The main street of Pèi City bustles with activity. Crowds throng the thoroughfare, the cries of vendors ring out, silks drape high over the streets, and piles of red pomegranates and walnuts rise in little towers on the market stalls.
A vendor pulls some freshly baked sesame buns out of the earthen oven behind him and lays them in a steaming stack on the stall counter. They exude an aromatic fragrance.
The little girl is huddled in front of the stall, her head barely peeking above the tabletop, her eyes unblinking, transfixed by the sesame buns.
Child Beggar: Aaahh, give me ...
Jiu: The little girl points into her open mouth with her finger.
Child Beggar: Feeling hungry ...
Citizen V: No money, no food. I'm running a business here. Now go away, shoo!
The little one, not understanding a word, casually snatches up a bun and devours it.
In recent days, the entire merchant hub has come to know this little beggar, whose origins remain unknown, as she wanders the streets all day and night.
Citizen V: Hey, beggar kid, give that back! You've been stealing buns from me for days!
Although the little one does not understand the purpose of these words, she can still sense the building rage behind them. She turns tail and flees, but before she can take more than a step, she collides head-on with two figures. The larger one catches her wrist.
Facao: Where are you going?
Facao: I've heard endless complaints about your stealing. You're not getting away.
Facao: Not this time. I'll get you locked away in prison. Then you'll never steal again!
Lizheng: I wouldn't have expected the Fǎcáo to deal with little girls ... I assume she committed a felony?
Facao: What you don't know, sir, is that this little beggar has been wandering the streets for days. No one knows where she came from. When she's thirsty, she drinks from the horse troughs, and when she's hungry, she steals food from the vendors.
Facao: She's quick as a stallion, too. No one could catch her when she entered the city. The patroller informed me a few days ago.
The little girl struggles, attempting to break free from the large hand that grips her.
Lǐzhèng leans down to scrutinize the young offender.
Lizheng: What's your name? Have you ever been to school ...? No, can you talk?
Child Beggar: I ... I need to stay in the city. The city needs a Xiángruì.
Lizheng: She can talk. Perhaps she's from a decent family, and something happened to them. Isn't it too harsh to put a little girl who has suffered so much into prison? Let's not make a fuss of it.
Facao: ...
Facao: Actually, I was thinking that prison would provide her with food and shelter. In the meantime, I could work on locating her parents.
Lizheng: My apologies. I suppose you are considerate under that harsh exterior of yours.
Lǐzhèng straightens up and strokes his beard. He appears to have already devised a plan for the beggar child's fate.
After making their way down several streets, the three of them arrive at a tavern.
It is filled with patrons. Amidst the clinking of cups and the raising of toasts, idle chatter and laughter abound, creating a scene of merriment.
As they enter, the scent of liquor hits their nostrils. A graceful figure moves swiftly among the clientele, her presence as striking as it is efficient.
???: Welcome, Lǐzhèng, Fǎcáo! What brings you here?
???: Take a seat! You came just at the right time. I have some jars of Melon Brew that I haven't opened yet. I'm thinking that a couple of distinguished guests can do me a favor and have the first cup.
Citizen IV: Ms. Xǔ, you slippery little thing! If Lǐzhèng hadn't come today, when would you have told us about these new arrivals?
Citizen IV: Poor us, not even qualified to smell it!
Ms. Xǔ feigns annoyance, playfully scolding her patrons with a smile. They burst into laughter. As this moment passes, one patron stands to invite the two officials to take a seat.
Facao: No need. We're not here to drink.
Ms. Xu: You're not? Oh ... Well, everything's above board here. I've never even watered down a drink. Just ask my guests, they'll tell you!
Lizheng: Heh heh, don't worry, Ms. Xǔ. We're just here to check up on the stores.
Lizheng: Is everything going well with your tavern?
Ms. Xu: Yes, everything's fine. Some drinkers can get really talky, but that's all. No troublemakers, thanks to your management.
Ms. Xu: You know, most days, I have plenty of time to make the rice buns that I sell to the locals ...
Ms. Xu: But on liquor permit days, there are so many patrons in the tavern, and I have to serve all of them myself.
Lizheng: What a coincidence! I have just found you a helper.
Fǎcáo steps aside. He is about to introduce the child to Ms. Xǔ when he turns around to find that the little beggar has disappeared without a trace.
Facao: She was here just now! Where did she go?
After a thorough search, they find her curled up behind the counter. She refuses to answer any of their questions.
Ms. Xu: Lǐzhèng, don't tell me this is the new helper you were talking about.
Lizheng: Oh right, exactly.
Ms. Xu: There's no way I can take her. She looks more like a wild beast than a child, and she can't even speak fluently. She seems totally uncivilized! How could a girl like this help me?
Ms. Xu: Honestly. If she stays here, I'll have to spend just as much time taking care of her as I do the tavern! Lǐzhèng, you better not throw this hot potato to me.
