City of Shu Qin

After a couple more days of rest, Suyin's shoulder gradually healed, the once vivid bruise now a fading memory.

With newfound mobility, she eagerly assisted the siblings with household chores, her movements a testament to her recovering strength. Despite her improving condition, an unshakeable determination whispered within her, urging her to return home to Areum and Qin Fuhua.

The decision weighed heavily upon her, knowing the journey back without Qin Fuhua's guidance would pose challenges. Yet, she resolved to first seek refuge at the Qin manor.

In the interim, amidst the exchange of knowledge between Suyin and Zhelan, a mutual respect blossomed, Zhelan marveling at Suyin's intelligence in the realm of medicine.

In the days preceding, the sky had draped itself in a stubborn veil of clouds, teasing the promise of rain that never quite manifested.

However, on this particular evening, the heavens relented, and rain cascaded in sheets, a relentless downpour that drenched the earth below. The atmosphere inside the dwelling mirrored the tempest outside, tension building until it erupted with a sudden commotion.

The tranquility of Zhelan's study of poisonous herbs was shattered by the abrupt entrance of Zheng An, her figure silhouetted against the stormy backdrop, her form hunched in pain.

"Jiejie!"

With an arrow lodged in her elbow, her every movement was a testament to her struggle as she limped into the sanctuary of the home.

"Suyin!" The urgency in Zhelan's voice pierced through the cacophony of raindrops, his hands hastily discarding the herbal specimens he had been inspecting.

Reacting swiftly, Suyin abandoned her task of preparing supper, her instincts honed by necessity as she rushed to aid Zhelan in supporting Zheng An.

"Zheng An!" Suyin's voice conveyed both concern and relief as they guided her to a place of rest, the weight of her battered form a burden shared between them.

"I was being chased by some bandits, who stole my money and gear."

Breathless and in pain, Zheng An recounted her harrowing encounter with bandits, her words punctuated by labored breaths as she recounted the theft of her belongings before collapsing onto the bed, exhaustion claiming her weary frame.

Suyin's heart raced as she darted to fetch a clean cloth. Zhelan's voice cut through the air like a lifeline, his plea for caution a stark reminder of the perilous situation they faced.

"Miss Suyin!" Zhelan's voice rang out, halting her frenzied movements. She pivoted to face him, his expression a silent plea for reconsideration.

His words hung heavy in the charged atmosphere, a poignant reminder of the precarious balance between immediate danger and potential long-term harm.

Suyin met his gaze, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them before she nodded, her resolve unwavering.

"I'm sorry, Zheng An, but this will hurt," Suyin's voice was steady, yet laced with empathy as she prepared to extract the arrow.

With a sharp intake of breath, Zheng An braced herself for the impending agony, her body tensing in anticipation.

As Suyin deftly removed the arrow, a pained groan escaped Zheng An's lips, the sound a testament to the intensity of her suffering.

Swiftly, Suyin wrapped the wound with a clean cloth, staunching the flow of blood to prevent further loss. Yet, the absence of medicinal herbs cast a shadow of uncertainty over their makeshift treatment plan, Zhelan's admission a sobering reminder of their limited resources.

In the midst of chaos, Suyin's mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of calculation and determination. Despite the gravity of the situation, she summoned a breath of composure, her voice firm as she offered a solution born of necessity.

"There's some money that we still have left. It should be enough if I go buy it--"

But before she could finish, Zhelan interjected, his trembling form betraying his deep-seated fear.

The realization dawned upon Suyin, a poignant understanding of the weight of responsibility that rested upon Zhelan's shoulders, his beloved sister's life hanging in the balance.

"I'll go. Stay with your older sister. I'll try to hurry back." With resolve etched upon her features, Suyin seized a straw umbrella, her determined strides carrying her swiftly towards the gates of Shu Qin.

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[Shu Qin]

For historical documentation, Shu Qin stood as a bastion of defense, its formidable walls a testament to the strategic significance of hosting the imperial court.

With the Emperor's residence nestled within its fortified embrace, the city boasted one of the most impenetrable strongholds in the realm. The Crown Prince's unwavering commitment to bolstering military defenses ensured that Shu Qin, like its counterparts, bristled with vigilant sentinels and towering ramparts.

As one of the sprawling metropolises of the realm, Shu Qin eclipsed even the grandeur of Yuan Long (Where the Emperor of Long resides as well as Suyin).

Yet, beneath its façade of opulence and power lurked whispers of rumors swirling of bloodshed orchestrated by the Emperor and his heir. Such whispered secrets cast a pall over the city, fostering an atmosphere of apprehension and distrust among its inhabitants, a stark contrast to the tranquil serenity that enveloped the city of Yuan Long.

