Chapter 8 - Magistrate of Jianye

Lu Na ran with Sun Ren until they reached the more populated part of Jianye. It was now midday and there were more people out on the streets. It didn’t take long before two yamen runners approached them. The two men were wearing gray tunics with black hats and carried a long staff.

“Miss, we’re going to have to ask you to come with us,” the yamen runner said.

“Good, bring me to Magistrate Hu,” Sun Ren said.

“You’re not in any position to make demands,” the older yamen runner said. He was taller than the other and had a large gut that stretched the gray fabric.

“I’m the daughter of Marquis Sun Wentai, Sun Ren. If you don’t bring me to Magistrate Hu, I will make sure that both of you hang from the city walls.”

Lu Na reached over and held Sun Ren up. Now that they’ve stopped, she noticed Sun Ren limping.

“I don’t think so.” The older yamen runner reached for Sun Ren.

Sun Ren already had a dagger in her palm, ready to strike.

Lu Na lowered Sun Ren’s hand.

“Let me handle this.” Lu Na walked between Sun Ren and the older yamen runner. She curtsied toward him. “Sir, do you know who Lu Fengxian is?”

“Constable Lu?” the younger yamen runner said. “Everyone at the magistrate’s yamen knows him. He’s the strongest fighter we have and he’s caught so many criminals in the past year alone.”

“He’s this woman’s lover.”

“Don’t tell them that,” Sun Ren hissed.

“You see, she was running away from the Wintersweet Sect that is hunting this Lu Na. My Young Miss Sun was caught in whatever that is and is now looking for Lu Fengxian. Have either of you seen him?”

“No,” the older yamen runner said.

“He’s at the magistrate’s yamen, giving Magistrate Hu his report on the attack of his home,” the younger yamen runner said.

“Be quiet, Fooheng,” the older yamen runner said. “Don’t you see that these two are the ones that the Wintersweet are looking for? We could make a lot of money if we hand them over. Don’t be a fool.”

“Old man, that’s not why I became a yamen runner.”

“Forget this.” The old yamen runner bashed his staff against the younger over the head. But before he could attack, Lu Na threw out an earthen ward onto the ground. It sprouted up instantly, swallowing the yamen runner.

Lu Na stooped to check on Fooheng, the younger yamen runner. She shook him a little.

“Are you okay?”

Fooheng shook his head and got up.

“I think I am.”

“Can you take us to Magistrate Hu?”

“Yeah. But what’s going to happen to the old man?”

“If he’s lucky, I’ll get him to hang when my father comes back. If not, I will come for him myself after I’ve talked with your magistrate.” Sun Ren sheathed her dagger in her tunic. “Let’s go.”

Lu Na and Sun Ren followed Fooheng to the local yamen of Jianye. The magistrate’s quarters was built into the side where his family also lived. It allowed the magistrate easier access to his court in the yamen while also being protected by a mix of yamen runners and the city guards that lived there. In times of distress, it also turned into the central hub for the city.

As always, there were two lion dogs guarding the entrance of the yamen. The yamens of big cities had actual lion dog spirits guarding the door, but being a smaller city, they had to settle for statues. Just like everywhere else in the city, they were not immune to the upcoming celebrations of the Mid-Autumn Festival. They had two green rabbit lanterns hanging by the door.

When they walked in, yamen runners came running over. The three of them must have been quite a sight. One of their own yamen runners had a bruise on the side of his head. Then there was Lu Na who looked like a mess running from monster spirits. While Sun Ren looked like she fought them with her torn bloody clothes.

Someone must have gone to get Magistrate Hu because he showed up moments later.

“Ladies, are you alright? Someone go get my wife,” Magistrate Hu said.

“Magistrate Hu, we need your protection from the Wintersweet Sect,” Sun Ren said. “I’m Sun Ren, daughter of—”

“The Marquis. Yes, I recognize you. Although the last time I saw you, you were wearing silk and not blood. And the lady beside you must be Young Miss Lu, daughter of merchant Lu Tien.”

Lu Na curtsied before the magistrate.

“This is bigger than what my yamen can handle. I’m going to have to send word to the Governor,” Magistrate Hu said.

Magistrate Hu’s wife walked in. She dressed in purple and wore a silver hairpin.

“Ladies, please follow my wife to get changed. You are safe here. I doubt the Wintersweet Sect would attack my yamen in broad daylight. I’m sure it will all work itself out at the end.”

Lu Na curtsied again.

“Thank you, magistrate.”

Magistrate Hu nodded before leaving.

Lu Na went back to helping Sun Ren follow Mrs. Hu. Sun Ren was still limping, and it looked like it was getting worse.

“Please, wait here in this room as I get you some clothes,” Mrs. Hu said.

“Thank you,” Lu Na said.

The room was a large open room with a round table. It was probably the magistrate’s conference room, as there were large nature paintings that depicted the mountains and rivers. Yet as Lu Na walked by, she recognized none of the artists or poets.

