Mei heard a knock on her door and hurried to open it to find Xiu Juan and Luli standing before her.

“Empress! Luli!” She squealed. “I’ve been waiting for your return! How come it took you so long to come back this time?”

Xiu Juan placed a finger on her lip, “Shhh, Mei! I told you to not address me loudly like that! It’s for the better for all of us!”

“Ah, yes! I’m sorry. I forgot. But seriously, what took you guys so long to come back this time?”

Xiu Juan made her way in and hung up her summer hooded cloak. “I’m sorry, Mei. I tried to come back sooner but those in the palace were keeping me inside for extra precautions.”

“Ah, yes. Because of what happened, isn’t it?” Mei’s husband mentioned as he greeted Xiu Juan and Luli.

Xiu Juan nodded back and smiled to greet him in return.

“You had me worried,” Mei pouted.

“Sorry, Mei,” Luli patted her.

“It’s okay,” Mei smiled. “Anyhow, the dress is ready! I’d love to know what you think of it, Empress.”

Luli’s eyes brightened and she clapped her hands, “Oh, I’m excited to see the finished project!”

“It’s at my store though,” Mei informed. “We’ll have to go there to get it so you can take it home.”

“Of course. We’ll go with you,” Xiu Juan suggested.

“Is that a good idea?” Mei’s husband worried. “The market is crowded from all of the people traveling from so many places for the gala and we are still in careful watch of suspicious movements within Zhao.”

“I think we’ll be fine. Nonetheless, it’s been quiet for several days, Xiu Juan convinced. “Also, I’ve been craving the grilled fish from the market and the fresh made rice cakes.”

“Ohhh that sounds good,” Luli placed her hand on her rumbling stomach.

“Then it’s settled! Let’s go!” Mei cheered as she gathered her things.

When they got to Mei’s’ shop, she led Xiu Juan and Luli and excitedly pulled out a box. She pulled out the dress that was wrapped in its white sheet and revealed it to Xiu Juan and Luli.

“Oh my goodness,” Luli gapped at the shimmering threads.

The two embroidered herons were the main focus of the gown and they appeared to be waltzing with each other with their heads bowing to one another. The deep green willow branches were coiled around the sleeves while the plum blossoms were wavering in the flower terrace with the two dancing herons. The intricate illustration took Xiu Juan’s breath as she ran her fingers through the threads.

“It’s lovely, Mei,” Xiu Juan sighed. She turned to her and smiled warmly, “You have such a wonderful gift. What luck is it of mine that our paths crossed and I got to witness such talent.”

Mei blushed and bowed her head, “Empress, you’re flattering me.”

“Thank you, Mei, for gifting me such a wonderful present,” Xiu Juan thanked.

After the revealing of the gown, Xiu Juan, Luli, and Mei met with Bo and Ms Lin at the market. Xiu Juan kept her hood on and moved cautiously through the crowd. Those who recognized her smiled at her and greeted her kindly and she returned the gesture warmly. Each one of them gifted their beloved empress herbs, samples of spices and fragrances.

From afar, Xiu Juan spotted a surprising amount of elite guards from the palace. She had a feeling they were looking for her as she wasn’t supposed to be outside of the palace under any given reason.

“Luli! Bo!” She called.

They nodded at her knowing what she was trying to tell them.

As they neared them, civilians moved aside to let them pass. Xiu Juan followed the motion and stood by the roadside quietly behind the civilians as the guards passed her, unable to recognize her in her clothes and hooded cloak.

“That was close,” Xiu Juan sighed as she stepped out after they left.

“I’d say,” Bo agreed.

“Pretty sure now that they were looking for you, Xiu Juan,” Luli whispered, holding onto her rice cakes tightly.

“There’s a lot of them wandering around here today,” Bo mentioned.

“Perhaps for security,” Luli guessed as she took a bite out of her rice cake. “There are a lot of visitors from outside of Zhao here today.”

Keeping her eyes on the guards, Xiu Juan told Luli and Bo, “Let’s find Ms Lin and Mei.”

As they made their way through the group of people before them, a large man shoved Luli to the ground. The snacks she purchased dropped before her and were quickly covered in dirt.

“My rice cakes!” Luli cried.

Xiu Juan quickly bent down and helped her up.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going, pal!” Bo shouted after him.

“Eh?” The large man turned around and glared at Bo. Bo felt himself stiffen up but he kept his composure. Soon, a few other large men gathered around them.

“Something wrong, Brother He?” One of the large men asked the man who knocked Luli down. The large men straightened their posture and approached them. They were twice the size of Bo.

The one called Brother He looked down at Bo who kept his back straight and voice controlled. “What did you say?”

