The days at Lu Bai's residence passed with a quiet pace. Mo Shan Shan had settled into her new surroundings, now under the tutelage of the mysterious and revered blind prince. Though his words were few, his teachings were powerful. She trained diligently by day, mimicking his movements, studying his footwork, and slowly understanding the gentle yet lethal flow of the blind swordplay.
But it was at night that a deeper connection began to stir.
Inside the spring chamber nestled behind the main house, Mo Shan Shan sat alone, her knees drawn up as she stared into the glowing reflection of the moon on the spring water. The atmosphere was serene, dreamlike. In her hands was the flute—Lu Bai's flute—the one he had given her years ago as a child, a memory she hadn't yet dared to bring up.
She hesitated, then raised the flute to her lips.
A soft, haunting melody drifted into the night air, echoing off the bamboo trees, gliding over the water like a spirit's sigh. The notes were wistful, yet steady—notes of someone searching, remembering, hoping.
Unbeknownst to her, on the other side of the courtyard, Lu Bai sat in meditation outside his room. As the first notes reached his ears, he opened his sightless eyes. There was a flicker of recognition in his still expression. Slowly, he stood and walked to the front of the yard, lifting his sword.
With every note she played, his sword began to move.
His swordplay mirrored the melody—gentle, flowing, lyrical. The blade danced in the moonlight, his footwork rippling across the ground with elegance and control. Mo Shan Shan, hearing the shift in energy, looked up from the chamber and caught sight of Lu Bai moving like poetry brought to life.
She played on, her eyes fixed on him.
The wind rustled gently, carrying both the music and the movement into the night. And as the final note faded into silence, Lu Bai completed his final stroke—calm, precise, still.
It was a moment of quiet understanding. No words were spoken. None were needed.
Morning came with the smell of fresh bread and the soft chirping of birds. Mo Shan Shan, wrapped in a simple traveling robe, joined Lu Bai's personal maid on a short errand to the market. The streets were bustling with morning traders and city guards, the usual sounds of coins and chatter filling the air.
As they turned a corner near the main boulevard, a sudden hush fell over the market.
Mo Shan Shan looked up.
Coming down the street, tied to a slow, stately horse-drawn seat, was the king himself. He sat solemnly in a lowered royal chair—his mobility strained by years and burden—but his presence was still commanding. A small contingent of guards flanked him as he moved through the town, his expression unreadable.
Mo Shan Shan instinctively bowed as he passed.
But something happened. The king's eyes caught sight of her.
He narrowed them, studying her features. His brows furrowed.
"Who is that girl?" he asked, his voice rough with age and emotion.
An eunuch beside him leaned down. "She is the servant girl who fought beside the princes during the market rebellion, Your Majesty."
The king nodded slowly, his eyes lingering on her face. There was something familiar about her—an echo of the past he could not quite place.
"Have her summoned to the palace," he said. "Tonight."
Back at Lu Bai's residence, Mo Shan Shan returned from the market with quiet wonder still in her expression. As she stepped into the inner courtyard, she found both Li Wei and Lu Bai sitting beneath the veranda in deep conversation.
Seeing them, she grinned playfully. "You won't believe who I met today."
They both looked up.
"I met the king!" she said, a note of excitement in her voice. "He passed by the market in his royal seat. I've never seen him that close before. It was… impressive."
Li Wei's expression stiffened. Lu Bai turned his face slightly, brows creasing.
"You met the king?" Lu Bai asked quietly.
"Yes," she said. "He even looked right at me."
Lu Bai turned toward Li Wei suddenly, his voice laced with unease. "Li Wei…"
Li Wei nodded slowly. "That can't be a coincidence."
Mo Shan Shan blinked, confused. "What are you two talking about?"
Before either of them could answer, a royal messenger arrived at the gate.
He bowed deeply. "By order of His Majesty, the King, Mo Shan Shan is to report to the palace immediately."
A long silence followed.
"I'm going with her," Lu Bai said, rising to his feet.
Li Wei gave a short laugh." No objections. It's been a while since you saw Father anyway."
Mo Shan Shan looked between them, still confused but now slightly nervous. "Is something wrong?"
Lu Bai offered her his arm, his voice gentle but firm. "No. But I think it's time some truths began to unfold."
And with that, the two of them set off toward the palace, unaware that what awaited them would change the course of Mo Shan Shan's life forever.
