General Wei straightened, bowing quickly. "Your Highness. We're conducting the questioning His Majesty commanded—"
"Questioning?" Prince Liang Jian's gaze swept the room, taking in Soyeon's tears, her plain cotton robes, the officials with their scrolls, and his jaw clenched. "This looks more like an interrogation. Why is my physician being treated like a criminal?"
"Your Highness, His Majesty ordered—"
"She saved a man's life!" His voice rose, echoing off the stone walls. "She identified the poison, administered treatment, prevented a death. And your response is to lock her in a windowless room for four days and question her like a spy?"
"Your Highness," one of the officials said nervously. "The circumstances were suspicious—"
"What circumstances?" Prince Liang Jian took a step forward, and the official flinched. "That she's foreign? That she's skilled? That she appeared at the right time to save someone? If saving lives is suspicious, then our entire medical academy should be under investigation!"
"Your Highness, please," General Wei said quietly. "We're following orders—"
"Then the orders are wrong."
He turned without another word and strode from the room, his black robes swirling behind him like storm clouds.
The officials exchanged nervous glances.
"Should we....continue?" one asked weakly.
General Wei sighed deeply. "No. Wait here."
He followed the prince out.
Soyeon stood rooted in place, her heart a drum beating so hard the rhythm filled her throat. The tears on her cheeks had gone still, frozen by sheer disbelief
Prince Liang Jian came back for me.
~
Prince Liang Jian's boots echoed through the corridors like war drums.
Fury churned in his chest like a dragon's breath, searing, barely contained beneath the iron of his will.
Four days. He had been gone for just fourdays, securing the northern garrison, hunting down the traitors who had sold information to the Xiongnu, barely sleeping, barely eating, pushing himself and his men to their limits.
All while thinking about her.
Wondering if she had recovered from the attack. If she was eating properly. If the nightmares had faded. If she thought about him even a fraction as much as he thought about her.
He had returned at dawn, exhausted and wounded, intending to check on her immediately. Instead, he found her chambers empty, the servants nervous and evasive.
"Where is Lady Su Yan?" he had demanded.
"She's... she's been moved, Your Highness. By His Majesty's order."
"Moved where?"
The servant's face had gone pale. "The... the questioning rooms, Your Highness."
For a moment, Liang Jian had stood perfectly still. Rage blazed through his veins like poison-laced wine, savage, barely contained beneath the cracking surface of his composure. His hand moved to his sword hilt without conscious thought.
"Why?" He had asked, trying to steady his voice. The servant had explained, and his fury erupted.
Now he stormed through the palace, his destination clear.
The Hall of Diligent Governance loomed ahead, the Emperor's private study where he conducted daily business. Guards straightened at Liang Jian's approach but didn't try to stop him. They knew better.
He didn't knock. He just pushed the doors open and strode inside.
The Emperor sat at his desk, reviewing memorials. Beside him, Prince Zhao Yifeng stood examining a military map spread across a side table, dressed in beautiful robes of crimson and gold, looking fresh and well-rested.
Both men looked up at his entrance.
"Second Brother," Prince Zhao Yifeng said, surprise crossing his features. "You've returned already. We didn't expect you for another two days at least."
Liang Jian ignored him, fixing his gaze on the Emperor.
"Father Emperor," he said, his voice edged with violence. "Why is Lady Su Yan being interrogated like a criminal?"
The Emperor set down his brush carefully. "She is being questioned as a precautionary measure. Given recent events—"
"She saved a man's life."
"She is a foreign woman of unknown origin who appeared in this palace under suspicious circumstances," the Emperor said evenly. "Her medical knowledge, while impressive, could also indicate familiarity with poisons. It would be negligent not to investigate."
"Investigate?" Liang Jian's hands clenched at his sides. "You locked her in a room for four days with no explanation, no contact, terrifying her half to death! That's not investigation, that's torture!"
"Mind your tone," the Emperor's voice hardened. "You forget yourself."
"Do I?" Liang Jian took a step forward. "You assign her to me as my personal physician. You place her under my authority. Then you undermine that authority by treating her like a suspect without even consulting me!"
"The decision was mine to make," the Emperor said coldly. "Not yours."
"She is under my protection!"
"And you are under mine!" The Emperor rose from his seat, his voice thundering. "You are my son, Liang Jian. Not the Emperor. You do not question my decisions in my own palace!"
The room fell silent.
Prince Zhao Yifeng cleared his throat carefully. "Second Brother," he said, his voice like a blade slowly leaving its sheath. "You seem..…unusually invested in this woman's wellbeing. Do you perhaps have a personal interest in her?"
The question hung in the hair, each word falling like stones into still water.
Liang Jian's jaw tightened. He turned to face his brother, and for a moment, the two princes simply stared at each other.
"My interest," Liang Jian said quietly, "is in ensuring that innocent people under my protection are not mistreated. Is that concept foreign to you, Royal Brother?"
"Not at all," Prince Zhao Yifeng said smoothly. "I'm merely surprised by your.….passion on the subject. You've never shown such concern for any of your other retainers."
"She is not a retainer. She is my physician."
"Ah yes. Your physician." Something flickered in Prince Zhao Yifeng's eyes. "Who you took to a military camp. Who you rode with personally. Who you defend so ardently now." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "One might wonder if there's more to this than simple duty."
"Enough." The Emperor's voice fell like a hammer, silencing all. "Both of you. I will not have my sons bickering like children in my study." He fixed his gaze on Liang Jian. "The questioning will conclude today. If Lady Su is found innocent, she will be released. But until then, she remains where she is. That is my final word. Now leave. Both of you."
Liang Jian's fists clenched so hard his nails bit into his palms. But he bowed, stiffly. "As you command, Father Emperor."
He turned and left before he said something unforgivable.