Three days later, and elsewhere in Tiansheng…

Xin Fengxian, third son of Emperor Zhao, is seated at a desk in his personal residence, tending to a few of his daily duties. He reflexively thanks a servant who delivers a pot of tea with two cups, and then sets his brush down. After two years of managing his own household, he has become quite proficient at it, and though there are many things that still require his attention, more pressing matters are at hand.

His guest is due to arrive any minute, and Fengxian is certain that he hears the guards beyond the reception hall talking with someone, so he rises from his seat and takes a few private moments to stretch his legs. Once comfortable, he steps around the desk and makes his way towards the nearby table where the servant left the tea.

“Zhou Xiaoming has arrived!”

The guard shouts the announcement, bows, and then returns to his post while the headmaster of the imperial academy, and Fengxian’s personal mentor, strides in, quickly and confidently.

Fenxgian bows to greet the great scholar. “Welcome, master. I am pleased that you were able to join me.”

Xiaoming quickly deposits an ornate box on the table and bows in return. “Greetings, your highness.”

Fengxian eyes the box with curiosity, but decides to leave it for later. Instead, he gestures to the tea set. “Would you like some tea?”

Xiaoming nods and places a hand atop the box. “How is your wife?”

“Better. The medicine you provided has helped.”

“Wonderful!” Xiaoming waits until Fengxian has poured his tea before lifting the box. “She is a truly remarkable woman, so it is important to give her the best care you can.”

“Of course, master! She is the light of my life, and if she dims even a little, my world is shrouded in darkness. But it seems you have brought something for me. What is this?”

Xiaoming smiles brightly. “You have trained under me for twenty years, and I am proud to say I have no finer student. This is not a gift, but an honor — and one that you earned.”

He opens the box to display a perfectly folded, white-trimmed azure silk robe. “Money can buy titles, and too many achievements are earned by the unworthy through corruption and politicking, but this robe is something that can only be gained through hard work, dedication, and a peerless mind.”

Fengxian’s eyes light up upon seeing the robe. After a brief delay, he slowly reaches into the box and holds the robe up with the same care he’d use to pick up a newborn. “This… master! You… I don’t know what to say!”

Xiaoming laughs while he sets the empty box down. “Here, let me assist you.”

He holds his hands out to accept the robe from Fengxian who quickly turns around and raises his arms. “This is the twelfth azure robe I have bestowed upon one of my students, and it cannot be bought, nor earned by a fool, nor given for merits not earned. This is a reflection of your excellence, and one of the few unsullied honors left in this world.”

Xiaoming helps his student don the robe and steps back to admire him. “This robe, as pure as the clearest blue sky, cannot be replicated by any other, and because of an imperial decree, this color can not be worn by anyone who has not earned it. Your highness… congratulations!”

Xiaoming bows deeply, showing the utmost respect for his disciple.

Fengxian, with misty eyes, returns the bow. “I will continue to make you proud, master!”

“I know you will,” Xiaoming gestures to the table and the tea which has sufficiently cooled. “Let’s sit. I believe there is something you want to discuss with me?”

The two men sit and sip their tea in silence for a few breaths before Fengxian speaks up. “I’ve been drafting a plan. You’re aware of the unrest in the empire, right?”

“It has been a topic in court on several occasions, though it is frequently dismissed before any meaningful discussion takes place.”

“Our people are upset, and if we continue to ignore them then the situation might spiral out of control,” Fengxian stares into his tea before taking a sip. “Unless we begin addressing the concerns of the people, we run the risk of a worst-case scenario.”

“A rebellion?”

Fengxian sighs. “It is one of the only ways the peasants can truly demand redress for the negligence of the state. Protests, strikes, heartfelt memorials containing their grievances — none of these bear any weight beyond the capital.”

“I have heard whispers of discontent among my students, and I am well aware that many ministers cover their ears when such concerns are raised, but the root cause remains a mystery to me.”

Fengxian pours more tea for both of them. “Exactly! So, at the next session I want you to support me when I propose that we take action.”

“Of course, your highness. I would support you either way. However, what do you have in mind?”

“Over the last five years, I have been raising my own forces and learning a lot about management, so I will propose a tour of the empire in order to seek out information that can be used to return a semblance of normalcy.”

“Hmmm… it would be good to take initiative and get ahead of the problem. I am certain your father will make supplies available for you, and by using your own men, the ministers that typically oppose you will be inclined to see you go. It will give your brothers a chance to act without your interference.”

“I can’t be worried about them. If they want to fight over the throne, that is their choice.”

Xiaoming smirks. “I understand. With that in mind, I am certain we can come up with something suitable to present during the next session.”

“Thank you, master. Your wisdom has never failed me.”

The two drink their tea and discuss plans for several hours before they part ways, and by the time they are finished, Xin Fengxian is confident that his proposal will be accepted.

After his meeting with Xin Fengxian, Xiaoming returns home. The city is as busy and as lively as ever, with crowds of people milling about as life goes on, but one individual draws Xiaoming’s attention. He finds a young, swarthy man prostrated outside the entrance of the estate as if he is intently praying to the courtyard wall.

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The city is filled with odd individuals, but they tend to live elsewhere and rarely congregate outside his home. This young man, however, does not appear destitute, nor does he seem lost. Instead, he appears resolute in his determination to do whatever it is he has set out to do.

He suddenly starts shouting, drawing the attention of nearby onlookers. “As the sun ever seeks the moon, I shall never forsake you! Time is but an obstacle, and I know that you shall one day grace me with your presence!”

Xiaoming makes a quick gesture to the two guards with him to ensure they don’t try and drive the boy away immediately. By the looks of him, and the exasperated expressions on the guards at the gate, he has weathered at least one or two such attempts.

