Day 7,117 

Orange sunlight set itself against the breathtaking imperial guardian lions at the opposite side of the doors, alerting the guards that it was past noon. All royal guards on duty rushed to open the gates to welcome the return of generals who had set out to their respective duties. Within the castle grounds, several maids were hovering across the kitchen to prepare biscuits, cakes, and delicacies for evening tea. Clashing weapons began to cease at the Southern wing as they bowed at the prince's presence who dashed across the training grounds as if being chased by their legendary enemy, Yin Taotie. From afar, the old scholar yelled in broken breaths, palms on his chest and long white beard to soothe his raging fire but retreated his steps when he heard the sound of blaring horns from the outside of the castle.

"Brisk walks, my prince. Brisk walks," said the floating scholar, chasing after the prince on behalf of his junior. "My prince, no running in the castle grounds, please. It's the first etiquette for all royal members. How many times do we have to tell you? Prince Haoran, brisk walks."

Casting a side eye to the transparent scholar, he kept darting forward, pushing his way past the maids who carried large laundry baskets from his father's chambers. He was careful, making sure he did not disrupt their daily chores, dropping rushed apologies when he failed to avoid some of them. Haoran swore he could hear the spirit panting in disguise to earn him sympathy, yet he did not cease his little runs. He lifted the long robe, skipping over the stairs. His eyes darted to the flock of birds that flew higher into the skies and proceeded to land on the rooftops of the castle. It was when he reached the front of the grounds, he climbed up the stairs to see the herd of horses approaching the royal grounds.

Scholar Tang sat by the parapet, planting his palms on his thighs, sighing in relief. "Prince Haoran, are you planning to send me to my death again, even when I am buried a thousand feet underground?"

"I apologize for my sudden behaviour, Uncle Tang. Yes, it is not a proper behaviour especially when I am near my twenties, now, but I need to," muttered Haoran slowly as his voice slowly dispersed among the sound of villagers yelling at the return of the royal generals.

The questioning sight of the royal guards did not go unnoticed by Haoran when their eyes met. He merely bowed, clearing his throat as he sneered at Uncle Tang's tease. Sighing, Haoran crossed his palms behind his back. With his adrenaline pumping through his veins from the excitement, he had let slip his behaviour of speaking openly to the beings from the opposite reality. He still remembered the first being he met from the other reality. Haoran shivered at the memory, a dangling eyeball with his intestines hanging out. Only when Uncle Tang confirmed his so-called special abilities was Haoran determined to be a scholar instead of setting in the footsteps of his mother, uncle, and father.

Haoran saw it as a curse mostly instead of a gift but the royal shaman assured his parents that this peculiar potential could be the ultimate turning point of their imperial. A golden rise, she said. At least, his family members took it seriously even though Haoran felt it was just the shaman's technique of pushing his way through the higher hierarchy - for more wages.

Horses galloped steadily into the castle grounds. They seemed deprived of energy and rest. Haoran wished some soldiers cared for the horses more like his uncle. His uncle had been the kindest he had ever known, except during battle. He was taught that regardless of whether humans or animals they should be treated equally for in a battle, one depended on the other for survival.

"Looks like General Cui, brought home visitors. Old friends and new," spoke Uncle Tang proudly, waving eagerly, and continued. "You might not be able to see them since you were blessed to see the beauty of the spiritual world unlike those like me who have set off to the passing route."

"Ha? Pas -"

Pressing his palms to his lips, Haoran stopped himself from attracting any unwanted attention from the nearby guards. He did not need anyone at the guard posts to know about his daily attributes, more or less what his parents told him to stay low. 

Uncle Tang dived over the wall, finding his way towards the back of General Cui's horse. It must be either a bloody sight or else Haoran knew he could have the luxury of meeting Uncle Tang's friends. As the horses passed the gates, he scurried down the stairs to meet his uncle who stopped his horse just before him.

"Prince Haoran," General Cui greeted with respect, bowing his head with his right fingers shaped in a lotus bud before his chest. "It is an honour to have you welcome my return. Do hop on so we can head back to the Cui Halls and be in time for your evening tea."

Tilting his head to look at the back of the horse, Haoran spotted Uncle Tang descending from the seat, inviting maybe - several of his company to his favourite spot in the gardens. Only then did he climb behind his uncle, arms wrapped across his waist as they both rode towards the Cui Halls, located just next to the king's quarters. The Cui family had a special heart in the royal family, and if it wasn't for the early and mysterious passing of his grandparents, Haoran knew that he could meet them or even pay respects to them easily. From the stories told by his mother and his uncle, Haoran was certain he would enjoy life a little more in their presence.

"One day, you have to learn to resist your nephew's requests, Jingyi," spoke Yueyin, emerging from the doors in her elegant hanfu with the most delicate embroideries and stitches that formed beautiful white and green roses. "He escaped his lessons earlier just to meet you, and if this habit continues, I might have to join his daily lessons just to make sure he doesn't run away."

Jingyi dismounted from his horse, gripping his sword with Haoran landing gracefully next to him. "You know that advice is impractical since I am turning a deaf ear to your advice. I love having my little nephew around, hence I picked the evening to return home, so he could meet me after finishing his lessons and still be in time for your daily tea. The riot is getting worse in the outskirts. I wonder if the king knows about it."