The grandeur of the imperial palace was nothing short of breathtaking. Golden lanterns lit the vast halls, casting warm glows on the crimson tapestries and polished jade floors. The clatter of armored guards echoed faintly down the corridors as Lu Bai and Mo Shan Shan walked side by side, guided by a silent eunuch toward the main audience chamber.
Mo Shan Shan's heart thudded in her chest—not out of fear, but anticipation. It was her first time standing before the ruler of the empire, and despite her calm appearance, her mind raced with questions. What did the king want from her? Why was Lu Bai, usually so composed, walking so quietly beside her?
As they stepped into the audience hall, the atmosphere shifted. Golden pillars lined the sides of the wide chamber, and at the far end, seated beneath a majestic canopy bearing the royal emblem, was the emperor himself.
King Xuan.
He looked older up close than she had expected—his robes were embroidered with dragons, and a weary dignity sat upon his face. But what struck her most was the way his eyes settled on her.
He stared at her for a long moment, brows slightly furrowed, as if peering into a memory. There was a flicker of recognition in his gaze, something personal and distant, but he said nothing of it.
Instead, his lips curled into a calm smile.
"You may rise," the king said, motioning for them to come closer.
Lu Bai bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty."
Mo Shan Shan followed his lead, kneeling deeply. "Your Majesty, thank you for your summons."
"Sit," the king offered, gesturing to the guest table. It was laid with an array of fruits, meats, and delicacies. Servants stood dutifully behind them, hands clasped and heads bowed.
They took their seats, and the king raised his cup, sipping quietly before speaking again.
"I have summoned you, Miss Shan Shan, to thank you," the king said, his tone measured. For your bravery during the market rebellion. I have heard of your valor—how you fought at Prince Li Wei's side. That kind of courage deserves reward."
He nodded once, and a eunuch approached with a small, ornate box. It was handed to Mo Shan Shan with a slight bow. Inside were two jade bangles, exquisitely carved.
Mo Shan Shan blinked in surprise. "Your Majesty… this is too generous—"
"It is just," the king interrupted gently. "And deserved."
She bowed her head gratefully, not daring to refuse again.
After a short silence, the king turned to Lu Bai, his eyes sharp.
"I was under the impression this girl is a maid in Li Wei's service. How is it that she arrives at the palace with you, Brother Lu Bai?"
Mo Shan Shan glanced at Lu Bai, expecting him to explain her training, but he did not.
Instead, Lu Bai gave a small, practiced smile. "Your Majesty, she is indeed Prince Li Wei's maid. However, I asked to borrow her assistance for some time. She has been helping around my residence."
Mo Shan Shan blinked and turned slightly to look at him. She didn't speak, but her expression said everything. So you're not telling him about the martial arts training?
Still, she nodded in quiet agreement, backing Lu Bai's story.
The king raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
"You know," the king said, his voice dropping with a hint of dry humor, "if it were not for her presence, I would have found it difficult to excuse your visit today. You came to the palace without noticing, something even you should not do, Lu Bai."
Lu Bai bowed his head low. "Forgive me, Your Majesty."
The king's sharp expression softened slightly. "Hmm. You are forgiven. But you must inform me next time."
Then, his tone shifted again, becoming more thoughtful.
"And what of you, girl?" the king asked Mo Shan Shan. "Your background—what family are you from?"
Mo Shan Shan's breath caught briefly. She kept her voice steady. "I am no one of note, Your Majesty. Just a common maid, taken in by Prince Li Wei."
The king's eyes lingered on her. A shadow passed through his gaze, as if a memory threatened to resurface. But he said nothing.
"Very well," he finally said. "You are both dismissed."
Mo Shan Shan and Lu Bai bowed deeply once more, then turned to leave the throne room. As they exited through the carved palace doors, the tension Mo Shan Shan had held in her chest began to fade. Still, her mind remained restless.
As they walked silently down the steps, she glanced at Lu Bai.
"Can I ask you something?" she said softly.
Lu Bai turned his head slightly.
"What happened between you and the king?" she asked. "You seemed… distant."
Lu Bai did not respond at first. His blind eyes remained forward, unreadable.
"There are some things," he said at last, "that even time does not heal."
Mo Shan Shan didn't press further, but the curiosity in her eyes only deepened.
They left the palace under a sky that was beginning to dim, unaware that the king still sat upon his throne, staring silently at the door through
which Mo Shan Shan had exited—still haunted by a face he could not quite place