Hu Li is surrounded by the men from the Yamen. She stand in the office without any ropes or cuffs on her. The officer is sure that she will not just escape on the way to his office. He look at her up and down.
"My name is Zhou Luo Ming.What is your name?"
"No name, my lord. I am born without parents. I have no home. I have no family."
He begin to walk in a circle around her. Still keeping his eyes on her.
"How about ... are you a boy or a girl?"
"I am what you believe i am, my lord."
"Ah Mu go get Doctor Han."
He continue to walk in a circle. Hu Li just stand there and look around his office. An older man later appear. officer Zhou ask Doctor Han to see and examine the individual in front of him. The man bow and start to conduct a body check. He even read the pulse of the person. After awhile, he bow.
"Officer Zhou, this person is probably a boy age fifteen base on his pulse. His vital is extremely strong. His body organs are working as per his age. There is nothing wrong with him."
Hu Li smirk secretly and officer Zhou caught it. He dismiss the doctor and continue to question his captive.
"Where are you from?"
"Here?"
"Then show me your..."
"I don't have it that's why i can't leave this capital."
"How did you know about those people who are carrying explosives?"
"I have a dog nose. I can smell it."
"Why are you always on rooftops?"
"No i don't go up. I don't know how..."
"I have been watching you. You live at the far end corner of this capital. A little inn. Everyday you return when you want and every morning you leave before the sun raises. One thing i don't understand is how did you change your appearances each time. The first time, i saw you was in the palace. I just remember that you are that dancer who knock most of the assassins who are trying to kill all the court officers and the emperor as well. For that i will thank you. However i still don't understand what is your agenda. I am sure you are not here for the gold nor treasure. Nor frame so what are you after... So what are you after? "
Hu Li look at Officer Zhou. She look around the office and look at the man who is walking around her.
"How about i will assist you in your job to find who is the mastermind."
Officer Zhou stop walking he look at Hu Li.
"You want a job here in the Yamen?"
"No but i want to help to catch the mastermind."
"Tell me your secrets."
"There is no secrets. I can be both a male and a female. That's all."
"You have more."
"Nothing. Right, if you don't want me to help you catch the mastermind. I am fine with that. Good day."
Officer Zhou stretch out his arm to stop her from walking.
"Boy i just want to know why do you ... want to help this Yamen?"
"Officer Zhou, i live in this capital too. So to help is my duty."
Officer Zhou look at Hu Li for a while. He touch his moustache and walk again in circle around Hu Li.
"I recap. You want to help Yamen but don't want a job here. Don't want to talk about you nor your past... Fine! Fine! I agree but you still need to give me your name. I can't keep calling you boy."
Hu Li look around the room and she see the character ice on one of the scrolls hanging on the wall.
"All i know i am knows as Bing'er and my family name is Yu."
"Yu as in Jade?"
"Yes my lord."
"Yu Bing is your name... interesting. How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
Officer Zhou nod his head. He look into the eyes of Hu Li.
"From now on, you can stay at my residence. Since it is more connivence in getting to work with me. Also call me Officer Zhou not lord. Understand?"
"Yes sir but can i stay ..."
"No. I better keep my eyes on you since you are not a member of the Yamen."
Hu Li look at him with surprise. He walk to his desk and pick up paper and brush. He writes down the condition of the contract. He look at Hu Li and ask her to come near.
"Read and sign this paper... wait do you know how to read and write?"
"Yes sir."
She takes the paper that states that Yu Bing will assist to help to catch the mastermind and troublemakers. He will assist till needed. His logging and food will be provided by Officer Zhou. No salary will be given since everything is provided. She read a few more times to make sure he is not writing some lines with hidden meaning in it. Picking up the brush she writes Yu Bing on it.
"Stamp your thumb print too."
Hu Li stare at him. She hate stamping prints as this is the only thing that she can't cover. The last time she did a thumb print, it shows a paw print instead. She think hard and fast. She see the ink stone and dip her finger in it. Rolling it a few times making her fingers rather dirty. She then put her index finger and press it hard and roll a few times. She remove it and happily look at Officer Zhou. He looks angry.
"You got the whole paper dirty!"
The entire contract paper is fill with her finger prints which are dark like the brush that dip too much ink on and drip on the paper. She smile to show an apologise look.
That evening, Hu Li follow him home. Animals around the neighbourhood comes out to follow her. They reach an ordinary home with a wooden plate on the side door 'House of Zhou'. He push the wooden door and inside an older lady appear.
"Mother"
He bow to her. She smile and look behind she smile.
"Who is that lovely lady that you bring home?"
Officer Zhou turn around and look at Hu Li who is playing with the dogs outside their residence. All these while all of the men see Hu Li as a young boy why would his mother thinks that he is a she.