🌻 The Blooming Heart
At the break of dawn, Qian'ai unlatched the doors of the inn, his heart quietly hoping to catch sight of Cheng Yi. Yet, no matter how he searched, there was no sign of him. Tian Ke, too, kept his gaze steady upon the road, awaiting his arrival.
"Where is Cheng Yi?" Qian'ai muttered under his breath, hands resting on his hips as he peered down the bustling market street. "Did he not say he would come at this hour?"
Just then, Ji-nara burst into the inn, her steps hurried and breathless. Startled, Qian'ai turned toward her. "What is it?"
"Where is Tian Ke?" she asked, her voice sharp and urgent.
Qian'ai gestured toward the rear of the inn. "He is within—"
Before he could finish, Ji-nara had already dashed past him, weaving through the inn's narrow halls in search of him. Her eyes widened the moment she caught sight of Tian Ke. Without hesitation, she rushed to him, thrusting forth a small object.
"Tian Ke, do you recognize this?" she asked, holding out a blood-stained blue tassel. From the side, Yun Yuhua caught sight of it. Her face paled as she rushed over, snatching it from Ji-nara's hand.
"Where did you find this? This is Cheng Yi's tassel," Yun Yuhua cried out, her voice trembling. Tian Ke's eyes darkened with realization. Qian'ai stormed in, his expression grim.
"What? Where did you find it?" he demanded. Ji-nara flinched slightly under their gazes.
"I... Someone dropped it near my door. I thought it must be important at once," she said, her voice shaking. Yun Yuhua turned desperately toward her brothers.
"Was he not supposed to come today?" she cried. Tian Ke and Qian'ai seized their swords and hurried out of the inn without wasting a moment. Yun Yuhua, her injuries yet unhealed, was left behind, clutching the tassel to her chest. Seo Ju, passing by, noticed the commotion and turned his steps toward them. Yun Yuhua caught sight of him and, though she said nothing, her eyes betrayed her worry. Seo Ju hesitated for a moment before approaching.
"Is something wrong?" he asked. Ji-nara turned to him immediately.
"Orabeoni, their friend has gone missing. This tassel was left at my doorstep," she explained. Seo Ju's expression grew grave as he looked between Ji-nara and Yun Yuhua.
"Cheng Yi..." Yun Yuhua spoke. Seo Ju swallowed hard, deep in thought. A Ming envoy? Who could it be? His face drained of color.
"Jinji!" he called out sharply. Jinji quickly ran up to stand before Yun Yuhua.
"Yes, Your Highness," Jinji bowed deeply. Seo Ju looked at him, his gaze intense.
"Investigate the Ming diplomats. Find out where they last visited. Immediately!" Seo Ju commanded. Jinji nodded and rushed toward the palace. Yun Yuhua then realized that Seo Ju was not just any noble. His status was high enough that even his bodyguard operated in such secrecy. Seo Ju paused, realizing that Yun Yuhua was still watching him. He glanced over at her. Her expression was no longer one of concern but one of fear—fear of drawing closer to him. It was a distant look, one that silently begged him not to come any closer. Without another word, she turned and stormed off towards the rear.
While Yun Yuhua's heart ached for Seo Ju, her brothers frantically searched for Cheng Yi. Meanwhile, Jinji gathered information on the other Ming diplomats and where they had last been. Once he had gathered everything, he hurried back to Seo Ju with the report. Seo Ju listened to the details with a heavy sigh.
"Search for places they may have made purchases in Gaeseong. To have access to Joseon's land means they're willing to defy both Joseon and Ming's rules. What would the Emperor of Ming think if his own people were to ruin the treaty by pinning the blame on us?" Seo Ju remarked thoughtfully. Jinji nodded and sent a message to Tian Ke and Qian'ai to help with the search.
Meanwhile, Cheng Yi finally regained consciousness after being struck on the head. He looked around, noticing his mouth was bound. He groaned softly, understanding the situation.
"They've finally done it… Heh, His Majesty will love to hear this story…" Cheng Yi smirked inwardly. The door creaked open, and one of the Ming diplomats entered, glaring at Cheng Yi.
"How dare you, a traitor, take credit for currying favor with the incompetent king?" the diplomat spat in Ming. Cheng Yi shot him a venomous glare. The diplomat looked down, sneering.
