When the morning rays of the sun could be seen sprinkling out through the capital people's windows, the guards in the city were still patrolling the streets. The search for the 2nd Imperial Prince went on all night, but the soldiers and guards that never went off duty were futile in their search.
"When will we be able to stop and sleep, we've been looking for 2nd Imperial Prince the whole night, but we still haven't managed to find him. It looks like the 2nd Imperial Prince is more unlucky then lucky." A small ranked guard complained to his companion.
"Hush, not so loud, you don't want one of the leading guards overhearing you, getting fired is going to be the least of your problems. I heard that since the leading guards and generals didn't even manage to catch any of the assassins, the emperor became outraged and we small guards have to be careful not to be their outlets or else awaiting us will only be trouble." A different small ranked guard said helplessly.
Suddenly, a small blue bird flew over to the two small ranked guards and they ended making loud noises to shoo the bird away, disturbing the other small guards who were resting nearby.
"What is that racket? It looks like you two have enough energy and don't need to continue resting, go out and perform your duties." A leading guard captain commanded.
The two small ranked guards complained in their hearts for their bad luck, they didn't see the leading guard captain just now and was actually made into his tools to vent his stress.
When the two small ranked guards left, a gentleman dressed in white clothing looked at the guard captain, "Has the Emperor been able to locate the culprits behind this time's assassination?"
The leading guard captain's face was stern, "The Emperor has sent out his own people and investigation is still underway for the culprit. Looks like this time the Emperor was truly angered, he even placed most of Imperial Consort Dai's faction on a tight watch, once any suspicious people that look like the assassins are found, they will immediately get taken into custody."
The white clothing gentleman who wore a scholar's hat shook his head gently, "This time Imperial Consort Dai has indeed gone too far. Poisoning covertly is different from openly sending assassins to a member of the Imperial family under the watch of His Majesty in the capital, it is directly insulting his power and questioning his control over his subjects. Now that the common people know someone is even daring enough to try to kill a member of the Imperial family, they are full of unrest and unease."
The leading guard captain nods slightly, "Let's hope that 2nd Imperial Prince is alright or else we as subjects will have to acknowledge Imperial Consort Dai's son as sovereign in the future, giving more power and control to the greedy Dai Family."
When the scholar gentleman in white clothing heard the guard captain mention the current Huang Dynasty's 1st Imperial Prince, he shook his head again and looked at the bustling streets in front of him, thinking about the capital's bleak future. Suddenly, he noticed the small blue bird who tried to peck at the two small ranked guard's rations earlier, it flew towards the skies and disappeared into the direction of the imperial palace.
The small blue bird passed by multiple grand buildings, its large areas surrounded by walls and moats. It continued its journey across the many large halls for ceremonies and official businesses, flying by them until it reached smaller buildings that included temples, towers, residences, courtyards, and gardens. It kept going until it reached a small courtyard in the back of a large residence, this was the dwelling place of the current Huang Dynasty's Official Imperial Dancer, Chen Su Su.
Chen Su Su saw the small blue bird and beckoned it inside, she placed several nuts on the windowsill, hoping that it will come in and offer her some company. Apparently, the small blue bird wasn't afraid and naturally ate some nuts, while Chen Su Su watched it attentively before it suddenly flew away and decided to continue his journey elsewhere.
"Madam, the Emperor seeks your presence in the Main Hall, your escorts and palanquin has already been arranged by His Majesty." A small ranked palace maid announced from the outside of the courtyard.
Su Su turned her head towards her head maid, signaling her with her eyes to reply in her stead. She walked out of the courtyard and curtsied slightly, "Thank you for taking the time to deliver the message, our Madam will be there soon, we'll have to trouble you to send this message back. Since our Madam will depart with her own escorts, please also send them back, our Madam will thank His Majesty personally for his consideration when she sees him."