Bo furrowed his brows, “I said, watch where you’re going.”

Brother He squinted his eyes, “Come again?”

“What? You’re dumb and deaf?” Bo insulted.

One of the large men raised their hand to strike Bo but Bo shifted to the side and grabbed his arm and swung on it. He spun upward and kicked his face twice and the large man flew back four paces. The large man shook his head at what just happened. Now aggravated, he ran back to Bo but Bo retaliated and sent him back another four paces with two more strikes.

The group of large men stepped back, their eyes now in full alert.

“Interesting,” Brother He smiled as he stroked his beard while looking at Bo. “Who was your master?”

“Confidential,” Bo replied.

Brother He chuckled at this, seeming pleased with Bo’s attitude.

“Bo,” Luli tugged on him. “Don’t fight. We’ll draw attention.”

“Not until he says he’s sorry,” Bo glared at Brother He.

Brother He observed Luli and grinned, “Aww who’s this? Your girlfriend?” He turned to his men and they chuckled. Brother He turned back to look at Luli and taunted, “She seems lovely. I could squeeze her in half.”

“Luli,” Xiu Juan was, too, glaring at Brother He. Luli, who was now trembling, turned her eyes to Xiu Juan. In a clear, cold voice, Xiu Juan ordered, “Let them fight.”

Brother He turned to who Luli was looking at and found Xiu Juan. “And who is this?” He teased and took a couple steps forward. Because of how masculine Xiu Juan was dressed and with her hood over her head, Brother He thought she was a man. “I didn’t know Zhao had such pretty boys,” he mocked.

Xiu Juan stood her stance. “I don’t appreciate it when those who are close to me are harassed. You know you did wrong yet you push to provoke us,” Xiu Juan spoke while well poised. She observed Brother He, “You seem to be someone of importance from where you come from. Therefore, I will treat you with the rightful manners you require.”

Brother He smirked, “Go on.”

“People like you and I do not deal by bashing each other with sticks and stones. To settle this, I appeal for a formal one-on-one hand-on-hand combat. My guard here will go against your chosen man,” Xiu Juan raised her hand to Bo. “If you’re first to three points, you will be rewarded a horse per man you have when you go on your journey back home from Zhao and live with superb pride for the rest of your life for knowing who’ve you beaten.”

“Hmmmmmmm,” Brother He grinned. “But what if you win?”

“You will serve me for all the days you live until you return to the earth,” Xiu Juan declared, her eyes piercing and ignited.

Brother He’s grin diminished, “Serve you? Who do you think you are?”

Xiu Juan’s expression was unchanged, “It’s not who I think I am, but who I am.”

Brother He raised his eyebrow. “You are really something, mister pretty boy. I’ll honor your demand,” he lowered his head as he grinned, his eyes on Xiu Juan.

The streets cleared and the civilians watched closely as a combat was about to go in motion. Brother He sat on a stool taken from a restaurant with his men in formation behind him. Xiu Juan sat on the opposite side of the road. Ms Lin and Mei soon approached Xiu Juan and stood by her nervously with Luli.

“A lady’s man, eh?” Brother He chuckled from the other side.

Both Bo and his opponent stepped into the street. Xiu Juan and Brother He examined each other’s man for weapons and returned to their seats before beginning the combat.

When Brother He sat down, his right hand man bent down to him. “This man is rather confident in himself. There’s something about him I can’t seem to figure out.”

Brother He waved his hand casually. “At ease, Brother Kang. I want to see what this boy is made of. His daring soul intrigues me. Also, there’s something I want to observe. The way that other boy fought surprised me.”

“Sir He,” Xiu Juan called out. “Ready whenever you are.”

“Brother Yun!” Brother He roared for his man to step forth.

Brother Yun and Bo stood in their stance.

Xiu Juan and Brother He looked at each other and waved their hands to start the fight. Bo and Brother Yun immediately charged at each other. Though Bo’s opponent was twice his size, the training he had done with Ying-tai’s men made him swift against him. He was small and quick compared to the large man. Brother Yun could crack the ground beneath him but his moves were staggered because he was so big and stocky. Bo quickly moved around him and hooked his foot around Brother Yun’s leg and pushed him forward. Brother Yun fell and got back up irritated. He lunged forward to grab Bo but Bo stopped his movement and struck Brother Yun’s chest three times and swiped his foot across his feet, knocking him down again with a fourth strike that took the wind from his lungs.

“One point for us!” Luli cheered quietly.

Brother He didn’t seem angry. Instead, he was fascinated by Bo.

“Brother Yun!” Brother He’s men cried. They ran in to pick him up and dragged him back to their side.

