It had not quite yet been a full two hours, which was how long Master Yin had agreed to meditate for. He had kept it up rather well, clearing his mind as best as he could while he focused solely on restoring his Qi.

There were still a good few minutes left, about half an hour or so, but he had already had enough. Or, perhaps, he simply could not have withheld himself from the distractions around him any longer.

Whether that distraction was the Song Mengyao sitting before him, or the image of Song Mengyao trapped inside in his mind, it would have always been the prince that disrupted his meditation.

The boy sat there so silently. His hands rested on his legs, his long fingers curling around his knees as he slowly breathed in and out. His chest softly rose and fell as loose strands of hair swung around his face ever so faintly from time to time.

Song Mengyao never had a problem with meditation, even when he was young. He was taught as a toddler alongside his elder brothers and even then, he had been the most gifted when it came to meditation. He had always had a knack for shutting everything else out and focusing on the forces within himself.

He looked so pretty with the sun from outside creeping in through the window just enough to brighten up his delicate face.

Master Yin peeked through his left eye, watching the prince with a smile pulling at the corners of his lips. They were only friends and he was glad to have been even that. His heart, however, had already started yearning for something more.

It would thud just that little bit harder when Song Mengyao was around, especially when the young prince found himself flustered over the tiniest of things. Falling only to be caught in Yin Jianguo's arms. Avoiding his eyes as they played a quiet game of Go. Even simply the way his cheeks had flushed just a little when Yin Jianguo took the radish from his bowl had been a sight to behold.

He was completely and utterly infatuated. It was strange: this feeling he had never felt before. He had always liked pretty things, that was no secret. Had it been a pretty flower covered in morning dew or a beautiful lady with plump, red lips; a butterfly drifting through the sky or the sparkle in the winter snow. Beautiful things were all Master Yin had ever needed.

Song Mengyao was beautiful, painfully so, but there was something else about him. Something that had dangerously drawn the young master in.

It was unlike Yin Jianguo to have been captivated by something beautiful for so long without getting bored of it. The constant rotation of gorgeous people he had around him, maidens and men alike, had never come to a complete halt before.

His mother had noticed it too. She had usually been the one to prepare such things for her son, scouting the lands for a new pretty face. Of course, she only did it to try and help him find a bride but he had never taken to any of the suitors she sent his way. However, ever since returning from Ningyi with Song Mengyao, he had called off her efforts. Not that he would tell her the reason why.

"You are not meditating."

Song Mengyao had not even opened his eyes, so Master Yin wondered how he knew that he was, indeed, no longer in a state of meditation.

He quickly closed his eye again and took a deep breath. "I am."

It was with a sigh, that the prince gave in and lifted his arms behind his head, stretching them after spending so long sitting in one position. They had had enough meditation for the day, as far as Yin Jianguo was concerned. "It is fine. This should be long enough to help increase the restoration of your Qi for the day."

With a lengthy yawn, Master Yin began to stretch as well. "Thank you, I do not know how much longer my limbs would have survived."

Song Mengyao shook his head with a chuckle, not in the least bit surprised that sitting still for so long would be more tiresome to the young master than riding a horse. Or dealing with an evil spirit, for that matter.

"I spoke with my mother earlier; she has agreed to allow you to send letters to your family if you wish. Now that things have gotten complicated, it is probably for the best that you remain with us for a little while longer. At least, until we know what is going on."

Song Mengyao hummed. "I agree. We do not know the reason why someone targeted us or what they want from us. As much as I wish to go home, so long as the danger does not pose a threat to my family, I want to remain here to investigate matters with you."

Although he tried to hide his smile, Yin Jianguo struggled to do so after hearing the prince choose to stay even when he had the option to return home. It was true that they should be careful until they knew the full danger they faced, but it still warmed him somewhat that the prince would stay with him willingly for a while longer.

However, it was not as if things would come to a halt altogether. If Master Yin was called to another village for aid, or simply for a diplomatic trip, he would still need to go despite the danger it would put him in.

They would simply have to enjoy the time they had left until that happened, whether it be a few days or a few months.

Song Mengyao stood, drawing Master Yin's attention to him once again. "As we are done here for today, I shall go write to my sister. I am sure they would have heard the news of our attack by now, she must be worried."

***

My dear sister,

I am sure you have heard by now that Master Yin and I were ambushed on the road. Do not worry, we are back in Qingyi now and very much safe for the time being.

I am afraid that I will not be able to return home for a little while longer as we do not yet know the danger we face. However, this is a decision I have made of my own free will. I will continue to investigate with Master Yin until I am certain that I can return home without putting our family in danger.

