Mei sat up as sunlight came through the window. It had been several days since the attack, she stretched and felt well-rested, the last remnants of fatigue finally gone. "A bath would help me feel fully better," she said to herself.
As she made her way out of the manor, Cheng intercepted her. "You need not go further. I had a bath prepared for you."
Mei paused. "Getting treated like royalty, am I?"
"Only because you have earned it," Cheng said. "You must be feeling better if you are joking like that."
She followed him into a beautiful bathing room filled with warm, fragrant steam. Rose petals floated on the surface of the water. Mei dipped her hand in and let out a soft sigh. "You really thought of everything. I am grateful."
She let down her robes and carefully stepped into the pool. The steam rose around her, relaxing her sore muscles. Mei closed her eyes, enjoying a rare moment of peace.
But the calm didn't last. Her mind went back to Li Ming. She still blamed herself for being foolish enough to trust him, only realizing too late that he had hidden motives.
Mei wondered how long Li Ming had been pretending. Had he been planning from the very start, or did it all begin later?
Her thoughts went back to the day they first met at the clothes shop, months ago. Would things be different if they had not met that day? Maybe he would not have noticed her, and that small change could have saved her from the pain she now felt. But Mei knew there was no point in thinking about "what ifs." She had believed Li Ming was kind, and her trust had given him a way into her life.
She remembered how Cheng showed up just in the nick of time to rescue her. When Li Ming had cornered and threatened her, Cheng had stepped in, while her body was still fighting the poison, he stayed by her side. Even through the painful fever and confusion, his calm presence kept her grounded and helped her through the worst nights.
Cheng believed in her, even when she doubted herself. He helped her without asking for anything in return or judging her. He was always there when she needed him. Mei still could not understand why a noble prince like him would risk so much for someone like her.
She had remained in his debt far too long, fully aware she had nothing of equal worth to offer in return.
"My lady, you should step out now, before you catch a cold," a maid said gently, entering with a bundle of thick towels and offering a graceful curtsy.
Mei realized she had stayed in the bath longer than intended. The water had lost its warmth, leaving only a lingering chill. Rising from the pool, she took the towel the maid offered, dabbing away the moisture from her skin. The fabric was soft against her body, soaking up every last droplet.
Once dry, she wrapped herself in a clean robe, and made her way back to the chamber while running a comb through her damp hair, working patiently through the tangles.
As Mei stepped into the room, her eyes fell upon a breathtaking gown draped across the bed.
"The young master had it brought for you, my lady," the maid said softly, offering a slight bow before slipping out.
Mei stood motionless for a moment, stunned by the gesture. Slowly, she approached the bed and let her fingers trail across the smooth, luxurious silk. Lifting the crimson gown from its hanger, she held it against her frame and turned to the mirror. Her reflection greeted her with a small smile, one she had not realized had formed on her lips.
The embroidered blossoms along the hem seemed to sway with each touch, and the delicate material slipped through her fingers like flowing water.
Though such luxury was foreign to her, Mei could not deny the gown's elegance or the thoughtfulness behind Cheng's gesture.
"He has a surprising eye for fashion," she murmured with a faint smile.
But her contentment was short-lived. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the faintest movement near the bedstand. Her smile faded. Turning sharply, she fixed her gaze on the curtains and the dark silhouette half-hidden behind them.
Her Instinct took over. Her hands rose in a guarded stance, poised to strike, as her eyes narrowed on the shape beneath the fabric.
"Show yourself," Mei commanded, but there was only silence.
Then she advanced cautiously, her eyes fixed on the motionless figure. Step by step, she reached for the curtain, intent on unveiling the stranger's face.
But the figure moved first. In a blur, it slipped past her, darting behind her, and grabbed a fistful of her long black hair, yanking her head back.
Mei didn't panic. She moved with the force of the pull, using the intruder's momentum against it. Then she drove her elbow backward. It connected with a satisfying thud and a muffled grunt. The grip on her hair loosened immediately.
Mei spun around, instinct pulling her into a defensive crouch. But the hooded figure was already upon her, closing the distance in a blink, seizing her arms with a grip like iron, and dragging her away from the only escape route; the window.
