A FEW HOURS LATER
EMPEROR LIANWEI'S POINT OF VIEW:
The sound of the horse's hooves still echoed faintly in the courtyard as I strode through the great doors, boots hitting the marble floor like war drums. Servants froze mid-step, mouths agape at the ghost of their Emperor suddenly walking in, alive and grim-eyed after five long years of absence. I didn't slow. I didn't care. Mei Shen's face, pale, sweat soaked, lips murmuring fevered words burned behind my eyelids with every step.
"Summon the royal healers. Now." My voice cracked like a blade drawn across stone.
"Your Majesty-!" A chamberlain stumbled forward, tears in his eyes. "You're… y-you're alive!"
"Spare me the tears. I need medicine and healers prepared this instant."I said.
And then her voice, sharp, incredulous, and shaking just beneath the surface.
"Lianwei?"I heard a familar female voice.
I turned sharply. There she was my mother, the Dowager Empress.
