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Only then will he finally entrust me with the family business.

Well, that's an innkeeper for you. Always so calculating.

But I'm not part of the equation.

Whether it's the Du Yaoye who will inherit the Association, or the Miss Du who's always throwing money around, both are what others expect me to be.

So you want to take this chance to ensure your old man has to stay put and right the ship. That way you won't need to take over as the new innkeeper. Am I getting this right?

Not quite.

The royal court doesn't often come to the Association with a job. If this deal falls through, there is no way my father is going to hand me the keys to the Association just yet.

Most people my age look to me for a way out. I told them that if my father's deal falls through, the Association won't expect anything from us youngsters anymore.

But either way you're still waiting for your old man to pass the baton to you. What's the difference?

That's nothing more than an arrangement to keep us in line. Once I inherit the Association, I will have to follow the rules.

And the 'rules' go way beyond my father.

That's why you've come to me to... uh, help you put on this play of yours?

That it is.

Du Yaoye... Is that your name, my lady?

W-What about it?

'On this silent autumn night, lingering sorrows yet grapple my heart. A long night that never ceases.' Yaoye refers to the long night from that lovely poem.

Too bad, I prefer going out at twilight.

Since this is a deal though... what's in it for me?

There's somebody out there, from the royal court, who wants what you have. But you didn't let them have it. Do you understand what that means?

My friend never told me to hand it over. Besides, isn't he a member of said court?

Mr. Liang had you come all this way. He has something else for you, doesn't he?

Only trivial matters.

Whatever. I don't really care. It's just, now that it's come to this you won't be able to pretend you've got nothing to do with it anymore. No matter what you intend.

I can help you. At the very least, I can guarantee you'll make it back to Lungmen in one piece.

Fair point...

It's a deal, then.

It's a deal...

Heh, talking to you is easier than I expected.

Relax, I may not want to be the innkeeper, but all my friends my age have more than a few things to say about our elders. And all of them follow my orders.

You say you don't want to take over the Association, but aren't you doing the same thing...?

Times have changed.

Right, right.

I can't help but feel you're hiding something, but fine. It'll be nothing but trouble if they find me here.

Uhh...

Call me Lee.

—Alright, Lee. We'll meet again!

The innkeeper may seem a kind, amiable man, but his daughter...

Uncle Lee...

Hm?

You're visiting Uncle Liang, right?

Right... *Sigh*... I really don't want to go on this trip...

I...

I'll keep an eye out for your dad.

With any luck, I might even drag him back here.

Hmm...

Thanks.

Oh, don't be like that... Don't expect too much either.

Yan is a big place, too big to find someone that easily.

Waai Fu...

Look, I need you to know. It doesn't matter if you're going to tell him off, hammer him with questions, or let bygones be bygones and fawn over him. If I do find him, you'll need to face him on your own.

It's only when you catch your fool of a dad's shadow that he'll turn back to look at you. That's the kind of man he is.

I'll be in Shangshu for a while. If I hear anything about him, I'll let you know.

And... once you're ready, come find me.

I...

I understand.

*Sigh*.

That prick Liang Xun... neglecting his guest like this without so much as telling me his next move...

Hm... the tea isn't the best I've had, but the pot is quite the work of art. A fine teapot, indeed...

Hmm... A full calligraphy set too... Fairly old-fashioned for a guest room. I see Liang Xun's tastes haven't changed.

(Yawn)

Phew... That journey took it all out of me.

I'm past due for a break. After all that abuse I've taken from him, I'm pooped—

—Where am I?

Ao...