“I see what you’re saying,” Brother Kang said to Brother He while they both stared at Bo.

“Brother Ye!” Brother He called out.

He stepped out and stood in his stance before Bo. Again, Xiu Juan and Brother He waved their hand to start the combat. Brother Ye started with a spinning kick, taking Bo by surprise. He blocked the several blows and struck him to the ground and took a leap away from Brother Ye. This opponent was quicker. They paced around in a circle before jumping again at each other.

Brother Ye’s fist leapt in toward Bo’s face but he moved aside and struck his arm away. Brother Ye attempted to hook Bo’s leg but Bo kept a firm post. He then raised his hand up to claw at Bo’s throat but Bo elbowed his hand downward with one arm and then struck him away with one swift move. Brother Ye came forward again and performed footwork against Bo. Bo slithered away, keeping his balance. However, he took a small misstep and Brother Ye kicked upward and struck his face.

Xiu Juan clenched her sleeves from tension.

“Bo,” Luli whispered from worry.

Bo twisted in mid air but managed to land properly, wiping the dirt off his chin. This time, Bo attacked first with his footwork, threading between Brother Ye’s steps. Then, in the quickest opened chance given, Bo raised his kicks higher as he spun forward and then leapt up in the air and did a full spinning kick against Brother Ye.

Brother He watched carefully as Bo landed and continued on to attack his opponent. Brother Ye swung his fists against Bo and Bo threaded between them. He then moved his leg so it was behind Brother Ye’s right leg. Bo purposely moved a step past him and hooked his arm around Brother Ye’s neck with his left arm. He flung him downward but stopped inches away from the ground so as not to dislocate his neck.

“Another point!” Luli clapped.

Xiu Juan smiled, pleased with Bo and his improvement. She was right to never doubt the people that trained Bo. The Secret Affairs Unit under Ying-tai’s authority did their job well.

After Bo released Brother Ye, Brother He smirked at Bo. “Impressive. I underestimated you, kid,” he grinned.

“I didn’t win yet,” Bo continued, “It’s whoever reaches three points first.”

“Of course.”

“Brother He,” Brother Kang bent down to Brother He again while keeping his eyes on Bo and Xiu Juan, “there is something more to this man than we think. We should be attentive on their motives.”

“Indeed. My speculations were correct,” Brother He squinted his eyes as he leaned his chin against his knuckles.”

“You think—“ Brother Kang began as he darted his eyes to Brother He.

“Mmm,” Brother He nodded. “But, there are many martial artists from around the world here this time of year to perform for the Zhao ceremony. We can’t make our assumptions just yet. He may just be another martial artist.” Brother He rose from his seat and stepped forward, “I’ll be competing with you now.”

Xiu Juan raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes, surprised.

Bo straightened his back and stood his stance, “Ready when you are.”

Brother He proceeded toward Bo and readied himself. In a blink of an eye, Brother He swung his fist forward but Bo luckily swerved to the side in time and swiped his strike away. His heart stopped right at this moment, startled by the quick act from Brother He. Bo spun around to add momentum to his kick and raised his leg to strike but Brother He dodged it by moving his abdomen. He then grabbed Bo’s leg and twirled him in the air but Bo was able to support himself from the fall with his hand and pushed himself back up.

Brother He did his footwork against Bo, pressing his hand onto the ground and spinning himself so his legs were giving out a spiraling kick. Bo threaded through them, blocking them with his arms. When Bo found the moment, he kicked upward and interrupted Brother He’s footwork. In this interruption, Brother He twisted his body upward and attacked Bo with his hands. Bo pulled Brother He’s attacking arm forward and then struck his chest.

After his successful hit, he twisted back and flew away to create a quick breathing distance between them. Bo breathed heavily, staring at Brother He who was calm during all of this action. As soon as Bo shut his eyelids for a second, Brother He appeared behind him, his elbow inches away from his spine. Bo twisted his body and raised his arms up to stop the blow. Brother He’s other hand grabbed Bo’s garment by the collar and attempted to raise him but Bo hooked his leg around the arm, hoisted himself up, and then twisted around to free himself meanwhile kicking Brother He’s face with one blow as his grip came loose.

With Bo’s back turned to him, Brother He grabbed him again but Bo reacted and refused to budge. Bo wrapped his fingers around Brother He’s wrist and then went under his arm. He swung Brother He’s arm behind his own back and pinned him in position. Brother He smirked, catching Bo by surprise, and then swiftly freed himself and swung a fist toward Bo’s face. Bo dodged it, feeling the brush of wind by his ear. Quickly, Brother He whipped around and clawed at Bo’s chest but he moved and Brother He only ripped Bo’s outer garment. When Bo jumped away, he furrowed his eyebrows at Brother He who slowly turned to straightly face him.

