"How... how did I end up like this!?"
A soft groan escaped from behind the crimson veil. The young bride slumped deep into the cushioned seat, clutching her embroidered silk skirt in frustration as she stared up at the carriage roof.
"Ahhhh..." She exhaled as the carriage wheels rolled over the stone road.
The golden crown atop her head chimed noisily with every restless movement.
Outside, festive drums thundered, firecrackers burst, and laughter echoed like waves. The air smelled of firecrackers, incense, and roasted chestnuts from nearby stalls.
But none of that warmth reached her heart.
Through the thin veil, she lifted a corner of the curtain.
Crowds lined the streets, children craning their necks, women gossiping, men pointing.
"It's a wedding! Look! the princess consort's carriage!" someone shouted.
The carriage slowed as the road narrowed. From inside, she could hear clearer now.
"Tsk. So unlucky..." a waiter scoffed, tossing a cloth over his shoulder as he squinted at the red carriage.
"Unlucky? She's marrying a prince!" another replied, wiping his hands on his apron.
"Prince my ass," the first one spat. He looked at the other and continued. It's the third prince! Useless as a paper fan in a storm!"
"Tsk...cowardly as a rabbit, even His Majesty doesn't care for him."
Gasps rose around.
"The third prince?"
"The one who faints on seeing blood? If a battle comes, he will be the first to run away!"
A few laughed at his remark.
"Ah, heavens, poor bride!"
Tang Ruyan's fingers froze on the curtain.
Useless? Cowardly? The...third prince?
She dropped the fabric and leaned back, staring at the roof of the carriage.
"What have I gotten myself into?" she muttered.
"Ahh!" she waved her hands in air frantically trying to hit nothing particular.
If only… I hadn't met that shameless guy that night.
Her lips trembled slightly, a flash of memory burning in her mind, that infuriating grin, that shameless voice, that moment she'd…
She pressed a hand to her soft, red-painted lips. A blush crept up her cheeks.
If only I hadn't...bit him…
Her fists clenched. The drums outside faded into the distance.
"No!"
She abruptly sat up, the golden crown wobbling on her head. Her mind played a distant memory.
If only I hadn't been at the tea stall that afternoon…
That warm, sweet afternoon, one month ago...
The day everything began.
**
One Month Ago-
The road to Qinhe town bustled with life. Travelers trudged past with bundles strapped to their backs, merchants urged carts piled high with crates, wealthy passed in horse-carriages, while villagers and refugees blended in.
At its edge, Tang's Tea Stall thrived, shaded beneath fluttering banners. The air around it filled with the aroma of roasted snacks and steaming tea.
A weary traveller pushed inside, shoulders slumped. He dropped his bundle onto a stool and sat, exhausted.
His eyes wandered until they caught on the girl at the counter.
She was fair as snow, her smile quick and lively; when her gaze met his, a warmth surged through his body.
But soon his daze shattered, when a bulky man in a pale-blue shirt blocked his view. The man's sharp eyes narrowed, and the traveller stiffened.
A moment passed and the burly figure bowed deeply, cloth slung over his shoulder. The traveler flinched slightly.
"Customer! How can we help?" Da Bao's booming voice turned cheerfully eager.
The traveller exhaled in relief. "Tea, please."
"Which tea?" Da Bao leaned forward making the man lean backward.
The traveller hesitated, scanning the stall until his eyes landed on the wooden menu board. He squinted, lips moving.
"A… a Noble's Water? Whatever that is, just bring it quickly." He sighed.
"Right up!" Da Bao shouted, dashing off.
"Xiao Lan! One Noble's Water for our honoured guest!"
Behind the counter, Xiao Lan hardly glanced up from tallying coins.
"Yes, yes… Customer, your total is thirty-five!" she called to a bearded man with a scar running through his forehead, now standing infront on her.
"Thirty-five copper coins?!" The bearded man slammed his palm on the counter. A sabre clinked at his side as he sneered. "Ridiculous!"
"But..." Xiao Lan tried to retort. A fair, slender hand slid on her shoulder gracefully stopping her.
A clear, melodic voice followed:
"Xiao Lan, what is the matter?"
The bandit's gaze snapped upward, following her hand to her fair neck, then to her face.
