Ch 4: Embroidered Uniform Guard, A Plan

It has been about a week ever since I, Yan Zi, become Zi Yan.

What kind of rip off is that?!

I tap my fingers against the mahogany table set and drink some hot tea. How can I return back to the present? Maybe if I fall in a deep sleep again?

I scratch my head in frustration. How can I do that without dying?!

"Elder Miss, what are you thinking about?" questions Xiu Ying curiously. It seems I have earned her trust. Finally, my efforts have blossomed into wonderful results. Yes!

"Say.. Xiu Ying, what if I told you I am from another world? Would you believe me?"

Xiu Ying tilts her head in confusion. "Another world? Xiu Ying does not understand what you mean, Elder Miss."

I sigh despairingly, "Of course you don't."

"Xiu Ning, I have been staying in here for the past week. I hear it is bustling and lively in the town. Shall we head out?"

"Miss, the Master Yuan warns last time-"

I take her by the shoulder before she can continue. "I'll tell the other maids to watch out for us. Plus.." I wiggle my brows, "We can dress as males!"

Like they always do in the novels and shows, ya know!

By the time we enter the town, people of all kinds pass us by. There is a great amount of stands that promotes the sale of products, varying from food to clothings. This is exactly like what I had depicted in my novel! While Xiu Ying and I observe the different stands and purchase our goods, I hear a loud voice.

"Stop right there!"

The sound of horses stomping the ground approaches my ears. Am I mishearing things?

I twirl around and see a group of people heading towards the road. The citizens were all paving way for the trouble. A few distances ahead, I see a child with a tanghulu alone.

Are you kidding me?!  A kid who is in need of help?

I was the one who wrote the story but I don't even know where this is heading now that I am in it.

Who cares! That kid needs a superwoman. Here I come, lad!

I ran towards the child, hearing Xiu Ying yell my name behind me. I snatch the kid and crash onto the pavement, shielding the pain with my shoulder.

"Are you alright, child?" I unfold my arms and release the child. I get up and pat the dirt off the kid's shoulders. With a smile, I am hoping—

He's crying?!

"My tanghulu!" He cries aloud, "WAH!"

Oh, it's normal. A kid falls and he would cry, right-

He harshly throws a piece of the fruit at my forehead.

Uh...

OW?!

"Kid, you need to be grateful for my help. I dirtied my clothes for you!"

He wipes his tears and looks at something behind me, "I'm sorry, sir! He ruined the plan!"

Who? What plan?

I twirl around again to see who's behind me but hit something. Using my hands, I grab the surface. Something soft? On hindsight, I see.. Embroidered uniform? A sword on the side?

Glancing up, I see a face.

Good Heavens.

He is the embodiment of masculinity but somehow innately possess soft features. His sharp and assertive expression accentuates his attractiveness.

"Stared enough?"

I wipe the drool off my face, "Ahem.. Did I do something wrong?" I say in my manliest voice possible, trailing behind him.

"Yes. Brocade-clad Guard Co-Commander, Xu Kai," he presents his engraved wooden amulet, carved with words I can barely read. "I can arrest you for disruption of peace if you don't move out of the way," he speak emotionlessly.

"A-Arrest me for disruption of peace! I only attempted to save a child!"

Oh, an imperial military guard?

They are, essentially, secret military polices and elite bodyguards of the dynasty. They are the imperial military body who works for the Ming Dynasty, who is currently Emperor Jia Jing. Their ultimate duties are to sniff out corruption and plots against the emperor.

What are they doing out here? I don't remember writing about them.

Another man rushes next to the man, known as Xu Kai. "Sir, the culprit has been captured."

Xu Kai signals for the guard to give some taels to the child, who immediately stops crying. He sticks out his tongue at me and runs away.

That little brat!

"Take the culprit to the cell and interrogate his connections with the harbor. If not, torture." Both of them proceeds ahead, leaving me standing alone. I have never felt so disrespected other than that little boy who threw a piece of tanghulu (candied fruits) at me.

"Elder Miss!" chants Xiu Ying, who approaches me sweating and wiping her forehead. "Everyone scattered everywhere after the guards left. I tried looking for you but the crowds were all over the place. I apologize for my late arrival."

I lean on her, smiling. "Don't sweat about it. Plus, I am not your Elder Miss today, okay? Let's head somewhere else, shall we?"