Hengxiu brushed her hair back with a graceful motion, revealing the delicate, unmasked side of her face. Lifting the steaming bowl, she elegantly brought the noodles to her lips.
As the warm broth and tender noodles met her tongue, a burst of flavour overwhelmed her senses. Whether it was the richness of the dish or her relentless hunger that magnified the taste, she couldn't tell—but at that moment, it felt like the finest meal she had ever known.
The exposed left side of her face softened in quiet delight, a fleeting expression that transformed her ethereal, cold features into something achingly beautiful.
The taste of the noodles stirred something faint within Hengxiu—a memory, perhaps, lingering just beyond her grasp. It hovered there, elusive and fragile, like mist slipping through her fingers. She furrowed her brow slightly, but the thought danced away before she could catch hold of it.
Chen Yu's ears caught his father's murmur. "That's a beautiful name," he echoed cheerfully, his bright voice cutting through the air. He turned toward Hengxiu, his grin wide with excitement. "You have a really cool name—wow!"
Mid-sentence, Chen Yu stopped abruptly. His eyes widened, and, abandoning all sense of decorum, he dashed over to Hengxiu. Standing in front of her, his small face alight with awe, he exclaimed, "You're really good-looking! Why do you cover your face?"
The compliment hung in the air, innocent and direct, but it was enough to momentarily still the scene.
Hengxiu's cold features softened ever so slightly, though she remained silent. Her gaze, calm and unreadable, met Chen Yu's as the boy tilted his head, his curiosity unrelenting.
Meanwhile, Chen Liang, still processing the shock of the name Hengxiu, looked up. His gaze landed on her half-revealed face, and for a moment, he froze.
Her ethereal beauty was undeniable, yet it was not merely the loveliness of her features that rendered him speechless. It was the quiet grace and innate dignity etched into her expression—an air that spoke of poise beyond that of any commoner.
'He looks no more than fifteen,' Chen Liang mused as his gaze lingered on Hengxiu.
Her attention had returned to her meal, her delicate movements betraying no awareness of their scrutiny. Both father and son, it seemed, had mistaken her for a young boy.
Yet a shadow of concern flickered in Chen Liang's mind. There was an undeniable grace about Hengxiu—a bearing that spoke of nobility and refinement. It was plain to see that she was no commoner; she bore the air of an aristocrat.
However, the memory of her composed reaction to Chen Yu's mishap gave him pause. A child of lesser birth would never have escaped unscathed from the wrath of most aristocrats, yet Hengxiu had let the incident pass without even a word of reproach.
This was not the cruelty he had come to expect from those of high station.
As Hengxiu savoured each bite, the taste stirred something deeper—an emotion, a memory, or perhaps a longing that she couldn't quite name.
The warmth of the noodles seemed to thaw the icy veil around her thoughts, yet the elusive flicker of recognition danced just out of reach. Her grip tightened faintly on the bowl, her delicate hands betraying none of her turmoil. She glanced at Chen Liang briefly; the man's gaze held hers for a moment longer than she expected, and she felt a whisper of unease.
Chen Liang, meanwhile, wrestled with his thoughts. That name—Hengxiu. No commoner carries such a name. And that grace—it's unmistakable.
His gaze lingered on the half-revealed face before him, each refined movement confirming what he feared: this was no ordinary traveller. The air of nobility about him brought both curiosity and concern.
What had brought him here, hidden and alone? Still, he reasoned, he spared Chen Yu without reproach. Perhaps this is but one of those cruel trials nobles impose upon their heirs to determine their worthiness for rank and inheritance.
Just as his thoughts deepened, a sharp voice cut through the air—a commanding tone that carried authority and a hint of arrogance. A man clad in an embroidered robe that marked his position strode into the marketplace, flanked by two guards. His piercing eyes swept over the food carts; his expression unyielding.
"You there!" he called, pointing sharply at Chen Liang. "Have you seen anyone unfamiliar in town today?"
Chen Liang's breath caught as his hand instinctively reached to shield Chen Yu, who stood frozen beside him, his eyes darting nervously between the robed man and Hengxiu. Beside them, Hengxiu remained still, her gaze passive, her demeanour unreadable.
The guards advanced, their sheer presence casting an ominous shadow over the humble food cart. The robed man's gaze bore into Chen Liang, his impatience palpable.
Yet, Chen Liang, though acutely aware of the knot tightening in his chest, held his composure. Straightening his back, he replied carefully, "Strangers, sir? No one who would draw notice—only travellers passing through, as is common."
The man's expression darkened as he exhaled sharply. Damn it! Lady Wu must be found swiftly. Those accursed guards of the Wu family will not leave my town in peace while traces of her remain here. His thoughts seethed as he glanced around the bustling marketplace, frustration written across his face.
