Zhiruo

Zhiruo peeked behind her as she unpacked her things, a small smile spreading over her face as she saw Prince Yixing watching her. The prince sat lounging against the table in the middle of the tent, one fist propped under his chin as he watched her unpack. That was the position he had been in since Zhiruo had begun unpacking, his warm gaze following her closely as she moved about the tent. Zhiru laughed softly as she turned again to see that his gaze hadn’t wavered for a single moment.

“Your Highness, you are going to drill holes in my back if you continue watching like that.” She chided. Prince Yixing chuckled and shook his head.

“That would never happen.” He replied, “My gaze for you is only as warm as the summer sun. It would never hurt you.” Zhiruo laughed at his choice of words.

“How conceited.” She teased softly, “I’ve never heard someone describe the strength of their own gaze before, Your Highness. Usually, that task is left to someone else.” She squeaked in surprise as strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her snugly against a broad chest.

“You’ve gotten impertinent, Shangguan Zhiruo. You dare to criticize me openly now.” Prince Yixing’s voice behind her sent a shiver down Zhiruo’s back, her heart pounding at the soft breeze his voice blew against her ear. The prince reached down and pulled the box of medicine Zhiruo was holding away from her fingers.

“I’m going to have to punish you.” He murmured teasingly as he turned her around.

“How does Your Highness intend to punish me?” Zhiruo queried smoothly, feeling amused. Prince Yixing smirked.

“That is simple.” He replied, “I will cover your lips and prevent you from talking bad about me.” Prince Yixing tilted Zhiruo’s head up slightly with a light tap to her chin, and Zhiruo’s heart raced in her chest as the prince kissed her deeply.

“Are you sure that is a punishment?” Zhiruo breathed softly as the prince pulled away ever so slightly. The prince’s soft laughter vibrated in his chest below her fingers.

“It is if I say it is.” He replied. Zhiruo smirked, a playful grin playing across her lips.

“Then, I suppose I should say more impertinent things.” She replied cheekily. Prince Yixing stared at her in surprise for a moment before laughing.

“Shangguan Zhiruo, you always continue to surprise me with your witty tongue.” He said with a smile before pulling her in for another kiss. Zhiruo felt her chest swell with love for the prince as she carefully cupped her hands against Prince Yixing’s cheeks.

“Your Highness.” She said breathlessly as the kiss ended, “Neither of us will ever get anything done if this keeps going.” Prince Yixing smiled and turned her around to face her belongings again.

“That will not do.” He replied, “I suppose you will have to get back to work.” Zhiruo peeked down at the prince’s arms looped around her waist, her cheeks turning slightly pink as the prince rested his chin on her shoulder.

“Your Highness, I will never get things done if you are holding me!” She protested. Prince Yixing shook his head.

“We can’t be apart.” He insisted, “We have now been stuck permanently together by some unknown spiritual force. Even if I wanted to let go, I cannot.” Zhiruo’s cheeks flushed hot as she slapped his hands lightly.

“Your Highness!” She protested, ducking her head in embarrassment. Prince Yixing sighed softly.

“Just let me hold you for a little longer.” He conceded, “We have been separated for too long.”

“Your Highness has been keeping track?” Zhiruo asked curiously, her finger hovering over another packet of medicine.

“It’s been nine months, one week, and nine hours.” Prince Yixing replied smoothly, “Ever night, I counted how many days we had been apart.” Zhiruo thought carefully over the time they had been separated, and her eyes widened as she realized the prince was right. She turned and stared at Prince Yixing.

“Your Highness…” She said softly, touched by the detailed mental record he had been keeping. Prince Yixing smiled softly and cupped her cheek in his palm.

“Perhaps you weren’t keeping track.” He said, “But for me, every day felt like a week, every week felt like a month, and nine months felt like eternity.” Prince Yixing reached down, took her hand, and pressed a kiss to her fingers.

“That is why, I will never let you leave me again.” He swore softly, “I want you to stay with me forever.” Zhiruo smiled, her eyes filling with touched tears.

“Who would have expected the great Prince of Lanling to become such a devoted lover off the battlefield?” She mused softly. Prince Yixing chuckled and pulled her into a hug.

“Only for you, Ruo’er.” He said, “You are the only one who will get to see this side of me.” Zhiruo sighed and rested her head against Prince Yixing’s chest. His heart beat loudly in her ears as she closed her eyes, the steady sound soothing the worries she had come with.

“I will never leave you again, Your Highness.” She promised, “I will stay by your side throughout eternity.” Prince Yixing smiled and ruffled her hair gently.

“I would be grateful for that.” He replied, “But Ruo’er, why are you still using my title? I told you to call me by name!” Zhiruo peeked up at him shyly.

“Because no matter what our relationship is, you are still royalty and I am not.” She replied, “As your subject, it is only proper that I keep at least the minimal formalities.” Prince Yixing huffed and leveled his gaze directly at her.

“Call me Yixing.” He ordered, “That is a royal command from your superior.” Zhiruo’s eyes widened, and she ducked her head shyly as she realized she couldn’t refuse.

