After embroidering Ngo Kwang's dress the evening of the next day, Xiu Juan slipped off of her casual attire and prepared for the lighting of the lanterns ceremony. She combed her hair and tied it loosely with a few other ornaments pinned on the sides of her head. She freshened her face and dabbed her lips red before she dressed herself in a black formal gown with golden hems and bowing herons that were woven into the silk. As she walked through the corridors, she picked up her skirt that softly swept the floor. Passing a garden, she heard women chattering.

“Empress,” a familiar voice called to her. She turned her head. It was Ngo Kwang. She looked at her up and down, slightly impressed by the sight of Xiu Juan in a formal gown. “Where are you going dressed like that?” She interrogated.

“I have an important appointment to attend,” Xiu Juan stated.

“Oh? You’ve made me curious. Where at? How come I have not heard of it?” Ngo Kwang tilted her head.

“No, you wouldn’t have. It doesn’t concern the palace,” Xiu Juan said.

Jinhai was on his way to his own meeting and happened to walk by them with a couple of his men. He paused in his steps when he saw Xiu Juan.

“You are going to attend an engagement outside of the palace? Why, Empress, that doesn’t look quite pretty, does it? I’m concerned,” Ngo Kwang commented, smirking.

“It’s not what you think,” Xiu Juan’s eyes grew fierce.

“Is it another man?” One of the concubines chimed in.

Jinhai found himself furrowing his brows at the rude comment. He glared slightly.

“We are all women, so tell us. Is this why you and the Emperor…you know…stay in separate rooms?” They chuckled.

“Presumptuous,” Xiu Juan glared at their impoliteness toward her. “Do you not fear being punished for your foul mouths?”

They lowered their shoulders and stared at Xiu Juan. Ngo Kwang spoke up, “Empress, we only wonder because we care. Like they said, we are all women of the palace so don’t be afraid to share with us your thoughts and adventures.”

Xiu Juan was about to say something until Ngo Kwang saw Jinhai and quickly addressed him.

“Your highness,” she lowered her head as she greeted him. All of the concubines promptly followed the gesture.

Xiu Juan turned to Jinhai who was approaching them and lowered her head. He gave the concubines a sharp stare, intimidating them. He then turned to Xiu Juan who raised her head as her hair ornaments jingled. He had not seen her so formally dressed since the day of their wedding.

“Xiu Juan of Qin,” he addressed her. “Where are you going?”

“Ah…to the village, your highness,” she said with her eyes lowered.

“The village?” Jinhai repeated.

“Yes,” Xiu Juan nodded. “I will be lighting lanterns tonight for those souls Zhao lost.”

Jinhai softened his gaze. Nianzu soon approached them and smiled brightly when he saw Xiu Juan.

“My, your highness, you are looking exceptionally lovely tonight!” He chuckled.

“Sir Nianzu,” Xiu Juan smiled and bowed her head.

The concubines greeted him as well.

Nianzu observed the area and wondered, “Why are so many of you huddled here? What’s going on?”

Jinhai turned to him and smiled lightly, “I was just talking to the Empress, Sir Nianzu.”

Nianzu’s eyes lifted, “Ahhhhh I see.” He turned to the concubines, “I suppose you ladies have other things to do?” He hinted them to dismiss themselves.

Ngo Kwang's eyes became bigger and she quickly lowered her head, “Yes, of course.” She turned to her fellow concubines and slowly walked away, glaring lightly at Xiu Juan while she descended from them.

“Now, where were we?” Nianzu smiled.

Jinhai stared at him with a look that told Nianzu he was snooping in on their business.

“Yes?” Nianzu responded innocently.

Jinhai exhaled and turned his eyes back to Xiu Juan. “Will you be going alone?”

Xiu Juan shook her head, “No. I have people coming with me.”

“When will you return?”

“Later tonight.”

Nianzu could sense the worry in Jinhai’s eyes that he was trying to hide.

“Take a few men with you,” Jinhai ordered her.

