The merchant went very still, feeling the heat from Yexue’s sword just above his racing pulse. He immediately removed his hand from Ru Yi’s waist.

Ru Yi stepped back immediately, her heart pounding. She didn’t think of all the million ways this could have ended if Yexue hadn’t rescued her.

The market noise had dimmed, people already gathering to watch the scene, whispering. But Yexue didn’t care, her gaze remained fixed on the man.

"If you touch her again," she said calmly, "you will lose more than your business." Though her eyes remained on the hand that had been on Ru Yi’s skin.

She felt something dangerously close to jealousy start to overtake her senses. "Or should I just make you pay now? I’ve been forgiving."

The man swallowed, his throat bobbing hard. He knew without doubt that she’d keep to her word. "I didn’t mean—"

"So you’re not just a pervert, but a liar too?" Her voice dropped slightly. Soft but lethal. "You knew exactly what you were doing. Is this how you prey on other women?"

The silence that followed after was heavy.

Yexue lowered her sword but didn’t sheath it. Not yet.

"Pay her for the work she has already done," Yexue said.

The man nodded quickly, fumbling as he grabbed a small sack of grain and a bundle of dry food. He held it out with shaking hands.

She looked at Ru Yi who hesitated...then stepped forward and accepted it. Her hands trembled slightly.

Yexue noticed it, but for Ru Yi’s sake she decided not to make a scene. Instead she put her hands on Ru Yi’s shoulders and guided her out of the stall.

The little boy held onto the sleeves of Ru Yi’s robe. Even he sensed that something bad had happened.

"Imagine I hadn’t been there," Yexue muttered as they left the market. "That man would’ve...with his filthy hands!"

Ru Yi said nothing as Yexue raged on.

"I should’ve cut it off and fed it to him." Yexue looked down at the boy. "I just didn’t want to traumatize him at such a young age. But if you want...I’ll get his hand for you."

Ru Yi stopped abruptly, making Yexue stumble. She turned to her with worry. "Is something wrong? Do you want me to go back and teach him a lesson?"

Tears rolled down Ru Yi’s cheeks before she could blink them back. Without any warning...she threw her hands around Yexue’s neck and buried her face in her chest.

"I’m so sorry," Ru Yi cried, "I’m so sorry!"

Yexue was confused but she put her arms around Ru Yi in a comforting manner. "Why are you apologizing, you did nothing wrong."

"Maybe it was something I did that gave him the wrong idea, or..." she sniffed.

Yexue immediately pushed Ru Yi off her. "Something you did? Are you listening to yourself?" She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "That man is the one that wronged you. Why are you apologizing when you’re the victim here?"

Ru Yi cried harder which made Yexue’s resolve soften. "Look..." she held Ru Yi’s face with her hands. "You did absolutely nothing wrong. This world is just filled with nasty perverts who prey on young girls like you. Unfortunately he’s one of them."

Yexue wiped the tears on her cheeks away with the sleeve of her robe. "Believe me when I say you did nothing wrong."

Ru Yi looked at Yexue with tear stained eyes. "I was not at fault?" she asked.

After all, everyone back at the palace had believed she seduced the crown prince. If they saw what happened now, they’d say she’d been the one to come onto the man first.

Something about the question made Yexue’s heart break. It meant that a situation like this had happened before and someone made Ru Yi think it was her fault.

Instead of answering, she pulled Ru Yi back into her arms. "It’s really not. If anything I’m proud of you for working so hard to put food on the table."

She felt Ru Yi relax into her arms.

That had to be the best feeling in the world.

She proceeded to stroke Ru Yi’s hair. "If anything you’re hardworking and brave. Learn to give yourself credit when due."

Ru Yi nodded into her chest. "Thank you. I didn’t know you were this kind."

Kind.

The word made Yexue’s heart beat faster. This was the first time anyone described her in such a manner.

She immediately pushed Ru Yi away. "It’s time to head home." She cleared her throat and tried to act calm...as if her heart wasn’t threatening to explode from being so close to Ru Yi.

Yexue turned back once to look at the market. This was not the end.

"This should be enough for lunch and dinner," Ru Yi said, "At least he was generous enough to still pay me."

"If anything he should compensate you for his ill behavior. Paying you for the work you did is the bare minimum."

"It’s fine," Ru Yi shrugged. "I’ll go back to the market tomorrow and find another job. This time I’ll make sure to check in with only the female traders."

Yexue immediately. "You’re not doing that job again. We’ll look for a more respectable way to earn money and food."

"It’ll be hard to find a job that’s well paying and respectable," Ru Yi reminded her. "I’m sure you’ve never had to work a day in your life, but usually normal people like us find it hard to earn money."

Yexue pouted. "Are you calling me useless? I’ll let you know I can wield a sword better than the entire imperial army."

"Maybe if you put the violence away for a second you’ll be able to help me come up with better ways to make money. I know Qingyue said this is a brief stop...I just have a feeling we’ll be here longer than any of us planned."

Yexue looked at the worn houses around them, some of them missing their roofs. "I’ll pass. We shouldn’t stay more than a couple days. I trust Qingyue to keep us on track." While I focus on how to keep you safe.