“Young man, why do you yell at my home?”

As soon as he is addressed, the young man whirls around and kowtows to Xiaoming. “Great master, this humble servant begs you! Please, aid me in my quest!”

Xiaoming stares down at him.

‘This must be a prank. Have I offended a local theater? Hmm… no… not recently.’

“What is your name?”

“Master Zhou! This humble servant is named Han Zhiran, and he begs you once more, please!”

“Well, you know who I am, but I can’t say I know who you are. However…” Xiaoming flicks his wrists to adjust his sleeves and then folds his hands behind his back. “You have my attention. Explain this… quest.”

Han Zhiran scrambles to his feet and performs a crisp martial artist salute. “Thank you, master Zhou! I am a local martial artist and I claimed victory in a tournament three days ago. Among the crowd was a peerless beauty, and though I could not see her face, I understood that my life would be meaningless unless I could know her name.”

“However, when I sought her out, she had already vanished! Gone! Gone before I could return to claim my prize, and oh how I have suffered since!”

Xiaoming rolls his eyes at the dramatic flair. “What does this have to do with my home?”

“You must understand, great master! When the heart finds its heavens-made-match, it yearns with an unmatched passion! I pieced together a number of clues and have determined that the woman of my dreams resides within these walls. So, I beg of you, please! Please, aid me in this quest! I must meet her again!”

Xiaoming closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

‘Despite my careful planning, even I have been surprised by… this. But how did he track them here?’

“It must have been one of the servants. If you wait here long enough I’m sure you’ll see her.”

“I do not believe so, great master! The beauty I seek can not be a servant, for she was served by another! Would she, by chance, be your daughter?”

Xiaoming shakes his head solemnly. “I do not have a daughter. You must be mistaken.”

A very sudden and palpable change came over Han Zhiran. “No, I think not, Master Zhou. You see, I know the servant who serves my love, and the other servants say she fills a very peculiar role within your staff.”

Xiaoming’s eyes narrow. “And yet, it seems you are mistaken. Make yourself scarce, and stop bothering my neighbors.”

‘What a clever boy. Perhaps his charade is merely that and nothing more. However, it seems I have a problem to deal with.’

He steps around Han Zhiran, who drops to his knees and begins wailing again, though Xiaoming is not concerned. The young man’s act no longer fools him, so he instructs the guards to chase him off if he does not leave on his own and then enters his home.

Xiaoming clicks his tongue in annoyance.

‘It seems a trip may be in order earlier than I anticipated. It pains me to say it, but without some luck, this home is no longer safe for you, my dear. It is better to be safe than sorry.’

“Is he still out there?”

Jingyi diligently checks out the window again. “I’m afraid so, my lady.”

“Why didn’t he send him away?”

I lament my situation, and cannot help but wonder why my father hadn’t chased Han Zhiran off immediately. Considering his conduct, there is no chance that my father hadn’t determined Zhiran is crazy. Why… why is he still there?

‘Worse yet… how much trouble am I in!?’

I flop face-first onto my bed and scream into the blankets.

“It will be okay, my lady.”

I turn my head just enough that I can look at her with one eye and ensure she can see my distraught pouting. “How can you say that?”

“He will go away eventually and this will all be forgotten,” she turns her head slightly and averts her eyes. “Probably...”

I raise my head and scowl at her when I hear that last whispered word. However, before I can scold her, there is a knock at the door. My heart runs for the hills and I turn as pale as a ghost.

“Ran’er, may I come in?”

‘No! Definitely not!’

I meet eyes with Jingyi and just nod, so she goes to let him in. I, sprawled out on my belly, thoroughly disheveled, and completely motionless have quite a lot in common with a murder victim. The only thing I’m missing is the pools of blood to complete the look. With some luck, Jingyi will catch on, stab me repeatedly, and I can just avoid this entire ordeal.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Dad, I’m just not in the mood to be scolded.”

Xiaoming exhales sharply, clearly amused, and I hear him approach the side of my bed. He sits down next to me. “I need to talk to you about something. Will you hear me out?”

I shift slightly so I can look back at him and nod.

“I need you and miss Xiang to pack some things. Once I’ve wrapped up a few things around here, we’re going to take a trip.”

I furrow my brow and then roll over. “A trip? What? Why?”

“You’re old enough that it is time to find your place in the world.”

“You’re… getting rid of me?”

My father chokes and then clears his throat. “Hoho, no, no, I’m not getting rid of you. At your age, those who can do so make a pilgrimage to visit the great dragon, Ruyilong, who divines their fate. You will learn where you belong, whether it is here at home or somewhere else, and then I will support you with whatever you choose.”

I stare at him, unblinking. I’ve never left the estate before — well, I guess I can’t actually say that anymore, but the point still stands, I’ve never left the city. How can I be expected to travel to wherever this great dragon is? More importantly, why? Why now?

‘He still hasn’t mentioned anything about Han Zhiran and sneaking out, so he’s clearly hiding something.’

“It will take some time to get there, so miss Xiang, make sure you pack accordingly.”

Jingyi bows politely. “Of course, sir.”

“I don’t understand why we’d have to go and do this? Isn’t what I have now enough?”

“This world is complicated, my dear. Your mother and I just want the best for you, and this is the first step forward.”

I sigh. “If you insist…”

My father smiles warmly, rises from my bed, and makes his way towards the door. However, before he leaves, he turns back. “Consider this the consequence for sneaking out.”

He slips outside and starts to close the door behind him but sticks his head back in for a moment to say: “I love you.”

I close my eyes tight and scream internally.