After the small exchange with Yuan Fu, Qin Fuhua and Suyin walked out of the courtyard together. At the front of the large gates outside of the scholar's courtyard, Suyin wanted to mention the rumors but was hesitant because she didn't want to cause any problems.
Qin Fuhua could see on her face that something was disturbing her. Before leaving, he leaned down, looking at her.
"Is there anything that you would like to talk about?" Qin Fuhua asked.
Suyin thought for a second, then shook her head. "Mn. Nothing is going on." Suyin replied. She wasn't paying attention to him as much, so she needed to forget about what the scholars were talking about.
"I'll be visiting my younger sister soon. She is staying here permanently now. Would you like to go with me to go visit her when the time comes?" Qin Fuhua offered with a soft tone in his voice.
Suyin looked up and smiled. "Yes, I was wondering how she was doing since I last saw her. Has she been doing well?" Suyin asked.
Princess Chuhua was Qin Fuhua's younger sister. Initially, Qin Fuhua wanted Suyin to help cure her rare illness, but it was rather hard because he needed the herb that was locked away from the world. The only way for him to find it was to find the rose-shaped key and the location.
Since he got both the location and the key, the riddle spoke about Suyin precisely which could open the doors. But that was still up in the air at the moment.
"She's doing fine. There are royal doctors here, so there's no need to worry about it in the Palace instead of back at home." Qin Fuhua responded. He glanced around, "I will take my leave now. Goodbye." He bowed.
That's right. Suyin had almost forgotten that he was "Tienzheng" his other identity using the magical mask that was given by his Master when he was younger. Suyin shook her head.
"I have to head back too," Suyin added, going in the opposite direction of Qin Fuhua.
It was a long walk from the scholar's courtyard to Qin Fuhua's courtyard. Maybe because the Orange Blossom courtyard was far out of the Palace and near the side, isolated from most of the areas, it took a while for Suyin to recall how to get back.
Suyin had stumbled upon the Palace gates in the front because she heard some commotion. Hiding behind a dark, blue brick-stoned wall, Suyin wanted to see what was happening.
There was a large, black fancy carriage made out of some dark, black wood carved to its finest with a black, silken horse. Confused, was it the King and the Queen's arrival? Suyin wanted to take a peek to see what they look like since she's never seen them, but only noticed a familiar-looking person coming out of the carriage.
It was the same person who had faked their identity as Qin Fuhua! The person who had the "fake" jade of the dragon back at the inn to get all of his food for free!
This jerk was actually from here? Suyin wanted to take a closer look at who it was but was pulled back by Qin Fuhua.
"What are you doing here?" Qin Fuhua asked.
Suyin turned around with a smile on her face. "Uhh... I was curious about the decoration and thought it was your parents." She replied. A little bit worried that she was going to get in trouble with Qin Fuhua, he didn't say anything back.
He spun around, waiting for her as he began walking away.
"Don't keep your nose in a place where it shouldn't be." Qin Fuhua commented.
Suyin hurriedly pursued him, taking one last glance back at the carriage and the person before following Qin Fuhua.
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{Following Days After}
It's been a couple of days since the event. Suyin has been doing the same thing: attending teacher Zhou Lin's lectures and learning a couple of advice along with her friend Yuan Fu.
The scholars there were still talking about the incident about the Prince and Suyin holding hands, but the circulation of the rumors had died down since the day that scholars had confronted Suyin about it.
Most of the lectures that Teacher Zhou Lin taught were something that Suyin had retained from Wansun already. Of course, for someone who comes from a family with a medical background, Suyin was still grateful for refreshers from Teacher Zhou Lin.
Since the first day of Suyin's attendance of the lecture, Qin Fuhua hasn't been coming around as Tienzheng. Qin Fuhua was busy doing other business, so it would have made sense that he couldn't attend the lectures all of the time, plus this was something he wasn't in his expertise.
Arriving back at the Orange Blossom Courtyard after her lecture, Suyin went to the passageway, looking for Qin Fuhua in every direction.
"Weizhe!" Suyin spotted Weizhe, carrying a cloth bag as he turned to her.
