The first thing Ruyi became aware of was the brightness coming from the unfamiliar windows. Her head throbbed, a dull pain at the base of her neck.
Where am I?
Her memories came back instantly.
The attack in the forest.
Her heart began to race as she remembered the bodies on the muddy floor.
Hua…
She pushed herself up on her elbows. Her clothes… someone had changed them.
Did they?
What do they want with me?
Ruyi raised her pale-gray skirt and found her acupuncture needles were still strapped to her thigh. They didn't take them thankfully.
She needed to find a way out of wherever this place was.
The sound of footsteps approaching made her freeze.
Her eyes scanned the room for anything that shared resemblance to a weapon, something she could use to protect herself or threaten her attacker.
Her hands went up to her disheveled hair and removed the jade hairpin that was thankfully still there.
She would have hated herself if she lost it in the struggle. It was her mother's.
With trembling fingers, she pulled it free and positioned herself behind the door, her heart hammering in her chest loudly.
The door creaked open slowly.
Ruyi held her breath, waiting as the figure stepped fully into the room.
In one fluid motion, she wrapped her arm around the person's neck, and pressed the tip of the hairpin into their throat.
"Don't move," she whispered.
The person in her grasp was smaller than she was, a moan.
A wooden tray tilted dangerously in the woman's shaking hands, its content threatening to spill.
"Ugghh," the woman groaned, her voice barely audible.
"Third Miss, let go of her."
The male came in through the doorway, his hands in front of him and voice calm despite the situation at hand.
"Who are you, and how do you know me?" She demanded, studying the man's face.
There was something familiar about his face…
"You!" The word escaped her lips.
The gardener.
Her stomach dropped.
She was usually very careful not to let spies into her courtyard. Living in the Cai mansion required constantly being on guard.
How could she make such a stupid mistake?
Her voice rose with each word, fear and anger building in her.
"Who sent you? Was it Madam Shen? Who? Answer me!"
The man raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, his voice still steady.
"I rescued you, Third Miss. If I wanted to kill you, you would not be alive. And I would not have treated your wounds."
…Well. He had a point.
She glanced down at herself. Her injuries looked treated and wrapped. Coupled with the tray of food in the hands of her hostage.
"Can you let go of her now, Third Miss?" He asked gently.
Ruyi's hand dropped from the woman's throat, though she continued shaking.
The moment she was free, the frightened woman dropped the tray with a crash and fled the room.
The man gestured toward the bed.
"Please, sit."
Then, he crouched to tidy up the spilled food and dishes.
Pushing the pin back into her hair, Ruyi lowered herself onto the bed, her legs suddenly unable to support her.
The adrenaline from earlier had worn off.
Heat flooded Ruyi's cheeks as embarrassment washed over her.
She covered her face with her hands.
What have I done? I threatened an innocent person… I… I…
When she finally looked up, her voice was barely a whisper.
"Where am I?"
"Yunxi Village. About five li from the capital," he replied, careful to maintain a respectful distance. "Returning you was too risky, and the forest was filled with Prince Gao's men."
"Prince Gao?" The name hit her. "How did he…"
I know I refused him. But to stoop this low…?
She didn't know the man well enough, but…
Again, this was just a speculation. It might have been Madam Shen.
"I received orders from Liu Jiangjun," the man replied solemnly. "And his order was to watch and protect you no matter what."
"Liu Jiangjun?" she repeated.
"Yes."
Ruyi stared at him, her mind drawing numerous conclusions.
If General Liu kept someone to protect her, what did that mean? Was it because of her brother?
Or…
The man adjusted the tray in his hand. "I will make preparations for your return. Liu Jiangjun and Commander Cai need to know…"
"No," Ruyi's voice interrupted him. "You mustn't tell Jiangjun or my brother about this."
The guard hesitated, his brow furrowing in confusion. "But Third Miss…"
"No one can know," Her tone was firm. "Not until I know who is truly after my life."
She couldn't afford to be in the light while her enemy pulled strings in the dark.
The guard's brows furrowed, conflicted.
"I was ordered…"
"If Ge' knows, he'll leave everything and come for me. And the culprit will never be found."
Her throat tightened. "He cannot be distracted. Not now."
She could see how conflicted he became at this order. He had been given strict instructions to protect the young miss no matter what.
If this was a way to protect her, then he had to follow instructions.
The guard bowed deeply.
"…As you command, Third Miss."
"May I ask your name?" Ruyi asked.
"Zhaoyun, Third Miss." He replied with a bow.
"Thank you, Zhaoyun. For saving my life."
His response came without hesitation. "It is my duty, Third Miss. I will bring you another plate of food."
Without another word, he left the room with the tray in hand.
