As Suyin and Qin Fuhua walked side by side, a sense of unease settled over her. Despite his usual calm demeanor, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. His silence weighed heavily between them, leaving Suyin grappling with her own insecurities.
She dared not speak, afraid of revealing too much of her vulnerability after her earlier breakdown. Instead, she kept her gaze fixed on the ground, lost in her own thoughts. Suyin chastised her own weakness and longing for the strength to pull herself together.
"Han Suyin, what are you doing to yourself?! Get your grip together!" she scolded herself silently, drawing in a deep breath to steady her nerves as they arrived at the Orange Blossom Courtyard. Stepping into the meticulously groomed courtyard, Suyin couldn't help but marvel at its expanse.
It was a beautiful oasis, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the Palace. She imagined the possibilities of what could be built upon such fertile ground, her mind momentarily drifting away from her troubles.
Meanwhile, Qin Fuhua strode ahead, a silent command in his gesture as he summoned someone over. Suyin's gaze followed his, and she recognized the figure of Wu Fei approaching.
Without a moment's hesitation, Suyin rushed forward to embrace Wu Fei. "You're here!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine joy.
As Wu Fei's arms enveloped her in a tight embrace, Suyin felt a surge of relief flood through her. The concern in her Suyin's voice was palpable as she spoke, her words tumbling out in a rush of worry. "Suyin! I thought you were gone! Did the Prince find you?" Wu Fei began bawling, her tears streaming down with happiness as her question hung in the air, directed at Suyin, who turned to look at Qin Fuhua for guidance. However, the Prince remained silent, his expression unreadable.
"Y-Yes, he found me!" Suyin remarked, offering Wu Fei a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Suyin! It should be, Your Highness," Wu Fei corrected her hastily, casting a worried glance at Qin Fuhua before returning her attention to Suyin.
Qin Fuhua's weary voice cut through the conversation, his request for new clothes signaling his desire for privacy.
Without hesitation, Wu Fei nodded in acknowledgment.
"Yes, Your Highness," she replied dutifully, turning to leave in search of fresh garments.
As Wu Fei departed, Suyin's gaze lingered on Qin Fuhua's form, her eyes drawn to the torn fabric at the back of his robe. The sight served as a stark reminder of the events that had transpired earlier.
Qin Fuhua got flogged instead of herself!
"Areum! Suyin's back!" Wu Fei hollered, waving her hands to Areum.
She had just arrived back from her trip to town to get some more towels. Areum hurried to Suyin, with a radiant smile on her face.
"Suyin! You're finally back from your trip!"
Suyin was a bit confused at what Areum was saying, but Wu Fei intercepted.
"Haha. Yes, Suyin. Remember that the Prince told Areum about your trip so you didn't worry? So Areum wouldn't be worried that you disappeared or something?"
Suyin had to let it click for a second, and shook her head. It seems like the Prince had let Wu Fei know about Areum (her not knowing Suyin had disappeared for a while) so she wouldn't be stressed about Suyin.
She grinned at Areum. "I'm glad to be back!" She held Areum on one arm and Wu Fei on the other, clutching the two of them at the same time.
"Oh! Okay, I must get back to arranging the Prince's clothes." Wu Fei immediately bowed to Suyin. "I'll see you later!" Wu Fei called out.
Right. Suyin needed to check on Qin Fuhua, too. She needed to make sure that he was okay from earlier.
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Suyin had finally found a moment of respite after her bath, the warm water soothing her tired muscles and washing away the grime of the day.
With the Prince already done with his own bath, she had asked Areum to fetch her some clothes, leaving her with no choice but to borrow a pair from Areum.
Feeling a bit more at ease now that she was clean and no longer had to worry about disguising her chest, Suyin focused on her next task.
She had grounded some herbs to concoct medicine for Qin Fuhua, fearing that her punishment might leave his back a scar.
