The house of Yue

They continue to walk to a small inn out of nowhere. Lucky for them, they got a small room. Sheng Qin pay the room a few coins from the money pouch he have. Hu Li who doesn't need to sleep stay in the same room with him. Through out the silence of the night, there is nothing to do. Lucky for Hu Li, she bring some of her books along with her. She read it quietly into the night till the sun raises. Sheng Qin always finds it strange that she doesn't really sleep. Doesn't eat nor drink much. He never question her strange behaviour as she save his life. He should be grateful and not doubting her in any case. She seems to have endless energy and always asking questions. Sheng Qin is patience with her questions. He answer the questions when he have the answer. Hu Li accepted all his answers and think it. 

It takes two moons for them to reach the capital. However they are stop at the gate. Without proper papers, they are not allow to enter. Sheng Qin use a string of fifty coins to ask a stranger to pass a message to the house of Yue. They stand aside and waited for a long time. Watching people going in and out of the city. Lucky for them there is a stall that sells tea and steam buns. They sit under the shade tent and wait. When the sun is slowly setting, a man is rushing out and looking around. "Qin Ger! Qin Ger!"

"Fu Man!" Sheng Qin wave at the man. 

As they are walking in with proper paper documents, they are allow to be in. Hu Li once again is enchanted by the buzzing sound of the streets with people. She watch the man at the stall rolling the dough on the table while the wife is packing vegetables into the dough and press them with her hands. Later she drop it in the big work with oil while another man is cooking the dough and fishing them out later. Hu Li also see that the dough with stuffings are place inside a big casing with a cover. She ask Sheng Qin what are those. He explain to her what they are and ordered three bowls of noddles and fried and steam dumplings. She watch the men eat and pick up her chopsticks. She did the same thing as they did. She is surprise at the different texture that is rolling in her. She help herself and ate more than the two men. Hu Li doesn't understand what is feeling full nor hunger. Till the men stop her from ordering and paid the stall owner who is smiling from ear to ear. The two men and the lady bow to them as they leave. They are satisfy that the food is well received and some one appreciate everything made. Also Hu Li clean out the bowl not leaving a drop on it. 

Hu Li remember that long ago she and DI Jun had walked through a busy street like this. Where people are selling things. Food, toys, books and more food. Today she is walking along a busy street with a new friend. She looks at everything. People are friendly to her and always asking her to try their food. In the end, Fu Man paid for all the things that she try and said she likes it. Sheng Qin is happy to see that she is enjoying something other than running around in that forest that have no one around to talk to. Maybe that's why she remain quiet throughout his stay there. In Hu Li's mind, she is amazed that what this place have to offer. In the sky there is always some group of fairies dancing in the main hall. While there is a few girls dress rather less and dancing in a building. She sees that a lot of men are watching in the inside and some outside of the building. It seems to be better than the sky where everyone is sitting down with seriousness in their eyes while over here men are cheering with laughter and cheesiness. She giggle and look at Sheng Qin. She notice that both Sheng Qin and Fu Man's cheeks are all red so is their ears. 

"Hmm come one let's go home. We can watch some other day." 

"Sheng Qin why is your face so red?"

She reach up to feel his temple however he limping away in a hurry. Fu Man hurry to chase up with them. 

They reach at the far end corner of a grand wooden door. Fu Man push open the door. Hu Li recognised from the wooden tablet with golden Chinese characters that is hanging on the top of the wooden door. "House of Yue" 

When they enter the courtyard, a group of old folks come rushing out. Hu Li can see that he is well loved by those people. They each give him a hard pat and some even cry. Every one of them are talking at the same time to Sheng Qin. 

"I thought that you are dead! Everyone said that the escort team is wipe out!"

"Yes Qin'er tell us! How did you managed to come back to us alive!"

"God is blessing you. Of all the men, he keep you alive! We have to go to the temple to return this favour and blessing!"

"Everyone! Everyone! My leg! I can't stand to long! It's in pain!"

Once they all realise that, they rush to bring out the bench and get him to sit down. Again they continue to talk at the same time to Sheng Qin. Fu Man comes to Hu Li after putting down the food package on the nearby table. He smile. 

"Our Qin ger is a popular man here."

"They are all his family?"

"Well... yes and no."

"Qin ger is from the family of Yue. They used to be very wealth and famous. However the villain of this city nearly wipe out the Yue family. The city Lord who grow up with Qin ger gave him this house and some money to start over. Qin ger dismissed all the servants and gave them the money. However these old servants refused to leave and decided to follow him. They all watch him grow up hence in their heart, he is their son."

"What are servants? They are the brothers and sisters of his parents?"

Fu Man stare at her in a surprise. Which rock did she climb out from?

"Ah no. They are servants who used to work for the Yue family. That means they take care most of the house work for the Yue family."

"I see but they are so old. Poor humans." 

Before he open his mouth to say, Sheng Qin call him over. 

"Man di, help. Im going to be drown by salivas."

"Everyone everyone. Let Qin ger rest! Go get cook his favourite dishes! Also we got a guest here! Please cook extra for dinner!"

The old folks realised that there is a young lady standing at the corner eating her tanghulu. Two of the older ladies walk up to her

"What is your name, little girl?"

"How did you know our Sheng Qin?"

"Do you like him?"

"He is good looking right? She must have been smitten by his looks!"

"So pretty! Where do you live? Where is your home?"

"Not married, are you?"

Hu Li don't know how to reply them. She simply keep chewing her food in the mouth and lean over slightly to look at Sheng Qin.

"She is my saviour. Nine aunty and Madam Lou, please go and start cooking dinner! I'm so hungry!"

The old folks chatter further and they rush into the side of the house which seems like the kitchen. While Fu Man help Sheng Qin to get up from the bench. Sheng Qin as Hu Li to follow them as they walk into the house. 

Hu Li quietly follow from behind.