“How?” Bo whispered to himself. “I had him under a lock.”

Brother He soared forward and attacked again. Each of the men tried to hook the other’s leg but both had their feet rooted to the ground firmly. Bo found it difficult to land a hit this time around as Brother He kept swiping his strikes to the side. Bo grabbed Brother He by his garment and swung around his shoulder to his back. Bo kept a firm hold of Brother He and attempted to bring him down. He seemed to be succeeding but Brother He broke free and struck a blow to Bo’s abdomen, knocking the wind out of him.

Suddenly an arrow flew toward Bo and Brother He and landed on a post by Brother Kang.

“Brother He! It’s a set up!” He panicked.

Brother He spun his eyes to Xiu Juan who shot up from her seat. However, her eyes were elsewhere. She was looking toward the direction the arrow flew from.

“Bo, hold your position,” Xiu Juan ordered.

“What is the meaning of this, pretty boy?” Brother He questioned, not sure whether he should rage and kill Bo or be cautious.

“They’re cheating!” The other brothers of Brother He roared.

Xiu Juan turned to Brother He, her eyes expressing caution.

“Do not misunderstand,” Xiu Juan warned.

“Don’t listen to them!”

“They knew they had the upper hand! They see us as vulnerable because we are standing on their land!”

Another group of martial artists chimed in, “How would you know? Don’t be making accusations because you are losing!”

“Sore losers!”

Those who were on Brother He’s side roared back, “How do you know if they aren’t cheating? This could all be a distraction to their main intent! They want to win the gala’s recognition in the displaying of martial arts competition!”

In a split moment, a fight broke out between the clans of martial artists. Another arrow flew downward and this time Xiu Juan saw where it was coming from. Someone was aiming at Brother He but he didn’t notice because he was fighting against all of the other contestants from around the country.

“Brother Kang! Sword!” He shouted.

“Someone’s trying to kill him,” Xiu Juan breathed heavily.

“Huh?” Luli looked at Xiu Juan who got up and jumped over the many fighting men.

Xiu Juan used her sleeves as a weapon and faltered the men before her. She stole a sword and jumped toward Brother He to strike away another flying arrow. Brother He heard the metal clang and spun around to Xiu Juan. Enraged by thinking she was after him, he swung his sword at her but Xiu Juan quickly blocked the blow. He swiveled his sword against Xiu Juan’s and plunged forward but Xiu Juan twisted back and around and spun her sword till it was under his blade. She then pushed her sword upward and struck the point of the blade toward his chin.

He flicked her sword away and swung his blade against hers, the blade screaming as it scraped against Xiu Juan’s sword and toward her. She changed her holding of the sword in her hand and twisted it downward and redirected the flow of Brother He’s blade. In a quick motion, Xiu Juan wasted no time and whipped her sword upright again and pressed it against Brother He’s chest. He looked at her and his face expressed fulfillment for he knew who she was now.

“You sure have a lot of challengers, Sir He,” Xiu Juan commented, “You seem to be a man with a greater name than I thought.”

“I’m nothing but a mere barbarian,” Brother He replied. “And speak so of yourself. You are more than what you appear to be.”

Xiu Juan raised her head higher.

“Fighting your follower there,” he looked at Bo, “I was familiar with his techniques.” He returned his eyes to Xiu Juan, “But clashing swords with you, I am certain I’ve seen it before.”

Xiu Juan lowered her sword while everyone fought around them.

“I’ve fought a man like you once,” Brother He lifted his chin and smiled, “In the Southern parts of Chu by the lands of the Yue, my sword met with a worthy adversary. To witness something like that first hand, it’s not something I would ever forget.”

Xiu Juan’s chest rose higher as she began to breathe harder.

“You are not of Zhao descent,” Brother He pointed out, “but of Qin.”

Xiu Juan’s eyes were blazing with her fiery heart but her lips remained sealed. She was taken by surprise when Brother He lowered his weapon.

“I don’t know who you are, but for someone to mimic His swordplay so closely, I do not feel right to oppose you,” Brother He stated, his face serious.

Xiu Juan softened the expression in her eyes, “Who is this man to you?”

“I was His foe, but He saved my life. For that, I am forever indebted to Him,” Brother He’s expression also softened.

“You were also swayed by his ways, I see,” Xiu Juan mentioned.

Brother He’s eyes shot upward and he stared at Xiu Juan. “What did you say?”

