How does one value rarity? One of a kind? Only a few of the thousand can possess it? A one in a million find? Something as unlikely as a Four Leaf Clover?

Or, it’s only meant for one person and one person alone.

Martial Yellow Sister finally found the answer, to the puzzle of the hairpin. Not wanting to give the answers out in the open fields of Green Lion Valley, she believed it was suitable to share the solution to this problem in a more private space.

The group returned to the Imperial Constabulary of the Capital City. They locked themselves inside of Fae Fae’s room in the station. She was, after all, the victim of this case. It was only right, she listened in on everything as well even while unconscious.

“Starlight Fortunes Jewelry,” Martial Yellow Sister finally broke the code, “It doesn’t exist.”

“Huh?” Inspector Lee perked his head up while he sat across the wooden stool and braced his folded arms against the table. “What do you mean it doesn’t exist, you said you just found the place! It’s not like some fantastical well that can send you to another world of magic and witchcraft!”

Martial Yellow Sister rubbed her fingers across her temples, “I meaaaan, the store name isn’t made public. No matter what city directory I check, the name isn’t on the list. It’s because it’s a specially private business and caters only to certain customers. People of the Taiko Shogunate would compare this company like a ‘hole in the wall’ restaurant, the ones that are hidden in plain sight and only familiar customers and friends recommending friends could find it.”

“Why them specifically?” Martial Kim asks out of curiosity as he paced around listening with his hands behind his back, “What is the main connection?”

Martial Yellow Sister answered, “They usually cater to the rich and famous within North Cloud City. The intelligentsia specifically. Starlight Fortune Jewellery is best known for making one of a kind jewelry pieces be it brooches, bracelets, necklaces, even hairpins. They never have a duplicate exist in the same world. If there was a copy, they have connections to reach out and bury the fake before it enters circulation. That special.”

Inspector Lee scratched at his head, “Sounds more like assassins with a fancy side job. You think they were the one who framed the Palanquin Bearers?”

“Pala-who?”

“Ah.” Martial Kim would turn to the table and explain to his disciple about the Palanquin Bearers and potential frame up. Once that was clarified, he gestured with a, “Do you think this Starlight Fortune group is capable of double tasking?”

“Nope.” Martial Yellow Sister quipped, “Fancy or not, they are still jewel smiths, nothing more. They usually ‘borrow’ influence of their patrons to help them snuff out fake fires otherwise they keep their head down and work work work.”

She then took a deep breath as she produced a strip of cloth. It looked like a full kerchief, with a lot of multicolored threads sewn to make calligraphy symbols as notes, like writing on paper.

Martial Yellow Sister tapped her chipped finger nail on it, “I had a chance to take a look at their ledgers. Since they boast they only make one of a kind jewelry of any custom order, it wasn’t that hard for me to find the exact hairpin that was used to stab Fae Fae.”

This news got Inspector Lee and Martial Kim’s attention.

The young master of Moon Tavern was proud of his disciple’s hard work. No matter how lazy she was, or how much she shirked her duties in the tavern, if there was one thing he admired – it was her determination to solve a mystery.

In saying that, one reason why it would take longer than usual would be her naturally weak constitution. No doubt she had to either take regular naps like a senior in order to survive the long day and gathering as much information as possible.

Why, she even came back with a notable tan. Any exposed skin were a tender oak brown colour.

Martial Kim asked, “Do you have any idea, who this hairpin belonged to? Or who was it for?”

The disciple nodded, “A Young Mistress from the Turquoise Family.”

The young master in the hanbok could only manage an “...Oh.”

“W-what?” Inspector Lee asked, confused, “What’s so special about this Turtle Family that got your tongue dragged by a cat. You know them?”

“Well.” Martial Kim would have to sit down, to break the news to his companion. “I know them by reputation. They are one of the major power groups in North Cloud City. Their entire family line all work as recommended tutors and scholarly trainers to members of the Imperial Cabinet. More notable figures even serve as private teachers for the Prince and Princesses within the Imperial Family.”

“Wh-what the hell!?” gasped Inspector lee, “First assassins, martial arts experts, no-now the great Emperor’s children!? Make up your mind man! My brain is hurting!! C-could we not just say the killer is a jealous wannabe diva from the brothel and call it a day!?”

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The Inspector pulled at his hair with mixed emotions, “This makes absolutely no sense! What is the connection to a dead courtesan of a brothel and people of the royal family!?”

“N-no, no,” Martial Kim would pat his companion to calm down, “You misunderstood. The Turquoise are prestigious teachers and tutors who are well known for their talents in training the next generation of important youth. If the hairpin belongs to a member of their family, it should mean one of them could be connected – and not who they are serving.”

“Th-then what is this about? The hairpin!” Inspector Lee slapped at the table, to get Martial Yellow Sister to spill everything, “Just tell it to me straight, don’t beat around the bush!”

“How about stop cutting the bush to interrupt me and let me answer!” The blonde haired martial artist snapped, completely sleep deprived. She would push the cloth full of multicolor threaded words to everyone, “Before i was spotted, this is as much as I could jot down. All I know this hairpin was ordered and specifically made for this Young Mistress of the Turquoise Family. Based on their ledgers, it was already picked up about a week before Fae Fae vanished for three days.”