Ruyi found herself alone once more, but this time the silence was different.
No matter how she tried to look at it, she couldn't see how her death would benefit anyone at this time.
Only if the plan wasn't to actually kill her but to take her. That would mean the deaths of the others was to cover their tracks.
Her thoughts diverted slightly.
Hua…
Was she alive? Or…
Ruyi swallowed hard. She needed information and also to send a message.
Someone knew that she was going to visit her ancestral home, an information that was only known to the people living in the manor.
The soft sound of an opening door interrupted her.
Ruyi turned to see the woman from earlier, carrying a fresh tray of food.
Her movements were careful, but her hands still visibly trembling.
"Please, let me help you," Ruyi said, moving to take the tray from the woman.
But her sudden movement startled the woman, causing her to almost drop the tray again.
"I'm so sorry," Ruyi said, setting the tray on the side table. "I apologize for my actions earlier. I was just worried and scared. I shouldn't have done that to you."
The woman shook her head and bowed deeply, her shoulders still tense.
"Were you the one who tended to my wounds?" Ruyi inquired gently.
The woman nodded.
A small smile crossed Ruyi's lips. "Thank you. And this dress, it must be yours. You must have been the one to change me because I doubt Zhaoyun had the heart to do it."
She ran her palm down the length of her skirt. The linen was frayed at the edge from countless washing.
The woman shook her head as if to say 'it was nothing', but Ruyi could see the faint flush on her cheeks.
"What is your name?" Ruyi asked.
The woman opened and closed her mouth as if to speak, frustration across her face. She looked around the room helplessly until they settled on the tray.
She set her finger on its surface and began to trace characters one by one.
All the while, Ruyi watched each stroke carefully.
Mei 美 in beauty, Yun 云 in Cloud
"Meiyun," She said out loud.
The woman pointed to the tray, then to herself.
The realization hit Ruyi. "You can't speak," she said almost as a whisper.
Meiyun's smile faded slightly, but she nodded again.
She nudged the tray closer to Ruyi while pointing to the food and then to her own lips.
Ruyi repeated the gestures while saying.
"Eat. Thank you"
Ruyi picked up the bowl of soup and stared at it. She looked up at Meiyun who had an expectant look on her face.
Ruyi hesitated and dropped the bowl.
She then fetched the needles that were tied around her thigh. She brought one out and dipped it into the soup.
Meiyun blinked, startled, but couldn't question it.
When the needle came out clear, she picked the bowl back up and with a spoon, she took a taste of the soup.
"It's good." Ruyi said honestly. "Thank you Yun'er"
A spark lit Meiyun's face, a soft smile.
She bowed her head shyly, fingers knotting in her apron, the fear from earlier finally loosening around her shoulders.
***********************
A polished oak wood table stood in the center of the room, scattered with wine cups and half eaten dishes.
Gathered around Grand Minister Xu, Minister of Revenue in his private room in Xiao-Xiao house were Censor Chief Qu, Minister Wen of Works, and two younger lords, all aligned with the Queen's cabinet.
A guard stepped in and bowed low beside Minister Xu. "My Lord. Commander Cai is leaving for Qinghu."
Minister Xu set his cup down slowly. "Qinghu?"
The guard continued. "There have been reports of flooding in the surrounding areas. He is leading a team to provide relief."
Minister Xu's eyes slid to the other man. "Minister Wen?"
Minister Wen replied. "My Lord, be rest assured. I have my men monitoring him. There is no cause for worry. Commander Cai will see only what we allow him to."
Minister Xu spoke. "Minister Wen, there better not be any mistakes. You know what Her Majesty expects."
He waved his hand at his guard to leave them.
The guard bowed and withdrew.
Minister Wen bowed his head. "Yes."
One of the young Lords leaned back with a short laugh. "The Marquis of Yong'an is the root of all this chaos. If he hadn't been too greedy with the winter grain support, we wouldn't be putting out fires like this."
Minister Wen shook his head. "If he wasn't tied to Her Majesty's family, his entire household would have disappeared for that act. His stupidity is the only reason this has reached court."
The other young Lord exhaled and said with a dry laugh.
"Even a rotting tree holds up the temple roof when it is carved like royal wood."
Minister Xu gave him a warning glance. "Careful, Lord Ming."
Lord Ming bowed his head. "Of course, of course."
Minister Peng leaned forward, pouring a drink into Minister Liang's empty cup.
"How is the audit?"
Censorate Qu waved a hand. "His Majesty believes he can tug at one string and the whole robe will come undone." He scoffed. "This is a losing game. He doesn't know it yet."
Minister Xu just takes a sip of wine.
"No," he said finally, "but he will."
