A Love Written In The Stars

Yú Jin still hadn't been found since the minister's imprisonment. Mei had expected to get a lead on her whereabouts after the emperor ordered the illegal sites to be shut down. Li Wei was also still in prison, and she had yet to come up with a plan to secure his release. She felt stuck, it felt as though all her efforts were leading nowhere. She lay back on the bed, pressing a weary hand to her forehead.

It was then that Mei remembered the stash of documents she had salvaged from her family's burned-down manor.

Kneeling down, she unlocked the box where she had safely tucked the documents away and carefully brought them out. As she sifted through them, her fingers traced the worn, smoky parchment.

She came across various transactions signed by her uncle and father. Realizing these documents were mere business deals and had nothing to do with her family's murder, Mei set them aside and continued searching for something more important.

Among the documents, Mei came across the ancient scrolls and carefully unrolled one. The ancient symbols inscribed on the delicate material seemed to come alive before her eyes, transporting her back to a moment from her childhood.

She remembered how her insatiable curiosity had led her to her father's study, where, amidst the dusty tomes and relics, she had discovered this very scroll hidden on a tall shelf. Her father's stern reaction when he caught her exploring it still remained in her memory—he had warned her never to reveal what she had seen to anyone.

Why had her father guarded this scroll so fiercely? What hidden significance did these techniques hold for her family?

Mei slowly scanned the scroll, noticing the title Yǒnghéng zhī huǒ juànzhóu at the top. As she continued, she read about the Yin and Yang, Qi Projection, and further down, the scroll warned, "Such power corrupts, and the spirit withers from excess."

Among the faded papers and yellowed books was a rough sketch that caused her breath to hitch. A finely crafted yet deadly-looking blade was depicted, the same one she had.

"The blade holds the soul of the family. Only those of the Yuè bloodline can awaken its true power." The words felt familiar in a strange and unsettling way.

> "The blade is the key; the heart is the path. To master the Qi is to unlock the gate within."

Mei's mind flew back to her childhood, to a half-remembered conversation with her father before she left for training. "This weapon has been passed through the Yuè lineage for generations," he had said, brandishing the short blade. Mei recalled her wide-eyed fascination, not fully comprehending his words at the time.

She traced the sketch with her finger, captivated. This was no ordinary blade— it had been passed down from father to son through her family's history, though to what end she did not know. Was her family's brutal murder connected to this?

A sudden knock on the door broke the silence, snapping mei out of her thoughts. Quickly, she hid the scroll and documents and rose to greet the arriving presence. A young maidservant stood before her.

"Forgive me, My Lady, but the Crown prince requests your attendance at the palace urgently."

————The Lotus Pool

Crown Prince Cheng sighed as he lowered himself into the hot pool, hoping the warm water would soothe his sore muscles and clear his thoughts.

His mind wandered back to the events in the forest. He had told his father the truth about falling from his horse, but omitted other crucial details.

For days, fragmented images had haunted him—fleeting glimpses of moments he sensed had taken place in the cave. Yet something about them felt strange, as if he were watching from afar rather than living them. They were his memories, but they didn't feel like his. He could see Mei's face, pale and stricken with terror, her frozen stance burned into his mind.

Beyond that, everything blurred, slipping through his grasp whenever he tried to piece it together.

At first, he dismissed it as fatigue, then as sheer exhaustion, but now he wasn't sure what to think. Something had happened in the cave—he was sure of it—but no matter how hard he tried, the truth remained just out of reach.

That Evening

Following the directions by the young maidservant, mei made her way through the palace grounds. The plum trees were heavy with fragrant blooms, their petals drifting on the breeze. She followed the winding path until she arrived at the eastern pavilion. 

She pushed aside the silk curtains and stepped into the room, her gaze sweeping over the space. It wasn't just a chamber—it was a bath chamber. She hesitated for a moment before moving further inside, wondering why he would summon her to such a private space.

Then she saw it—the pool. She stumbled slightly and came to a stop.

The sight before her stole her breath. Cheng was there, alone in the water, his figure still and his eyes shut, he were lost in a world she couldn't see. He hadn't noticed her yet, too consumed by his thoughts to sense her quiet presence.

Mesmerized, she couldn't tear her eyes away from the powerful lines of his bare form, sleek and glistening with water. His loosened hair cascaded over his broad shoulders, dark strands clinging to his skin. The faint glow of amber light brushed against him, like the water itself had kissed his body, turning the scene into something almost unreal.

 It was only when he opened his eyes with a weary sigh that he noticed another presence in the room. His dark gaze lifted, locking onto hers across the pool. Mei stood rooted to the spot, like a startled deer caught in the hunter's sights.

