It was a good thing that the next day was free for everyone to rest.

Her night was restless and sleepless.

She held Manu close to her, his steady breathing against her an assurance that she had made the right decision. She told Ah-Liu to stay, too. For some reason, she needed him close. Her little brother. She relied on him more than she could say, and he did everything she asked him to without a single complaint. There was space enough for him to squeeze in, and she just … breathed. Basking in the warmth of her family. The family she found, the family she made. Her resolve strengthened.

She could not - would not - abandon them.

Not for a past she had just learnt to let go. Not ever.

She held them both to herself. Ah-Liu did not sleep, much like her, but she could feel him go still and relax against her. Her heart twinged at the reminder that Ah-Liu too, was barely more than a child. This ancient world might consider him a fully grown adult, but, in her eyes, the fifteen-year-old was a kid. It only riddled her with guilt how much she relied on him.

They stayed like that until the first light of dawn broke through.

And then, Ah-Liu reluctantly pulled away from her.

"I should go."

Samaya nodded and ruffled his hair. "Remember to get some rest. We have nothing to do today, so it doesn't matter if you're late. I will handle it if anyone asks."

The boy nodded almost absently and moved to leave.

She grabbed his wrist. "Ah-Liu."

It was clear from her tone that she knew he barely listened and had no intention of following her instructions.

He paused and looked at her.

"Get some rest. The celebrations start tomorrow. You will have to be very vigilant to protect me and Manu. You cannot do that if you don't get enough rest."

That seemed to get through to him. He nodded slowly. She smiled and ruffled his hair again.

"Go."

In a flash, he disappeared.

She looked up at the slowly brightening sky.

She lay there until Lian came in. The light, combined with the lack of sleep, was prickling her eyes. Still, she got up from the bed and washed herself at the basin, helping Manu do the same.

Throughout the wash and breakfast, Manu kept looking at her, opening and closing his mouth several times.

Finally, she put down her spoon and turned to him. "What is it?"

He froze like a deer in headlights before ducking his head and mumbling something. She could get the gist of what he was saying, but she was not about to answer yet.

"Manu, you need to speak up," she said softly. "It does not matter if you are a prince or not; nobody will take you seriously if you do not speak clearly."

He looked up at her and pouted. Adorable.

"Can I not study today?" He asked, his voice still soft but his words clearer.

She blinked. That came out of nowhere.

Before she could answer, Manu launched into an explanation. "It's just Master Chen has duties today, and I have no training. So, I thought … I thought you could ask Teacher Chen to give me the day off too. Everyone is resting, and he can take some time off, too! Please, Mama, can I? I have never asked to take the day off studying before."

She stared at the boy for a long moment before letting out a soft chuckle. Sometimes, Manu was too mature for his own good. But at times like these, she was glad he still knew how to act like a child.

He must be feeling restless today, with so many people running about. It might be a good idea to get him the day off and have him play with his siblings. It would not be hard, since she had practice with Fu Caiyi.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She smiled softly. "Alright. Let us see if we can ask Teacher Chen to have mercy on you today."

Manu beamed at her and pumped his fist in the air. The knot in her chest loosened

After breakfast, they got dressed and walked to the Prince's study, where Chen Zhongqing taught Manu.

As soon as he saw her, he quickly stood and bowed. He was always courteous to her, giving her the respect her position called for despite the fact that she was a commoner. But today, the bow seemed to be a little deeper. Was this an effect of the Emperor's affection?

"Lady Qing," he greeted softly.

"Young Master Chen," she greeted back, inclining her head. "Please arise. You do not need to be so polite."

"How can that be?" He said, even as he straightened. "You are an Imperial Concubine."

She smiled. "Well, I am also the trodden-down lady you found and protected, Young Master. And not to mention, you are my son's teacher. That should be enough for some leeway."

Chen Zhongqing blinked for a moment and then smiled. He had a kind smile, Samaya noted absently.

"Thank you for your generosity." He tilted his head. "What can I do for you, Lady Qing?" His eyes flicked downwards, and his eyes crinkled in amusement. "It wouldn't have something to do with the little prince hiding behind you, would it?"

She chuckled softly as she felt Manu bury his face further into her robes. She treasured these moments of childishness. They were sure to fade as he grew.

