"He looked so eager earlier but now he looks like he is going to ...cry?!"
"...Senior gives this BRAT a compensation!" Still Ai wasn't about to be tricked...They said old ginger is spicier... who knows what the masked man was planning by showing such an expression!
"Anything you want. Alright that settles it. Call me master now!"
That rendered Ai speechless. She wanted to trick him to give her a lot of riches but he just gave it all away like that.
"Senior doesn't even know what I want..."
"It doesn't matter, Master will give it all. Now call me Master, Brat!"
"Can at least Senior call me by my name?"
"A brat is a brat. Once you become a respectable disciple I'll call you by your name."
Ai sighed. In the end, she got what she wanted without much difficulty but somehow she felt she missed on something. This offer seemed too good to be true! Where was the trap? Still she went to brew tea and brought a cup back to the masked man in order to complete the Master-disciple tea ceremony.
"Ai offers tea to Master. A master is like a father for life. Ai promises to be filial...whenever Ai can."
Hearing the last bit, the masked man eyes glowed a bit: the disciple he picked was definitely not simple.
"Ai, Master's name is Chou Fu, Master will also honor this relationship by teaching, guiding and protecting Ai. A master is like a father for life."
They completed the ceremony without hiccups.
"Brat, now that you are my disciple Master will be able to impart you my martial art. However before we can start, Master needs you to head to the apothecary and requests few herbs. Unfortunately, I have been seriously hurt and need to recuperate before we start."
"Disciple will obey Master." Ai reckoned she had been out for a number of days and wanted to head back to checkout on the news.
Ai pondered awhile. If she was to return now, she would have to explain why she disappeared for a week and resume with her social calendar. Additionally, she wouldn't be able to come back here easily after appearing. She knew as a winner of a famous and noble event, all eyes would be on her. So she decided she would disguise herself to go to the apothecary.
Before leaving, she changed her male dressing to a normal woman one, did her makeup as to change her feature and covered her face with a veil. The young woman standing now looked nothing like Ai Shang. She looked average, with features that could easily be forgotten. Only her pure amber eyes were too brilliant and susceptible to captivate one soul but Ai wasn't aware of it.
Using the cover of the night, she nimbly jumped here and there then finally made her way to Capital City.
The city was in the midst of awakening, merchants were hurriedly setting up theirs stalls. As for Ai, she kept on walking nonchalantly towards the apothecary shop.
When she arrived at the door, she saw that it was still not open so she sat at the tea shop in front, ordered some tea and snacks and waited. And waited. And waited some more. Several hours had already gone by but there was still no sign sof the apothecary shop opening. Ai waved her hand at the waiter and asked:
"Waiter, do you know when will the apothecary shop be open?"
The waiter looked at her strangely and gave her a smile that wasn't a smile.
"It will open when it will open. You must not be from here. All Capital City knows the owner is an eccentric." He answered observing her reaction attentively.
She looked like an ordinary girl, maybe a servant of a prominent family or a countryside relative? Even though her clothing was simple and her looks seemed average under the veil, it still couldn't hide her noble bearing. Unknowingly from Ai, her aura gave the impression she was of some importance.
But wearing a veil, it must be because she can't show her face no? Was it because it was disfigured or too ugly to be shown?
The waiter was slightly intrigued but had well hidden his interest under an impassible face.
Ai had no change of expression.
"Then would you happen to know if there is an another apothecary?"
Again, the waiter gave her a weird glance.
"This apothecary is unique. If you came for this shop, the herbs you are looking for are sure rare and precious. No other apothecaries will have them."
For a minute, Ai's face looked troubled. She couldn't return unless she had the herbs but this apothecary shop was quite troublesome. Who's doing business without steady hours? Clearly someone who doesn't care about his customers! Ai thought the errand would be quick and easy. Who knew she would have to waste her time waiting like
this?
She quickly regained her composure and just said:
"I'll wait then. Could you please bring me more tea?oh and I'll take your special as well."
The waiter just nodded and came back with what she ordered.
Th street was now bustling with life. Ai was lost in her thoughts when suddenly the noises of a carriage got closer.
"Get out of the way! The horses have gone mad!"
The driver had lost control and was trying unsuccessfully to regain it. The horses were now directly heading towards Ai. As she was about to use her martial art to escape the calamity, the waiter had jumped in front of her and carried her out of the way of the catastrophe just in time. The horses had come crashing in the tables of the tea shop and the carriage had been overthrown. Inside, loud sobs could be heard.
The instant the waiter had grabbed the young woman, the veil that was covering her face lifted and the waiter was able to see her full face for a few seconds.
"No scars? Then why the veil? Even if she is average she is far from being ugly. What a peculiar habit. Does she have something to hide?"