Despite its imposing stature, Shu Qin's gates stood open to outsiders, albeit under the scrutinous gaze of vigilant guards. Entry into the city required passing through multiple checkpoints, each scrutiny serving as a barrier against potential threats. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the city's gates inexorably closed at the stroke of 8 PM, sealing the city from the outside world with an air of finality.

The formidable presence of Shu Qin's elite army rendered any attempts at infiltration a daunting endeavor, the very notion of breaching its defenses a feat reserved for the foolhardy or the exceptionally skilled.

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Suyin's journey to the walls of Shu Qin was a precarious dance with the rain.

The rain-slicked pathway posed a constant threat of slippage, each step a careful negotiation with the muddy ground beneath her feet. Yet, the verdant canopy of trees above provided a modicum of shelter from the relentless onslaught of rain, their outstretched branches offering a shield against the worst of the downpour.

After what felt like an eternity of navigating the sodden landscape, Suyin finally arrived at the imposing gates of Shu Qin, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she faced the formidable barrier before her.

But her respite was short-lived, halted abruptly by the commanding voice of a guard, his presence a stern reminder of the city's vigilant defenses.

"Halt." The guard's voice cut through the air like a blade, his gaze fixed straight ahead, a steely determination etched upon his features.

Suyin paused, meeting the guard's gaze with a mixture of determination and apprehension, her mind racing with the urgency of her mission.

"To get in, we must search," the guard declared, his words a stark reminder of the stringent security measures in place. A furrow formed between Suyin's brows, her confusion evident as she struggled to comprehend the necessity of such thorough scrutiny. What threat could she possibly pose with nothing more than an umbrella in hand? Yet, time was of the essence, and she knew she could not afford to waste precious moments in futile argumentation.

"Search what?" Suyin's voice betrayed a hint of exasperation, her patience wearing thin as she gestured towards the innocuous yellow umbrella clutched tightly in her grasp. The guards' response was immediate, their fingers pointing accusingly at the seemingly harmless object. Though inwardly frustrated, Suyin knew that resistance was futile in the face of their unwavering resolve.

"Here!"

Suyin relinquished her umbrella to the guard's scrutiny, a fleeting pang of annoyance washing over her as she surrendered to the inevitable delay.

With a nod of approval from the guard, she hurried through the gates, the rain once again pelting her with renewed intensity as she ventured deeper into the heart of Shu Qin. As she navigated the streets of the bustling city, Suyin couldn't help but marvel at the glamor that surrounded her. Unlike the humble simplicity of other towns, Shu Qin exuded an air of grandeur and extravagance, its buildings constructed from sturdy stone and rich, dark wood—a testament to the wealth and power that flowed through its veins.

The thought of the Imperial Palace looming somewhere within the city's confines sparked her imagination, the mere prospect of its splendor enough to leave her awestruck.

But Suyin quickly shook herself from her reverie, her mission demanding her full attention. With determination set firm in her heart, she pressed forward, her gaze scanning the streets for any sign of an herbal shop.

Finally, her eyes alighted upon a large storefront adorned with the simple yet unmistakable characters:

"Herbal shop."

Without hesitation, Suyin strode inside, the warmth of the shop enveloping her like a comforting embrace.

Inside, the shop bustled with activity, though the rain seemed to have kept most customers at bay. Suyin patiently waited her turn, her eyes wandering over the myriad wooden cabinets that lined the walls, each one brimming with a tantalizing array of dried herbs and botanical specimens.

As the customer ahead of her completed their transaction and departed, Suyin stepped forward, her gaze fixed expectantly upon the herbalist behind the counter.

But to her dismay, the herbalist seemed preoccupied with his own tasks, barely sparing her a passing glance until she stood directly before him.

His demeanor, tinged with a hint of insolence, grated against Suyin's nerves, but she bit back her frustration, unwilling to let petty slights derail her purpose.

"I..." Suyin's voice was clipped, her patience wearing thin under the weight of the herbalist's dismissive attitude. "I'm here to get some herbs."

The herbalist, a man of middling years with a weathered countenance and a grizzled beard, finally deigned to acknowledge her presence, though his gaze held a flicker of annoyance. "What? Are you here to fetch something?" His tone bordered on impertinence, drawing a tightness to Suyin's jaw as she struggled to maintain her composure in the face of such rudeness.

The herbalist's curt response landed like a blow, Suyin's frustration mounting as she realized her oversight. How could she have forgotten something as crucial as a prescription?

An exasperated sigh escaped her lips as she mentally berated herself for the oversight, her mind racing with the urgency of her predicament. "I forgot to bring it, it seems! I'll be back!" Suyin's forced smile belied the disappointment gnawing at her, her hurried exit from the shop a testament to her determination to rectify her mistake.