"Why, yes, Young Master. You are very perceptive." She smiled and gently pulled Manu out from behind her. "This little brat is asking to take the day off. Since he does not have any martial arts training today, he wanted to ask if you could let him off as well. He's feeling restless, I suppose."

Chen Zhongqing looked at Manu, who was looking up at the man pleadingly.

"Your Highness, you do realise that it is not good to skip your studies?" He asked sternly.

Manu pouted softly. "But I always study diligently. Can I not have the day off, Teacher Chen? I will make up for it, promise!"

His eyes got impossibly wide. This brat, he sure knew how to weaponise those puppy eyes of his.

Samaya saw Chen Zhongqing purse his lips and she could tell he was trying to retain his stern expression. But soon enough, he lost the battle, letting out a soft chuckle as his eyes softened.

"Alright," he reached out and patted his head. "Go ahead. But I will not let you slack off once the celebrations are over."

Manu nodded vigorously. "Yes, Teacher Chen! I won't slack off, promise!"

His hand paused for a moment, as if he realised something, and then he retracted his hand, coughing slightly behind his other hand.

Samaya tilted her head. Was he embarrassed?

"Thank you, Young Master Chen," she said softly. "I apologise for taking up your time."

"Not at all, Lady Qing." He bowed. "Please have a good day."

She tilted her head. "You too."

Samaya found herself at Fu Caiyi's residence soon after.

They had decided to spend the day together for practice. For now, though, they were sitting together, having tea while they watched their children play.

"Lady Qing," Fu Caiyi called.

Samaya turned her head to look at Fu Caiyi, only to find her intent gaze on her. She inclined her head. "Yes?"

Lady Fu seemed to pause for a moment, as if contemplating what to say. Samaya saw a trace of hesitance in her before it seemed to disappear with a soft exhale from the woman.

"What happened?" Samaya blinked at the question, frowning in confusion, before Fu Caiyi clarified. "Yesterday, at the banquet. What happened? You seemed … unsettled."

Unsettled … was an underestimation. She had felt like she had been uprooted. It was a feeling she was familiar with, having felt it so many times in her life. When her mother abandoned her, when her mentor took her in, when she had lost comrades in her missions, when she had lost Ayden, when she was thrown into this world, when she was brought into the palace, and … now. When she found Ayden again.

Yes, she was intimately familiar with the feeling of her life being turned upside down.

It did not mean she had to like it.

She exhaled softly and smiled reassuringly at Fu Caiyi. "It is nothing to worry about, Lady Fu."

She saw the woman frown with concern. Samaya knew she would not be convinced so easily. Lady Fu was a quiet woman, rarely speaking out of turn, especially in formal settings. But that also meant that she was observant. And Samaya had a feeling that Fu Caiyi had learnt to gauge her emotions to a small extent, at the very least.

She sighed softly. "It was just… Someone from Consort Kahn's entourage … looked similar to someone I knew a long time ago. It dredged up some old, unpleasant memories."

A half-truth. Samaya was skilled at those. She had to be, of course. People like her had to be.

Fu Caiyi seemed to search for something in her eyes. Samaya did not speak, but her eyes narrowed in a way that allowed a fraction of the boundless sadness she kept buried to shine through.

After a moment, Lady Fu nodded slightly.

"Lady Qing." She reached forward and wrapped a hand over hers. The hand was soft, delicate, and … grounding. "I am here, if you wish to speak."

Samaya smiled in gratitude. "Thank you."

She did not say anything more. As much as she trusted the woman, there were some things she could never tell anyone, including her.

Lady Fu was an observant woman. She did not pry anymore.

"Well, shall we get to practise?"

Samaya smiled at her and nodded, grateful for the change of subject.

Soon, they took up their positions.

"Have you decided on your weapon of choice?" Fu Caiyi asked. "If not, we will have to go with the ceremonial sword."

She nodded. "I have. Though we might need to revise our choreography a bit."

With that, Samaya pulled out the weapon she had chosen for this dance, looking up at Fu Caiyi to gauge her reaction. It might be a little controversial.

Fu Caiyi blinked before breaking out in a smile.

"Well," she said as she took her own ceremonial sword, "looks like we have our work cut out for us. Let's get to it, shall we?"

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