Sunset Awakening.

In her assigned guest room within the guarded courtyard walls, Liu Fen stirred in her bed and opened her eyes. She was met by golden rays of the setting sun; streaming through the open window. She blinked in surprise, realizing she had slept through most of the day.

She remembered arriving at the temple at noon with the imperial entourage. They had traveled for five days and nights across the countryside. Liu Fen had been weary to the bone, and as soon as they reached the temple, she had indulged herself in a hot bath filled with fragrant herbs; then she had slipped into a soft bed and fallen into a deep slumber.

She tossed aside the silk covers and sat up, feeling refreshed but disoriented. She heard heavy footsteps outside the door; it swung open and Xiao Mei dashed in. The little maid face was flushed with what seemed like excitement. "Miss!" she exclaimed. "You are finally awake. There is big news." She crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed.

Liu Fen gave her a sleepy gaze. "What big news?" she asked curiously.

"Marquess Ding was attacked by assassins." Xiao Mei blurted out.

"Assassins?" Liu Fen gasped.

"Yes," Xiao Mei nodded. "They ambushed him on his way here. Miss Ding was wounded. When His Majesty heard about it, he immediately sent the imperial physician to treat her."

Liu Fen remembered that when they arrived at the temple, she did not see Marquess Ding among the welcoming party. The temple was located in the Marquess fiefdom and every year during the prayer ceremony the Marquess always arrived earlier and waited at the temple main gate to welcome the emperor personally. Liu Fen had wondered what had delayed the Marquess this time, but she had never imagined it was assassins.