I walk up to the table. He looks old, but like a warrior still. It's honestly frightening. He turns his brow to me. I lower my head in respect. He gestures for me to sit down. I nod and sit down at the other end of the table. I see the peacock decorating the wall. It had long blue and green feathers. I long for peacocks. Their beauty is memorizing.

"Eat, my daughter. You must have strength for tomorrow." Father says.

I look at him. He hands me a bowl of rice.

"Thank you. What... what is happening tomorrow?" I ask picking up my chopsticks.

He hands me a piece of pork belly glazed in cherry-soy sauce. I bite into it. Dinners are so lavish. There are about twenty dishes on our table. The edges were lined with golden flowers and the teacups were shiny as stars. Things look so different when you have profit. We've been trying to give back to our village for a while.

"We are going to her home." Father says.

"But... that's halfway across China." I say.

I pull my white hair back.

"Your hair is not tightened well enough, did you do it yourself again?" Father asks.

"Yes." I nod.

"Perhaps your maid can have a more fulfilling job." He sips a cup of tea.

"Yes father." I sigh.

I take piece of pickled veg. I bite into it. 

"Shi Yu, you will travel there in a separate party. She is anxious for you to return." He says.

"Alright, what about you?" I ask.

"I have things to attend to here." He says.

"Yes father." I take a bowl of soup. 

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