Ai Li: Are you ready yet?
Sun Qiao: Almost! One sec!
Coming out from her bedroom, her outfit different from what she was wearing before. It was a kimono, red with a butterfly design on parts that where white. The bow was also white. She had her hair down, but with a red butterfly clip in, pulling back a part of her bangs. She twirled in a circle to show Ai Li the kimono fully. She had never gotten to wear it before, so this was special for her.
Ai Li: That's what you're wearing to the market?
Sun Qiao: Is it too much?
Ai Li: Dear, the whole village would know you're of royalty wearing that.
Sun Qiao: I've never been privileged to wear any of my special kimonos though. "I am Cheng Pu's niece." Can't I still afford such nice clothes?
Ai Li: If you insist. Shall we be off?
With a nod, Sun Qiao ran up to Ai Li, who had already turned and begun walking. Sun Qiao never felt more excited. In her hands, she held a small bag. It held the money she was going to use. Sure, it may be too much, but how could she have honestly known?
Lu Xun was sparring again, stressing himself when he knew he should have been resting. If he hadn't forced himself sick, this wouldn't be happening. He grew tired easily, and his face once more fell pale.
Lu Xun: Damn.. I really shouldn't have done that. I hate being sick..
Cheng Pu: Should you really be sparring under these circumstances?
Lu Xun: No, but I don't want to become weak just from falling ill.
Cheng Pu: Perhaps you should rest though.
Lu Xun: Perhaps…
Lu Xun sat down in the grass, Cheng Pu sitting across from him. He still pondered the situation of "Cheng Shi," though Cheng Pu obviously knew he had no niece and that Sun Qiao's risk could lead to something much more serious.
Lu Xun: Cheng Pu… Could I speak with you on a more personal terms?
Cheng Pu: I see nothing wrong with that sir.
Lu Xun: It's about your niece.
Cheng Pu: And?
Lu Xun: She seems to have quite and interest in me… Have I met her before?
Laughing is all Cheng Pu could do.
Cheng Pu: You're full of it boy.
Lu Xun: And what do you mean by that?
Cheng Pu: Any other high ranking officer that would talk to her would just end the same. Cheng Shi would act like an obsessive little girl. It's for her love of war. She's not really interested in anything more.
Lu Xun: Is that so?
Cheng Pu could tell that Xun didn't believe that. Sun Qiao seemed to be much better at handling the talking for Cheng Shi than her "uncle" ever would hope to be. As the two spoke, Ai Li and Sun Qiao had walked up to them. Cheng Pu stared at Sun Qiao. She was supposed to be his niece, so he had to act like a guardian, and the kimono didn't seem good for just a stroll to the market.
Cheng Pu: Shi, your outfit!
Sun Qiao: Something wrong with it, uncle?
Her voice was always blunt and bold, much more like her father. Lu Xun had been faced in the opposite direction up until now. He turned the upper half of his body to see the lovely ladies. Almost as if in shock, he found that he couldn't take his eyes away. The woman he knew as Cheng Shi was beautiful in that Kimono.
Cheng Pu: It's too much, especially for just going to the market. Ai Li, you allowed this?
Ai Li: I warned her, but it's not my place to control her.
Cheng Pu and Ai Li began to have their fake argument, Sun Qiao becoming annoyed and impatient. Lu Xun stared at her still, as she tapped her foot watching the two argue. Why couldn't he pull his eyes away? This is all Lu Xun could wonder. It wasn't like him. The arguing had to stop though. It frustrated Xyn just as much as it had Sun Qiao.
Lu Xun: Why don't I take her. I think the kimono is fine.
Ai Li: No, no. I was asked to-
Sun Qiao: I would love to have you as an escort!
Ai Li pulled Sun Qiao to the side, looking at her in an angry, and confused way. The two began to whisper.
Ai Li: What are you doing?
Sun Qiao: I haven't had a single friend in my life time. You're all I had. Can't I just spend a little time with him?
Ai Li: Do you know the risk?
Lu Xun: I promise to take good care of her. No need to be so protective Li. It's not like she's your daughter.
Cheng Pu: I see nothing wrong with it.
Sun Qiao: Please? I don't ask much of you…
Ai Li gave her another angry look, but sighed and turned back to Cheng Pu and Lu Xun. Sun Qiao took a step back in, just in case.
Ai Li: I guess if your father is okay with it, than I am as well- Lord Lu Xun, as her care taker, I'm putting you in charge of her until you return. If there is even a scratch on her, I won't stand for it.
Lu Xun: I will take complete care of her miss Li- Miss Shi, shall we be off?
Sun Qiao: At your lead, my Lord.
