🎭 Echoes of the Fallen
Cheng Yi stormed through the market, his eyes sweeping frantically from stall to stall. His breath was heavy, his steps unrelenting, as he pushed past merchants and startled onlookers. He made his way toward the riverbank—his instincts pulling him there—and his heart stopped the moment he saw her.
A man stood behind Yun Yuhua, creeping closer in silence. Cheng Yi's eyes narrowed, fury flashing across his face. He quickened his pace.
"Yun Yuhua!" he called out, voice taut with urgency.
Startled, she turned. The stranger halted mid-step, then quietly turned away and disappeared into the crowd. Cheng Yi's gaze lingered on the retreating figure, unease simmering in his chest. Yun Yuhua wiped her tears with trembling fingers and slowly stood.
"…Cheng Yi," she murmured. He approached her, softening his expression with a gentle smile as though nothing were amiss.
"Are you unharmed?" he asked, his voice low. She exhaled deeply, managing a faint smile.
"I am fine now… I needed some air."
"I understand." He gave a short nod. "Shall we return together?"
She nodded in reply. But before they could move, a familiar presence appeared behind them.
Seo Ju.
He had been searching desperately, fearing she might have run off farther. The moment he saw her beside Cheng Yi, being comforted, his steps faltered. Guilt weighed heavily on his chest. Yun Yuhua's eyes landed on him—and instantly, her expression curdled with bitterness.
"Let us go," she said curtly, hurrying forward, eager to be away from him.
Seo Ju reached out, catching her wrist just before she passed.
"…Forgive me," he murmured. Her lips trembled. Her eyes brimmed with tears—not of sorrow, but of fury she could not afford to show. She slapped his hand away, gaze sharp and cold.
"Do not stand before me with such a face, as if you are the one wronged." Her voice trembled. "If you truly mean those words… then begone. I despise your presence in my life."
With that, she turned and walked away, her shoulders tense with pain; she refused to speak aloud. Seo Ju remained frozen, her arm half-extended, and unable to call her back. Cheng Yi watched him silently. Then, without a word, he followed after Yun Yuhua. Seo Ju stood alone, the echo of her rejection still lingering.
The mask he had worn—believing he could deceive a kind-hearted woman who had once saved his life—cracked under the weight of her scorn. What sort of man repays salvation with betrayal? What manner of man had he imagined himself to be when confronted with such truth?
Jinji slowly appeared from behind. He noticed how Seo Ju was unable to focus and react anymore. He remained behind him in silence, not speaking until addressed.
"Jinji… hold back on finding more information about Li Zhiyong," Seo Ju finally spoke. Jinji gulped and nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness," Jinji responded. Seo Ju sighed in frustration.
"The dead leave only silence behind… there is no path left to follow," he added. Jinji frowned, knowing that this was affecting Seo Ju.
"I see…"
"Are the flowers and the gift prepared?" Seo Ju asked solemnly. Jinji bowed.
"The gift will be ready tomorrow," Jinji answered. Seo Ju lifted his gaze to the sky, thoughts wandering.
"I wonder… what would she have said, had she known my heart now stirs for another…" he murmured, his voice trailing off with a hint of regret. The words hung in the air, their weight pressing down on him as Seo Ju stood there, lost in his thoughts.
But the silence was soon broken as Yun Yuhua, unaware of his inner turmoil, returned to the inn with Cheng Yi.
As the door swung open, Tian Ke stood waiting by the back, his face an unreadable mask. The moment Yun Yuhua saw him, the dam she had built around her emotions began to crack. Her breath caught in her chest, and her composure, so carefully maintained, faltered. Her eyes stung, but she refused to let the tears fall. With quick, unsteady steps, she crossed the room, her body pulling her toward him, as if seeking refuge in his presence.
Without a word, she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest, but even then, she fought to keep the sobs from escaping. Tian Ke's smile was gentle, but there was a softness in his eyes that told her he saw through the fragile facade she tried to hold. His arms enveloped her, offering a quiet reassurance that she was safe.
"You can rest today if you need to," he said, his voice low and warm. Yun Yuhua's throat tightened, and the weight of her emotions pressed against her chest, begging to be released. She wanted to scream, to cry, to let go of everything she had been holding back, but she didn't. Instead, she clung to him, willing herself to stay composed, not to burden him with her pain.
"I'll be fine…" she whispered, the words barely audible, her voice trembling despite her best efforts. Tian Ke exhaled softly, a quiet sigh of relief that he tried to disguise. But Yun Yuhua knew. She knew he understood, even if she couldn't bring herself to say the things she needed to.
"We will always be here for you," Tian Ke reminded her, his voice steady and reassuring. Yun Yuhua looked up at him, her eyes still clouded with unshed tears, and wiped them away with a trembling hand.