He smirked darkly. "There are layers beneath Qinghu. Layers he cannot imagine."
Minister Wen's voice dropped. "Commander Cai is just a young soldier, who has spent too much time in the North. His Majesty thinks he can use a boy against these things…"
*********************
The main hall was tense and echoed the approaching steps.
Two male servants dragged the girl by the shoulder before dropping to the ground.
Hua, pale and trembling, landed on her knees at the center of the room, her head bowed.
Her hair and clothes were in disarray, and a faint bruise darkened the back of her neck where she had been struck.
Minister Cai stood with his hands at his back, clenching his fist. Madam Shen sat to his right, hand folded in her lap.
His voice boomed. "Where is Ruyi?"
The suddenness sent a visible shiver down Hua's spine, breaking her from her zoned-out state.
Hua's voice shook.
"My Lord, we…we were on the road to the ancestral home. Then…then…" Her hands trembled as she pressed them to the floor. "We were attacked… I tried to shield the Young Miss…but I was struck. When I woke up… there was no one…"
Minister Cai's jaw tightened.
Madam Shen let out a soft sigh.
"It is strange, isn't it?" She said gently. "Everyone dead… except for her."
Hua flinched. "I…I don't know why I survived, My Lord. I swear I don't know anything…"
Madam Shen turned her gaze to Minister Cai.
"But, the path where the attack happened does not lead to the ancestral home. Perhaps, Hua knows more than she dares to say. After all, a weak maid like her survived while trained guards perished? Unlikely.."
Murmurs began to stir among the servants.
Hua shook her head frantically, her voice breaking.
"No, no, I would never harm Young Miss. Young Miss saved my life. I would never…"
"Why did the attack happen on that road? Why did the route change?"
Hua hesitated to answer.
Madam Shen tilted her head slightly.
"Perhaps she aided the attack…or knows where the Third Miss has gone."
Minister Cai's face darkened.
"Enough. If she will not speak, the Ministry of Justice will make her speak."
Hua's knees buckled as two guards stepped forward.
"No! Please, My Lord! I don't know where…"
But the guards seized her under the arms, dragging her towards the doors. Her desperate cries echoed down the corridor.
"No! Please! My Lord!…"
Madam Shen hid the smile on her face.
Hua had been a hindrance to many of her plans, shielding Ruyi. Now, whether Ruyi was dead or alive, she had succeeded in removing Ruyi's main support.
She quickly schooled her expression into sorrow.
Ruyi must be found. Ruxin's marriage depends entirely on that girl marrying His Highness. When the marriage is sealed, she can die. But until then…
********************
As Hua was shocked back to consciousness as cold water slammed into her face
She gasped awake, choking on air, the room swimming into focus.
The last image that flickered into her mind was that of one maid; eye wide with shock, hand flying to her lips before she turned the corner and ran.
She didn't know if she would live long enough for it to matter.
Am I going to die here?
Hua's legs buckled, her wrist and ankles chained to either side of the transverse wooden cross at the center of the room.
A man sat on a low bench in front of her, eyes closed but the rhythmic tapping of his finger against his temple was enough to make her stomach twist.
She never knew that the rumors she had heard would one day happen to her.
He was in a black uniform that she had seen the young master wear when he was out of his armor.
Beside him stood two officers, one with a bamboo rod while the other had his hands behind him.
Hua's eyes went wide. "C-Commander Liang! I swear I didn't do anything! I would never harm the young…"
"Silence."
He didn't raise his voice, open his eyes or change his posture.
"Where is she?"
Hua sobbed, her head trembling against the wood.
"I don't know! Please believe me! I…I was struck and when I woke up… she was gone… please you have to believe me…"
"Enough!"
Without opening his eyes, he flicked two fingers towards the officer with the bamboo.
"No! Please, I don't know where she is!"
Hua's voice cracked as the first officer dipped the bamboo into water.
Liang Tian pressed his thumb harder against his temple as the first strike cracked across Hua's back and echoed in the room.
He knew the maid was hiding something and he would pry it out of her by force. If Ruyi was dead, she would have to join her.
Hua cried harder, barely able to form words, her tears mixing with blood and sweat.
But she kept saying the same thing:
"I…don't…know…"
Liang Tian finally opened his eyes.
Cold. Flat. Dangerous.
To him, a single truth sat above all else: The Third Miss is missing.
And someone in this room knows why.
If Hua was innocent…she would survive the interrogation.
If not…Her life would end here.
***********************
Without Hua around, she had to learn to do things for herself. Anytime the thought of her maid came to mind, sadness fell on her.
Yun'er had tried to help, lending her some of her clothes, showing her how to carry water and sweep floors.
