Even in the morning, the fog was thick and unyielding, weaving through the trees and obscuring the path ahead. Suyin stayed close to Wansun, fearing she might lose him if he took even two steps away.
The birds chirped melodiously, their songs amplified and distorted by the fog, creating an eerie echo that filled the mountains. The sparse trees were identical in appearance, heightening the disorienting effect of the fog. Suyin felt as though they were walking in circles, but she trusted Wansun to lead the way.
"What kind of medicine or herb are you looking for?" Suyin asked, her eyes scanning the cold, damp ground as she matched her pace with Wansun's.
Wansun moved his head left and right, carefully inspecting the surroundings. "It's a flower called the Niaoshao flower," he explained, pulling out his journal and flipping to a page with detailed sketches.
"I've heard it grows in high mountains where the fog lingers. It's bright pink in the morning, but as night falls, it turns purple, hiding its beauty." He pointed to the drawing, the intricate details capturing the flower's unique features. "I haven't seen it myself, but it's said to be hard to miss in the fog due to its vibrant color."
Suyin nodded, committing the flower's appearance to memory. If it was as distinct as Wansun described, spotting it shouldn't be too difficult. She continued to follow closely behind him, the silence of their search broken only by the occasional crunch of leaves underfoot.
Suddenly, a shriek pierced the stillness. Suyin spun around, seeing nothing but dense fog. Her heart raced as she clutched her chest, trying to calm herself.
"Wha—That scared me," she muttered, turning back to continue following Wansun. But to her horror, he was no longer in sight.
"Wansun?" she called out, her voice trembling. There was no answer. The fog seemed to swallow her words, leaving her in an oppressive silence. Panic began to set in as she looked around, desperately trying to find a familiar shape or sound.
"Wansun!" she shouted again, louder this time.
"I'm over here!" came Wansun's distant reply. She turned towards the direction of his voice, the east. "Come over here, Suyin! Follow my voice!"
Suyin hurried towards the sound of Wansun's voice. The fog made every step uncertain, but she pushed through, guided by his reassuring calls. After what felt like an eternity, she reached a rocky, cave-like formation.
Relief washed over her as she saw Wansun standing at the entrance. "Thank goodness I found you," she panted, catching her breath.
"A-Are you in here?" Suyin called out, her voice trembling as she ventured deeper into the cave.
The darkness and the uncertainty of where she was heading made her uneasy. Silence answered her. Carefully, she crept inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light cast by small, flickering candles.
As she moved further in, she spotted Wansun crouched beside an unconscious girl lying on the cold cave floor. Relief and confusion mingled as Suyin hurried to his side.
"There's no pulse," Wansun said, his voice heavy with regret. He shook his head, indicating that the girl was beyond help.
However, her body was still warm, suggesting she had only recently passed away.
Suyin looked closely at the girl's face, a sense of familiarity washing over her. "It looks like I've seen her before..." she murmured, her mind racing through the faces of people she had encountered on her journey.
Memories flashed in her mind: a desperate plea at the Xinyi Host Inn, a woman begging for help. The realization hit her hard. This was one of the women she had helped rescue from captivity.
"How did she end up here?" Suyin wondered aloud, the pieces of the puzzle coming together. She couldn't divulge this to Wansun; involving him in this dangerous mess was not an option.
Suddenly, voices echoed from outside the cave, one of them sounding disturbingly familiar. Suyin and Wansun exchanged alarmed glances. Wansun raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Suyin nodded, her heart pounding as she tried to calm her breathing.
"Did you finish the job?" a voice demanded from outside, harsh and impatient.
"The job is finished. She said she didn't find the person who freed her and the rest of the girls," another voice responded.
"Damn!" came the angry reply.
Suyin's blood ran cold. The voice, the ruthless intent—it had to be Hwang Liwei, the man responsible for imprisoning the women at the inn.
"My lord, shouldn't you be getting ready for the wedding with Princess Yanyu?" another voice chimed in, this one softer and filled with apprehension.
The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Suyin's mind raced.