She reacted without hesitation, planting her feet, Mei twisted sharply, leveraging her weight and the element of surprise. The figure's grip faltered for a heartbeat, just long enough. She dropped low, pivoted, and with a fluid motion, hurled her attacker over her shoulder.
The figure hit the floor hard but rolled swiftly out of reach, recovering in a blink. Before Mei could intercept, they sprang upright and bolted for the window in a blur of motion.
She lunged after them, her fingers grazing the edge of their cloak, but it was too late. They leapt through the open window, clearly unwilling to face her any longer.
By the time Mei reached the window and peered over the edge, the intruder had vanished without a trace.
She exhaled sharply, brushing dust from her clothe, with frustration bubbling beneath her calm appearance. What just happened? Why had they come to the royal chambers.. Cheng's chambers, no less? Their movements were precise, their technique far beyond that of a common thief or spy. And yet, they had not fought to kill. Whoever they were, they had held back. That troubled her more than anything.
Mei hated puzzles without answers.
The door burst open behind her with a clang, and Cheng stormed in, sword drawn and eyes sharp with alarm. He froze at the threshold, the tension in his stance faltering the moment he saw her, standing by the window, breathless and radiant, the sheer silk of her shift catching the light.
A flush crept up his neck as his gaze quickly dropped, realizing the delicate state of her undress.
Mei's hands flew to her chest, instinctively trying to cover herself as her wide eyes locked with Cheng's startled gaze. Realizing the awkwardness of the moment, Cheng quickly turned away, coughing into his hand as he faced the door.
"Forgive the intrusion, Mei," he said, his voice strained. "I heard a struggle.. are.. are you all right?"
"There was an intruder," she replied, her tone clipped with irritation, though she stayed calm on the outside. "Masked. Well-trained. They escaped through the window before I could see their face. Whoever they are, they preferred to flee rather than fight."
"I'll look into it," Cheng assured her, already stepping toward the corridor.
But Mei knew the chase would lead nowhere. Whoever the stranger was, they moved with a level of speed and silence that unsettled her, ghostlike in their precision, and gone before a trace could be found.
"But for now, I will take my leave so you can get dressed. I will return later," Cheng said, already turning toward the door, still flushed with embarrassment. He pushed it open slightly, stepping into the hall only to freeze at the sound of Yizé's voice outside.
"Your Highness, please wait. The prince is currently occupied and cannot be disturbed."
Cheng stopped mid-step, glancing back at Mei with a wince.
She raised a finger to her lips, her eyes wide with alarm.
Just perfect, she thought, her mind racing as she scanned the room. There was nowhere to hide properly.
Without another second to waste, Mei grabbed the gown draped across the bed and slipped into it as quickly as she could.
She fumbled with the sash, trying to fasten it quickly, but her long hair got tangled in the silk. She tugged at it, frustrated, but it would not budge.
Cheng stepped forward, noting her struggle. "Let me help," he offered gently.
His fingers moved with care, finding the strands caught in the fabric and slowly working them loose. The moment was quiet, and she felt his touch light against her skin.
Then, the door burst open.
"Cheng, I—!"
Princess Chàn Juán stood in the doorway, stunned into silence.
Cheng and Mei froze, still mere inches apart. Mei's hair slipped free just as Cheng stepped back, adopting an air of nonchalance.
Chàn Juán remained rooted in place, with her arms folded, watching as Mei finished tying the sash of her gown and gently freed the last strands of hair from the fabric. Mei avoided her gaze, her eyes darting instead to Cheng, who offered only a faint, helpless shrug.
The silence between them stretched thin.
Chàn Juán looked back and forth between them. The disbelief on her face slowly turned into wounded pride, and unspoken accusation.
Mei's cheeks flushed, though not entirely from shame. Cheng met her eyes with a quiet look of apology.
So much for the day ending in peace.
"Well, Cheng?" Chàn Juán's gaze rested on cheng. "Do you not respect me enough to explain this peculiar scene?"
Mei opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. Nothing seemed right. She glanced at Cheng, silently pleading for him to step in but he remained still, silent, and cold.
