It appeared that Zing Ah had chosen to leave me alone while I bathed. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, instantly flooded with memories of the days I spent with Baba.
"Cai, let your sword guide you. Your movements should be as graceful as the wind." Baba would say.
"Now, try again." Baba held a stick in place of his sword while I wore a blindfold and held mine. He was teaching me the ancient zhishi techniques that had been passed down through generations of men in our family. I closed my eyes, relaxed my shoulders, and let my senses take over. Taking my stance, I listened for my opponent's first move. My eyes caught his movement to my left, and as he attacked from that side, I bent backwards, kicking my foot out towards him, making solid contact.
"Good, Cai, just like that. Always let the wind guide your movements." Baba praised.
"Where is he?!"
I jolted awake at the sound of his voice. I must have fallen asleep, as the water against my skin had turned cold.
"Lung Er." his voice boomed from outside, and I could hear the commotion approaching the tent I was in. Hastily, I pulled myself out of the tub, not caring that I was dripping wet. I searched for my hanfu, but it was too late, as their voices drew nearer. I grabbed a fur coat and draped it over my naked, wet body, glancing at Zing Ah's sword in the corner. I don't know what possessed me, or why I did it, perhaps it was the dream of Baba that still lingered in my mind. But I armed myself as the Emperor burst into the tent, his cold, brown eyes instantly fixating on me. His gaze traveled down my body and back up, resting on the sword I held in my hands.
I swallowed the fear that began to fester within me, meeting his commanding stare with as much conviction as I could muster. I wanted him to know that I wouldn't back down so easily this time. Perhaps he saw something in my eyes, because the next thing I knew, he drew his own sword.
"Your Highness..." Zing Ah began, fear evident in his eyes as he made a move to approach me, likely intending to disarm me.
"Don't." the Emperor interrupted.
"My Emperor, he is my son, and I did not discipline him properly for him to act in this manner. Forgive me, Your Highness." my uncle, who I had only just noticed was also present in the tent, tried to reason with the Emperor. But the Emperor's gaze remained fixed on me.
"There is no need, General Li. Everyone, leave!" he commanded, never breaking eye contact with me.
"Please..." Zing Ah attempted to protest, but was cut off by the Emperor's shout.
"Everyone, leave!
"Lung Er drew a sword at the Emperor, and I will answer him with my sword. I will not tolerate any interference. I alone know what Lung Er needs." he declared with a smirk directed at me.
"I will deal with you, Zing Ah, later." He stated as Zing Ah made his way out of the tent. He turned and looked at me with sad eyes, but I averted my gaze, focusing on my opponent.
The teachings of my father flooded back to me as my nerves threatened to overcome me. I couldn't afford to tremble in front of him. The air grew thick as we locked eyes.
"No matter what is heard in here, no one is to enter unless I call for it. Disobey this order, and it will cost you your life!" he yelled, still watching me like a predator.
"So, Lung Er, what will it be? Will you attack, or have you changed your mind? Because let me assure you, Cai, your punishment is inevitable." he taunted.
"We shall see about that, Your Highness." I responded, surprising even myself with the calm and collectedness in my voice. I was scared to my core, but I refused to back down now. If he wanted to take me, he would have to fight me until my last breath. I watched his movements as I inched backwards. For every step I took back, he moved forward.
"Oh, little bird, have your wings been clipped?" he sneered, thrusting his sword towards me.
"Cling."
I blocked his attack with my own sword, swiftly rolled to the other side of the tent, and regained my stance.
"Oh, good, Lung Er. I see this will be fun." he remarked as he lunged at me with his sword.
I sidestepped him, using the fluidity of my movements to block his attacks I expertly defended against his attack, swiftly countering with a powerful kick to his stomach. He groaned audibly and stumbled backwards, momentarily dazed before a smirk returned to his lips.
"Impressive.
It seems you have some thorns after all," he remarked, using the tent's central post as a launching pad to soar over my head, launching a flurry of sword jabs my way. Though I managed to block his onslaught, the force behind his strikes gradually pushed me backward. Determined, I somersaulted in an attempt to strike him with my foot, but something disrupted my balance. I quickly regained my composure, but he seized the opportunity. In a matter of seconds, he had me pinned beneath him, my sword knocked from my grasp, and I found myself gasping for breath.
"Beautiful." he whispered, his gaze fixated on my partially exposed body as my coat came undone. Refusing to be held captive, I thrashed about, desperately attempting to break free from his grip. However, he firmly held my hands above my head, effortlessly restraining me while he straddled my thighs. With one hand securing mine, he deftly used the string from his hanfu to bind my wrist.
"You've been caught, my mischievous one. Now, how shall I punish you?" he inquired with a mischievous smile, his fingers trailing sensually down my chest.
Defiantly, I retorted, "Release me, and we shall discover who will truly be punished," as he continued toying with my desires.