I fixed my robe as quick as I can while he approached the sunlight. I knotted the belt on my robe and glance behind to see where he is. Shen Qing creeps out of the cave, glancing to both sides of the paths to make sure there’s no danger around. Soon, a shadow appears from the side of Shen Qing. Without hesitation, Shen Qing lunged at the figure pinning the man against the rock wall with his dominates hand twisted behind so that he can’t harm Shen Qing.

“Ruo Xie” Shen Qing said, surprised and released him.

“Crown Prince” Ruo Xie faced him, “Are you okay? Is Crown Princess with you?”

“I’m fine. Ah Yun is injured though”

“Ruo Xie!” A’Li caught up with him and noticed Shen Qing. “Crown Prince” She immediately bowed down a little.

“A’Li, Ah Yun is inside; go help her” Shen Qing orders. A’Li nods and excused herself.

“Where is everyone else?” Shen Qing asks Ruo Xie.

“They’re resting at an abandoned temple. Everyone is fine; just some minor wounds”

“That’s a relief. We should keep moving and not be delayed any further” Shen Qing said.

Zhu Palace

“Welcome! Welcome!” Zhen Jian Long, the fifth prince of the Zhu Kingdom, greeted us as soon as we passed the palace gates. The palace was decorated with bright colors. The palace maids and servants lined up in a single line and bowed when we walked by.

“My Imperial Father has been waiting for you” Jian Long smiled with delight as he stood face-to-face with Shen Qing since Ke Qiang was a step behind. Shen Qing glares at him the moment he stopped at the doorstep entrance.

“If you don’t mind, we would like to rest before meeting the emperor”

“Of course! That’s not a problem” he continues to smile and gestured the maids and servants to take our belongings to the guest house.

“And,” Shen Qing darkens his glare, “Tell your Imperial Father that the wedding can wait”

Jian Long’s smile fades.

“Please do send a physician to my room; my wife was injured during the journey” Shen Qing finishes and fakes a sincere smile.

           The Zhu maids lead us to our room which is located west from the main hall. I had a room with Crown Prince Yan and Ke Qiang had a room to himself. As for the A’Li, Ruo Xie, and the rest of Ke Qiang’s men they shared the guest rooms with the lower department. Inside my room with Crown Prince Yan, I was sitting on the bed as the royal physician examined my pulse. At the same time, I stared at him. He was sitting on the stool in front of the table, pondering about something. The royal physician steps back and jot something down on the paper. My shifted my attention to the royal physician and whisper,

“Can you check Crown Prince Yan too? He wounded his left arm”

“Yes, Crown Princess” he nods and hands the paper to me, “Your condition is stable. Thank goodness the sword didn’t pierce your heart or else your condition would be worse. I will prescribe herbal medicines to treat your wound though. For the meantime, rest well” he bows before his approach to Crown Prince Yan.

“Thanks”

“Crown Prince Yan” the royal physician bows in front of him. Shen Qing angles his head to him and waited for him to continue speaking.

“Crown Princess requested that I check your wound”

“Oh. Sure” Shen Qing said and unknots his belt. He undresses his upper clothing to allow the royal physician to sew the cut from exposing.

“Will it hurt?” I cringed as I notice the royal physician take out some needles.

“It will hurt, so I suggest Crown Prince Yan bite onto this cloth” the royal physician hand his a clean white cloth. Shen Qing grabs the cloth and places it between his teeth.

“Hold on” I slipped on my shoes and leaped to them. I sat beside him as he glances over to me. I pull my stool to be closer to him and signal the royal physician to begin.

“Please look away” the royal physician warns and brought the needle across the candle flame. After he places his hand on Shen Qing’s arm and dug the needle underneath his skin. Shen Qing grunts and wet dew appears on his forehead. The royal physician continues to sew the skin together as Shen Qing suddenly grabs my hand. He groans and firmly held my hand, trying his best to not look at his wound.

“Shen Qing” I softly spoke and used my other hand to caress his face, “Look at me” I add. He bites harder on the cloth and manages to look at me in the eyes.

“Good, keep looking at me. You’ll be fine” I reassured him and used my sleeve to wipe away his sweat.

Zhen’s Residence

           Zhen Jue Hai, the Princess of Zhu Kingdom, sat facing the water garden. The sunlight hitting the side of her face and casted her shadow on the cement. She tilted her head pondering about how the koi fishes keep circling each other, but doesn’t dare make contact. One of her maid yelled from afar as she approached Jue Hai.

“Princess! Princess! He’s here! He has arrived!” her maid reached her, breathless.

“What’s with the excitement? It’s not like I can see him; Imperial Father has forbade me from doing so” Jue Hai respond as she looks down at the wheelchair that she’s sitting in.

“Princess, don’t worry. I can help you sneak into the guest palace, so you can take a peek at him” her maid winks.

“No need” Jue Hai signals her to help her move away from the water garden, “I’m tired. Take me back to my room”

“Okay” she nods and pushes the wheelchair.

On their way back to her bedroom, Jian Long gestures to the maid to stop. She bows before she’d stepped aside.

“What makes you come visit me?” Jue Hai asks as Jian Long walks behind her so that he can push the wheelchair.

“You’re getting married soon. And after you’re married into the Yan Family, I won’t be able to see you” Jian Long gently push the wheelchair forward.

“I doubt that he’ll agree to the marriage so soon” Jue Hai said, referring to the man who’s going to married her.

“Even if he doesn’t agree, the Yan Emperor has already promised you a marriage. If they go back on their words, I swear I’ll torture him; make him kowtow at your feet and apologize”

“Brother” Jue Hai reach for his left hand as he stops pushing, “you’ll scare away the suitor if you speak like that. And then I won’t be able to ever marry”

“Sorry, I was speaking nonsense” Jian Long quickly got in front of her and on his knees.

“Get up! No man kneels in front of a woman!” Jue Hai said, furious.

“I know! But-”

“If you’re going to speak, at least stand up” she interrupts. Jian Long obeys and stood.

“I know Imperial Father planned to use Xiao Fei to replace me. I also know that I’m not actually marrying him. Since I’m not the one to kowtow in front of my father and have the heaven be my proof; this marriage is only a fake”

“Imperial Father is only trying to help you from getting embarrassed”

“Is he trying to help me or try to help himself?! Using Xiao Fei to replace me, he’s only afraid that others will laugh that he has a disabled daughter who can’t even marry!”

“Jue Hai”

“Enough. I know what you’ll be saying, but I don’t want to hear it” Jue Hai ignore his eye contact. Jian Long sighs and signals for her maid to take her to her room, so that she can prepare for the wedding.