“You don’t want to come with?” Xiu Juan asked. “It’s a custom of Qin’s and you will be seeing how it’s done. It’s rather beautiful. Kind of a bittersweet practice.”

Nianzu, who was grinning and had his eyebrows raised with anticipation, turned his head to Jinhai. Jinhai, feeling awkward, turned his eyes toward Nianzu and then back at Xiu Juan. He cleared his throat and straightened his posture, “Ah…no. I’ll be busy.”

Xiu Juan lowered her shoulders. “Oh, okay. I’ll be on my way then,” she said, disappointed she wouldn’t be able to share a wonderful Qin practice with Jinhai. She bowed her head to Nianzu as she parted from them and he returned the gesture.

After she left, Nianzu waved his hand to Jinhai’s two guards. “You can leave us,” he dismissed them. While they marched away, he crossed his hands behind his back and smiled. He turned to Jinhai, “The Empress. Such grace, don’t you agree?”

Jinhai didn’t say a word and turned around to continue to his appointment with Nianzu.

“Ahh, Jinhai,” Nianzu gently called to him.

Jinhai kept his eyes forward. “Mmm?”

“She’s been capturing the hearts of the people of Zhao. I’m not talking about her kindness but her beliefs and her Qin ways. Our people forget that she’s an enemy and forget to fear her.”

Jinhai turned his eyes to him.

“There’s something about her, this girl,” Nianzu marveled. “She is no ordinary person, Jinhai. She has the will of steel and is strong minded yet she carries a gentle soul. Also, she possesses an enchanting grace that only comes by every few centuries but will be remembered for all eternity.”

“What are you trying to get to, Sir Nianzu?” Jinhai asked.

“What I mean is: Empress will be an exceptional devotee. But if she were to be your enemy, she would be a very hard foe to defeat.”

“Is that what you believe?” Jinhai spoke in a low voice.

Nianzu looked at Jinhai, “Whichever path you choose with her, I just want you to keep yourself guarded.”

Jinhai paused in his steps and watched Nianzu walk on forward. He furrowed his brows as he thought hard about what Nianzu said and lowered his eyes. Nianzu turned around back to Jinhai in which he lifted his head up and continued toward him.

Xiu Juan approached Ms Lin’s house with Luli and Bo holding unlit lanterns in their hands. Seeing Xiu Juan formally dressed for the first time, Ms Lin’s eyes lifted and were filled with awe. She dropped what she was doing and walked to Xiu Juan. She bowed lowly to Xiu Juan, her eyes wet.

“What lifetime it is of mine that not only is the Empress of Zhao kindhearted, but possesses such beauty and grace only the gods allow themselves to lay eyes on,” Ms Lin cried. She raised her eyes to Xiu Juan and lightly cupped her chin with her fingers, “The gods must have sent you from the heavens to relieve the sorrows in this world of ours.”

Xiu Juan took a hold of her hands and smiled gently. She led Ms Lin to her house and spoke warmly, “We were all meant to relieve the sorrows of the world together. What loneliness it would be for one person to bear it all.”

As they got ready after the sun had set, Xiu Juan saw many lit lanterns in the distance by the lakeside. As the lights neared them, Ms Lin stepped out in her formal blue gown and stood with Xiu Juan by the shore looking at the lanterns that approached them.

“I told them about the ceremony,” Ms Lin said to Xiu Juan who turned her head to her. “When they heard of this Qin practice that you told me about, they wanted to partake in it,” Ms Lin smiled lightly.

“Ms Lin,” Xiu Juan’s chest heaved and her eyes glittered.

“Look at what you have done,” Ms Lin’s eyes beamed, “You’ve brought us together, Empress. And with your ways.”

Xiu Juan smiled with bliss at this and looked unto the grand lake and its coves that were in hues of blue. She closed her eyes and listened to the waves that whispered softly to her. A heavy wind embraced her from behind, swept against her silks, and combed through her long, thick hair. As she tucked a hair strand behind her ear and her silk layers fanned out around her, she whispered Ying-tai’s name for the wind to carry it.

