act15side

Chu Wuyou, otherwise known as Rhodes Island Operator Nothing. Although not yet officially.

Ms. Kroos, Mr. Nothing. Please accept my apologies.

I understand the transgression was Uncle Taihe's, but allow me to remind you:

If you are not too involved with those sisters, I suggest you put an end to that relationship while you still can.

Nian's my friend and coworker, and Dusk's my friend's pain-in-the-rear sister. So is that in the 'while we still can' stage or not?

To tell the truth... You've likely already crossed the line.

Thanks for the tip, then.

Heh.

Ms. Kroos, you're a woman of extraordinary courage and skill.

Now we have other business to attend to. Please excuse us.

I hope Magistrate Liang will give the Department of Discipline and Supervision an acceptable answer regarding the Rhodes Island affair.

Excuse us.

...Mm...

Benefactor! Are you okay?

Haha... That gave me such a start, I sprained my ankle. I'm okay, though.

Nothing, mate.

Hmm...

A Messenger accompanied by the Department of Discipline and Supervision's Deputy Monitir Censor as his retainer... What a load of poppycock. They really took us for fools.

It seems they're also well aware of the bizarre events in which we found ourselves at Kou-wu City and Mount Hui-ch'i.

Even a fool can glean that the sisters are no ordinary beings, but all this is a little... uh... beyond imagination.

Let's head back to the Liang estate first.

Now's not the time to be wandering around. We need to meet up with them as soon as possible...

Huh...?

What about him?

Nah... It was probably just some small critter.

*Sigh*.

'Tis not like you to sigh so much.

Are you so unhappy to see me tonight, my lord?

I...

No.

Is something the matter?

Must I have urgent matters to seek your companionship?

No...

When shall we take to the mountains and see the plays?

The weather is still cold. I heard you've been ill as of late. You should be avoiding the mountains.

'Tis always the case in early spring. It makes me long for the hot tea served at Shuzhou Peak.

Right. I will go with you when I have the time.

That was your guest, was he not? You were never one to engage in small talk with Messengers.

Perhaps you might settle for 'leave the goods there. Stop wasting my time.'?

No, I doubt you would say that last part. After all, you are a man of proper etiquette, my lord.

Nothing escapes you, Miss Ning.

Where is he from?

Lungmen.

So far away! Ah... He came all this way to see you. I should not have intruded.

Not at all. He's not one to mind such trivialities.

My, how strange... To think you'd say that about someone.

Here I thought you would be the same aloof man to everyone.

*Cough*... I don't...

What is he doing here?

I... I entrusted some matters to him.

What sorts of matters?

All trivial.

So you invited an old friend from a thousand li away only for trivial matters...

If you will not tell me, I shan't ask.

However, this world is full of hardships. Such is life. If you were to anguish over each and every one of them...

You would only be overburdening yourself.

Hm?

Didn't Liang say this guest room was for me to use as I please?

Let's ignore the fact that you came into my room uninvited. Why are you making tea? MY tea, mind you.

It's not yours, it's Mr. Liang's.

And I made you a cup too. Satisfied?

So you plan to continue your accusations, Miss Du?

Take a guess.

I don't suppose you're bold enough to try anything in such a pretty mansion.

Why don't you start by telling me why you're here?

Heh, aren't you the confident one? Still carefree enough to make conversation with me.

Well, you made tea.

Alright, fine.

I'll get to the point. I'm here because I need your help.

Alright.

Huh?

Now that's odd. I thought you'd be more cautious. Why so agreeable?

Liang Xun let you into his home. What is there to worry about?

Do you know him?

I pleaded him to let me in, that's all... My father's always had a good relationship with the government.

I see.

Last time we met, I was going to steal your cup.

Not mine. Mr. Liang's.

Let him deal with the troublesome stuff. I only bother with whatever troubles come my way.

So you'll believe me...?

What reason do I have to hold a grudge against a young lady?

*Sigh*... All of us were young once, and all of us have had to put up an act just to save face.

—W-Who's saving face?! I was—

Did you get in a fight with the innkeeper?

Heh.

I'm starting to understand just what a terrifying person you are.

You seem lax and carefree, but you actually know everything like the back of your hand—People like you are the most terrifying.

At the very least, I wouldn't attack someone with a chair on our first meeting.

Now, tell me what this is about. And be honest, this is a negotiation.

Innkeeper Zheng... My father took on a job from a court noble. They want that wine cup of yours.

About what I figured, but earlier you were helping him with that. Why the sudden change of heart?

I won't go into the details. It's just... I don't want him to succeed.

So?

Will you not believe me if I don't tell you why?

Try not to ask questions that you already know the answer to. You want to come across as sincere.

If he succeeds, it doesn't matter how big a role I played. He'll make me take full credit for it.

The Escort Association has made itself a lot of enemies, and, for all the weight it has to throw around, it's stuck by the old rules even now that the Messenger industry has taken off. They're always left out for being slower to react than everyone else.

That's why my father always told me to keep my mouth shut, to hide my shortcomings.

He wants me to act like a frivolous playgirl who pisses away his riches. All so no one will give me a second thought.

Then, I'd secretly run errands for the court, both to curry favor and win over my lackeys.