Xiu Juan unveiled herself for Brother He to see. He saw her long dark hair behind her shoulders and the remaining definitions of her face. Xiu Juan’s lips curled into a friendly smile, “A dear friend of His is a dear friend of mine.”

Brother He held in his breath at the sight of the woman who held great impression over the great Ying-tai.

“The Grand Princess Xiu Juan of Qin,” he exhaled as he addressed her. His eyes turned heartrending toward Xiu Juan, “He told me I’d meet you here.”

Xiu Juan’s eyes grew bigger.

Brother He raised his hand to stop his men from fighting and they turned to him immediately.

“I apologize for the nuisance I brought upon you,” he lowered his head. Then he looked over to Luli and lowered his head to her apologetically as well before turning to leave.

“For your safety,” Xiu Juan began before he disappeared into the crowd, “do not speak of His name here.”

Brother He turned his head to the side, “And also, you and I never met.”

Xiu Juan nodded. “One more thing,” she added softly as she lowered her shoulders and smiled, “Thank you. For trusting him, I thank you.”

Brother He turned to her one last time, “Be patient just a little while longer, your grace.” With that, he straightened his shoulders and disappeared with his men away from the fighting mob.

After Brother He left, a large group of soldiers and cavaliers advanced toward Xiu Juan’s direction. In the midst of the commotion, she saw Hui Zhong. At the sight of him, the fight immediately broke out and everybody scurried away so as not to get caught and lose the reputation of their martial arts clan. Those who did not get away in time were caught and met with Hui Zhong and his army’s fury. While everyone disbanded, they knocked over tables, stools, and roughly shoved Xiu Juan to pass her. She struggled to push past the mob and heard Bo call out her name. He was trying to get to her.

“Bo!” Xiu Juan raised her head, “Go get Luli!”

His worried eyes turned to Luli who was holding onto a post and obliged.

I must not fall to the ground. Xiu Juan told herself as she pushed to stay standing high. I will get trampled on by this stampede. While various martial artists were resisting the Zhao force, Xiu Juan pushed away from the oncoming soldiers. Many men began to unsheathe their swords from aggravation.

“Is this how you treat your guests?” They cried.

“Zhao is unjust!”

“Those who disturb the tranquility within Zhao will be met with consequences. Resist and you will be punished to the highest extent.” Hui Zhong roared as he pointed his beaming blade against the resistance.

While Hui Zhong and his men proceeded forward, Xiu Juan felt someone grab a hold of her arm and yanked her toward them. Her hood fell off and her hair spilt down, unveiling her. She clenched her teeth at the pain from her arm being twisted past its possible degree.

“Ugh!” She grunted.

“You’re coming with me,” a voice sounded.

He dragged her into a small shop and before she could turn around and make out the face of the man who was taking her hostage, she felt the sharp edge of his cold silver blade against her neck. She gasped and held in her breath.

“Impudent soul! Who are you?!” Xiu Juan growled.

The man yanked her harder. She could only make out the dark mask that covered the bottom half of his face.

“With your help, we’ll be able to lure Him in,” his voice illustrated the devious smile on his face.

Delun? Xiu Juan thought. But he was a man who swore fidelity to Ying-tai and would never hurt her.

“You’ve been stalking,” Xiu Juan glared. The man knew who she was and he had been following her to this point. “Who sent you?”

“If you cooperate, you will live to see our flags rise from all corners of the world,” he grinned as he pulled her in closer, his blade pressing harder against her neck.

“You won’t get away with this,” Xiu Juan’s eyes blazed with fire.

“Ah ah ah,” he shook his head. “If you don’t do as I say, with one nod, one of my men here will kill a civilian,” he moved his sword and pointed at Ms Lin. There were a few men who had their eyes toward her friends. They looked just like normal civilians, but they were actually with the man taking Xiu Juan hostage.

“Ms Lin,” Xiu Juan’s eyes widened and her chest heaved. “Wait,” Xiu Juan paused.

“Mmm?” The man looked down at Xiu Juan.

“What a sudden change of impression. You seem to be sharp. You’ve planned everything down right to this point. You’ve been stalking me for a while now and know exactly who I’ve been connecting with. Of all people you chose to have your men target Ms Lin first, an elderly woman. What does she have against you? What does she have that you want?”

“What are you getting to?” He hissed.

“It’s personal, isn’t it? You know her,” Xiu Juan commented. “Others may say it’s merciful killing, but I see it as cold-blood murdering. You were the one who killed her husband. But that wasn’t enough, was it? You had to get rid of her too. Smiting everything off the face of the earth makes your blood rush, doesn’t it? You only use ‘the duties of a soldier’ as your excuse.”