“I feel the time of peace is near,” Xiu Juan felt hopeful. She clutched onto his charm tightly, “Let our meeting be soon, dear Ying-tai.”

A little while after, the people of Zhao approached Xiu Juan with their lanterns. Ms Lin was standing in the front with Mei and her husband while Luli and Bo stood next to her. Xiu Juan looked at them and gently spoke.

“Say your prayers,” she began to lead them and lifted her lantern. After she said her prayers, she turned toward the lake and raised her lantern over her head. She looked at the warm glow tenderly and then let it go and watched it drift away from her.

“Until we meet again,” Ms Lin wept and let go of hers.

Everyone followed and gently let go of theirs. While everyone watched the sky become lit, Xiu Juan held Ms Lin’s hand while Mei walked up and stood by them.

“Beautiful,” Mei marveled as her eyes welled up. “Such a beautiful way to honor the ones who passed.”

Xiu Juan, her eyes still on the lanterns that were parting from them to the other world, nodded. “Yes, beautiful indeed.”

At the palace, Jinhai just finished his meeting with his officials and was walking through the veranda facing his empire with Hui Zhong, Nianzu, and a few other officials. He noticed a glow from the east side of the lake and turned his attention to it. He saw lanterns rising from the lakeside and widened his eyes at the knowledge of what it was. He stopped in his tracks, startling his men.

“Your majesty,” Hui Zhong was concerned, “what seems to be the matter?”

Jinhai didn’t respond. He kept his eyes on the rising lanterns in the distance. Nianzu turned his head toward the direction Jinhai was looking at and he, too, widened his eyes.

“The mourning ritual of Qin,” Nianzu addressed softly.

Hui Zhong spun his head to where the two men were staring at. “The Empress!” He scorned.

Jinhai stood for a moment in silence and then slowly lowered his head. His men looked at him, surprised.

“For our men who have passed. Honor them,” he ordered, his head still bowed.

Nianzu smiled and nodded then bowed with his emperor. Jinhai’s officials copied his gesture, and then Hui Zhong last. After their moment of silence, Jinhai raised his head, took one last look at the lanterns, and then continued forward. Nianzu followed Jinhai closely, his eyes on him.

“I’m surprised you did that,” Nianzu mentioned.

Jinhai kept walking.

“Jinhai ah,” Nianzu began, “have you grown soft toward—“

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jinhai stopped in his tracks. “I was only doing what was in good moral.”

Nianzu cleared his throat, “Ah, very well then.” He lifted his head up before Jinhai walked off, “Jinhai. Be careful tonight.”

Jinhai turned his head to the side and nodded. Then he turned around the corner of the corridor and disappeared.

Xiu Juan dragged her heavy gown with her as she approached the doorway to the palace. Nianzu was there to greet her and bowed lowly when he saw her.

“Good to see you’ve returned safely, Empress,” he smiled.

Xiu Juan bowed her head to him, “Sir Nianzu.” She raised her head, “You’re still up at this hour?”

“Ah, well I couldn’t sleep,” he chuckled, “The older you get, the more sleepless you become.”

“Will you like some tea?” Xiu Juan suggested.

Nianzu raised his hand and shook his head, “No, no, Empress. Don’t hassle yourself for me! It’s late and you must get some rest.”

Xiu Juan smiled and shrugged, “Do try to get some rest too, hmm?”

Nianzu nodded.

Before Xiu Juan walked off, Nianzu called after her, “Empress, it seems to be an auspicious night tonight. Do be guarded.”

Xiu Juan furrowed her brows and nodded slightly, “Thank you, Sir Nianzu. Will do.”

Luli and Bo rushed to her side. Luli tugged on Xiu Juan’s sleeve, “What did Sir Nianzu mean by that?”

Xiu Juan, still furrowing her eyebrows, did not respond.

“Will you be okay tonight, Xiu Juan?” Bo worried.