The two had quickly found a comfortable way of communicating with each other.
Ruyi couldn't bring herself to rely on their goodness, so she helped in any way she could despite her injuries.
She kept to herself as much as possible, spending long hours in the small room that Zhaoyun had secured for her.
The isolation was familiar.
Since she had no means of communicating with the capital, she could only assume the state of things back home.
Were they still searching for her or presumed her dead?
On the second evening, she sat at the small, rough wooden table, a single candle casting light.
Her hair, half-pinned and half-loose, brushed the back of her neck.
In her left hand, she held a brush and coated it with ink, while her right hand tapped repeatedly on the table.
Then with careful strokes, she wrote out a list of herbs.
While the ink dried, she picked up her jade hairpin and brought forward a small vial of clear liquid.
With her left hand, she scribbled at the bottom of the letter.
"News. Hua. Commander Cai. Attack."
She rolled the paper into a tiny scroll and secured it with thread.
The next morning, she was in the small backyard kitchen with Mei Hua making breakfast.
Mei Hua tapped her and pointed at the man walking towards them.
"Third Miss." He bowed his head as he set down the firewood. "A'Yun"
Meiyun smiled at him in response. Ruyi quickly wiped her hand on the side of her dress before holding her open palm to Mei as if to say, I'll be right back.
She called out to him. "Zhaoyun."
Ruyi gestured forward to the corner of the house, away from sight. He dusted his hands on his pants and followed her, keeping his distance.
"Third Miss."
"I took Yun'er's pulse earlier. I think I can help her talk again."
The night before, while helping Yun'er prepare tea, Ruyi had casually checked her pulse under the pretense of examining a cut on her wrist.
"Third Miss, are you sure?"
His eyes widened, despite being a bit skeptical.
"Her tongue is not damaged, the pathway to her speech is blocked. With acupuncture and medicine, she should recover."
"I would do anything. Please help my sister, Third Miss."
"I need you to go to the capital," she said, holding out the folded paper. "There is a pharmacy on Lotus Street. Give them this list and tell them that it is from Master San."
"Third Miss…" Zhaoyun took the paper.
She assured him. "Don't worry. Master San owes me a little favor."
Convinced, Zhaoyun nodded, tucking the paper inside his robe.
The day crawled by slowly.
To keep her thoughts from spiraling, Ruyi busied herself with doing all sorts of mundane tasks around the small house.
When night fell, she finally heard a knock on her door.
Zhaoyun entered, a cloth bundle tucked under his arm and a sealed packet in his hand.
"Here it is." He said, offering them to her.
Ruyi's mind wandered as she took the packet. Inside the bundles were the herbs she had requested. But it was the sealed prescription letter that made her heart beat.
"Thank you," She managed to say.
He bowed and left.
Alone, Ruyi carefully opened the prescription letter.
To any one else, it appeared to be one sheet showing the dosage and preparation methods for the herbs but it was two.
The second sheet was pasted to the back of the first.
Ruyi slowly and carefully separated the two pages.
"Hua arrested. Locked and tortured in Ministry of Justice Prison. Commander Cai in Qinghu for flood relief. No information on attack yet."
The paper slipped from her hands, falling to the ground. Ruyi sank into the bed under her.
Hua. She was alive but…
Ruyi picked up the letter and held it over the flame until it caught fire.
She tried her best to muffle her sounds with her hands as tears dropped uncontrollably down her face.
The thought of Hua being tortured because of her made was almost unbearable.
Why must everyone suffer because of me?
Her mother. The Imperial Consort.
Hua…
At least Wen'ge was still oblivious about this situation. Shiqing must have met with her brother if he was in Qinghu. All the more reason for him to not know.
First things first, she needed to get Hua out of prison.
Crying wouldn't solve anything. Hua isn't dead yet. Hope wasn't lost.
Ruyi picked up her brush and ink.
She needed to send a letter. Tonight.
**************************
In the middle of the cell, Hua lay crumpled on the cross, her breathing shallow. Hours of interrogation had taken their toll on her.
Her wrist was raw from where the iron had rubbed her skin. Her face bore purple bruises, her lips cracked and her clothes stained with blood and dried sweat from being whipped.
She drifted in and out of consciousness.
In her haze, she could hear her young miss calling her name.
The sounds of footsteps barely registered in her consciousness. She had given up bracing herself for the next round of torture.
The stranger produced a small flask and gripped her jaw, forcing her mouth open.
Hua's instinct kicked in as she tried to pull herself out of their grasp.
The person poured the liquid into her mouth while she tried to spit it out but a hand clamped over her mouth, forcing her to swallow it.
She felt the liquid burn down her throat and her heart began to race, then it slowed down.