“Incredible. You are full of surprises aren’t you, Empress of Zhao? Very perceptive, indeed.”

“You will not get away with this,” Xiu Juan declared.

“Confident, aren’t we?”

“Man of Yan, you will not escape with your life this time. And even if you do, it will not be for long,” Xiu Juan proclaimed. “You are on dangerous grounds.”

The Man of Yan brought his blade back to Xiu Juan’s neck, “Says the one who has a sword by her throat.”

“This time around, you chose the wrong victim, Man of Yan.”

He raised his eyebrows at Xiu Juan.

“Cut my head off now to get to the Emperor of Zhao, but I promise you Zhao will not be the last of what you will see.”

The Man of Yan furrowed his brows, “Excuse me?”

A strong wind whipped the layers of their garments. A tinkling noise caught his attention and he lowered his head to the sound.

“That charm,” he noticed. “I saw it somewhere before. I fought a man—no, a young boy—a long time ago who almost sent me to my death and he was wearing the same one.” His head shot upward when he came to the realization of Xiu Juan’s identity, “It cannot be! Why would the Zhao accept someone from Qin? Why would you, a Qin descent, live among ravaging wolves? Why would you even care about what happens to anyone here today? Zhao is your sworn enemy!”

“Apparently, when That Man spared your life that day, you did not come to an understanding of His ways.”

“Well what good has it ever done to you? Do you not see your position now?” He cried between clenched teeth as he raised his sword. “Huh, Grand Princess of Qin?! Do you not feel pity?! Who do you think you are?!”

Xiu Juan gripped her sleeves and brought herself to speak, “I am not worn down by pity. I am Xiu Juan and I have come to be recognized in the two strongest empires. Qin in my front, and Zhao at my back.”

“What?” The Man of Yan huffed, irritated at her riddling comment.

A hand from behind covered his mouth and yanked his head backward. A blade slid through his throat and his garments were soon decorated with his blood. He collapsed onto the ground, his throat still palpitating. Xiu Juan froze at the gruesome sight. When she raised her head, before her stood a hooded man with a dark mask covering half of his face. A Clandestine. She knew she recognized his eyes from somewhere before.

“You,” she addressed as she furrowed her brows.

He tilted his head for her to get out of the area and, without arguing, she obeyed. When she ran out of the small shop, she noticed everyone was now surrounded by Zhao soldiers. The men of Yan who were captured were forced onto their knees, their hands tied behind their backs.

“Empress Xiu Juan!” Ms Lin cried out to her. She was running towards her.

“Ms Lin!” Xiu Juan took her under her arms and led her toward the Zhao soldiers, away from the chaos.

“A man! A man!” Ms Lin was panting, “He’s still in there! He came to save me but someone tackled him down and they both fell through a window!”

Xiu Juan’s heart began to beat faster. “Ms Lin, we must get you to safety first. This dangerous group of men were the same soldiers who killed your husband,” Xiu Juan said to her as she carried her.

Ms Lin’s eyes welled up as her hands trembled but her voice remained strong, “Even so, we must go back to see if he’s alive. He must be. He has to be. Oh, the gods must spare a life!”

When they reached the Zhao soldiers, they immediately recognized Xiu Juan and took her in. Luli and Bo were already there waiting for her.

“Xiu Juan!” Luli hugged her. “Thank goodness you’re okay!”

Xiu Juan embraced her in return.

“There were Yan soldiers involved,” Bo spoke to her. “They’ve been inside Zhao for a while planning to take us down from within. Seems they were just waiting for the right moment to attack but failed anyhow.”

“Yes, I know,” Xiu Juan looked at Bo while caressing Luli’s head.

“They were reckless to think they could take down a state like Zhao,” Bo stated. He exhaled heavily, “This is what happens when you let many people from all over the world enter inside your walls, huh?”

“People are eager to abuse any trust given,” Xiu Juan commented.

Soon, the city street fell into silence and everyone stared in awe at the Zhao army and Hui Zhong. About sixty Yan soldiers were caught and placed in chains. Ten more were being brought out from a building by four elite Zhao soldiers. When Hui Zhong saw Xiu Juan, he approached her with glaring eyes.

“Empress Xiu Juan. I should have known you would be here,” he commented in a cold voice. “We have been looking all over for you!” After a pause, he moved to the side, “I won’t waste my breath on you today. I’ll let him deal with you.”

From behind Hui Zhong, a hooded masked man emerged from the exact building the ten Yan men and four elite Zhao soldiers came out of. It was the Clandestine that killed the man that took Xiu Juan. He was walking in between two elite Zhao soldiers while holding onto someone who seemed to be the head of the terrorizing Yan group. The masked man handed the Yan man over to one of the Zhao officials and made his way toward Hui Zhong. They seemed to know each other very well.

