The palace was unusually quiet that evening. Xiao Zhi walked with a stack of scrolls in her arms. Today's lessons had drained every last drop of energy from her, and now she had to memorise codes of conduct, rules of etiquette, and every ridiculous detail on "how to be a proper Princess of Tughril."
"It's going to be a long night," she sighed. "A horribly long night."
As she almost reached her quarters, suddenly a soft but cunning voice stopped her in her tracks.
In front of her stood two ladies, their faces too familiar. They were among Kabil's concubines. Their smiles were sweet… too sweet.
"Princess Lian Zhi?"
One of them approached, bowing just a little too politely.
"We have been instructed to teach you something important," she murmured, a hint of teasing flickering in her eyes. "A private lesson regarding marriage customs. For your wedding night."
Xiao Zhi blinked. Another lesson? Didn't she just get back from a full day of lessons?
"Marriage customs?" Xiao Zhi repeated, frowning. "I just got back from a lesson. Lady Sura didn't mention this to me."
The other concubine giggled behind her sleeve. "Of course. The Dowager said it is better taught discreetly. We did not wish to embarrass you in front of the other palace ladies… or a lowly attendant like Lady Sura."
Her face warmed. That sounded… possible. And yet something about their smiles prickled her skin.
Still, refusing a lesson given "by order of the Dowager" would be rude, and perhaps even unwise.
"Just a short lesson," the first concubine coaxed. "We know you're nervous about married life. Let us help you prepare." She started to grab Xiao Zhi by her arm and slowly took her down the corridor. One of her hands tossed away the scrolls that were on Xiao Zhi's arm. "We won't be needing this."
"B-But..."
Xiao Zhi hesitated at first.
"…Very well. Lead the way." She didn't want to read those scrolls anyway.
The concubines exchanged a glance. A hint of a triumphant smile tugged on their lips.
They guided her down a narrow passage rarely used at night. The light grew dimmer, and the air thickened the farther they went. Each echo of her footsteps made her stomach tighten.
They stopped before an old wooden door.
"Inside, Princess," one murmured, gesturing for Xiao Zhi to enter the room. "Consider this lesson… a woman's secret."
Xiao Zhi hesitated. Something seemed wrong. She felt it crawling over her skin, but she forced herself to step in.
The moment her foot crossed the threshold, the door slammed shut behind her.
She spun around.
The concubines were gone.
The room was small, windowless, lit only by a single flickering lamp. Her heart hammered.
"This isn't right… This isn't a lesson," she muttered under her breath.
"This is like a scene from a horror movie. There's going to be a ghost coming out of nowhere, isn't it?"
Before Xiao Zhi could even process further, a cold laugh echoed from the other side of the door.
"So naive. The Grand Prince protects you, yet you truly believed everyone wished you well?"
They laughed again. Her throat tightened.
They tricked her.
"Damn it!" she cursed, voice shaking as she ran to the door. "Open! Someone, help!"
She tried to open the door, but it was locked. Her fists pounded against the wood, but no one answered. The laughter then faded… then suddenly a figure appeared from the darkness.
No, there were more. Two… three… maybe more.
Broad-shouldered, rough-looking Tughril men.
Xiao Zhi stumbled back, her pulse racing. "Who—who are you? What do you want?"
"To show you your place, little Hua girl," a man hissed. "You don't deserve to be our princess."
A hand shot out, gripping her and trying to overpower her.
She gasped. She tried to push them away, but they were too strong. Tears started rolling down her cheeks.
She became desperate. She started screaming and crying, but the men kept holding her close.
Then, just before the darkness swallowed her, a blur of movement cut between them.
"Step away from her!"
In the next instant, a dark figure shot forward, moving faster than her eyes could follow. He grabbed one of the men and threw him aside effortlessly. Another lunged, but the figure twisted, knocking him to the floor.
Suddenly, a hand gripped her from behind. She froze, expecting another attacker.
"Shh… It's me," the figure whispered.
He lifted his face cover just enough to reveal a familiar face.
Ruhan.
Relief crashed over her so hard her legs nearly gave out.
He tightened his grip gently, steadying her. "Come, we have to go," he whispered urgently.
Xiao Zhi looked back one last time at the fight. The first man was still battling four huge, barbaric men.
Ruhan noticed her hesitation.
"He'll be fine. We must move."
He pulled her through a side passage, running with her until her breath burned.
When they finally reached somewhere safe, Xiao Zhi was almost out of breath.
"Ruhan… wait…" she panted. "I can't… I can't run anymore…"
He slowed instantly. His hands came to her shoulders, steadying her.
"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"
Xiao Zhi shook her head. "I'm okay."
"Good…" he murmured, almost to himself.
Xiao Zhi swallowed. "What were you doing there? How did you know I was in trouble? And… who was that man?"
"That was Arkan," Ruhan said. "The Khan's personal warrior. I saw the concubines approaching you and followed. When I realized you were in danger, I asked Arkan to help."
She glanced at his cloak. "And why are you dressed like that? You look like a bandit."
He managed a breathless, exhausted smile. "Those attackers were the concubines' men. If they recognized me… I wouldn't leave that room alive. I had to hide my identity. You understand, don't you?"
Xiao Zhi nodded. She understood now how little freedom he had in the palace. Ruhan's life would be in danger if anyone knew he helped her.
"Thank you... for saving me," she whispered.
Ruhan smiled and straightened up. "Come, let me take you back to your room."
Ruhan escorted her back to her room, staying until he was absolutely sure she was safe. Only when she reassured him again and again did he finally leave.
But Xiao Zhi could not sleep that night.
She kept shaking, replaying what happened. Another detail she did not read in the original story. Another unpredictable danger. Another reminder that there was no peace for her in Tughril.
Even though Kabil wasn't the monster the book had promised.
Even though Ruhan was there, always protecting her.
Danger was still coming.
She sighed softly.
"I really need to get out of here…"