Hua could feel her body get heavier by the minute.
Her vision blurred. The figure turned and slipped out of the cell.
Maybe this was her end.
With the last silver of consciousness, Hua whispered in her mind:
"Young Miss… forgive me…"
And everything went dark.
Commander Liang was in his office reviewing the interrogation reports, growing increasingly frustrated with the progress, when he received the news from the soldiers.
"Commander… She is dead…"
"Dead?" He said with a deadly voice. "You left her alone, and now she's dead."
The soldiers swallowed hard.
He rose from his chair, casting a shadow across the cowering soldiers.
"Get out."
They fled from his office.
Alone in his study, Liang Tian stared at the reports scattered across his desk. From the beginning, the case had felt strange.
Did the people who attacked the Third Lady come back to finish the work on the maid? Was she part of them? Did they kill her to silence her?
These thoughts made his jaw clench with fury.
That night, Hua's body was wrapped and loaded onto a wooden cart.
Criminals were buried outside the city walls.
The driver tossed the body onto the dirt and turned away.
The moment he left, a cart hidden behind the trees pulled out from the darkness.
Two men stepped out and picked the body, loading it into their own cart and dropped a similar wrapped body to take the place of Hua's body.
And quickly, they rode their carriage into the darkness, heading back to the capital.
*******************************
Madam Shen paced the length of her inner chambers. Her steward, Lin, slipped inside, bowing low before daring to come close.
"Any news?"
Lin shook her head.
"From Her Majesty?" Shen's voice was sharper this time.
Another shake.
Madam Shen sank onto the silk-draped chair, fingers curling around the carved armrest until her knuckles paled.
Ruyi's disappearance clawed at her.
Of all people, she was the one who wanted the girl alive the most.
All her plans depended on Ruyi being alive.
Her thoughts circled back to the chest of gifts Prince Gao had hand delivered days ago, his proposal clear.
And that insolent girl had rejected them and insulted them, spitting in the face of the very lifeline that she had begged from the Queen.
And yet… for her Ruxin to marry into the Liang family, Ruyi had to live. She had to marry Prince Gao.
Lin whispered carefully, "What if the Third Miss doesn't…"
"If?" Madam Shen's voice snapped. "She must return. If Ruyi is lost, what about my Ruxin? Does Her Majesty look like a woman who bargains twice?"
She forced herself to breathe, smoothing her sleeves. She had to appear composed. If others smelt her panic, they would tear her apart.
The sound of bracelets clinking announced Ruxin's arrival before she swept into her mother's chambers, her robe loose, the faint scent of wine following her.
"Mother," she sang, dropping onto the seat across from her mother, resting her chin on her hand with a smile.
"Still worrying over jie-jie?"
Madam Shen's eyes narrowed. "Ruxin!"
"Mother," Ruxin dragged her words. "I just had a tiny… tiny…" lifting two fingers, "sip of wine. I promise."
"Do you even understand what Ruyi's disappearance means for you? She is missing and you are out there getting drunk. Without her, the marriage arrangements with Prince Gao cannot proceed. Do you even understand what is at stake?"
Ruxin's expression soured instantly.
"Her marriage? What does that have to do with me?" She reached for a grape, biting it in half.
"Every word from you is Ruyi, Ruyi, Ruyi. Why should I care what she does? Shouldn't you be glad she is gone? I am."
"Ruxin!"
"I hope she never comes back."
Hearing those last words, Madam Shen got up in anger and slapped her daughter.
"Mother!" Ruxin pressed a trembling hand to her face.
"Listen to me." Madam Shen's voice trembled. "If Ruyi marries Prince Gao, the Queen will fulfill her promise. The Liang family only agreed to this marriage because Her majesty granted it. Without Ruyi, our ties to the Liang are ruined."
Ruxin's lips trembled, hurt flashing through her eyes before she masked it with a manic smile, her voice shaking.
"Ruined?" She echoed softly. Then louder:
"So, my future depends on her charity? Tell me , Mother, is my life really tied to her leftovers?"
She rose suddenly, hands curling into fists.
"Why does she get everything I want? And I'm supposed to wait in her shadow until she hands me my happiness?"
"That is not what I said," Madam Shen snapped. "I have done everything for you A'xin. Every humiliation I endured, it was all so that you could stand where you deserve."
But Ruxin was not listening anymore.
"All I hear," she spat, "is that Ruyi must live, Ruyi must marry, Ruyi must shine, and only then can I, your real daughter, have my turn."
Her fist clenched at her sides.
"Even when she's gone, she is all everyone talks about. Just when I thought Commander Liang would no longer have her shadow around him. He'll have no choice but to look at me."
She paused. "But he is out there searching for her."