“Empress! That’s the man I was talking about! He’s alive!” Ms Lin blurted.

Xiu Juan kept her eyes on Hui Zhong and the masked man.

“That’s all seventy of them,” Hui Zhong counted. “Impressive. You caught the most of them singlehandedly. Just as I would expect from you.”

The masked man nodded.

Hui Zhong bowed lowly to him, “Thank you for your help. Your cooperation in this was an exceptional help, like always. We really couldn’t have done it without you.”

The masked man waved his hand to express that it was no big deal.

Hui Zhong lifted his head. “You must be tired from all of this. We’ll take it from here.” Before they both turned around, Hui Zhong spoke once more to the masked man, “Oh. By the way, we found her. Just as you asked.”

He lifted his head toward Xiu Juan and then turned his head back to Hui Zhong and nodded. He began his way toward Xiu Juan while lowering the mask covering the bottom half of his face. The mask came off completely when he stood before her with the familiar stern eyes of his looking down at her.

“Emperor Jinhai,” Xiu Juan exhaled from surprise.

Luli, Bo, Ms Lin, and Mei—who just jumped in—along with everybody else in the crowd held in their breath.

“When will you learn, Xiu Juan of Qin,” Jinhai furrowed his eyebrows at her. “What would have happened if nobody was here to help? You recklessly put innocent lives in danger out there today!”

“I’m sorry…” Xiu Juan lowered her eyes.

Emperor Jinhai sighed, his expression still stern. He lowered his voice, “It is improper for you to just show up in places like this especially when dressed like that. Return to the palace with my men.”

Not wanting to interject Jinhai in front of the people of Zhao, Xiu Juan reluctantly lowered her head to him. Jinhai turned away and continued toward his men. But before Xiu Juan turned away herself, she faced Jinhai, “Was it just by chance you found me and saved my life?”

Jinhai paused in his steps.

Xiu Juan stepped toward him, “If it weren’t for your assignment here today you wouldn’t even be here, would you?”

“Should I not have spared your life?” Jinhai questioned in a low voice.

“Whether it was intentional or not, I thank you anyway. But mostly, I thank you for saving Ms Lin.” She looked at his broad shoulders and strong back. She nervously approached him. “There’s one more thing,” Xiu Juan began.

Feeling her presence exceptionally near him, Jinhai spun to her. Xiu Juan immediately struck his right shoulder with her two fingers and faltered him. Hui Zhong and the Zhao soldiers reacted and closed in toward Xiu Juan fiercely. She only stood there and looked down at Jinhai, now knowing for sure he was the Clandestine that saved her that night.

“Just what do you think you are doing, Empress?!” Hui Zhong growled at her.

“What is she doing?” Luli squealed to Bo.

“Oh, his beautiful face is scrunched up into a scowl!” Mei commented.

Bo, Luli, and Ms Lin looked at her.

“What?” She stared back at them.

Xiu Juan kept her eyes down at Jinhai and questioned him, “The Clandestine. It was you that time also, wasn’t it?”

Jinhai straightened his posture and glared at Xiu Juan, brushing his right shoulder with his left hand. Xiu Juan only stared sternly back. “Forgive me. I had to know.”

“Xiu Juan of Qin—“ Jinhai began, raising his hand to calm his men.

Before he could finish, in the middle of the commotion, the Yan official shot up and jumped toward Jinhai with a silver pin he pulled out from his collar.

“Your highness!” His men all yelled and jumped in at once in attempt to stop the attacker.

Xiu Juan saw the glimmer of the silver pin near and her body reacted by pulling Jinhai to the side, causing the cold metal to meet with her skin and through her warm body instead. Her eyes followed it go in her left shoulder and a numbing pain arose as it slid through and blood oozed out and decorated her garment like a blooming crimson flower.

It was as if time slowed. Everyone’s eyes were filled with terror at the witness of an attempted assassination. Luli and Bo jumped and cried out Xiu Juan’s name but were held back by the Zhao guards. Hui Zhong flicked his arm and spitted commands while soldiers stormed in unison with their swords and spears pointed toward the Yan official that anticipated their emperor’s death.

Under the shock her body fell into, the only thing Xiu Juan remembered seeing clearly were Jinhai’s eyes in which befell into wickedness. He stopped the movement of the silver pin short, gripping onto the Yan official’s forearm. Jinhai then numbed his whole arm, making the official loosen his grip of the silver pin. When his hands were apart from the weapon, Jinhai dislocated his arm and swung him back twenty paces from Xiu Juan. Jinhai strode after him menacingly and lifted him up by his collar, strangling him. After calming his temper down, Jinhai set the Yan official back down and threw him back to his Zhao officials while he gasped for air.