"Hm?" He asked.
"Where is Qin Fuhua? Is he in his room?" she questioned, realizing that he wasn't with the Prince.
"Yes, he's in his room," Weizhe replied.
"Thanks!" Suyin hurried off to his room. Weizhe observed Suyin hurry off, shaking his head with a smile on his face.
Carefully, Suyin raised her right arm, making it into a fist as she ponded on the sliding door.
"Are you there?" Suyin asked, trying to put her ears to the door to hear him answer.
"Come in." Qin Fuhua commanded, his voice seemingly serene.
Suyin slid the door open, seeing him with a book in his left hand. He was sitting on a chair in his study room, reading. Suyin walked inside, closing the sliding door as she put both of her hands in front of her.
She watched Qin Fuhua's eyes, following the writing from the top to the bottom.
"Was there something you needed?" Qin Fuhua asked, "Otherwise, you shouldn't be here, should you?"
A woman going into another man's room was impolite, but this was Han Suyin that we are talking about.
"I wanted to let you know that Teacher Zhou Lin wanted to go out for a couple of days up near the Shu Mountains. There's an inn there that he uses for trips."
Qin Fuhua nodded his head, listening to Suyin as his eyes darted straight to the book.
"Um, so. I just wanted to inform you before I left, just in case you were thinking that I'd cause some sort of trouble here."
Qin Fuhua didn't utter a single word. His eyes were still on the dark, blue book, turning the next page as he continued.
Suyin was upset with the way he was taking this. He should at least acknowledge her or something. Maybe this was a waste of her time to even inform him to let him know that she was leaving.
"Why did I think of coming here, anyway?" Suyin said in her head. A bit angry because of his ignorance, she turned around and walked to the door.
"I won't be seeing you for a long while then!" She said in an angry tone, sliding the door closed.
Weizhe, watching from afar could see Suyin coming out of the room. As she took all of her strength (and anger) to slide the door close, Weizhe shook his head.
"Hiya. Your Highness, you need to do better than this if you want a girl to be happy." Weizhe said to himself, shaking his head.
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{Two days later}
A group of scholars followed along a large, green hill. The pathway up was not an easy one, and the one leading them was none other than Teacher Zhou Lin. There were about ten of them, including Han Suyin.
Despite his old age, he was not breathing as heavily as the other scholars. Using a stick to help with traction, Teacher Zhou Lin lead up the way, following a small dirt pathway that was inching closer uphill. Once they reached there, the view of the bamboo home would be there.
Suyin walked with Yuan Fu, her friend whom she had made a couple of weeks ago. Yuan Fu was the only scholar in the courtyard who knew about Suyin's identity, but this didn't bother him. Instead, he found it intriguing that a woman would have this much knowledge and ability to make it this far. Some of the scholars stood at the side of the pathway, catching up with their breath as some had sat down, giving up.
"Dear, oh dear. If you kids don't catch up with me, how are you going to be able to retrieve medication when you're on your own?" Teacher Zhou Lin exclaimed, reaching further away from some of them. He stood by a rock, waiting for the scholars to catch up as he glanced out to the mountains and forest to breathe in the fresh air.
Suyin turned to look at Yuan Fu, who was also fighting to get some more air. She looked at him and lifted her head, as a signal to see if he was okay.
He nodded back, assuring her that he was fine.
All of the scholars carried whatever they needed with them in a wooden backpacks, including Suyin.
As everyone slowly took their time to hike up the mountains to reach the destination, there was a stone, etched with the words, "Heaven's Blossoming Gate"
Suyin mouthed the words, whispering to herself. "Heaven's Blossoming Gate? What does that mean?" She thought to herself.
Passing by the stone tablet, they hiked up the stairs to finally reach their destination. High above the sky as if it felt like you were above the clouds, there was a large homemade out of bamboo. The colors turned yellow as the materials aged. Signs of wisdom, knowledge, and work have been done here.
It was as big as a football field. Clouds were hovering around the place, and Suyin finally understood why this was called Heaven's Blossoming Gate. All of the scholars were in awe since this was the first time that they have arrived there.