Grateful for Weizhe's help in gathering the necessary herbs, she felt compelled to visit Qin Fuhua and check on him.
Gently tapping on the sliding door, she strained her ears for any response. "Are you in there?" she called softly, giving the door another light knock before pushing it open. As she stepped into the Prince's bedchamber, she froze in place, her eyes widening in surprise.
There sat Qin Fuhua, slumbering peacefully with his head resting on his hand atop the tea table. Suyin couldn't help but feel a pang of embarrassment. Had she been overreacting? She mentally scolded herself for her needless worry, though her concern for his well-being still lingered.
Quietly approaching Qin Fuhua, she cautiously peered at his back, her worry subsiding as she realized he was no longer wearing the torn clothes. But her gaze lingered on his sleeping face, captivated by his serene expression.
"The longer you stare, the more you might burn a hole like that," Qin Fuhua's voice broke the silence, his eyes remaining closed. Startled, Suyin jumped back slightly, hastily adjusting her clothes as if caught in the act. "Ahem, I was just checking if you were awake," she stammered, attempting to regain her composure.
"Is there something you needed, that you came in here without any authorization?" Qin Fuhua inquired, his tone tinged with amusement.
"I... thought that you weren't okay," Suyin replied, holding up a her grounded herbs. "So I brought medicine for you... Um," she added, her voice faltering slightly. "So that I don't get killed for treason, for causing the Prince to get hurt in return."
"Hm? What's that for?" Qin Fuhua examined the bottle curiously. "There's nothing wrong with me," he added, perplexed.
Suyin gestured towards his back with the medicine, indicating her intention to use it on him.
But Qin Fuhua shook his head, declining her offer. "There's nothing there," he insisted.
"Unless..."
His voice trailed off as he rose from his seat and approached Suyin with deliberate steps. Their faces were inches apart, his warm breath grazing her skin as she slowly backed away, her back soon meeting the cool surface of the wall.
"You're trying to get me to take off my clothes," he whispered, his lips almost brushing against her ear.
Suyin recoiled, pushing against his chest, only to elicit a small groan from him, enough to make her pause with concern.
Her eyes filled with worry, eyebrows furrowed. "You are hurt, aren't you?"
Qin Fuhua remained silent, prompting Suyin to rush back towards him, offering the medicine once more.
"Here, let me help you with your wound!" she urged. "At least use the medicine so that I don't feel bad."
Suyin found herself engaged in a struggle with Qin Fuhua, who persistently rejected the medicine she held.
"I don't need it," he reiterated firmly. "I'm not hurt, as I said."
"But at least let me see your wound! I'm worried about you," Suyin pleaded, continuing to resist Qin Fuhua's refusal.
Qin Fuhua paused, his touch gentle as he softly grasped her wrists, halting her efforts.
"Say that again," Qin Fuhua repeated, his tone insistent.
"S-say what?" Suyin stuttered, feeling the heat rising to her cheeks.
"Forget it," he sighed, releasing her wrists and turning away, as if ready to leave.
"I-I said I'm worried about you," Suyin blurted out, her words barely audible amidst her growing embarrassment. She could feel her cheeks flushing, as if they were about to burst into flames.
Qin Fuhua glanced back at Suyin, his expression unreadable for a moment before he nodded.
"Fine."
With that, Qin Fuhua began to remove his robe, but before he could fully disrobe, Suyin spun around, her back now pressed against the wall.
"What now?" he asked, a mix of confusion and irritation evident in his voice. "You act as if you've never seen my body before."
"Of course! You idiot," Suyin thought to herself, mentally scolding him. "It's because before... I didn't see you in a light as a man... but I don't know why it's different now!"
"Nothing!" she hastily replied, her voice a mixture of frustration and embarrassment.
Suyin took a deep breath and turned to face Qin Fuhua's bare back. His skin was as pale as snow, smooth except for the red whip mark that marred its surface. Suyin frowned at the sight, instinctively stepping closer to him without realizing it.
