The sun had already slipped beneath the horizon when Mo Shan Shan finally reached the outskirts of the capital. Before slipping through the hidden trails she knew, she paused at the forest edge. Her eyes scanned the familiar underbrush until she spotted the root she once searched for—the rare, milky plant with healing properties. She knelt, harvested it carefully, then packed it close to her chest as though guarding a fragment of hope.
With practiced stealth, she crept toward the city gates under the cover of darkness. She slipped through the checkpoints unnoticed, weaving past guards and down alleys like a shadow reborn. Quiet as the wind, she climbed over the back fence of Prince Lu Bai's residence and padded across the courtyard.
Inside Lu Bai's room, the prince was alone. Hearing faint movements, he turned sharply. His senses, always alert in blindness, warned him of an intruder. Without a word, he lunged forward with a defensive strike. Mo Shan Shan blocked his attack, responding with swift, precise movements.
Their brief exchange ended abruptly as Lu Bai's hand brushed against hers—recognition sparked instantly.
"Mo Shan Shan?" he breathed, his voice catching.
"It's me," she whispered.
Outside, his personal servant had heard the noise. Rushing toward the room, he reached it just before the palace guards did. "He tripped while moving about," the servant lied calmly. "All is well."
The guards nodded and backed off.
Inside, Lu Bai stared toward the voice that had become his calm. "How did you make it into the capital?" he asked.
Mo Shan Shan smirked, crossing her arms. "You underestimate me too much, Prince Lu Bai."
A chuckle escaped his lips. "I accept defeat."
He hesitated, then said with quiet guilt, "I should have told you everything. I didn't want your life weighed down by the past."
She looked at him, her gaze softening. "I was born of it. I'll live with it. And I'll fight for it."
He lowered his head slightly, unable to argue.
"Sit," she said gently.
Lu Bai obeyed. "I want to help you… just sit for a moment."
Lu Bai hesitated but complied. "Help me… with what?"
"You'll see," she murmured with a faint smile.
She pulled out a cloth and reached into her satchel. From it, she drew the root she had harvested—its essence already mashed and mixed in a small vial of clean water. She knelt before him, her expression composed, tender.
Lu Bai's brows furrowed. "Shan Shan… what are you doing?"
"Just… trust me."
He stilled, trusting her without question.
With the cloth now soaked in the healing mixture, she leaned in and began to gently wash his face. Her touch was light, deliberate. She moved with reverence, as though each stroke carried a wish, a prayer, a fragment of love.
Her fingertips brushed across his cheeks, up to his brow, and then over his closed eyes. The warmth of her presence surrounded him. Her breath, soft against his skin, sent unfamiliar shivers down his spine.
Lu Bai's heart pounded—quiet but insistent. He didn't fully understand what she was doing, but he felt her sincerity in every motion. Something in him stirred, deep and unspoken.
Outside the room, Lu Bai's personal guard stood near the door. Alert, but calm. He listened closely, but sensing no threat, he remained at his post.
Inside, Mo Shan Shan wiped the final bit of mixture over Lu Bai's eyelids and whispered, "Now… open your eyes."
He hesitated, feeling a strange pressure behind his eyes—like something gently unfolding.
He opened them slowly.
At first, everything was a blur—shadows and light colliding. Then, faint shapes sharpened. His hand. The flickering lamp. The gentle outline of the furniture.
And then—
He looked up.
Just as clarity returned, he saw her… her back to him, walking quietly toward the door. The candlelight kissed the edges of her long hair, swaying like silk. She didn't speak. She didn't turn around.
His heart skipped.
"Shan Shan!" he called, standing suddenly.
But the exertion was too much.
His knees buckled. His body, still weak from the blindness and the sudden return of vision, crumpled to the floor.
The guard outside rushed in, alarmed. "Your Highness!"
He caught Lu Bai just in time and helped him to bed.
"Rest, Your Highness. "Don't move too much," the guard urged.
Lu Bai, dazed and breathless, leaned back against the pillows.
His vision, now slowly returning, searched the room—but she was gone.
And all he could remember was the image of her walking away.
Elsewhere in the Capital...
In a secret chamber, the two other princes sat at a round table. One of their spies bowed before them.
"The general of the North now knows the truth. Prince Li Wei told him," the spy reported. "Also, I saw Mo Shan Shan sneak out of the capital. She visited Lu Bai."
The princes exchanged uneasy glances. One said, "Li Wei may expose us to the king."
Without hesitation, they went to the palace.
Before the throne, they spoke urgently: "Your Majesty, Prince Li Wei has conspired with the Northern rebels. Mo Shan Shan has infiltrated the capital without your permission. They are stirring rebellion."
The king's face hardened.
"The Northern city—Bei Shui—is preparing for war," he said coldly. "Prepare the Capital's army. In two days, we march and raise the royal flag over Bei Shui."
In Bei Shui, Northern City
Word of the king's decree reached them swiftly.
Inside the city walls, General Liang called for a gathering. He stood before his troops, his voice thunderous.
"Listen well! The daughter of our fallen hero, General Mo, has returned! She is Mo Shan Shan, and she stands with us!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. The people of the city welcomed her with open arms, tears, and pride.
Mo Shan Shan stood on the platform, looking over the city she barely remembered—but had always carried in her heart.
That night, Prince Li Wei met with General Liang in secret.
"The king believes I've turned against him," he said. "Let it be so. I will fight for the people. For justice. For peace."
With Mo Shan Shan by their side, the North prepared for war.
The drums of destiny began to sound.