Soon they were assembled at the archery range. Zhiyuan took a deep breath, testing the bowstring and flexing his long-disused muscles. Meili watched with bated breath as he notched an arrow and took aim, muscles taut. The arrow sang through the air, striking the outer edge of the target. Not a bulls-eye, but an excellent first shot after so many years.

Jiang applauded wildly. "Your skill has not deteriorated nearly as much as feared, my prince! With practice, you shall soon master archery as in your youth. In but a few months you could even enter the Junior Imperial Archery Contest of this summer!"

Prince Zhiyuan looked thoughtful. "Contest or no, resuming weapons training seems wise. And perhaps...it may soon be time to reconsider entering the Imperial Academy."

Eunuch Jiang's eyes went wide at this murmur. He opened his mouth, then caught Meili subtly shaking her head in warning. The eunuch clamped his lips shut, though his entire face seemed to vibrate with the effort of containing his explosive joy.

"That is a discussion for another time, when you have fully recovered your strength," Meili said gently. Inside, her mind raced with this new development. If Prince Zhiyuan could be persuaded to join the Academy, her task of guiding him on the path to the throne would become much simpler. She needed time to strategize.

Oblivious to her calculations, Zhiyuan nodded and turned back to the target with renewed focus. "For now, I have six years of lost progress to regain."

He loosed arrow after arrow, each landing slightly closer to the center. Meili watched quietly, filled with pride at the concentration furrowing his brow. Here was the first step of the hidden emperor within emerging at last from the cocoon of convalescence.

Their quest still stretched long, but this glimpse of the man Zhiyuan was meant to become - focused, determined, alive with purpose - gave Meili hope. The light still slumbered, but soon it would awaken and shine bright for all the empire to see. She need only be patient. The dawn was coming.

Prince Zhiyuan had just loosed yet another arrow when raucous laughter heralded the arrival of two young men. Meili assessed them warily, ready to defend the prince if needed.

But Zhiyuan's face lit up in a grin. "Yu! And Jin, you rascal. What brings you two here?" He clasped arms with Yu in delighted greeting, then affectionately ruffled Jin's hair.

"We heard rumors you had risen from your deathbed and come outside at last, so we had to see for ourselves!" exclaimed Yu. Handsome and broad-shouldered, he carried himself with careless confidence.

Jin, Zhiyuan's slender younger brother, nodded eagerly, ducking away from the hair-ruffling with a laugh. "They claim you are hale again and even practicing magic! We feared court gossip had turned you into a veritable demigod."

Zhiyuan chuckled. "You know well not to trust silly court rumors. I am merely improved thanks to some effective treatments, nothing more."

He drew Meili forward. "Meili, meet my dear friend Yu, ever the talented scoundrel, and Jin, my mischief-making little brother."

Jin executed an exaggerated bow. "Delighted to meet any lovely friend of my eldest brother's." Straightening, he eyed her intently. "So you are the mysterious healer girl everyone buzzes about? I must say, you look far too young and innocent for such cunning tricks."

Meili flushed. "You give me too much credit. I am only a humble attendant."

Yu studied her thoughtfully. "Well, regardless of your skills, we are grateful someone finally cured this gloomy fellow." He elbowed Zhiyuan, who pulled a face at the jesting tone.

Turning serious, Yu continued, "Truly, it is a relief to see you so improved, my friend. We have...missed you." Jin nodded, blinking rapidly as if to banish moisture from his eyes.

Zhiyuan cleared his throat gruffly. "As I have missed your troublesome company. Now come, what gossip of court do you bring? Any intriguing developments I should be aware of?"

Yu launched eagerly into an account of some minister's daughter causing a scandal, while Jin pantomimed the story with exaggerated gestures. Meili stifled a laugh at their antics, reminded again how isolated Zhiyuan had been from such easy camaraderie.

She was pleased to see him embracing the company of old friends once more. Catching her thoughtful gaze, Zhiyuan gave her a slight smile before turning back to Yu's dramatic tale, the most at ease she had yet seen him.

Later, as the four of them walked back towards Zhiyuan's residence, Yu remarked, "Have you seen Lady Xia recently? She talked about you during our whole calligraphy lesson yesterday. The poor girl seems quite lovesick on your behalf." He grinned while Zhiyuan looked uncomfortable.

