Chapter 4 — Crossing the Moonlight at Khê Quân

The young Prince Imperial, mistakenly believing I was encouraging him, continued in a loud, earnest voice, “Those wicked people still haven’t been caught! I must stay by An Quan’s side to protect her!”

His childish, high-pitched proclamation drew laughter from everyone present. Xie Qi, however, wore a look of disdain, letting out a sharp scoff. “You? Protecting someone else? One kick from me would send you flying.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over me with a look that felt both absent and piercing. “And besides, where are your manners? This lady saved your life, and you cannot even bring yourself to call her Aunt?”

I immediately waved my hands, signaling that such formalities were unnecessary. My father hurried to clarify, “The divide between monarch and subject is absolute, your highness. If the young prince were to address her in such a way, it would be a breach of decorum.”

Xie Qi remained unfazed, offering a faint, mocking smile. “What ‘decorum’? If I say he can call her that, then he can.”

My father finally recalled the truth: the man before him was the most notorious rebel against royal etiquette in the entire dynasty. The young prince lifted my face with his small hands, looking at me with grave seriousness as he retorted, “An Quan is so young and beautiful; calling her Aunt would make her seem old! I must call her Sister!”

Xie Qi gritted his teeth slightly, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Fine, call her Sister.” He reached out and grabbed the young prince by the back of his collar, hoisting him up like a kitten. “Are you truly not coming back with me? Your wet nurse has been weeping until she is nearly blind; will you not go see her?”

The mention of his nurse caused the prince’s mouth to droop, his face clouding with hesitation. At last, he leaned over to press a quick kiss to my cheek and promised solemnly, “Sister An Quan, my nurse is here, and I must go to her, or she will be heartbroken. Shall I come to find you again tomorrow?”

Xie Qi hauled him away, casually instructing, “You are not to kiss young ladies whenever you please without their permission. Do you understand?”

The prince craned his neck to argue back, “Sister An Quan would surely agree, because she likes me!”

I stood where I was, smiling, and made a sign indicating [like] toward him. The prince signed [like] back. Xie Qi looked at him with resignation and carried him away. As they drifted further off, I heard Xie Qi’s low, resonant voice carried on the wind: “What was that gesture you two just made?”

The prince huffed coldly, “It means goodbye!”

Xie Qi chuckled. Yet, the moment he stepped past the gate of the courtyard, he turned his head back. In that instant, he, too, gestured [like] to me. It seemed he had misunderstood.

***

News arrived that Prince Vinh had reached Thuong Ninh, and Bui Canh could no longer sit still. He had a letter delivered to me, every sentence dripping with a sense of entitlement and false familiarity, as if nothing had ever happened between us. He even had the audacity to suggest I find a way to recommend him to Xie Qi. At the end of the letter, he claimed to have chartered the finest pleasure boat on Ngoc Lake, inviting me to join him for a cruise to make amends for the chests he had shattered the other day.

In the past, perhaps I would have been easily swayed by his cajoling. But now, even the lavish gifts he sent as compensation were returned, untouched, by Xuan Am at my command. If I were foolish enough to hand myself over to be trampled upon by him again, I would deserve no pity.

Early the following morning, Xie Da came to find me, accompanied by a woman with a gentle, kind face—surely his wet nurse. Upon seeing me, Nurse Ngo dropped to her knees, intent on bowing. I caught her quickly, shaking my head. She choked back tears and said, “This servant bows in gratitude for Miss An’s immense grace in saving the young prince! Without you, I fear my own life would have been forfeit.”

Nurse Chu stood beside me, advising her, “Please, rise, Nurse. This is but a task our young mistress was glad to fulfill.”

I nodded earnestly, and only then did Nurse Ngo rise, her eyes filled with profound gratitude. Xie Da seized the opportunity to tug on my sleeve, his round eyes wide as he asked, “Sister An Quan, I want you to go out with me. Will you come?”

Seeing him like that, I could not bring myself to refuse. I changed into simple, light attire, took a full guard with me, and allowed the child to lead me by the hand to the most elegant tavern in the city. Xie Da pulled me straight into the Heaven-tier private room on the second floor. However, the moment I pushed open the door, I froze.

Xie Qi was leaning against the window, lazily twirling a cup made of white jade. He was not wearing his usual somber black garments but had changed into an ivory-colored robe with subtle, woven patterns. Stripped of the cold, sharp lethality he possessed on the battlefield, his features appeared breathtakingly refined, his brows and eyes like a painting. I halted at the entrance, unsure whether to step in or retreat.

Nurse Ngo stepped forward with enthusiasm to welcome me. “Miss An, please, come in and sit. This banquet was prepared specifically by His Highness to thank you for saving the young prince.”

I finally walked in and took my seat. Besides us, a young maiden sat in the room. She possessed a vibrant, lovely appearance and was watching me with intense curiosity. I offered her a gentle smile. Not in the least bit shy, she leaned toward me and asked, “Young lady, what is wrong with your throat?”

Xie Qi immediately intervened, “A Dao, do not be rude.”

The girl named A Dao pursed her lips and fell silent. I glanced at Nurse Chu, who understood instantly and explained in a soft voice, “Our young mistress was poisoned in her youth, which damaged her throat and left her unable to speak.”

A Dao looked genuinely regretful. She then ventured, “Have you had a physician examine it? What did they say?”

Nurse Chu sighed, “The City Lord has searched for every famous physician. Two years ago, we even managed to invite a disciple of the Medicine King. They claimed it could be cured, and we rejoiced for a long time, but after months of taking the prescribed medicine, there was no improvement.”

A Dao’s eyes lit up. “I also study medicine! Could you let me see that prescription?”

Xie Qi, sitting beside her, added, “Though A Dao is young, her medical skills are quite profound. If Miss An does not mind, you might allow her to take a look.”