Chapter 5 - The Faint Bitter Scent of Tea

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Feng Yao glanced around before slipping outside through a low window. During the night was when the red light district was the most busy.

Brightly lit lanterns and hotel signs adorned the sidewalks. The streets were filled with men and woman flirtatiously laughing and touching. Underneath the cover of night, the illusion of a never-ending dream blanketed the entire street.

Feng Yao quickly scanned the crowded streets before ducking into the overhead of a random building. Despite being dressed in vibrantly red clothing, the moment she stepped backwards into the darkness, she became nothing more than an expressionless shadow.

Her eyes lightly flickered from person to person as the crowd slowly filtered by. Minutes passed yet Feng Yao didn't move. She just continued to watch indifferently as if she was looking for something. Or someone.

The night deepened as hours trickled by until the stars were brightly shining above the never ending stream of people. But still, Feng Yao didn't find who she was looking for.

Old man. Where exactly have you gone?

Suddenly, she felt someone grab her shoulder. Her eyes widened in shock. Just who was so skilled in martial arts that they could sneak up on her? Lowering her eyes, she hid her gaze as a calculating glint appeared. 

"Young miss, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

As if a switch was flipped, Feng Yao's personality changed into a shy young maiden. Turning her head, she slowly looked up into the eyes of a man dressed in the clothing of officials.

Quickly, she lowered her eyes back down as a slight flush came into her cheeks. With a small smile, she spoke in a coquettish voice.

"How can I help you, young sir?"

He paused at her voice and was momentarily dazed as if he suddenly just realized how attractive she was. Feng Yao pretended not to see the way that his gaze fell onto her thin clothing. She let out a small cough making him awkwardly clear his throat.

"Ahem...Have you by chance been here the entire night? Did you witness anything strange going on at the courtesan house down the street? We're looking for a suspect in a murder."

She tilted her head in confusion as she looked at him. "I don't know anything. My grandfather told me to wait for him here. He said that he'd be right back, but it's been a few hours now."

Feng Yao blinked quickly as her eyes began to well up.

"Sir, have you seen my grandfather? Was I abandoned? This poor girl did everything he asked. I put on makeup and these beautiful robes. I came to this unfamiliar street and stood here waiting. I did everything he told me, yet why am I alone?"

He studied the beautiful girl in front of him thinking, How pitiful. She doesn't even realize that she's been sold out by her own grandfather."

He didn't realize that she could clearly see what he was thinking.  

Feng Yao sniffled before lightly tugging onto his hand. She noticed the slight stiffening in his body from her touch and knew that he was beginning to waver.

"Sir, I'm so scared and lonely...Will you please stay with me?"

Her soft and vulnerable tone was the final straw that finally broke his facade as an upright official. No official ever comes to the red light district with pure thoughts. 

With a glint in his eyes and a charming look on his face, he grasped her arm. Although it was gentle, his firm grip left no room for her to wiggle out.

"Here. Why don't you come and stay with me for a while? I'll help you find your grandfather."

"Really!? You are willing?" Feng Yao eagerly smiled at him, only slightly glancing at his hand that was now tugging her forwards.

He nodded with a warm smile as he kept pulling her down the street. All the entire way, he continued to reassure her. Before she knew it, they were already at the front steps of the Red-Lantern Hotel.

Even on the outside, you could already see how expensive and luxurious this place was. Elaborate lanterns softly lit up the outside of the fancy building and created a dream-like atmosphere. Even the steps that were leading up to the golden front doors were lined with fragrant and fresh smelling peach blossoms.

"Sir...this is?" Feng Yao looked up and over at the man who was still holding her arm. His eyes were now shining with an eager light that he tried to desperately hide from her.

"Yes, this is the highest ranking inn on this street. Only officials of the highest rank can get a room in here. Since I'm also one, I don't mind providing you shelter here too."

Feng Yao internally scoffed.

Well then, I see. He's certainly mastered the art of lying straight through his teeth. If he wants to play, then sure. I'll act along. I was bored anyways.

"Young master. Young miss. A single room?" The seductively beautiful woman at the front desk sweetly spoke to them. 

"Yes, a single room." The man's eyes hungrily looked at Feng Yao. But as soon as she turned towards him, he immediately gave a gentlemanly smile. She returned the smile as he grabbed her hand and walked after the woman leading them to their room.

As soon as he looked away, Feng Yao's smile slowly faded. She was getting bored of playing.

"Young Sir, I seemed to have dropped my hairpin back when we passed that turn. I will return after I search for it." Feng Yao stealthily escaped from his grip. He seemed slightly surprised and hurried after her as her figure disappeared around the corner.

Just as he rounded the corner, he froze. No one was there. The girl who had claimed that she was looking for her hairpin was nowhere in sight.

"Wha--?" He quickly ran outside to look for her, but again, there was no trace of her. A thought suddenly popped into his head.