“Prince Yixing.” She said after a few moments of hesitating. Prince Yixing sighed.

“Not prince!” He said firmly, “Just ‘Yixing’!” Zhiruo’s cheeks blushed in embarrassment as she rolled the name around for a few moments before attempting to say it. Still, the name seemed to stick in , her voice refusing to do its job towards the simple two characters.

“I cannot!” Zhiruo whined with a pout. Prince Yixing chuckled and placed both hands on her cheeks. Zhiruo squeaked as he leaned in close again.

“Yi. Xing.” The prince said firmly, punctuating the blank after each syllable with a firm kiss to her lips, “Zhang. Yi. Xing.” Each kiss left Zhiruo breathless, her heart pounding in her ears at the prince’s touch. Her head spun with the rush of unfamiliar emotions running through her, and she took a deep breath to steady herself before trying again.

“Yi...Yixing.” She said at last, her hands clenching tightly together in front of her. An amused laugh escaped from the prince’s lips as he patted her on the head.

“That’s more like it.” Prince Yixing said, “Remember to use it from now on.”

“Yes, Sir.” Zhiruo mumbled. The prince shot her a warning look as she put another honorific into her sentence again, and Zhiruo cleared quickly.

“Yes, Yixing.” She corrected. The prince hummed in approval and returned to his seat by the tea table. Zhiruo hesitated for a moment before smiling teasingly.

“Yixing.” She called softly, the sound of his name on her tongue setting a flutter through her heart, “I thought you said we were bound by some magical force.” Prince Yixing stared at her for a moment, then chuckled in amusement.

“You’re being so forward.” He commented as he rose from his seat and looped his arms around her waist again, “But I like it. You should be like this more often.”

Zhiruo’s cheeks were flushed red as she resumed laying out her things on the table.

“I will contemplate it.” She replied softly. Her heart pounded from embarrassment, and Zhiruo wasn’t quite sure what had possessed her to say what she had. If anyone else had heard her, they would have been appalled! Still, a small smile creeped up her cheeks as she leaned back slightly into Prince Yixing’s embrace. The warmth of the prince’s kiss was still fresh on her lips, the love she had felt for him growing stronger with just a single thought about him. The prince didn’t like to leave her alone, liked to , and sometimes was pretty overbearing. But at the same time, he was devoted, caring, and sincere, and Zhiruo knew that she hadn’t made the wrong choice to reciprocate his feelings.

If Prince Yixing is willing to accept all that I am, then it is only right that I do the same.

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The next day

Zhiruo carefully packed bottles of medicine into her medical chest and shut the lid softly. She peeked behind her carefully at Yixing’s sleeping figure, and smiled in relief when she saw that her early morning movements hadn’t woken him up. Normally, it would seem improper for her to be sharing a tent with him, and Zhiruo had noted as much the night before. But the prince had been insistent on keeping her within his eyesight, and setting up a separate tent for her would not allow for that. In the end, Zhiruo had found herself unable to refuse, and settled for a compromise to sleep on the small sofa in the corner of the prince’s tent.

“Where are you going?” Zhiruo stopped midstep as Yixing’s voice reached her ears. She swallowed hard and turned to see the prince sit up in bed, completely awake.

“Did I wake you?” She asked apologetically. Yixing smiled faintly and shook his head as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

“Come here.” He said softly, holding out a hand to her. Zhiruo lowered her medical chest to the floor and walked over to his side. Yixing gazed up at her lovingly for a moment before pulling her down to his lap.

“I am a military man, Ruo’er.” He reminded, “I’m always aware of my surroundings, even when I’m asleep.” He squeezed her hand lightly.

“Now tell me.” He said, “Where are you going so early in the morning?” Zhiruo smiled and carefully pushed away tangled strands of hair from the prince’s handsome face.

“I’m going to investigate the city.” She replied, “I cannot treat the plague if I do not fully understand the situation, and it’s been so many years since a physician directly treated an outbreak that available records are sparse.” Yixing frowned, his grip tightening protectively on her hand.

“I’m going with you.” He said. Zhiruo shook her head.

“Your Highness, dengue fever is no small matter.” She replied, “I cannot risk you catching the plague.”

“I’m going with you.” Yixing repeated, his tone leaving no room for negotiation, “Why did you think I never asked you to come while I asked the other royal physicians? It is not safe for you to be here, and now that you’re here, I will not allow you to face danger alone.” Zhiruo sighed softly.

“Highness…” She said quietly, and Yixing smiled softly as he cupped her cheek in his palm.

“I understand why you’re worried.” He said, “But I am strong. I don’t believe I will catch the plague that easily. And if I really do happen to catch it, I have the best physician in the country by my side.” Zhiruo slapped him lightly on the chest.

“Do not even joke about that!” She warned, “It’s not funny!” Yixing chuckled and pressed a soft kiss to her hand.

