Master Yin had sent word to the Song Clan the day he proposed the idea of a meeting to the prince. He sent his fastest rider and, two days later, he received a reply. They had accepted the offer on the basis that it would be a peaceful meeting with minimal guards.

"We are to meet them in Huainyi. It is a kingdom of neutral status with both of our sects, one run by the merchants of the Luó Clan. I am sure you are familiar with them," Master Yin explained as he offered his hand.

Song Mengyao hummed and placed his hand into his, allowing him to help him up into the carriage. "My family have had many dealings with them over the years. They are very well respected among all clans."

"Then you know that they will not allow us to bicker amongst ourselves whilst we are on their territory."

The prince hummed again and sat down on his side of the carriage. There were two cushions laid out for them as the journey would be a somewhat long one. It would take at least two days to reach Huainyi which, in most respects, was not actually that long at all. To Song Mengyao, however, that was much too long to spend on the road with the young master.

From where he sat, he pulled the curtain to the side so that he could glance out of the carriage. His servant was climbing up onto one of the horses, two Yin guards had positioned themselves either side of him to stop him from running away.

Noticing what had caught the young prince's eye, Master Yin stated, "Your servant Dai Zian will be accompanying us."

"In that case, I have one more thing to ask of you, Master Yin. Let Dai Zian go back with my sister, he misses his family as much as I do mine."

The prince fully understood how his servant felt. Dai Zian had a family, a wife and children waiting for him at home. They needed him to survive, they relied on his wages to live. The prince was certain his family were taking care of them, but he knew that they needed Dai Zian home. His youngest was maybe three? No, four, and there was another little one on the way. His family needed him home, even if the prince would have to remain in Qingyi alone.

Master Yin was surprised that the prince cared for his servant, although he soon realised that he should have expected it. Despite his cold demeanour since their first meeting, the prince seemed like a kind person. Warm to most although naturally bitter towards Master Yin for holding him prisoner.

"Very well. He may return home after the meeting, but you do realise this will mean you are completely alone in Qingyi?"

Song Mengyao closed his eyes and prepared for his meditation, speaking his final words before blocking out the rest of the world, "I am not afraid of being alone, Master Yin."

The journey to Huainyi went much faster than the prince had expected. Most of it passed as he meditated. When he wasn't meditating, he was forced to amuse the master with a game of Go, all of which he lost. His heart was simply not in it, Go was always a game his brothers had preferred.

It was clear that Master Yin enjoyed it though. He would watch the board so intently, determined to win but calm of mind. His breathing was steady, not once changing pace as he strategically coordinated each of his moves. When he was near winning the game, the right side of his mouth would raise, lips curving up ever so slightly as his latest victory dawned on him. He was a man of cunning and strategy, but also one who liked to play games.

When they were finished and had played at least a few games, the prince would return to his meditation, eyes closed as he forced that smirking face from his mind. Exhaling to steady his breath and, by the time he had finished inhaling again, he was calm. Meditation was one of the best ways to cultivate one's inner power, a power called Qi.

Qi: one's inner life force. When properly trained and cultivated it can be used to both fight and ward off evil much like the Sun Wraiths back in Ningyi. Anyone could learn to cultivate this power but the knowledge and proper training to do so was reserved for the upper classes. Sect leaders and followers. There was not a single kingdom in the world that would allow this knowledge to go to the general population and most simply saw this as the way of life. It gives those in power a way to protect their people and, in all regards, a way to keep the power they uphold.

Now stepping out of the carriage, Song Mengyao was already wondering if his sister had arrived before them. He glanced around, hoping to catch sight of the white ribbons she often wore in her hair. Had one of his brothers come with her perhaps? Escorting her safely to their destination?

He only ceased his search when a messenger rode up to them. It was a messenger from the Song Clan, Pan Xiang, if the young prince was correct. Seeing a familiar face made him feel at ease for a moment, although the messenger did not once glance his way.

Yin Jianguo had a hand gently resting on the hilt of his sword, fingers loosely hung around the end. It was clear he was certain there would be no trouble, even as the messenger rode up so quickly.

Pan Xiang climbed down from his mount, allowing it a moment's rest, and caught his own breath before speaking to the master.

"We bumped into some trouble on the road. Everything is fine but they have been delayed until the morning, I am afraid. I was sent ahead to relay the message."

Master Yin nodded. "I see, issues with the carriage I suppose?"

"Yes sir, but the princess assured me herself that they will arrive by sunrise."

Although disappointed, Song Mengyao simply hoped his sister would be safe until they got to see each other again come dawn.

"Very well, we will rest then. You may come with us; you can stay with the servant."

The messenger smiled gratefully and bowed. "Thank you, my Lord."

It was already late afternoon by the time they arrived, so it was a reasonable time to retire for the night. The horses were taken to the stables while everyone else headed further into the city. What few Yin guards there were dispersed into even smaller groups and headed off to find a place to stay for the night. Master Yin had already given orders to meet back with him in the morning.

It was better that they not overcrowd anywhere and so, they would have to split up for the night. Very soon, only a couple of guards remained.

"We will stay here for the night."

Suddenly, Song Mengyao understood why only two guards remained with them. Master Yin had certainly chosen the most expensive place to stay in all of Huainyi. The guards that remained with them were the lucky ones who would be allowed to rest their heads somewhere much above their pay grade.

