As the golden gates of Lianhua Palace creaked open, Emperor Zixuan rode inside the palace, brows creased with worry. The empress message had sent shivers down his spine. Beside him were Princess Yuyan, her robes stained with dust from the road, and Prince Leng Yue, his face unreadable, as usual. The setting sun bled across the sky, casting a deep crimson over the palace roofs, like a silent warning. They had stopped during the journey again to go by horse towards Lianhua for a quicker journey.
But something was wrong. Very wrong.
The palace was unusually quiet.
No royal guards lined the pathway to welcome them. Only some strange soldiers in unfamiliar armor lounged carelessly across the courtyard. Some leaned on sacred pillars, others sat sprawled on the dragon-engraved steps. One even chewed sugarcane loudly and spat its remains onto the stone ground.
At the enterance to the throne room was the queen. There were few men around there staring at them with suspicious eyes.
The king ran towards the empress with worries but the queen gestured that she was fine. Just as they entered the throne room Emperor Zixuan saw a strange strong looking man sitting on the throne!
The sacred throne, the Emperor's throne.
Leng Yue saw him too and his jaw clenched. The rage in his eyes couldn't be hidden anymore.
Yuyan stopped in her tracks. "They dare?" she muttered, fists curling tightly at her sides.
Emperor Zixuan's face was calm, but his eyes were burning.
"This is an abomination," he said lowly. "Only the Emperor may sit on the throne of Lianhua."
The man sitting on the throne turned lazily toward the voice.
"Well, well," said one of them. "The old man returns."
Another scoffed. "We heard you went crawling to the Emperor of Xiyue. Did he offer you his skirts to cry into?"
Laughter followed.
Prince Leng Yue took one step forward. "This is not your land," he said, voice ice-cold. "You dare sit on the Emperor's throne and mock the name of Lianhua?. You dare Defile__"
"Defile?" the man on the throne interrupted laughing as he rose from the throne. He was tall, huge and had a scar slicing across his left eye. His armor glinted with The black scorpion's mark.
"We came with a message. Your throne—" he pointed at Emperor Zixuan "—will soon belong to someone stronger. The black Scorpion says it's time for the serpent to swallow the dragon."
More laughter followed, bold and shameless.
Emperor Zixuan walked forward slowly. "I will give you one chance," he said sharply. "Leave my palace. Or be buried beneath it."
There was silence.
Then, the scarred man spat.
Leng Yue moved first.
His blade slipped from its sheath like light, slashing through the nearest man before he could even blink. Blood splattered across the floor.
Yuyan was right behind him.
Drawing her two knives out, she charged straight at the next man who raised his weapon. Her movements were swift, fierce, and without hesitation. She cut through two men with clean strikes and kicked a third square in the chest of the scarred man, sending him flying.
The courtyard exploded into chaos.
Swords clashed and cries rang out. Emperor Zixuan fought alongside his guards, slashing down the scorpion worriors with swift and clean moves. The Empress, fierce in her own right, who had already joined the fray stood by his side.
Leng Yue and Yuyan moved like fire and shadow. They fought their way to the center, toward the scarred man.
"Kill the princess and the prince!" the scarred man roared.
But it was already too late.
Leng Yue met him at the foot of the throne. Sword against sword. The clash echoed through the bloodied hall. He was strong, but Leng Yue was quicker. Ducking, slashing, parrying—until finally, one opening.
Leng Yue's blade pierced through the man's chest.
The man gasped. "You... brat..."
"Sorry, I am Leng Yue. Prince of Lianhua" Leng Yue replied and pushed the man towards the floor with a swift kick.
The man fell, and with his death, fear gripped the rest.
The remaining Scorpion warriors didn't hesitate. They started retreating. Leng Yue and Yuyan made move to follow them but Emperor Zixuan stopped them
Emperor Zixuan raised his hand. "Let them go, I am sure that moron have learnt his lesson" he said. He then ordered that the maid are sent for.
Moments Later, the maids arrived and the palace floor was cleaned swiftly. The bodies were taken away. The crimson stains were scrubbed, and silence returned, heavy and solemn.
Later that evening, the Emperor summoned Yuyan and Leng Yue into the throne room. Everything was quiet. Clean. Restored.
They entered together, both dressed in fresh robes.
"You both fought with courage today," Emperor Zixuan began, standing before his throne. "You protected not only this palace but its pride. I am proud of you."
Yuyan bowed her head slightly. "I only did what any daughter of Lianhua would do."
Leng Yue nodded. "I won't let them bring shame to this kingdom."
The Emperor smiled. "And you didn't. Thank you."
After a moment, Yuyan excused herself.
She found Mei waiting in the royal garden. The two of them began to walk slowly, moonlight reflecting off the pond.