She was now feeling uneasy and turned to Bo, “You be near Luli tonight. I don’t want to take anything lightly right now.”

Bo and Luli widened their eyes, “But what about you?”

“I can take care of myself. Also, if anything does happen, there will be people rushing to guard me. You two take care of one another.”

“But-“ Bo began.

Xiu Juan shot him a stare, “You will do as I say.”

Bo sealed his lips and lowered his eyes. Xiu Juan stared at Bo and Luli and warmly assured them, “I will be okay. I’m sure Sir Nianzu was just saying things.”

With that, she bid them a good night and went on her way to her chamber.

After Xiu Juan dressed in her dark night gown and her hair was down, she sat on her table and sipped some water. She noticed a flicker from one of her candle lights and quickly raised her eyes, her mouth still full of water. She turned her eyes to her doors and saw that none of them were open to let in wind. Suspicious, she quickly spat out the water in her mouth and wiped her lips with her sleeve. She slowly placed her cup down and waited. As expected, another candle flickered and she readied herself. As soon as she blinked, a person with a sheet covering half of his face struck downward to her. She saw him and quickly twisted to the side. He landed on the floor and soon soared toward her.

Another person was behind her and she moved to the side and tucked the man’s soaring arm under hers. She trapped him there and unhinged the sword from his hand and took it from him before kicking him back. He flew back and looked at his empty hands, surprised. Xiu Juan now had his weapon. The man behind her moved to her direction and she swung her sleeve and whipped him in the face. He jumped back and whimpered. The first man who attacked her proceeded forward and Xiu Juan turned her head to him and spun her sword. She struck him once. He faltered to the ground and knelt down with one knee.

“Who are you? Who sent you?” Xiu Juan demanded, her sword pointed at his head.

The second man charged and Xiu Juan quickly turned and blocked his sword. She twisted her blade around his and pushed forward. She turned and swiveled and whipped his weapon out of his hand. He froze in his steps and stared at her.

“You,” his voice trembled, “Your technique is similar to His.”

Xiu Juan furrowed her brows and whipped her sword once more at his leg and struck him to the ground. She approached the fallen man and pressed the point of her sword to his chest.

“What did you say?” She asked coldly.

Before the man could speak, the other attacker lunged toward her and she spun her sword to his direction and pierced it into his chest. He stopped in his tracks, his arms still raised over his head. As he fell to the floor, Xiu Juan returned her eyes to the second man but he already killed himself with poison. Her eyes were wide and full of question.

Who was ‘He’? She wondered, her chest heaving. Her thoughts were interrupted by screams and she rushed to her door and swung it open. She saw Bo holding Luli’s hand and running towards her.

“Xiu Juan!” He called for her while striking away men.

“Bo! Luli!” Xiu Juan swept her draping skirt to the side and hurried to them.

“Thank god you are here,” Luli gasped.

“We are under attack. The lot of the men are at the Emperor’s side of the palace,” Bo informed, his breathing trying to come into control. “Are you okay?” His eyes were filled with concern for Xiu Juan.

“I’m fine. I was just attacked too. Do we know who they are?” Xiu Juan asked Bo.

Bo’s eyes grew big, “You were just attacked?!”

“They died before I got to question them. One man I took down, the other one took his own life by poison. I suspect they are hired assassins,” Xiu Juan said as they rushed away to find a safe spot. She heard women screaming from the direction of Jinhai’s palace and saw Ngo Kwang and the concubines being chased.

“Xiu Juan!” Luli tugged her.

She looked at the other servants being attacked and turned her eyes to Bo, “Help them. I have to go help the concubines.”

“What? No! We go together. That side of the palace is too dangerous,” Bo urged.

“I’ll meet with you guys later, I promise. I just have to help them. There’s no one guarding them,” Xiu Juan turned her eyes to them.

Bo looked at Ngo Kwang and the concubines and then back at Xiu Juan.

