Chapter 13; Their Encounter

As the arrow sliced through the air, aimed at Ming Chou, a sudden twist occurred—a swift arrow intercepted its path, redirecting it to strike the bullseye with uncanny precision. All eyes turned to witness Mei Xiang, gracefully handing her bow to her attendant.

"Ya! How dare you disrupt my shot?" Ming Juilan's voice thundered with indignation. Mei Xiang's steady gaze met his, her voice calm but firm,

"Apologies, young prince, but human life is no plaything." Mei Xiang gracefully made her way to Ming Chou, assisting him to his feet.

"I wasn't going to... ouch!" Ming Juilan winced as his biological brother, Ming Fri, swiftly boxed his ear.

"But what?" Ming Fei's tone turned sharp.

"Fourth brother, that hurts!" Ming Juilan cried out in pain. In a moment of reproach, Ming Fri sternly stated,

"This is how it feels when you strike others." Ming Juilan's argument in defense came swiftly,

"But they are all headless arrows!" His protest carried a hint of distress, one eye closed, and the other glistening with unshed tears. Ming Fei shot his brother a piercing glare before offering an apology,

"I apologize, Miss Mei Xiang. My brother is young and impulsive. I hope you won't hold this against him." Ming Juilan found himself momentarily stunned. Mei Xiang? The renowned entertainer? Could she truly be the one? These thoughts raced through his mind, conflicted by the tales he had heard. According to popular anecdotes, Mei Xiang was rumored to be over a thousand years old, having lived through countless dynasties. Yet, the girl before him appeared to be barely older than himself.

Her skin, as delicate as porcelain and as radiant as jade, exuded an ethereal glow, accentuated by the elegance of her exquisite kimono. Ming Chou gazed at his rescuer with a mix of admiration and gratitude, captivated by her ethereal presence. The aura surrounding her was both gentle and reassuring, like a beacon of calm amidst the chaos.In a gesture of profound gratitude, Ming Chou approached her with reverence, bowing repeatedly in a display of deep respect.

"I cannot thank you enough for saving my life," he expressed, his voice resonating with sincerity and admiration. With a serene smile, she responded simply,

"You are most welcome."

"I am Ming Chou," Ming Fei, straightening his posture as he introduced himself.

"And I am Ming Fei," he continued, gesturing towards his brother, "This is Ming Julian." Juilan, who responded with a disdainful snort and an eye roll. As the trio stood together, Mei Xiang observed them with a keen eye. Ming Fei cut a striking figure with his tall stature, well-built physique, ebony black hair cascading elegantly, beryl eyes that slanted with a hint of mystery, a prominent high forehead, and a face sculpted with refined features that exuded a sense of charm and a gentlemanly manner. Surprisingly, he bore a striking resemblance to Ming Julian, who exuded an air of dreaminess about him. As she shifted her gaze to Ming Chou, she couldn't help but notice his mesmerizing Jasper eyes, complemented by thick, immaculate brows and long, fluttering lashes with a smooth face unlike his brothers with pinkish lips. Observing the princes before her, Zhang Lin made her assessments — a brat, a flirt, and a moron, she concluded, her disdain reserved particularly for Ming Julian, whom she found utterly detestable. Caught in her scrutinizing gaze, Ming Julian's confrontational question sliced through the tension,

"Ya! What's with the stupid look?"

Zhang Lin's jaw clenched as she gripped the sides of her dress tightly, a silent display of her mounting frustration. In that moment, a simmering threat pulsed in her thoughts: this boy was treading perilous ground, courting his own demise.

"Lin'er," Mei Xiang interjected, a subtle signal for her to rein in her anger. However, before she could respond, he retaliated,

"Arrogant! How dare... ouch!" Ming Julian's words were cut short as Ming Fei swiftly grasped his ear, eliciting a sharp cry of pain from him. "Aw.. aww.." Ming Fei's corrective action was swift and efficient.

"Brother Fei!" Ming Fei yelled out in agony, his tone reflecting the discomfort caused by the ear-pulling. Ming Fei, with a slightly awkward smile, swiftly interjected with an apology,

"Sorry, my brother can be a bit foolish at times... ha.." An awkward chuckle escaped him, tinged with a sense of embarrassment over his sibling's behavior.

"Of course," she responded calmly before excusing herself with a subtle nod and departed. A sudden yelp followed by a scolding

"Muddle-headed" marked Ming Fei's rebuke as he lightly struck his brother's head.

Meanwhile, in Still Residence, Ming Han sat within his chambers, deeply engrossed in his cultivation practice. Despite his efforts, a sense of unease loomed as his inner force waned, and his spiritual energy slowly ebbed away. Aware of the potential consequences, he recognized that this technique could rapidly deplete his spiritual energy, possibly reducing him to a mere shell of his former self. Despite the risks, he proceeded, his determination outweighing the potential perils. Fortunately, he maintained a calculating mindset, knowing precisely when to halt the practice before surpassing his limits.

With an expelled breath, he coughed up blood, a stark reminder of the sacrifice and strain endured during his relentless pursuit of power.

"Your Highness!" Wei Dan hurried to his master, sensing that he had pushed himself beyond his limits. Alarmed, he checked the prince's pulse, confirming his suspicions. Swiftly, Wei Dan transferred a portion of his own spiritual energy to replenish the prince's reserves. This technique posed inherent risks, underscoring the danger of their current approach. A safer alternative would have been utilizing the Ninth Sage acupuncture needle. However, obtaining the Ninth Sage acupuncture needle was a rare and challenging task. Luckily, the prince's injuries were minor, necessitating only bed rest and regular energy transfers to aid recovery. Wei Dan carefully ensured his master was settled for rest. After a brief pause, Wei Dan relayed the news:

"Your Highness, Princess Guang has succeeded in gaining access." Ming Han's eyes slowly opened, a sharp gleam igniting within them as he fixed his gaze on his companion.

"Are you aware of her true identity?" he inquired. His companion shook his head in response, indicating a lack of knowledge on the matter. Ming Han's directive was clear: "Keep a vigilant watch for anything out of the ordinary."

A maid hurried through the echoing corridors of the main hall, her steps swift and purposeful as she made her way towards Fragrance residence. Stealthily, she slipped into Mei Xiang's Chambers, her presence drawing the attention of the mistress. "Mistress," she addressed Mei Xiang, who turned to regard her maid.

As the maid lifted her veil, her image unfolded, revealing her true identity—a figure revered as the embodiment of lethal grace and power. She stood before Mei Xiang, the goddess of Slay, known for her skill and ruthlessness. Hui Fang.