Zi Siwei was running, his lungs working overtime to get sufficient oxygen to his brain and muscles. Guxi town centre was jam-packed with people, forcing him to slow down and wiggle his way past each person that blocked his path.

He hated crowds but he had no choice, for Dawa was missing and it was up to him to find her.

After a month of slow tedious travel across the desert, the entourage crossed the border between the Western Plains and the Li Continent, entering the capital city through one of the four gates that guarded it.

They were received by Minister Hao, the head judge of the Guxi City Municipal Court and were escorted to his headquarters, also known as The Court for a short break before meeting the Emperor and the Xiafeng court.

“The Emperor sends his apologies.” Minister Hao began, “An urgent matter came up that he had to take care of so you will have to wait here until he is ready to receive you. You can ask any of my servants if you require anything to eat or drink. Please do not attempt to leave the premises for your safety.”

Zi Siwei frowned inwardly.

Another delay? Zi Renshu…what are you doing...

“Minister Hao is truly generous to give us a place to relax before heading to the court. We will gladly accept.” Zi Siwei gave a sign of respect while bowing.

The palanquin with all its people surrounding it entered the gates of The Court and came to a stop outside a quaint building surrounded by medium-sized plum trees.

Bao Haoxia dismissed the Huayi servants, giving strict instructions in the Huayi language to not wander around lest they get lost and face some harsh violence in the street.

Huayi people have always been thought of to be people that bring calamity. Mostly because they practiced a form of cultivation that allowed the individual to be immensely powerful. There were stories of Huayi generals that would wipe swathes of men with just a swing of his sword, of women who can break the spines of men with just a single knee jerk to their backs. In addition to the Huayi people’s proficiency with horses, archery and falconry, it was no surprise that the Li people were afraid of them.

However, that was over 1000 years ago. The Huayi people are slowly in decline, their culture slowly dwindling as the Li method of cultivation started to become more popular amongst the remaining tribes. Their calamitous image never went away though, so even if a Huayi cultivator would show his skill in Li cultivation, there is always the underlying assumption that they will bring harm to society.

As such, the servants from the Taban tribe that came with Dawa and company had to remain in the confines of The Court.

Zi Siwei lifted the flap to tell Dawa of the delay but to his surprise, there was no one in the seat!

He cursed softly, hoping that no one would hear.

No wonder it was so quiet after we entered the Xi gate!! She slipped out while Minister Hao was exchanging pleasantries with us! She must be in the town centre. Knowing how curious she is, she might be wandering around and doing who knows what!

Zi Siwei gestured Bai Haoxia once all the servants were safely over the threshold*.

“She’s missing.”

“WHAT!!!” Bai Haoxia gasped.

“Quiet!” Zi Siwei covers his friend’s mouth and hushed, covering their heads with his sleeves. “I believe she’s in the town centre. You know how she wouldn’t stop talking about trying all the roast meats we have here and learning how to make them? She must be looking at street food or at restaurants.”

Bai Haoxia nodded, “We’re not well-known for roast meat though…she’ll get bored and heavens!! She may try to hunt the swan in the lake or fight with the shop owners for not having good roast meat or—”

“She’s not that dumb. She may not look intelligent but she’s pretty cunning. If she doesn’t find any roast meat, she’ll look for something else, that’s all.”

Bai Haoxia realised, “We’re supposed to converse with Minister Hao though…how are we to hide the fact that Young Maiden Dawa is missing?”

Zi Siwei thought, “Leave that to me. Just follow my lead.”

“Alright.”

Zi Siwei walked across the courtyard to Minister Hao’s residence and office. He told the servant posted outside that he wished to speak to the Minister. The servant nodded and gestured Zi Siwei to follow him to the Minister’s office.

“Minister Hao, Zi Siwei wishes to speak to you.” The servant spoke.

“Enter” A voice called out.

Zi Siwei walked towards Minister Hao whose desk was drowning in parchments and parchments of paper. The mysterious group that has been escaping him has taken a toll on his usual neatness so he was unbothered by the state of his surroundings.

Zi Siwei bowed in politeness, “Minister Hao, my apologies for not being able to take tea with you. As you are well aware, my father has been requesting my presence at the family residence for a while. I believe I shouldn’t keep him waiting. Once again, my apologies.”

“Zi Siwei, I do understand your father’s stubbornness and I can see why you would like to entertain his request.” Minister Hao began, “However, having taught you martial arts and debated with you about various philosophical enlightenments, I also understand your stubbornness.”