“We’ll see you again. That’s a promise,” Bo stared at Xiu Juan.

Xiu Juan nodded and made her way toward Jinhai’s side of the palace. As she fluttered through the assassins like a swift night bird, she spun her sword against them and twisted in the air as she avoided their strikes. She whipped her sleeves and sparked her blade with the assassin’s weapons until they fell to the floor, leaving them vulnerable with nothing but their naked hands against her cold blade. When she reached Ngo Kwang, she took her arm and pulled her.

“Empress!” She gasped.

“Follow me!” Xiu Juan told them. They followed her closely to her side of the palace and she pushed them toward the direction Bo and Luli left to. Xiu Juan began to run with them but her stride slowed down when she remembered about Jinhai.

Before she could turn her attention back, an arrow flew and whistled across her face and landed on the wall to her left, making a thudding sound. She spun her head toward the direction the arrow flew from. When she found the silhouette of the archer, she glared. She turned to the concubines and motioned them to continue on without her. They looked at each other and pulled one another to obey her order. Ngo Kwang looked at Xiu Juan for a moment and then turned around to follow the rest of the concubines. The ladies were about to be stopped but Xiu Juan raised her voice.

“Let them go. My head is far more valuable.”

They immediately stopped in their movements and turned to her. She gripped her sword. They neared her but a voice interrupted the moment.

“Halt!” A man emerged from the shadows with Jinhai’s robe. Xiu Juan’s eyes widened. He kept his eyes on the robe as he swung it around. Xiu Juan studied his face that expressed disappointment.

“Leader!” All of the men in the pavilion they were standing in knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.

One man, who seemed to be the person second in command, approached the leader. “Delun! Did you get him?”

Delun glared and threw the robe at him. “Clever bastard! He had a decoy in his bed. I plunged at him only to find myself shredding through dry lumber!”

Xiu Juan exhaled, relieved.

Delun turned his eyes to her, “And this is?”

“She seems to be someone of high value,” the second in command informed.

Delun’s eyes grew big and livelier. “Well! We caught ourselves a big fish anyway, huh, men?” He laughed and clapped his hands. He neared her and two men from behind Xiu Juan quickly came and knocked her legs.

“Ugh!” She grunted as she collapsed to her knees. Her hands were extended out onto the ground to support herself.

She raised her head up and stared into Delun’s eyes.

“Nice to meet you, my lady. People call me by the name Delun.”

Xiu Juan pierced a cold glare.

Delun chuckled to his men, “Eyes of a lion, this one.” He turned back to Xiu Juan, “Though I have to say, I have seen eyes like this somewhere before.” He rubbed his chin as he thought. He knelt down to her and held her chin. “Heh. Intriguing,” he studied her. “Who are you?”

Xiu Juan, surrounded by assassins, kept her eyes on Delun. “You make a living out of the lives of others. Are you not ashamed?”

Delun’s eyes widened. He placed his hands on Xiu Juan’s shoulder and pulled her up by her collar. She furrowed her brows at him.

“Courageous little thing,” Delun derisively commented. “You’re the second person who had the guts to say something like that to me.” He pushed her to the ground. “Chuanli, kill her,” he said to the second man in command after he threw Xiu Juan down to the ground and turned his back to her.

As Chuanli unsheathed his sword, Xiu Juan slid away from him. When she swung her arm back to pull herself backward, her charm became revealed and clinked when it slid from her lap and lightly tapped the ground. Chuanli saw it and immediately stopped. Before Delun could turn back around, men in black dove downward and attacked them. They were dressed in dark armor and had black masks. Chuanli grabbed Xiu Juan and flung her to Delun. Delun gripped her arm hard.

“Delun,” Chuanli turned his head to the side toward him while his eyes were on the men in black, “the charm.”

Delun looked down and saw it. He furrowed his brows and his foul expression changed. As the men in black closed in on them, they kept their swords up and readied themselves for an attack.

“My lady,” Delun spoke to Xiu Juan, “I have a question and I want a proper answer from you.”

