A few vending stalls away, Jié Qiáng paid for three sticks of honey-covered hawthorns. He handed one each to the two men with him as two young women ran by.

The one who stood out the most was in white, a color traditionally used for funerals and mourning, and she was spinning and laughing among the crowd. When he began to follow, his two companions pulled him back.

 “Aren’t you getting married soon?” Yáng Ning reminded him.

 “Isn’t that why we’re here?” Jié Qiáng answered and tugged at their restraining grasp.

 The other held on firmly and huffed.

“You wanted us to sneak into enemy territory for one last adventure,” Yǒng Ming remarked. “Are you using that time to harass little girls and jeopardize the marriage contract? Father postponed his decree once when no wife could be found. He won’t do it again now that one has.”

 Jié Qiáng laughed at their attempt to preserve his honor and shrugged their hands off from his arms.

 “She’s young but hardly a little girl,” he defended himself, “and this is a contract marriage. I have no intention of playing a good husband to the daughter of a schemer who thinks his stolen goods can detain a king.”

 Yǒng Ming shook his head with an impatient sigh.

 “If you get into trouble here, you know the consequences,” he warned as he cautiously looked around. “Don’t forget your surroundings.”

 “I’m only going to follow her,” Jié Qiáng assured him. “Tell me neither of you is the slightest bit curious,” he grinned as he turned them to watch both girls disappearing on the other side of a bridge.

 Although Sī was in the typical attire of a commoner rather than her maidservant’s robes, Mîn Jíng stood out from everyone there. She was completely in white with silver garnishing shining brightly in the setting sun. Her long black hair flipped and turned with each hop as the silver hairpins held tightly to a small knot at the back of her head. Although many people wore masks, she and Sī’s were the only ones so uniquely crafted.

 Jié Qiáng looked across the street and noticed a man selling masks. He hurried over and browsed the hand-carved face coverings. Slamming down a handful of bronze coins from the pouch at his belt, he took two random masks for his companions. The one he chose for himself was distinctive from the generic designs still adorning the display wall.

 “That one!” he called out quickly as he pointed to the black butterfly shimmering in a waning sunbeam.

 Before the vendor could remove it from its hook, Jié Qiáng leaned over and quickly snatched it. He ran after the girl as he tied the mask around his head.

 “Wait!” called out Yǒng Ming and Yáng Ning, throwing down their sweet treats and running after him.

Jié Qiáng hurried to catch up to Mîn Jíng, observing her from a distance as she bought candy and toys for passing children. The nearer she skipped toward the tavern, the more attentive he became.

 “Pretty but stupid,” Yǒng Ming said as they quickened their pace.

 “Naïve,” Jié Qiáng corrected him. “She likely lives here and believes the locals will protect her.”

 When they saw her bump into a group of drinking men, they walked even faster. The crowd had become thicker because of the small eateries that surrounded the tavern, slowing their earnest approach. 

He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword in preparation for a fight, but Yáng Ning stopped him.

 “Not here!” Yáng Ning warned. “We can’t make a scene.”

 Jié Qiáng huffed and acknowledged the reminder with a nod as they made it to the group. By the time they reached them, it was almost too late.