He then strode straight towards the counter, where Ruyan stood, her back facing him.
The other men spread out, guarding every exit: not even a fly could escape.
Xiao Feng's hand slid toward his sword, but Li Xuan caught his arm, stilling him.
"Who is Tang Ruyan?" he thundered.
Xiao Lan flinched beside her, Ruyan calmly poured steaming water into a cup, her back still to them. A playful smirk curved her lips.
"Y-Young Miss, he's looking for you…" Xiao Lan whispered, eyes wide.
"Miss, should I just..." Da Bao cracked his knuckles, glaring at the soldier, but quickly looked away when the man strode closer.
On the counter Xiao Lan always kept a bowl of fragrant dried powdered tea leaves.
With a flick of her wrist, Ruyan grabbed a lump of it and smeared it across her cheek. Then she whirled around startling the approaching man.
The man froze. He had expected a poised beauty. Instead, before him stood a girl with crossed eyes, a blotchy brown patch on her face, and a steaming cup shoved under his nose.
"Customerrr! You want hot water?" Ruyan blinked at him,her brown eyes wobbling in the strangest way.
The soldier nearly jumped out of his skin. His men stiffened, fighting to contain their laughter.
At the opposite corner, Li Xuan was calmly watching the scene unfold. He lifted the cup and sipped the water. That's when his gaze landed on Ruyan.
Li Xuan nearly choked on his drink. A moment ago, she had been an elegant, young beauty that even the fairies would be jealous of. Now, she was a gremlin! 'Does she really think soldiers are this gullible?' he thought as he tried his best to keep his composure.
Hey! You, in the veil!" Another soldier barked, as he strode toward Li Xuan.
Xiao Feng's sword hissed free, its cold edge kissing the man's throat before he could touch the veil.
The soldier broke into a sweat. "H-How dare!"
"Try it and die," Xiao Feng said, gritting his teeth, voice low and sharp.
"A-are you interrupting an, an official search?" the man stuttered, his eyes glued onto the sharp metal.
However behind them, Li Xuan placed the cup down and went for the bun, unperturbed.
Meanwhile, Ruyan snatched the scroll from the leader's hand and unrolled it. It was a painting of a serene lady in flowing white and pale blue.Ruyan's eyes widened, then sparkled with mischief.
"Ohhh, her?" she squeaked. "I saw her go that way!" She jabbed a finger toward the forest.
The leader sneered. "A delicatelady, running through the forest? Don't play games!"
"No, no, this way!" She crossed her eyes again, swinging her hand toward the busy gateway of Qinhe town.
The man groaned, rubbed his temples, then bellowed, "Men! After her!" He charged out, his soldiers trailing. Xiao Feng also sheathed his sword back, releasing the frightened soldier.
A lady locked her eyes on Ruyan and whispered to her man, "Honey, I think the lady in the picture looks just like her!" She was able to get a glance of the painting Ruyan held earlier.
The painting had a young lady, with dark flowing hair and fair skin, and she could see many similarities with the girl standing before her.
Her husband, munching a mouthful of rice replied "does she look like a, a wanted criminal?" he took a huge bite of a bun and continued "no way... she is... just a tea stall...owner."
The stall buzzed with relief, until the squad returned moments later, faces dark with fury.
"Nobody leaves this place!" the leader roared, flipping a table with a crash. Panic erupted. Soldiers spread out, blocking every exit.
"Official, please! The lady isn't here!" Da Bao begged, only to be thrown aside like a mouse.
The leader's cheeks trembled with rage. "Men! Findher!"
Chaos consumed the stall. A woman shrieked as she was dragged, while a man ducked under a table still chewing his bun, another soldier flipped benches like firewood. Many ran out of the stall.
Xiao Feng stood up, his sword already out, and blocked a soldier who was on his way towards Li Xuan.
Xiao Feng's sword clashed with the other's, and the former sent him stumbling back into a pillar with a crack.
The fight raged on...steel clashing against steel, screams and splinters filling the air.