Xiu Juan spun her eyes to him.

“I’ve heard of a song that could calm the heart of a Beast. But what is it, though, that sounds that song?” Delun questioned as he kept his eyes on the men in black. One came in nearer and Delun pointed his sword at him.

Hearing this, Xiu Juan’s eyes grew wide. She thought carefully and her quivering lips opened as she responded, “A being as such is not easily swayed and is particular in taste. The song could only be emitted by a sound that could not be duplicated.”

Delun’s expression toward her became less threatening. One man jumped in to attack and he swung his sword at him.

“And what may that instrument be?” Delun questioned, still gripping onto Xiu Juan.

“It’s no instrument,” Xiu Juan answered, “but a voice.”

He lightened his grip on her. “Now why would a Beast behave that way?”

“Such being is no beast,” Xiu Juan said without thinking. “As long as man is conscious to what is dear, they will not become beasts.”

“Is that what you think of him?” Delun turned his eyes to her. Xiu Juan’s heart stopped. She could only stare back at him.

“Empress of Zhao,” Delun addressed her. “Or should I say, Grand Princess Xiu Juan of Qin.”

“Who…How do you know my name?” Xiu Juan’s eyes remained wide.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Delun slightly lowered his head to her in respect. “I am here for an assignment, but was told to not harm you by a man I’ve sworn fidelity to.”

Xiu Juan breathed heavily but forced herself to be composed. “And who may that be, I ask?” Xiu Juan questioned him.

“The beast of your empire,” Delun said as he let go of her arm.

Xiu Juan’s chest heaved. “Ying-tai,” she breathed out.

He turned his eyes to her and grinned.

“How did you meet him?”

“He came to me as if it was by fate. I’ll never forget his eyes. Nothing will stop that man from changing the world and I somehow wanted to let him after meeting him.”

Xiu Juan’s heart pounded hard by the narration of Ying-tai.

One of the men in black soared from the night and plunged toward Delun. The tip of the man’s sword tore open Delun’s dark outer garment, exposing the emblem on his chest. Xiu Juan saw it and lifted her eyes to Delun’s.

“You’re mercenaries from the Southern Sect!” Xiu Juan gasped. “You’re here to kill the emperor?”

“That would come into play when it became necessary,” Chuanli replied from behind.

Xiu Juan felt herself move and swiped up a sword into her hand. She pointed it toward Delun and Chuanli.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot allow you to do that,” Xiu Juan narrowed her eyes at them.

“Xiu Juan of Qin,” Delun’s eyes widened. “I’m shocked.”

“This is the wrong approach. This will only breed hate. It will only pull us further from what we all have been fighting so hard for,” Xiu Juan kept her sword up. “I have to ask you to leave.”

Chuanli had his eyes widened too. The masked man in black that tore open Delun’s garment immediately stopped and stared at Xiu Juan, his sword still held up toward the two men.

“Well, I didn’t expect this,” Delun lowered his shoulders. “You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

“When you allow yourself to get to know the enemy, new views open. You see things your previous self did not let you see before,” Xiu Juan stated.

Delun sighed, “I’m sorry, my lady. As much as I want to understand you, I have to make a living.” He raised his sword up against her. “Please move. I cannot harm you.”

Chuanli lifted his sword up too. “Please,” he said to Xiu Juan.

Xiu Juan lifted her sword up higher and stood in her stance. “Forgive me. He can’t die just yet,” Xiu Juan said, her eyes expressing penitence in refusing them to do their deeds and a slight chance of disappointing Ying-tai.

They looked at each other, both sides refusing to budge. As soon as the wind howled, the man in black flashed forward and Delun and Chuanli reacted. Xiu Juan quickly jumped between them to interrupt their clash but both sides were refusing to give up. Xiu Juan spun between them and snapped away each strike. She pushed herself in one direction, and then into the other to keep them apart. She would whip her sleeve toward the assassins and then swing her sword to the Zhao warrior.

