Jiang Yi - Who's the Bad Girl? (August 183)

[Deleted]

WHO'S THE BAD GIRL?

21st August 183



After a couple of weeks of blistering sun belting down, the summer storms had begun, much to Yi's chagrin. On the road to Puyang, she was wearing her regular decorated purple robe but was holding her black overcoat over her head as a makeshift shield against the rather large raindrops beating down on her.



“Always when I am on the road. Always when I do not have a suitable coat...”



Yi kept urging her horse to run as fast as he could to the city gates; the faint facade of which she could see through the rainy haze. The harder she tried to ride, the more difficult it became to fend off the rain. She was already soaked through but it was just natural to try and shelter oneself from the rain. She then abandoned her overcoat to the bag attached to her horse and focused on riding through the torrents.

---

As she grew closer to the gates, the guards moved to try and get a better look at who was approaching. Yi was riding close to her horse to cut through the rain but sat up and slowed her horse a little as she approached so the guards would see her properly.



“Ma'am! What are you doing out here in this rain?!”

“I do apologise. I was quite bored and this torrential downpour seemed like the perfect place to relax!”

“Uhhh... yes. Sorry. Please go inside!”



Yi took her hand out of her inner pocket, off the forged documents that would allow her into the city. She most definitely would have needed them if the weather was clear but the guards clearly thought protecting a lady would be the better option than causing her a chill in this weather. Her elegant clothing could still be seen despite being drenched, so they must have assumed her a member of the upper classes. Most city guards would know not to argue with them, they all had connections and it was really not worth it if you wanted to keep your job.



Yi proceeded with haste through the city but not at a gallop. Even though most would understand why someone was travelling so fast in this weather, it would still draw attention to her.



After navigating around a little, she arrived at an upmarket tavern. Many people just waiting for the rain to let up a little crowded around the sheltered entrance even though the proprietor was urging them to leave for their homes, workplaces, wives or husbands.

Yi approached quickly and swung both her legs to the side with the bag, unclipped the bag from her horses saddle and dropped to the floor. She walked beside her horse then ferried him to a hitching post. As she left the horse shot her a look which she interpreted as 'at least you will be nice and warm.'

Yi barged past the people crowding the entrance, even going so far as to elbow a woman in the ribs to make her move. She was then confronted a man acting under the pretence of chivalry, 'protecting' the woman. Yi gazed at him.

”Move.”

The man's lip quivered and he moved to the side. Yi flashed a sarcastic smile then started to pass. As she did, she pressed both her hands on him and moved him more to the side. The man moved with her movements, not wanting to be in her way any longer – not knowing that Yi was taking his coin purse. She detached it quickly and let it slide down into her long sleeve.

“Shao!”

“Ji-Yi!”

Yi bowed graciously to the proprietor who was still trying to ferry off the rabble. He bowed back then beckoned her into the establishment. She led and he abandoned his fight and followed her in.

---

“If you call me Ji-Yi again, I will remove a body part you consider most dear, dear.”

“Sorry, Yi. Old habits.”

Shao showed Yi upstairs and unlocked a room for her. As he did, she let the coin purse slide out of her right sleeve into her outstretched left hand. She weighed the pouch up in her hand. Shao watched and smiled as she did.

“It felt like it had more in it.”

They both entered the room and Yi tossed her bag behind a screen, then tossed the coin pouch to Shao before proceeding behind the screen herself. Immediately, she wrestled with her wet clothes. She was completely soaked through, even to her delicates. Yi took out some random clothes and detached her dagger and sword from her bag. She dressed quickly into long, jumper-type upper garment that was navy blue in colour. It was thick wool and Yi could feel the warmth begin to circulate already. She brought out a thick skirt that terminated just at her ankles and kicked off her riding boots, swapping them for more comfy casual shoes. After this, she adorned herself with a black and white robe that dropped to just below her waist before letting her hair down and setting her head-piece on a little stool. She did nothing with her hair. It was not even worth brushing while in this soaking state, however, Yi placed a hair brush in one of her pockets, a coin purse that she retrieved from her bag in the other and put her dagger in a sheathe then into a concealed holster in her robe.

As she walked out from behind the screen, smoothing her clothes over with her hands, Shao held out the pouch.

“Want your money back?”

“I know you are keeping me here as a favour but I have all the gold I need for the moment. Keep it.”



Yi followed Shao into the main chamber of the tavern. Many people sat eating and drinking merrily. Steak, chicken and pheasant complimented by beer, wine and fortified spirits. Shao indicated a table near a large fire to Yi and she sat quickly, moving her hair closer to the hearth and holding her hands out for warmth. She breathed out heartily in content.

“Wine?”

“No, strong ale.”



Yi got through two tankards of ale before she even decided to speak. Shao sat quietly next to her as she imbibed the quality ale.

“You know why I am here, then?” Yi questioned.

“Not entirely,” Shao responded as he folded his arms and slouched in his chair a little, “you're here to get money from someone from what I can gather.”

“Both yes and no.” Yi answered. She took another large sip from her tankard. Honey. She could taste honey. The sweetness penetrated her palate and made her lick her lips. She adored honey.

“I was fleeced.” Yi spoke aloud.

“You?” Shao moved in closer for clarification.

“Yes. A business partner... previous business partner, pardon me. We stole a large amount of raw coins from a mercantile exchange back in Chencang. I foolishly let him take charge of the money and he disappeared. He is not, however, a fool. He got rid of the money almost immediately, buying properties. Firstly, in Changan, a residential space. I had hoped to find him there but with no such luck. I took solace in setting the place ablaze.”

“You and your fires, it follows you.”

