The camp was still alive with the hum of celebration when Long Fei gathered Ling Yue and Shui Yi under the dim light of a canvas tent. The bonfire outside crackled, its flames casting flickering shadows across their faces.
"Tomorrow, both of you will need to stay behind," said the Crown Prince.
Ling Yue leaned against the pillar, twirling a dagger around her fingers. "You're not planning to leave us here like leftovers, are you, Your Highness?" She feigned offense, though the smirk on her face gave her away as she lazily flicked the dagger outside the tent, pinning a drunken soldier to a wooden post as he stumbled too close to their private conversation.
"It's not safe for either of you to return to the palace. You would have to take off your mask in front of the Emperor. You can imagine what his reaction would be."
"Maybe he will be impressed by my divine beauty," Ling Yue said with a shrug.
The prince shook his head before turning his gaze to Shui Yi. "You'll be more useful here, keeping watch. You can send me a message through Feng if anything changes."
She brushed her fake mustache and beard with her fingers, her brow furrowed. "But we'll miss the chance to see you get honored by the Emperor."
"This is for your protection. I'll tell my father that you both are scouting for remnants of the rebellion, which will justify your absence. Let me handle it. Just stay hidden until I return."
With a reluctant nod, she agreed. Ling Yue threw up her hands. "Well, I don't like the palace anyway. Fine, we'll be waiting here for you." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
Long Fei gave a firm nod before turning on his heel. "I'll be back soon. General Ling, please don't kill any of my soldiers while I'm away."
***
After the reward ceremony, the Crown Prince entered the Emperor's private chambers. He saw the subtle tension in his father's posture. The aged monarch sat beside his mother at the grand table, the dim light of the candles casting long shadows over his gaunt face.
"Ah, Fei'er," his father greeted with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "The people are singing your praises. You've done well."
The prince offered a quiet acknowledgment, but there was an unspoken heaviness. Zhen Hua, standing by her husband's side, spoke softly, her gaze gentle.
"Fei'er, your father is weary," she said, her voice tinged with concern. "The weight of the empire has been heavy on him. Perhaps it's time for you to bring back the Legendary Healer."
Long Fei's brow furrowed, the pieces clicking into place. His eyes flickered, and he met his mother's gaze, understanding her hidden message. "The Legendary Healer?" he slowly repeated. He had suspected that Shui Yi would be called back to the palace; he didn't expect it to be so soon.
Zhen Hua nodded with a demure expression. "Your father's health... has been deteriorating for some time now. His body is not what it used to be. You may be our best hope of finding this healer and bringing her back to restore his strength, since you were able to locate her for me."
The prince's gaze shifted to his father, who leaned back in his chair. Wrinkles framed his heavy-lidded eyes, but a flicker of unmistakable pride still shone within them. "I've done all I can," the Emperor murmured, the weight of his words sinking in. "But I feel my time may be running short. Fei'er, my son... would you be ready to take the throne?"
The air thickened with the impending reality that the Crown Prince had feared: his father's condition was worse than he had let on. The resignation in his old man's voice spoke louder than any words. This wasn't about politics anymore. This was personal.
"Rest assured, Father, I will bring the Legendary Healer back, no matter the cost," Long Fei replied, but there was a subtle hesitation in his voice. His promise felt more like a duty now, one he had no choice but to honor.
The Emperor nodded with a faint smile. "I know you will, my son. You've always been my greatest pride."
Zhen Hua placed a hand on his shoulder, her eyes glimmering with a subtle satisfaction. "You should rest early, Your Majesty. Fei'er is probably exhausted."
With a final, lingering gaze, his father allowed his head to fall against the chair. "Good night, son. Bring back the healer... unless you want to inherit the throne sooner than planned."
The Crown Prince's chest tightened as he bowed deeply, silently agreeing to his father's wish. The weight of the crown loomed over him now more than ever. He didn't expect to be thrust into this role so soon.
As he stepped out, the reality of the situation began to settle in—he must bring back Shui Yi for his father. He would do whatever it took to save the man who had raised him.
***
Back in his chamber, Long Fei picked up his jade flute, letting the familiar tune flow through his fingers. Shui Yi's melody echoed through the chamber as he played, each note a gentle reminder of how she had unknowingly become the key to his future. His thoughts turned to her. The last time she had been in the palace, Long Yan had nearly killed her. Could he protect her here, in the midst of everything? The thought of her safety, in a palace that could no longer be trusted, unsettled him.
A tap on his door interrupted his reverie. He paused, fingers stilling on the flute. A chill ran down his spine.
The door creaked open. Zhen Hua entered, and unease coiled in his gut. "I'm sorry, Mother, I'll be heading to bed now. You should get some rest."
She stepped closer, her gaze sharpening as she met his. "Fei'er, I just wanted to let you know that I'll prepare a chamber for our special guest, the Legendary Healer. That way, you won't have to worry."
His heart skipped a beat. He knew what this meant. Shui Yi wasn't just the healer; she was being called back to the palace under his mother's design. The thought settled uncomfortably in his heart. His mother was scheming, and he had no illusions about her intentions. It was never just about his father.
"Good night, Fei'er," she said with a saccharine smile.
The door clicked shut behind her, but he remained standing, his flute still resting in his hands. A storm brewed within him, yet he knew he had little choice. This time, his mother had set the pieces in motion. He would have to navigate this carefully, for Shui Yi's sake.