"Stupid! That useless Princess didn't even want to marry me! Having to be declined in front of the King and my father..." Liwei's voice echoed with rage. "She'll see what happens when she becomes my wife."
"My lord! We have found something suspicious over here!"
Suyin and Wansun held their breath as they listened to the footsteps fading away. The oppressive silence returned, and they exchanged a look of mutual relief.
Wansun exhaled deeply, his tension easing. "Thank goodness they didn't come in," he said, glancing at Suyin.
But Suyin was frozen, her mind racing with thoughts of her dear friend, the Princess.
How had Yanyu become engaged to a man as vile as Liwei? Had this been arranged without her knowledge? The thought of Yanyu being forced into such an arrangement filled her with dread.
"Wansun," she said, her voice steady but urgent, "I have to go back home."
Wansun's eyes widened in concern. "Why? What's happened?"
Suyin took a deep breath, trying to organize her swirling thoughts.
"The Princess Yanyu is a dear friend of mine. If she's being forced to marry Liwei, it could be disastrous. He's dangerous, and with his status, he could wield a lot of power over her. I can't let that happen."
Wansun's expression softened with understanding.
"I see. But we must be careful. Liwei's men are close by, and we need to find a safe way out of here."
Suyin nodded, her determination solidifying. "You're right. We need to be cautious."
They began to move quietly towards the cave's entrance, peeking out to ensure the coast was clear. The fog still lingered outside, providing them with some cover.
"Let's take the path along the stream," Wansun suggested, pointing to a narrow trail that followed the water's edge. "It will be harder for them to track us there."
Suyin agreed, and they started their careful descent, the sound of the babbling brook masking their footsteps. As they navigated the treacherous terrain, Suyin couldn't help but think about Yanyu and the danger she was in.
"We need to reach the town quickly," Suyin said, her urgency pushing them to move faster. "If Liwei's men realize we're here, they'll come after us."
Wansun nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. "We'll get there. Just stay close."
The journey was arduous, the rough terrain and lingering fog making each step a challenge. Yet, Suyin's resolve never wavered. She had to protect Yanyu and prevent Liwei from gaining control over her.
As they finally emerged from the dense forest, the outline of the town appeared in the distance. Suyin felt a wave of relief wash over her. They were almost there.
Suyin nodded, her mind already working through possible strategies. "Thank you, Wansun. I couldn't do this without your help."
They quickened their pace, the urgency of their mission propelling them forward. As the town drew nearer, Suyin would not let Yanyu fall into the hands of Liwei.
------------------------
Suyin had bid Wansun farewell immediately after their eventful encounter.
Despite his offer to escort her home, she insisted on doing it herself, expressing her gratitude for his hospitality.
She borrowed a horse from Wansun to ensure a quick journey to Yuwei's gates, determined to act swiftly to protect Princess Yanyu.
Arriving at the gates of Yuwei, the place where she had first encountered Qin Fuhua, Suyin felt a mix of nostalgia and urgency. The memories of her initial encounter with the Prince seemed fresh, although months had passed. Yet, she couldn't dwell on the past; her mission was clear.
As she descended from the horse, a guard confronted her with suspicion. "What do you want here?!" he demanded, eyeing her and the horse critically. "Did you steal it?" His tone suggested he thought her a criminal.
"No. I learned.... it." Suyin hastily fabricated an excuse, aware of the societal norms that restricted women's freedoms. "I want to leave," she said, rolling her eyes at the guard's condescending glare.
The guard's laughter was harsh and humiliating. "Who dares to leave without a token of approval to leave the Palace!"
Suyin frowned, realizing the challenge ahead.
She turned away, leading the horse back. The harsh reality hit her: getting into Yuwei had been a stroke of luck, but escaping was another matter entirely. Without the necessary approval, she was trapped.
As she walked away from the gate, her mind raced with thoughts of her friend Yanyu and the impending danger. She had to find a way out. The guard's mocking laughter echoed in her mind, fueling her determination.
The soldier's mocking remarks stung, but Suyin refused to let their derision shake her determination.
It was infuriating that she couldn't even leave the country without being ridiculed simply because of her gender. She shot them a fierce glare, silently daring them to say more.
