Secret

As Princess Chuhua's delicate fingers gently tugged at Qin Fuhua's sleeve, her voice carried a soft tremor, laden with a longing that seemed to echo through the corridors of the palace.

"Will we go back home again?" she queried, her eyes searching his for reassurance amidst the uncertainty that hung in the air like a veil of mist.

But within the confines of the royal palace, where destinies were woven as intricately as the finest silk, such a question bore the weight of unspoken truths.

Qin Fuhua, his countenance a canvas of conflicting emotions, met her gaze with a tenderness that masked the ache in his heart.

He knew the gravity of her question, the impossibility that lay shrouded in its innocent plea.

For the princess, betrothed to another prince, the prospect of leaving the palace's gilded confines seemed but a distant dream, a fleeting whisper against the backdrop of her predetermined fate.

Yet, he could not bring himself to extinguish the flicker of hope that danced within her eyes.

With a wistful smile that mirrored the bittersweet melody of their shared memories, he gently squeezed her hand, his touch a silent promise amidst the unspoken truths that lingered between them.

"If there is a possible way," he murmured, his voice a whisper carried on the breeze of uncertainty. "But for now, return to your chambers. Your absence may stir unease in your father's heart."

Acknowledging his words with a solemn nod, Princess Chuhua cast one final glance over her shoulder, a fleeting smile gracing her lips like the soft petals of a fleeting bloom. With measured steps, she retreated into the sanctuary of her courtyard, leaving behind the lingering echo of her unanswered question.

As the gates of Princess Chuhua's courtyard closed behind her, Qin Fuhua stood in solitary contemplation, his gaze fixated upon the path ahead yet lost in his thoughts. Beneath the weight of his serious facade, his mind wandered, a silent sentinel in search of comfort amidst the corridors of the palace.

The scent of magnolia blossoms hung heavy in the air, a tantalizing fragrance that stirred memories long dormant within his soul.

In the stillness of the evening, as the shadows danced upon the cobblestone pathways, a single question lingered, elusive yet undeniable in its insistence: Was Han Suyin in the Palace?

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[Han Suyin]

In the dimly lit chamber, where shadows danced upon the walls like specters of the afflicted, Yuan Fu and Suyin stood still in the Sickly room.

The room, shrouded in an oppressive darkness, offered little comfort to its inhabitants, save for the faint tendrils of sunlight that trickled through the small windows in the cloth door, casting small rays upon the worn faces of the sickly.

As the only semblance of daylight filtered into the chamber, it served as a stark reminder of the world beyond its confines—a world where life flourished under the warmth of the sun, oblivious to the plight of those ensnared within their illness.

Bathed in the soft glow of candlelight that flickered like stars in the night sky, the remaining contestants stood still, their expressions etched with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

Among the hushed murmurs of the sickly, Yuan Fu and Suyin forged a silent pact, their partnership a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness. With practiced precision, they tended to the needs of the patients, their movements fluid and purposeful against the backdrop of despair.

The remaining contestants were individually scared, turning their heads to their right and left to investigate how these patients got the disease.

"Hey, pass me the needle," Yuan Fu's voice cut through the heavy silence, a beacon of determination amidst the pall of uncertainty.

Suyin, ever vigilant, nodded in silent acknowledgment, her fingers deftly navigating the array of needles nestled within the rectangular cloth.

Carefully selecting one with practiced ease, she extended it towards Yuan Fu, her focus unwavering despite the sudden collision that threatened to disrupt her delicate task.

"Oof," Suyin exhaled softly, her grip steady as she maintained her hold on the precious instrument, nearly dropping on the floor.

"Sorry about that," Yuan Fu's contrite apology washed over him, dispelling the lingering tension that lingered between them.

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As they emerged from the somber confines of the sickly room, Suyin and Yuan Fu found themselves enveloped by the gentle embrace of the courtyard, where the teachers lingered in conversation beneath the dappled shade of the surrounding trees.

Sensing a moment of rest amidst the chaos of their investigation, Yuan Fu, gently tugged Suyin's elbow, a silent invitation to steal away from the prying eyes of their peers.

"Hey, let's take a break before we both figure out what's wrong," Yuan Fu proposed.

Without hesitation, Suyin nodded, her weariness palpable beneath the veneer of composure she wore like armor.

The sickly room, with its oppressive atmosphere and shroud of despair, lingered in her thoughts like a haunting melody, its darkness threatening to consume her spirit with each passing moment.

"Ren Feng," he addressed her, his words carrying a weight of familiarity that caught Suyin off guard, momentarily diverting her thoughts from the illness they sought to unravel.