She never even answered my original questions.

Feng Yao listened from behind a door as she heard his footsteps leave the hallway and run outside. The moment she knew he was gone, she quickly turned around and faced the only other person in the room.

"I apologize for barging in here without warning. I did not realize someone was already in here." With a bow, she lowered her head.

She really did feel sorry though. She didn't realize that someone else was already using this room. Earlier when she had been quickly looking for a place to hide, she saw an unmarked black door at the end of the hallway secluded in its own area. It was only when she slipped inside that she realized too late that someone was sitting at a tea table.

He didn't say anything making her glance upwards at him. Previously, she had been in too much of a hurry to properly look at him.

His single figure sat leisurely at the sleek black tea table. His robes were a deep silver with white clouds and swirls decorating the edges. As her eyes trailed higher, she noticed long pale fingers lightly holding a tea cup. 

He simply continued his action of mixing tea without acknowledging her. Although it was a simple task, he made it look elegant and refined as if he'd been trained in this for years. 

Her eyes slightly paused as her gaze reached the sight of his face. His skin was free from any blemishes and was the color of creamy white milk. Long eyelashes fanned his fox-like eyes that were colored with the deepest and richest color of black possible. Below his indifferent eyes was a straight and slim nose along with a pretty pair of pink lips.  He seemed much more feminine than masculine.

Ahh, so pretty. But so troublesome...

Really, he was beautiful. Too beautiful. Much more so than any woman Feng Yao had ever seen. If it wasn't for the way that his features were slightly more sharpened than a woman's, no one would be able to see the difference between him and a heavenly beauty who could overturn the world. 

Feng Yao realized that he probably wouldn't speak to her at all. With a shrug, she stepped closer with a curious look on her face. What was he doing?

He simply continued, not caring as she walked to the side of the tea table opposite of him. In one swift motion, she sat down letting her red robes flutter around her. 

Propping her elbow onto the table, she lazily rested her head onto her hand. Her unladylike actions contrasted against her womanly appearance, but Feng Yao was never one to be concerned about her reputation.

She tilted her head from side to side as she watched him. With a steady hand, he slowly inspected each tea leaf in the light.  Once he seemed satisfied, he placed them into a tea strainer. He already had quite a large pile. 

How peculiar. I've never seen a Young Master personally desire to brew his own tea before.

Her eyes followed his hands as he put down the bowl of leaves and placed the strainer into a beautifully decorated teacup. In one fluid motion, he picked up the tea pot and poured hot water. The warm steam that softly billowed around his figure strangely made Feng Yao feel as though she was staring at a picture. 

Such a cold and aloof celestial-like being. Yet, as he gently pours himself a cup of tea, his worries intertwine with the fine rising stream and peacefully melts away. All that is left is simply...him.

Feng Yao nodded to herself. Yes, she should write this down as a story. Fancy romance novels with mysterious men were currently "in" right now, right? She could probably make a lot of money using this idea and buy some more steam buns.

Her fingers lightly tapped at her cheek as she calmly watched. Who knew that watching someone make tea could be so relaxing? Or maybe, was it just him?

She sighed as she suddenly remembered about the whole reason why she was still here in the red-light district. The old man was missing. 

Feng Yao forced herself to get up. Although she was lazy, there were lots of things she had to do. A sinking feeling in her gut made her wonder when would she finally be able to return to her idle and carefree lifestyle.

Just as she was about to step out of the room, a small breeze blew in the room from an open window. The particular scent of a familiar tea was carried over from the man's teacup before swirling around Feng Yao.

This tea is...?

Feng Yao abruptly stopped. Slowly, an unreadable smile began to appear on her face. How could she ever forget this scent? She and this tea had a short, but painful history together.

With a single hand holding onto the door frame, she slightly tilted her head to glance behind her at the man. His hand had already lifted the cup to his lips.

"Thousand-Year Tea, correct?" 

He slightly paused at her words without looking up. It was the first indication from him that he was even aware of her presence. 

"An excellent choice. Quite delicious, really. I've heard it's quite...addicting."

Her lips twisted up into a mischievous smile at him before turning and walking out. Feng Yao's long black hair swayed behind her as she disappeared out of sight. She never once looked back.

The man, from where he was sitting, didn't move. The teacup was still placed in the same position on his lips. A long moment passed before he finally placed it back onto the table. Not even a sip had managed to enter his mouth.

His gaze flickered only once towards the empty doorway before he casually glanced at a dark and hidden corner.

"Li Yue." His low voice was quiet. Yet, it still managed to be incredibly rich and authoritative.

Instantly, a man came out from where he'd been blending into the shadows. He knelt down on one knee in front of the man who had called him.

"Yes, Young Master?"

His master only needed to glance at the still-steaming teacup once for Li Yue to understand what he meant. 

"Understood. I'll investigate right away."

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