“Your highness!” Delun and Chuanli pled.

Everyone was fighting around them and more and more bodies were falling to the ground.

When Delun and Chuanli saw that they couldn’t get past Xiu Juan with their pleas anymore, they got serious and exerted more force. Fighting against two strong men, Xiu Juan’s hands began to tremble from the heavy clashing. The man in black behind her then grabbed her and placed her behind him. He soared toward them and in three moves, he made them step ten paces back.

“The Zhao’s secret service, the Clandestine,” Delun acknowledged the masked man in black. “I’ve heard of you men. Quite an impressive force the Zhao made for themselves.”

“You give up your will to speak, live to serve, and die without question. An insane group. Quite alike, though, you and us. Are we not?” Chuanli grinned.

Two other Clandestines attempted to jump in and help the one before Xiu Juan but the man raised his hand up and stopped them. He stood in stance to attack again. Delun and Chuanli followed and they lunged forward. The Clandestine only spun around and agilely clanged their swords away. With six of Delun and Chuanli’s moves, the Clandestine only stepped back three paces. But in three moves, the Clandestine was able to make Delun and Chuanli fly back double the paces. They did this time and time again.

From the corner of Xiu Juan’s eyes, she saw a light flicker and shot her attention toward the silver glimmer. She caught an assassin holding a drawn string of a bow, aiming his arrow at the Clandestine fighting against Delun and Chuanli. She soared forward behind the Clandestine’s back and when the arrow flew toward them she smacked it away with her sword, causing the arrow to splinter into many pieces. When it did, an unidentified liquid splattered. She squeezed her eyes shut, twisted her head away, and flung her arm upward to block it.

Poisoned arrow?! Xiu Juan assumed. She quickly wiped the liquid away that was starting to irritate her skin.

The Clandestine turned to Xiu Juan and extended his arm out to her to pull her away from an oncoming attacker that she didn’t see coming. At this moment, the two other Clandestines from before ran to them while Delun and Chuanli were coming with their blades pointed out. It took both of the Clandestines to clash away Chuanli’s sword while Delun’s sword continued onward to the Clandestine who still had his eyes on Xiu Juan and his arm still reaching out for her. Xiu Juan lifted her eyes from her sleeve and saw the oncoming silver blade and widened her eyes.

“Watch out!” She pushed forward.

The Clandestine pulled Xiu Juan back and spun her around, holding onto her tightly in one arm. Before he could even fully turn around to retaliate, the blade met with his shoulder and pierced right through. The blade slid through the layers of his muscles and came out through the other side. It stopped within an inch from Xiu Juan’s eye. The Clandestine looked at the blade that slid through him and then back at Delun. Xiu Juan raised her eyes to look at the Clandestine. His eyes were full of rage. They were piercing through Delun and Chuanli. They grew wild and unforgiving.

Delun still had his hand on the grip of his sword and stared into the man’s eyes. Suddenly, Delun’s eyes grew fearful. The Clandestine kicked him away and Delun flew back twenty paces. He pulled the sword out of his shoulder with his left hand and flung it toward Delun, nailing it to the ground by his side. The Clandestine stood taller and raised his sword toward Delun. The surrounding Clandestines turned around at once from what they were doing and proceeded toward Delun. Delun—who was lying on the ground with his eyes at the man that took him down with one move and had the eyes that made him tremble—raised his hand. The assassins soon gathered and backed away and flew over the walls. He knew his assignment had to be turned over. Delun got up, picked up his sword and sheathed it, then turned his eyes to Xiu Juan.

Just what is your intent? He wondered. He turned away and followed Chuanli out before the Clandestines caught up with him. Xiu Juan watched him leap over the walls and then felt her shoulder get heavier. The Clandestine who protected her began to lose his strength from the amount of blood pumping out of him. He fell on one knee while Xiu Juan tried to help him up. Everyone immediately rushed to them.

“Ah! Hold on! Hold on to me. Stay awake,” Xiu Juan urged him. She placed her hands on his face, “Look at me. Don’t shut your eyes, okay?”

