"Let us take you."

Master Yin glanced up from his food, meeting the eyes of a farmer who had been listening in on their conversation. From the moment they woke up, they had been planning their journey back to Qingyi over an early-morning meal. Deciding that it would be too long of a walk, one of the farmers they protected the night before offered them a ride.

"We could not possibly ask you to go out of your way. Besides, we are in a slight bit of trouble at the moment, I am afraid it will be dangerous to travel with us," Master Yin explained, showing his gratitude despite declining their offer.

"Then please, take the wagon. It's old but it'll get you there."

With a humble nod, he accepted but paid the farmers for the wagon, nonetheless.

It was nice, sitting in the back of the wagon, watching Song Mengyao as he steered the horse. Master Yin was enjoying it perhaps a little too much and soon laid back to bask in the sun.

"Do you really think someone else will come for us this soon? Surely whoever sent the bandits will wait until making their next move," Song Mengyao questioned, turning back for a brief moment.

Master Yin peeled one eye open and turned his head towards the prince. "Perhaps, but if we are to make it back to Qingyi who knows when their next chance will arise? It all depends on how patient they are. We cannot take any risk, not while my Qi is still not fully restored."

"How long will it take? For your Qi to restore?"

Master Yin thought for a moment. He had never diminished his Qi quite so much before, it was almost totally gone. It would be hard to give an exact answer, but he knew how long it had taken him the last time he used up a large majority of it.

"Probably a week or two, perhaps. I am not entirely sure."

With a hum, Song Mengyao turned his attention back to the road. It was a nice day with the sun shining. Pretty blossoms floated through the air around them, a summer rain of petals. It was beautiful. To think they could be attacked on a day such as this was unfortunate as they could not let their guard down long enough to fully enjoy the journey.

The sound of the wind was calming, as was the rolling of wheels on the ground. The prince was more focused on the scenery, admiring the beauty of nature as they slowly rolled along.

Yin Jianguo was looking at something beautiful too, although it was not the scenery that had caught his eye.

"The flute, when did you learn to play?"

"My sister taught me a little when we were younger, I never really took to it though. I prefer the guzheng," Song Mengyao admitted, glancing back once again.

"I would love to hear you play. You never had the chance to use the one I gave you before we left."

The prince smiled. "Perhaps I will play for you when we return."

With a sincere smile, Master Yin closed his eyes and rested his head back on his arms once again. He wished to see Song Mengyao doing something he enjoyed, although it was clear he enjoyed swordplay quite a lot. He was good at it too and very in touch with his spiritual power. A powerful Qi bearer indeed.

Fighting was one thing, but music was another. Master Yin yearned to see the young prince play, especially after hearing him play such a beautiful tune on the flute before. It had been for the purpose of calming a vengeful spirit, and the prince lacked any true skill, but it had been beautiful, nonetheless. Yin Jianguo could only imagine how heavenly it would be to watch him play the guzheng, an instrument he much enjoyed.

"You should try to meditate; it will help restore your Qi," Song Mengyao proposed, although the master only scrunched up his nose.

"I have never really been all that good at meditation. I like to think I am a patient man but when it comes to meditation my mind is always too distracted."

Song Mengyao sighed, "Meditation is vital for the cultivation of your inner strength. Your Qi will last longer if you practice proper meditation. You should try it now; you will recover your Qi much sooner if you continue to meditate for at least a few hours each day."

"A few hours? When will I have time for that? I'm the current leader of my Sect, I am far too busy to meditate for so long."

The Yin Sect had always been less spiritual than the others, relying more on physical devices and power rather than things they could not see. Although, Qi was never something seen but always something felt. He could feel his Qi, he knew how weak it was after he spent himself rescuing Song Mengyao. He knew it was important to recover it as soon as possible and yet, meditation still seemed pointless to him.

"You have time now. Don't simply sit there and rest, put this time to good use. When we return, meditate for at least a couple of hours a day until your Qi is fully restored. After that, an hour per day will do if you despise it so much," Song Mengyao informed, hoping that Yin Jianguo would heed his words. He was still worried about him, after all, and simply wanted to help in any way he could.

Master Yin scratched at his head before sitting up with a huff. He crossed his legs, straightened his back, and stretched his neck before closing his eyes. He had been taught how to meditate before when he was younger. In fact, it had been his mother who wanted him to learn. He knew how to do it, but his thoughts could never calm themselves. There was always another distraction.