The small ranked palace maid was slightly taken aback but quickly regained herself, "There is nothing to say thanks for, this is what small maid should do. If there's nothing else, small maid will take her leave." She curtsied slightly and walked away with the escorts and palanquin.
When she was sure she passed the courtyard, she couldn't help but sneer, "She's just an Imperial Dancer, how can she act so arrogant and willful, daring to turn away His Majesty's escorts? Who does she think she is, the Empress? How laughable, the Emperor has already announced 17 years ago that he'll no longer instate an Empress, at most, she'll just be small powerless concubine, just like the rest of them."
After she got over these thoughts, she looked at the escorts beside her, "Let's hurry and return, since this Imperial Dancer doesn't want to ride with us, we can take the time and head the long way towards Imperial Consort Dai's residence. Once she knows that His Majesty personally ordered escorts for this Chen Su Su, she won't be able to survive long in the back palace." The small ranked palace maid smiled, enjoying the thought of Chen Su Su's future demise.
The head maid responsible for Dancer Su Su returned to the courtyard, and curtsied to her, "Madam, the small ranked palace maid has already been sent away."
Chen Su Su nodded her head slightly in acknowledgement, "I understand, you may retire."
The head maid didn't move but looked at Chen Su Su hesitantly, wanting to speak but didn't know how to begin. Chen Su Su saw her troubles and gave her permission to speak. "Madam if I may, although His Majesty currently favors you and treats you well, but he hasn't bestowed a consort title after you earned your Imperial Dancer's title for saving the 2nd Imperial Prince's ten years ago, and just now His Majesty's escorts—"
"Enough, I understand what you're trying to say, without the Emperor's favor, people of the harem will not survive long, unless they have the backing of their family, which I'm lacking but Imperial Consort Dai has, am I right?" Chen Su Su looks at her head maid that has been following her since she entered the palace.
"Please forgive me Madam, I was too impulsive, as always Madam is perceptive, however; head maid doesn't understand, if Madam knows this, then why does Madam still turn away the escorts?"
Chen Su Su turns her head to look through the open window, she sees the many fresh lotus blossoms that the Emperor has been consecutively sending her these past few years, "Perhaps because, I don't want to be his wife…", Chen Su Su whispers to herself.
The head maid failed to hear the mumbles of her Madam, and was puzzled, but seeing her look at the lotus blossoms outside, she no longer inquired. She silently signaled the other maids and retreated with them out the door.
Chen Su Su touches the petals of a nearby flower, "If it wasn't because I have long lost trust in you, I would have been immensely happy to be your bride, but since you have failed me, in this life, don't ever think about seeing our daughter. No matter what, I must at least keep Tian He safe, even if she never gets to see our pair of mother and father."
Chen Su Su picks a petal out of the pink colored peony, touches it for a brief moment, then releases it to the wind, watching it go until it disappeared from her sight. Then, she closes the windows, allowing only small rays of sunlight to peek into the nicely adorned room.
She walks over to the copper mirror, looking at her disguised face, "It's a good thing that I have only ever danced for you, no one knows that I was once your beloved lover, not even Consort Dai."
When Chen Su Su walks out of her courtyard and rides her own palanquin towards the palace's Main Hall, light pink particles started to suddenly gather in her bedroom, forming a transparent cute baby, if Tian He was here, she would be able to instantly recognize the floating spirit as her Little Stars!
When Little Stars finished forming himself, he brings his small hands into air, cheering for his accomplishments, "Yes! Let's see if Host still says I'm not useful after hearing this news."
Little Stars giggles delightfully to himself and rushes into the skies, disappearing into the direction of the capital's west woods.
…..
When Tian He awoke from her sleep, the sun was already high up into the skies. Her mask that was taken off by the black figure yesterday has been placed back on, hiding her beautiful features beneath it.
Tian He stretched herself and went to wash her face in a small stream nearby. When she got back, she saw the black figure sitting on a rock, roasting a pheasant using last night's fires. Why is he still here? She looked at the sun's direction in the sky, it's almost midday!