She wrung her hands, fumbling for something, anything to explain. "Princess, it was… an accident. This is not what it appears to be. Cheng was only—I mean, His Highness was only trying to help—"
Chàn Juán's frown deepened Mei's discomfort. The words caught in her throat, and she fell silent, realizing she was only making things worse.
Cheng walked to his bed, sitting down with studied indifference, as though removing himself from the moment entirely and Chàn Juán's eyes narrowed further.
"I see," she said coolly. "More secrets. More silence." She turned sharply, "We will speak outside. Now, Cheng."
Her footsteps grew quieter as she walked away, leaving the room heavy with silence and tension.
Cheng exhaled, feeling the pressure of the situation. "That could have gone better," he muttered, then looked at Mei with a twinge of guilt. "I apologize for involving you in further complications."
Mei managed a faint, weary smile. "It seems we both have a knack for stumbling into trouble. But do not blame yourself, Cheng. The day is still young... perhaps there is a way to set things right."
"Wait here," Cheng said, already moving toward the door. "I will have food sent up."
Mei gave a small nod and sank onto the edge of the bed. What a tangled day this had become. She let out a sharp breath, her thoughts spiraling back to the moment.., Chàn Juán's stunned expression, the rush of awkward explanations that had followed.
It was no wonder Chàn Juán was upset; Mei had, however unintentionally, thrown a wrench into a delicate situation between Cheng and his intended.
Would Chàn Juán now see only scandal in her presence?
Staying where she was not wanted would do no good. Perhaps it was best to step back, at least until emotions had settled. Besides, the palace no longer felt welcoming anymore.
And yet… leaving might look like an admission of guilt, and Mei had done nothing wrong.
She fell back with another sigh, maybe she was overthinking. Or maybe she wasn't. At this point, she could no longer tell.
....,..
Cheng stepped into the courtyard, and took the seat across from Chàn Juán.
"Prince Cheng," she began, "You came alone. Where is your lady?" she said in mockery, but he offered no response, only silence.
Her smile disappeared. "Have I fallen so far in your regard that you would not even grant me the courtesy of an explanation?"
Cheng met her gaze coolly. "Were you granted permission to enter my bedchamber?"
That earned him a scornful smile. "Answering a question with a question? You truly have changed."
Cheng remained composed. "What brings you here at this hour?"
Chàn Juán circled him slowly, like a cat toying with its prey. "Concern for my beloved's well-being, of course. The world beyond these palace walls is full of peril… and you, it seems, have little concern left for me."
She let her fingers trail slowly along the breadth of his shoulder, but Cheng caught her wrist gently, yet firmly.
Chàn Juán pulled free and offered a small, knowing smile. "Yet you seemed quite at ease with that woman."
Cheng rose without a word and moved to pour himself a cup of tea, the steam curling into the silence between them.
"My heart is promised to you, Prince Cheng. Our marriage was arranged—"
"I have not forgotten," Cheng replied softly.
"Then why the hesitation?" she pressed. "Your delay—"
"—arouses only concern for stability, I know," he interrupted, turning back to her. "But the timing of such a union should be a matter of mutual desire, not strategy."
Her smile curved, smooth as silk. "On that, we agree."
Cheng studied her. "Acting impulsive won't serve either of us."
"Impulsive?" she echoed, arching a brow. "I admit I moved the date forward. Is it truly so wrong to want the man who has been promised to me?"
She stepped closer, "Think carefully, Prince Cheng. A swift marriage would fortify both our houses and I cannot offer you protection if we remain unwed. I am not forcing your hand. I am simply offering you the opportunity… a little sooner than expected."
Cheng regarded her in silence for a long moment. She was right, her protection was vital to his hold on the throne. And yet, he could not bring himself to accept that hers was the only path to power.
He stepped back lightly, "Your concern for the future of our house is noted and appreciated, Princess."
Chàn Juán inclined her head in satisfaction, "I knew you would see reason. It has been a trying morning, I think I'll retire to the manor early."
"Of course," Cheng replied. "Yizé, see to the princess's safe escort. And thank you, Princess, for your visit."
She offered a faint, almost wistful smile, then turned to leave, Yizé falling into step behind her without a word.