Cheng stared at her in silence, his chest stilling as he held her gaze. For a long moment, neither of them moved. Then, against all expectations, a faint smile graced his lips. Leaning back against the edge of the pool, his elbows propped casually behind him, he regarded her with an unmistakable glint in his eyes.

"What a pleasant surprise," he drawled, his voice smooth and unhurried. "Could it be that you missed me?"

Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain grounded. Folding her hands neatly in front of her, she met his gaze.

"You summoned me urgently, Cheng," she said, "Yet here you are, lounging in a hot pool. What pressing matter could possibly require my attention?"

"Doesn't it unsettle you, being in a man's bathing chamber?" Cheng's eyes gleamed with unmistakable mischief.

Mei arched a single brow, her expression one of carefully crafted indifference. "Did you summon me here just to watch you bathe?"

Cheng's grin widened, unshaken, as he rested his arms on the pool's edge. "You, Mei, remain as enigmatic as ever—always answering a question with another question."

Mei shook her head, "If the passing days leave you with idle time for such playfulness, perhaps the matters of court no longer challenge you."

Cheng's laughter rang out, rich and unbothered, the sound dancing over the soft ripples of the water.

Cheng's smile remained on his lips, amused by her boldness. "I'm afraid you've been misinformed," he said smoothly. "I sent no such summons."

Mei frowned, her confusion evident in her eyes. "Then why have I been brought here?"

"An excellent question." Cheng leaned back, utterly at ease, the water lapping gently around him. "Perhaps the fates wished for us to meet again. I must say, I'm delighted you've graced me with your presence."

Mei exhaled sharply, already turning to leave, her patience wearing thin. But just as her steps began to carry her away, Cheng's next words froze her in place.

"Leaving so soon, my lady?"

"And without even a word of conversation to keep your prince company? Come now, don't be so shy. There is naught you haven't seen before." There was challenge in his gaze.

Mei glared at him fiercely, but the corner of her mouth twitched, and the barest smile appeared. "I'm sure you have many ways to occupy your time, your highness, without the need to torment your subject. Now, if you'll excuse me…"

"Don't come running back when you're in need, Mei. My affection for you might...not be so easily given in the future." He said finally.

Mei turned to face him with a smirk. "I require nothing from you, Cheng. It appears, however, that you continue to dance with danger. We both know who amongst us would require the other in time of need."

Cheng laughed openly at her words, the sound light and carefree. His eyes followed her as she moved with grace, her figure slipping silently from the room.

Mei had barely stepped out of the chamber when the sound of approaching footsteps halted her.

She spied a maid heading toward the pavilion, likely on her way to attend to Cheng. Being seen leaving a prince's private bathing chamber would certainly invite unwanted gossip. With a swift motion, Mei slipped back inside, just as Cheng glanced over in surprise.

She frantically searched for a place to hide, but the chamber was stark and exposed, offering no cover.

Without a second thought, she dove into the warm pool, disappearing beneath the water surface. The cool embrace of the water enveloped her, and she sank quickly to the bottom, positioning herself just behind Cheng.

The maid entered, carrying a jug of steaming water, her soft footsteps barely audible. Cheng leaned back casually, his eyes shut in a moment of peace.

Without a word, the maid began to refill the pool, the warm water cascading over Mei's submerged body, intensifying the fiery sensation that gripped her. Mei's body shuddered, the searing pain threatening to overwhelm her as her lungs screamed for release.

Cheng, sensing her distress, slipped quietly into the water. Instantly, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, a soft, gentle touch—a kiss that was not of passion, but of necessity, offering her air and life beneath the water. Mei's body stilled, her mind clinging to the sensation, convincing herself to hold on just a bit longer.

Then he rose from the pool, water cascading down his body in smooth rivulets.

"That will be quite enough for now, thank you," he said, his voice calm, almost lazy.

"As you wish, Your Highness." The maid bowed and backed out of the chamber, leaving the air thick with silence.

The moment the door closed, Mei burst from the water, gasping as she released the breath she had held for far too long. Her pulse thundered in her ears, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. Water streamed down her face, her hair drenched and clinging to her shoulders. Worse, the soaked fabric of her dress molded to her skin, tracing every curve of her form with an intimacy that left her utterly exposed.

She wrapped her arms around herself instinctively, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had never felt so vulnerable, so seen.

Cheng took in every inch of her, the thin silk clinging in all the right places. Her beauty struck him like a bolt of lightning, igniting a fire deep within him.

Mei met his stare without flinching, her eyes piercing through him like a dagger. There was something knowing in her eyes,...like she could see straight into him, past the layers of his carefully constructed facade, unearthing his darkest, most forbidden desires.