She gives a broken laugh. "And I come back here and all you care about is your promise to the Queen… and Ruyi."
Before her mother could answer, Ruxin spun on her heel, robes swishing angrily as she stormed out.
"Ungrateful child."
Everything I've done… they are all for you, A'xin.
*********************
From outside of the sagging makeshift tent, the shouts of men rang through the trees.
"Third Lady Cai! Third Lady Cai!"
Their voices echoed aloud under the cloudy skies.
Inside, Prince Gao lounged lazily, a teapot steaming in the corner as though the outside world didn't concern him.
Whoever took Cai Ruyi had done him the favor of killing all the fools he sent for the job. Nothing could be traced to him.
His face was calm, almost bored, save for the faint irritation on his brow.
He should be furious. Instead a low, humorless chuckle slipped from his throat.
Who would have thought that the frail girl could turn into such a thorn in his side?
He had meant to ruin her, not lose men over her.
With one finger, he dug into his ears. "Noisy."
"Let them go deeper into the forest." He murmured, his voice flat. "i want her found, dead or alive."
"Yes, your highness."
The servant ran ahead to pass the instruction.
If not from Her Majesty's insistence, he would never have wasted a thought on Cai Ruyi.
Sickly.
The silence stretched for a while, until it was broken by the sound of hooves coming closer.
Prince Gao sat up, irritated.
"Who is it now?"
The servant stepped back inside, pale. "Your Highness… it is Commander Liang Tian."
Prince Gao's brows rose.
Well. This day has gotten interesting.
He pushed aside the tent flap and stepped out, his servant at his heel.
The commander came down from his horse and bowed to the Prince.
"Your Highness"
"Commander Liang." Prince Gao walked closer, brushing invisible creases from his robe. His servant stood straight by his side.
"Oh? I don't suppose your patrol should bring you to this side of the forest. You may have strayed too far from your post. Shouldn't you be at His Majesty's side? Or…"
His lips curled into a smirk. "… is your famed loyalty not quite as the people claim?"
Liang Tian's eyes didn't waver, but his hand tighten over the hilt of his sword.
Prince Gao's smirk deepened, savoring the small crack.
"You wouldn't be here because of the Third Lady's disappearance, would you?" His voice lowered, mocking. "That would be well outside your duties."
Liang Tian finally spoke.
"And what if I was? Then I must ask; what brings you here, your Highness?"
Gao Yichen let out a hearty laugh, sharp and mocking.
"Commander Liang, you spend too much time in that little prison of yours, so you might not be aware of this. Her Majesty has given me permission to search for my future bride."
He paused. " And you?"
He leaned forward slightly. "What permission were you granted, Commander?"
They stood eye to eye now, the tension between them felt by the soldiers and servants surrounding them.
He sighed dramatically.
"I wonder," His voice turned softly, with open mockery in each syllable, "what your future bride would think if she knew you were here, chasing after her sister."
"After all," he added. "You are well aware of the rumors of their relationship. Shall we send for the Fifth Lady Cai to join us? Or would you rather I call for Minister Liang instead?"
"Gao Yichen…" Liang Tian's voice lowered dangerously, but the Prince only smiled.
Prince Gao reached forward, placing both hands on the commander's shoulder as though they were old friends, brushing away invisible specks of dust.
"Brother-in-law," he said quietly, letting the words sting. "The Third Lady is my concern. Not yours."
With a final tap to Liang Tian's shoulder, he turned his back to him making his way to his tent.
"See the Commander off on his way."
Yichen's eyes followed Liang's retreating figure and a flicker of irritation sparked in him.
"So even the cold Commander Liang…" he muttered, lips curling, "…isn't immune to that little Cai girl."
*************************
Thunder cracked outside the window as she dropped a handful of herbs into the mortar.
The bitter scent of herbs filled the small room as her pestle grind the dried leaves into fine dust.
Every few minutes, her eyes darted to the door, then back to her work.
The rice in the bowl left for her by Mei had long hardened, the fish beside it cold in its oil.
Earlier, she had tried to take a bite but the aroma had sent her stomach churning, forcing her to set her chopsticks down with trembling hands.
Was this reaction because of the news she received or the effects of her trauma?
Ruyi had given Zhaoyun instructions to relay any news surrounding her disappearance and her family to her at the end of every day.
A knock at the door pulled Ruyi from her thoughts. Without an answer, the door creaked open and Zhaoyun entered.
He handed Ruyi the list that she had asked him to collect from the pharmacy.
Zhaoyun held himself back from asking about the details.
Ruyi collected the letter and placed it on the table.
"Third Miss," He bowed, his voice lowered. "I just received news about the location of the commander."
