On the 12th day of the New Year’s Festival, Ame was unsure of whether Ehuang was perchance regretting her mistake or ill ease at being caught, but when she prepared to visit and tour the city again, she was suddenly told by Dara that both HuiFeng and Hong wish to accompany her this time. She could only feel the presence of ulterior motives. Nevertheless, she perceived no immediate danger from them and decided to accept their company.

Ehuang tried to protest, stating that HuiFeng and Hong could certainly take care of most issues on their own and that bodyguards weren’t needed. However, Ame politely reminded her of lurking dangers, hinting towards the schemes that caused her to be kidnapped from her own home. Left with no other choice, Ehuang relented, but her actions inadvertently indicated how it may be dangerous moving around right now.

‘I guess it wasn’t just Dara being overly paranoid after all.’ Ame thought. Remembering Dara’s earlier reluctance in allowing her to continue touring the New Year’s Festival, she could tell that things weren’t the safest right now. Even sending her elder siblings seemed to be an attempt to relief Dara of his duties for a while, probably trying to make use of him as something other than her constant bodyguard.

‘As I thought, Dara is more amazing than I thought. No simple bodyguard would be in charge of protecting the precious books. Plus, being able to fly is proof of him reaching the [Spirit] realm already.’ Ame sighed in her silent affirmation.  

 It was a warm winter day, and Ame lay fully dressed on her bed, staring blanking at the ceiling in boredom. Sada was with some maids in the courtyard as their soft chatter can be heard in the background. A cough is heard, causing Sada and the maids glance up. They instantly apologize in haste and bow to the figures.

 The gorgeous figure of HuiFeng stands before them and says, “Is Ame ready?”

Sada’s face flushes in embarrassment. “Lady Ame is just inside.”

Before she can add more, Ame slides open the door and walks out. “I’m here. Elder sister, is it time to depart?”

HuiFeng merely turns and leads the way to Hong who stands waiting further down the hallway. Ame motions for Sada and the maids to depart before quickly following.  HuiFeng and Hong swiftly lead the way as Ame scans the area for Dara. To her relief, the elderly figure is waiting by the stable along with a few household guards.

From what she could see, Ame notices that the stables were very busy with more activity than usual. Nonetheless, the stablemen rush to prepare a fleet of carriages for their departure to the festival. HuiFeng and Hong are the first to be seated and are given an expensive carriage.

‘If there are dangers lurking around right now, shouldn’t they act more low key?’ Ame could only sigh while thinking so. As for her own carriage, she originally wanted a more worn down one, but due to Dara’s persistence and her training as a lady of the Min household, she quickly gave up that notion.

Instead, while not as glamorous and richly adorned as her elder sibling’s carriage, she boards onto a more reserved and tranquil but beautiful carriage. Ame naturally climbs and takes the window seat, while Dara frowns and glares at the stablemen. The poor stablemen man trembles, like a leaf in the wind, until Ame motions for Dara to enter the carriage.

 The carriage door closes fatefully shut, causing Ame to pale slightly and mentally prepare herself. Other than allergies, there was one other fatal weakness within her: motion sickness. She has it less severe than her previous life, but she can’t help but wonder how is it even possible for her to have motion sickness after being reincarnated…… Life is unfair.

The first carriage begins to move, and the rest follow in a long line. Within seconds, Ame was ashen faced as her stomach climbs its way into her mouth. Ame clings to the window for dear life as she prays to the heavens for a vengeance against the god of motion sickness.

The carriage rapidly moves past a few rice fields and farms and the occasional small manors. The farmers on the road move to the side as they bow to crest on the carriage, while any other carriages on the road halted at the side of the road to make way. Their carriages don’t even slow down at the Chiseong’s gate, passing through without an inspection nor being halted.

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The carriages rapidly traverse through the streets until near mid-city. As the streets became more congested, their speed at last slows down and comes to a halt within the merchant area. Without a second to spare but with seemingly practiced movements, Ame raced out of the carriage into the nearest alley and began to spew her lunch. Every breath she got, Ame softly cursed before the next assault arrived.

