A ragged child wandered through the bustling streets. The eastern district was crowded with vendors, and the aromas of food wafted enticingly. Despite his hunger, he suppressed a swallow, his mouth watering, as he anxiously scanned his surroundings.
Finally, he heard a familiar cry. He eagerly pushed his way through the throng, passersby recoiling from his soiled clothes.
"Where did this little beggar come from?" many onlookers said with disdain, turning away. The little boy, however, excitedly called out to a friend within the circle of people, "Xiao Hua!"
A man tossed his long spear into the air, leaped, caught it in his hand, then swung it around. After a full rotation, he used the spear to propel himself upwards, leaning against it.
The series of movements was fluid and powerful, generating a palpable wind. It earned him cheers from the surrounding crowd.
Hearing "Xiao Hua," the man looked towards the crowd. He saw a dark, blurry silhouette darting and jumping amidst the people, drawing his attention. However, his vision was impaired, and he couldn't discern who it was.
Fortunately, Xiao Hong, who was selling alongside him, immediately recognized him as their companion and called out to him.
"What's wrong? Did something happen at home?" Normally, it was just him and Xiao Hua selling, while the other friends did handicraft work at home. Why had they come looking for him today?
"Sister Ye came by earlier. She said Sister Bi Xi went missing and wanted Xiao Hua to help." Sister Ye instructed him to tell Xiao Hua when he returned.
However, the eastern district had been lively lately, and Xiao Hua and Xiao Hong often went out to perform until late into the night. Thus, the group of friends decided to have him find him first.
"Ah, how could she be missing?" Xiao Hong looked at Xiao Hua in surprise. The man's expression remained unchanged; his movements were flawless, and his breathing steady. His eyes, unfocused, simply directed his voice towards them based on sound, "Let's head back first."
"Alright, alright," Xiao Hong quickly picked up the iron basin and collected money from the onlookers. Another child helped him pack away their performance tools.
Returning to the dilapidated courtyard, Xiao Hong and the others chattered excitedly about the money earned from performing that day. The man put away his spear and walked towards the crumbling well beside the courtyard.
In contrast to the neglected scenery of the house, a lean black horse stood by the well. Seeing Xiao Hua approach, its hooves restlessly tapped the ground.
The man placed his hand on the horse's glossy, moist mane and stroked it soothingly. Then, he untied the reins and led it out.
A child grabbed his arm. "Xiao Hua, Sister Ye gave this to me earlier."
The man took the handkerchief.
"Sister Ye said this is Sister Bi Xi's handkerchief."
"I know. Go back," the man said, pocketing the handkerchief.
"Oh," the child, accustomed to Xiao Hua's indifferent tone, turned and skipped back to rejoin his friends in their work.
Watching Mu Rong Yun turn and enter the tea house, Ye Qingcheng looked at Xiao Si beside her. "You push your Prince in."
"Your Highness, aren't you going in?" Xiao Si asked, confused. Otherwise, why would Your Highness have rushed back to the manor to change and then come here?
Of course, it was to irk Mu Rong Yun. But the most important thing now was Bi Xi's whereabouts. She wanted to go to Ye Shan Village even more.
Her hand, withdrawn from the wheelchair, was caught. Ye Qingcheng looked at Xiao Wang Ye, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Your Highness?"
"Don't worry. I've already sent people to search," Xiao Wang Ye continued to hold her hand, looking back at the anxious Ye Qingcheng. "Don't you trust me yet?"
What trust could there be between them? Wasn't it all just contracts and threats? Still, at this point, she could only rely on the manor's resources.
Seeing Ye Qingcheng's doubtful gaze, Xiao Wang Ye said no more. He turned to a young gentleman walking towards them from the tea house and said, "I heard Yu Jian has also gone missing."
Ye Qingcheng's hand froze mid-motion. Did he know something?
"It's truly been a long time, Your Highness."
The newcomer was dressed in opulent clothes, not only adorned with gold thread embroidery but also laden with gold jewelry and jade. He made a jingling sound as he walked. Ye Qingcheng recognized him as the person who had knocked over a beggar's rice bowl on the street last time.
He greeted Xiao Wang Ye enthusiastically, showing none of the imperious demeanor from before.
"Uncle-in-law, it's been a long time," Xiao Wang Ye nodded indifferently.
He was the Empress Dowager's brother? Ye Qingcheng looked at the man before her, who seemed to be wearing all his wealth. She couldn't understand how the Empress Dowager, rumored to be virtuous and upright, could have such a brother.
"And this is..." Wang Shan Chong's gaze repeatedly shifted to Ye Qingcheng behind Xiao Wang Ye, finding her somewhat familiar.
"This is this Prince's Princess," Xiao Wang Ye stated, noticing Wang Shan Chong's roving eyes.
"Ah, it's the Princess. You and the Princess are truly in love," Wang Shan Chong said with a chuckle, looking at the clasped hands of Xiao Wang Ye and Ye Qingcheng.
So it was that concubine's daughter as the Princess. It seemed they were quite fond of each other.
Ye Qingcheng immediately pulled her hand away.
"Let's go inside," Xiao Wang Ye said. Xiao Si stepped forward to take over pushing the wheelchair, and entered the tea house with Xiao Wang Ye.
Ye Qingcheng gritted her teeth. She had searched the mountains twice with no success. Now, her only breakthrough was through Xiao Wang Ye.
So, she instructed the guard beside her, "Go to Ye Shan Village now and find Lin Xiao. Report any findings to me promptly."
"Also," she looked towards the tea house, "if anyone comes to the manor looking for me, report it immediately." With that, she smoothed her skirt and also entered the tea house.
The first floor was merely a place for ordinary visiting merchants and scholars to converse. The hall was furnished with simple wooden tables and chairs, exuding an air of understated elegance. Only a striking large painting with the calligraphy "I see the verdant hills with such beauty; the hills must see me likewise" left a deep impression.
The second floor was where the tea party was being held.
To avoid disturbing the esteemed guests on this day, the shopkeeper had cleared the premises for two days. Not a soul was to be found on the first floor.
Guided by a waiter, Ye Qingcheng ascended to the second floor.
The second floor mostly consisted of private rooms, their doors now all open. At the end of the corridor, three tea tables were set, with several tea judges seated at them.
Ye Qingcheng sat down beside Xiao Wang Ye. Each room was decorated with refined taste. Opening a window revealed the lush mountain forests behind the tea house. Faintly, a stream flowed down from the mountains, converging into a pool between the tea house and the green hills.
It was truly a place blessed by nature.
Seeing Ye Qingcheng gazing out at the green hills, Mu Rong Yun exchanged a look with the maid beside her. The maid tightened her grip on the medicine pouch and lightly nodded.
Xiao Wang Ye was receiving greetings from many influential figures, and Ye Qingcheng couldn't find an opportune moment to ask about Yu Jian.
Soon, the tea ceremony competition began. It was divided into two parts: the first was tea appraisal, and the second was the tea art performance by the tea masters.
The shopkeeper stood before the tea tables, introducing the participating tea merchants and teas to everyone.
Ye Qingcheng, however, was interested in the Oolong tea mentioned by the shopkeeper. Before the apocalypse, her favorite was the Phoenix Dancong tea sent by a friend. Alas, she never got to taste it again before she died in the apocalypse.