Wang Lee stares at the messenger, his expression unreadable beneath the lingering shadows of his scar. The words "Imperial Study" echo in his mind-private, secluded... dangerous.
He doesn't move for a long moment before finally speaking
"Tell His Highness I'm indisposed." His voice is steady but firm. "I have duties with Master Liu at dawn."
The dancer hesitates, sensing tension but unsure how to push further. Meanwhile... Wang Lee's fingers curl into fists behind him as he waits for her reaction-praying she won't mention this refusal to Jiyin himself..
The dancer senses the tension in Wang Lee, the quiet defiance in his words. She hesitates for a moment, unsure of how to proceed.
Dancer: "But... the prince specifically asked for your presence."
Wang Lee meets the dancer's gaze, his expression still hidden beneath the shadows of his scar, his voice soft but unyielding.
Wang Lee: "I'm afraid I can't oblige. Master Liu has requested my assistance for tomorrow's training."
The dancer senses the tension in Wang Lee, the quiet defiance in his words. She hesitates for a moment, unsure of how to proceed.
Dancer: "But... the prince specifically asked for your presence."
Wang Lee meets the dancer's gaze, his expression still hidden beneath the shadows of his scar, his voice soft but unyielding.
Wang Lee: "I'm afraid I can't oblige. Master Liu has requested my assistance for tomorrow's training."
The dancer's eyes flit between Wang Lee and the closed door, weighing her words. Finally...
Dancer: "I'll let the prince know, then."
She dips into a quick bow before turning, leaving Wang Lee alone with his thoughts. The door closes, leaving him standing in the quiet of the moonlit night-his secrets, for the moment, safe. But with Jiyin's request still lingering in the air, Wang Lee knows this isn't the end of it...
Time seems to stretch on as the week passes, each moment filled with duties and responsibilities. On this day, however... Wang Lee finds himself with a rare moment of freedom, and he can't resist the call of the market beyond the palace's high walls.
He wanders among the stalls, the hustle of traders and the smells of street food creating a vibrant atmosphere around him. He stops at a small restaurant serving red beans, takes a seat, and places his order.
As the restaurant owner places the steaming box of red beans in front of him, Wang Lee thanks him and moves towards a quieter corner of the restaurant. He settles into a hidden spot, setting the box down on the table and opening it to reveal the steaming legumes inside.
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But just as he's about to take a bite, something-or rather someone-catches his eye through the crowd...
Wang Lee slips into the hidden corner of the restaurant, settling into the quiet space away from the bustling crowd. He takes the beans in his hands, his fingers tracing over the small holes in each one. His eyes close as he concentrates, his mind running through a silent inventory of holes:
"One... two... three..."
His lips move as he murmurs the numbers, counting every hole. The numbers climb higher and higher, his brow furrowed with the intensity of the task...
As Wang Lee continues to count the beans, his mind drifts to the mention of Kai Fu's impressive security. Being the home of royalty, the place is heavily guarded-but Wang Lee's kingdom, Xian Tian, has its own long history.
Xian Tian's spies and assassins are legendary, having perfected the art of infiltration for generations. If there's any place that could breach Kai Fu's formidable defenses...
Wang Lee is lost in thought when suddenly, one of the red beans slips from his fingers and lands on the floor. He bends down to pick it up, only to feel a sharp pain shoot through his hand as someone's foot accidentally steps on it.
"Ow!"
He jumps back, clutching his hand and looking up at the person who caused the pain.
The man who accidentally stepped on Wang Lee's hand looks imposing, his muscular build adding to the menace of his expression. He glares at Wang Lee, anger flashing in his eyes.
"ARE YOU BLIND??"
His words echo in the small space, filled with an edge of aggression that seems disproportionate to the accidental collision.
The restaurant staff rushes over, sensing the escalating tension. One of them quickly steps between Wang Lee and the muscular man, trying to diffuse the situation before it turns violent.
Staff: "Sir! Please calm down-"
But it's too late. The enraged man ignores them completely and instead seizes Wang Lee by his collar in a brutal grip.
"You-! You're going to die!!" he snarls directly into his face, spittle flying as rage overtakes him.
Wang Lee doesn't flinch or struggle despite knowing he could easily drop this brute on his knees with one well-placed move... but his mission holds him back for now...
The air in the restaurant thickens as the man, Lord Xiāo, introduces himself with a cold pride. "Don't you know who I am? Lord Xiāo Háorán-the Duke of this place!"
His words carry the weight of authority, and it's clear that everyone in the area has a healthy fear of the imposing aristocrat. Even Wang Lee, though undaunted in the face of Lord Xiāo's anger, can't deny the power behind that title...
The staff members immediately pale, their hands trembling as they bow deeply in apology. The entire restaurant seems to freeze under the weight of Lord Xiāo's fury.
Staff: "O-our deepest apologies, Your Grace! We had no idea this insolent fool dared disturb you!
Wang Lee remains silent despite his collar still being clenched in Lord Xiāo's grip-his expression unreadable behind that fox mask
Lord Xiāo Háorán hurls Wang Lee against the wall with a force that seems disproportionate to his size. The impact jolts through him, but he barely winces... just rises to his feet, not quite bowing, but lowering his gaze a degree.
Lord Xiāo Háorán: "Bow! Apologise!!!"
The command echoes through the room, cold and unforgiving. Wang Lee hesitates for a breath, then, ever so slightly, he drops his gaze lower, his voice level.
Wang Lee: "... My apologies, Your Grace."
Just as Lord Xiāo Háorán looks about to explode, the entrance of Prince Jiyin adds a surprising twist to the tense situation. With a nonchalance that seems almost out of place, Prince Jiyin strolls in, a small smirk playing at his lip
Prince Jiyin: "Ah ah ah, why such a beautiful scene here?
He takes in the scene before him: the seething aristocrats, the trembling staff, and of course, the defiant Wang Lee standing before the bristling Lord Xiāo.
At the sight of Prince Jiyin, every single person in the restaurant-including Lord Xiāo Háorán-drops into deep bows instantly. Even Wang Lee lowers his head slightly, though his expression remains unreadable.
Staff: "Your Highness!"
Lord Xiāo: grumbling under breath "...Prince.
The tension in the room shifts as
all eyes turn to Jiyin... waiting for him to either smooth things over or ignite them further.
...