"If you die here, on Joseon soil, what will His Majesty do to Joseon? Are you trying to aid that incompetent king? You and that king can both die together."
The diplomat tore the cloth from Cheng Yi's mouth. Cheng Yi lifted his head and smirked.
"His Majesty is not as foolish as you believe. The King of Joseon sees further than you imagine. You are the fool, daring to raise your hand against an envoy," Cheng Yi said sharply. The diplomat, enraged, struck Cheng Yi, slamming his head to the ground. Though bruised, Cheng Yi showed no sign of pain.
"Your father was nothing but a worthless man. He should have ended his line with himself. I will never understand why he bothered to leave behind a son like you," the diplomat sneered. Cheng Yi's heart stirred with bitter memories of his father, Lui Hao Jian, who had once said he should never have been born.
"At least my mother raised me!" Cheng Yi shouted and, in a burst of fury, shoved the diplomat out the door. The guards rushed to restrain Cheng Yi, but at that moment, Tian Ke and Qian'ai appeared with Jinji. Seo Ju moved swiftly, kicking the guards aside. He caught Cheng Yi by the arm and pulled him up.
"Let us go," Seo Ju commanded, leading Cheng Yi away. The diplomat groaned where he lay. Seo Ju leveled his sword at him in warning, and Jinji followed, pointing his own blade. Tian Ke and Qian'ai flanked Cheng Yi and led him from the hall.
"Are you injured?" Qian'ai asked. Cheng Yi forced a smile.
"I am fine," he replied. Seo Ju remained behind, waiting until they were out of sight. The diplomat, shaken, met his gaze. Seo Ju smirked and spoke in Ming tongue.
"All this effort to earn a title. Did Her Majesty promise to put a word before the Ming Emperor?" he asked coldly.
The diplomat stammered, "I… I do not know what you speak of..."
Seo Ju stepped closer, voice dropping to a low, menacing tone.
"You thought that killing him would implicate me. That you could use me as your shield, climb higher through treachery. A clever plan, if I hated Cheng Yi enough to turn a blind eye."
Seo Ju leaned in.
"But you miscalculated one thing," he said. The diplomat trembled, desperate to understand.
"I do not know anything!" he cried.
Tian Ke returned swiftly, eyes scanning the scene — and then he heard it—a sharp whistle in the air.
"Seo Ju! Watch out!" Tian Ke shouted. Seo Ju turned just as an arrow grazed his shoulder. Blood darkened his sleeve. Before the next shot could come, Jinji leapt forward, positioning himself as a shield before Seo Ju. Tian Ke rushed over.
"Are you hurt?" Tian Ke asked urgently.
"Your—" Jinji started.
"I am fine," Seo Ju said through gritted teeth, glancing at Jinji. Jinji froze, then bowed low, his eyes wide with shock.
"The Ming diplomat…" Jinji muttered. Seo Ju turned sharply. The Ming diplomat lay dead, the arrow having struck him clean through. Seo Ju's face darkened with anger. He searched the surroundings with sharp eyes, but no trace of the attacker could be found. Knowing it was dangerous to linger, they hastened back toward the inn to seek treatment.
Yun Yuhua stood waiting at the steps of the inn. The moment she caught sight of Qian'ai and Cheng Yi, she rushed forward, her face filled with worry. She grasped Cheng Yi's shoulder, inspecting him anxiously.
"Are you hurt? Where are you bleeding from? Tell me!" she asked urgently. Cheng Yi blinked in surprise, then let out a small chuckle. Yun Yuhua frowned at him, still serious.
"I am fine. It is only a minor injury. There is no bleeding," Cheng Yi answered, his voice gentle. Yun Yuhua exhaled in relief. Only then did she glance past him— and her gaze caught Tian Ke and Seo Ju. A bloodstain marred Seo Ju's shoulder.
"You must have it treated immediately," Tian Ke said. Seo Ju chuckled lightly, brushing it off.
"It is nothing. Just a small cut," he replied. Tian Ke sighed in disbelief but said no more. Then his eyes brightened as he saw Yun Yuhua standing there.
"Yuyu!" he called out warmly. Yun Yuhua walked toward them, but tension hung between her and Seo Ju. Seo Ju's eyes softened. He smiled faintly at her.