Once the rooms were all good and paid for, the prince was glad to finally have some time alone again. He had only reached the door to his room when Master Yin interrupted him, "Going to bed so soon? You haven't even eaten."

The prince turned to face him and pushed his hands into his sleeves behind his back as he spoke, "I suppose you are right, but it would seem I have no money for food."

Master Yin knew that the prince was still unpleased with the circumstances, but he also knew that he was probably in a fouler mood as he was disappointed to wait a few more hours to see his sister.

"Come. I have already ordered some to my room."

Although the prince wanted nothing but to refuse the offer, the rumble in his stomach betrayed him. He had no other choice but to accept and follow the master into the room next door.

They sat down and, within minutes, two bowls of hot soup were delivered as requested. Master Yin plunged his own spoon into the bowl long before Song Mengyao even dared to touch his own.

"Eat. It is not poisoned."

Song Mengyao lifted his bowl and swirled the spoon around for a moment, pushing the radish to the side so that it would not get scooped up with the rest.

"You dislike radish? Or perhaps you like it so much you are saving it for last?" Master Yin inquired. He was rather amused as he watched the prince swirl his spoon around the bowl only to find a small bit of radish had snuck onto his spoon before tipping it off and trying again.

The prince was unaware of the way his bottom lip had stuck out slightly, his dark eyebrows crossing as he tried so desperately to do whatever it was he wished to do. He gave up, sunk the spoon into the bowl just enough to only obtain the liquid within, and drank the small portion.

"You do not have to eat it. I can order something else."

Song Mengyao put his bowl down and shook his head. "No need. I will eat what you have already ordered."

And back to it he went, ridiculously trying to fish out everything but the radish before settling on a single, small bit of meat. Yin Jianguo put his own bowl back onto the table and held out his hand. "Give it here."

Although hesitant, the boy complied and handed over his meal. Immediately, Master Yin started scooping up all of the radishes he could find in the bowl, tipping it into his own to discard it. Once he was certain all of the pesky vegetables had been removed from the prince's bowl, he picked up his own again and scooped some of the meat out for Song Mengyao. Then, he handed the bowl back over the table.

The prince almost unnoticeably bowed his head and went back to his food, this time certain that he would not have to eat any of those disgusting vegetables. It was his one weakness — radish — and he had certainly never wanted to let the young master know of his distaste for them.

They ate in silence, not even a slurp was heard. Halfway through their meal, there was a knock at the door, a worker wondering if Master Yin would like anything to drink with his meal.

"A bottle of your finest white spirit."

"Wine?"

Master Yin smiled at the young prince. "You can have tea if you'd prefer."

"No, it is alright. I have not had white spirit in quite a while."

The woman at the door bowed and took her leave, returning moments later with the wine they had asked for.

White spirit wine was, as Master Yin always argued, the best wine in the world. It originated in Huainyi, so he was certain anywhere he went during their trip would have at least one bottle. As a kingdom that earned its wealth solely on the back of its trading, it was not a stretch to say that most fine things in the world were from Huainyi. Including Master Yin's favourite wine.

"You have good taste in wine for someone of your age."

The prince chuckled softly, "Someone of my age? May I remind you that you were my age not all that long ago."

Yin Jianguo laughed out loud, forgoing courtesy as he poured the wine. The prince sighed and lifted the cup to his lips, sipping on the liquor with elegance. Master Yin, unlike the graceful prince, gulped down the entirety of the cup and hastily poured another. For a man usually so refined, it was almost unusual to see him relax in such a way. Although Song Mengyao had already pinned his personality quite well in the weeks they had spent together.

"Do you think your sister will like the guzheng?"

The prince hummed, "I think she will. She plays a great many instruments, too many perhaps. When we were little and I first started learning to play, she insisted that I teach her. So, I did and then she went on to learn the dizi, then the erhu, then the guqin..."

"You really love her."

"Of course I do, she's my little sister. I have always been closer to her than my brothers."

Master Yin couldn't help but smile as the prince spoke about his relationship with his sister, it reminded him much of how he was with Meixiu. Although, despite their love for each other, they had been born too far apart to become as close as the prince and his younger sister. He had been seven years of age when Meixiu was born, far too old to ever really be able to connect with her. She was his annoying little sister, and he truly did love her so, but it was not the same as what Song Mengyao had with his own sister.

Perhaps he would have liked to have had a brother, someone other than his belated father to look up to. It would have been easier if he were not the only and eldest son of the Yin Clan.

"You will get to see her in the morning, although she may be tired from the journey."

"I just hope she arrives safely, being on the road at night can be dangerous at times."

Master Yin nodded and placed his wine on the table, folding his arms over his chest before bringing a hand up to caress his chin. "From the sounds of it, they are close to the city. I am certain she will be fine."

"Thank you, Master Yin. For the food and the wine, but I think I will be heading back to my room now. It is getting late, and we will need to wake early tomorrow." The prince rose to his feet and bowed, thanking him properly.

It was strange to see him genuinely grateful toward his captor, but it was a pleasant unusuality. One Master Yin could certainly have gotten used to.

Despite their differences, the complications between them were not personal. Master Yin still hoped that there was a chance of befriending the young prince, or at least, to smooth out the air between them. Perhaps even, when the issue was resolved and he was allowed to return home, they would be able to hold a peaceful relationship between their two sects.

For now, however, he would have to hope that allowing the prince a meeting with his sister would support the bridge he was attempting to build between them.

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