The Interrogation

"Up we go," he said to Meili, gently picking her up in a princess carry.

She gazed up affectionately into his face as he strode off with her. He looked down into her eyes and looked away again quickly. That was a rabbit hole he couldn't afford to go down while she was in this state.

"What are you wearing Mei Meili?" he asked lightly.

"A man's outfit," she yawned.

"And why is it torn?" he asked dangerously.

"I sliced it with Tan Bowen's sword," she said proudly.

He relaxed, letting out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

"Why aren't you wearing any socks?"

"I threw them in the canal."

She didn't expand on this statement, so he left it there.

"Your hair?" he asked, scared to hear the answer.

"I pulled off the guan. I have too much hair for such a little one. It was much too bouncy for my sword dance."

"You did a sword dance when you'd been drinking?" he asked. He was officially going to kill Tan Bowen.