Teacher Zhou Lin specifically wanted the scholars to come, especially Suyin to show their place. This invitation was only given to the ones most trusted and gifted of all.
Teacher Zhou Lin let out a smile, "Please unpack your things in the room by the main hall. There is a little hut there, enough to fit you all." He instructed.
All of the students then nodded their heads. Most of the scholars were exhausted from the hike, but for Suyin, the view gave her energy more than anything.
As Yuan Fu headed inside the room, Suyin was about to follow but was stopped by Teacher Zhou Lin, who softly called out her name.
"Sun Yi." The Teacher called her. He was standing by a batch of the haystack, sitting there calmly. "Please come here." He commanded.
Yuan Fu smiled at her, signaling to her that he was leaving before heading into the bamboo home. Suyin then went to Teacher Zhou Lin, who awaited by the haystack near a plum tree.
"I know there are some difficulties with the situation right now. A blossoming tree shouldn't mix with a bamboo tree.*" He softly spoke, barely enough for Suyin to hear. "There's a special arrangement that you shall reside on the second floor in the main hall." He added, "There, you may unpack. It's a private room specifically made for guests."
(*Meaning: Girls shouldn't mix with boys)
Suyin nodded, thankful for his consideration. If Suyin had stayed with the other students, there would be no way for her to hide her gender.
"Yes, Teacher Zhou Lin."
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The morning and evening consisted of the students hiking up to Heaven's Blossoming Gate. The students were elated to be a part of Teacher Zhou Lin's list to reach here. It was very rare for Teacher Zhou Lin to allow a trip like this in a long, long time.
Back then when Teacher Zhou Lin was an imperial Doctor, it was said that this was the place that he would often go to, and would mainly live up here, away from the Palace to find peace and learn more about the world of medicine.
At night, Teacher Zhou Lin allowed for celebration upon the student's request to have dinner outside with some rice wine. A large bonfire was made, and a large table was laid outside on the cold, summer night.
There were lots of students, laughing and drinking, while Suyin and Yuan Fu ate their share of delicious food. Tables were laid out together, but most of the scholars were too busy drinking the rice wine as they sang poetry together.
Suyin continued to eat, grabbing some duck beat marinated in red with some lotus root soup. Yuan Fu came around, sitting down across from her as he handed her a cup of rice wine.
"If you don't mind, my friend." He uttered.
Suyin smiled, and then accepted the cup of rice wine. A porcelain white cup was almost the same color as Suyin's skin, reflected by the moon on this cold, winter night. Their breaths could be seen while the bonfire continued to crack, releasing heat to the party.
"Miss." He whispered to her with a bow, "As a token of friendship, I hope that you offer this drink under this beautiful full moon." he lifted his rice wine with both of his hands, lowering his head in front of her. "During my stay here at the Royal Palace, there were things that I had expected. Such competition could bare no comparison to my encounter with you," He grinned, "You are like a sibling to me, and I toast to you, in the offering of being sworn sibling. You and me, we will help each other out, no matter the issue."
Suyin eyes sparkle with happiness. Suyin never had a big brother before. Yuan Fu never doubted her abilities and throughout this stay, despite them knowing each other for such a short amount of time, Suyin knew that he bared no resentment or envy of her.
"To our dreams, my sworn brother." Suyin lifted her cup with both of her hands, up in the sky along with him.
As she continued to drink with her new sworn sibling, on the opposite was Teacher Zhou Lin, drinking casually with someone across from him.
"So it seems like you found potential in them then." A person spoke, covered in a robe as he hid his face by using the hood. The cloak was a plain, grey cloak, but no one dared to take a glance at who it was, because of their daring area.
The scholars were singing poetry still, drunken, and happily laughing out loud.
Teacher Zhou Lin grinned, nodding his head. "Especially those two that sit away from the other students. They will go beyond my expectations for sure." He didn't dare to lift his face to directly look at the mysterious person, avoiding eye contact with him, "The person to the left will go even beyond here. To have her here present with me is a blessing. That student reminded me of my old days." He added on.