Jin gave a dreamy sigh. "Ah yes, the fair Lady Xia! Pleasant to the eye and ear as blossoms in spring. You really should visit her, my friend—if for no other reason than to gaze upon that heavenly countenance."

Yu laughed. "Do not pretend you go to the poetry society for the verse! We know you only attend to make cow eyes at Lady Xia."

He turned to Meili with a wink. "This scoundrel has been smitten for years, though our lady only has eyes for one." Zhiyuan flushed at the implication.

Meili managed a weak smile at their jesting, though their remarks stirred an unpleasant sensation in her chest. She was relieved when they reached Zhiyuan's residence and could take their leave.

Meili strove to still her thoughts. Whatever fragile seed of longing had taken root in her traitorous heart, she must not allow it purchase to flourish. Her position was unchanged—to guide the prince to the throne unencumbered by personal desires. Any blossoming sentiments were a distraction she could ill afford.

With effort, Meili hardened her resolve once more. Until the battle was won, she belonged neither to herself nor prince. Her purpose stood higher than any selfish wish for love or happiness.

She must remain true to her duty, even if it meant sacrificing all chance of the tender possibilities whispered of in her secrets dreams. The empire rested upon her choices, and the lonely path of guardianship was hers to walk until the prophecy came to pass—with Prince Zhiyuan taking his ordained place upon the throne at last.

She would follow this road steadfast, wherever it led, for the sake of something far greater than her small self.

After seeing off Yu and Jin, Meili started assisting Prince Zhiyuan with organizing his books when Consort Ruolan arrived, trailed by a servant girl.

"My son, I have come to check on you. And I bring delightful news - your new attendant has arrived! Since Lin left, it would be best to have a replacement" Consort Ruolan smiled and beckoned the servant girl forward.

To Meili's shock, the girl lifted her head to reveal the sly features of none other than her clan sister, Bai Zhi! Meili struggled to contain her astonishment. How did Zhi manage to get herself assigned to the prince's household?

"This is Bai Zhi, sent by your grandmother's cousin's sister-in-law's niece," Consort Ruolan explained cheerfully. "Is she not a lovely addition to attend you?"

Bai Zhi dipped into an elegant bow, the picture of a demure servant. "Greetings, Your Highness. I hope to serve you well." Only the gleeful spark in her eye betrayed her mirth at this ruse.

Prince Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow at the newcomer. "She is rather young, Mother. Are you certain she is qualified?"

"Do not be deceived by appearances - I am told Zhi is quite skilled in healing arts and music," Consort Ruolan said. "She will make a fine companion and attendant for you, my son."

"Very well, she may stay and serve," Zhiyuan conceded with a resigned sigh. Clearly, he had no desire to argue the matter further with his kindly mother.

After Consort Ruolan had bustled off satisfied, Prince Zhiyuan fixed Bai Zhi with a stern gaze. "I shall be keeping a close eye on you, girl. Any laziness in your duties will be promptly punished."

Bai Zhi immediately adopted a woeful expression. "Oh yes, Your Highness, please discipline this lowly servant most harshly! I tremble in fear of displeasing you!" She pretended to cower before him.

Prince Zhiyuan's lips twitched, betraying his struggle to maintain composure at her exaggerated antics. Meili turned away to hide her smile, relieved beyond measure at her friend's reckless audacity and success infiltrating the palace.

Prince Zhiyuan then confronted them both with amusement glinting in his eyes. "Clearly you two are already well acquainted. Would either of you care to explain this odd coincidence?"

Meili hesitated, but Zhi grinned cheerfully. "Why, Your Highness, is it so unusual for two girls of similar backgrounds to seek employment together at court? What nefarious designs could you suspect us simple maidservants of harboring?" Her look of feigned innocence made the prince snort.

"Very well, keep your secrets. But I shall be watching you both closely for any signs of mischief." His stern facade finally cracked into a small smile.

Meili breathed a silent sigh of relief. Despite all the day's disruptions, their secrets remained intact for now. With Bai Zhi's audacious skills on their side, she felt their quest was we-fortified to face whatever storms lay ahead. Together, they would guide the prince to his destined glory - one playful ruse at a time.