"So, how was Xiyue, My lady?. " Mei asked with a teasing grin.
Yuyan giggled softly. " It was good. And the place was so beautiful. I missed this place though… and you."
"Sweet" Mei laughed. "And did Prince Lianyi treat you well?"
Yuyan rolled her eyes. "Too well. And I met this girl there... Mimi. She is beautiful, funny, and a very talented doctor. And also, she likes Lianyi. And there is this slay girl too. Always putting up schemes and mischiefs to get Lianyi's attention. I got annoyed sometimes that I had to protect Mimi.... Well, I hope that Mimi ends up with Lianyi. She's just the perfect lady for a kind prince like him."
"What of Leng Yue? Where is he now? Didn't he return with you?" Mei asked almost sounding too eager.
Yuyan eyed her suspiciously.
"What's going on? Why are you so eager to see him?" Yuyan asked. Mei quickly bowed her head, her check flushed. Yuyan then realized that something was really fishy.
"Hope what I am thinking is not what is going on? " She asked staring at Mei who was silent.
Mei's silent seemed to have answered her question because she suddenly bursted into laughter.
"You like Leng Yue? " She asked.
"Stop it! " Mei said and ran off and Yuyan ran after her eager to hear her answer.
After the walk, Yuyan returned to her chamber and dropped onto the bed with a sigh.
"I missed the sweet smell of Lianhua," she whispered.
Her eyes caught the ancient book resting on her desk. She walked over, picked it up, and smiled.
Flipping to the page she had marked, she sank onto her bed and started her reading again.
In the throne room, Emperor Zixuan sat with Leng Yue.
"Tell me," he said. "Have you received any visions lately?"
Leng Yue shook his head. "No… but I can feel it, father. The day the forgotten bloodline rises is close."
Zixuan's face turned serious. "When it comes… be ready. I trust you will know what to do."
Leng Yue nodded quietly.
Then he stood, bowed, and returned to his chambers.
When he came out of the throne room, he saw Mei standing beside the lotus tree near the palace. He suddenly smiled as he realized that she was waiting for someone.
When Mei saw him coming down from the stairs, she ran towards him nearly tripping over herself. When she got close to him, she suddenly stopped, her cheeks were flushed. She realizes she didn't know why she was running. She felt awkward. He suddenly bowed slightly, his face close to hers.
"Why did you stop running?" He asked.
"I just came to tell you welcome. Welcome!" She said and wanted to run off but he grabbed her robe and dragged her back making her fall into his arms. He then squeeze her in a tight hug.
Mei was shocked at first but then she melted in his soft embrace.
"I really missed how awkward you always act. " He said muttering into her ear.
When they finally separated, she was so embarrassed that she ran off.
Leng Yue stared at her as she ran off and smiled.
Far from Lianhua, in the dark Scorpion fortress, the surviving men stumbled into the hall, bloodied and trembling. They told Xiezhi everything. Of the prince's skill, of the princess's strength and of the Emperor's cold fury.
And they told him that his personal guards was killed.
Fury erupted.
Xiezhi stood, eyes bloodshot, and began destroying everything around him. He shattered a table, kicked down a chair, and struck a servant who was too slow to bow.
"USELESS!" he screamed. "All of you!"
Then he stormed into his chamber.
A soft hand touched his back as he settled on his bed. One of his 'pleasure', as he called them. Her name was Zhenlia and she was his favorite servant.
"Your Highness," she cooed softly, running her hand down his back. "Zixuan has gotten under your skin too much."
She leaned in close. "Why don't you eliminate him?"
Xiezhi sat heavily on the bed. "It's like he has become untouchable… And with Xiyue as his ally..."
Zhenlia's voice lowered, calm and dangerous. "You know, my father used to say… when someone threatens you with something big, you threaten back with something bigger."
She paused. "It's time i tell you of someone who could help you bring down Lianhua. Her name is.... Xhurai."
His eyes widened. "Lady Xhurai?"
"Yes, there are many rumors about her, " she said. "Some claim she has a dark past, others, that she's a witch, and some even say she's died and came back to life. She lives in the woods, separated from the kingdom by a stream."
"I've heard of her before," he replied, "but I never paid much attention. What made you think she could help me?"
"Because I know something about her that the people don't," she said, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "She's a seer."
"Are you certain?" he asked, his voice laced with shock. "A seer? You mean one who sees beyond the veil?"
"Trust me, Your Majesty," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Send for her, and you'll understand what I mean." With that, she whispered one final word before departing.
"Think about it."
After a while of deep thought, Xiezhi called out for a guard. When the guard arrived, he gave the guard a message to deliver to his general.
"Go to the woods along with your guards and find the woman named Xhurai. "