As we walked through the market street, lights flickering above and the scent of incense lingering from a nearby shrine, a girl stumbled and collided into Xiao xiao.
> "Sorry, I was in a hurry," the girl mumbled, slightly out of breath.
Xiao xiao scowled at first, then softened as he noticed her unsteady stance.
> "It's okay. Are you alright?" I asked gently.
> "Yeah… I'm okay… cough*," she said, her voice faint and cracking.
I frowned, taking in her pale face, the beads of sweat at her temple despite the cool evening air. Something was clearly off.
> "Hey… if you don't mind, come with me," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
She hesitated, then nodded.
I brought her to a quieter corner near a small inn and handed her a clean set of clothes I had bought earlier for the festival.
> "Here, change into these. You'll feel better once you're warm and dry."
> "Miss… thank you… cough*."
I noticed the slight tremble in her hands as she reached for the fabric. Without saying much, I handed her a small pouch of herbs wrapped in linen—soothing and warm-toned, specifically chosen for girls dealing with… discomfort. She took it in silence but her eyes flickered with recognition.
> "I picked this up too. It might ease the ache a bit," I said quietly, meeting her eyes.
> "Thank you…" she murmured.
> "What's your name, miss?"
> "I'm Liyu. And yours…?"
> "Xiao Feng."
She blinked in surprise. Her head tilted slightly.
> "Wait—Xiao Feng? That name…"
I smiled a little.
> "Maybe because I'm a princess."
Her eyes widened, and she dropped to her knees, stunned.
> "What!?"
> "Stand up," I said, gently helping her. "No need to kneel like that."
She nodded, still dazed. I handed her the clothes again.
> "Go ahead, change. I'll be right outside."
When she opened the door again, I paused, genuinely surprised. Her hair now tidy, skin washed and dressed in soft silk, she looked completely different.
> "Wow… You're shining like a star."
She blushed, brushing her hair behind her ear.
> "Thank you for helping me."
> "Don't say thank you again and again. Just take care of yourself," I said. "By the way, where are you from? Your clothes earlier—they reminded me of martial arts robes. Not from around here, I think."
> "I'm from the South Side," she replied with a faint smile.
I nodded, then offered her a warm bowl of soup.
> "Drink before it gets cold. It'll help restore your strength."
She took the bowl, her hands still a little shaky. I lowered my voice as I watched her carefully.
> "You should take better care of yourself—especially on… days like these."
She paused, her eyes lifting slowly, realization flickering there. Her lips parted as if to say something, then closed again. Quietly, she nodded.
> "It was my fault… I was irresponsible," she whispered.
> "Shh, no need to blame yourself. Just rest now." I smiled. "I already paid for this room, so don't worry."
But then, she suddenly dropped to her knees again, gripping my sleeve.
> "Princess… please save me."
> "What happened?" I crouched beside her quickly. "Who's stalking you? And why did you leave home?"
Tears brimmed in her eyes.
> "It's my stepmother… she always hated me. Now she wants to sell me—to be some old man's mistress. I ran away."
My expression darkened.
> "That's horrible. Did you report it to anyone?"
> "If I do… she'll kill me. She has people everywhere," she said, trembling.
I held her shoulders firmly.
> "Okay. But I need to know whether you're telling the truth or just spinning a story to get close to me."
She met my gaze, wounded but determined.
> "I swear… everything I said is true."
I let out a soft breath and stood.
> "Alright. First, rest. Second, we'll talk tomorrow. Whether you come with me or not, we'll decide then. Understood?"
> "Okay…" she whispered, nodding gratefully.
I stepped outside and called over two guards stationed near the inn.
> "Keep watch outside this room tonight. No one is allowed to enter without my word."
The guards bowed.
From behind the door, Liyu's voice called softly,
> "Thank you… for your kindness."
I didn't answer right away. I just stood there for a moment, staring out into the dusk, thoughts circling like drifting lanterns.
> (Now then… I wonder where Lóngzi and Xiao² are. I promised them we'd spend this evening together… hope they didn't eat all the sweets without me.)