“Alright, I won’t.” He promise, “But I am still coming with you into the city.” Zhiruo gazed at the prince’s firm gaze, and knew that she had no room to protest any further. The prince was a military man after all, and it would be difficult to convince him to do anything besides what his mind had already settled on.

“Alright.” She gave in.

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Outskirts of Pingyang

A little while later, Zhiruo stood on the bank of the river outside Pingyang City, lost in thought. Her mind raced with images of what she had seen in the city, just the thought making her heart ache. The once bustling city had all but become a ghost town, with doors to homes tightly shut and businesses shut down indefinitely. People had begged Zhiruo and Yixing for money as they passed by, and although it had been difficult, Zhiruo had forced herself to refuse even as she examined the signs of dengue fever on their bodies. She had some money with her, but it wasn’t like she could help all of them. The only way to help was to solve the plague first. At the moment though, Zhiruo’s mind was drawing a blank on even where to start. The few records she had managed to find and bring with her documented a little about how to diagnose the disease, but many of the named herbs that were supposed to help were nowhere to be found here. Zhiruo thought about asking the king to send her some, but a message there and traveling back, if anyone was willing to bring the medicine to her and if the king decided to approve her request, would take far too long. The entire city would e dead from the plague before that happened. Zhiruo could only look for herbs with similar properties as the listed ones and start experimenting from there. And then there was the question of how to know the medicine worked on humans...she was sure she could ask someone in the city to try it, but if it didn’t work...Zhiruo groaned. Having someone die on her hands from an experiment was definitely not something she wanted. At the same time, Zhiruo didn’t even know where the disease came from. All historical records only showed that it appeared and disappeared during summer seasons, leaving great destruction in its wake.

Maybe I shouldn’t have been so rash and made such a bold promise.

A pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind, and Zhiruo sighed softly as Yixing’s soft voice spoke in her ear.

“You look trouble, my love.” He murmured softly.

“I...just don’t know where to start.” Zhiruo admitted, “I promised the king I would bet my life and safety on treating this plague, but…”

I’m afraid I can’t do it.

The unspoken fear hung in the air between the two lovers, and Yixing smiled softly as he brushed hair away from Zhiruo’s face.

“You can do it.” He said soothingly, “You are the most talented physician in the country.” He squeezed her hand gently.

“And I will be with you every step of the way.” Yixing promised. Zhiruo sighed softly and leaned her head against his chest.

“Thank you, Yixing.” She murmured.

___________________________________________________________________________

One week later

Zhiruo groaned as she looked down at the light brown liquid in her hand and shook her head.

“No, that wasn’t the right combination of herbs.” She mused as she pushed the bowl away from her. Zhiruo had spent the past week testing combinations of different herbs similar to the books she had read, but so far things had been far from smooth.

“Ruo’er.” Zhiruo looked up at the sound of Yixing’s voice and smiled faintly at the sight of the prince.

“How was discussing military tactics?” She asked. Yixing sighed and shook his head.

“The conclusion still hasn’t changed.” He said, “The only option is to go through Pingyang. How are things looking with you?” Zhiruo shook her head and poked ruefully at the bowl of rejected medicine.

“Things don’t look right yet.” She replied. Yixing stepped over to her side and pressed a slight kiss against her cheek.

“You look tired, Ruo’er.” He noted, “You should get some rest.” Zhiruo shook her head and picked up a honeysuckle from a small pile on her table.

“There isn’t time.” She replied, “I have to keep trying, or else the entire city will die.” As she placed the flower back onto the table, her gaze happened to fall onto Yixing’s hand.

“Did you get bitten by a bug?” She asked, noting the small red welt on his thumb. Yixing looked down, his eyes following her gaze.

“It seems like I did.” He agreed, “That is no surprise when you’re in a military camp.” Zhiruo patted his hand lightly.

“I’ll go get you some ointment.” She said. Yixing smiled and kissed her softly.

“You’re the best.” He replied. As Zhiruo stepped away from the table of herbs and rummaged around one of the cabinets, she heard a soft cough from behind her.

“Yixing?” She said, turning her head to see the prince cough again behind her, “Is something wrong?” Yixing cleared his throat and shook his head.

“I’m fine.” He said, “I just breathed in some dust by accident.”

“Are you sure?” Zhiruo said suspiciously. Yixing smiled and nodded.

“Positive.” He replied. Zhiruo pulled the proper ointment out from the cabinet and handed it to the prince.

“Put it on once a night.” She said. Yixing smiled and nodded.

“I’ll leave you to your experimenting.” He said. Zhiruo nodded and waved as the prince left. As the prince’s figure disappeared through the tent flaps however, Zhiruo couldn’t help but think back to his sudden cough. It wasn’t the first time she had heard him coughing recently, although she hadn’t thought too much about it until now. The camp was fairly clean, as far as military barracks went; it was unlikely that there was enough dust to make him cough. Zhiruo sighed and shook her head.

Perhaps I am just overreacting.

Stil, as Zhiruo returned to examining the herbs on the table, she couldn’t help but feel unease grow in her heart.

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Author's note: Some fluff for everyone~