As the two turned and walked away, Ai Li and Cheng Pu began to consult. Ai Li seemed to just lecture him the whole time, as Cheng Pu tried his best to reason with her. Things fell silent with Lu Xun and Sun Qiao though. It was her first time in the village, and she wasn't quite sure at all where she was going. With Lu Xun at her side, she felt that she only needed to follow him. She couldn't follow behind though. He seemed to keep her pace.
Lu Xun: So you're not familiar with the kingdom's village? What village are you familiar to?
Sun Qiao: Well… It's hard to say that I've ever known a village well at all. I'm usually not allowed out and about. Usually I'm only allowed out if I'm following my mother. We were in Yang. Now that I'm here in Jing with my uncle, I hardly know anything about the area.
Lu Xun: You read, correct? It shouldn't be too hard to learn.
Sun Qiao: I've read about each land. Wu is made up of three great lands: Jiao, Jing, and Yang. Shu is made up of one giant land: Yi. Wei is made up of many small lands: Liang, Yong, Si, Bing, Ji, You, Yan, Yu, Xu, and Qing. I've never personally seen the lands, so I don't know what to expect.
Lu Xun: It's usually hard for most people to remember all those lands-
Sun Qiao: -I have a photographic memory… Like you…
Lu Xun looked surprised to hear that. Not very many people had such a great ability. Most, however, thought it more to be a curse. Had it not been for Lu Xun being a strategist, he would have thought it to be a curse as well. Sun Qiao had always thought it to be a curse.
Lu Xun: So what kind of book do you wish to buy?
Sun Qiao: I'm not quite sure I want to buy a book as it is…
Lu Xun: Than why are we going to the market?
Sun Qiao had smiled. She had one goal in mind now that Ai Li was gone- To explore. She had a lot of coins with her. She could probably buy anything she wanted.
Sun Qiao: I wish to spoil myself for my up coming birthday.
Lu Xun: Your birthday approaches?
Sun Qiao: Indeed. I want to buy a book, but I'm not sure what kind. Other than that, I wish to buy a new plushy, a new kimono, and whatever else I find.
Lu Xun: That may cost a lot, you know?
He had chuckled. Lu Xun didn't truly know how rich Sun Qiao, or in his world Cheng Shi, really was. Sun Qiao had pulled out her bag of gold. Just from the expansion of the sack, Lu Xun could guess that she had been saving.
Lu Xun: I see… I assumed it wouldn't be as much.
Sun Qiao: That's alright. Now, where should we begin? What's the best shop in the market, Lord Lu Xun?
Thinking on it, Lu Xun had been looking around. For "Cheng Shi" it would be a challenge. He had never really took a fair woman shopping, let alone went with anyone shopping. When he went, it was for more books as well. At least he could show her to get the best books. She also wanted a plushy.
Lu Xun: Ah! I actually have something you can have.
The two stopped on the side of the road. He began to explain how he found the plushy after he had finished sparring one day. Pulling out Sun Qiao's missing plushy, she was in total awe. Her savior! He had returned her favorite toy. As Lu Xun was still in the process of explaining, Sun Qiao took the plushy into her hands and hugged in tightly against her.
Sun Qiao: My plushy! I had lost it just the other day! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
She had bowed her head to Lu Xun, as he blinked in complete and utter confusion.
Lu Xun: You're not like most girls…
Sun Qiao's cheeks grew red with a bit of embarrassment. Villagers were looking over at the two. She was drawing in too much attention. As she looked around at the others, her attitude calmed. Others watching them began to blush, and turn their heads away.
Sun Qiao: Sorry… It's a bad habit. How can I ever repay you though!
A smile grew on Lu Xun's face.
Lu Xun: Don't. It's an early birthday present. How old will you be?
Sun Qiao: I will be 16, Lord Lu Xun.
Lu Xun: You know, you may just call me Xun.
Sun Qiao: No, no. It's improper to address someone of high class as anything lower than that of a Lord.
Lu Xun: It's truly alright.
Sun Qiao couldn't help but blush.
Lu Xun: So, you're only going to be 16? You look much older.
Sun Qiao blushed even brighter.
Sun Qiao: I've always been told that I look younger.
Lu Xun: I disagree. Well than, Shi, shall we go to the book store first? It's the closest shop.
With a smile and a nod, Sun Qiao had turned, awaiting to follow Lu Xun. He held out his arm for her to grab on to. As an escort, he wanted to make sure that he wouldn't lose Cheng Shi to the crowd. As the two walked, the exchanged words about each other. Sun Qiao couldn't help but ponder… Were they friends now? She held the plushy close to her heart, and felt her face burning.
The two came to a sudden halt. Snapping back to reality, Sun Qiao looked up at Lu Xun. His face was pale, very pale.
Sun Qiao: Lu Xun?
Lu Xun: I'm gonna be sick again…