Meanwhile Li Xuan calmly sat there, as if he was watching a live drama. His eyes stayed glued one particular person.
Ruyan ducked under a man's futile attempt to grab her and ran towards the counter. She held her skirt a bit above her ankles to keep her foot free from stumbling.
Seeing this, Li Xuan smirked under the veil. These were soldiers, yet she was running around trying her best to escape, like escaping a bunch of kids.
She reached her hand into the bowl of dried tea and threw a fistful into the man's eyes.
"Arghh" the man groaned his eyes stinging.
Da Bao and Xiao Lan were cornered by another soldier. His sword glinted in the light. 'now let's see how you escape' he smirked.
Suddenly, a chopstick flew-
smack!
-and the man dropped instantly.
Both turned their heads in awe to see the veiled man fiddling with another chopstick in his hand.
Ruyan hurled a kettle of hot water into another soldier's face, ducked away, and sprinted forward...only to be caught. The man held her tiny waist and dragged her closer.
"Where do you think you're going?" the man hissed.
Swish!
The man went down- a chopstick beside his head.
Ruyan felt the grip on her waist loosen, and when she looked down at her feet, she found the man lying on the floor. She gasped. She looked back to find the veiled stranger looking her way.
'Who…is he?' while she was trying to figure out his identity, the man in question stood up suddenly and strode towards her in lightning speed.
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind. She had no time to think, as she saw him hitting a man, on the back of his neck with his palm, making him knocked out in an instant.
Her eyes narrowed as the veil fluttered open slightly, revealing his sharp eyes. His look was sharp and clear. Definitely someone who could fight. She assumed.
But the next second she froze when her eyes found Xiao Lan. She was held by the leader, his blade dangerously close to her throat.
"Miss!" Xiao Lan whimpered, tears streaking her cheeks. She was too scared to move a finger.
Ruyan's chest tightened. Her friends were at their limit. 'what should I do?' She can't just run towards them, as his sword was faster than her legs. Scared, she turned toward the only person she could find.
Her voice trembled with desperation.
"Young master! Please…save my friend!" she pleaded, her eyes welling up. She knew with this man's skills, he could easily attack the man, maybe throwing chopsticks, flipping table or anything.
Li Xuan smirked beneath his veil, as he looked back. He dropped the guy he was holding earlier and scoffed. "Hmph. Young lady, this has nothing to do with me." But his gaze lingered a moment too long before turning away.
Her heart sank.
'What? Wasn't he helping me just now? Why did his atitude flip so suddenly?'
"Let's go." He rubbed his sleeves and went out along with the other man.
The leader tightened his grip on Xiao Lan's neck. "Miss Tang Ruyan! Come quietly, or this girl dies!"
Now he could clearly see that the tea stall owner was indeed the one he was looking for. 'how dare she play with me' he thought.
"Miss!" Xiao Lan sobbed.
Ruyan's breath shuddered. She clenched her fists.
Xiao Lan pleaded with her eyes, as if to say, miss don't mind me, just run...
But how could she? Afterall, Xiao Lan and Da Bao had been her only family for more than ten years.
Ruyan took a long breath and raised her chin.
"Fine. I'll go with you. But first, Let her go!" She pointed her finger at Xiao Lan, threat in her eyes.
"Miss, no! Run!" Da Bao and Xiao Lan cried together.
But the soldiers already had her arms bound.
"I know how to walk, leave me alone!" She struggled against their iron hold. But the men didn't budge.
Xiao Lan and Da Bao ran after them. They felt so helpless, seeing their mistress being draged from the stall.
Ruyan's final words echoed back:
"Take care of the place. I'll be back soon."
A little far from the chaos, Li Xuan and Xiao Feng mounted their horses. They saw Ruyan being dragged out of the stall and pushed into a carriage.
Xiao Feng was clueless. He looked at his master, and hesitated.
"Your Highness..." he started.
"Let's go." Li Xuan grabbed the reins and muttered in a low voice.
Xiao Feng could sense his master was in a bad mood, so he said no more and followed him obediently.