Chapter 24; Alliance

Ming Yuan stared blankly at his work, his face a mask of composure, but his mind a whirlwind of turbulent thoughts centered on Dan Zhang. What slight, real or imagined, had he committed to earn the man's ire? He wrestled with the problem,

 "Your Highness," Hui Cufen's voice cut through his contemplation. "Our sources indicate the princess's spy is within the imperial palace."

A smirk played on Mian's lips as guards bound Nan Fang tightly with rope.

 "Thirty-three lashes," she commanded, her voice cold and sharp. Two guards flanked Nan Fang, each wielding a punishment rod of polished, durable wood. The rods gleamed ominously in the afternoon sun. They swung. Nan Fang braced himself, eyes squeezed shut, teeth clenched against the expected agony. But the searing pain never came. Instead, he felt only the phantom sensation of blows,. He opened his eyes, turning slowly to see who had intervened. His gaze fell upon Dan Zhang, collapsing on one knee, having taken the first blow. 

Dan Zhang's hand tightened on the edge of his robe. He glanced at his brother beside him, then shifted his attention to the princess. Surprise flickered across Mian's face at the sight of Dan Zhang taking the blow meant for Nan Fang.

 "Your Highness," Dan Zhang said, his voice steady despite his position, "Whatever my brother has done to offend you, I will bear his punishment." He bowed low, his gaze fixed on Mian with unwavering determination. "Please, punish me."

"Zhan'er!" Nan Fang's anguished cry ripped through the air, a torrent of conflicting emotions – frustration, fear, anger, and desperate protectiveness – pouring from his voice, his eyes locked on his brother.

Though angered by Nan Fang's earlier actions, Mian couldn't stomach the sight of Dan Zhang's suffering. With a dismissive snort, she waved the guards away and turned, chin held high, striding off.

Earlier bed the incident, within the quiet walls of the Stillness Residence, Ming Han had posed a pointed question: 

 "What is your relationship with the Crown Prince?"

 Dan Zhang hesitated, then replied carefully, "Cordial. He has aided me on several occasions. We owe him a debt of gratitude."

"I took you in," Ming Han countered, "so you owe me gratitude as well. You deceived my sister, who innocently welcomed you and your brother into her residence." He picked up a record and tossed it onto the table before Dan Zhang, who strained to read the contents.

 "Bai Qingming and Bai Xuemo, born in Jiankang, citizens of Northern Liang, children of Bai Chang and Jian Chen, deceased. Orphans? Also known as hired assassins and skilled thieves." Ming Han looked up, his gaze piercing.

 "Dan Zhang and Nan Fang? Those names sound suspiciously like aliases."

Dan Zhang's face was grim, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"I'm willing to offer you protection," Ming Han continued, "but only if you do something for me in return."

Dan Zhang immediately bowed low. "We are at your service, Your Highness."

 "Good," Ming Han said, a smile spreading across his face.

"This was far easier than expected," Mei Xiang murmured, adjusting her hair pins with a soft chuckle. 

 "They practically served us this opportunity on a silver platter." Zhang Lin stepped forward and bowed deeply, then kowtowed.

 "Thank you, Your Highness," she said, her voice thick with emotion. 

Mei Xiang helped her to her feet, offering a warm smile. "We're sisters, remember? I would do anything for you. Besides," she added with a shrug, "it didn't hurt that much."

 "I'll apply ointment to your back," Zhang Lin offered. "The lash might scar, but they'll fade once I buy medicine from the black market."

 "It's fine," Mei Xiang dismissed with a wave of her hand. "This game is just getting interesting." A smile played behind her yashmak.

A shadow flickered through the window, followed by a faint, rhythmic knocking—a coded message. Hui Fang entered, removing her mask as she approached the pair. 

"Your Highness," she said with a deep bow, "Everything proceeds as planned."

"Excellent."

"Prince Ming Han requests my services," Hui Fang added.

 "Ming Han is a cunning fox," Mei Xiang replied, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "Being a double agent is dangerous and he values loyalty. Proceed with caution. If anything goes wrong, you know what to do."

"Yes, Your Highness." Hui Fang nodded and, with another bow, vanished into the night.

 "What's our next move, Your Highness?" Zhang Lin asked.

"Our targets are the Crown Prince and his cousin," Mei Xiang answered, a glint in her eyes. "I have something special planned for them. But first, I need the help of an old acquaintance. I know just the person…"

Two young women navigated the bustling market streets. One, dressed in simple, servant-like attire, exuded a cheerful air. Her clear features and pale, delicate skin were framed by two neat buns, bobbing with each step. Her companion, more reserved and composed, was robed in flowing ocean-blue fabric, a veil concealing most of her face, though a glimpse of lovely hair was visible. The cheerful one scanned their surroundings, alert to any suspicious activity, before the pair slipped into a bustling tavern.

Selecting a secluded corner booth, the two women settled in. Moments later, an attendant approached. "Welcome, young ladies," he greeted with a practiced smile. "What can I get for you?"

"The weather is warm, spring in full bloom," the cheerful maid replied, her smile bright. "Your finest plum wine would be perfect." A subtle nod punctuated her words.

The attendant's practiced smile shifted into something more genuine. Understanding her coded message, he bowed slightly before hurrying off to fulfill their order. He returned shortly with a flagon of plum wine and a plate of complimentary cakes. The cakes appeared soft and sweet, their surfaces decorated with a few, almost imperceptible, inscribed characters.

The seemingly innocuous inscriptions adorning the cakes at the tavern were, in reality, a clandestine code. Each design subtly advertised a unique product or service offered by the establishment's shadowy underworld affiliate. This secret was shared only amongst the tavern's trusted staff and a select few discerning patrons. The tavern itself was a mere façade, a carefully constructed front concealing a notorious organization known for its illicit dealings and clandestine operations. The lady, selected a rose-hued confection. She took a delicate bite, savoring the flavor before giving a subtle, almost imperceptible nod to the waiting attendant. The transaction, silent and veiled, was complete.

With a discreet nod, the attendant withdrew, leaving the woman to savor her order. An hour passed before a different attendant approached, silently ushering her towards a hidden chamber. Inside, a labyrinthine passage awaited, its twists and turns culminating in an unmarked door. Beyond lay a winding staircase descending into the depths of the earth. Finally, they arrived before an imposing gateway, its ancient surface adorned with intricate murals, cryptic inscriptions, and complex mechanisms. The attendant presented the woman with a wide-brimmed hat and a concealing veil. Once they were suitably disguised, he approached the gateway, inserting a jade token into a hidden lock and manipulating a series of pressure plates. The air whirred with the sound of grinding gears and unseen mechanisms unlocking. With a groan of ancient hinges, the gate creaked open, revealing a passage leading to a bustling subterranean marketplace.