She took the soft cushion and removed a pair of needles with ease.
"Blessings."
A cough caught in her throat and she turned away from the oven, hacking into her arm as she hooked the toe of her boot around one of the table chairs and dragged it forward.
She slumped into the chair and sighed as it creaked. Her eyes met the old woman's for a brief moment, and a weak smile flashed across her lips.
"I never bought bandages, and I couldn't find stockings," she looked down and began to unlace her worn, soggy boots. "If there is anything I can do to earn those things-" she pulled the money bag from her dress in one swift motion, tossing it onto the beaten table before she returned to her boots. "I don't know how much is in there, not enough, probably."
She bit her teeth and eased off the first boot.
Yes, there was skin and blood.
This would make a fine case.
"Apologies." She murmured, looking up with cunning eyes. The water steamed and she tossed the needles into the pot. "My journey has been weary."
@Lacy Duckwing
(Oh my gosh, these dynamics! It's painful writing someone so... Rude

I love how you're writing Jintao, he's spectacular, really.)