Time stands still

Suyin's breath quickened, her chest rising and falling in sync with the surge of panic that swept over her upon recognizing the familiar voice. It was him—the relentless old man who had been relentless in his pursuit of her. Every fiber of Suyin's being screamed with the urge to retaliate, to confront the old man head-on and put an end to his relentless pursuit. But she knew better than to jeopardize her precarious facade. Instead, she remained still, her muscles tensed with suppressed frustration as she felt the weight of the little girl's arm against her.

"Ba. Do you think that she wasn't happy about this wedding?" The innocence in the girl's voice juxtaposed sharply against the gravity of the situation, momentarily easing the tension that coiled within Suyin's chest.

The response sent a chill down Suyin's spine, her worst fears confirmed in the old man's words. Her resolve wavered as his gaze bore into her, stripping away the layers of pretense to expose her inner turmoil.

As the conversation unfolded, Suyin's heart hammered against her ribs with an intensity that threatened to consume her.

Before she could formulate a plan of action, the sudden flurry of footsteps drew near, signaling an imminent threat.

"My child, we have to hurry!" The urgency in the old man's voice was palpable, a stark reminder of the danger lurking just beyond the confines of the carriage.

With a sense of helplessness washing over her, Suyin watched as the two figures vanished into the shadows, leaving her stranded and vulnerable once more.

-------------

Suyin's heart raced like a wild horse thundering across an open plain as she lay there, her slender fingers clutching the intricate hairpin, its delicate design digging into her palm.

With a flick, her cascading hair tumbled down, a veil of midnight silk framing her face as she closed her eyes, attempting to calm the frantic rhythm of her pulse.

But the tranquility was shattered by the intrusion of another presence, foreign footsteps echoing within the confines of the carriage. Every muscle tensed, every nerve alight with a primal instinct to defend herself.

With a swift motion, she sprang to her feet, brandishing the hairpin like a dagger, her knuckles white with the intensity of her grip. Her gaze, fierce and unwavering, fixated on the figure before her, ready to strike with precision aimed at incapacitating her perceived assailant.

Only when the recognition dawned did her stance falter, the revelation piercing through the haze of adrenaline.

It was Long Jianyu, the crown Prince of the Long Kingdom, her childhood companion.

"Han S-Suyin!" His voice, a mixture of astonishment and concern, reverberated through the air as he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, his features etched with worry.

"Brother, what happened to her--"

The entrance of Princess Yanyu into the carriage added another layer of surprise to the already tense atmosphere, her eyes widening in disbelief at the unexpected scene that unfolded before her.

"Oh, my goodness!" Suyin exhaled a shaky breath, relief flooding her senses as she released her grip on the hairpin, her body sagging with exhaustion, threatening to crumple to the floor.

"Suyin, we saw something was abnormal about the parade leaving the village and we wanted to take a peek."

As Prince Jianyu and Princess Yanyu explained their presence, dressed in civilian attire, Suyin couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for their concern. Their words washed over her worries.

"You remembered about meeting me in my room last time? I thought that they were forcing you to get married to that one man that your father had talked to us about." Princess Yanyu uttered, her voice worried.

Prince Jianyu's words carried a weight of concern and genuine care, his eyes searching Suyin's face for reassurance amidst the turmoil of their unexpected encounter.

"If you were in trouble, you could have told us. We heard about the wedding and immediately followed the parade to see what was up. That was when you suddenly disappeared. It took me a while to follow the trail, only to see everyone in a deep sleep."

His tone, usually laced with a hint of playful banter, now held a stern edge, a testament to the gravity of the situation they found themselves in.

Beside him, Princess Yanyu mirrored his apprehension, her gaze flickering between Suyin and her brother, silently urging for answers to the mysteries that shrouded their friend's disappearance. With a furrowed brow, Prince Jianyu recounted their frantic pursuit, their hearts pounding with worry upon learning of Suyin's supposed impending nuptials.

"Who did this?"

Suyin hesitated, grappling with the weight of her secret, the truth veiled behind half-truths and omissions. She skirted around the details of her encounter with Qin Fuhua, the Prince of Qin, her words carefully chosen to conceal the perilous nature of her predicament. Instead, she spun a tale of serendipitous encounters and newfound love, a fabrication woven from the threads of necessity and desperation. "It was there that I met a nice man... who I planned on marrying," Suyin spoke. It was a lie born of necessity, a shield to protect those she held dear to her.

"Was it.....ah!!" Princess Yanyu had connected the dots about seeing Qin Fuhua, who Suyin had sacrificed herself to allow him to escape so that he wouldn't get caught. She lit up the biggest smirk ever, giggling to herself. Her laughter bubbled forth, a chorus of amusement at the unexpected turn of events, oblivious to the gravity of the situation unfolding before them.

