When Liling suddenly burst into the room alone, everyone inside it was startled, including Guangfeng. He stood up and quickly made his way over to his younger sister, brushing off the girls who had been unsuccessfully trying to get his attention since Yuelan had walked out looking upset. As soon as he reached Liling he tried to pull her aside, but she fought him.

“No, third brother...you have to come outside with me,” Liling begged. “Please!” Tears formed in the lovely princess’ eyes and she pulled on Guangfeng’s sleeve.

“Alright…” Guangfeng stepped outside of the courtyard with Liling. “Liling, what happened? Where is…” his sister covered his mouth with one of her milk-white hands before he could finish his question. She pulled him further away from the courtyard and looked around to make sure there were no people around before she released him.

“Third brother, someone drugged us. They have Yuelan!” Liling explained, panicking. “They tried to grab me, but she shoved me out of the way and they took her instead. I don’t know how I got away from the one who was chasing me...Third brother you have to help her!” She covered her face with her hands and started to sob.

Guangfeng’s expression darkened. “Shadow. Shade. Find her. Do not return until you know where she is and one of you is to stay with her to keep her safe until I can get there.”

Two black figures with masks appeared in front of Guangfeng, bowed, and then just as suddenly disappeared as the prince turned his attention back to comforting his sister.

“It’ll be alright, Liling,” he promised. “They’ll find her quickly. I’ll keep this quiet so her reputation won’t get damaged. There’s a young doctor I trust in that courtyard. We’ll say Miss Yuelan suddenly fell ill and have him come with us back to your courtyard to treat you for the drug that was used. After that, you go straight back home to the palace.”

Liling nodded. When her brother turned to head back into the courtyard she followed after him on trembling feet. After the first time she stumbled, Guangfeng gave her his arm to hold so she could keep herself steady.

Several curious wastrels wanting gossip came forward as Guangfeng led his sister into the courtyard. Guangfeng ignored all of them and headed straight for the promising young doctor he’d decided to support secretly. “Doctor Wei, my sister’s close friend, Miss Long, suddenly fell ill and my sister is in quite a panic. Please come with us back to their courtyard to examine her.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” the doctor agreed, quickly getting to his feet. He gave a polite salute to acknowledge the request. “If you could have someone get my medical bag from my carriage I would appreciate it.”

Guangfeng turned to one of the servants for the courtyard. “Go and fetch the doctor’s bag,” he ordered.

The servant bowed and quickly left.

Without waiting for anything else, Guangfeng turned to his sister. “Lead the way, Liling. I don’t know which courtyard you were in.”

Liling nodded and headed back the way she’d come, still holding onto Guangfeng for support.

The prince could feel her body trembling through their linked arms and his heart ached. He kept his expression as calm as he could even as he tried not to panic about what would happen if they didn’t find Yuelan quickly and unharmed before Long He appeared from wherever he’d gone off to. The idea of facing a dragon’s wrath for a second time wasn’t something he wanted to entertain.

They hadn’t gotten far when Shade appeared in Guangfeng and whispered into the prince’s ear. Guangfeng nodded and looked over at the doctor. “Take my sister to her courtyard,” he instructed. “Shade, you go with them for protection.”

The guard saluted and stepped over to stand to the side as Doctor Wei took Liling’s arm to give the shaking woman support. The trio continued on as Guangfeng hurried off in another direction.

***

Yuelan was struggling to stay awake and still being dragged by her two would-be captors when the third showed up. “Princess made it to the third prince,” the attacker snorted. “This just got more complicated. We’ll have to use this one as bait now.”

As soon as Yuelan knew Liling was safe, she started to struggle again. She couldn’t be bait if she was dead, after all. Unfortunately, the drug was making her head swim and her movements were weak. Why hadn’t she taken those martial arts classes like her dad had wanted her to?

The trio hadn’t gotten far before Guangfeng arrived. “Release Miss Long immediately,” he said in a voice full of fury. Somehow, the prince had managed to procure a sword. He slid his feet apart to shoulder height and held the blade in front of him, both hands on the hilt.

Yuelan was barely struggling, but she stopped when one of the two men holding her pressed a knife to her throat again. “Now now, Missy,” the man growled. “You just stay nice and quiet.”

“Come any closer and we’ll kill the miss,” the man who had gone after Liling snapped at Guangfeng.

Guangfeng’s eyes narrowed. “If there is a scratch on her you will regret it,” he retorted.

There was only one man holding Yuelan now and the other two drew swords of their own, preparing to face off against Guangfeng. They darted forward and suddenly attacked him. As the two moved in on Guangfeng, Shadow appeared behind the one holding Yuelan and took the man out with a strike to the base of the skull. The guard caught the knife before it could scratch Yuelan.

The third prince made quick work of the two other criminals, knocking each of them out as well with a few quick blows. Once all the attackers were down, Guangfeng hurried over to Yuelan and went to wrap his arms around her. “Shh...it’s alright. You’re safe now.”

A feeling of irritation welled up within Yuelan as the memories of seeing him surrounded by flirtatious women resurfaced and opened her mouth just before sinking her teeth into his hand.

The prince hissed and pulled his hand away. “Is this how you thank someone for saving you?” he protested.

“Don’t touch me with your dirty hands,” Yuelan insisted, her eyes narrowing.

“They’re not dirty. I didn’t kill anyone, they’re just unconscious,” Guangfeng protested, keeping his voice low.

“Your hands are filthy. And they stink of perfume.” Yuelan’s cheeks puffed out in an angry pout and she turned her eyes away from him to glare some bushes nearby. Her legs trembled and she started to sink down to the ground.

Guangfeng let out a sigh and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Unfortunately, Miss Yuelan, I’m the only one here who can help you. I didn’t bring any female servants with me because there wasn’t time. Did they hurt you?”

“I’m dizzy,” Yuelan answered. She sagged against him, though her expression showed she wasn’t happy about it.

“But they didn’t do anything to you. That’s good.” The prince sounded relieved.

Yuelan gave a weak snort and passed out, no longer able to resist the drug she’d ingested.

Very gently, Guangfeng lifted Yuelan into his arms. He gave Shadow instructions before carrying her toward the courtyard he was pretty sure his sister was in. After all, as the former owner of the Red Orchid Tea House, Guangfeng was very familiar with the layout.

***

When they arrived at the courtyard, Guangfeng set Yuelan down on a wooden couch with red cushions. Doctor Wei had just finished examining Liling and he moved over to start examining Yuelan as well.

“It should be the same drug,” Guangfeng told the doctor. “She said she hadn’t been harmed before she passed out.”

Doctor Wei nodded his head and then moved to sit down in a chair and wait. Liling was unconscious on the second couch in the room. “They will be fine. It will take a few hours for them to wake up on their own, but there won’t be any ill effects from what I was able to tell,” he informed the third prince.

Guangfeng nodded his head and turned to Shadow. “I am assigning you to Miss Long,” he said firmly. “Keep her safe. For now, go and inform her manor to send some strong maids to help get her back home.”

Shadow saluted and disappeared.