 HuiFeng and Hong had long since dispersed and disappeared after stopping. Only Dara anxiously waited for the vicious cycle to finish. Pale faced and downtrodden, Ame emerged from the alleyway. Out of pity or concern, Dara held up a water canteen to Ame. With gratitude in her eyes Ame gratefully gargled the taste of vomit from her mouth and spat it out several times before at lasting take a sip.

Ame raises her sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from her head but quickly stops. Recalling her education, she took out her handkerchief to wipe her forehead and mouth before placing it back into its package. She then hands the canteen back to Dara.

Dara hastily but politely refuses, “Take it, It’s yours, Little Mistress.”

Ame shrugs and accepts the canteen. With a stern face, Dara leads the expedition into Chiseong. The streets are stone cobbles and match a scenery of an ancient city, but the largest difference lies in that the city of Chiseong possesses plumbing, wherefore the streets are much cleaner.

Metal and paper lanterns either strung from wires hang across the street or hang from the poles. Merchants call out to each other, trying to outdo and be heard over each other. At various shop entrances, statues stand for luck or decoration, and the many decorations highlighted an unique and charming style for each store. Street vendors cook openly in the streets as children play and chase each other through the crowds.

The people of Chiseong wear brightly, different colored clothing. There are women wearing saris with traditional Chinese dresses, women in turbans with kimonos, and so much more. The people are just as varied wearing every shade contained within a crayon box and more.

A couple of merchants and noblemen are even riding elephants to carry their wares or themselves. Plenty of carriages traverse the streets, carrying customers to their destination or on the lookout for prospective customers. Like her own carriage, Ame could notices quite a few noble crests on various robes, modes of transportations, and equipped weapons, all of which causes the regular carriage drivers and pedestrians to make way for them.

 All sorts of street performers are also performing on the streets. Acrobats were twirling from thin lines of thread and jumping around within various dances and marches. Kabuki players performing a play out in the open, and street puppeteers retold the stories and feats of famous warriors or of the Marital King. The festivities have yet to die yet.

Tired of wandering around and visiting random stalls, Dara leads Ame to an expensive restaurant. At first, a waitress was seen when entering, but before she could even say anything, the slim owner immediately comes out to greet them out of seemingly nowhere. The owner glanced upon and recognized the emblem on Dara’s Robes, and many customers were whispering or peeking at Ame and her guards.

Dara releases his stern pressure as usual and frostily nods at the owner in acknowledgment. Feeling his threatening eyes, the owner hastily bows and leads them to a table far apart from the rest.

Ame eyes Dara carefully after that. ‘Was that the so-called suppression of realms? Spiritual Pressure?’ She thought. Although it was directed towards her and masked well, Ame was still able to observe form of suppressing power that leaked from Dara.

All of this only confirmed that Dara was not a normal guard at all. Any person that could arise such a reaction could not be normal. It wasn’t a bother but something to keep in mind.

Ame seats herself between the two and orders soft food in case of the ride back. Dara order heavier food but not too heavy either. Some guards accompany them on other tables, while others stood guard outside of the store. Within minutes, the food is ready as it arrives steaming hot at the table. They then began to eat, and for once, Ame finishes eating before Dara as she patiently waits for him to finish.

Once finished, Dara casually tosses out gold coins onto the table without care and begins to head out. As such, the store owner and a few waitresses politely smile as they bow to send Ame and the guards off. However, Ame couldn’t help but notice the flash of greed within the owner’s eyes and both the fear and happiness barely hidden among all the employees.

Ame turned her attention back to in front of her. Everyone swiftly exit the restaurant and return to where their carriage is waiting. The carriage driver instantly helps them into the carriage and set off.

The trip went much smoother with Ame falling fast asleep on Dara’s shoulder. Dara smiled faintly as he watched the sleeping young Miss tired out again from her all her fun. The rest of the journey passes by in heavy silence as Dara guards the young Miss.