[Feng Clinic]
Lingxi dropped a pouch full of silver on the table.
"Young miss, this money is too much", the old physician, Physician Feng tried to say.
"Will you be able to treat him?" she asked him.
"His injuries, though severe, are mainly superficial and may take some time to heal. However, he will regain consciousness within a day", Physician Feng explained.
"Try your best to treat him. When he regains consciousness, use part of the money to rent a carriage for him", Lingxi said and turned to go.
Physician Feng stopped her, "Miss, what is your relationship with this young man?" he asked.
Lingxi cast one long glance at He Ming who was lying unconscious.
"I'm his grandaunt", she said and left immediately with Qin Yan leaving the old physician confused.
"Grandaunt?"
The sound of He Ming's heavy, yet rapid breathing brought his attention back to him. He quickly rushed off to get water and towel amongst others.
Outside the clinic, Lingxi brought out a token from her sleeves. The character, 'Wen', was written. It was the token of He Ming. She had retrieved it from his waist before getting him to a clinic so as not to expose his identity.
"You took the token so that no one would know his identity", Qin Yan said.
"If I took him to the Imperial clinic to get treated, it would raise questions. It's much safer to keep him here"
She studied the token for a minute and kept it back on her sleeves, "I'll return it when he comes to pay his respects"
*******
The afternoon sun shone brightly warming the atmosphere of the earlier cold morning.
He Ming opened his eyes slowly. He had finally regained consciousness.
Physician Feng came to check on him when he saw him trying to sit down.
"Be careful, your wounds have not healed yet", Physician Feng said supporting him.
His right arm was bandaged and he felt a bit numb. He was still dizzy and was trying to ascertain where he was. He held his hand with his free left hand trying to remember what happened.
The sun rays fell over his face and he recalled a few things. He could hear the sound of his pursuers and the clanging of swords and spears.
The memory of him rolling down the hill flashed through his mind. Him telling someone to save him and yelling that he was Prince Wen.
A flowing blue robe and the sound of fading footsteps, a soft voice telling him it was a passing encounter - it all pieced together in his mind before everything went blank.
He turned to Physician Feng still dizzy, "who brought me here?"
"It was a young lady and a man who seemed to be her guard", Physician Feng answered. He was serving water for him.
"You are lucky. You were in such a terrible state that even I was not sure you were going to make it", he said handing the water to him.
He Ming, whose hand was still on his forehead as he felt his dizziness increase, recalled the sound of swift sword movement. He guessed it was the guard the physician spoke about.
"Have some water", Physician Feng urged him but he was not in the mood to drink water.
He began undoing the bandage on his right arm.
Physician Feng was flustered, "your right arm has not healed yet. You cannot move it casually", he explained but He Ming paid him no mind.
He tried to stand up and walked towards the doorframe. He supported himself by leaning on it and despite the pain on his right arm, searched through his waist for his token. He could not find it.
He turned to Physician Feng, "there was a token on my waist. Did you take it?" he asked.
"When the young lady brought you, I didn't see any token", Physician Feng denied seeing a token.
He Ming, who was trying his best to stay still, bowed his head slowly. He realized 'the young lady' who had saved him took it.
"The lady who saved me... do you know who she is?" he asked.
"No, but when I asked her about her relationship with you, she claimed she was your grandaunt", Physician Feng answered.
He Ming looked confused, "grandaunt?"
"She also said that when you regained consciousness, I should rent out a carriage for you", Physician Feng added.
He Ming closed his eyes, "get the carriage ready".
He was waiting to know who his 'savior' was.
[Channing Palace]
Lingxi handed the basket over to Xin Xie, "dry them and arrange it in the apothecary afterwards", she instructed.
Xin Xie nodded and left with it. Lingxi went straight to He Yu's study.
"You're back", He Yu smiled as he closed the scroll he was reading and set it aside to give Lingxi his full attention.
She sat opposite him, "I want to ask you a question"
"Feel free", He Yu responded.
"Recently, have there been any issues in the military?" she asked looking serious.
"Military issues? No", He Yu answered.
Lingxi thought for a while. If there was no problem in the military, why was He Ming being chased and injured to such a state?
"Are you worried about something?" He Yu asked.
Lingxi did not answer for a while, "what do you think makes me worry?"
He paused for a second before continuing, "did you encounter Prince Wen?" he asked.
Lingxi was taken slightly aback, "are you following me?"
"I guessed", he responded.
Lingxi accepted his explanation, "this morning, he was pursued by some masked people. He asked for my help so I saved him"
He Yu smiled, "I don't think you saved him immediately"
"What makes you think that?"
"My wife is best at minding her business", He Yu answered.
Lingxi studied him for a long time. She really hoped she could recall where she had met him in the past so that she could understand how he knew her so well.
He Yu continued, "Prince Wen is currently being pursued because he has something everyone wants"
Lingxi looked at him, "what is that?"
"The map of Daxia", he answered.
"The map of Daxia? Is it that important?" Lingxi asked.
"The map of Daxia contains not only the cities and natural wonders but the locations of different mines, treasures, terrains, mechanisms and many more secrets of Daxia. It was drawn by Master Hua, a skilled geomancer while the mechanisms were created by Master Fan Jingchan. Whoever finds it, with careful planning, could easily usurp the throne", He Yu explained.
Lingxi let out a short laugh, "does that mean I have the entire Daxia at my fingertips?" she asked.
He Yu looked at her, "you have it?"
"I found it on him", she said. She stood up and went to get a large blank scroll.
"He Yu, are you skilled in the art of painting?" she asked with a smile.
He Yu smiled back as they both understood what was to be done. From both ends, Lingxi and He Yu began painting.
******
The painting was soon done and Lingxi went on to rest for a while.
He Yu studied the painting they both drew together. He smiled happily, not from getting the map but from drawing it together with Lingxi.
Chi Yun walked in.
He bowed and greeted him but He Yu's attention was fixated on the map with a smile on his face.
"Your highness, what are you so happy about?" he asked on noticing He Yu's face.
He Yu gestured for him to come closer.
Chi Yun came closer and stood by his side.
"Look, isn't it beautiful?" He Yu asked with a dreamy smile on his face.
He recalled how their hands brushed against each other when they reached the middle. She was so close to him and he used the opportunity to inhale the fragrance in her hair.
His happiness was so visible on his face that Chi Yun could not help but be embarrassed on his behalf.
"It is beautiful", Chi Yun complimented although it didn't reach his heart. He just wanted peace.
"That's right", He Yu agreed and it was then Chi Yun saw the map clearly, "Your highness, isn't this...?" he wanted to ask.
"Yes", He Yu confirmed.
"Did Her Highness bring it?"
He Yu nodded.
"Didn't you tell her that you were there when everything happened?"
He Yu and Chi Yun had witnessed the entire event unfold - from He Ming being pursued down to Lingxi saving him. He had let Lingxi decide the outcome herself and the results showed he made the right choice.
"Wouldn't it seem like you are idle while she does all the work?" Chi Yun asked.
He really didn't want Lingxi to think He Yu was lazy or incapable.
"What's wrong with that? What's important is she considers me her partner", He Yu answered still looking very pleased with himself.
Chi Yun nodded his head slowly with a sigh, it was really hard working for a lovesick prince.