" she thought, staring into the second figure's dark, onyx eyes.
"Brother Huan?!" Liguan's eyes widened in shock and relief as she recognized the man in the hat. Huan, her cousin, had come to their rescue. He turned to look at her.
Moans and laughter echoed through the dimly lit chamber, a symphony of pleasure and indulgence. Then, the sounds were abruptly cut short by a thud, the unmistakable sound of someone falling.
"Get out of here!" a voice boomed, laced with irritation. A tearful courtesan, clad only in a flimsy silk robe, stumbled out of the chamber, her face a mask of shame and fear.
Ming Chen, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face, grabbed his discarded robe and quickly pulled it on. He stepped into the outer chamber, his gaze settling on the standing figure before him.
"What is it?" he inquired, his voice cool and collected.
"Greetings, Your Highness," his guard, Hu Chan, bowed low.
"Minister Donghai seeks your audience."
"Damn it! Why does this old fool always have to interrupt me?" Ming Chen growled, his frustration evident in his voice. He was in the midst of a passionate encounter, his senses fully immersed in the moment, when a knock on the door shattered the intimacy.
Ming Chen, a man who reveled in pleasure and lived for the moment, was known for his charisma and undeniable charm. His handsome face, with its sharp features and piercing gaze, was often softened by a playful smirk, but now it was etched with irritation.
His well-defined physique, gleaming with sweat under the silken robes, added to his undeniable allure. The interruption, however, had left him in a state of simmering annoyance, his devilishly handsome face now twisted in a frown that only enhanced his captivating aura. Ming Chen's sapphire eyes blazed with anger, his pink lips twisted into a cruel sneer. "Proceed," he commanded, his voice low and dangerous. Hu Chan, his ever-obedient servant, nodded and slinked away, disappearing into the shadows.
"Hey! How dare you treat us like this? Can't you see we are nobles? Are you courting death?" The two gentlemen, their faces flushed with indignation, struggled to their feet, gingerly rubbing their aching bottoms.
Dan Zhang, his brow furrowed in annoyance, retorted, "Are you courting death? Don't you know they are royals?" He gestured as Dai Yu, who, with a practiced ease, flashed his emblem. It depicted the crest of the Northern Liang, a fierce lion rampant, signifying his position as a royal guard to the prince, Ming Huan.
The two gentlemen gaped at the emblem, their bravado evaporating like mist in the morning sun. Shock and fear replaced their arrogance, leaving them speechless and thoroughly frightened.
"Ming Huan, his royal highness Ming Huan!" Dan Zhang announced, his voice ringing with authority. "His Majesty's most doted nephew!"
The two gentlemen, their faces pale with terror, instantly recognized the name. The weight of their transgression crashed down upon them. They scrambled to their feet, bowing low before the powerful prince. "Our apologies, your highness! Please forgive us!" they cried, their voices trembling with fear. They knelt, kowtowing repeatedly, begging for mercy.
"Run," Dan Zhang commanded, his voice firm.
"Huh?" The two nobles exchanged bewildered glances.
"Run, and never stop," Dan Zhang repeated, his tone brooking no argument.
The two gentlemen hastily scrambled to their feet, their fear propelling them forward.
"Oh, and remember," Dan Zhang said, pointing a finger towards his eyes, "I got my eyes on you both."
With a mixture of terror and relief, the two nobles vanished into the throng, their faces etched with the memory of their encounter with the powerful prince, Ming Huan, and his loyal guard.