Dragging People Into Matters

Zhao Xing was very satisfied with the way Brother Mo had helped her with the plan. He was Xiao Qi's partner, so it should be expected. Now she wondered why Xiao Qi always complained about him, or why he liked to 'keep a low profile'. Oh well, it wasn't for her to worry about.

Preparations were made, the two days they had left was spent on arranging themselves and getting ready for the festival.

From the information they got, the town's square was going to be the most packed. That day, in case the Inn Owner decides to tag along, then they would just act out a 'mistake', letting the child go missing on purpose. Then some of the women in their group would guide Xi Xi to a remote place, there some men would be waiting with a carriage. Of course, they would have to render Xi Xi unconscious. While that is on other skilled men would be waiting to detain the inn owner. They would need to avoid direct confrontation, in case the old man is armed with poison.

As for Xiao Qi, she spent the two days busying herself with other things she had to take care of. She was serious about not being involved. But Zhao Xing didn't believe she would keep her hands completely clean from this issue. At least she wasn't going to let her.

The day of the festival finally arrived.

Zhao Xing looked outside from the window in the restaurant. The air had changed. People were excited, and women went around in groups giggling and laughing together. But the fun had not started. Everything was happening in the evening.

Xiao Qi looked at Zhao Xing, deep in thought. She thought, this girl was too ruthless in her ways, and that it was a bad thing for her to be by her master's side. Especially because if one day she chose to rebel against the Crown Prince, she doesn't think it would be a good thing. This girl came up with such a plan that involved innocent people, and she was here leisurely sitting at the restaurant sipping tea and admiring the scenery outside.

Who was she anyway? Where did she come from? She tried investigating her from the time people started telling her about a girl the Master was fond of, but had found nothing. Such a person felt sketchy, she thought it was too risky to keep her around.

"It sure is lively." Zhao Xing said as she retracted her eyes from outside. She turned to Xiao Qi who looked at her like she was the enemy.

Zhao Xing's brows creased, then she rolled her eyes. "If you think looking at me would make me change my mind you're wrong! Eyes can't kill, neither are they scary."

Brother Mo sat eating, not bothering the two for fear of being caught in the fight. It was always better to be safe than sorry.

Xiao Qi didn't reply, and turned her eyes away. It was as if she had given up on a hopeless soul.

'What bad omen!' Her plan better succeed, if not she'd blame Xiao Qi for it.

Just then the inn owner passed by. Zhao Xing saw him and waved enthusiastically. He saw the group sitting, and walked up to them.

"Sister Qi, young masters." He greeted.

"Old Man Su, how is Xi Xi doing?" Zhao Xing asked.

The old man smiled, "Xi Xi's with some of her friends from the neighborhood."

"Ah." Zhao Xing nodded. Then went on to mention, "I was just wondering if she hasn't forgotten what we had talked about." Well yes, Zhao Xing had indeed talked about this to Xi Xi. The child asked if Xiao Qi was coming, and she said yes without thinking, and the girl immediately agreed. That time she felt like a monster that lured little children into their trap.

"Oh?" The old man surely didn't know about what it was they talked about.

Zhao Xing continued. "Yes, I just thought, this was my first time coming to this city, and my first festival in the city, it would be great if I could go out and have fun. Then I thought it would be boring to go with just Brother Mo and Sister Qi." Xiao Qi's eyes darted towards her when she heard her name.

When had she ever said she was coming?

"…So I thought having Xi Xi come with us would be a good idea."

The old man looked at Xiao QI from the corner of his eyes, then back at Zhao Xing who had an innocent smile and expectant eyes, she seemed really eager.

"Well…this…" Zhao Xing saw he was hesitating and kicked Xiao Qi from under the table, while maintaining a harmless smile.

Xiao Qi wanted to glare at her, but when she realized the implications it would have on the plan, she grudgingly opened her mouth to support her. "It's not a bad idea, is Old Man Su intending on locking her up in the house this evening?"

The old man also thought about it and thought it wasn't a bad idea, he was only worried that it would be too crowded, and Xi Xi might get lost. He looked at Xiao Qi and thought if she was coming it would be safer. "Then, I'll trouble you…"

Zhao Xing waved her hands and smiled, "Old Man Su won't be following us?"

The old man chuckled when he heard this, "How can that be? These things are for youngsters like yourselves, what would an old man like me be doing out there?"

"Old Man Su is still young ah!" Zhao Xing said with a wide smile, making the old man laugh. They chatted for a while longer, though Xiao Qi didn't open her mouth again to speak, she focused her attention on drinking tea like it was a task. In the end the matter was settled.

When the old man left, Zhao Xing gave Brother Mo a look, and he nodded in understanding. The old man refused to tag along, that would mean the next part of the plan would be taking the second route.

Xiao Qi saw the interaction, she rolled her eyes, stood up and left. If it wasn't for the sake of her master, she would never follow along with this plan. She promised herself that when they returned she'd tell the Crown Prince to remove Zhao Xing from his side.

The evening approached.

Zhao Xing had seen girls dressing up so beautifully and envied them, she looked at the dress Zhang Zhengyang had gotten her with a pout. But she thought it was for the best. Sometimes it's better if your identity was kept secret.