Lizheng: You're right. She needs to be civilized. That's why I brought her here. Everyone in the city knows you're sharp as a tack. Why, you could teach a monkey to talk if you had to!
Lizheng: Besides, you're a kind person. No one is more suited to take care of a little girl than you.
Facao: We have no clue where we might find her parents. We can't just let her wander the streets.
Ms. Xu: What about the charity hall? I'm running a tavern here, not a school! Besides, she hasn't spoken a word since she got here! Is she some sort of dumb?
Upon hearing the word "dumb," the beggar girl stands up and dusts off her sleeves. She looks around the room, finally resting her gaze upon Ms. Xǔ.
Child Beggar: I'm not "dumb." My mommy called me Jiǔ.
Lizheng: Jiǔ. Does that mean you're the ninth in your family? Well, it's easy to remember.
Lizheng: See? She didn't say a word to us the whole way here, but she's already talking to you.
Ms. Xu: Three and nine ... What kind of fate could this be, if not a twisted one?
Somehow, the pure gaze and innocent, carefree demeanor of this little beggar makes her difficult to shoo away. Eventually, Ms. Xǔ's tone softens.
Ms. Xu: ... Jiǔ, huh? You've been begging for days, yet you still had the energy to run and hide in the tavern. You must be healthy.
Facao: She's quite the runner. Many adults couldn't keep up with her. Maybe she can help you run errands.
Ms. Xu: But, you see ... the extra food and clothing ...
Ms. Xu: I can barely earn enough money to feed myself.
Lǐzhèng wastes no time in instructing Fǎcáo to produce the settlement fee and hand it over to Ms. Xǔ.
The patrons gather, eager to see the amount, but Ms. Xǔ waves them off with a flick of her wrist. They laugh among themselves and return to downing their drinks.
Ms. Xu: Hmm ... This could be enough for now. But kids grow so fast, you know? I'll have to get her new clothes, new shoes every now and then ...
Lizheng: Haha! I've heard many rumors of Xǔ's silver tongue. You surely don't disappoint.
Lizheng: Alright, you've just won yourself the position of supplier to the Zhící. You'll be responsible for the ceremonial liquors during festivals.
Ms. Xu: Thank you so much, Lǐzhèng. I'll make the best liquor for the ceremonies.
Ms. Xu: And of course, I'll take good care of her.
With matters concluded, Lǐzhèng and Fǎcáo do not linger any longer. There are still many tasks awaiting them in the city, and so they take their leave.
The tavern quickly regains its earlier liveliness. On this precious liquor permit day, not a single moment must be wasted. Ms. Xǔ is still adjusting to the sudden arrival of her unexpected helper.
Ms. Xu: Follow me. You'll be staying in the tavern from now on. Starting tomorrow, you'll help me run the business. If you need anything, just tell me. Oh, and don't steal from others again.
Jiu: Water. I'm thirsty.
Ms. Xu: Water's in the yard. I'll get it for you.
Two officials walk down the street, their pace leisurely as they converse about the events of the day.
Facao: Lǐzhèng, why did you do all that to help that beggar girl?
Lizheng: When I first looked at that girl, I had the feeling that I'd seen her before. Besides, it would be a pity to have such a bright young thing roaming the streets.
Fǎcáo nods, habitually pressing down on the short sword at his waist and casting a final glance back at the tavern before turning into a side street.
Facao: I see.
Ms. Xu: You'll sleep here tonight. It used to be a utility room, but I've cleaned it, and the bed's new.
Ms. Xu: I heard that you slept on the street, so I guess you're not afraid of the dark.
Ms. Xu: I sleep in the room next to yours. Call me if you need anything.
Jiu: Yes. Sleep when you're sleepy.
Jiǔ rests her hands by her ear, tilts her head, and feigns the sound of slumber.
The child’s innocent and carefree spirit softens Ms. Xǔ's heart, prompting her to leave a few tender instructions before departing.
Jiu: I'm alone now. Don't sleep on the street anymore.
Yielding to the moment, the child lies on the floor of the room. Tonight, there are no twinkling stars to accompany her, no cool breeze to caress her, only the faintly discernible beams overhead.
Wooden Doll: With a rustling sound, a troop of wooden dolls materializes out of thin air. They frolick and cavort on the bed, the ground, and on Jiǔ's clothes.
Wooden Dolls: chuckles New place! Fun!
Wooden Dolls: Liquor jars, liquor jars! Customers raising their cups!
The wooden dolls turn the day's sights into lyrical verses in an endless song.
One doll pushes through the others, leaping down from the bed to whisper into Jiǔ's ear.
Wooden Dolls: Personal feelings. You're having a lot.
Jiu: They're not personal feelings. You don't know anything.
Wooden Dolls: Don't forget what the Daoist said.
Jiu: You're annoying. I'm sleeping now.
Jiu: I need to run a business tomorrow. Do you even know what "business" means?
Wooden Dolls: No.
Jiu: Me neither. Maybe it means ... um ... I'll figure it out tomorrow.