His cheeks flushed despite himself, heat pooling in his chest and spreading outward. His breath hitched, the battle between desire and restraint raging fiercely within him. For the first time in his life, he felt his restraint waver, his self-control dangerously close to crumbling.

He had never known such an overwhelming urge to abandon caution, to surrender himself fully to the carnal call of his body, to embrace the intoxicating promise of pleasure and let himself be consumed by it.

Without saying a word, Cheng pulled her closer, the space between them vanishing. Their eyes remained locked, and Mei was held captive by the intensity burning in his gaze.

Slowly, Cheng reached out, his fingers brushing against her skin as he tucked a damp lock of hair behind her ear. His touch hovered, tracing the path of a water droplet as it slid softly down her cheek.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. They simply stared at one another, the air between them thick with powerful and undeniable tension, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

Then it struck again.

Lokiàn Shén.

The force hit him like a violent storm, much stronger than before.

It wasn't a subtle pull he could resist this time—it was a tidal wave, sharp and searing, tearing through his very soul. A gasp escaped him as he staggered back, his vision fracturing at the edges.

The sudden shift jolted Mei. She exhaled sharply, reaching instinctively to steady him, her hands halfway to his arm when—

"No!" Cheng's voice cracked like a whip. He pushed a hand toward her, halting her in place. His body shook under Lokiàn Shén's assault, his muscles tense as he fought against the invisible force.

"No, Mei. I'm okay," he rasped, though his voice betrayed him, strained and uneven.

His shaking hand grasped his robe, and with a swift motion, he wrapped it around her shoulders. The action was shaky but purposeful, as if he were grounding himself through her. Mei clutched the heavy fabric close, startled by the gesture, her eyes darting up to his face.

The robe dwarfed her, hanging several sizes too large, its warmth enveloping her. It carried his scent, faint but persistent.

Cheng's gaze softened briefly as it settled on her, even as his body fought against the fits clawing at him from within.

"You would do well not to wander places uninvited." Cheng's expression had grown serious now.

Mei turned and hurried away into the gathering dusk, leaving the charged encounter behind her.

Cheng watched her vanish before turning back to the pool. He slipped into the waters, its cool touch briefly calming the storm inside him.

He closed his eyes, drawing in a breath that quivered through his chest. In. Out. In. Out. Each measured breath battled the burning heat in his veins, a fire that wouldn't go out.

The burning persisted-Lokian Shen's presence flared violently within him. Cheng gritted his teeth, his body trembling under the water as he used his Qi to push it down.

The stillness around him shattered as his Qi surged inward, colliding against the chaotic force. It snarled in defiance. pushing back against his will. Cheng gasped, his breathing ragged as he forced his energy to bear down harder, tighter, coiling like iron bands around it. The water around him rippled violently, responding to the internal struggle.

"Submit!" he hissed through clenched teeth. his voice trembling with the strain. A tremor wracked his body, his muscles locking as he poured every ounce of focus into subduing the beast. When it clawed back, Cheng felt a searing pain shoot through his chest.

A single drop of sweat rolled down his cheek. quickly followed by another. Then, the first crack-blood. A sharp. coppery tang filled his mouth as a thin trail trickled from his lips. staining the water crimson.

Cheng's eyes shot open, dark and wild with fury. He let out a deep, guttural growl, the sound echoing through the otherwise silent space. His Qi pulsed violently, matching the rhythm of his faltering heartbeat.

The pain was unbearable, but he held on-he hadto. Blood continued to drip from his mouth, a testament to the price he was paying for control. Cheng fought with everything he had, sweat mingling with blood, until the fiery presence inside him began to relent. Slowly. reluctantly. Lokian Shen's energy coiled back into a smoldering ember-tamed, but not extinguished.

Cheng sagged forward, his breath was laboured as he coughed into the water, streaks of red dispersing in spirals around him. He slumped against the edge of the pool, the peace finally returning, though it was a brittle calm, fragile as glass.

His head tipped back as he closed his eyes, his body spent and trembling.

As Mei walked alone, worried about Cheng, she couldn't forget the first ordeal and the damage it had done to his body. She hesitated, unsure whether to go back or continue to her quarters. He had asked her to leave—no, pleaded—with that look in his eyes. It was best to honor his request. She thought back to the maidservant's words when she had been summoned to the his bathing chambers.

Why had the girl lied? Something darker was at play, though its true purpose remained unclear. Someone wanted her to be with Cheng at that moment—but for what sinister reason?

Mei replayed their earlier conversation, searching for any clue in the maid's words or behavior, but nothing stood out.

Her thoughts spun as she tried to make sense of the evening's strange events. Whatever this tangled web was, Mei had been pulled into it against her will. And deep down, she feared the stakes were far greater than anyone understood.