act15side

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.

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...

2下

'The Shangshu Mountains are full of walkways, winding through its steep peaks among the clouds.'

A conspicuous sign stands here. The sign itself is new, and so are the letters written upon it. The words, however, are old.

The mountain is old, and so are the stone steps. The cable cars and the people, however, are all new.

I scratch my head and am surprised to find my hair less of a damp mess than expected. It is as though some indescribable sensation is enlightening my entire body and soul.

All one's vivid daytime memories quickly fade away. Yet, they thoughtfully drift back when needed.

I decide to make my way up.

I am not sure why I do so, but even if these steps took me immediately heavenward, I would still ascend.

As if in response to my sincerity, I find yet another sign around the corner.

A new sign, this time accompanied by new words. It resembles one that advertises scenic spots for tourists.

'Zuanjiang Peak'

Zuanjiang Peak... Is that where I am?

Hello—Anybody home—

Hello... Anybody home...

Fine. Now that I'm here, might as well make the best of this.

(There seems to be a pavilion in the distance.)

(Strange... I feels like I've seen this place before...)

We don't often get visitors here. Are you heading to the pavilion?

Oh, no... I'm just going to take a peek.