“Wait, spotted?” Inspector Lee took a moment to register what was said...then his eyes widen, “You little – Did you break in!? I am an officer of the law! How am I supposed to react knowing you went into a place of investigation without permission so much as a warrant!?”

“Like I said!” Martial Yellow Sister mumbled loudly, “The place DOESN’T EXIST, meaning the law shouldn’t ably to pompous bums like them! What? Did you think I can talk to the employees directly to get the answer!? No! They’re all bound by some code of silence and confidentiality so of course I had to take desperate measures! At LEAST we got something to work with yes!?”

While the two argued for a bit, Martial Kim thought it over by himself.

A specially ordered hairpin, picked up a week before?

Thinking back to what the Palanquin Bearers mentioned and Martial Yellow Sister’s report from Celestial Brothel, there was mention of Fae Fae’s mood turning more solemn in the days prior she was reported missing.

Now the question is, how would a rich noble woman be involved with a courtesan? They were literally two extreme opposites in society.

Martial Kim thought out loud to help with his thinking process, “I would understand members of the Imperial Court seeking entertainment amongst high class brothels, similar to Celestial Dreams or even Heavenly Gardens in North Cloud City. Courtesans usually sell arts and performances, and a bit of companionship on the side whenever a gathering is hosted for ‘leisure’. Why some Emperors in the past have invited major brothel names to perform on special occasions due to their talents and reputation.”

He then clears his throat, “Although the Turquoise Family do mingle with members of the Imperial order, among magistrates and local judges, the family itself are very keen on their image. They would tend to avoid associating themselves with such indecency, as they were – after all – serving Princes and Princesses in private lessons. If word got out they fooled around with ‘women with loose morals’ or ‘lowly prostitutes’ surely no one in higher order would call on their teaching services ever again... Yet, it puzzles me as to why there is a connection between this Young Mistress Turquoise and Courtesan Fae Fae, connected by this one hairpin.”

Inspector Lee stomped a fist to the table, only to go oops as if he spooked Fae Fae who was only a few paces behind her, “Maybe that’s the motive! Someone in the family got weak in the knees for beauties like Fae Fae and mingled with one. Not wanting to be found out—” He stroke a finger across his throat. “Off with her head!”

“More like stabbed six times. Which sounds like an outlandish action from well educated nobles.” Martial Kim clarified, “Still, the hairpin was originally for the Young Mistress, the daughter of the Turquoise family.”

Inspector Lee thought it over, before he blushed, “Martial Kim. You don’t think she is...into women on that level?”

Martial Yellow Sister just...gave the man a long stare.

“What!? It’s a thing these days!” The Inspector defended himself. “I-I don’t know how crazy rich girls’ brains work! Especially during their rebellious stage!”

Martial Kim tried to simulate the possibility in his head...but it just felt confusing. “Martial Yellow Sister, tell me more about this hairpin.”

Martial Yellow Sister nodded and she pointed at the key words on her kerchief notepad, “The hairpin was made specifically for Young Mistress Turquoise. Practically worth 30 bars of gold, could buy three castles and renovate it as one mega summer palace summer if she wanted. The ledger said she personally placed the order. It came with a grooving twist in the middle and carried an exotic twin swallow figurehead on the end.”

“...Twin Swallow figurehead?” uttered Martial Kim. He suddenly went over to pick up the box carrying the hairpin and he carefully laid it out with a pinch of a cloth – to avoid repeating his earlier mistakes.

The golden hairpin caked in blood was bent – and it had no twin swallow figurehead.

Or rather, the piece was missing.

“I see it.” Martial Kim pointed in the general end of the hairpin, “There’s a break right here, where the swallow figures should be. Just snapped off. With great force I imagine as this hairpin is rather sturdy on its own.”

“But that makes no sense,” Inspector Lee rose up to his feet and folded his eyes as he examined the hairpin, “Bending it in the death grip of a strong man sounds logical, but there should be no reason why it would break off the end piece. Not like dropping to the ground could snap through hardened gold and metal.”

Martial Kim wagged a finger, “If this is indeed the exact same hairpin made by Starlight Fortune Jewelry, and the only one in the world, meaning the swallow piece could still be around the scene of the crime. It was broken off, and could have something more that could tell us about the attempted murder.”

“I’ll have my constables search the area again,” Inspector Lee nodded. He then reached over to pat Martial Yellow Sister on the back. With all the layer of clothing she had, it felt like he was praising a clothed practice dummy, “Good job little disciple! By the way, who picked up the hairpin? The same Young Mistress Turquoise?”

The blonde haired martial artist sighed with a shrug, “As I said, before they spotted me that was all I could read prior escaping. I thought of sneaking back in when their security thought it must have been the wind, but I thought to let you all know now so you can follow up.”

“Indeed.” Martial Kim nodded with a smile, “It looks like we have a new name to add to our list of suspects, Inspector Lee. Care to make a house call?”