Meili rose early the next morning, filled with the hope she would find word from her clan's Grand Master in their secret hiding spot. She hurried to the hollow tree at the edge of the palace gardens but found the small aperture empty. Her heart sank, hoping the message she sent had not gone astray. With no guidance forthcoming, she proceeded to Prince Zhiyuan's chambers, steeling herself for the state she might find him in.

To her dismay, the prince seemed to have relapsed into illness, his pale countenance and rasping cough a harsh contrast to his improving vigor yesterday. Her heart ached with worry and frustration at this strange malady that inflicted itself upon him without warning or reason.

Prince Zhiyuan glared as she entered with Lin, waving away their offers of assistance with an impatient hand. "Why must you continue fussing over me as if I were some infant incapable of dressing myself?" he grumbled, shrugging on his robe. "I am in no mood for your coddling today."

Eunuch Jiang fluttered anxiously just behind them, crying, "But Your Highness, you seem rather unwell this morning! If you will just allow these devoted attendants to care for your needs as always—"

"Be silent!" Prince Zhiyuan snarled, sending the eunuch cringing into a corner. Meili swallowed a smile at the sight, turning her attention back to the prince. His ill temper did little to mask the exhaustion in his eyes or the lines of pain around his mouth. She longed to ease his suffering if only she possessed the power and means.

A polite cough announced the arrival of Cheng, the imperial physician, clutching his box of foul-smelling potions. Meili eyed them with suspicion, her sense sending a warning as he entered, bowing deeply to the prince. "Your Highness, I have come to administer your morning tonic to restore your health and strength. You seem rather peaked today, if I may be so bold."

Prince Zhiyuan snorted in derision. "You need not pretend concern for my wellbeing or continue subjecting me to these useless treatments, physician. This 'tonic' of yours provides no benefits, and I tire of being your experimental subject." He sighed, massaging his temples wearily. "I begin to think poison or the blade a more merciful end than this protracted decline. What say you?"

Cheng paled, bowing again anxiously. "Your Highness speaks in rather alarming terms due to discomfort from your illness. I beseech you not to lose hope or say such rash things! Each day brings progress, does it not?" He looked to Meili and Lin, who nodded reluctantly, uncertain of the tonic's true effects themselves. Cheng glanced between them before continuing, "Allow me to leave today's dose with your attendants to administer when you are calmer and more receptive." He packed up his box hastily and took his leave.

Prince Zhiyuan snorted again, shaking his head at Cheng's swift departure. Meili knelt by his side, taking his hand in hers with a beseeching look. "Your Highness, do not speak of death so casually. Your words frighten me."

He sighed, patting her hand absently. "Do not trouble yourself so, little guardian. My death shall impact the Emperor's reign little enough, another forgotten son soon replaced." The sadness in his eyes belied his callous tone.

Meili squeezed his hand, unwilling to let despair take hold. She took the flask Cheng had left, uncorking it to sniff the contents cautiously. The foul odor assaulted her senses, and her suspicion deepened that sinister magic lay steeped within. An idea occurred to her—perhaps a small sip would confirm if her senses proved true, without endangering the prince. She frowned in thought and decided to chance it while his attention was diverted, tasting a few drops of the vile potion.

A bitter, sinister tang erupted on her tongue, laced with the unmistakable aura of dark magic. Meili gasped, hastily corking the flask as her insides twisted. She clutched the table for support, cursing her recklessness.

Prince Zhiyuan glanced over, alarmed by her distress. "What ails you, little guardian?" His pale brow creased with concern as he rose unsteadily to grasp her arm.

Meili shook her head, forcing a wan smile. "It is nothing, Your Highness. Merely...a passing discomfort." She took a breath to steady herself, tucking the flask out of sight. Her fears were now confirmed—this 'tonic' dispensed evil magic with each dose, weakening the prince and sapping his life force by degrees when he remained unaware. Smart way, to eliminate rivals without raising suspicion with sudden death.

She clenched her jaw in anger and resolve. The hidden conspirators plotting Prince Zhiyuan's demise would not succeed. Not as long as she is here to protect him.

Meili returned to the prince's side with renewed purpose, helping him back into his bed. She must gain his trust enough that he would permit her to prepare an antidote in secret, to cleanse the poison from his body before the final shadow descended. This battle was far from over, and failure was not an option worth contemplating. However, she has been strongly weakened with just a small sip. How will she be able to heal the prince who took it for years? Will he even be able to survive?

