The Dragon Prince's Warrior

Return to the City

Several carriages with soldiers left that same evening destined for the search for the youngest Qing. The word spread everywhere, and the fact that Prince Yun was missing surprised many, but it provided an explanation to others who had known something strange had happened to him since the Empress's funeral.

Inside the palace, Prince Jin had offered to go in search of his younger brother, but Emperor Heng vehemently opposed, stating that he wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to Jin as well. The young prince reluctantly complied and didn't speak further on the matter. He walked alongside his father towards Prince Shun's quarters. Everyone prostrated themselves at their feet as they entered, and the Emperor raised his hands for them to stand.

"Diagnosis, now," demanded Heng of the head of Shun's medical case.

"Your Majesties, good news. The prince is stabilizing, and we believe he will awaken soon," he said with a hint of excitement in his words.

Both Heng and Jin widened their eyes with joy and turned to each other with happy expressions. Jin couldn't contain a wide smile of victory, unlike his father, who remained with the corners of his lips relaxed.

"Father, Shun is going to wake up, this is fantastic," said Jin, increasingly excited, and he didn't hesitate to go to the foot of the bed where his brother lay.

Jin took the liberty of checking Shun's pulse, listening to his heartbeats, and scrutinizing his brother's appearance. He could finally feel some peace after that agonizing time without certainty about Shun's life.

"I knew this fool would survive," he said with joy but covered his mouth, hoping Heng hadn't heard him.

After finishing his conversation with the doctor, Heng approached shortly afterward and leaned over Shun. He couldn't help but smile when he saw the color returning to his son's face.

"Father, this is a very happy moment, don't you think?" Jin commented, turning to look at his father's obvious joy.

"Of that, have no doubt, my son," replied Heng. When he lowered his gaze, instead of seeing Shun's face, he strangely saw An's face watching him from the bed.

Heng was startled, and he immediately rubbed his eyes to clear his vision. When he looked back at the bed, it was his son Shun who was weakly watching him.

"Father... Jin," he muttered, his voice sounding too weak and hoarse.

"You've awakened, by the gods!" Jin almost shouted with excitement because they hadn't expected this to happen so soon, at least not within a few days or, at the latest, a month. It was a miraculous event for both the Emperor and the prince.

In no time, the entire medical and healing team surrounded the royal bed, and Heng couldn't stop expressing his gratitude because they never lost hope that Shun would awaken.

"Now we just need to find your brother Yun," affirmed the Emperor.

"I hope they find him soon; something tells me that the search will be worth it, Father."

"So it shall be; we must remain positive," commented Heng, and he turned to his beloved Shun. "Son, it is a joy to have you here with us. You have no idea how we have suffered in your absence. Please, don't speak," he pleaded as he placed his hand on one of Shun's shoulders. Shun obeyed and responded with a smile. "Rest, my son, you need to regain your strength."

"Well, let's rest as well. It will be a long wait for news of Yun," suggested Heng to his son Jin.

Both nodded, satisfied with the hopeful idea that Yun would soon be reunited with them in the Palace. As Jin retired to his own chambers, Heng brought his hand to his head, which was beginning to throb terribly. He couldn't stop thinking about the bizarre vision he had just had and couldn't shake off that dream. Both were unsettling him and preventing him from thinking clearly.

(...)

It was midnight when the prince boarded the carriage they had provided him. His initial idea was to drive alone, just as he had done when he began his journey. However, the swarm of authorities begged him in a thousand ways to be escorted for his and the young woman's safety, ensuring a faster arrival at the Forbidden City.

Before setting off, Yun called the city authorities to repair the damage to the hospital doors and also ordered improvements in the quality of the hospital's facilities. The village of Yumai crossed his mind, but that was a task he wanted to handle personally; the conditions in that village were terrible, and the people needed help.

Yun sat in the front seat next to the driver, dressed like an ordinary laborer. This way, no one else would know about his whereabouts, at least during the journey. Siu lay in the back seat, covered with blankets to keep her as warm as possible.

In the rear compartment, there was the crimson armor and the sword that had helped him in the battle against those monsters. However, a hunch led Yun to want to put it back on, just in case some evil dragon crossed their path. He put it on and returned to his seat next to the driver.

Once everything was in place, the driver pulled the reins, and the horses began to move. He was a native of the city they were in and knew the way to the prince's destination, which provided some peace of mind.

"This can't be; this is getting on my nerves... I feel like we're not making enough progress. It's moving too slowly," Yun complained with a furrowed brow and tightly pressed lips to avoid making inappropriate comments.

Yun contemplated for a moment how not to appear completely impatient. He cleared his throat and prepared to speak.

"Excuse me... How much longer do you think it will take to reach the Palace?" he said softly, with a calm and relaxed demeanor so as not to upset the driver.

"I believe it will take at least five or six more hours, Your Highness," he replied as he adjusted a lantern that illuminated the road. "I hope that answers your question. If all goes well, we should arrive at dawn."

"That sounds... fine," Yun replied, but in reality, a part of him was in a hurry to get there. Siu needed to continue receiving medical attention.

Yun couldn't help but turn to look at the unconscious girl and become engrossed in her pale face, which still showed signs of life despite everything. The prince flashed a sly smile, and a sigh escaped him involuntarily. The driver caught a glimpse of it and discreetly cleared his throat so that His Majesty wouldn't notice.

Suddenly, the calm was shattered because a freezing wind blew, the horses whinnied, and the carriage swayed from side to side again. Right in front of them, another carriage appeared, blocking their path.

The driver braked abruptly, and Yun had to turn to prevent Siu from falling. He frowned with doubt and anger at the same time. How could people be so reckless? Moreover, he thought they wouldn't encounter anyone on the road, but apparently, his assumptions were wrong.

Two men dressed in black descended from that carriage. Yun recognized those garments instantly. He was startled immediately because it had taken him by surprise.

"Halt there in the name of Emperor Qing," demanded one of them, while the other held a scroll in his hand. Both of them had edged weapons.

"They're... the Palace men," Yun thought, unsure of how to feel about it.