Turning to face him, Suyin found herself ensnared by the intensity of his gaze, a silent testament to the friendship that had formed between them.

"I know I just met you today, but as a declaration of our friendship, I know your secret, but I promise you I won't tell anyone," Yuan Fu confessed, his words laden with a sincerity that tugged at the corners of Suyin's lips, threatening to unravel the facade she had so carefully constructed.

"Hm?!" Suyin's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing to decipher the hidden meaning behind his cryptic words. Was it possible that he had uncovered her true identity, her guise as "Ren Feng" laid bare before him like a fragile facade?

Caught off guard by the revelation, Suyin's laughter bubbled forth like a spring of relief, a delicate melody that danced upon the air like a fleeting whisper.

"Haha. You're playing around. I don't have any secrets," she retorted, her voice tinged with amusement as she sought to deflect the weight of his revelation with a casual jest, masking the tremor of uncertainty that lingered beneath the surface.

Yuan Fu's words hung in the air like a delicate tapestry, woven with threads of sincerity and understanding.

His dream, laid bare before her like a cherished secret, resonated with a clarity that transcended the barriers of their fleeting acquaintance.

With a gentle shake of his head and a reassuring grin, he sought to allay her fears, his words a beacon of reassurance amidst the tumult of uncertainty.

"Look, it's my dream to work in the Palace, but then I won't break your dream if it's the same thing," Yuan Fu affirmed, his voice a steadfast declaration of his commitment to their shared journey. His admission, laced with humility and genuine empathy, bridged the gap between them, forging a bond forged in mutual respect and understanding.

"When I had accidentally bumped into you earlier-- I felt a rather... odd bump." Yuan Fu scratched his head, a bit embarrassed at the situation. "There's no way that a man's chest would have been....that swollen."

As he recounted the chance encounter that had unraveled her carefully guarded secret, a blush tinged Yuan Fu's cheeks, a testament to his earnestness in navigating the delicate intricacies of their newfound alliance.

Before Suyin could interject, he raised a placating hand calming her frayed nerves.

"Before the lightning hits the tree1, let me assure you that I'll keep it a secret," he promised, his gaze unwavering as he sought to dispel the shadows of doubt that lingered between them.

With a playful wink, he quelled her rising apprehension, his easy demeanor a testament to his unwavering loyalty as her partner in their shared quest.

"Geez. Don't give me a scare then," Suyin retorted, her laughter a symphony of relief that danced upon the breeze.

Though her apology hung between them like a fragile thread, Yuan Fu's response was swift and unwavering, his acceptance a testament to the strength of their burgeoning camaraderie.

"Whatever your goal is, it's fine. As long as you're not a killer or anything, I wouldn't mind," Yuan Fu reassured her, his words a gentle reminder.

With a heavy sigh, he leaned back against the knee-high stone wall, his gaze fixed upon the distant horizon with a determination that bordered on defiance.

"My dream is to enter the Palace so that I can make a name for my family," he confessed, his voice tinged with a mixture of longing and resolve. "But look at me now! I'm almost there. I can taste it!"

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As the test drew to a close, the air in the chamber hummed with a notable tension, each contestant poised with quill in hand, ready to commit their thoughts to parchment in a bid to unravel the illness that had befallen the patients of the sickly courtyard.

With practiced precision, Suyin dipped her quill into the inkwell, her movements fluid and purposeful as she set about translating the knowledge gleaned from her experiences into words.

Though the teachers remained uncertain, their brows furrowed in silent contemplation, Suyin was confident with her answer.

For her, the answer was clear, her patient was one she'd encountered before.

With unwavering confidence, she penned her diagnosis upon the parchment with a steady hand: "Pneumonia."

The word, though simple in its utterance, carried with it a weight of understanding born from her intimate knowledge of the affliction that had plagued the village folk mere days prior.

But Suyin did not stop there. With a sense of purpose, she detailed her recommendations for treatment, each word a testament to her commitment to alleviating the suffering of those within the clutches of illness.

"Treatment recommendation is hydration of fluids, sunlight exposure to the patients in the sickly room, and turmeric tea," she wrote, her script precise and deliberate as she outlined the steps necessary to combat the insidious grip of pneumonia.

Folded with care into a neat rectangle, Suyin's paper bore the weight of her dedication, a silent promise to do whatever was necessary to bring solace to those in need. With a resolute nod, she approached the teacher, her offering held in outstretched hands with a beacon of hope.

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[A DAY HAS PASSED]

It took a whole day for the teachers to meticulously organize each student's responses. They pored over the details, examining every hint that could lead to the identification of the sickly individuals. Those whose answers hinted at a possible diagnosis were swiftly marked for consideration.