"I wish I had an answer to your concern, brother," she answered, stepping into their halls as they sat by the table holding up brewing fresh tea. "I am bound to the castle these days more than ever. I am not complaining, Jingyi. Deep down, I too wish to relieve the pain of the farmers, fishermen, and many other villagers, for I once lived among them."

Paying little to no heed of attention to his mother and uncle's conversation, Haoran poured the tea for them both, sparing half his ear to their conversation. The scent of pu-er tea with fresh jasmine petals refreshed his mind and soul while he glanced at the maidens who plucked fresh fruits planted in the garden by his mother for the king. Sometimes, he found the world a little too complicated for his liking. The country's affairs did not go unnoticed by him since Haoran had sat through the majority of the daily royal meetings with government officials of different provinces willingly. He had not spotted any dubious accounts throughout his time here.

Clutching the cup tightly in his palms, the Head of the Royal Scholar's advice shone in his mind like the tip of an arrow bundled in gasoline and lit up by the fire. Haoran realized that each time they were left alone to analyze the maps and war strategies, he could hear Scholar Li's dissatisfaction in his voice. It was as if the black-bearded old man knew something that the other court members did not. Once, during the celebration of a new diplomatic alliance, Scholar Li proposed a story about the cunning activities of the new ally. He spoke of a seedling that grew underneath in search of a short way that one day would bring destruction to this pact.

Your Highness, if there is a chance for you to be outside of these castles, I hope you see the fungi that live within the society and, maybe one day, resolve it. Unlike the rest of the princesses, you have a thought for the commoners just like your mother. I hope I can see this empire rise under your rule.

And, Haoran knew what he had to do first.

Breaking the top sovereign law of the royal family.

String music filled the royal hall in the evening. Soft steps strode in the middle of the dance floor as several new dancers showed off their glorious fan dance performance. Haoran had just arrived at the hall with his mother, taking their usual seat, closest to the king. He bowed at his father and the rest of his aunties before setting himself down at his table. Opposite him, the princesses were waving excitedly pointing towards the dessert displayed before them, mouthing words that even Haoran could not pick up. The other was trying to whisper something, earning a grunt from their father.

"Enough, children. I am here to enjoy the dance and music, not listening to your little whispers. Communicate properly if you must. It isn't as if I do not allow you to move around, Yi Xia," the emperor warned as he sipped his tea and continued focusing his attention on his youngest wife. "I heard Jingyi has returned, hence, as usual, I will permit you to spend the night with your family since I will be needing him for the next week."

Yueyin nodded, bowing in respect to her husband. "Thank you, Your Majesty. We will be sure to cherish the time you have given to us."

Haoran watched the dancers leave at the king's signal, shutting the door to leave the royal family to their personal affairs. The princesses have already rushed over to Haoran's side and tugged on his attire, begging for attention from their only little brother. One was excited to show him the new herb they discovered in the forest. The other was explaining how sceptical was it to find a maid sneaking into a general's private chamber. As the youngest, he was grateful that despite them demanding more attention with each passing day, he learned different things from every single one of them. Taking several peaks at his father Haoran, he fiddled his fingers at the edge of his clothes. His concentration had long drifted to the excitement in his mind, merely humming to every request from his sisters.

"Ah, he's not listening to me," mumbled Yi Qing, tapping onto Haoran's face with her fan. "What are you thinking? Are you waiting for our father to grant you some personal requests?"

"Haoran," the emperor's voice boomed in the halls, earning the prince and princesses's attention all at once while Haoran rushed to his father's side obediently.

He caught sight of his mother exchanging assurance and nods with the emperor.

"Scholar Li brought a decent proposal in the court earlier this morning regarding your studies. He has requested something very personal to our family, but after careful consideration and discussion with your mother, we have come to an agreement together," spoke Emperor Pang, brushing his son's chin as the sound of the emperor's headwear jingled while he nodded. "You are ready to explore the outskirts of the country alone, but during your first two trips, Scholar Li will guide you around."

Haoran's eyes shone, clasping onto his father's palms. "Thank you, father! Thank you, mother!"

"With a condition," Yueyin cut his son's excitement, silencing his squeals. "You must report to us regarding your whereabouts daily so that we know you are safe. I have to admit I was hesitant at first but Scholar Li gave us much affirmation, so we are granting you this chance to explore the cities in our kingdom."

During the rest of the evening, Haoran's mind was occupied with the excitement of exiting the royal palace. A world where no one could recognize him and be free from all the rules and regulations, well, except the one in certain places. Bidding farewell to his sisters and leaving his mother with the emperor in the royal halls for the last discussions, Haoran found a company on the way to his chamber.

"Don't be too excited, child. It's a complicated world out there when you are not shielded from all the troubles. I cannot follow you out, but perhaps you might find new spiritual companions," spoke Uncle Tang as he sat his invisible body at the edge of Haoran's bed.

"You know I don't do well with new spiritual companions. One already fled from me a few weeks ago," giggled Haoran. "I will make sure I fare well in the cities, Uncle Tang. I will survive."

Uncle Tang smiled, watching the boy sleep, tugging himself in bed.

"You will. Just be careful of the unknown.

Wordcount: 2280 words

Cumulative Word Count: 3551 words