Song Mengyao glanced back to find Yin Jianguo truly trying to do what he had asked of him. He smiled and focused back on the road, wishing to cause as little disturbance as possible.

The peace only lasted a few minutes before there was another huff from the elder male, "This is impossible. Song Mengyao, how do you do it so well?"

With a soft chuckle, the prince turned back around. "I simply clear my mind. Stop thinking of things and close your eyes."

The creases in Yin Jianguo's face disappeared once again as he closed his eyes and relaxed.

"Now, steady your breathing. In then out, slowly. Good. Clear your mind and focus on something else. Listen to the birds or the flow of the wind. Focus on only that."

Song Mengyao was a good teacher and, in seeing that Master Yin had gotten the hang of it after listening to his words, he returned his focus to the road once again.

***

Although the master had only managed to remain in a meditative state for around an hour, he could feel the difference it had made. He felt refreshed, even if only a small amount of his spiritual power was restored.

The road had, thankfully, been quiet so he had gotten an adequate rest. Although, he worried for Song Mengyao, who must have been equally as drained, especially after riding the wagon all day long.

By the time night fell, they were finally pulling up outside of the estate, back in familiar territory after too many days on their own. Not that they disliked being on their own, without the worries of official duties for a few days, but it had been a rough few days, to say the least.

After presumably being alerted to her son's return, Lady Yin came rushing outside along with Meixiu. She placed her hand against his cheek, resting the other on his shoulder as if trying to be sure he was truly there. It had only been a couple of days, but she had certainly heard about the ambush. Word would have reached her, even if only from a traveller passing through.

"I was so worried."

"I know, mother." Reassuringly, Master Yin smiled and glanced over to Song Mengyao, "We have a lot we need to discuss. Call a meeting."

Lady Yin shook her head in refusal. "First, the two of you need to bathe and rest. Then we can discuss matters."

"I'll go get the physician!" Meixiu called out before rushing back into the estate.

Master Yin chuckled at his sister, glad to see that she was also worried about him.

The physician, thankfully, did not have too much work to do. They had both managed to avoid infection and had bandaged their wounds rather effectively. So, their wounds were simply redressed, and medicine was prescribed to help with the pain.

When they were both bathed and dressed, they returned to their rooms. Although, they were not apart for long as Master Yin was soon on his way to check on the prince.

"You should be resting." Master Yin came into the room quietly, smiling at the boy inside before sitting across from him.

There was a pot of tea on the table between them, a spare cup already set out on his side, as if the prince knew he was going to come.

"It's lotus tea, it has healing properties." Song Mengyao nudged his head, gesturing for Master Yin to pour himself a cup.

"It's good. Did you brew it yourself?"

The prince hummed. "I used to drink it a lot growing up, my mother always made it for me."

They sat quietly, enjoying the company of one another as they sipped at their tea. It was indeed good. Tea brewing seemed to be yet another talent the prince had hidden from him until now.

"How are you feeling?" Master Yin wanted to know that Song Mengyao was okay, he needed to know that he was alright after what had happened to them.

"Better. My head does not ache quite so much, and the bruise has almost gone."

"That is not what I mean."

Song Mengyao glanced up, a flash of discomfort tainting his features, and placed his tea back down on the table. Before replying, he stood up and turned back to Master Yin with a weak smile.

"I am fine, Master Yin. My wounds are healing, and we are no longer in danger. Everything is fine."

Yin Jianguo knew he was lying. His voice was rushed and his skin pale. He didn't want to talk about it, he didn't want to think about it. He had hated feeling as powerless as he had when their assailants turned their attention to him. It was shameful and embarrassing for him to have even found himself in such a situation, more so when he had to be rescued like a damsel in distress.

Master Yin also climbed back to his feet, stepping closer to the prince. Too close.

His words were almost sharp when he spoke, "You are not fine, Song Mengyao."

The prince steered him, ever so gently, toward the door. "I am alright, Master Yin. You should go back to your room and get some rest. We should both get some rest."

It was unusual to see the prince avoiding confrontation so desperately. Although, it seemed as though he did not really want him to leave. He was pushing him away, but he was not using any force at all.

Song Mengyao was not okay. It wasn't because of what had almost happened, nor was it because he feared it would happen again. No, he was not okay because Master Yin had been there. He had seen him so defenceless and vulnerable. It was because Master Yin had saved him from such a fate but still hadn't looked at him as though he were anything less.

He didn't have a moment to think before Yin Jianguo was there again, stepping forwards as he pulled the prince into his arms. It was strange—unexpected—but neither of them stepped away from the embrace. It was comfortable even. Calm.

