Volume Three, Chapter One

Before she could untangle her thoughts, the arrows flying at them from behind made Li Chenjing lose patience with her hesitation. He grabbed her and jumped into the Forbidden River before the palace gate...

Zhao Huangpu heard the news in Consort Qi's Bedchambers. Two drenched figures had been pulled from the Forbidden River by the palace gate and brought straight to her Bedchambers on His Majesty's orders. He had no time to dress properly; throwing on a jacket embroidered with soaring dragons, he rushed from the inner Sleeping Quarters, questioning the Head Eunuch at his side as he went.

"Was Lord Zhu hurt?"

"Your Majesty, Lord Zhu is unharmed. She swallowed several mouthfuls of water, that's all. Lord Li has several arrow wounds on his back, though. It seems he took the arrows while protecting Lord Zhu..."

"..." Zhao Huangpu slowed abruptly and gave the Eunuch a meaningful look. "You saw it?"

"Ah? Er... What does Your Majesty mean?"

"You saw Little Jing take those arrows for her with your own eyes?"

"...This old servant was only... guessing."

"Who told you to make guesses?"

"Yes... yes. Forgive me, Your Majesty. This old servant spoke out of turn." Bewildered by Zhao Huangpu's sudden temper, the Head Eunuch hurriedly bent at the waist and slapped his own mouth.

"Has Little Jing woken up?" Zhao Huangpu narrowed his eyes and asked again.

"Yes. Both lords are awake. This old servant has already sent them ginger soup."

"...What did he call her?" he asked uneasily.

The crystal curtain hung right before Zhao Huangpu. All he had to do was lift it to see inside, yet he stopped and turned to the Head Eunuch beside him. "What did Little Jing call her?"

"This old servant thought he heard... something like Little Eight?"

"..."

Zhao Huangpu