Since the incident with the blind horse at the birthday banquet, the status of the second prince, Angui, had plummeted. Even after kneeling outside the king's chambers for two full days and despite Princess Dana's repeated pleas, the king remained unmoved.
Princess Dana, worried that Angui's body wouldn't hold up, sent Naluo to bring him some soup, instructing her to make sure he ate something. Though reluctant, Naluo had no choice but to obey. The sky was overcast, thick clouds hanging low as if threatening a heavy downpour. She grabbed a leather umbrella and made her way to the king's chambers, where she found the third prince, Weitu, trying to persuade his elder brother.
Weitu noticed her arrival and his expression darkened. "What are you doing here?" he asked coldly. The blind horse incident had crushed Angui's pride and given the eldest prince the upper hand, so whenever Weitu thought of Naluo's association with the eldest prince, he couldn't help but speak with a trace of irritation.
"I'm here by order of Princess Dana to bring the second prince some soup," Naluo replied calmly, showing the food box. Weitu's expression softened slightly, and he turned to Angui, speaking gently, "Brother, you haven't eaten or drunk anything for two days. If you go on like this, your body won't take it."
Angui seemed not to hear him, kneeling with his back straight, his gaze fixed ahead, unflinching.
Naluo tried as well, "Second Prince, please have a few bites, even just to satisfy the princess." Her concern wasn't for Angui's health, but out of fear of being reprimanded by the princess if she failed her task.
Still, Angui didn't respond, his posture as firm as ever.
Seeing Naluo's awkward expression, Weitu felt a pang of sympathy and softened his tone. "Just leave the food here. If there's nothing else, you can go back."
"If I return empty-handed, the princess will surely punish me," Naluo hesitated.
Angui suddenly glanced at the sky and motioned for Weitu to lower his head. He whispered a few words into his brother's ear. Weitu nodded and strode over to the guards, calling out, "Go and inform Father that I've come to visit him."
Shortly after Weitu entered the king's chambers, Angui cast a brief, indifferent look at Naluo and said, "You're not needed here anymore." Understanding his meaning, Naluo quickly picked up the food box and left. After only a few steps, cold raindrops landed on her face, and she looked up to find that it had begun to rain.
She paused and couldn't resist glancing back at Angui. His dark green robes were already soaked through, making him resemble a patch of moss by a pond, cloaked in deep gloom. His face was hidden in shadow, his expression unreadable, but the veins on his hands, pressed firmly to the ground, were faintly visible.
The rain grew heavier, and Angui was soon drenched. Rainwater streamed down his face, blurring his vision. Through the haze, he saw a figure walking toward him.
It seemed as if the rain had stopped. He wiped the water from his eyes, only to realize it hadn't stopped—someone was holding an umbrella over him, shielding him from the downpour. The girl's cheeks were delicate, tinged with a soft blush, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. In the misty rain, she looked like a leaf still glistening with dew, reflecting a soft, radiant light.
"Don't worry about me. Just go," he said coldly, suppressing the strange emotion stirring within him.
She hesitated for a moment. "But... it's raining so hard..."
He looked up, his eyes cold. "It's none of your business. Stop making a mess of things. Are you still here? Do you want me to drive you away?"
Naluo cursed herself for meddling, angrily closing her umbrella and leaving. Just then, she noticed the palace doors open, and Yitu came out supporting the king. Almost simultaneously, An'gui, who had been kneeling, suddenly swayed and collapsed to the ground.
"An'gui!" The king's face changed drastically as he urgently commanded, "Quick, help the second prince inside! Call for the healer immediately!"
The king's frantic reaction clearly showed how much he cared for An'gui. However, Naluo caught sight of something else — as An'gui was being helped up, he exchanged a subtle glance with Yitu.
In an instant, it all became clear to her — this was all part of An'gui's plan. He had waited for the rain to stage his fainting act, while Yitu was responsible for bringing the king out. Seeing his son collapse like that, how could the king not be distressed? As expected, his anger had already begun to subside.
Sure enough, An'gui was bedridden for a few days. Once the king had calmed down, he convinced himself it had merely been an accident. Yet, his attitude toward the second prince remained distant, and the once-close relationship between father and son was no more. Everyone in the palace believed that this defeat signaled the end for An'gui, and that the future throne would undoubtedly go to the eldest prince, who had already been gifted the golden blade.
But An'gui was not disheartened. He quickly began investigating the wild horse incident. When Naluo heard this, she grew uneasy — after all, she hadn't returned to the palace that night, and Usma, who shared quarters with her, knew the truth. If Usma revealed this to An'gui, Naluo would certainly meet a terrible fate. But as the saying goes, "walls have ears," and she had already prepared herself for the worst.
For now, with the eldest prince holding all the cards, Naluo believed any price was worth paying.
Envoys from the western states had begun leaving the palace, and before departing, Prince Hulugu of the Xiongnu made a special visit to the ailing Princess Dana. The princess looked pale and exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes — a clear sign of sleepless nights.
