Li Peng's Audience Hall - Yangdi

[Lurking Tyranny]

October had been a bad month overall for Li Peng and he certainly did not like his usual self. His face had a melancholy appearance, and he stared into space for a few seconds before responding.

"...Ah, Mousha. I am glad to see you're still mostly in good health. Let me apologize for the way the prisoner exchange went; I should have known that the Brotherhood had no honor. There were far too many deaths from this battle. Too many..."

He looked down at his hand for a moment before continuing. "You are here to talk about your services, I assume? I had already planned to increase your payments to 130 gold a month, if that price pleases you. But this battle has robbed you of much, and perhaps you will be wanting more. I cannot give you soldiers, but if you desire something else, ask and I shall see what I can do."

"Revenge." The mercenary said bluntly. He was not a man seeped in honor, but when his life was threatened in so treacherous a manner he could not help but brew thoughts of revenge. Truthfully, it was entirely possible that had things gone differently he would have taken up contract with the men of Yong.

'The one hundred thirty will be sufficient, but I can not say how long I will remain here in Sai. I do not wish to be caught in a conflict between the Imperial Ying family."

[Taishi Ci]

"Very well," said Li Peng, a little of the old fire coming back at the mention of revenge. "The Imperials are one of my concerns, but if they are not yours, then so be it. Your payments will continue as usual; I only ask that you inform me somehow when you plan to move out of Sai so I can plan ahead of time. If there are any other resources you think you will need, let me know that as well."

He stood up from the desk and pulled out a bag of gold from his belongings, holding it forward. "Here is the first new payment. You have served me well thus far, Mousha zhe; I hope that Heaven smiles upon you better than it has upon me."

Li Peng gives 130 gold to Beigude Shou.

[Zhang Yen]

Jiang Xi carried himself with pride as he made his way through the various streets and marketplaces of Yueyang. His tall, slender frame once belonged to a handsome young man, but now, what wasn't concealed by his robes or his armour was covered by layers of striped cloth. He had grown accustomed to the suspicious glances thrown his way by both soldiers and civilians, they would whisper and gossip over his identity, claiming that he were a fiend, or an assassin. On most days, he would have his men accompanying him, and most would be too frightened to even glance in his direction. Today, however, required much more delicate handling, so his own soldiers were left to carouse at a local tavern.

Finding himself before the administrative complex of Yueyang, Xi took neatened his robes, and adjusted the strips so his eyes and mouth were visible. He approached the guards and bowed,

"Good afternoon, my name is Jiang Xi, I would like an audience with the governor of this city."

[Taishi Ci]

(OOC: We'll just assume this is Yangdi now for sake of simplicity.)

The guards at the gate looked at the young man, wondering if he was someone famous from elsewhere.

"Will you agree to be searched before being led in, or would you rather have someone brought out here to speak with you?"

[Zhang Yen]

"I'll be waiting right here, then."

Jiang Xi clenched his teeth, attempting to contain his anger. While he could understand caution with his appearance being what it was, but to stand outside was nothing short of an insult. Had it been him prior to his great defeat, he would surely have been let in without question. He exhaled slowly, trying to claim himself, awaiting someone to accept him.

[Angelic Crux]

Despite the journey out to Hann, and the frustration of figuring out quite where she was supposed to be going, Meifeng managed to find her way to Li Peng's new hall for taking visitors. "Ah... phew... mnnhh, walking all day really can just make your legs burn!" She took a moment to slap at her legs a bit, the coarse fabric of her tunic and traveler's pants hanging a bit baggy on her.

"So... this is where Li Peng is, right?" She looked to one of the guards, then the other, before opening her arms wide. Really, she'd gotten used to doing it at checkpoints, there was no way they wouldn't if she was about to go see an important person. "Is it okay if I come in and see him? You can search me for weapons, and everything." Her mouth curled up into a mischievous smile as she winked at them. "Well, maybe not everything!"

[Taishi Ci]

Yen

Soon enough, Li Peng appeared with a pair of guards as an escort. When they reached the annoyed visitor, Peng bowed courteously. "Sorry for the delay. I am Li Peng, Prefect of this city. You must be Jiang Xi. How can I help you, sir?"

AC

One of the guards rolled his eyes at the fiesty girl, stepping forward to search her as he had done so many other guests. He tried to avoid being too rough, lest he set her off or something. Once he was finished, the other guard beckoned with his hand, and lead her inside the complex. As they walked through the halls, he glanced over at her. "I don't know what you want to see the Prefect for, but mind your maners, little girl."

Eventually they came upon a large room where Li Peng was standing off to the side, gazing out one of the windows along the western wall. He turned to look at their arrival. "A visitor? Who is this young woman?"

[Angelic Crux]

"Oh, of course!" She nodded to the guard, momentarily putting on a very, very serious expression as she bobbed her head to him. "I'll be on my best behavior." Even if she straightened up her posture, smoothed her gait, and lifted her chin a bit, an air of sophistication coming to her, it really wasn't quite enough to get past the shabby clothes she had on. Or the way her eyes kept moving to any possible valuables around.

Being led into the room, Meifeng stopped, leaning just a bit to the side to get a better look at Peng before he turned. Then, straightened right back up again! "It's me, Meifeng! Didn't you get my letter that I had to come here and stay with you for a bit? Mom said she'd sent it off..." She let out a sigh of relief, running over and giving him a hug. "It... wow... this is the first time we've finally been able to see eachother! Mom was right, you really are good-looking!"

[Taishi Ci]

As the girl ran over to him and hugged him, a look of pure confusion spread over Peng's face. He had no idea who she was and now she was talking about her mother, whoever that was. He looked over to the guard, who, just as confused as Peng was, shook his head. Peng then looked down at the girl who had her arms wrapped around him, seriously wondering what was going on.

"Who are you, to come running in here like this and embracing me? What letter are you talking about? I don't know anyone named Meifeng!" He stood there in silence, waiting for her response.

[Angelic Crux]

The girl blinked, looking up at him with almost as much confusion as Peng was mustering, though she looked a bit more distraught by him than he seemed to by distressed by her. "What... but... I-I'm your daughter! Mom said you knew all about me!" She drew back, looking like she wasn't even sure what to do. She'd hoped their first meeting would go off without a hitch, and this was a definite hitch she hadn't been expecting.

"I mean, I came to be here with you and we could learn about eachother and... and I'd finally be with you..." Her shoulder slumped downward as a defeated sigh left her lips. "So... this is really the... first time you ever heard of me? You must remember my mom, though! Hu Qiao? She said she used to stay out with you guys when you were doing your bandit thing and she'd bring you stuff she stole and you'd give her stuff you stole and... and it was really romantic! You... you don't remember at all?" She balled her hands up into fists, gazing up at him desperately. Having journeyed all this way for nothing was one thing, but she couldn't bear the thought of being rejected by him. Even if he'd only really been there for her as a figment of her imagination.