Outside, the rain continued to pour with relentless intensity, each droplet a palpable reminder of the ticking clock that loomed over her. With a furrowed brow, Suyin cast about for a solution, her thoughts a whirlwind of desperation and resolve.

"Think, Suyin. Think!" Her whispered mantra echoed in the recesses of her mind as she closed her eyes, grasping for a glimmer of inspiration.

Her idea was abruptly shattered by the raucous commotion emanating from the inn next door, a drunken reveler stumbling out into the rain, his slurred words a cacophony of incoherence.

"You shhttouupid people! I will get ctoouu all."

As he clumsily grappled with the servants attempting to restrain him, Suyin's gaze alighted upon the inn's entrance, a spark of hope igniting within her.

Suyin's heart raced as she darted into the inn, the chaos of the drunken man's outburst providing cover for her swift entry.

With a quick scan of her surroundings, she noted that most of the inn's staff were preoccupied with the unruly patrons at the nearby table, leaving the counter momentarily unattended. It was a fleeting window of opportunity, but Suyin wasted no time in seizing it.

Taking cover behind the entrance door, she waited for the opportune moment to make her move, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she steeled herself for the task ahead. When the coast was clear, she darted towards the counter with lightning speed, her nimble fingers snatching up a piece of paper, ink, and brush before anyone could take notice.

With practiced efficiency, Suyin set to work, her brush dancing across the page as she meticulously transcribed the names of the herbs she required.

The ink flowed smoothly as Suyin raced against the ticking clock.

But as she reached the end of the prescription, a moment of hesitation gripped her, her conscience wrestling with the decision before her. Should she affix a name to the document, or risk the herbalist's ire by presenting it as a nameless scribble?

"Sorry," Suyin murmured softly to herself, a preemptive apology whispered into the stillness of the inn.

With a resigned sigh, she dipped her brush into the ink once more, her hand tracing the characters of her mentor's name with careful precision.

"Wansun"

The name a silent tribute to the guidance and wisdom she had received, even as she braced herself for the consequences of her deception.

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Suyin's heart pounded in her chest as she stood before the serious herbalist, her nerves frayed from the tension of the moment.

She extended the paper bearing her hastily scribbled prescription, her hope hanging precariously in the balance.

"Ah, you're back?" The herbalist's disinterested tone grated against Suyin's already frayed patience, her frustration bubbling just beneath the surface as she fought to maintain her composure.

With a terse nod, she offered the paper to the herbalist, her lips worrying beneath the pressure of her teeth as she awaited his verdict.

"PLEASE GODS," Suyin silently implored, her mind a flurry of desperate pleas as she braced herself for the herbalist's scrutiny.

To her immense relief, the herbalist's response was mercifully brief, a simple nod of acknowledgment as he turned his attention to the task at hand.

With a silent prayer of gratitude, Suyin breathed a sigh of relief, her tension dissipating like fog beneath the morning sun.

"I--Uh. Happened to pass by the town before heading back to Wansun's manor. He had asked me to bring some of these herbs back home," Suyin offered in explanation, her words tumbling forth in a rush as she sought to allay any suspicion that lingered in the herbalist's mind.

Though initially skeptical, the herbalist eventually relented, his attention shifting to the cabinets that housed the coveted herbs.

With practiced efficiency, he retrieved the prescribed ingredients, wrapping them with care before presenting them to Suyin with a curt nod.

"Thank you," Suyin murmured gratefully, her fingers fumbling slightly as she exchanged the requisite payment for the precious cargo.

With the herbs safely in her possession, she wasted no time in darting from the shop, her steps quickening as she emerged into the rain-soaked streets once more.

As she hurried back towards the gates, her mind raced with the urgency of her mission, her thoughts consumed by the promise she had made to Zheng An.

As Suyin hurried through the rain-soaked streets, her focus squarely fixed on her mission to procure the herbs for Zheng An's recovery, she couldn't help but notice the unusual commotion stirring among the populace. Despite the inclement weather, a throng of people had gathered along the thoroughfare, their eager anticipation palpable even amidst the deluge.

Though her curiosity tugged at her, Suyin resisted the urge to pause and investigate, her mind singularly focused on the task at hand. Suyin pressed onward, her determination unyielding despite the distractions that threatened to pull her focus astray. With the herbs secured tightly in her grasp, she forged ahead, her thoughts consumed by the urgent need to deliver aid to her injured friend.

As she passed by the grand carriage adorned in regal black and gold, she didn't realize it was Qin Fuhua within. And in the smaller carriage trailing behind, bearing the figures of Areum and Wu Fei.