23. Chapter Twenty-Three #2
Ehuang tightens her hand on my sleeve before she takes off.
Like a child drawn to a candy stall, she rushes into the store, dragging me along behind her.
Once we are inside, she releases her hold of me.
I straighten my robe, glaring at her. However, she doesn’t even notice as she walks between rows of carefully labeled dry herbs set up in baskets or on shelves.
The shop is repugnant, smelling of far too many things at once.
Ehuang stops in front of a display and a weaselly looking man who must be the shopkeeper strides over to her. He glances eagerly from her to the display she is studying. It’s a purplish looking powder that I couldn’t even begin to identify.
“You have a keen eye, my lady, this is one of our specialties. It’s a—”
She holds up her hand, cutting him off. “I know exactly what it is and what its properties are. How much?”
He smiles, revealing uneven yellowing teeth. “Three gold taels.”
I feel my eyes widen in shock. What sort of plant, dried or otherwise, would be worth three gold taels?
This is clearly profiteering. Does Ehuang look rich and stupid as well?
I study her, taking in her finely tailored clothes.
They’re a bit plain compared to what I’m used to wearing, but they’re clean and better than what the shopkeeper is wearing.
She has two pins in her hair, but other than that no other jewelry.
No, not exactly wealthy. So, does he thinks she is stupid then?
The stupid I can see from her too eager personality.
Or perhaps he sees me standing over here and thinks I will pay for it.
“Three gold taels?” she gasps, her eyes widening as she looks up at the man.
“This ingredient is very hard to come by,” the shopkeeper says folding his arms.
“Only because it is so strictly regulated. You can go out and pick it if you want, it’s a common herb. I’m only paying for the refinement here.”
“You want it refined? That will be three gold taels.”
“You know, it is actually illegal to sell this herb refined,” she says sweetly blinking up at him. “Let’s not make it two crimes by overcharging me.”
The shopkeeper pulls back his face transforming into a scowl. “Now listen here, girly. If you aren’t going to do business, then I am going to have to ask you to leave.”
He holds up his hand, and two larger men step out of the backroom, they were probably in there waiting for his signal. In the ghost market, I would imagine that it’s common to hire extra hands to ensure that all transactions run smoothly.
Ehuang is not intimidated in the slightest by the sudden appearance of the two men.
“I will give you one silver tael and my ability to be discreet,” she says raising her chin as she stares down the shopkeeper.
“No deal.” He snaps his fingers and the two men step forward. One grabs Ehuang by her arm.
“Unhand me!” she cries, yanking on her arm, but she doesn’t move in the slightest. The man is likely twice her size and his hand completely encircles her wrist.
“It will be three gold taels, and you will be discreet no matter what,” the shopkeeper says, leaning forward threateningly.
I can see the exact moment my evening gets interesting in the flash of defiance in Ehuang’s eyes. “And if I’m not? I’m sure the ministry of revenue would be extremely interested—”
The shopkeeper raises his hand to slap her, but in a single step I am in front of her, my closed fan blocking his hand. He turns to me startled. Perhaps he forgot I was there since I had been so silent.
“Ah ah,” I say gently. “We will have none of that.”
I press up on my fan, forcing his hand to recoil while in the same breath I swiftly jab my elbow into this throat. The shopkeeper drops with a wheeze.
This draws the attention of the other two brutes.
The one nearest to me is the one holding Ehuang’s arm.
He immediately releases her and takes a swing at me.
I move my arm over, guiding Ehuang to the side as I sweep back, leaning just out of range of his fists.
In the same movement I raise my leg, delivering a swift kick to his chin.
He stumbles back, however before he can get a chance to recover, I wing my fan out and delver a blow to his neck.
He drops to the ground gasping for breath.
I turn to the other brute who appears to be hesitating just a bit to attack me. He is likely reconsidering if his pay is worth it. I decide to take it easy on him.
I sweep my leg underneath him, rising just as he drops. I move with my spin, raising my leg and dropping the heel of my foot down into the middle of his chest.
All three men are now on the ground, groaning.
I turn to Ehuang, already ready to reassure her after having to witness such a thing, but she isn’t paying attention to me in the slightest. Instead, she is filling a small drawstring purse with the herb powder and places a silver tael on the edge of the wooden box holding it.
She points to it and glances over at the shopkeeper. “Here is my payment and not to worry, I won’t breathe a word.”
I fold my arms and frown as she glances at me over her shoulder. “Come on, Mr. Xiao. Let’s not keep these gentlemen any longer.”
She glides out of the shop as smug and content as any one person can be.
I watch her go before I sigh and shake my head, following her out.
That girl did that on purpose. Knowing the whole time I wouldn’t have let her get hurt.
In our short time together, she had already ascertained that I was proficient in martial arts and also not the type of person to stand by and let a man hit a woman.
She provoked them on purpose and left me to do her dirty work.
And then she happily got everything she wanted.
She is a very dangerous woman, hiding behind a sunshine smile and cheerful attitude.
And far more interesting than I ever could have imagined.
Once outside, I step up beside her and raise my finger, pointing to the bag in her hand. Her illicitly gained herbs. I will admit, they have begun to pique my interest. “What exactly do these do?”
“In large quantities it causes orifical bleeding,” she says proudly as she ties the bag to her belt. “But in small quantities and mixed with certain berries it’s wonderful for aiding sleep.”
My foot scrapes against the ground and I hesitate almost afraid to ask. “And which will you be using it for?”
Ehuang glances at me out of the corner of her eye. Smiles. And then skips off without another word.