Drawing out the medicine, she gently applied it to the mark with her fingers, her touch delicate as she soothed the irritated skin.
"They say that you are the devil of misfortune, but why is it that I feel like I'm bringing everyone trouble instead?" Suyin murmured softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Everyone has their fortune and misfortune. It's how you treat it," Qin Fuhua replied, his tone calm and measured. "And because you treated me (with this medicine), it made me notice that you can worry for someone too."
Suyin felt a pang of warmth at his words, a flicker of understanding passing between them.
Before they could dwell on the moment further, a knock echoed through the room.
"Your Highness," Weizhe's voice came from outside. "I have the clothes prepared for Suyin. Would you like me to leave them by her door?"
"What clothes?"
Suyin winced as the cups clattered to the ground, her attempt at whispering thwarted by her clumsiness. Before she could even recover from her mistake, Weizhe's alarmed voice pierced the air, shattering the fragile peace of the room.
"Your Highness! Are you okay in there?!" Weizhe's urgent inquiry echoed through the chamber as he burst into the room, his sword drawn and ready for action.
Caught off guard by the sudden intrusion, both Qin Fuhua and Suyin froze in place, their gazes locking in shared bewilderment.
Suyin felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she struggled to find her words.
"Weizhe, it's alright," Qin Fuhua finally spoke, his voice calm yet tinged with irritation at the interruption.
Weizhe's eyes darted between the two of them, his sword still poised for battle as he surveyed the scene before him.
"Apologies, Your Highness," Weizhe replied, his tone apologetic yet vigilant. "I heard a commotion and feared there might be trouble."
Qin Fuhua waved off Weizhe's concern with a dismissive gesture, his attention shifting back to Suyin as he addressed her directly.
"What happened?" he inquired, his tone gentle yet expectant.
Weizhe's nervous stammer broke the uneasy silence that had settled over the room like a heavy shroud, his eyes darting nervously between Suyin and Qin Fuhua as if seeking refuge from the tense atmosphere. "I... Um," he began, his voice faltering as he struggled to find his words amidst the palpable tension. "I'm going to leave the pair of clothes... here for Miss Suyin."
With a hurried, almost fumbling motion, he placed the neatly folded garments upon the table, his movements betraying a desire to escape the burgeoning awkwardness that hung thick in the air.
"Sorry."
Suyin, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, scrambled to offer an apology for the misunderstanding, her hands reaching for a cloth to hastily attend to the spilled tea cups in a bid to divert attention from the uncomfortable situation unfolding before her.
Yet amidst the flurry of movement and murmured apologies, Qin Fuhua remained still, his expression a serious one that defied interpretation. His eyes, inscrutable pools of dark intensity, betrayed nothing of his thoughts as he observed the scene unfolding before him with an almost detached detachment.
As Suyin's fingers brushed against the fabric of the clothes Weizhe had brought, Qin Fuhua stirred from his chair, his half-naked form a stark contrast to the formal decorum of the scholar hall. With a graceful fluidity that belied his formidable presence, he moved to retrieve the garments, his movements measured and deliberate.
Turning to face Suyin, he offered the clothes with a small, unexpected gesture of kindness, the simple act imbued with a quiet consideration that caught her off guard.
"Here," he said softly, his voice a gentle counterpoint to the tension that still lingered in the air like a ghostly echo of their earlier discord.
Suyin's gaze flickered from the clothes to Qin Fuhua, her surprise mirrored in the depths of her eyes as she struggled to reconcile this unexpected display of compassion with the formidable reputation that preceded him.
"I requested Weizhe to get you a couple of outfits, so you don't have to worry about borrowing others' clothes," he explained his words a tacit acknowledgment of her discomfort and a subtle reassurance of his support.
At that moment, as the weight of his consideration settled over her like a comforting cloak, Suyin found herself grappling with a newfound understanding of the man before her.
Was Qin Fuhua being considerate of her?