This man was Feng Huiyan, the Chief of Fengyuan Town. Upon orders from Yi and Ling—guards from the House of Wu—he had been tasked with rooting out any suspicious travellers. Reports had indicated that all trails led to his town, and he dared not fail in this endeavour.
With a flick of his long sleeves, Feng Huiyan departed without another word, moving briskly from cart to store in his relentless search. Chen Liang released a quiet sigh of relief, his shoulders easing as the air around the food cart grew less oppressive. Rising slowly, he cast a glance toward Hengxiu, who had just finished her meal.
Hengxiu stood gracefully, offering a curt bow before pulling her hair back to obscure the left side of her face. Without a word, she turned and began to walk away. Chen Yu, still brimming with curiosity, made to run after her, but his father's firm grip on his shoulder stopped him.
Chen Liang shook his head silently, and the boy hesitated, his expression crestfallen.
Gathering his courage, Chen Liang called out, his voice tinged with hesitation, "If ever you are in need of food, you may return here. Should you seek lodging, the Jade Horizon Lodge will welcome you. Mention my name, and you shall receive a fine room for but a modest price!"
Hengxui kept walking, keeping Cheng Liang's words at the back of her head, her figure blending into the ebb and flow of the bustling town. The marketplace hummed with life, and Feng Huiyan continued his investigation, moving cart by cart, stall by stall. His frustration deepened with each unanswered query, his guards looming behind him.
Though no one dared to question the chief's persistence, murmurs began to ripple through the crowd, the villagers sensing that something unusual was afoot.
Chen Liang stood beside his cart, his expression thoughtful as he watched Hengxiu disappear into the throng. He felt an odd mixture of relief and concern. A faint unease churned in his chest, but he kept his face calm for his son's sake.
Chen Yu, oblivious to his father's inner turmoil, tugged at his sleeve. "Dad, do you think the masked sir will come back?" he asked innocently.
Chen Liang smiled faintly, resting a hand on his son's shoulder. "If he needs us, we will help him."
***
Hengxiu continued wandering the streets, her dark eyes absorbing the sights and sounds of the lively town. Noon had arrived, and the noise around her had grown louder—a cacophony of merchants' shouts and children's laughter.
Yet amidst the commotion, a faint moan reached her ears, distinct and clear, as though it were just beside her. She stopped in her tracks, her gaze darting about as she searched for its source.
To her left, a group of children played in the dirt, their cheerful laughter echoing without care. Suspicion waned as she turned to her right, spotting an alleyway shrouded in shadow. The sound grew louder, insistent, pulling at her attention. She hesitated, glancing around to see if anyone else had noticed, but the townsfolk seemed entirely absorbed in their bustling affairs.
Curiosity gnawed at her resolve, and her steps carried her toward the alley. Standing at its edge, she peered into the darkness, her sharp eyes narrowing as she tried to discern what lay within. The deeper shadows slowly gave way to faint outlines, and her gaze settled on a figure sprawled on the ground. A metallic tang reached her nose, mingling with the damp air—a smell unmistakable and sharp: blood.
Her brow furrowed as she stepped into the dim corridor, her measured pace driven by both caution and resolve. The alley seemed to close in around her as she approached the figure.
The darkness seemed to deepen as Hengxiu ventured further into the alleyway, her footsteps cautious and deliberate. The faint smell of blood grew stronger with each step, mingling with the damp, musty scent of the alley.
Her eyes adjusted slowly, tracing the outline of the figure sprawled on the ground.
It was a man—his clothes tattered and stained with crimson. He lay slumped against the wall, his breathing shallow and laboured. A trail of blood trickled from a wound on his side, pooling beneath him in the dirt. Hengxiu's gaze swept over him, her brow furrowed as she assessed the situation.
His face, pale and slick with sweat, twisted in pain as another faint moan escaped his lips.
"Help… me," he croaked, his voice barely audible.
Hengxiu knelt beside him, her movements swift yet measured.
She reached out to steady him, her hand brushing against his arm as she examined the wound. The cut was deep, and from the jagged edges, it was clear it had been made by a blade. Bandits, perhaps—or something worse.
Her mind raced, weighing her options. The townsfolk outside seemed unaware of his plight, and revealing her presence to ask for help might bring unwanted attention.
Yet, leaving him here would surely mean his end. She hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly against the fabric of his sleeve.
As she deliberated, the man's eyes fluttered open, locking onto hers with sudden intensity. "They… they're coming," he whispered hoarsely, his words sending a chill down her spine.
The distant sound of hurried footsteps echoed faintly from the other end of the alley, growing louder with each passing second.
Hengxiu's body tensed instinctively, her eyes darting toward the source of the noise. Whoever—or whatever—had done this was not far behind.