“That is why this rain unsettles me. I want nothing to dampen my spirit, let alone my flame.”



Yi continued to tell the story of how she followed this man. He invested the money in public house, residential apartments, fledgling merchants and weaponry, though was constantly dogged by Yi. The money was not even the issue now. She wanted him dead.



“His trail leads you to Puyang?” Shao spoke as he drained a tankard that had been brought to him during Yi's recitation.

“It does.” Yi took apart a chicken wing from the large plate in front of her. It was almost a platter. “Real estate. It is all corrupt. So it is no surprise he has chosen it. He has occupied a large apartment in the Southwest of the city.

“The Southwest? An affluent area.” Shao confirmed for Yi, though she already knew.

Yi took out her hairbrush and began assaulting her bedraggled hair with it. The fire had really helped her dry off but with a large amount of ale and little food, Yi was unsure of how long she had spoken for.

“Have you a plan?” Shao questioned before Yi could speak again.

“A vague one. Before the plan can be embellished, one would need to investigate the apartment.”

“Not to be imprudent... but, this stormy weather might give you a good opportunity to do so.”

“A thought we share, however, I am fatigued. I wish to drink a little more, eat a little more then sleep till the early morning. I shall head out as the sunrises.”

OWL

[Deleted]

WHO'S THE BAD GIRL? tagged

After a restful night, Yi awoke as the sun lazily appeared in residents' windows. She dressed in her less-than-virtuous attire then stood in front of her sword. She decided against taking it with her, keeping just her dagger on her person.

As she alighted her room, Shao was cooking a hearty breakfast of eggs, rice and fish. Yi joined him in his meal and drank freshly brewed tea mixed with cinnamon to keep her alert.

“Hood up or hood down?” Yi asked as she placed her hood up then turned to face Shao.

“Down.” Shao said bluntly. “The light grows and a hood would mark you as someone with mischief in mind.”

“One always has mischief in mind.”



Yi stepped out onto the porch of the tavern and heard Shao lock the door behind her. He would not be open for a while. She surveyed the streets which were quite busy with merchants setting up their stalls or decorating their shopfronts. Men and women both hustled and bustled to get to their jobs and guards wandered amiably amongst them all, keeping an eye out for trouble.

Yi wandered over to her horse who had been fed by the hostler of the tavern. She stroked his nose, neck and shoulders before running her hands through his wild mane. Considering she was trying not to be noticed, she decided to leave her horse behind. Her ex-partner had seen him before.

“Sorry, boy. You can relax for today. Try not to cause too much trouble though, friend.” Yi patted him then cantered off towards the Southwest region of the city.



As she progressed through the city, she took in hotspots. Taverns, restaurants, shops and places of other entertainment where she could both spend an enjoyable night or start a bar brawl the likes of which the city will remember for years.

As time progressed, the air grew more humid and Yi began to feel a little uncomfortable. Sweat dripped onto her torso and she wiped it away with her sleeve. Her torso became more highlighted to more perverted pedestrians. She refused to remove her coat lest she reveal her dagger and afford herself unwanted publicity.

---

Puyang was impressive.

Yi saw many an opportunity here whilst considering both legitimate and more shady practices. Affluent gentlemen and their wives that just loved to show off their wealth adorned the pavements everywhere. While passing through poorer areas, Yi found some reprimanding the poor for even being near them.

She was going to enjoy Puyang.



Yi was sat on a stiff wooden bench. A woman sat next to her holding a large bouquet of flowers. The flowers stank. Their sweetness was overpowering. Yi kept making her face twist in disapproval but the woman did not notice. Interaction was needed.

“Why, my lady,” Yi spoke gently, “those flowers... an almost exquisite scene. It reminds me of the meadows I frequented as a child.”

“Yes... yes,” the woman spoke in an odd cantering tone “he loves me!” she exploded.

Yi looked at her with an expression meant to convey “are you stupid?” yet the woman continued to smile.

“Eastern Wildflowers?” Yi questioned. “I had a suitor who brought those once. We had danced around for many a month... of course, the flowers were simply a contrivance. He wanted to keep me placated as he temped another. I felt such a fool.”

Yi placed her hand on the woman's arm and smiled warmly as their gazes met.

“I KNEW HE WAS UNFAITHFUL!” the woman bellowed, throwing the bouquet to the floor and storming off.

Yi laughed to herself shrewdly.

---

The bench she was positioned on was opposite the large apartment that her ex-partner occupied. Apartment in the singular was incorrect. This dwelling was simply unusual in that it contained multiple floors like an apartment yet they all belonged to him.

The gardens outside were tended with the utmost professionalism. Roses grew in red, white and pink.

“Pink roses. Idiot.”



Yi strode up the path to with purpose, ignoring the minuscule guards and labourers that toiled until she approached the main entrance. The guards closed their spears across the entrance and stared at her with mirth.

“Bought fools.” Yi spoke out loud. She cared not about being identified now she was so close to her target.

Retreating down the garden path, she turned left out of the gardens and followed the public footpath around until she came upon the side of the building. A few windows but small. No real entrance for her.

She continued to the back of the premises. A singular door, guarded by a single guard.

“Noted.”

The other side of the building was the same as the other. Small windows but no real entrance. Yi leaned on the wall to take a closer look. The windows were new.

“These windows were bigger before,” she thought, “but made less accessible when he knew I was around.”



Yi retreated to a wall that faced the river, as the building did, yet sat and observed the dense grey building.

Many people passed her as she thought. Families. Children. Guards. Those related to military operations. She did not care. He was in there. She would have his head, his fortune and his deed to this imposing building in the area.

OWL