Golden Lotus

Suyin had fallen asleep on Qin Fuhua's chest as the two watched the full moon hang like a luminous pearl in the dark velvet sky. The silvery light bathed them in a serene glow, casting soft shadows that danced with the night breeze. She didn't notice that Qin Fuhua, with the utmost care and tenderness, had gently lifted her into his arms, mindful not to disturb her tranquil slumber. Each step he took was deliberate and gentle as he carried her back to his rest area, cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

Carefully, Qin Fuhua placed her on the bed, his movements slow and precise, ensuring her comfort. He watched her as she slept peacefully, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath, her face illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window. Her expression was one of serene contentment, and a sense of warmth filled his heart.

With a small, affectionate smile, Qin Fuhua leaned in to kiss her forehead, his lips barely brushing against her skin in a tender gesture. He lingered for a moment, savoring the closeness, and then softly caressed her hair, his fingers threading through the silken strands with care.

Reluctantly, he pulled away, casting one last loving glance at her before quietly leaving the room.

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[MORNING]

Suyin walked around the stronghold, her eyes scanning the area to ensure the soldiers were well taken care of. She moved with purpose, stopping to check on those who needed assistance, her presence a comforting reassurance to many. With gentle words and a kind smile, she helped Teacher Zhou Lin and others, ensuring everyone was doing fine and that the stronghold ran smoothly.

Despite her busy schedule, Suyin's mind was occupied with thoughts of Qin Fuhua. She had been searching for him, but he was nowhere to be found. Earlier, she had caught a glimpse of Weizhe, his figure darting through the bustling camp area, but he seemed too preoccupied for her to approach.

Her questions about Qin Fuhua's whereabouts remained unanswered.

Determined, Suyin wandered down to the east side of the stronghold, where the rhythmic clanging of wood and the shouts of exertion filled the air.

This area was dedicated to training, a place where soldiers honed their swordsmanship. She paused, her attention captured by the sight before her: a small practice battle arena where soldiers sparred with wooden swords hidden behind a large, white tent.

The warriors moved with precision and skill, their movements a blur of practiced strikes and parries.

She became so engrossed in curiosity that she didn't notice she had wandered closer to the arena.

"Again!" a loud, determined voice called out, cutting through the air with authority.

Suyin lifted her head, trying to catch a glimpse of the little battle arena hidden behind a large, white tent. Intrigued, she hurried around, sneaking to the corner of the tent to watch the battle unfold.

There, in the middle of the pit, stood Qin Fuhua, his torso bare and glistening with sweat, his muscles taut and defined. He was covered in dirt, evidence of intense training.

Opposite him, another man lay on the ground, similarly half-naked but clearly defeated. The Prince's commanding presence was undeniable, his stance exuding both strength and discipline.

Suyin's eyes widened as she took in the sight of Qin Fuhua.

Instinctively, she covered her eyes, a flush of embarrassment warming her cheeks. Yet, curiosity and admiration got the better of her, and she lowered her hands, shamelessly watching him in awe as the scene played out before her.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness!" the male soldier on the ground said, struggling to his feet and brushing the dirt from his skin.

"If you do not defend yourself better than this, how will we be able to defeat the enemy?" Qin Fuhua's voice was cold, his gaze unwavering.

The soldiers gathered in a circle around the pit and watched with a mixture of fear and respect. The Prince's swordsmanship was legendary, and his harsh words were a testament to his relentless pursuit of perfection.

"Next!" Qin Fuhua called out, his tone brooking no argument. Another soldier stepped into the pit, determination etched on his face.

Suyin continued to watch, her heart pounding with excitement. She marveled at Qin Fuhua's skill and authority, feeling a mix of pride and admiration for the man she had come to care for so deeply.

Nearby, a wooden weapon holder stood stocked with an array of training implements—spears, swords, small knives, and arrows—all crafted from wood. The practice weapons bore the marks of countless drills, their surfaces worn smooth and their colors faded from years of use.

Suyin could tell they had seen many battles, each nick and scratch a testament to the rigorous training sessions.

One of the soldiers stepped forward, picking up a wooden spear as he moved to face Qin Fuhua. The Prince, holding a wooden sword, waited with an air of calm confidence.

He nodded, signaling the beginning of the bout.

The soldier charged a fierce scream accompanying his attack. Qin Fuhua effortlessly dodged the thrust of the wooden spear, his movements swift and precise. In an instant, he kicked the soldier's legs out from under him, sending him sprawling to the ground, defeated.

"Don't think of your weapon as just what you're holding," Qin Fuhua admonished, his voice filled with frustration. "Use your arms and legs too!"