But it wasn't just about the written assessments; the teachers kept a keen eye on how the students performed in the sickly room, their every move observed.

Amidst this tension, the students found themselves confined together in a sizable room that could comfortably accommodate about twenty beds.

Suyin, feeling helpless in the face of the situation, suggested that they take rest. There seemed to be no other course of action available to them.

To wander would invite suspicion, and so she resigned herself to her bed, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty.

Yuan Fu, ever loyal to Suyin, positioned his bed not too far from hers. He ensured she wasn't bothered by the other students, acting as her silent protector in their midst.

On the day when the verdict was to be announced, only about twenty students remained.

They lined up anxiously, their hearts pounding with anticipation. As the teachers began to call out names, each student held their breath, waiting for their fate to be revealed. In the end, only six emerged victorious, their names spoken aloud as they stepped out of the line.

Among them were Suyin, known to others as Ren Feng, and Yuan Fu. Joy bubbled up within Yuan Fu, evident in the eager glint in his eyes as he turned to Suyin.

But their celebration was short-lived.

A sudden protest shattered the jubilant atmosphere. An older man, his voice resounding with authority, raised his hands in defiance. The room fell into stunned silence as all eyes turned to him. With a respectful bow to the teacher, he voiced his accusation.

"I protest!" His words rang out, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Ren Feng is an imposter! She is a woman, not Ren Feng!"

Shock rippled through the room, whispers spreading like wildfire as the gravity of the accusation sank in.

The revered teacher, respected by all, stepped forward with a somber expression etched upon his face. Every eye in the room followed his movement until he stood before Han Suyin.

Disappointment clouded his features as he shook his head gently in front of her.

"It is a shame," he murmured softly, his voice heavy with regret. "Your suggestion, written with such promise, hinted at progress in treating the sickly."

A heavy sigh escaped him, his gaze lingering on the determined woman before him. "But your transgression against the rules of our Palace cannot be overlooked."

His words hung in the air, a weighty silence enveloping the room. Suyin met his gaze with unwavering resolve, her determination shining bright despite the impending consequences.

"I believe Yuan Fu may also be implicated in this matter--"

Suyin cut off the teacher's suggestion, her voice firm and resolute. "There is no fault in Yuan Fu's actions. I alone bear the responsibility for my choices."

"You, a woman, dare to defy me--"

"I will accept any punishment you deem fit, but I will not allow others to suffer for my actions," Suyin interjected, her tone unwavering.

"Hmm. As she has violated our rules, she shall be expelled from the competition and subjected to fifty lashes," suggested another teacher, his voice devoid of mercy.

The severity of the punishment sent a shiver through the room. The rules of the Qin Palace were not to be messed with, and rules broken were met with swift and harsh consequences.

"No-- You cannot--" Yuan Fu's protest was swiftly silenced by Suyin's determined intervention.

"Thank you for your consideration," she interjected, her voice steady as she met Yuan Fu's gaze with a reassuring smile.

The guards wasted no time in seizing Suyin, their firm grip pulling her arms back as they prepared to administer the punishment.

"Han Suyin. You must steel yourself for what is to come," she whispered to herself, her eyes closing in anticipation of the impending pain.

The crack of the whip shattered the stillness of the courtyard, reverberating off the walls.

Suyin braced herself, expecting the searing pain that never came. Instead, there was only the echo of the sound, leaving her lips pressed tightly together in anticipation.

Whispers rippled through the crowd like a murmuring brook, uncertainty painting the faces of those gathered.

Suyin, bewildered by the sudden change in atmosphere, cautiously opened her eyes. What she saw sent a chill down her spine.

As her gaze swept across the courtyard, she noticed a strange phenomenon.

The students, previously engaged in hushed conversations, now seemed frozen in place, their faces drained of color. It was as though they had glimpsed something otherworldly, something that struck fear into their hearts.

Had they witnessed a ghost from another realm? Suyin couldn't fathom what could elicit such a reaction. The guards, too, seemed gripped by an unseen terror, releasing their hold on Suyin as if compelled by an invisible force.

In the midst of this surreal scene, Suyin's eyes fell upon a figure she thought she'd never see again. A figure from her past, whose presence seemed to defy all reason.

Qin Fuhua stood before her, his countenance as strikingly beautiful as ever.

"It's been a while," he spoke softly, his voice like a gentle breeze on a summer's day. With a tenderness opposite to the chaos around them, he drew her closer, his hands enveloping her hips in a familiar embrace.

The scent of orange blossoms hung in the air, mingling with the palpable tension that permeated the courtyard. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, as if the world itself held its breath in anticipation of what was to come.