His arms were tight, squeezing him slightly. His body was warm and inviting. It was strange and quite possibly wrong. It was wrong to have accepted the hug, it was wrong to have fallen into the comfort of another man. Worse still, to have felt the hint of a blush creep up upon his face. Still, he could not bring himself to pull away.

***

Master Yin had a meeting with his Sect the next morning. Song Mengyao was not invited to attend, not that he minded. He liked walking the grounds alone and was no longer required to take a guard with him. He truly was a guest now, no longer a prisoner. Their families would have to put their differences aside and work together against this new threat. Whatever threat that was.

The pond was quiet. Tiny tadpoles swam around beneath the surface of the water. Frogs lept about, jumping from lily pad to lily pad. Occasionally, their long tongues would snap out to catch a fly. It was nice to watch them, calming even. There were fish too now, presumably delivered while they were on their journey to Huainyi.

When the meeting came to an end, Song Mengyao was still on his walk. He had circled the entirety of the estate once or twice in the time it had taken for the meeting to end.

"Song Mengyao!" Meixiu grinned, waving at the prince as she skipped over.

He smiled back, greeting her as she joined him.

"Where is Master Yin?"

Meixiu sighed. "My brother is still inside. Mother wanted to talk with him privately about something. She sent me to find you though, to keep you company."

The girl swung on her heels, grinning from ear to ear as she looked around for something to do.

Meixiu was only three years younger than Song Mengyao but at their ages, the difference was quite drastic. She was very much like Jiaying, although possibly a little less mature. Just as excitable though, that was certain.

"Come on. I know something fun to do!" Without warning, she grabbed the young prince's hand and began to drag him along.

"Are you sure this is a good idea? Is it not dangerous?"

Meixiu giggled, swatting her hand in the air, not that the boy could see as she had blindfolded him for the game. "Of course, it is! My brother and I used to play this all the time when we were younger. Although he never seemed to enjoy it all that much."

"So, I just have to catch you?"

With a hum, the girl nodded her head and ran off, leaving Song Mengyao alone to figure out where she had gone.

This game was one he had not had the pleasure of playing before, although Meixiu had explained it quite well. Whilst blindfolded, it was his job to chase and catch Meixiu. Once he managed to do so, the blindfold would be passed to her, and it would be his turn to run from her.

It seemed silly really. Far too childish. Although, he was certain he had seen his elder brother playing it once not that long ago with some girls on one of their trips.

"Come on! I'm over here."

It was indeed silly but perhaps he deserved to have some fun and so, he hesitantly began to chase after Meixiu.

She ran faster, laughing as she evaded the young prince. In no time he had gone from hesitantly moving around with the blindfold over his eyes to no longer caring where he was going. He simply followed the cackles coming from the younger girl and soon found himself laughing along with her.

"You're terrible at this. Come on, I'm barely even trying!"

Fuelled with a newfound determination, Song Mengyao charged at the girl. He was almost there, he almost had her— and then he tripped. His body flung forwards, crashing into her as they rolled, falling on uneven ground.

"Got you!" The boy exclaimed, laughing as he reached up to remove his blindfold.

"So, you did."

The voice was not one he had expected to hear. Rather than Meixiu, it was Yin Jianguo whom the prince had collided with. His face flushed and he quickly jumped up, climbing off of him before brushing the creases from his clothes.

"Brother!" Meixiu watched as her brother sat up, rubbing the back of his head before standing back up, and soon burst into a fit of giggles.

Master Yin had been more than happy to catch Song Mengyao as he fell. He had also enjoyed finding the prince in his arms again for the second time in less than twenty-four hours. However, no matter how much it amused him, he was still worried about what could have happened had he not been there.

"Meixiu, what were you thinking? Song Mengyao already has an injured head, do you wish to see him damage it further?"

Meixiu frowned, her laughter finally coming to a stop as she glanced down at the ground. "Sorry."

With a soft smile, Master Yin ruffled his sister's hair. "It's alright, you will have plenty of time to play later. For now, however, the prince needs to rest."

When Yin Jianguo turned back to him, Song Mengyao desperately avoided his eyes. First, he had allowed their embrace the night before, letting Master Yin comfort him in a way even friends would not. Then, this. Perhaps, he thought, it would be wise to distance himself from him for the time being.

"Come, I wish for you to meditate with me." Yin Jianguo smiled, grabbing the prince's wrist to pull him along.

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