After Ying-tai parted from the altar, he excused himself from Jiao Long.

“I’ll part from you now,” Ying-tai lowered his head to him.

“You won’t keep us company for a bit?” Jiao Long asked. “You just got back.”

“No, I’m rather tired,” Ying-tai replied and turned away to his chamber with Huian, Xia, and his men following closely behind. Before heading to his chamber, he went to go see what Sir Guozhi wanted to talk to him about. He found him in his study surrounded by papers, as usual.

“Sir Guozhi,” Ying-tai knocked. Sir Guozhi looked up from his monocle and immediately got up from his seat and headed toward Ying-tai with open arms.

“Ying-tai!” He cried as he approached him and grabbed his shoulder. “What took you so long?”

Ying-tai patted his frail hands. “I’m sorry, Sir Guozhi. I came as soon as I heard.”

“You saw him already?” Sir Guozhi asked.

Ying-tai nodded, “Yes.”

“Of course you did,” Sir Guozhi sighed as he laid out cups for them both and poured in hot tea.

“I received your letter. What was it you wanted to talk about?”

Sir Guozhi handed Ying-tai the cup of hot tea. “I’m sorry I had to see you so soon. You must be very tired from your journey,” he apologized.

“No, don’t be. It was nothing,” Ying-tai said as he received the cup from Sir Guozhi’s hand.

Sir Guozhi nodded then cleared his throat. “A few weeks ago, Princess Xiu Juan came to see me,” he began. “She caught an intruder trespassing into the palace.”

Ying-tai raised his eyes to him.

“He was carrying a message to a recipient inside the palace.”

“Who?” Ying-tai asked, his eyes alert.

“Princess said the intruder told her it was for Prince Jiao Long,” Sir Guozhi revealed.

“The crown prince?” Ying-tai was growing more alarmed.

“Yes. She made a copy of the letter and showed it to me. It was in Zhao’s cryptogram.”

“Zhao?!” Ying-tai exasperated. “What did the code say?”

“The agreement has been granted,” he replied.

Ying-tai furrowed his brows, “And how long ago did you say this was?”

“A little before The Emperor passed,” Sir Guozhi replied.

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“You were still leading campaigns against Wei and Zhao. I did not want to distract you from your duties for The Emperor.”

Ying-tai didn’t respond. He thought for a moment and then said in a low voice, “You think The Emperor’s death had to do with this?”

Sir Guozhi sighed, “As much as I would like to hope not, it’s quite possible.”

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“You guys did not do an autopsy?” Ying-tai asked.

“They did not let anyone near The Emperor’s body. Not even me.”

Ying-tai frowned. “It’s no wonder he was so eager to do the ceremony before my arrival.”

“He’s got the court in his hand. Without proof, we can’t prosecute him,” Sir Guozhi notified.

Ying-tai stood in silence for a while, his heart growing with fury.

“We’ll find a way,” he finally said. “If he had something to do with The Emperor’s death, there will be a way to bring him to justice. He will not die unprosecuted.”

Tired from his long journey, Ying-tai excused himself and went to rest in his chamber. When he awoke, it was just before sunrise. He got up and requested a hot bath then dressed himself in his usual everyday white attire and robe. Tying his sword to the side and equipping a few small weapons, he walked out of his chamber. Sitting inside the quiet tea room located high inside a balcony of the palace, Shu brought him his tea.

“Ah, Ying-tai. It’s always good to have you back in the palace. Everything just seems to be better with you here,” Shu beamed.

Ying-tai smiled as she poured him his tea, “It’s nice to be home and see you doing so well.”

“Ah, thank you, son. But, I am aging more and more each day. Oh, and by the way, Huian and Xia are up as well and will be with you momentarily. I will be preparing your breakfast meanwhile so just sit tight!” She smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Shu,” Ying-tai thanked her as she left the room.

Soon after the sun rose and lightly kissed the lands of Qin, Huian and Xia came in to join him on an early tea sitting. Looking out unto the mountains where the sun seeped through, the hills where the fog lingered, and the rice fields that swayed with the morning breeze, Huian sighed at the sight.

“Nothing better than a quiet, peaceful morning,” Xia commented.

Ying-tai nodded in agreement while sipping his tea. Shu later came in with breakfast and laid them out on the table before them. She prepared the best breakfast for them. Huian chuckled at all of the food.

“Ah, Shu. I’m afraid our morning stomachs will not be able to stuff this feast you prepared for us!”

Shu shook her head, “You men have been fighting too hard and traveling for far too long so I prepared the heartiest meals for you all. All of these contain the richest nutrients so eat up and don’t leave even a grain of rice!”

Xia looked at Ying-tai with wide eyes which expressed, Are you serious?

Ying-tai laughed and looked at Shu. “Come. Sit and enjoy this meal with us, Shu. We won’t be able to eat all of this,” Ying-tai requested as he distributed the bowls.

“Oh, no. I prepared this for YOU. You must eat it all,” she insisted.

As the morning breeze made its way through the windows and into the sunlit room, it carried a few delicate plum blossom petals with it that danced across the table. Catching their light fragrance, Ying-tai’s eyes followed them as they lightly brushed against the wooden table.

“Shu,” Ying-tai addressed softly, turning his head a little while his eyes were still fixed on the petals.

“Yes?”

He turned his eyes to her. “How is Princess Xiu Juan?” He asked. Thinking about her grief of her lost father brought him a sting of pain.

Shu sighed, “She hasn’t spoken to anyone in days. She didn’t even attend the ceremony here in the palace. Instead, she made her way outside and attended the ceremony held by the people. You know, the ceremony of the lanterns.” Shu placed the used tea cups and kettle into her tray and continued, “But I think that was better for her anyway. Disagree if you must, but I think she needed time away from inside these walls.”

“Where is she now?” Ying-tai asked.

“She returned outside with Luli and Bo,” she informed.

“Bo?” Ying-tai turned curious.

“Yes, the new servant. Princess personally requested him.”

“Huh,” Ying-tai commented, very curious of who this Bo was that was hanging by her side. “Do you know where she went exactly?”

“I’m afraid I do not. She did not specify.”

Ying-tai thought for a moment then smiled, “Thank you, Shu. You can leave us now as you are busy.”

Shu returned the smile, bid them a good day and left.

“Bo?” Ying-tai thought.

“He’s the boy Princess requested your Insiders to fabricate his death.” Huian reported.

Ying-tai remembered Sir Guozhi telling him of the intruder Xiu Juan intercepted. He pieced it all together and nodded.

“Ah, I see. I remember now,” he said. Then he frowned, “Why does she have a person like that working by her?”

“You’re worried or envious?” Xia blurted.

Huian nudged his side and he limped over, clutching his waist with his hand.

Huian observed Ying-tai who was chewing his food quietly.

“You are going to look for her, aren’t you?” Huian asked as he read him.

Ying-tai raised his eyes to him. He lifted his chopsticks to pick on the flesh of the grilled fish.

“Yes,” he admitted.

Huian nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

“Me too,” Xia chimed in, “It would be nice to be out for a bit.”

Ying-tai nodded, “We leave after we eat.”