Prince Jianyu regarded his sister with a mixture of confusion and amusement, before turning his attention back to Suyin. His hands, warm and reassuring, found on her shoulders, his gaze unwavering as he spoke words of caution and comfort. It was a rare display of vulnerability from the usually jovial prince, a glimpse into the depths of his concern for Suyin's well-being.

"If he does not treat you right, come back to me or my sister immediately, okay? Don't ever do that to worry us," Prince Jianyu's voice was soft, a gentle reminder of their unbreakable bond forged through years of friendship.

Suyin felt a warmth spread through her chest at the sight of her friends' concern, their loyalty comforting her heart.

She let out a light-hearted laugh, a sound that seemed to lift the tension hanging in the air. "You guys are amazing. The Gods have truly blessed me with such good friends," she said, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.

But before the moment could fully settle, a new voice sliced through the atmosphere, laden with irritation.

"Why is my wife-to-be grinning at the sight of another man?"

The words dripped with dark humor, carrying a weight that made the air thicken with tension.

All eyes turned towards the source of the voice. Standing just outside the carriage, with a commanding presence that could not be ignored, was Qin Fuhua. His posture was rigid, his arms crossed behind his back, and an expression of thinly veiled annoyance clouded his features. The dark brows knitted together, casting a shadow over his intense gaze, as he peered through the carriage window to see Han Suyin and Long Jianyu inside.

Startled, Suyin leaned out of the carriage, her confusion mirrored in her wide eyes. "W-What are you doing here?!" she called out, her voice tinged with surprise as she stepped down from the carriage, flanked by the Prince and Princess of Long.

Qin Fuhua's gaze softened momentarily as it rested on her before his stern demeanor returned. "One of my men reported your situation to me, and I rushed here to save you, only to find you... holding someone else," he said, the last words carrying a subtle sting of jealousy.

Princess Yanyu, struggling to contain her amusement, bit her lips and shifted from foot to foot, the bubbling laughter threatening to escape. She nudged her brother sharply with her elbow, drawing his attention.

"Ouf!" Jianyu grunted, shooting his sister a glare before addressing Qin Fuhua. "I-I apologize. My greetings, I am Long Jianyu," he introduced himself, a formal note in his voice. He gestured towards the princess, "and this is my sister, Long Yanyu."

Qin Fuhua nodded, his expression composed. "Ah, yes." He bowed gracefully to the Princess and Prince of Long, his movements fluid and respectful.

"It is an honor to have the royalty bless us at this auspicious time. My name is Fu Ren, and I come from a family of merchants."

Suyin was taken aback by his actions, her eyes widening in surprise.

Bowing?

She thought, "He would definitely make a great actor if this were modern times."

"We apologize for what happened earlier. I found your wife in an odd situation. Everyone around here is unconscious, although their breathing is stable," Prince Jianyu explained, concern etched on his face. "I saw your wife unconscious and was worried she wasn't breathing."

"More like she almost killed you," Princess Yanyu interjected, her voice laced with humor. Prince Jianyu shot a disapproving look at his sister as she laughed.

"But it seems like the husband arrived faster than ever to watch over his wife, eh?" She grinned mischievously. "At least she was fine. But with events like this, you should keep a close eye on Suyin."

"As long as he knows his duty, it's fine," Prince Jianyu responded curtly to his sister. Turning his gaze to Qin Fuhua, he added, "Just so you know, no matter the distance, we are watching over our dear friend. If you harm her and she seeks our refuge, we will not return her to you."

"Threats do not scare me," Qin Fuhua replied calmly, his eyes unwavering. "She will never leave because she will be cherished and spoiled by me." He walked up to Han Suyin and gently brought her head to his chest, causing her to stir and open her eyes.

"W-Wait. I don't want to be part of anything!" Suyin protested, her voice muffled against his chest.

"Ah, it's fine, brother. We need to hurry back before we get into trouble," Princess Yanyu urged her brother, a playful tone in her voice. "We will see you two again, hopefully!" she added, and Prince Jianyu nodded in agreement.

Before leaving, Princess Yanyu leaned close to Suyin's ear, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm going to talk to my father tonight about the marriage and my plan. Thank you for supporting me despite your own troubles."

Suyin nodded, her heart warmed by the princess's words, even as the royal siblings departed, their figures soon swallowed by the evening shadows.

----------------

As the siblings left, Suyin turned to Qin Fuhua, who looked distinctly unimpressed by the chaos surrounding them.

"Weizhe watched from above and noted a girl about eight years old and an older man. They threw down some sort of powder to create a mist here. Is there anything you need to tell me? Weizhe is knocked out not too far from here after inhaling the gas," Qin Fuhua said, his tone steady despite the situation.

Qin Fuhua had been informed during the wedding preparations that he needed to "handle an important trade" from a merchant.

He had assured the family he would return in time for the ceremony. However, when Weizhe's urgent message arrived via a bird about the incident, Qin Fuhua immediately came to find Suyin.