"Aunt, are you worried about the second prince?" Hulugu asked directly upon entering.
Princess Dana sighed. "Yes, I thought this was the perfect opportunity, but things went awry, and Istha's son rose to power instead. The king has already bestowed the golden blade upon him. It seems our hopes are gone. If her son ascends the throne, what place will I have left in this palace?"
"Aunt, don't worry. The king may have given him the blade, but he hasn't issued a decree to pass the throne. That means he's still hesitant. The second prince might still have a chance," Hulugu comforted her gently, his tone soft.
"Let's hope so." The princess coughed lightly, hesitating for a moment. "Hulugu, how is your father?"
"My father is as he always is, still plagued by old illnesses. He often speaks of you," Hulugu nodded, his expression gentle.
"Oh?" The Queen's eyes momentarily flickered with a strange light before growing dim again. "It seems the Xiongnu court is also on the brink of upheaval. Surely, there will be intense rivalry there as well."
Huxu Gu raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp. "Rest assured, Aunt. What's rightfully mine, I will not let go of. What's not mine, I will still find a way to obtain."
The Queen smiled. "Your temper hasn't changed since you were a child. I recall once when your brother caught a sparrow and you insisted on taking it. After you got it, you ignored it completely, and it starved to death in a few days. It seems you only enjoyed the process of taking it."
A flicker of amusement passed through Huxu Gu's eyes, her lips curling slightly. "Only you, Aunt, would understand me so well."
The Queen's expression softened with a sigh. "Now that you're leaving, who knows when we'll meet again."
Huxu Gu glanced around to ensure no one was listening, then lowered her voice. "Aunt, do you remember when the Han Emperor's emissaries were refused by Dayuan while seeking the Blood-Sweat Horse?"
"Of course. The Han envoys were nearly wiped out."
Huxu Gu chuckled lightly. "Now, the Han Emperor is furious and preparing to attack Dayuan. My father plans to ambush the Han army, but with their hundred thousand troops, it won't be easy. That's why I was sent to discuss with His Majesty—when the Han army passes through Loulan, we hope Loulan can deploy some forces to deal with the trailing and straggling soldiers."
The Queen furrowed her brows. "Have you discussed this with His Majesty? He is reluctant to offend both nations at once."
"Indeed. I have brought it up, but His Majesty remains hesitant. So, I must rely on you to make him see the stakes," Huxu Gu said with a knowing smile.
The Queen returned a slight smile. "Rest assured, I'll inform your father that His Majesty will agree."
Meanwhile, Na Luo was saying her reluctant goodbyes to Fu Zhao in a corner of the back garden. After many years, their reunion allowed no time for catching up. If Fu Zhao hadn't come to the palace to bid farewell, this meeting might have never happened.
Fu Zhao, preparing for a long journey, donned a simple, plain Hanfu, fastening his black hair with a wooden hairpin. This hairstyle, starkly different from those of the Western Regions, appeared clean and elegant, revealing an innate nobility. This elegance was not shaped by external forces but flowed naturally from a scholarly demeanor, a result of accumulation and experience.
"Fu Zhao, you still haven't told me how you've been over the years. How did you become an envoy for the Han Dynasty? And, this place... isn't this where you were once sorrowful? Aren't you afraid that returning might bring back painful memories?" Luo finally voiced her lingering question.
Fu Zhao smiled and replied, "After returning to Chang'an, I was fortunately taken in as an adopted son by the Grand Tutor and grew up with his son. As an adult, I worked at the Honglu Temple, managing affairs with the Western Regions, fulfilling my uncle's wish. This trip to Loulan was something I volunteered for." A subtle shift in his gaze revealed deeper meaning. "This place is full of memories for me, both sorrowful and warm. I wish to take this opportunity to mourn my late uncle and... perhaps find those who once gave me warmth."
Luo's heart stirred slightly, her lips pressed together, speechless.
"You were quite harsh back then," Fu Zhao teased, a smile tugging at his lips. "You were only eight, and your actions were not typical for a child that age."
Luo blushed, "I did it for your own good. If I hadn't knocked you out, you would never have left. Seeing you disregard everything for that fleeting light, I acted out of desperation."
"I know you meant well. It's just that your actions were unexpected for someone so young," Fu Zhao's eyes twinkled with amusement. "That fleeting light seemed to have a sorrowful past, which made him harbor resentment against the people of Loulan. I occasionally heard about him after returning to Chang'an, that he has been in the Xiongnu region these years."
Luo looked up, her smile blooming like petals, "Regardless, seeing you safe and sound, I feel like I'm waking from a dream. I'm truly happy."
Fu Zhao suddenly took out an item from his bosom and handed it to her. "Look, this dagger is the one you gave me back then. I've carried it with me all this time, and it's guided me to find you."
The dagger was accompanied by a delicate leather sheath, polished to a shine, indicating Fu Zhao's deep regard for it.
Luo, surprised, exclaimed, "You still kept this dagger? I thought you might have lost it long ago."
