At his command, the Dark Guard drags you towards the door. You beg him to let you go, but he ignores you.
Xiu Ying: [Yelling] NOT THE RIVER!!! NO!!!
Prince Jin look impassively at you. You stick out your arm and sweep a bunch of ornaments off his shelf. They crash to the floor and shatter. The Dark Guard stops, too shocked to move.
Xiu Ying: [Shouting] My Lord! Look how much of your stuff I broke! Don't you want compensation?!
The Dark Guard waits for further instructions. Prince in stares at you steadily, not breaking eye contact. It makes the hairs on the back of your next stand up.
Prince Jin: Well, our cat hasn't been fed today either. Take her away.
Your heart jumps in your chest. What kind of cat has he got? A lion?
Xiu Ying: [Struggling] Your Majesty! I can pay money! I'll work for you!
Dark Guard: [Slapping you with the back of his hand] Shut your damn mouth!
He drags you outside then whispers a warning.
Dark Guard: Don't say another word or your death will be even harder. You're not the first person to try to kill the Prince. Sadly no one's succeeded.
You finally understand why no one else volunteered to come to Western Liang. It meant certain death. Your mind goes blank with fear. Realizing there's nothing more you can do, you decide to let the gods decide. You stop struggling and go silent.
Dark Guard: So quiet. A rare treat.
Xiu Ying: You're the one who said don't say another word.
Dark Guard: Good. See that you don't.
You reach an area where you hear the cheering of a crowd. Someone shoves you forward, hard.
Dark Guard: This is what happen to those who provoke the Prince!
The sound of cheering is deafening. You force yourself to look up and around. You discover yourself inside a huge cage, about the size of a room. Outside the cage excited nobles laugh at you and yell abuse. You feel faint.
Xiu Ying: (Don't tell me, this is where I die. I only just got here!)
You take a deep breath, and pinch yourself hard. You've got to stay sharp. Your mind is racing a million miles and hour. You've got to find a way out. Prince Jin arrives with his retinue and is announced to the crowd. A cage is then lowered into the middle of the arena. Inside the cage is a majestic tiger.
Xiu Ying: [Gasping in surprise] Good kitty...
You run towards Prince Jin, desperately trying to think of a way out of this. Suddenly you notice a familiar face. Your eyes light up.
Xiu Ying: [Yelling] Young master!
Prince Jin: [Looking to someone at his side] Hm? You know this person? Smart, calling out to you because she knows I won't help. Shame. She stays where she is.
You are near the Prince now. Hatred courses through your body, but you keep your face friendly and warm and look directly at the man sitting next to him. His hair is long and black and falls down over his white robes, like ink on paper. His face smooth as pale jade and he moves with the grace of a cloud.
Wei Jie: I don't know...
He stops and peers at you more closely. He doesn't recognize your face, but clearly senses something familiar there. He soon realizes who you are. Resisting the urge to jump up, he turns calmly to speak to Prince Jin.
Wei Jie: I know this person, Prince Jin.
Prince Jin: You really want to save her life? That's unfortunate. The cage door's open.
Xiu Ying: My Lord, that's not funny!
He's not obviously joking. The door to the tiger's cage really is open!
Prince Jin: You made fun of me first.
The tiger starts to stalk you inside the cage. Your heart is pounding loudly.
Xiu Ying: Stay calm and don't scramble. It's very unladylike!
Wei Jie: [Index finger pointing elegantly from his sleeve] I would save her, my Lord.
Prince Jin looks at Wei Jie for what seems like an eternity. Finally he waves a hand at the Dark Guard and you are suddenly plucked from the cage, leaving the tiger clawing at empty space. You collapse with nervous exhaustion, your clothes damp with sweat.
Prince Jin: You seldom ask anything of me. It is my pleasure to oblige you. [Staring at you with hatred in his eye] And if there is another time, no god will be able to save you. On your knees and say thank you.
You face Prince Jin and kneel down. He waves his hand in irritation.
Prince Jin: It was Master Wei who saved you. You think I would be so kind?
Wei Jie: [Holding his hand up] No need for that. A life for a life.
Prince Jin: What? She saved your life? If this counts as one, can I kill her next time?
Wei Jie does not speak, but you can tell he is angry. You have an idea, and bow to him.
Xiu Ying: Thank you my Lord. Forgive me Master Wei. From now on I will be sure to keep my distance from Prince Jin so as to not provoke his ire.
Prince Jin: Not too far I hope. We are in need of a cinder wench. I think you would be perfect.
Xiu Ying: [Blinking] Are you jesting again, my Lord?
Prince Jin: You think I would joke with you? Guards, take her down.
Prince Jin already spared you once today. It was a one in a million chance. You cannot refuse him now. If you anger him again, not even Wei Hie will be able to save you. You keep silence and cooperate. You can come up with another plan later.
Xiu Ying: (Prince Jin, I will definitely have my revenge...)
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