"Jinji, head inside. I need a word with her," Seo Ju ordered. Jinji bowed obediently and withdrew. Tian Ke nudged Qian'ai and Cheng Yi to follow him, leaving the two alone. Yun Yuhua stood firm, her gaze sharp.
"I—" Seo Ju began, but Yun Yuhua cut him off.
"Who are you, truly? How important are you to Joseon?" she demanded. Seo Ju stiffened at her direct questioning. She had struck dangerously close to the truth — a truth he could not yet reveal. Would it place a wall between them? Would she turn away if she knew?
Seo Ju lowered his voice, speaking softly, "Yun Yuhua… when the time is right, I will tell you."
Yun Yuhua pouted, displeased yet understanding his heart.
"You must keep your word," she insisted. Seo Ju smiled, a quiet chuckle escaping him. He nodded solemnly. They turned to enter the inn— but suddenly, an arrow tore through the air.
Seo Ju saw it — and without hesitation, pulled Yun Yuhua into his arms, shielding her. The arrow struck his shoulder with a sickening thud.
"Seo Ju!" Yun Yuhua cried out, her voice shaking. Jinji spun around, eyes widening in shock. Tian Ke, reacting instantly, turned to Ruqi, who tossed him a bow and an arrow without a word. Tian Ke bolted out of the inn, scanning the rooftops.
There— an archer, perched two houses to the left. Tian Ke nocked the arrow and fired. The shot missed. Seo Ju staggered, grimacing in pain but still standing.
"I am fine…" he said weakly. Yun Yuhua's breath hitched, and tears spilled down her cheeks before she could stop herself. She threw herself at him, holding him like she would never let go. The others quickly gathered to support him, helping him inside.
Yun Yuhua dashed toward a nearby table, her hands trembling as she grabbed the bandages, her mind racing to tend to Seo Ju's wound. Beside him, Qian'ai moved with quiet determination, positioning himself in preparation. He met Yun Yuhua's eyes, a silent question in his gaze. She returned his look, a brief, wordless moment of resolve passing between them.
"Steady yourself," Qian'ai said softly, his voice calm despite the tension in the air.
Seo Ju, watching them both, let out a small, pained chuckle, amusement flickering in his eyes despite the situation.
In the stillness that followed, Yun Yuhua suddenly found herself at a loss. Her heart raced, her thoughts scattered, and she blurted out, "You… you are most handsome."
The words left her before she could stop them, her cheeks burning crimson. She quickly lowered her gaze, her eyes fixed on the floor as though wishing she could disappear into the floorboards.
Seo Ju's breath hitched, his eyes widening in surprise. The unexpected compliment caught him off guard. He opened his mouth to respond, but Qian'ai swiftly removed the arrow from his side before speaking. Seo Ju, still distracted by the words, didn't notice.
Yun Yuhua, her hands now steady, pressed firmly on his wound, her breath shallow as she focused on slowing the bleeding.
Qian'ai, unable to suppress the grin tugging at his lips, let out a quiet laugh. His eyes twinkled with knowing amusement. "You said that to ease his pain, didn't you?"
Yun Yuhua, still flushed from her words, glanced quickly at him, her heart still racing, before hurriedly looking back at Seo Ju. A soft, shaky laugh escaped her, with the glimmer of unshed tears. The weight of the situation—the worry for him—gnawed at her, but a fragile laugh slipped through despite it. The tension in the air seemed to dissolve in that fleeting moment, and despite everything, they all shared a quiet chuckle. In that simple, shared relief, an unspoken understanding settled among them.
The doctor arrived swiftly, tending to Seo Ju's wound with practiced hands. He provided the herbs to hasten his recovery, and his movements were deliberate and careful. In the midst of this, Cheng Yi observed from a distance, his thoughts drifting, heavy with contemplation.
"As a Joseon Crown Prince, your life was more precious than gold… Yet, you cast it aside for her. A sacrifice I could never have made, not when my late father sought to claim her for himself," Cheng Yi murmured softly, his voice tinged with quiet reverence. A slow, relieved smile curved upon his lips as he watched Seo Ju, the truth settling into his heart. "Fate has shown me, this man would lay down his life for you without a second thought. And now, I honor that sacrifice."