She was right.

The soup was sweet. Almost too sweet.

Samaya ignored the uncomfortable shifting and not-so-subtle gasps around her as she finished the soup and put the bowl down.

"M-my Lady," Aunty Luo stuttered, stepping forward. "That soup is… is …" She seemed to be unable to finish her words, her expression a combination of panic and concern.

"I know," she interrupted the woman. Reassuring her had become routine the short time she'd been here. "I am aware of what it is and what it does. Do not worry, Aunty Luo. He is not forcing me to do anything I do not wish to."

The elderly woman and the few maids surrounding them looked like they wanted to disagree. "But my lady, this…"

"Aunty Luo," she said softly, "It's alright."

She did not wish to elaborate on the complicated relationship she had with the Emperor. That was not for the ears of people whom she'd probably never meet again after this, no matter how kind and genial they seemed.

There was a moment of silence before Aunty Luo nodded and bowed. Samaya could tell she was uneasy, but like the proficient servant she was, she did not pry any further into matters of the Masters of the house.

The soup ended up taking up a lot of space, so she did not eat much after that.

The next hour or so was spent getting her ready. She was already clean, so she did not have to bathe again. She used the washbasin to wipe herself down before the maids swarmed around her to clothe her. She still insisted on simpler adornments, but seeing how disappointed the maids looked, she allowed them to make her up a bit more than yesterday.

It was just as well. She was going back to the Palace, where the perpetrators were waiting for them. It would be good to show them that they were not only alive and well but thriving. So, her hair was put up in a loose but beautiful braided bun, securing it with a beautiful jade-studded hairpin. She was similarly adorned in simple yet clearly elegant jewellery.

They finished just in time, too, because the boy came for her soon after.

They did not have anything with them. All the clothes and jewellery were things that were either kept here for use or bought after they arrived. So, she did not have to wait for the luggage to be lugged out.

She slowly made her way toward the gates, the boy leading her. His steps were fast, but she was feeling too tired and lazy to match his pace.

"Slow down, boy." She called as she saw the distance growing.

He paused and flushed as he realised what he was doing and stood in place until she reached him. And then they continued.

Soon enough, the gates came into view and, with them, the Emperor and his entourage.

The man had his back turned to them, but it was not long before he turned around, no doubt having heard her approach, a subtle curl to his lips as his eyes met hers.

"Ya'er, you are here," he said softly as he held out a hand for her.

"Clearly," she replied lightly, her hand slipping into his with little hesitation. She looked around as she stepped up beside him. "Did I make us too late?"

"Of course not," he replied. "We should be able to reach home by late afternoon. Sunset, at most."

"Good." She nodded. "Considering you're the reason I am late."

The man chuckled. "We are not the one who climbed and moun- mh!"

He was interrupted by a sharp pinch on his arm. Warmth spread across her cheeks, and she pushed it down. "Keep quiet!" She hissed. Usually, she did not mind this kind of talk but Aunty Luo was listening, and she felt sort of embarrassed having herself exposed like this in front of the elderly woman who'd been taking care of her since yesterday.

She looked at the elaborate carriage standing in front of them. "You're not taking the carriage this time, are you?"

The Emperor shook his head. That was natural. Just like her adornments were a statement, so was his proud entrance, on a horse, at the front, unguarded and unafraid. He could not enter the Palace in a carriage.

She gave a small nod. Han Qin approached them, looking between them with a knowing look in his eyes and a smirk he could not seem to hide.

"Shut up." She said with a deadpan expression as he reached them, before he could even open his mouth.

"I did not say anything." The man raised his hands in surrender, a teasing tilt to his voice.

"Your face did." She waved her hand. "Wipe that smirk off your face."

If anything, his smirk widened. Jerk.

"The arrangements are done, my lady. Once you are settled into the carriage, we shall leave."

"Alright." She went to move forward herself, but the man's hand tugged hers. She turned around and raised an eyebrow. He only smiled and stepped forward, gently pulling her along. She rolled her eyes and followed him

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"I am not made of glass, you know," she whispered.

"We know," he whispered back, a knowing smile on his lips.

She rolled her eyes again and shook her head before stepping onto the stool that the servants put and held steady in front of the carriage. The man held her hand and gently helped her get up, the very picture of a loving, devoted husband.

She did not know what to do with that.

She sat down on the soft couch inside and then looked outside, smiling at Aunty Luo and waving at her and the other maids.

"Thank you for taking care of me!" She called to them.

And then, she turned to the Emperor, who was now getting up on his horse. "Go slow."

"Are you too sore, my lady?" He asked, and Samaya could see the smugness behind the concern.

"Yes," she deadpanned. "Maybe if you knew the meaning of restraint, I would not be."

He chuckled softly and leaned down slightly to whisper into her ears. "Do not act like you hated it."

She turned her head to meet his eyes, allowing a smirk reminiscent of the one she gave the last night. "Who said anything about hating it?"

Quick as lightning, she pressed a soft, almost chaste, blink and you miss it kiss to the corner of the man's lips before retreating into the carriage and letting the curtain fall, chuckling at the flabbergasted look on the man's face.

"Mama!" She heard Manu yell the moment she stepped down from the carriage.