Ruyi's hand paused from grinding.
"Where is he?"
"The commander and the general just arrived at Qinghu."
"Qinghu…" Ruyi thought to herself. He hadn't still known that she was kidnapped yet.
Zhaoyun mistook her silence for inquiry, shifting his weight between his feet.
"They are on official duties to deliver flood relief to the people of Qinghu."
Ruyi nodded her head, rather impressed at the excuse that her brother used for the task.
"Hm… Any other news from the capital?" She asked, studying his face.
His gaze dropped to the floor as the silence stretched.
"Zhaoyun"
"Third Miss…" His voice cracked. "I am sorry to break this news to you…"
"Tell me."
"Your maid, Hua, died in the Ministry of Justice prison."
Ruyi's eyelids closed, her chest neither rising nor falling for several heartbeats.
Did the plan work or… fail?
"I also heard that her body was stolen away. Do you think it has anything to do with your attack?"
"Her body was taken?" Ruyi's eyes opened suddenly. "Are you sure of this?"
He nodded once. "Yes, Third Miss."
Ruyi's index finger began tapping against the wooden table, a steady rhythm. Her gaze drifted past him to the distance.
Zhaoyun bowed again, deeper this time, and backed towards the door. The latch slicking softly behind him.
Alone, her tapping stopped.
And a small, unmistakable smile made its way across Ruyi's lips.
It worked.
Hua was safe, for now.
Her hands quickly unfolded the letter. Her eyes skimmed over the words.
The first line confirmed her assumption, Hua had been rescued and was safe.
But the second part of the letter made her fingers tighten around the edge of the paper.
"The bodies from the forest were taken by Prince Gao's men. The corpses were burned."
A quiet, strangled sound slipped from her lips.
"Gao Yi Chen…"
Prince Gao wouldn't kill her for rejecting him. The Queen wouldn't allow that.
What was his plan? To scare me into submission?
All Ruyi knew was that she would never marry Gao Yichen.
Never.
Ruyi set her jaw. No one threatens my people and walks away untouched. Not now. Not ever.
Ruyi went back to grinding the herbs, she needed to start making plans for her return.
But Meiyun's recovery demanded attention first. The girl would need more than herbs to recover.
The next morning, she caught the guard on his way to his duties.
"Third Miss."
"Zhaoyun, once Yun'er starts the medicine, she has to follow it up with therapy. I know a master that is good at helping people like her but I have to take Yun'er to the capital."
His eyes had clouded with worry.
"Third Miss… A'Yun has not left this village ever since our parents passed away. I am the only family she has."
"I know you are worried, I do." Ruyi had said. "But for her to get better, there is very little I can do on my own."
"What about the money for her…" he'd begun.
Ruyi waved him off. "Don't worry about that. You saved my life. It is only right that I repay this debt."
Zhaoyun, filled with emotions, dropped to his knees, forehead touching the ground in gratitude.
"Third Miss… I…have no words. I owe you more than my life."
For years, he had shouldered the weight of his sister's condition.
"Ah! Don't. Don't." Ruyi nervously glanced at the corner of the house. "What if Yun'er see and thinks I am bullying you?"
Ruyi reached down to lift him by the arm.
"Get up. There is no need for this."
His eyes stung with unshed tears, his hands trembling as he rose to his feet.
"When do we leave?"
"In two days," Ruyi replied. "I'll tell her about it. Don't worry."
"Thank you, Third Miss."
Later that evening, Meiyun entered the open kitchen where Ruyi sat watching the bowl of medicine cook on the stove.
Ruyi smiled and patted the seat she was on.
"Yun'er."
The girl's eyes lit up at the sound of her name. She crossed the room and sat beside Ruyi.
Ruyi reached for a bowl and scooped the liquid medicine in the pot into it. She then held the bowl towards Meiyun, gesturing for her to drink it.
Meiyun scrunched her nose as the smell of the liquid wafted in her face.
She took a sip of it and her face disfigured in disgust.
Ruyi's face mimicked hers. "Aiya… I know, it's bitter."
When the last drop was gone, Ruyi took the bowl from her, set it aside and unwrapped a piece of sugar candy.
"Take it."
Ruyi could see the relief on Mei's face when she tasted the candy.
Ruyi reminisced, letting out a deep sigh. "Anytime I had to take bitter medicine, my mother would always give me candies like this afterwards."
The young lady patted Ruyi's hands in comfort. Ruyi gave her a small smile, suddenly reminded of Hua.
"Yun'er. I have something to tell you."
Mei tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes.
Ruyi folded her hands in her lap, watching the girl for a moment.
"In two days, you'll come with me to the capital."
Meiyun simply blinked.