I do so wish to see you again soon, perhaps I will be able to return home come winter. Until then, I hope you enjoy the guzheng Master Yin gave you. Think of it as a gift from the both of us, one to keep you happy until I return.

Your brother,

Song Yun.

With a saddened smile, Song Mengyao sealed the letter, clutching it close to his heart, and headed off to find a messenger.

In the days that followed, the prince continued to pass the time as he had before. Walking the grounds with Meixiu; sitting by the pond; playing the occasional game of Go with Master Yin before their meditation. He had many ways to enjoy himself whilst their wounds were healing as Master Yin was also in need of plenty of rest.

He was still anxiously awaiting his sister's reply, as eager to hear from her as she was from him. It had been around half a week of casual leisure before the messenger he had sent came looking for him. He was given a letter sealed with the mark of his sect; a pretty floral pattern inked on the outside, just as Jiaying had always decorated her letters before.

The prince abandoned his walk and headed back to his room, pouring himself some tea as he opened the letter.

Dear Brother,

It is so good to hear from you. We were all so worried when we heard the news of the attack and feared the worst. I am overjoyed that you and Master Yin are both safe and sound.

Mother and Father are also happy to hear that you are well, although they yearn for your return. They miss you, we all do, but we respect your decision to remain with the Yin Sect until the matter of your safety is resolved. We simply hope that you will not become a prisoner once again when the danger has passed.

The guzheng is beautiful. Mother has enjoyed hearing me play, although I will never play as beautifully as you. I hope you have also been able to play, perhaps for Lady Yin or her daughter? I hear she is only a little younger than me, maybe I will be able to meet her later. It would be nice to have more friends my own age.

I wish for you to return by the first snow, but I know that it may not be possible for you to do so. I simply hope that you remain well and find friends to keep you company until you can come back home.

Your loving sister,

Jiaying.

He smiled, placing the letter down as he sipped on his tea. It was nice to hear from his sister, especially after what he had been through. Her letter, however, had reminded him of a promise he had made but not yet fulfilled.

Running his fingers on the strings of the guzheng, Song Mengyao sat before the instrument. It had been a while since he had played. He needed to practice. Then, perhaps, he would play for Master Yin. He owed him that much, especially when he seemed so eager to hear him play.

Taking a deep breath, he thought of a song to play and settled on one his mother had taught him when he was a child. The feeling of his fingers against the strings, dancing along as the melody began to play, came so naturally to him. Despite expecting to be rusty, by the fifth note he was back to his standard.

He closed his eyes, letting the music take him home for a moment. He missed it, his home. He missed Shiyanyi and the beautiful flowers that would be blooming that time of year. Most of all, he missed his family.

It was not so bad, he thought as he opened his eyes. His room in Qingyi no longer felt like a cage and his bond with Master Yin no longer felt like shackles chaining him down. He felt free, even when they were trapped within the confinements of the estate again.

He could leave if he so wished, but he did not want that. He wanted to go home, but he knew he needed to stay. He wanted to know what danger they faced. He wanted to stay with Master Yin.

His hands stopped, the music coming to a sudden halt. What had he been thinking about?

"Beautiful."

Song Mengyao had not noticed the presence of Master Yin. He had not even heard the door open before he came in.

"How long have you been there?"

With a gentle smile, Master Yin walked further into the room. "A little while. I heard you playing as I walked by."

The prince nodded, smiling slightly as he placed his hands back on the instrument. "It is a fine guzheng, thank you. Would you like to hear something else?"

"What is the song you were just playing? I cannot say I have heard it before." Master Yin sat down across from the prince, the guzheng sitting between them.

"It is called Summer Wind. My mother wrote it when she was younger."

"It is truly beautiful."

Song Mengyao smiled, thinking back on when he first heard his mother play it. He must have been around four or five and, of course, begged her to teach him. He had just started learning to play, according to his father's wishes, and had taken to it almost immediately. His mother was happy to teach him but enjoyed it the most when he fell asleep in her lap as she played for him.

"Then I will play it for you."

He positioned his fingers and, once again, began to play. It truly was a beautiful song, one certainly romantic in nature. Master Yin assumed it must have been a love song, written for Song Mengyao's father, perhaps. He came from such a loving family; he must have missed them a great deal. Despite how easily he used to get lost in the music, Song Mengyao was more focused on Master Yin, who was tapping his index finger against his knee along with the rhythm. He seemed to enjoy the music quite a bit. So, when the song came to an end, he began another.

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