She opened her arms just as she turned around, instinctively bracing herself for the impact as her little bun raced toward her. She bent her knees and crouched slightly, grunting softly as the little body slammed into her, suppressing a wince as her waist throbbed. But she put one of her feet back to ground herself and wrapped her arms around the boy, holding him close, tightly.

The knot she had not realised she'd had in her chest loosened, and she let out a breath of relief.

"Oh, darling," she whispered, burying her face into his small shoulder, listening to his pulse right by her ear, feeling his warmth. He was here. Her child was here. Her child was alive. He was okay.

She let out a shaky exhale and then scooped him up. He was getting almost too big for her, but she could still easily pick him up. Regular training had its perks.

She pulled back slightly and looked at him, before gently pressing a hand over the boy's head and gently tracing down his face.

"Are you alright?" He asked. "Were you able to reach properly?"

He nodded and wrapped his arms around her, not saying anything else. He knew not to speak of things that should not be spoken of in clear earshot of so many martial artists. Her eyes roved over the group gathered in front of the Palace gates and found Ah-Liu. She gave a subtle, almost imperceptible nod, before she averted her eyes. She could not linger too long, lest the people watching them like hawks find it suspicious.

Though she did not have to worry about that right at the moment. The Emperor was speaking to the Prime Minister and Grand Preceptor, holding the attention of everyone around them. He must have decided to leave her and Manu alone for a moment. It was a moment Manu needed. It was a moment she needed. She exhaled softly and slowly walked up to them, Manu still clinging to her tightly.

The man turned around again, always aware of his surroundings. This time, however, his eyes were on Manu.

Once she reached the Emperor, the man put a hand on the boy's head. "Ah-Xu," he whispered. "Are you alright?"

Manu did not move for a moment. But the Emperor was patient, his thumb gently rubbing at his head through his hair, waiting for his son to respond. It took a moment. But Manu eventually pulled himself up and looked at his father with red-rimmed eyes. Another moment passed, and he nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The man smiled in answer, eyes softening in a way that she realised she had only seen in private.

"Good." He pressed a soft kiss to his head.

He then pulled back and snapped his finger. A Shadow Guard appeared beside him. Samaya and most of the small crowd were unsurprised, but Manu's eyes widened in awe.

"Escort Lady Qing and Prince Xu to Yongyagong."

He then turned to her and lowered his head slightly to whisper, "You should go and rest."

"And you?" She asked softly.

The man blinked, and there was that softening of eyes again. "Duty calls, unfortunately."

She stared at him for a moment before nodding. She understood. The Emperor did not have the luxury to rest when his court was at the risk of an upheaval.

"Very well," she stepped back and bowed to the man, who was a little awkward with Manu still in her arms. Manu tried to imitate her while still clinging to her. The Emperor chuckled at the sight while Samaya pursed her lips.

She straightened and looked toward the crowd. "Eunuch Liu. Come, let us leave."

And that was how she found she herself sitting in the carriage again, Manu in her lap and Ah-Liu sitting across her.

Ah-Liu did not speak. He knew the Shadow Guards were following them and he knew they could not speak yet. But he was looking at her with wide eyes, worry and guilt and self-loathing clear in them. She reached out silently and squeezed his hand, sending a smile his way. He stared back with wide eyes and then tightened his hand around hers, ducking his head as if chanting a prayer.

They could not truly speak, even when they reached the residence. Her maids swarmed her, Su and Yu crying loudly as they hugged her, Min clutching at her tightly, and even Lian was smiling tearily. She could see her ladies-in-waiting watching, slightly hesitant and confused but relief clearly coloring their faces. Even the servants looked happy.

It warmed her to know that she had so many people caring for her.

It took her a while to calm them down. And by the time they settled her in and set up dinner, she was quite exhausted. So, it was easy to shoo them off.

Of course, Ah-Liu reappeared in the room moments later, having given the illusion to the Shadow Guards outside that he had left with the maids.

"Jiejie, I…"

"Ah-Liu," she interrupted him and gestured him to come close. When he did, she reached out and pulled him close, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you," she whispered, "Thank you for always coming to me when I need you, thank you for protecting Manu, thank you for always helping me. I don't know what I would do without you, little brother."

And every word was true. She did not usually say them, but Ah-Liu seemed to need some reassurance right now.

It seemed to work because, after a few moments, Samaya could feel him shaking against her, feeling tears soak into the fabric on her shoulder.

"I failed you," he whispered.

She shook her head. "You did not fail me," she said fiercely. "You did exactly what I asked of you, what I needed you to do. It is because of you that Manu is alive. That I am alive. I am so, so proud of you."

Ah-Liu devolved into soft sobs, his body shuddering. For the moment, he turned back into the child she had rescued years ago. She did not know when, but Manu seemed to have burrowed himself into their hugs and Samaya let out a watery chuckle as she realised the extra weight between them. They embraced each other - something they had not done in months now - and Samaya basked in the warmth of the family she found in this world, the family who filled the hole in her heart and made her feel human again, the family she would destroy this world for.

They stayed like that for a long while. So long, in fact, that Manu dozed off in between them.

It was only after she'd tucked Manu in that she finally spoke again.

"Ah-Liu, I am sorry to ask this of you so soon after everything, but I need you to do something."

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