Ai initially intended to leave her be. But a beautiful lady on the ground crying was bound to attract attention. Thus people started to gather around her. The crowd quickly understood that something had happened between the beautiful poor girl and the noble young man and was taking pity of her.
"So heartless, she is crying because of him and he is ignoring her."
"Mommy, why is the big sister crying" A small girl asked innocently.
"The big brother has bullied her." Her mother replied her simply.
When Ai heard it, she turned her head towards the mother and daughter and stared at them pensively.
"So scary! Young man did I said anything wrong? If you did not bully her, why would she be on the ground crying like this? " Said the mother. "Even if you are handsome, you should not play with a maiden's heart! You vile creature!"
The crowd of passerby were was cheering for her courage and cursing along.
"Philanderer! Scoundrel! Jerk!" A lot of insults were thrown at her.
Ai had not done anything to deserve it thus she felt quite offended. She knew that brat would only bring her trouble. Because she was irritated, her expression got even colder. The citizens eventually all turned dead silent under the pressure increasing on their being. Only the sobs and sniffes of Mei who didn't seem bothered at all of this would sometimes break the quietness.
The whole time Mei, feeling hurt, had not paid attention to her surrounding. Only when the pain subsidized did she lift her head and realized the crowd was being mean to her big brother.
"You shut up! Big Brother Ai didn't do anything wrong! I fell down on my own, it was my own fault!"
Among the crowd, there was some that were previously at the restaurant and had witnessed what had happened there and there was some that were not aware. Lady Ning Wen was one of them. When she had first seen Mei, she had instinctively disliked her. A liar, a thief, dressed like a beggar! How dare she attracted the attention of Sire Ai Shang.
Ning Wen was an admirer of Ai since she had seen him win challenges after challenges at the Peach Blossoms gathering. She had painstakingly inquired about him and schemed to provoke an "accidental" meeting with him at the market but now her stage was ruined. The man (well really the woman) had already saved a damsell in distress, if Ning Wen was to fake to be another one, it would no longer looked like it was an "accident". Because of that wench, her meticulous plan was ruined. But here was a perfect opportunity for her to take her revenge. Ning Wen would never admit she was jealous of the fair skin of Mei Liu, of the fact that she was able to talk to Ai Shang openly while she had to scheme to do it and still failed at it. But she pushed all those feelings down. She was the noble Lady Ning Wen of the Wen family. An old imperial family who's ancestor had once been emperor.
"How dare you scam sire Shang? You previously forced him to pay for your meal and now you are trying to ruin his reputation by fake crying on the street? You are just a swindler!" Lady Ning Wen said on an accusing tone. "All of you must give justice to Sire Shang!" She added righteously.
Mei's good impression on the crowds was quickly disappearing now and throwing in the new information that this young girl was vicious and had frauded the young man, the crowd was getting rowdy again but this time against her. Everyone felt she had cheated them with her pretty and pitiful appearance. As it was about to get physical, Ai couldn't help it. As much as she wanted to leave it alone, she jumped in to protect Mei. Again.
"Mylady, I offered my help willingly. I appreciate you your effort to defend me but it is unnecessary. I will bid you farewell now. "
It was getting late, Ai just wanted to get back quickly and avoid to attract more attention. Earlier, she felt a very murderous intent and couldn't determine neither the location nor the origins. Even though, she had extended her perception sense and concentrated, she still couldn't find it. The person was deeply hidden. She had to leave, this place was no longer safe.
Ai grabbed Mei's hand and then started running. Mei's was nimble so she was able to easily follow suit. Ning Wen could only look at them with rage.
"Why are were you following me?" Ai asked suddenly. They were still in the midst of their escape and were running through the alleys and street of Capital City.
"Big brother had paid for my meal, Mei must repay this favor! As a daughter of the Scarlet Aurora's Leader, I must never leave any debt unpaid." Mei said proudly.
Soon they arrived in front of the city guard office, Ai figured the young girl should be alright here.
She let go of the young girl's hand.
"Young lady, you are now safe. I will bid you farewell here."
As Ai was about to leave, she added after an hesitation: "You should return to your parents. In the future, please do not travel in alone anymore."
Ai then jumped from building to building as if assassins was after her. In a flash, Ai was already far.
"But....Big Brother....?" Mei was startled. She didn't even have had the time to repay her debt but her savior abandon alrighty.
Ai was no longer thinking about the young girl. She was concerned about the threat she felt. Such a murderous intent, it was definitely from a very strong person. It was the first time she was shaken in her core but such a strength. But she didn't return to the inn's room, she strolled around some more until the sun had set. Tonight she wanted to go down her memory lane.
She had been in Capital city for a weeks and she dreaded as much as she was anticipating the moment she would visit her ancestral land. She could not go during the day, as she could alert her ennemies and they were hidden while she was in the open.
The night was dark but once she arrived at the location, she knew it was the right place. She would never forget her home. The rumbles were still there the way they were left when her family flee. The atmosphere surrounding the whole site was eerie.