Shuren continued to walk through the corridor of the mansion, she had her guard up preparing for anything.
But still what was this interior? The way everything was set makes it look like someone with vast amounts of wealth lived here, then there is the outside of the mansion it looked dead. What was the deal with that?
There was no need for that anyway; she only came here to look for Mya's sisters, so she had to ignore the luxury that surrounded the place. The stride to find Mya's sisters resumed and it was still quiet.Shuren encountered some stairs up ahead and went to go climb them but as she took her first step she felt someone waiting at the top of the first floor.
She looked up to see who it was and was kind of confused at first. Mischa was the person who was waiting, Shuren finally remembered that the maid who Assad and Taura were talking about was right in front of her.
The two women stared at each other not doing anything, that's until Mischa bowed down and welcomed Shuren to the mansion but Shuren kept quiet, still trying to process the fact that a maid was right in front of her and welcoming her into the messed up mansion.
"My young master asked me to treat you well, since you are our beloved guest."
"Beloved guest, yea sure…right."
Mischa started to slowly descend down the stairs and walked past Shuren without looking back.
"Before you go and meet my young master I believe we should get to know each other a bit first. What do you think?" Mischa suggested, twirling her dagger with a playful grin.
Shuren blinked, a subtle smirk playing on her lips. "I don't know where you're getting at but why not. I'm not feeling any action right now.
Mischa tilted her head, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "You didn't even take the time to ponder about the current situation. But if that's what you wish for then lets have a chat shall we?"
Shuren let out a lazy sigh, crossing her arms. "Alright then. Let's have a chat before I send you off to whatever god you worship."
Mischa's laughter was light and refined, like the sound of a wine glass clinking. "I like your confidence. You're not like the others who came for the Young Master."
"Maybe they just didn't have the right manners." Shuren's hand brushed her hip, feeling the reassuring weight of her pistol.
Mischa then lead Shuren to the next room
Shuren stepped inside, and her breath hitched in her throat. The space was like nothing she had ever encountered, a grand chamber reminiscent of imperial China ornate pillars twisted up to a painted ceiling, where dragons danced among clouds, and gold leaf shimmered in the soft glow of the lanterns.
The floors sparkled like polished jade, and intricate screens showcased breathtaking scenes of mountains, rivers, and phoenixes caught mid-flight. Even Shuren's own office, which she had painstakingly curated, felt ordinary in comparison.
'I could totally swipe some of these, maybe sell them and buy them back. Then if possible, even triple the price.'
Mischa's voice pulled her from her daydream. "Please, have a seat."
She guided Shuren to a long, low table adorned with delicate cups, porcelain so fine it looked almost transparent in the warm lamplight.
"What would you like to drink?" Mischa asked, her tone polite and calm.
Shuren glanced over the cups, the tea utensils, and the bubbling pot. She shrugged lightly, trying to play it cool. "I'm… not really into tea."
But as her aura subtly shifted barely noticeable to anyone but a trained eye she added with a small smirk, "But I've always wanted to try Gyokuro."
Mischa nodded with a graceful bow. "Gyokuro it is. I'll be right back."
As she stepped away, Shuren took a moment to soak in the room again, her thoughts split between the tea and the treasure trove of details around her. Every scroll, every sculpture, every glimmering inlay was a testament to just how wealthy and meticulous Zheng Yan truly was.
Shuren settled into her seat, her fingers gliding over the smooth wood of the table.
'Not bad. Not bad at all.'
Mischa came back just a moment later, balancing a lacquer tray that held two delicate cups of tea. She set them down carefully on the table one in front of Shuren and the other in front of herself. Shuren leaned in, taking in the fragrant aroma of the Gyokuro a small smile crept onto her lips.
'Huh. Not bad. I thought it would smell terrible.'
"What tea did you make for yourself?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Mischa's lips curled into a slight smile. "Longjing," she answered with a calm demeanor.
Shuren nodded, appreciating the response she lifted the Gyokuro cup and took a gentle sip, savoring the flavor as it danced on her tongue.
Mischa mirrored her actions, taking a careful sip before placing her cup back on the tray. Then, with a graceful bow, she introduced herself, "I'm Mischa Chikae, the maid of Young Master Zheng Yan."
Shuren's gaze flicked to her. "I already knew that part," she replied lightly, swirling the tea in her cup.
Mischa nodded as if that settled everything. "Now it's your turn. Introduce yourself."
But Shuren simply took another sip of her tea, her eyes half-closed in a feigned display of boredom. The slow, deliberate sipping stretched the silence like a taut string.
Mischa waited, patient yet alert. "Why are you taking your time? Shouldn't we be… drinking more?"
The only response was Shuren's slow, almost teasing sips, the delicate clink of porcelain punctuating each one. Shuren took another sip of her Gyokuro, each careful movement stretching the moment like a finely honed blade being drawn from its sheath. Mischa's fingers twitched with impatience. She was losing her cool. Finally, she slammed her hand on the table, snatched up a knife, and, fueled by anger, flung it toward Shuren.
"You despicable woman! Do you have any manners at the table?"
The knife soared through the air then suddenly stopped, frozen mid-flight as if time itself had paused. Gradually, it fell, landing gracefully on the floor with a soft clink that resonated in the stillness of the hall.
Mischa's eyes widened in disbelief. She glanced at the knife, then back at Shuren, confusion twisting her features. "What… how did you do that?"
Her words faltered as she locked eyes with Shuren's calm, inscrutable gaze in Shuren's hand, her gun and it was pointed directly at Mischa's head.
"You interrupted me drinking good tea for the first time so are you ready to learn some manners?" Shuren said softly, her voice cool, measured, and chillingly calm.