Then her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. She pointed at herself, then at Ruyi, then opened her palms with a questioning gaze.
Ruyi chuckled a bit and then gestured as she spoke.
"Yes. You and I together. To see a master who might be able to help you talk."
The girl pointed to the door leading outside.
"Yes, your brother will be coming along too."
Meiyun's lips curled, trembling into a smile before she suddenly flung herself forward, wrapping her arms around Ruyi.
Ruyi's arms closed around her instinctively.
"You don't have to worry about anything," she whispered. "I'm here. I'm here."
And as the words slipped past her lips, Ruyi's chest tightened.
They were the very words she had once yearned for;
When she had nearly wasted away after her mother's death,
When allegations were pinned on her in the inner palace,
When she had stood silently as her only brother rode toward the distant northern borders.
Back then, no one had been there to tell her she was not alone.
This time, she wouldn't let this child be helpless and resign herself to fate.
****************************
Hua woke with a start, her breath catching in her dry throat.
"Wa…ter."
Her eyes darted around the dim chamber, struggling to adjust to the wavering glow of a lantern.
Faintly, from beyond the walls, she caught the muffled rise and fall of strings, laughter, and the clink of wine cups, entertainment drifting in from some distant room.
The shuffling of her bedding stirred movement outside as she tried to reach for the cup at the bed side.
She hissed in pain, when she moved her bruised body.
A moment later, the door slid open, and a gray-robed physician hurried in.
He pressed two fingers to her wrist, his brows furrowing, his lips moving in silence as he counted her pulse.
He then handed her a cup of water to drink.
"You…" Hua's voice was weak. "Where am I…"
But before he could answer, the sound of boots against the wooden floor filled the air.
The door creaked wider.
A tall man entered, dressed in dark robes, his presence stilling the room as if he carried the weight of command even here.
Hua blinked, her breath catching again.
"Master… San?"
The man inclined his head, bowing low in respect. "My lady."
"How… how did I get here?" She shook her head in confusion. "I thought I died…"
He did not answer at once.
Instead, he withdrew something from his sleeve and stepped closer to the bedside.
"We received this letter two days ago."
A folded letter. He placed it in her trembling hands.
Her fingers brushed the strokes of ink when she unfolded it. Tears brimmed at the corners of her eyes, blurring her vision as she recognized the handwriting.
The letters swam before her.
************************************
The Liang residence was quiet when Liang Tian returned that night, lanterns casting long shadows across the courtyard.
He had barely stepped over the threshold when a servant approached, bowing low.
"Second Young Master… the Master requests your presence in his study."
Liang Tian adjusted his cloak and steadied his breath before walking toward the study hall.
When he entered, his father stood in front of a carved desk, posture rigid, eyes sharp as a drawn blade.
To one side, his mother sat upright on a low couch, dressed in dark silk embroideries with peach blossoms, her expression blank, almost bored, as if none of this concerned her.
Liang Tian lowered himself to his knees and began to bow. "Father, Mother—"
"Kneel."
The cold voice cut him off mid-motion to raise.
His father's gaze bore into him, hard and unforgiving. "Why are you digging yourself into affairs that don't concern you?"
Liang Tian's breath caught.
"You think your position gives you the right to meddle?"
His father took slow and predatory steps towards him.
Before Liang Tian could answer, his father lifted a hand and tapped his cheek.
Once. Twice. Then again.
Not a slap, but sharp pats, each one harder than the last.
The sound was quiet, but the humiliation was worse.
Liang Tian's jaw tightened with each blow, his face forced slightly aside then back again, as though he were a child.
"All that you are, the privileges you enjoy… all of it…"
Pat.
"…was given by me."
Pat.
"And it can be taken away just as easily."
Liang Tian's fists tightened at his sides, but he did not lift his gaze.
"You should know your place. The Queen is not forgiving. If you continue to make mistakes…" He leaned down, voice low and sharp as steel. "…I will cut you off myself."
Liang Tian's cheek stung, his pulse roared in his ears, but he forced his breathing steady.
The final pat landed softer, almost dismissive.
Then his fathers hand dropped, sleeves flicking sharply as though brushing off dust.
With a final glance of disdain, he turned and walked out.
For a long moment, only the faint crackle of the lantern wick remained.
At last, his mother stood.
She smoothened her sleeve and walked by him, stopping just behind him.
Her eyes, too, held no trace of softness, not bothering to spare him a glance.
"Stay away from the Cai family," she said flatly, "Wait until Her Majesty decides what is to be done."
With that, she turned and walked out, leaving Liang Tian kneeling in the empty room.
His nails dug deeper into his palm as his jaw clenched tight, the sting of humiliation burning hotter than the blow.