Zi Siwei paled slightly. He had forgotten how perceptive the man can be.

“Would you mind explaining why you want to entertain your father’s request this time?”

Zi Siwei bowed, “As you have correctly pointed out, I can be quite the steadfast person and be unmoving like the stone in a fast-flowing river. However, I realise that being in denial will just push the matter to the side. You have taught me much since I was young and know me well but I have aged considerably so the actions I did at the time may not apply to my actions now.”

Minister Hao gave a small smile, “Well, Young Master, since you have put your point so clearly, I don’t see why I should keep you.”

Zi Siwei relaxed slightly.

“Ah that reminds me, I need to check up on the Huayi lady and see if she’s handling the weather well.”

“She’s retired to the chamber. She doesn’t want any visitors to disturb her.” Zi Siwei answered quickly.

Minister Hao gave him a knowing look, “Is that so?”

“Indeed, Minister.”

“I won’t keep your father waiting, you may leave.” Minister Hao dismissed Zi Siwei and turned back to his papers.

Zi Siwei backed out slowly while bowing before turning around and leaving the room.

Bai Haoxia was waiting for him outside.

“Well, how did it go?”

“I told him my father wants to see me and that Young Maiden Dawa has retired to her chamber and doesn’t want to see anyone.” Zi Siwei replied.

“That’s wonderful” Bai Haoxia smiled.

“However, he is a very perceptive man. He may find out sooner or later. We still need a distraction to at least slow him down and make sure he doesn’t notice she’s missing.” Zi Siwei mused.

“Alright. But what are we going to do for a distraction?”

Zi Siwei gave Bai Haoxia a knowing look.

“Me? But how? Why—”

“We’re supposed to have tea with Minister Hao so I’ll leave it to you to keep the conversation flowing. Ensure that he doesn’t have the chance to send someone out to search for her.” Zi Siwei explained.

“Right…just keep talking. Wait…I can’t talk that much!” Bai Haoxia blurted out.

Zi Siwei raised an eyebrow at that, “Just imagine Minister Hao is one of the lovely xianzi that you love to chat up.”

“AHAHAHA My friend, I am not a cutsleeve*. Plus the Minister is as old as my grandfather. I can’t do my usual service to heaven’s greatest creation.” Bai Haoxia exclaimed dramatically.

Sigh. “Do whatever you can then.”

“Don’t make that face Siwei.” Bai Haoxia clapped his hand on Zi Siwei’s shoulder. “I understand. Just leave it to me.” He then walked to the entrance of Minister Hao’s residence.

Zi Siwei smiled. Bai Haoxia may be loud and a little irritating but there is no one that he would trust than him when it comes to court or military emergencies.

He then ran out of The Court to search for the missing lady.

Town Centre, Guxi City, Li Continent

Zi Siwei dashed through the back of alleys and scanned the river of people thoroughly. Dawa was wearing foreign clothes so she will be extremely noticeable.

He hoped he wouldn’t have to result to using spiritual energy to look for her. He didn’t want to exhaust himself before meeting the Emperor. He continued to look through every stall and building in the Restaurant Quarter, an area in Guxi City where many famous restaurants make their home.

He looked for what felt like hours.

Has she changed her clothes? I wouldn’t put it past her. Given that she was able to outsmart the elders and not attend events she had had to host as a Priestess, I’d think she’d planned this escape well.

The afternoon sun was causing him to feel incredibly warm beneath his layers of robes. He was starting to sweat profusely as a result.

After another hour of no show from the young girl, Zi Siwei was about to use some of his spiritual energy to do a long-range search when he heard an unmistakable high-pitch voice speaking the Li language in an accent.

“Mister! How much for this??”

Found you!

He dashed towards the sound and reached to turn the person around.

Zi Siwei came face-to-face with Dawa in a purple Li-styled robe with one hand holding shaobing and the other hand holding tanghulu.

Her cheeks were stuffed with food, making her look like a chipmunk and upon seeing her look so ridiculous, Zi Siwei collapsed in laughter.

Having never heard him laugh so freely in all the time they knew each other, Dawa started to panic.

A crowd had formed around the two of them, trying to understand the spectacle that was unfolding before them.

Zi Siwei just kept on laughing, incredibly grateful he had found Dawa and incredibly amused at the way she was presented to him.

Dawa could only remain confused at the situation but she soon began to warm up to the laughter and managed to swallow her food before giggling herself to a stupor.