Gavin Shea returned to the Prince Rui residence late that night. As soon as he entered the courtyard, the servant Ruby stepped forward to report two matters.
The first: Princess Ninghe had sent word, saying she wished to see the lanterns and asking if Prince Heir had time to accompany her. If not, could Master Wen go in his stead?
The second: Lena Sanders had entered Shanzi Teahouse at noon—and by this hour, she was still there, drinking tea.
Gavin exhaled softly, his brows rising.
"Tomorrow, send a reply to Ayue: tell her I am far too busy, and Shouzhen even more so. Neither of us can spare the time. Let her ask Madam Shen to go with her."
"Yes, Your Highness," Ruby replied, bowing.
"As for Shanzi Teahouse…" Gavin mused for a moment. "Keep an eye on it for now."
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At dawn the next day, as Shanzi Teahouse removed its boards and opened for business, Lena Sanders arrived with Harris Ma and Jack Golden. They sat at the same table as before, ordered the same tea and pastries, and, as if time itself had paused, drank in the same unhurried manner.
They remained there from morning until nightfall. Only when the last of the tea attendants lined up to close did Lena rise, leading her companions out into the evening streets.
The next morning, they appeared again—punctual as the sunrise.
By now, Shopkeeper Bai, who had been watching them from the secret room behind the wall, was clutching his temples in anguish.
He had sensed ill fortune from the moment the previous two parties had failed to complete their assignment. But he had not expected her to find this place so swiftly!
It wasn't her presence that truly frightened him—plenty had come looking before, and what of it? No evidence, no proof.
But this one had a tail—and not just any tail. Those watchers were official, and worse, they were tied to that powerful family of the imperial in-laws.
Men like him could not afford official scrutiny, nor daylight.
And such in-laws—upstarts who rose by marriage ties—were often the most arrogant and reckless of all.
Her daily visits had now drawn those tails to linger daily as well. How was he supposed to conduct legitimate business under their gaze?
Since the afternoon she first entered, not a single proper transaction had been made.
Losing business was trivial. But if those tails noticed something amiss—or decided to stir trouble—disaster would follow.
And then there was her. That woman was no easy mark. Who could say what might happen if she continued to sit there, hour after hour?
This could not go on. She must be made to leave.
Resolute, Shopkeeper Bai left the hidden chamber, circled around, and entered through the front door. Moving with deliberate calm, he approached Lena Sanders' table, smiling faintly.
"My lady…" he greeted politely.
Lena lifted her eyes to him.
He smiled again, gesturing to the empty seat beside her. Lena returned a courteous smile and motioned for him to sit.
He took the seat, pointing to her teacup. "This year's Dongyuan Autumn Tea is of exceptional quality."
"Is that so? I can't tell the difference," Lena said mildly, pushing her cup forward. "And how should I address you, Shopkeeper?"
"Bai," he replied, his smile fading.
Lena said nothing, her gaze turning distant.
"You've been coming here for two days straight," he continued after a pause. "At first, I thought you'd simply fallen in love with our Autumn Tea."
Still, she offered no reply.
"In all the years I've managed this establishment," Bai went on, forcing a genial tone, "never once has a guest sat from opening to closing without leaving."
Lena looked at him again, smiling faintly—yet remained silent.
"You must have business with us, surely?" he pressed, swallowing his irritation.
She reached out toward Jack Golden, who quickly placed the two tea cakes and the talisman into her hand. Setting them before Shopkeeper Bai, Lena said calmly, "From the moment I walked in, you already knew what business brought me here."
"Our master returned that particular order," Bai said quietly. "He even repaid it double."
"Who?" Lena asked, her voice light but her gaze sharp.
"That would break the rules," Bai answered evenly, meeting her eyes.
"Ah." Lena's tone was soft, her eyes drifting elsewhere.
"I heard," Bai continued carefully, "that when Prince Heir was ambushed in Riverford City, it was you who escorted him safely back to Castleton.
Whether you were a guard-for-hire or a merchant of the rivers, every trade has its code. And once within a trade, its rules must be honored. I trust you, of all people, understand this."
He bowed slightly.
"Hmm." Lena cast him a sidelong glance and gave only that small sound in reply.
Bai swallowed hard. This woman was immovable as stone.
"Is something the matter?" Lena asked at last, smiling serenely.
"Have you enjoyed your tea?" he asked, gesturing toward her cup.
"Why? Is it against the rules to drink tea in your teahouse as well?" she replied with a faint tilt of her head.
Bai drew a sharp breath, forcing himself to swallow it down.
"My lady, truly, I…"
"Matters of life and death, Shopkeeper Bai," Lena interrupted, bowing slightly. "I trust you'll forgive the discourtesy."
Bai stared at her in silence for a long while, then clenched his jaw. "Tomorrow at the hour of Wei. Come then to settle accounts."
Lena rose and bowed in return. Harris Ma and Jack Golden followed her out the door.
Once they were gone, Bai beckoned to a middle-aged man who had lingered in the shadows. His voice was low and seething.
"Spread the word—anyone caught pocketing so much as a spoon, cup, or chopstick will lose a hand! And those cursed talismans and charms—worthless trash! If anyone dares carry such nonsense out of here again, cut off their hand as well!"
"Yes, sir," the man said, bowing deeply.
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For the next several days, Gavin Shea's first question upon returning home was always the same: any news from Fried Rice Alley?
Ruby, sharp as ever, always made sure the reports from there came first. Though they dared not approach too closely, their watchers kept diligent track, sending word back at the slightest stir.
The moment Ruby learned that Lena Sanders and her companions had entered Shanzi Teahouse again—and soon after left—she reported directly to Gavin without hesitation.
Gavin turned to William Chen. "So she's found something?"
"It seems so. Since entering Shanzi Teahouse, she's been quiet these past few days. At the very least, she's found the right place.
Though I can't fathom how she managed it," William said, puzzled.
Indeed, from the moment Lena had first set foot in that teahouse, he had wondered—how had she known it was there?
Had she truly forgotten her past… or only part of it?
"I told you she's quick-witted and full of guile," Gavin said with a faint smile. "Didn't think she'd find it this fast, though. Let's wait and see."
"Still, it must be maddening," William chuckled. "If she keeps sitting there day after day, how can Shanzi Teahouse do business?"
"Let the Marquis of Yongping stew in his own foolishness," Gavin said with open disdain. "He probably still thinks himself clever beyond compare. A houseful of idiots."
William smiled. "Then all the better for us."
Gavin laughed softly. "Indeed."