Before she could say anything, the black figure walked up to her, and handed her a nicely roasted pheasant leg. "Please have this miss, if you don't mind my cooking, although it's not as good as the Imperial Chefs, I guarantee that it's edible." The black figure flashed a slight smile in hopes that he appears friendly.
Tian He wrinkled her brows in confusion, why does it seem like he's trying to make a good impression of himself?
The black figure held the pheasant leg awkwardly in the air, while looking at Tian He's wrinkled brows, does she think I put something in it? Or is it too ugly to look at? But his subordinates have always praised his roasted pheasant, so it can't be that. Or maybe it's because she doesn't like pheasant meat?
When he was about to ask her, he caught her looking at him, sunlight was shining resplendently on her jade white skin and her clear bright eyes that looked back at him were like small stars, drawing him into its small galaxy.
Tian He catches the black figure lost in his thoughts, "Coughs, thank you this gentleman for your offer, however—", she walks towards a small bush and picks the pink berries off of them, "I prefer eating a small meal for breakfast."
The black figure blinks and lowers his hand, "Of course, it was rude of me to force this pheasant meat on you. Please forgive me, next time I shall certainly ask about your preferences before serving you food." The black figure tries to smile as friendly as he could.
Tian He grows annoyed, next time?! What makes him think there is a next time? Something tells her that as long she's with him, trouble will definitely follow her and there's no way she'll let anything disrupt her fulfilling the mission task.
Tian He flashes a semi-smile at him and continues eating her berries. After she finishes, she looks at the black figure awkwardly standing there, "This is where we part, I hope you have a safe journey back, farewell."
Before the black figure could reply, Tian He speeds away into the woods, running on top of their crowns with her full strength.
Ever since she made a breakthrough, she hasn't been able to test her strength, this is the perfect time to see what she can do. As she runs, she throws a casual punch into the air, hearing the strong impact of the winds because of the strength of her hands, she couldn't help but laugh in satisfaction.
However, before she could enjoy her newfound strength, she hears the sound of strong winds behind her, it couldn't be. She looks back casually and sees the black figure from before following her. Is he also heading west towards the academy? But the academy is surrounded by nothing but mountains and trees, there are no residences there. Don't tell he's also a student, but judging from his voice and strength, he doesn't seem like a student. Then, maybe one of the stronger teachers at the academy?
The black figure knew he had to return to the Imperial palace to report his whereabouts, but he just couldn't allow his savior to go so quickly. He didn't know why, but he liked her company, it made him feel comfortable and relaxed, especially when he sees her clear bright eyes without any impurity. He didn't notice them before because the dark night sky provided little lighting, but when she looked at him earlier, he was lucky enough to catch a clear picture of it, almost dropping the pheasant leg in his hand.
Tian He was lost in her thoughts and didn't see the tree branch in front of her, when she noticed it, it was already too late. Her foot touched it and she lost her balance, falling down from the skies.
"Ah!" Tian He cursed her bad luck internally, and when she tried to regain her balance, she suddenly felt something grab her and pull her into their embrace, catching her by surprise as they slowly descended towards the ground.
When the black figure heard her scream, his body automatically responded without thinking, he sped up using his full strength and caught her gently before she could get hurt. As he embraced her, he could smell the sweet honey scent that naturally exuded out from her, it smelled so nice that he unconsciously tightens his hands on her, hoping to catch more of it.
When he accidentally met his eyes with hers, it showed astonishment at first but when he tightened his hold on her afterwards, her eyebrows scrunched together, like she was in pain. No! Can't hurt her! He almost wanted to remove his arms from her but at the last second, he just loosened his hold, I'll make sure she safely lands on the ground before I let her go.
When Tian He was squeezed by the black figure, she couldn't help but want to punch him. If it wasn't for his help just now, she would have bashed him for trying to take advantage of her.