Lu Na gently placed Sun Ren on one of the long benches that allowed her to put her legs on top. She then went and got her a cup of tea from the table.

“Thank you,” Sun Ren said, gulping the tea down. “You got to tell me, why are they after you? What did you do to the Wintersweet Sect?”

That caught Lu Na by surprise. She hadn’t even sat down yet.

“I did nothing. I didn’t even know about them until yesterday. What could I have done that would force them to send an army to attack my home? I’m just some rich young miss. My father is not even the richest. There are far richer families than our Lu family.”

“Then why you? Why did they bring an army to attack your Lu compound?”

“I don’t know.”

“When my father comes back, I’ll make sure he does a full investigation into this Wintersweet Sect. Something made those superstitious summoners go crazy. I’d rather not have them turn rebel so close to the city.”

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“You do that. All I want is peace. I want them to leave me alone.”

“Lu Na, I don’t think they’re going to be done with you that easily, though. So I’d prepare to keep going,” her spirit said.

“Great, now my spirit is telling me it’s not over.”

Lu Na sat down and gulped down two cups of tea before Mrs. Hu came back. A maid was carrying two long dresses with her, one in dark purple like her dress and the other in a more common gray made of hemp.

Sun Ren reached for the hemp dress, but Lu Na grabbed it first.

“No, you’re the Marquis’ daughter. You should wear the dark purple,” Lu Na said.

“It doesn’t matter. We’re not staying long,” Sun Ren said. “Besides, you’re more used to the finer things. You will not get used to the rough clothing.”

“I’m so sorry girls. These two were the only ones I could find,” Mrs. Hu said. “I only stay with the magistrate two days a week. The other days we spend our time in our own home.”

Lu Na curtsied.

“We are very grateful for your clothes and hospitality. It would be very rude of us to protest any charity you’ve given us. Is there a place where we can change?”

“My husband has a small book room over there,” Mrs. Hu pointed. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you two use that area to change. I’ll also get a servant to bring you some towels and water to clean yourself up. When you’re done, come find me in the main hall. We are preparing to eat lunch.”

“Thank you again, Mrs. Hu.” Lu Na curtsied low.

Sun Ren cupped her hands and bowed her head toward Mrs. Hu.

“Yes, thank you again Mrs. Hu. I will tell my father of you and your husband’s generosity when he comes back.”

Mrs. Hu nodded before leaving the ladies to change.

Lu Na was the quickest of the two women to change. She took off her torn and ripped clothing, cleaned what she could see, and put on the hemp dress. Usually there were maids that helped her with this, so her clothes weren’t put on properly. She had no clue where one strap was supposed to go so she tied it to her side. It was a great place to hang her wards.

Now she looked like a commoner who was so superstitious that she carried many, many peace bringing Buddhist wards. Hopefully, the Buddhist wards will make them think twice before attacking her. She was a simple woman that feared trouble and worshiped Buddha. Absolutely harmless.

Sun Ren took a lot longer when she went to change.

Lu Na waited for a minute or two at first, but then got hungry. She could smell the promised food down the hallway.

“Hey Sun Ren, I’m going to go find some food first. I’ll meet you there.”

“Okay,” Sun Ren replied through the door.

Lu Na walked down the hallway, following the smell of the food. She had never walked inside the magistrate’s yamen before. There was only one time she came to the yamen and that was when her father took her to send off the old magistrate and welcome this one. He brought so many gifts but the new magistrate didn’t take any.

The hallways were made of beautifully lacquered wood. There were lanterns that dotted the hallway, as there were no windows. Each lantern had a butterfly drawn on them, making the hallway look like a tunnel of butterflies. It connected to a larger room at the end that exited out into the back courtyard.

Inside the large room, the table at the center caught Lu Na’s attention. There were many dishes of food that made Lu Na salivate. It didn’t look as good as her home’s cooks, but it definitely smelled good. A boy and a girl sat down in front of the food, but their eyes were on Lu Na.

“Hello,” Lu Na said.

“Oh, it’s big sister,” the girl said.

The two children got up and hugged her. Normally, the hug would have been considered bad behavior as Lu Na’s father never allowed her to hug strangers growing up. But after the day she had, she was glad for the small physical comfort that didn’t end in pain. She hugged them back.

“Thank you for that,” Lu Na said.

“Mommy said you’ve had a rough time so we thought a hug would help you,” the boy said.

“Your mommy is very smart. Thank her for me.”

The boy and girl smiled wide. The girl had a missing tooth. The boy had the chubbiest cheeks Lu Na ever saw and she wanted nothing more than to squeeze them, but refrained. While they might not understand proper behavior, it didn’t mean she didn’t.

“Oh, so cute. I could just eat these two up,” her spirit said.

“Can we eat? I’m starving,” Lu Na said.

