They brought her to the main throne room an hour later.
An hour. Barely enough time to process what was happening, let alone come up with a believable story for how a Korean med student ended up in ancient China.
The throne room was enormous. Red pillars stretched toward a ceiling painted with dragons and phoenixes. Officials lined both sides in elaborate silk robes, their faces a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. At the far end, elevated on a dais were two thrones.
Two thrones.
The Emperor sat on the larger one. Older, perhaps in his fifties, with a tired face and sharp eyes that missed nothing. He wore robes of deep gold embroidered with dragons.
And on the smaller throne beside him….
Crown Prince Zhao Yifeng.
The women had been kind enough to explain and tell Soyeon the names of the other prince and the royal family.
Soyeon's breath caught.
If Prince Liang Jian was winter, Prince Zhao Yifeng was spring. Handsome in a softer way, with refined features and warm eyes that sparkled with intelligence and mischief. His robes were red and gold, his hair adorned with an elaborate golden crown. He was younger than she expected, maybe twenty-five, and when his gaze landed on her, she saw his eyes widen with genuine surprise.
And interest.
Oh no.
"Kneel before His Majesty the Emperor!" a eunuch's voice rang out.
Everyone dropped to their knees. Soyeon hesitated a half-second too long and one of the guards behind her shoved her down. Her knees hit the marble hard enough to bruise.
"Rise," the Emperor said. His voice was deep and authoritative.
Everyone stood except Soyeon, who stayed kneeling because nobody told her otherwise and she didn't want her head cut off for a protocol violation.
"Second Prince," the Emperor said. "You were ambushed on the northern road and returned with a foreign woman. Explain."
From the side, Prince Liang Jian stepped forward. He had changed into clean robes, deep black with silver embroidery, and his hair was properly tied back. He moved stiffly, clearly in pain, but his face showed nothing.
He bowed to the Emperor. Then, surprisingly, he turned and bowed to Prince Zhao Yifeng.
"Greetings, Royal Brother," he said, his voice neutral.
"Second Brother." Prince Zhao Yifeng's smile was warm and genuine. "I heard you were injured. Are you well?"
"Well enough." Prince Liang Jian straightened. "Your Majesty, esteemed Royal Brother, honored officials. I was ambushed by assassins on the northern road. This woman appeared and treated my wounds with unusual medicine, saving my life. I brought her to the palace to determine her identity."
Murmurs rippled through the officials.
"She could be a spy," someone said. "Sent by the northern tribes—"
"Look at her features, she's clearly not from the Central Plains—"
"Prime Minister Li's people have been—"
"Silence," the Emperor commanded. The room fell quiet. His eyes fixed on Soyeon. "Woman. Stand and state your name."
Soyeon shakily got to her feet. Every eye in the room was on her.
"This humble one is called Su Yan, Your Majesty," she said, trying to remember every drama she had ever watched. Keep your head down. Use formal language. Don't make eye contact. "I am a traveling physician from.….from the far west."
"The far west," the Emperor repeated. "How far?"
"Very far, Your Majesty."
"And you just happened to be in the forest where my son was ambushed."
"I was lost, Your Majesty. I had been traveling for many days and didn't know where I was. When I heard someone in pain, I went to help. It's my duty as a healer."
More murmurs. Prince Liang Jian's expression remained unreadable, but she caught the slight narrowing of his eyes. He didn't believe her. Of course he didn't. It was a terrible lie.
But Prince Zhao Yifeng leaned forward, his eyes bright with curiosity.
"A physician," he said. "And beautiful, too. Tell me, Su Yan, what kind of medicine did you use to save my brother?"
Soyeon's mind raced. "I used mugwort and yarrow, Your Highness. Common hemostatic herbs. I made a paste to slow the bleeding and bind the wound."
"Interesting." Prince Zhao Yifeng's smile widened. "Most court physicians would use more elaborate treatments. Your methods are.….refreshingly practical."
Was he flirting with her? Oh God, the Crown Prince was flirting with her in front of the entire court.
"How old are you, Su Yan?" he continued.
"Twenty-three, Your Highness."
"Unmarried?"
"I—yes, Your Highness."
His smile became absolutely radiant. "Perfect."
The room seemed to hold its breath.
"Royal Brother," Prince Liang Jian said carefully. "What are you—"
"Father Emperor," Prince Zhao Yifeng said, turning to the throne. "This woman saved Second Brother's life. Such merit should be rewarded. I propose we keep her in the palace as an honored guest. In fact—" his eyes sparkled with mischief "—I propose we add her to my household. She would make a fine addition to my.….personal attendants."
Soyeon's brain short-circuited. Personal attendants. Household. He meant the harem. He wanted to add her to his HAREM.
"No!"
The word burst out before she could stop it.
The entire throne room fell silent.
Every official stared at her in shock. You didn't refuse the Crown Prince. You didn't refuse a royal command. You definitely didn't shout "no" in the middle of the throne room.
Shit.