But then, a familiar voice cut through the jeers.
Weizhe emerged from around the corner, his presence commanding attention. Dressed in black with his sword's scabbard in hand, he exuded an air of authority.
Suyin's eyes widened in surprise at his unexpected appearance.
"Was it for Miss Suyin?" Weizhe's question hung in the air, his gaze sweeping over the guards.
They straightened up immediately, recognizing his authority. Suyin felt a surge of relief at his intervention.
"What did they say? Needing a token, Miss Suyin?" Weizhe inquired, his tone calm but firm. Suyin bristled at the guards' behavior, shooting them a glare of disdain.
Weizhe chuckled softly, his demeanor shifting as he gestured towards a nearby table. Following his gaze, Suyin's eyes fell upon Qin Fuhua, sitting there with an air of quiet authority, sipping tea. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, his presence as imposing as ever.
"Tienzheng would like to chat with you," Weizhe whispered to Suyin before addressing the guards. "Ahem. I see that you have been slacking off with your job. Would you all like to be punished by guarding the animal's fertilizer instead?"
The guards paled at the threat, quickly apologizing and bowing before Weizhe. Suyin couldn't help but smirk at their sudden change in demeanor as they scurried off.
As Suyin approached the table where Qin Fuhua sat, he poured her a cup of tea with practiced ease.
His gaze, cold yet penetrating, met hers as he handed her the cup.
"Are you entertained yet?" he asked, his voice tinged with amusement.
Suyin couldn't contain her grin, nodding in satisfaction.
"Why are you leaving out of the city?" his question brought her back to reality, the gravity of their situation settling over her once more.
Qin Fuhua's penetrating gaze bore into Suyin as she finally spoke her truth. She could feel the weight of his scrutiny, his silence more daunting than any words he could have spoken. But she refused to back down, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination.
"It's... it's not because I wanted to leave, but I need to go back to my hometown to warn her... at least," Suyin's voice wavered slightly, betraying the fear and uncertainty that lurked beneath her resolve.
Qin Fuhua remained cold, his expression unreadable as he absorbed her words.
Suyin couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration at his impassive demeanor. Did he understand the urgency of her situation? Did he realize the danger her friend was in?
"How do you think that will go?" Qin Fuhua's voice cut through the tension, his tone cool and measured. "After working so hard to run out of that place and here, do you think it's that easy to come and go as you please?"
Suyin stood there, the weight of her dilemma pressing down upon her like the heavy sky before a storm. The truth in Qin Fuhua's words hung in the air, thick and suffocating.
Leaving her country meant severing ties that could never be mended, while returning to her hometown would unravel a tapestry of respect and honor, leaving her parents to bear the burden of her disgrace.
It was a decision with no easy solution, each path fraught with its own perils.
Her gaze, heavy with uncertainty, dropped to the ground, seeking solace in the cool earth beneath her feet. Then, almost reluctantly, she lifted her eyes to meet Qin Fuhua's, a silent plea echoing within their depths.
"P-Please," her voice was a mere whisper, fragile and trembling, "help me navigate the treacherous waters of the Long territory."
It was a rare moment of vulnerability for Suyin, who had always prided herself on her independence. But faced with the harsh reality of her situation, she knew she couldn't bear the burden alone.
Qin Fuhua's response was unexpected, a derisive laugh that cut through the tension like a knife. It was a sound so out of place coming from the cold Prince of Qin, yet it carried with it a bitter truth.
Did he truly believe he would aid her in her plight? Suyin tried at least, so that's all it mattered.
"If acknowledging your mistake is the first step towards redemption, then I accept," his words were laced with a hint of sarcasm, a subtle reminder of her predicament.
His gaze shifted to Weizhe, the silent enforcer of his will, who had already meted out punishment to those who dared to humiliate Suyin. Then, his eyes returned to her, a glimmer of something unreadable flickering within their depths.
"But know this," his voice held a solemnity that belied his earlier mockery, "venturing into the Long territory and back is a perilous endeavor." He uttered, "If you really want to do this, then let's get married."