“Of course big sister,” the young girl said. She held Lu Na’s hand and led her to sit right in front of a giant chicken. At least Lu Na thought it was a chicken. It was roasted with soy sauce slathered all over it.

“Could we have the drumstick?” the boy asked.

Lu Na looked around to ask someone, but no one else was there.

“I don’t see why not.” Lu Na reached over and grabbed the drumstick off the bird and handed each to the boy and girl. They were all smiles and they shoved each one into their mouths. They were eating almost as if they were afraid someone would steal it from them as they took giant bites.

Lu Na wasn’t sure if she could start eating as well. It felt impolite to start the meal without the hosts there. But that chicken was looking more and more enticing by the minute. A little nibble couldn’t hurt, right?

Lu Na picked up her chopsticks and ripped off the chicken wing. In the first bite, the soy sauce hit her first. It was salty, but also sweet. She wasn’t sure how this cook did that, but it was delicious. The meat was very tender, like fall off the bone tender. She was incorrect. Her own cooks from home were nowhere near as good as this.

Before she could finish the wing, Sun Ren came in, dressed in the dark purple dress just like Mrs. Hu. Except it was smaller on her. Much of the fabric molded against her body. She had time to fix her hair and cleaned up most of the blood that was on her. She still walked with a slight limp.

“Sun Ren, you look amazing,” Lu Na said.

“Thank you,” Sun Ren said. “Are you sure it’s okay to eat without our hosts?”

Lu Na looked down at her devoured chicken wing and shrugged. Then she looked up at the two children who were still devouring their chicken legs.

“I’d argue our hosts are already here. Look at the two eat.”

Sun Ren chuckled before she sat down beside Lu Na. She picked up her own chopsticks and started eating.

It was only a short while before Mrs. Hu came in. While she wore a matching dress as Sun Ren, hers was a perfect fit for a smaller woman. Unlike many richer families, Mrs. Hu didn’t wear many hair adornments except a simple silver pin.

Seeing that reminded Lu Na about her own phoenix hairpin. Later, when she had a chance, she was going to ask her spirit about it. There was something she wasn’t telling her and it nagged Lu Na.

“Ladies, I see that you’ve already started eating,” Mrs. Hu said.

Lu Na got up and curtsied.

“I’m sorry we didn’t wait for you. We were so hungry. ”

“Nonsense. You two ladies looked like you just ran from a spirit beast. Rest here and try to gather your strength. My husband will rectify the situation for you.”

Sun Ren got up, cupped her hands, and bowed to Mrs. Hu.

“Thank you for your hospitality. We two would be dead without it.”

“Big sisters, are you two going to stay with us for the Mid-Autumn Festival?” the boy asked.

“I’m not sure. I need to find my family and see where they went,” Lu Na said.

“What happened?”

“Someone attacked my home and forced me to run. I became separated from my family because of that and I don’t know where they are.”

Mrs. Hu settled a hand onto Lu Na’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure my husband will help you locate your family and you will reunite with them in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

“Well, I guess it’s perfect since the Mid-Autumn Festival is all about reunions,” Sun Ren said.

“Oh, we hoped that the two big sisters would take us to the releasing of the lanterns,” the girl said.

“Now kids, you can’t be so rude to our guests,” Mrs. Hu said.

Lu Na poured herself some tea.

“Have you been to see the releasing of the lanterns?”

The girl shook her head.

“Why not? They’re beautiful to watch as hundreds of people gather in the market square and release their lanterns into the sky.”

“Mother tells us it’s not safe during that time. Father tells us that people are unhappy with the government, so we must stay inside.”

“If your mother and father give us permission, I can take you both to the releasing of the lanterns tomorrow night. But they’re also right. It’s very dangerous outside right now. It’s why me and big sister Sun Ren came to your father.”

The siblings both looked over at their mother.

“I’m sorry, kids, but that won’t be possible,” Mrs. Hu said.

The two kids look disappointed, but Lu Na understood. She wasn’t safe at the moment. How could she possibly promise these two kids that she could take them outside to see the lanterns? She was more worried about living until tomorrow night.

Magistrate Hu walked into the room.

“I see my wife is treating you two ladies well. I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”

Lu Na curtsied to the magistrate. Sun Ren bowed.

“Of course. It’s your home. We’re the ones intruding,” Sun Ren said.

“There’s something wrong with Magistrate Hu,” Lu Na’s spirit said. “He’s giving me a strange feeling.”

Lu Na didn’t want to hear it. Her spirit always got a strange feeling from many people. Instead, she reached up with her chopsticks to get some more food. She hadn’t had a decent meal in a while.

But as soon as Magistrate Hu picked up his chopsticks, Lu Na saw it herself. The man was leaking spirit energy into everything he touched. The chopsticks glowed green. That shouldn’t happen except for when spirits are summoned and touch things in the human realm. Was Magistrate Hu a spirit in disguise?

“Is everything alright?” Magistrate Hu asked.