The mysterious person stared at the two, drinking rice wine together. He snickered at them, taking a sip of wine with the Teacher. "There's no surprise that you see their potential."
Suyin and Yuan Fu had been drinking a bit too much. Although Yuan Fu knew his alcohol tolerance, Suyin didn't know hers. She thought that she was able to handle her alcohol tolerance, but she was wrong. With pure happiness to have a sworn sibling, Suyin wanted to drink the night away with her new sworn brother, not realizing that the alcohol was slowly getting to her.
"HEY, YOU."
One of the scholars pointed out to Suyin and Yuan Fu, who turned to look at the two. He pointed at Yuan Fu, then to Suyin.
"YOU." He then pointed again at Suyin. This time, he was sure it was Suyin that he wanted to aim at. "It's not fair that you get some 'special' treatment here." He called her out, his voice slurring with every word he said. "I don't know what family background you come from or who you are, but we scholars here work hard to get here." He pointed at the other scholars. Most were sound asleep, but others were too preoccupied with either singing more poetry or drinking more.
Yuan Fu was about to speak, but Suyin pulled him back. "I got this," Suyin uttered. She then got up, biting her lips.
She stood up from her seat, stepping down the two-step staircase to the dirt where the scholar stood.
"You dare to come down here and face me? What do you think I am? An idiot? Watch me. I'll get all of the repercussions while you get all of the compliments." The scholar commented, pointing at himself now. Barely able to stand up still, he was trying to balance himself.
Suyin laughed at his pathetic self, "If you want to fight, bring it on. I can take on a wimp like you who only knows how to speak to the wind and not at the moon*." Suyin called him out.
(*Meaning: People that are good at gossiping behind their backs have no guts to face them).
"What?! You pathetic self--" The student was about to swing, but Suyin barely blocked it by a millisecond, falling on the ground butt-first.
The scholar then turned to Suyin, who laughed at her. "Look at that, you couldn't even dodge--"
"Your swing was so weak, even someone weak like me was able to dodge that." Suyin counterattacked the scholar. Before swinging her fist at the scholar, Teacher Zhou Lin called them out.
"It seems like it is time to go to bed. The bonfire is already burnt out and everyone has fallen asleep." He announced. Suyin frowned at this. She wanted to at least take a swing at the scholar.
The servants who resided at the place woke up the other scholars. The scholar that Suyin was confronting was dragged away by a servant.
"Yuan Fu!" Suyin called out his name, turning around to find him. To no availability, he was gone too. What was going on? Suyin turned back to the scholar, attempting to try to fight him back but she, too, was dragged by a servant to her room.
The servant wrapped his arms around hers, dragging her back to the main hall upstairs. "Have a good night." The servant commented, sliding the door closed.
Suyin was upset at this, still angry at the stupid scholar who called her out. "Who did he think he was? The amount of guts to take a flying fist at me and then get dragged away?" Suyin called out. "I should have turned my head like Fuhua and turned my head to him, slicing him with my eyes." She said, sliding the door open to find out why they were all being dragged.
Just as she slid the door open, the mysterious person in the robe was in front of her at the open door. Suyin stopped her steps. The reak of alcohol was all over Han Suyin, and she was still drunk. Her vision was numb as her steps were already unstable since she had fallen, maybe the anger made her drunker.
"Who are you?!" She called out, in an angry tone. She daringly walked up to him, smelling the scent of orange blossoms as she lit a smile. "Ah. Of course." She pointed at his chest, hitting it a couple of times with her index finger like a thug.
"You think that you can ruin my fight?" Suyin was barely to balance herself, almost falling backward as the mysterious person's robe was taken off, heading into the room with her.
Qin Fuhua held her in his arms, barely catching her before she fell again. Suyin was staring straight at Qin Fuhua's face while Qin Fuhua stared down at hers.
She lit out a big grin. She slightly brushed his eyebrows with her right index finger, "You're so handsome, did you know that?" She complimented. As she did, though, Suyin lifted herself and pulled Qin Fuhua in for a kiss. Her hands wrapped around his shoulders as his hands were wrapped around her back.