Suyin had nearly forgotten the chaos that had unfolded. If the Prince and Princess hadn't intervened, could she have been taken away? She shuddered at the thought, taking a deep, steadying breath.

"The old man was someone I was supposed to marry before I ran away to your land..." Her voice trailed off, and her eyes became distant as she recalled painful memories. Qin Fuhua's intense gaze remained fixed on her face, his concern evident.

"The night I tried to escape, he harassed me..."

Suyin's voice grew quieter, and her posture shrank, her arms wrapping around herself protectively.

Qin Fuhua gently placed his index finger on her lips, stopping her from continuing.

"You can tell me when you're ready," he murmured, his voice soft and reassuring.

He patted her head gently, offering comfort.

The height difference between them was pronounced—Suyin, at 5'3" (160 cm), looked up at Qin Fuhua, who stood tall at 6'2" (189 cm). Yet, as he leaned forward to her level, she felt no fear, only a sense of safety in his presence.

"Thank you," she softly spoke, her voice barely audible to him. Around them, people began to stir, rubbing their eyes and groaning as they slowly got up from the ground.

Qin Fuhua looked at Suyin, understanding that he had to leave and return to his home. He nodded silently before disappearing into the shadows, so swiftly that Suyin barely noticed his departure.

Suyin glanced around the waking crowd and quickly decided to act as if she, too, had just woken up. "What's going on?" she asked, feigning confusion and disorientation. The others, equally puzzled and concerned, began discussing the strange events, trying to piece together what had happened.

Despite the importance of addressing the incident, the crowd's primary concern was Suyin's timely arrival at the groom's home. Realizing this, Suyin made up a believable story to explain the confusion and calm their fears. She spoke convincingly, her words crafted to reassure everyone that nothing too serious had occurred.

With Suyin's story providing some semblance of clarity, the group quickly refocused on their original purpose. Their worry shifted back to the pressing matter of not being late for the wedding. They hurried off, their previous disorientation replaced by a new urgency to reach their destination on time.

-----------------------

Arriving at a large home not too far from the town, one of the workers cried out, "We have arrived! The bride is here!"

With the loud announcement, Suyin gazed out at the manor. The impressive wooden structure was almost as large as her own home.

Amazed, she carefully stepped out of the carriage with the help of the nanny and the maids, her veil concealing her face to maintain the traditional mystery.

Who would be Qin Fuhua's parents?

Suyin wondered. He had never spoken about them, and she found herself curious about who would take on such important roles in his life.

An older man approached, laughing heartily. "Although we are wealthy, we keep our circles very small!" Suyin recognized the familiar voice but found it difficult to see clearly through the veil.

"Hehe, isn't that right, my dear? Now, our only son is finally married off to such a beautiful bride," added an older woman's voice. Suyin's curiosity about the identities of these people only grew.

The wedding ceremony continued with its traditional rituals.

They bowed to worship the heavens, honor their parents, and show respect to each other as spouses. With the formalities completed, Suyin and Qin Fuhua were led to the bridal chamber.

The room was a vision of red, symbolizing joy and prosperity. The large bed was adorned with silk red sheets, and in the middle of the room stood a small table with two golden teacups and a teapot filled with alcohol, ready for the traditional nuptial toast. Qin Fuhua gently helped Suyin to sit at the edge of the bed, his touch reassuring and steady.

As Suyin settled, she marveled at the intricacy and beauty of the room. Everything was meticulously prepared, from the delicate decorations to the vibrant colors that filled the space. The moment felt surreal, a blend of ancient traditions and personal significance.

A bit nervous, Suyin knew this was all a play, but it felt so real. She began to fidget with her fingers, the presence of Qin Fuhua right next to her making her heart race.

Qin Fuhua slowly lifted the veil, revealing her face.

With a sheepish look, she couldn't meet his gaze for even a second. She hadn't seen his face this close in a while and was surprised by how strikingly handsome he was!

Embarrassed, she looked away, feeling her cheeks flush.

"Sorry," he said softly.

"Huh?" She wanted to respond, but the word remained unspoken in her mind.

A bit lost at his apology, she didn't know where he was going with it. His soft voice was something new to her, so different from the cold words and sharp glares she was used to.

The way he looked when he apologized, it seemed like he wanted to hug her but couldn't bring himself to do so.

Qin Fuhua didn't know how to address the painful memories she had shared earlier. All he could think to do was to stop her from speaking, to protect her from reliving those moments.

His soft words made Suyin's heart skip a beat because she knew they were genuine, heartfelt words from the Prince of Qin.

They stared at each other for a long time, as if time had stopped. In that moment, everything else faded away. While the world continued to spin, for Qin Fuhua and Han Suyin, time was the least of their concerns. They gazed at each other, appreciating the beauty and intensity of the moment.

Suyin, feeling a mix of nervousness and tenderness, broke the silence. "You don't need to apologize," she whispered, finally finding her voice.