"Impossible," Fu Zhao said with a teasing smile. "I haven't forgotten this dagger or that 'wild girl'."
"Now you're speaking with sarcasm. Would you have been saved without that wildness?" Luo gave him a sidelong glance.
Fu Zhao laughed, "Indeed. Without that girl's 'wildness', I might have long been gone from this world."
"Looks like you still have some conscience. How do you plan to repay your savior?" Luo said with a hint of irritation, giving him a sidelong glance.
With a broad smile, Fu Zhao replied, "Whatever you command, I am willing to pay any price, even if it means breaking into pieces."
Luo regarded him thoughtfully. Despite the years that had passed, the once-troubled youth had retained his grace and now exuded a more radiant charm. The autumn sun cast a warm glow, and a gentle haze seemed to envelop the two chatting young people. Unnoticed by them, a tall figure had silently appeared under a nearby tree.
"Anyone can talk big," Luo said, blinking. "I don't believe it. Maybe someday I'll come looking for you, and you'll pretend not to know me and drive me away."
Fu Zhao raised an eyebrow with amusement. "So, in Luo's eyes, I'm such a dreadful person?" After a moment's thought, he added, "Luo, extend your hand. I have something to give you."
Skeptical, Luo extended her hand. Fu Zhao quickly removed a ring from his own finger and placed it in her palm. The jade ring was dark as ink, with intricate patterns that subtly revealed a mesmerizing deep green, shining with an elegant luster in the light.
Luo, accustomed to fine objects, recognized it as rare black jade, a treasure indeed. "No, this is too precious. I can't accept it."
"You saved my life. How could I not give you something so minor?" Fu Zhao gently closed her fingers around the ring. "To me, Luo, you are like this black jade—beautiful on the outside, resilient and strong within. It suits you perfectly."
"Fu Zhao…"
"Remember the maple tree I told you about? Its leaves, red as fire and bright as the dawn, endure winter's frost, spring's splendor, and summer's heat. Come autumn, those scarred leaves unfurl to reveal breathtaking beauty." His smile was gentle. "Luo, would you like to see it with me?"
She blinked, unsure if she heard correctly. "What did you say?"
Fu Zhao's expression turned unusually earnest. "Come to Chang'an, Luo."
Luo was momentarily stunned.
"Whenever I faced setbacks, thinking of our time in the sheep pen made me feel invincible. That memory is incredibly precious to me. Since fate has brought me to you, let me do something for you in return." His excitement was palpable. "Come to Chang'an, Luo! You'll love it there…"
"You're not going anywhere with him!" A cold voice suddenly interrupted Fu Zhao's plea.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Luo turned swiftly to see Isdar standing under a walnut tree nearby. The dense foliage cast a heavy shadow over his face, but couldn't hide the fury in his eyes.
"Your Highness…" Luo was surprised to see Isdar and puzzled by his apparent anger.
Fu Zhao had already greeted Isdar, who returned the gesture with a neutral expression before stepping between them, effectively placing himself as a barrier.
"Prince Isdar, I was inviting Luo to Chang'an as a guest, as she once helped me in my time of need," Fu Zhao said openly, knowing Isdar had overheard their conversation.
Isdar, usually gentle, now had a stern face. "The journey from here to Chang'an is long and arduous for a lady. Moreover, she is a palace person. Even if I permitted it, she doesn't have the freedom to leave."
He then turned to Luo, asking curtly, "Do you really want to go? If you do, I won't stop you."
Before Luo could respond, Isdar quickly cut her off. "Lord Fu, as you can see, Luo has no desire to leave."
Luo's mouth twitched, sensing something was off. The usually amiable prince seemed uncharacteristically hostile towards Fu Zhao. She discreetly tugged at Isdar's sleeve, signaling him to ease up.
Fu Zhao glanced between them and, sensing the tension, smiled and said, "Luo, this ring bears my name. If you ever wish to visit Chang'an, this ring will guide you to me at the Honglu Temple."
Isdar's expression darkened further. "It's getting late. Lord Fu should start his journey back. I'm sure there are others waiting for him in Chang'an."
Fu Zhao's smile grew wider. "Prince Isdar, I am still unmarried. I hope one day to find a phoenix to nest with."
"Indeed, many a phoenix in the Han lands must admire Lord Fu," Isdar emphasized "Han lands" with a touch of sarcasm, making a polite gesture. "Please, Lord Fu, travel safely."
"Fu Zhao! Be careful on your journey! Write to me if you can!" Luo waved at him, feeling a tinge of sadness at their parting, unsure when they might meet again.
Fu Zhao nodded and, before leaving, shot a final glance at the scowling prince. He raised his voice slightly, "Luo, I'll be waiting for you in Chang'an!"
As he turned to leave, he noticed Isdar's anger visibly rising. With a satisfied smile, Fu Zhao walked toward the palace gate.
A strong premonition told him that this was not their last meeting. When they met again, it would be in Chang'an.