"A family is home," she said softly, reminding herself that they were her anchor, her foundation, despite everything. She wanted to believe those words—needed to believe them. The weight of the loss she'd endured pressed heavily on her chest, but she fought to keep her voice steady, not wanting to concern her brothers more than she already had. Tian Ke gave a small, understanding nod. His gaze softened as he stepped closer, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.
"Home is where family stays together," he echoed, his voice firm and unwavering, matching hers in solemn affirmation. "Through thick or thin." The quiet reassurance in his words wrapped around her like a protective shield, reminding her that no matter what happened, she was never truly alone.
That evening, Seo Ju hesitated at the entrance, unwilling to step into the inn. He could not bear to face Yun Yuhua. Cheng Yi gave him a lingering glance before turning and walking away. Just then, Qian'ai emerged from behind Cheng Yi, his eyes narrowing into a glare as he strode towards Seo Ju.
"What more do you intend to do to hurt our younger sister?" Qian'ai demanded, his voice sharp and fury. Seo Ju sighed heavily, his face momentarily softening.
"I… did not know it would affect her so," he muttered, letting his usual mask slip, revealing the guilt beneath. Realizing the weight of Seo Ju's regret, Qian'ai's expression softened just enough to retain his pride.
"I do not understand what she sees in you," he said, his voice steady but firm. "But one thing is certain, you are a noble of Joseon. If you cannot treasure her, then stay away. I will not allow you to cause her more grief."
Qian'ai began to turn toward the inn, but Seo Ju's quiet voice stopped him.
"When did you lose your parents?"
Qian'ai froze, the question striking him like a blow. A storm of emotions stirred within him, memories that still haunted him. He closed his eyes briefly, then exhaled slowly before facing Seo Ju.
"I saw my mother die when Yun Yuhua was but two years old… As for our father, we lost him more than two years ago. He gave his life for her, bled to protect his children from the same monster who killed our mother," Qian'ai spoke with quiet sorrow, his words thick with grief. Seo Ju's heart clenched, but he kept his face neutral, unwilling to show his inner turmoil.
"I see… Forgive me for asking," he murmured, turning to leave. Qian'ai took a deep breath, watching Seo Ju retreat. He hesitated before speaking again, his voice softer.
"I do not know whether you truly care for Yuyu… but if you do, then treat her well." His gaze darkened as he thought of Cheng Yi. He gave a frustrated sigh. "That man likes her, too! Ah, I don't even know anymore…"
With that, Qian'ai shut the inn door behind him, his thoughts heavy with the complexities of love and loyalty. Yun Yuhua lay on her bed, unable to sleep from the incident, troubled about Seo Ju, who didn't return because of her reaction. Guilty now. She turned to the side, telling herself her reaction was reasonable, but her heart remained in pain. For the night, it was silent. Still. Ready for a new day.
Seo Ju again changed his attire to the Crown Prince before entering the palace. Cheng Yi entered simultaneously and glared at Seo Ju, visibly upset that he had made Yun Yuhua cry. They sat at their respective seats before Lee Jae entered the court.
"How was your day of rest, Minister Lui?" Lee Jae asked as casually as possible. Cheng Yi smiled and bowed.
"It was a moment of peace, yet I had to deal with a wretch who brought tears to my woman's eyes," he said, clearly targeting Seo Ju. Seo Ju smirked when he understood. Lee Jae chuckled nervously.
"A woman? You have taken a liking to one of Joseon?" Lee Jae asked. Cheng Yi smiled it off.
"No. The woman I'm talking about is someone who I had met before she traveled to Joseon," Cheng Yi responded, hitting a nerve. Seo Ju aggressively chuckled.
"Is that so? Then tell me—what thread pulled her all the way to Joseon? Was it duty, or merely the wish to escape a heart she could never bring herself to answer?" Seo Ju asked with jealousy. Lee Jae was baffled at Seo Ju's immodest reaction.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince," Lee Jae spoke, gently reminding Seo Ju to maintain his composure. Seo Ju let out a frustrated groan but settled himself properly. Cheng Yi, observing this, allowed himself a subtle smile and a nod.
"Shall we return to the matter of the missing Crown Princess?" Cheng Yi asked, his tone deliberate. A cold shiver ran through Lee Jae at his words.
"What of it?" Lee Jae asked, his voice strained. Cheng Yi lowered his head in a respectful bow.
"Since you have refused to summon the Empress Dowager, perhaps we might bring another name to the court… one long passed from this world," Cheng Yi suggested. A thick silence hung over the room as the court held its breath.
"Dead?"
"A dead cannot speak!" someone murmured in disbelief.
"Preposterous!" another voice added.
"He looks down upon us, mocking Joseon from above!" yet another cried.
"Enough!" Lee Jae's voice cut through the chaos, his glare locking onto Cheng Yi. "What dead soul are you speaking of?" Fear tinged his words.
Cheng Yi's lips curled into a slight smirk. "The portrait of the missing Crown Princess, who your late king claimed had been stolen from the Ming."