His irritation was palpable.

He surveyed the soldiers around him with a critical eye, recognizing the need for more rigorous training. These were the men he had chosen, and he needed them to be a formidable force.

"What are you doing here?" a voice suddenly called out behind Suyin, startling her.

She jumped, turning to see a half-naked soldier standing with his arms on his hips, his eyes fixed on her.

"I...Uh," Suyin stammered, a nervous smile spreading across her face.

She glanced back towards the training pit, hoping Qin Fuhua hadn't noticed her presence. To her dismay, she found him already behind her, his body slick with sweat and dirt, his breathing heavy from the exertion.

"Hi..." she said weakly, waving at him with a mix of embarrassment.

Qin Fuhua's intense gaze softened slightly as he looked down at her. "What are you doing here, Suyin?" he asked, his voice still edged with the remnants of his earlier frustration, but now tinged with curiosity.

Caught off guard, Suyin hesitated before answering, "I was just... checking on the training. It's impressive to see you in action." She hoped her words would ease the tension, her admiration for him shining through her nervousness.

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"I should have told you that I was training the soldiers. You shouldn't have gone there," Qin Fuhua uttered as he got dressed back in his hanfu. They were inside a large, white tent, where he was preparing himself after the intense session with the soldiers.

Suyin stood on the other side of a wooden partition, sneaking glances at Qin Fuhua's well-defined physique before quickly turning away again. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at her own curiosity.

"I'm sorry. I was looking for you and couldn't find you," Suyin admitted, clutching a cloth she had found and needed his insight on.

The tent grew quiet, and she hesitantly turned back, only to be caught once more as Qin Fuhua noticed her peeking.

"What are you doing?" he asked, stepping forward to open the partition, closing the distance between them. His tone was curious but held a hint of amusement.

"Nothing..." Suyin replied, her smile betraying her nervousness.

She couldn't help but marvel at his muscular chest, realizing for the first time just how strong and well-built he was. His presence was captivating, and she found herself unable to look away.

"Were you peeking at me like this?" Qin Fuhua teased, placing his hands on top of the wooden partition and leaning closer. He loosened his hanfu, revealing more of his chiseled chest, the muscles defined and his skin a beautiful shade of white. Suyin's breath caught in her throat as she tried to shake off her entranced state.

"N-No!" she lied, her eyes betraying her as they lingered on his chest.

Desperate to divert her attention, she pulled out the cloth she had been holding. "I found this and needed your insight on it."

Qin Fuhua's expression softened as he shifted his focus to the cloth. He took it from her, their fingers briefly brushing, sending a small jolt of awareness through Suyin. His brow furrowed in concentration as he examined the material, but Suyin couldn't help but feel her heartbeat quicken, still captivated by his presence.

Suyin hesitated for a moment, glancing away from Qin Fuhua.

"I... found this at the enemy's camp outside your stronghold."

Qin Fuhua took a long look at the cloth, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the golden lotus laced on it. The intricate design seemed to stir something within him.

"The cloth felt like handkerchief material, so I thought it might belong to someone important," Suyin explained, her gaze shifting between the lotus and Qin Fuhua's contemplative expression. "Have you... seen this before?" she asked again, hoping for some recognition.

Qin Fuhua studied the design and cloth intently, nodding slowly. "I've seen this somewhere before, but it was a long time ago when I was a child." His voice grew distant as he delved into his memories, trying to pinpoint where he had encountered the pattern.

He immersed himself in thought, the tent silent except for the soft rustle of fabric as he turned the cloth over in his hands. "That's... my father's pattern, adorned on his handkerchief. I remember he had given it to my mother long before she passed away."

Suyin watched him closely, sensing the weight of his memories. The connection to his parents, especially his mother, brought a depth of emotion to his eyes that she had rarely seen. "What does it mean? Why would it be at the enemy's camp?" she asked gently, her curiosity mingling with concern.

Qin Fuhua took a deep breath, his mind racing to piece together the fragments of his past with the present mystery. "I don't know," he admitted, frustration tinging his voice. "But if this handkerchief found its way to the enemy's camp, it might mean something significant. Perhaps a connection to someone from my past, or a clue about the enemy's intentions."

Suyin nodded, her resolve strengthening. "We'll figure it out together. This might be the key to understanding more about our enemy and their plans."

Qin Fuhua gave her a grateful look, appreciating her determination and support. "Yes, we will," he agreed, folding the cloth carefully. "But we must tread carefully. This revelation could lead us to something much bigger than we anticipated."