A Kind Stranger.

The night was black as ink when Ying Lan reached Zunlu village. She dismounted her horse at the gate and headed towards the inn where she had often enjoyed a warm bed and a hearty meal during her past travels. She longed to cleanse herself of the grime and fatigue of the road before setting off again at dawn. But her longing turned to dismay when she spotted Marquess Ding's men lounging outside the inn. The Marquess had evidently chosen to spend the night here.

Ying Lan cursed under her breath and quickly turned her horse around. She wandered through the village in search of shelter, but found none. She stopped an old man who was trudging along the lantern-lit street with a basket of herbs.

"Sir," she called out. "Is there no other inn in this town beside the one by the main road?"

The man shook his head "No, boy," he said. "That's the only inn we have here. Was there no room for you there?"

Ying Lan shook her head. "It's full of the Marquess's men," she said.

The old man nodded. "Ah, the Marquess. I'd almost forgotten he was here. He always takes up all the space at the inn whenever he passes through."

"Is there nowhere else I can rest for the night?" Ying Lan asked, feeling a pang of desperation. She was used to sleeping under the stars, but whenever she had a bit of silver to spare, she liked to treat herself to a soft bed and a warm meal. And thanks to Miss Ding's 'generosity', she had plenty of silver now.

The old man shook his head again. "I can't think of any other place, I'm afraid." He gave her a pitying. "But if you don't mind sharing a humble roof with an old couple, you can come with me to my home. My wife will be happy to have a guest. We've been lonely since our son went to serve the emperor in the capital."

Ying Lan regarded him warily. He was a stranger to her; what made him offer her such generosity? He did not seem like a thief or a murderer, but looks could lie. "You are too kind." she said. "But we are strangers. Are you not afraid I could be a bad person, a thief or worse?"

He smiled. "You do not have the look of one," he said. "And if you were, you would not have wondered asked that question."

She smiled back and bowed. "Thank you," she said.

He waved dismissively. "It is nothing," he motioned for her to follow him. "Come on," he said. "My wife will be happy to see you."