A striking beauty stood before him. Her dark silken hair half tied in a bun, half flowing like a river, brown eyes bright yet sharp, rosy lips smirking, her presence effortless but commanding.
'My whole bandit life, I have never seen such a beauty!' He thought as he licked his lips.
The men in the stall perked up. The traveller couldn't take his eyes off of the two beauties.
"Boss! You came!" Da Bao and Xiao Lan both called out, bowing lightly.
Tang Ruyan smiled faintly, turning to the bearded man. "Customer." Her eyes swept him from head to toe, pausing on the weapons at his side.
"Your total is thirty-five coins. Please pay."
Her words however, put a frown on his face.
"I, Zhang Dafang, have never paid a bill!" the man roared, thumbing the counter again, eyes bulging with menace.
Xiao Lan flinched before hiding her fear with an equally threatening look.
But Ruyan only tilted her head, unfazed.
"Da Bao…"
Before the man could register the warning, his body went flying out of the stall.
"Aaaah"
He landed face-first in the dust with a sickening thud.
A tall handsome, yet sharp-looking man in black with a sheathed sword, looked down at him. Then without a word stepped over Zhang Dafang on the ground, and walked inside. Before the bandit could react, another foot landed on his back as yet another person, robed in white, face veiled beneath a hat, followed the first one.
They halted only long enough to glance at the groaning bandit sprawled at their boots.
Inside, they chose a corner table. The black-clad man set his sword on the surface and looked around.
The veiled person, sat on the opposite bench, hands folded and head bowed slightly down.
The stall was busy. Almost all the benches were crowded. The waiters were running around the place serving the customers.
A man and woman at the opposite bench ordered, "Two invisible frog juices, and… buns for two." The waiter bowed and rushed off immediately.
Xiao Feng twitched his brow. "Invisible...what?"
"Waiter!" he called out finally.
Da Bao made to respond, but Ruyan's sharp glance held him back.
She studied the newcomers. "Hmm..."
The sword on the table looked so expensive. The attire, the presence, all shouted money.
'These two looks so refined…definitely rich!' she thought as she approached with a soft smile plastered on her face.
"Honoured guests, how may I serve you?"
Xiao Feng, the man in black, studied her with a slow sweep of his eyes. He hesitantly turned towards his veiled companion. Ruyan followed his gaze, curiosity flickering.
"Young..." She stopped to take a look at the stranger. The person's face was fully hidden under the veil.
Ehem.. she cleared her throat to hide the awkward stop.
"...Master, what would you like to drink?" she asked gently.
The veiled head inclined slightly, silent.
Xiao Feng turned back, scanning the menu. His brows arched.
"Emperor's Regret… Widow's Tears… Flying Pig Tea?...STEAMED AIR?!"
At the last, 'the veil' coughed.
His eyes, hidden behind the veil, darted towards the young lady at their table.
"These are our specialties!"
Ruyan chimed brightly, tapping her slender fingers against the table, with the other hand propped on her waist, as though the absurd names were the most natural thing in the world.
The veiled man coughed again, but this time it covered his laugh.
"Just…water and buns. For two," Xiao Feng said at last, sliding a piece of silver forward.
Ruyan's eyes gleamed.
"Right Up!" She chirped, sweeping up the silver tael and dashing off, her voice trailing in cheerful squeaks.
Xiao Feng sighed and asked, "young master, are you... sure this is the right place?"
Li Xuan folded his arms, as his gaze followed the young lady in a flowing light blue skirt, her light steps with a skip, as she flitted about with bowls and trays.
Every "Okay!" and "Guest, come again!" rang out like little bells.
The sparkle in her almond shaped eyes whenever a wealthy guest appeared, made him smirk.
"Money-lover," he muttered under his breath, though the corner of his mouth betrayed him.
But just as he relaxed, his gaze flicked toward the entrance.
His brows twitched.
A dozen soldiers, clad in heavy iron armour, thundered in and spread across the stall. Their boots struck the wooden floor, eyes sharp and searching.
The lively chatter collapsed into an awkward silence. Customers froze mid-bite, gazes wide with fear.
The air felt thick and heavy like steel.
Da Bao and Xiao Lan, near the counter, looked at each other, their gazes sharing the same thought.