After they landed safely on the ground, Tian He immediately pushed against his chest and pulled a distance away from him. "This gentleman, this miss shall thank you for your help just now, since I helped you earlier, this makes us even. I have to return soon, my friends must be worried about me, farewell again."
The black figure stretched out his hands to stop her, but then he heard the rustling of the trees besides him, some people have entered the woods! It looked like Tian He also discovered the abnormality and froze in her spot, it was too late to move because the sounds of the wind were telling her that they were surrounded.
The black figure moved to stand beside Tian He, but this time she didn't say anything or move away, she knew that her chances of surviving would be higher if they worked together. Unconsciously, Tian He was placing her trust on this mysterious black figure.
The sounds of footsteps could finally be heard, and many men dressed in uniforms showed up in front of them, imperial guards! Not just any imperial guards, the insignia on their uniforms represented the platoon guards personally raised by this current Huang Dynasty's 2nd Imperial Prince. Tian He had heard many rumors about this specific prince, most of them from Yu Yan, they say he was bright and intelligent as a child, but sadly, he became withdrawn and hidden when he almost died of poisoning 10 years ago. It looked like it was too much of a shock for the 10-year-old him.
However, what are these imperial guards that are supposed to only move on the orders of their prince, doing here? It's not like as if—', all of sudden Tian He's mind blanked. She slowly turned her head around to look at the mysterious black figure beside her, you have got to be joking with me, right?
Before she could deceive herself into thinking everything was just a bad dream, the leading imperial guard walks in front of them, and kneels, "Leading Imperial Guard sees his master. Please forgive us for our delay and allowing you to come to harm. Please punish us for our lack of service."
"Please punish us for our lack of service!" The rest of the platoon guards kneels down with him.
"You may all rise. Everything will be discussed once we head back." The black figure takes off his mask and looks at Tian He with a casual but friendly smile on his face.
Tian He was too shocked to notice him. In her mind, she kept thinking where she had gone wrong. She just wanted to simply finish her task and not get involved into any trouble. But, the person she rescued on a whim turned out to be 2nd Imperial prince.
Oh, my goodness, those assassins! They must have been sent by people who don't want him to succeed the throne, and that definitely includes that powerful Consort Dai whose son is this current Huang Dynasty's 1st Imperial Prince. Since the capital people are only knowledgeable about their 'powerful' Imperial Dancer as the only person who could evoke strong healing sacred powers, she wouldn't be suspected if she pinned saving him on her, right?
Before she could ask the 2nd Imperial Prince to keep her identity a secret, she saw a pink glowing transparent baby fly towards her, "Host! You'll never believe what I found out, it turns out that Chen Su Su is the dancer you saw last night on the lake, and she's the original owner's mother, the original owner's father is the current dynasty's emperor, the original owner turns out to be a Princess!"
When Tian He was about to interrupt, Little Stars continued, "Don't worry, this information is real, after you left yesterday, I followed her back to her courtyard inside the imperial palace, and stayed there the whole night watching her, it wasn't until this morning that I heard her say these words. I would have left earlier, but I wanted to prove myself to you. I've been rushing to get here as fast as I could to share this great news with you, am I useful now Host?" Little Stars smiles while seeking for praise.
Tian He's mind was in too much turmoil to answer Little Stars. Chen Su Su is the original owner's mother?! And she's also the daughter of the current Emperor?! Then, a thought hit her, was the original owner tortured and killed because of her special identity? But there are other princesses from different concubines living in the palace and they seem to be fine, why especially want to torture and kill her? Is it because of her mother? Then, why hasn't this Chen Su Su come to receive her own daughter for protection?
Tian He felt like her mind was going to explode, when she blinked and calmed her thoughts, she saw the 2nd Imperial Prince looking at her concernedly.
It all made sense now. It was all this damn 2nd Imperial Prince's fault!
Then, Tian He for the 'hundredth time' since she met him, cursed internally for her bad luck.
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