Stupid, her brain screamed. Stupid stupid stupid shut UP!!
But Prince Zhao Yifeng was laughing.
Actually laughing, a delighted sound that echoed off the walls.
"I love it!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "When was the last time someone refused me? Second Brother, where did you find this woman? She's fascinating."
"Your Highness," Soyeon stammered, her face burning. "I apologize for my rudeness. I only meant—I'm a mere physician, not—I'm not suitable for—"
"Nonsense. You're more than suitable." Prince Zhao Yifeng stood, descending from the dais, his steps careful and poised. He approached her, and Soyeon fought the urge to back away. Up close, he was even more handsome, his smile warm and disarming. "Su Yan. You've intrigued me. I want to know everything about you, where you're from, how you learned medicine, why you blush so prettily when flustered."
He was definitely flirting. In front of his father. In front of the entire court.
"Your Highness," one of the officials protested. "The woman's background is still unclear—"
"Then we'll watch her," Prince Zhao Yifeng said simply. "Keep her in the palace under observation. If she's a spy, we'll discover it. If she's innocent, no harm done." He turned back to Soyeon. "What do you say, Su Yan? Will you stay as my guest? I promise the accommodations are excellent."
This was insane. This was completely insane.
But what choice did she have? She had no money, no way home, no idea how to even find the wardrobe again. At least in the palace, she would have food and shelter while she figured things out.
"I would be honored, Your Highness," she said, keeping her eyes on the floor.
"Wonderful!" Prince Zhao Yifeng clapped his hands. "Take her to the Jade Phoenix Palace. Prepare a room for her and...." He paused, considering. "Have her bathed and dressed appropriately. And tonight—" his smile turned mischievous "—she'll dine with me. I want to hear all about her travels."
"Your Highness," Soyeon tried again. "I really don't think—"
"That's an order, Su Yan." His voice was playful but firm. "Don't refuse me twice in one day. Even I have limits to my patience."
There was steel beneath the charm. This was the Crown Prince, the future Emperor. And she had already pushed her luck far enough.
"Yes, Your Highness," she said quietly.
"Excellent. You're dismissed."
~
The servants who came for her were different from the ones at Cold Moon Palace. These were younger, dressed in finer silk, and they whispered excitedly among themselves as they led her through winding corridors.
"The Crown Prince has never done this before—"
"Did you see how he looked at her?"
"She's so exotic-looking—"
"Do you think he'll make her an official concubine?"
Soyeon wanted to die.
They brought her to a bathing chamber that was more luxurious than her entire apartment in Seoul. A massive tub carved from white jade, already filled with steaming water that smelled of flowers. Oils and soaps and mysterious bottles lined the shelves.
"Ma'am," one of the servants said kindly. "We need to help you bathe."
"I can bathe myself—"
"It's protocol, ma'am. Please."
So Soyeon endured the most awkward twenty minutes of her life as four women stripped her, examined her, and scrubbed her down like she was a prized horse.
The water was nice, though. Warm and fragrant, and someone massaged oils into her hair that made it impossibly soft. By the time they lifted her out and wrapped her in silk robes, she smelled like lilies and jasmine.
They dressed her in layers of silk, a light inner robe, a middle robe of pale pink, and an outer robe of deeper rose embroidered with peonies. Her hair was arranged in an elaborate style with jade pins.
"You're very beautiful, ma'am," one of the younger servants said shyly.
Soyeon looked at herself in the bronze mirror and barely recognized her reflection. She looked like something from a drama.
A part of her, the part that had spent years reading Chinese novels and watching historical dramas, was screaming with excitement. She was HERE. In an actual palace. About to have dinner with an actual prince.
But the rational part of her brain was panicking. How did she get here? How did she get HOME? And what would happen when they realized she had no idea what she was doing?
"Ma'am?" The servant touched her arm gently. "It's time. The Crown Prince is waiting."
"Right. Okay. Let's—"
She turned toward the door and nearly collided with someone.
Prince Liang Jian.
He stood in the hallway outside the bathing chambers, dressed in fresh black robes, his long hair immaculate. He must have come from somewhere official, his face was set in its usual cold mask.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Soyeon remembered herself and quickly bowed. "Your Highness. I didn't know you were—"
"I came to check on your accommodations," he said. He spoke in a flat monotone. "My brother has a tendency to be.…impulsive. I wanted to ensure you were being treated appropriately."
"Oh. I—thank you. Everyone's been very kind."
His dark eyes traveled over her, the elaborate hair, the expensive robes, the scent of lilies clinging to her skin. A flicker crossed his face, gone before she could name it.
"You clean up well," he said finally.
It should have been a compliment. It sounded like an insult.
Soyeon bristled. "Thanks. You look less like you're bleeding to death, so that's nice."
The servants gasped. You didn't talk to princes like that.
But Prince Liang Jian's eyebrow rose, the one with the scar cutting through it. "Bold words for someone who's currently under suspicion of espionage."
"I saved your life. You're welcome, by the way."
"And I brought you to the palace instead of leaving you in that forest. You're welcome."
They stared at each other. A fleeting storm passed across his gaze, and the air thickened.
"Your Highness," one of the servants said nervously. "The Crown Prince is waiting for Lady Su—"
"Of course he is." Prince Liang Jian's voice turned cold again. He stepped closer, close enough that Soyeon had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. Close enough that she could smell his scent, a mix of steel and cedar. "A word of advice, Su Yan. My brother is charming. He's kind. He makes people feel special." His voice dropped lower. "But he's still the Crown Prince. Everything he does is political. Don't forget that."
"I won't," Soyeon said, though her heart was pounding.
"Good." He drew near, closer than propriety allowed. His gaze traced her features, pausing at her lips. "I do not yet trust you. I cannot tell if your words are truth… or the work of a masterful deceiver. Yet…" He paused. "Thank you. For saving my life."
"You already—"
"I don't give thanks lightly." His hand rose, a breath from her face, then faltered. He withdrew, and the mask of cold returned, flawless and unyielding. "Enjoy your dinner with the Crown Prince."
His figure receded, robes flowing like dark water. Soyeon stood rooted, her pulse erratic. What… was that?
"Ma'am?" The servant tugged her sleeve gently. "We really must go..."
"Right. Yes. Sorry."