The market was bustling as the merchants hawking their wares. It was a loud, but an orderly mess. The noon sun shone, partially covered by clouds so as to spare the denizens of the Earth from overbearing heat. Dense market stalls weren't a particularly spectacular sight, but the town's streets were filled with its denizens due to the event that was to come.

 A traveler, kissed by the dust of the road, wore his broad bamboo hat on his back; grey and white robes adorned his average stature. His above-average looks did not draw any looks, but his smile was extremely kind and tender causing all to see it to feel a sense of closeness to him. He had jet black hair, brown pupils, a well-built face, and his skin was a supple and smooth milky white, adding a slightly feminine aura to his looks.

Following him were two companions, one was male and the other was female. The male had a restrained noble aura about him; if it wasn't for his common clothing, people would regard him as a distinguished son of heaven. While the other companion was more like the one she accompanied, she had average looks and was low-profile. Her demeanor didn't stand out; she seemed like a proper girl of simple birth.

The trio walked through the bustling market, weaving through the crowd without the hem of their clothes touching another's as if someone was manipulating the crowd's every movement. This went unnoticed by the crowd, but the trio smoothly made their way through, unfazed. Before long, they found themselves in front of one of the stalls. The traveler with the broad bamboo hat on his back halted in his steps and turned towards the stall owner. Raising three fingers, a warm smile adorning his face, his crisp voice rang out.

"Boss, three cups of Ginseng Tea, if you please."

Nodding to the traveler, the stall owner poured them three cups of nearly clear Ginseng Tea. A cough and the rough voice of the stall owner sounded out as the traveler started to reach for the cup, interrupting his action further by blocking his hand.

"Sir, that'll be 7 copper pieces."

A warm smile radiating innocence and benevolence still on his face, the traveler nodded to his female companion who took out a purse and paid the boss. Mumbling to himself, he grudgingly allowed them to take the Tea.

"Minted in Zhou Country… but money is money…"

The traveler passed the cup of tea to his right, giving it to his female companion before passing another cup to his proud male companion and finally picking up his own cup of tea. Blowing on tea with his delicate pink lips, he took a sip, with his companions taking the initiative to do the same, only after he had taken a sip, in deference. Starting to swirl the clay cup in his right hand, he leaned on the stall and spoke up, his crisp and clear voice once more filling the air.

"Boss, do you know why there is such a large crowd today in Yuncheng?"

With his left hand, he pulled a copper coin out of his sleeve with a flourish before placing it down in a delicate manner, like he was placing a Go piece, and pushing it towards the stall owner. The stall owner chuckled heartily before pushing the piece back. The gruff voice spoke up once more.

"This is common knowledge and I wouldn't dare take your money for it. The Young Mistress of the Mo Clan is finding a husband today. All the young men in the prefecture have gathered to compete for her hand."