Meili tucked Prince Zhiyuan into bed, her mind racing to formulate an antidote to combat the evil magic poisoning him. Her reckless sip of that vile tonic had confirmed her worst fears—its sinister effects were eroding his life force subtly but swiftly. She must find a way to purge it from his body before the damage became irreparable - if it wasn't already. But, she never learned to handle such big cases. Her only hope right now was receiving a response from her Grand Master.

Meili sighed, tucking the blankets around Prince Zhiyuan as he slept fitfully. At least, her discovery of evil magic within the physician's tonic had brought a measure of relief, providing an enemy she could actively fight against. But, the only problem was who, who who was this enemy? Purging its sinister hold on him would require the utmost care and discretion.

A knock sounded at the door, heralding another visitor. Meili opened it to find Lady Xia waiting, smiling in delight to see the prince. Behind her stood Liang, Lady Xia's plump maidservant, clutching an overflowing basket of sweet cakes and pastries.

"We heard His Highness was indisposed again and thought to visit with comforts to brighten his day," Lady Xia said, gliding into the room. Liang trailed after her awkwardly, barely keeping hold of the basket.

Prince Zhiyuan opened his eyes, blinking in surprise at their arrival. "Xia...what are you doing here?"

Lady Xia swept over to his bedside, pressing a cool hand against his forehead. "Checking on you, as any friend would. You feel quite warm—have the chills left you yet?" Her eyes scanned his face in concern, soft with affection.

He shrugged off her touch impatiently. "I am recovering well enough. There is no need for these constant fretful visits." His tone held a hint of annoyance at her persistence.

Meili frowned, noticing Liang sneaking a few cakes from her basket when Lady Xia's attention was diverted. The silly maid seemed to have little sense, loyal to her mistress yet dim-witted.

Lady Xia sighed at the prince's abrasiveness. "Must you be so prickly when met with a caring inquiry about your well-being?" She turned to Meili with a pleading look. "Please tell me his health improves today. I find my heart troubled when this dear friend is unwell."

Meili hesitated, uncertain how much to reveal of her discovery. She settled for a half-truth. "His Highness seems a little improved since this morning. I am attending him diligently and have hope for a steady recovery."

Lady Xia brightened at this, turning back to the prince with a dazzling smile. "There, you see? Your devoted servant would not lie to spare my feelings. You will be back to your usual self in no time." She clasped his hand, ignoring his attempts to reclaim it.

Prince Zhiyuan snorted. "Why must women be so infernally meddlesome and sentimental? A man cannot even be ill in peace." But Meili saw a glint of wry amusement beneath his annoyance at Lady Xia's doting.

Meili hid a smile, noticing Liang had practically demolished the contents of her basket by now between enthusiastic bites. Crumbs littered the front of her tunic, testifying to her lack of restraint or decorum. She caught Meili's eye and froze, wiping hurriedly at her bulging mouth with an apologetic look.

Lady Xia followed Meili's glance, frowning over her shoulder at her maid. "Liang! Must you steal sweets when you are here as my attendant?" She sighed in exasperation, releasing Prince Zhiyuan's hand to scold the silly maid.

Liang ducked her head, packing up the ravaged basket meekly. "A thousand apologies, my lady. I could not help sampling...just a few. Please do not be cross—I will be good hereafter!"

Lady Xia shook her head at Liang's foolishness. She returned her attention to the prince, loathe to end her visit so soon. "Will you permit me to call on you daily, to ensure your recovery proceeds well? I find I cannot rest easy without seeing you improve each day." Her request was softly beseeching.

Prince Zhiyuan sighed, looking unaccountably weary. But he granted her a small smile. "If you must. I see denying you bring no peace from your fretting. Come if you will, Xia...but do not disturb my rest overlong."

Lady Xia embraced him joyfully at his acquiescence. "You shall be well again soon, dear friend. I will make certain of it, even if I must drag your physician here myself each day!" She took her leave with a final smile and wave, her silly maid Liang following after with the remains of their ruined basket of sweets.

Meili stared thoughtfully after them. Lady Xia's affection and concern seemed to reach the prince, however much he protested, providing another lifeline for his spirit when so much sought to drag it down. She could prove an ally in her quest to save him if Lady Xia's desire to see him recover was strong enough to weather his darkness. But for now, Meili must work in secret and silence to purge the evil from within before its shadowy hands could grasp hold of him once more.