An Odd Fortune Teller

Walking on the busy streets with a weapon ready to be unsheathed, PeiZhi lowers his hat to hide his face even more upon passing by some other Royal Guards... Hua follows behind, dressed so not to attract attention. PeiZhi nod in direction of the shorter man and they turn into an alley, the street is much more less trafficated and only some greasy clothed chefs can be seen, resting over the back doors of their shops during their breaks.

They head to a neighborhood just behind the restaurant street... Much less appealing, the buildings are small and in bad shape, some hungry rats can be seen searching for food in the various trash cans and bearded men throw deadly stares at the 2 men. Although they are dressed as common peoples, it is quite clear to those men how they do not belong to the underground life... A group of men comes blocking their way, a bald dude knocks his knuckles and spit on the ground -What are you little birds doin here ah?! This turf ain't meant for ya pretty faces-

PeiZhi rises his sword, still inside its sheathe -We have some business here, as much as you don't want your doings to be questioned nor do we-

-And how do I know yar ain't some noble or shit sent to catch us all? But we could let you pass at one condition... Give us your little frien, we'll keep him company while you do whatever you need- a couple of his man start whistling, trying to mock the 2 men and hype their own boss, the bald man turns his head and laughs with his men.

But the next thing he sees his PeiZhi blade thrusting on his shoulder, he lowers on the man n threaten him -This is just a warning, run while I am in a good mood or the next thing my blade will meet is going to be your neck- he takes back his sword in a swift motion, cleaning the blood off -Scram- he says and all the men run away leaving the 2 alone

-I got worried for a moment...- releases his breath Hua -I really thought someone was gonna recognize us or bother us- he says removing the veil from his mouth.

Pei nods and start walking in the direction of a small shop -We've arrived now, let's end this quickly-

...

The two men enters the shop, the smell of spices embrace them and the incense clouds the whole place making it hard to breathe without starting to feel dizzy, Pei removes on particular low tend falling on him from the ceiling and goes toward the reception table. An old woman with messy hair is busy smoking on some opium and only turns slightly to face them -Are you here for divination?- she opens her mouth and breathe out a heavy cloud on Hua who fan it away with his hand -Let me guess uhm...- she looks at them from head to toe -... You want to known if you little noble self will ever manage to have a happy future together or will be forced apart by your families, is that right?- she takes some more opium in.

-That's right, we heard about your new fortune teller and wanted to book a session her- replies coldly PeiZhi, gaining a hit on his ribs from Hua who encourage him to be more believable.

She rises her eyebrows -Yeah... Sure... Anyway, follow me- she hops off her chair and lead the onto the back of the shop -She's in here, you can pay the service to her- the two men nods and the granny leaves them. Pei opens the door and enters the room first, followed by Hua.

Entering the room there are pillows everywhere and many heavy curtains all around, the incense's fog is much more intense inside the room -My head is spinning...- murmurs Hua... Upon reaching the center of the room a curtain is positioned in a circular mode, PeiZhi rises it and reveals the table behind where a woman is seating down.

She has light hairs, looking almost white, and dark blue clothes full of gold jewels and medals looking like the clothes used for belly dance in some regions. A veil covers her head partially, with constellation seewed on top. She rises her head and smiles lightly before standing back up, her white abdomen has a jewel placed on the belly button and all the jewels tilts as she moves -I see you have received my letter...-

-We find you well, Your Highness- kneels PeiZhi

-Oh don't mind the formalities, now let's get down to talk... I'm sure you have a lot to tell me- replies Xian Len, still keeping up his disguise.

...

-So that is what happened after uh? Ah... Who would have thought the 5th Prince was this vicious to be the one behind all this... I did heard about the coronation, but somehow I thought the massacre had been ordered by the 1st Prince for revenge. So tell me, how is my older brother doing?- he asks with a bitter smile on his lips

PeiZhi and Hua share a concerned stare, due to the prince unfortunate condition, before the older proceeds to talk -Actually... He was executed. The Emperor's counselor made him think about how much of a "trouble" he could have been if he was to be free and... He also said that killing a traitor from his own family would have been a strategic move to reassure the commoners, proving to them that he was an impartial monarch.-

XianLen sighs -Any survivor...? The 2nd and the 3rd Princes? They surely wouldn't have di...- but the two men only shake their heads -What a beautiful family I have... If my two brothers died too then there's no hope for me to go back... By the way, who is this counselor you talk about?-

-He appeared out of the blue, I don't know his name since I am no more allowed into the Throne Hall... But I saw him walking down an hallway. He's very young, around 20 I would say and has a serious face-

-Around 20...? That doesn't add up, if he is who I think it is, he should look like a man in his 30s with purplish hair and an unmoving face- holds his chin the Prince

-Maybe a disguise like you?- asks Hua -For little that I saw him he never shows any expression, only faint smiles... Also, I think I saw a woman following him each time I caught glimpse of him-

-Uhm... Yeah it could be as you say, but anyway it's not like knowing that will change anything-

-How do you want to proceed?- asks PeiZhi -As I told you, there are double the Guards at the Palace and many of the men are from the Emperor's personal troupes, while others are from the trouoes of the Counselor..-

-I'll just stay hidden for now, I have no other option... If you need me you know where to find me now, just play along with the new Emperor's orders. I'm sure Lai'Er will know what to do once she's back- at that sentence the Guard cleanches his jaw, nodding -What's wrong?-

-I haven't received any more news or letter from her, the last batch got burned and the emperor is holding back any recent one-

-Mhm... I have some connection there, as far as I know she's doing good- lies the Prince -Do not worry about it, you can go back now and be careful- discharge them XianLen, the two men bow down and leave the room closing the door behind them...

-Why did you lie?- asks a voice coming from behind

-JianYu? I wasn't expecting you today... But I lied because what good would it do to burned them anymore? They're already risking a lot by coming all the way here to meet me, I am a fugitive- the other man nods -How is she now?-

-Not good... You already know that, still I can see some improvement after I helped her-

-Helped her? I thought you said you weren't going to get involved-

-I didn't help her on the battlefield, I just tried to give her strength with words like the humans do... Aside from that, she developed a new power. She learnt how to heal dying souls but... A new menace appeared-

-Is it Ying SheGu? I remember he saying something about finding someone, you should ask her about it just in case-

-Mmhn, but that's not the most pressing matter now... I'm afraid it will be even harder for me to help her from now on-

-It's... Him?- JianYu nods -Yes but now he's inside the camp- replies him, leaving the other man shocked.