[ Once, Wen Qing existed in a world where she had to keep her head down. Wore garments of coarse cloth, a hood to cover her face, begging on the streets of a city she barely knew to stay alive long enough to find her brother. She is familiar with what it means to blend in, to pass unnoticed among many— even sharp eyes do not wish to see the impoverished and the downtrodden.
It helps, in this, because Wen Qing and her companion manage to pass unaware through the guards and the pilgrims. Wen Qing can see the entrance, they're almost there— and her companion stops.
She closes her eyes, trying to find the cool, rational head that kept her alive through her uncle's madness and kept her out of the hands of the Jin. It's incredibly difficult, and her tone is sharper than intended when she speaks. ]
iii. incense
It helps, in this, because Wen Qing and her companion manage to pass unaware through the guards and the pilgrims. Wen Qing can see the entrance, they're almost there— and her companion stops.
She closes her eyes, trying to find the cool, rational head that kept her alive through her uncle's madness and kept her out of the hands of the Jin. It's incredibly difficult, and her tone is sharper than intended when she speaks. ]
I heard nothing. Keep walking.