Chapter 23; Ming Han’s Past

"Destroy everything," she rasped, her voice a dry whisper. Nan Fang, his face grim, took a step forward, the glint of his sword a chilling promise. The maids, their faces pale with fear, froze in their tracks. 

Liguan, her voice barely a murmur, said,

   "Nan Fang." She shook her head, a silent plea for restraint. He hesitated, his hand hovering near the hilt, then reluctantly sheathed his sword. But his gaze remained fixed on Mian and the trembling maids, a cold storm brewing in his eyes. 

Mian, her voice sharp with barely contained anger, hissed, "You better." 

"Better what?"

The voice, smooth as silk, cut through the tension. Ming Liguan and Ehuhng's eyes widened in surprise, their faces brightening. Mian, however, stiffened, her gaze widening in horror. 

    "Brother Han!" she exclaimed, scrambling to her feet, taking an involuntary step back. 

"Better what, Mian'er?" His voice was a chilling melody, deceptively pleasant yet laced with a familiar malice that sent a shiver of fear through Mian. 

Ming Mian's fear of Ming Han ran deeper than his position; it was a visceral dread of the man himself. She had witnessed his cruelty firsthand – the chilling spectacle of him tormenting an imperial official in court, his laughter a cruel symphony as the man was lynched for treason. The memory sent a wave of nausea through her. 

She gulped, her voice trembling as she stammered, "Nothing, Third Brother." Her body crumpled, as if drained of all life.

    "I... I... have to go," she choked out, a desperate plea escaping her lips. Then, she fled, her steps frantic, as if the very air around her was laced with danger.

"Mother," Han's voice softened, his gaze turning to his biological mother. 

"Han'er," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Liguan, her face wet with tears, leaned into her biological brother, who embraced both his mother and her. 

Ming Han, his chest tight with a silent ache of pain and longing, held his family close. For so long, they had been bullied, ostracized. Ming Liguan, his biological sister, just like their mother, had endured the constant cruelty of Liling, his official mother, who relished in making others miserable.

He had grown up loathing his official mother and his half-sister. His father, absorbed in courtly affairs, had never shown them any real concern. Han and his biological sister were the products of an arranged marriage between the Great Wei and Southern Liang. His official mother, once a kind fellow concubine, had transformed into a cruel stepmother after ascending to the rank of Empress. Liling, as she was now known, treated Han, his mother, and sister with cold indifference. 

He had grown into a man consumed by bitterness and resentment. His only path to happiness, he believed, lay in power and success. Power meant everything. With power, he could rewrite his fate, reshape his destiny. He craved it, relentlessly, by fair means or foul. 

Nan Fang watched the unhappy family, a soft sigh escaping his lips. 

In the cool night breeze, Xianming nervously served Mian refreshments, acutely aware of her mistress's foul mood. In her anxiety, she accidentally spilled some of the drink on Mian's garment. 

  "Are you mocking me too?" Mian hissed, rising from her seat. With a swift motion, she slapped the poor maid and shoved her to the floor. The other maids froze in terror, witnessing Mian's cruel treatment of her personal attendant. 

Flipping the table in a fit of rage, Mian roared, "Get out! All of you, get out!" 

Breathing heavily, she tapped her chest a few times, seeking to calm herself. As she walked to the window, her gaze drifted upwards, momentarily distracted. A figure stood on the rooftop of the Cherryblossom residence, a silhouette against the night sky. 

He was an arresting sight, delicate yet captivating. His hair, a cascade of dark waves, danced in the gentle breeze, and his blue and white robe flowed around him with an effortless grace. There was a quiet strength about him, a subtle aura of authority that commanded attention. 

His skin glimmered in the moonlight, and she felt a blush creep across her cheeks, captivated by his striking appearance. Ming Huan played his flute, lost in the melody, when he caught sight of Dan Zhang. Standing tall and illuminated by the soft light, Dan Zhang seemed radiant. The faint line etched on his lips only added to his allure, making him drop-dead gorgeous.

"Haa,"  he exhaled in admiration. "So peaceful. Palace life really is quiet," Dan Zhang muttered, taking a step forward. But as he did, his foot landed on a loose roof tile. In an instant, he lost his balance and toppled awkwardly. 

Anticipating a nasty fall and the inevitable scolding from Nan Fang, Dan Zhang braced for impact. To his surprise, a pair of arms caught him mid-fall. He opened his eyes slowly to see Ming Yuan. Their gaze locked for a moment, and Dan Zhang struggled slightly, prompting Ming Yuan to gently set him down.

Ming Yuan, initially taken aback when he saw the former and couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief. Dan Zhang looked so ethereal that he questioned if he was simply daydreaming. With curiosity ignited, he headed towards the Cherryblossom residence to verify his senses, only to witness Dan Zhang tumbling from the roof.

Ming Huan, standing a distance away, watched the unfolding scene with a mixture of curiosity and unease. He'd witnessed Dan Zhang teetering on the edge of the rooftop and had rushed toward the scene, only to see Ming Yuan catch him mid-fall. The shared gaze that lingered between them sent a sharp pang of pain through him. He masked his reaction with an indifferent expression, but his gaze faltered for a moment before he turned and melted into the shadows.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Dan Zhang murmured, clasping his hands in a bow before quietly retreating.

Ming Yuan gazed at the retreating figure until it vanished into the night. Although his expression remained indifferent, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. He lingered in silence for a while before finally turning to walk away.

"Intriguing," Ming Han remarked from the far corner, a smirk playing on his lips as he observed the scene. 

The birds chirped as the morning sun climbed higher in the sky. 

    "Let me help you," Dan Zhang offered, bending down to assist Yiangyiang. He lifted items with practiced ease, helping to tidy up. 

The other maids, captivated by his charm, flocked to assist him in any way they could. During their break, he sat among them, regaling them with tales of his adventures in the imperial city. 

As the laughter echoed, Wei Dan entered, drawing the attention of the maids. Dan Zhang caught the subtle hint and excused himself from the lively conversation, following Wei Dan to the main hall. 

Entering one of the private rooms of the main hall, he approached the prince at a respectful distance, Dan Zhang clasped his hands in reverence. "Greetings, Your Highness," he said, bowing slightly. 

    "Bai Qingming," Ming Han replied casually, his voice smooth as he paced around the room. His words and the nonchalance of his demeanor left Dan Zhang paralyzed in shock, fear creeping into his chest.