Soon, soldiers barged through the doors and surrounded them.

“Empress!” They saluted her, surprised to see her completely unharmed.

Nianzu walked through the soldiers and saw Xiu Juan on her knees holding the Clandestine upright. He was on his one knee and trying to hold himself up with his sword pinned to the ground. His heavy dark armor was weighing her down greatly.

“Empress Xiu Juan!” Nianzu’s hands shook as he scurried to her. “Why are you here? Oh good god, are you okay?! What happened here?”

Xiu Juan turned to him. “Sir Nianzu! Help me get this man up! He needs to be treated,” she implored.

“Are you okay, though?” Nianzu pestered on.

“Yes! Yes!” Xiu Juan nodded. “This man jumped in to protect me.”

Nianzu widened his eyes and turned to the Clandestine whose head was lowered.

“He did, huh?” He exhaled, bewildered. Nianzu looked at one of the other Clandestines and nodded to him. He nodded back and quickly picked the injured Clandestine up and took him away.

“Wait! Where are you taking him?” Xiu Juan got up and picked up her tattered skirt.

“He’s just going to take the man to where he can be tended,” Nianzu placed his hand on Xiu Juan’s shoulder.

“I’ll go with,” Xiu Juan insisted.

“No need, Empress,” Nianzu consoled. “Besides, he will not want to be bothered.”

“I must thank him,” Xiu Juan turned to Nianzu.

“What for? He was just doing what he had to do. Besides, even if you talk to him, he won’t be able to reply you. These men take an oath to never speak.”

Xiu Juan, her eyes filled with concern, turned back to look at the injured Clandestine descend from her, his arm wrapped around his attendant as he staggered his way away.

“I will find a way to thank you someday,” Xiu Juan promised and lowered her shoulders.

Nianzu accompanied Xiu Juan back to her side of the palace while everyone picked up rubbles around them. When she saw Luli and Bo again, she ran to embrace them.

“I’m so glad to see you’re okay!” Luli cried. “I was so scared! When I heard they were assassins, my heart was at incredible stress!”

“You’re not hurt are you?” Bo patted Xiu Juan’s arm.

Xiu Juan shook her head. “No. I’m fine, actually. How are you guys?”

“We’re fine. We got to the safe room safely.”

Xiu Juan smiled. Then she remembered, “Oh, where’s the emperor?”

“I haven’t seen him,” Luli looked around.

Nianzu smiled warmly, “He is fine. He is always prepared for these situations.”

Xiu Juan turned to him. “You mean this happens often to him?”

Nianzu nodded, “Yes. He knows well what to do when these sort of things happen.”

Xiu Juan furrowed her brows and lowered her eyes. “Of course he would. What a horrible way to live” she sighed.

Nianzu patted Xiu Juan’s shoulder, “Go get some rest, Empress. It has been a long night. I will see you in the morning.”

Xiu Juan raised her eyes to him, smiled and nodded. “Yes, Sir Nianzu. Good night.”

After he left, the concubines emerged from the corridor and turned their heads to Xiu Juan’s direction. Ngo Kwang's cold eyes only lowered from her and turned away. The other concubines followed and said nothing.

“I don’t see why you had to save them,” Luli scrunched her nose.

“I don’t wish harm unto anyone,” Xiu Juan shrugged and headed to her chamber. “Good night, Luli and Bo. Get some rest.”

When Xiu Juan got to her chamber and changed out of her tattered, dark night robe, she laid on her bed and thought about the Clandestine that protected her. In the short moment where Delun and Chuanli’s blade flew toward them, she felt the Clandestine panic when she pushed herself toward danger. As skillful as he was, it was faltered when she was present. He was no ordinary warrior. He didn’t fight just to serve. His grasp told her he was determined to keep her from harm and she knew this because she felt the touch from somewhere before.

You’re thinking too much, Xiu Juan. She told herself and closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.