The Royal Secret: Princess in the Prince's Arms

Mingzhu Village

The healer's house

The moon hung high in the ink-black sky, casting a pale glow over the deserted streets of Mingzhu Village. Crickets chirped in the distance, their song interrupted only by the hurried footsteps of Lin Liangchen, Feng Xiangling, and Zhou Jinyu as they rushed toward the healer's house. Their robes were torn and stained with dirt, evidence of their perilous journey. Despite their exhaustion, their desperation fueled them forward.

"Just a little more," Lin Liangchen urged, tightening his grip on Feng Xiangling's arm as she stumbled.

Zhou Jinyu pounded on the healer's door, his voice edged with urgency. "Master! Open up!"

The door creaked open, revealing an elderly man with a long, silver beard and weary eyes. The scent of herbal medicine clung to his robes. His gaze flickered to the unconscious Feng Yichen, whose pale face was beaded with sweat.

"You made it." The healer's voice wavered between relief and urgency.

Feng Xiangling immediately pulled out a delicate Silver Moonflower, its petals glimmering like liquid silver under the candlelight. She held it out, breathless. "Will this be enough?"

The healer's hands trembled as he examined the rare herb. "It is more than enough. I will prepare the medicine immediately."

As the healer disappeared into the back room, Feng Xiangling knelt beside her younger brother, gripping his cold hand tightly. Her heart pounded against her ribs.

"Hold on, Yichen. Just a little longer," she whispered, her fingers tightening around his.

Minutes stretched into eternity as the healer worked, crushing the petals into a fine powder before mixing them with other medicinal herbs. The room filled with a pungent, earthy scent as he stirred the final concoction in a steaming bowl.

"Lift his head," the healer instructed.

Zhou Jinyu carefully supported Feng Yichen, while Feng Xiangling pressed the bowl to his lips. "Drink, brother," she pleaded. A trickle of the thick, herbal liquid slipped past his lips, but his body remained unresponsive.

The healer exhaled. "Now, we have to wait. If the Silver Moonflower works, he should show signs of recovery before next dawn."

The room fell into uneasy silence.

Lin Liangchen ran a hand through his sweat-drenched hair. "And if it doesn't?"

The healer didn't answer.

Feng Xiangling bit her lip to hold back the panic threatening to consume her. She leaned closer to her brother and whispered, "Please wake up, Yichen. Please… don't leave me."

Outside, the wind howled, carrying with it the unspoken fear lingering in the air.

Grand Chancellor's Mansion

A single candle flickered inside the dimly lit study of Grand Chancellor Yang Chenzi, casting ominous shadows along the grand walls lined with ancient scrolls. A heavy silence blanketed the room, broken only by the soft clinking of porcelain as the Grand Chancellor swirled his cup of wine.

Kneeling before him was a shadowy figure clad in black—a man known only as Black Viper. His hood concealed most of his face, but the gleam of his eyes betrayed the sharp cunning beneath.

Yang Chenzi set his cup down with a quiet thud. "The time has come. The flood relief fund must vanish without a trace."

Black Viper bowed, his voice smooth as silk. "As you command, My Lord."

Yang Chenzi's lips curled into a smirk. "The people will be too preoccupied with their misery to question the missing gold. Meanwhile, our allies will ensure the treasury records remain… favorable."

Black Viper let out a low chuckle. "And what of Prime Minister Feng Wehao? He has been closely monitoring the treasury's movements."

The Grand Chancellor's expression darkened. "Prime Minister Feng is an honorable man, but honor makes one predictable. He will investigate, of course, but by the time he uncovers anything, the gold will already be in our hands."

Black Viper tilted his head. "Do you require an… alternative solution for him?"

Yang Chenzi waved a hand dismissively. "Not yet. There are subtler ways to silence a man like him."

The assassin bowed once more. "Then I shall begin at once."

As Black Viper vanished into the shadows, a sinister smile lingered on Yang Chenzi's lips.

"The throne will be within reach."

Xianxi River – village

The once-thriving villages along the Xianxi River were nothing more than shattered remnants of their former selves. The murky waters reflected the broken homes, torn apart by the relentless floods. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, mingling with the quiet sobs of displaced villagers huddled under makeshift shelters.

Imperial Guard Commander Zhao Jin knelt beside an elderly woman, gently wrapping a cloth around her wounded arm.

"Rest easy, Madam. We will rebuild your home."

A young soldier rushed toward him. "Commander! The Imperial Princess has arrived."

Zhao Jin stood as Imperial Princess Xu Jiayi approached on horseback, her crimson robes billowing in the wind. Beside her, Zhang Yong walked with a hand on his sword hilt, ever alert.

Zhao Jin bowed deeply. "Your Highness."

Xu Jiayi's sharp gaze swept over the devastation. "How many casualties?"

The commander hesitated. "Too many. And the treasury's relief fund… has not arrived."

Her jaw tightened. "Then we will do what we can with what we have."

She strode forward and knelt beside a little girl clutching a broken doll.

"What is your name?" she asked gently.

The child sniffled. "Mei Mei."

Xu Jiayi brushed a tear from her cheek. "You are very brave, Mei Mei. I promise you,we will soon give you a beautiful house."

As she rolled up her sleeves to help distribute food, Zhao Jin turned to Zhang Yong. "Her Highness never hesitates to act."

Zhang Yong nodded. "That is why the people trust her."

Yet, in the shadows, unseen eyes watched.

Enemies were already plotting against her.

Mingzhu Village

The healer's house

The candlelight flickered weakly, barely illuminating Feng Xiangling's tear-streaked face as she sat by her brother's side.

Zhou Jinyu paced near the doorway. "The medicine should have worked by now."

Lin Liangchen crossed his arms. "Sometimes, the body needs time to fight."

Feng Xiangling pressed a trembling hand against her brother's forehead. "He's so cold…"

Zhou Jinyu turned to the healer. "Is there nothing more we can do?"

The healer sighed heavily. "Only wait."

Feng Xiangling's voice cracked. "You promised you'd never leave me alone, Yichen. Please… don't make me live in a world without you."

Still, no response.

The night dragged on.

Outside, the wind carried a faint whisper.

Hope was slipping away.

Would Feng Yichen survive?

To be continued...