Lady Anshi 's focus released briefly from her internal battle and scanned the scene, the young man 's eyes locked on one in particular, 'It seems you 've taken quite an interest in that intriguing attendant. '

Jinshi smiled to try to mask it, but the nervousness prevailed, 'She 's quite useful. '

She hummed thoughtfully, 'You should hide your favorites. Or someone may hide them from you. '

****

Multiple soldiers had him by the waist, '

Please!

YOUR HIGHNESS! It 's DANGEROUS! '

'No NO! She 's still IN THERE! LET ME

GO

'

The village was in flames, screams rang out against the night. Voices he now knew, each with its own story, its own struggles and victories. Silhouettes of Auntie dragging out little Ling by the hand, Ping shielding Zhi. But none of that mattered.

The fire-arrow volley had trapped her inside Min 's apothecary.