“Keep him separated from the others. I want to deal with him later,” Jinhai ordered in a cold voice. He immediately turned around and returned to Xiu Juan who dropped onto her knees from losing balance. Her vision began to become hazy and her breath started to shorten. She couldn’t feel her fingers or manage to even move her arms upward to pull the silver pin out.

“Don’t,” he said in a low voice, “if you pull on it wrong, you’ll bleed more.”

Xiu Juan had her eyebrows furrowed and she lifted her eyes up to his. She watched him unravel his dark scarf from his neck and place it by her chest under the pin.

“Control your breathing. This will hurt only for a little bit,” Jinhai spoke in a composed voice.

Xiu Juan shut her eyes, bit her lips, and nodded. Jinhai pulled the silver pin out and black-colored blood spilt out onto the gravel.

Noticing the color of the blood, Jinhai furrowed his brows, “Poison.”

Xiu Juan gasped when she saw the blackness of her blood. Her eyes began to close, “Get me to a physician quickly.”

Jinhai lifted his eyes back to her. She fell limp and Jinhai caught her and held her up in his arms.

“It’s the Golden Caterpillar Fur. I know because that’s what it does to one’s blood when it comes into contact with it. Also, I feel my lungs tightening and losing control of my body functions.”

When Hui Zhong anxiously approached them, Jinhai called to him while keeping his eyes on Xiu Juan, “Hui Zhong, take her to the palace and summon the imperial physician and botanist. Make haste. The more she breathes, the more the poison will take effect. Her nerves are already starting to deteriorate as we speak.”

“Yes!” Hui Zhong nodded and took Xiu Juan from Jinhai’s arms. While he watched Hui Zhong mount Xiu Juan onto his dark horse, the lifelessness that befell Xiu Juan’s eyes made him uneasy for they were usually so full of spirit.

Before mounting onto Jinhai’s dark horse himself, Hui Zhong turned back to Jinhai, “And you?”

Standing tall and poised, Jinhai shook his head, “I have some business to take care of first.” He turned to the Yan official that poisoned Xiu Juan with his silver pin and started toward him.

Xiu Juan slowly turned to Jinhai, but before her eyes could meet his, Hui Zhong whipped the dark horse and they sprinted away.

Arriving at the palace, Hui Zhong and the Zhao men that followed him stormed through the doors and summoned the imperial physician and botanist. They took Xiu Juan to a private room while Luli and Bo followed closely. Bo was stopped at the door while only Luli was allowed to follow Xiu Juan inside. The imperial botanist who entered was a blind, old, nimble lady. She felt Xiu Juan and placed her wrinkled finger by her pulse.

“Gu, poison that’s been made by dark practices, I see.” She dismissed all of the men but the imperial physician.

“What are you doing?” Luli panicked.

“The clothes have been tainted with the poison as well,” the botanist informed Luli who watched tearfully. “We must dispose of them.”

She then inserted heated needles to Xiu Juan’s bare back and dark blood began to flow out of the wound. When the blood was not as black anymore, the blind botanist flushed the wound with medicinal serum and allowed any remaining dead blood pour out of Xiu Juan. She then got out the antidote and poured it into a cup.

“What’s that?” Luli was curious of what the botanist was putting inside of Xiu Juan.

“Myoga ginger root used to treat the Gu with chrysanthemum flower extract and dioscorea root. There are toxins in her blood that need to be flushed out. Luckily, the poison did not work its way to her nervous system yet, but just in case I’ve given her a dose of wolfberry. She just needs rest and scheduled medications to recover.” She opened Xiu Juan’s lip and had the antidote trickle down into her throat.

After the physician examined her, he wrote down Xiu Juan’s needed prescription of the antidote found and created by the imperial botanist and handed it to Luli.

“Make sure her majesty follows the direct amount at the instructed times,” he said to her.

“Of course,” Luli lowered her head and thanked them. She turned her head slowly to Xiu Juan and walked toward her. She knelt down and laid her head next to Xiu Juan.

“Silly, Xiu Juan. Why would you risk your life for such thing?” Luli’s eyes welled up with tears. She covered the charm that was slightly revealed and wept, “What would Ying-tai say about this? Do you know how angry he would be with you? With me? With us?”

Bo, who was standing by the door, proceeded toward Luli and placed his hands gently on her. They both stood there quietly watching over Xiu Juan until the sun’s ray became enveloped by darkness.