The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the vast expanse of the Tang Dynasty countryside. The air was thick with the scent of blooming wildflowers as Liu Wei, a 26-year-old herbalist, navigated the narrow path leading to the forest. She had spent countless hours collecting herbs, but today felt different—an inexplicable pull guided her deeper into the woods.

As she gathered her supplies, the tranquil silence was suddenly broken by a rustling sound. Liu Wei paused, her heart racing. The forest had always felt like a refuge, but the eerie quietness had turned unsettling. She took a cautious step forward, her instincts telling her something was amiss.

Then she saw him—a man, sprawled on the ground, his clothes torn and stained with blood. Panic surged through her as she rushed to his side. His face was obscured by a thick mane of dark hair, but even in his unconscious state, a sense of nobility emanated from him. Kneeling beside him, she noticed a deep gash on his arm and a bruise forming on his forehead.

"Please," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Hold on."

Drawing on her training as a healer, Liu Wei quickly set to work. She tore a strip from her own tunic to bandage his wound, her hands steady despite the urgency of the situation. As she worked, her mind raced with questions. Who was this man? How had he ended up here?

After tending to his injuries, she stepped back, wiping the sweat from her brow. He looked peaceful now, though his brow furrowed in a deep frown. She couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable connection to him, as if she were meant to find him.

Suddenly, he stirred, his eyes fluttering open. Liu Wei’s heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze—his deep-set, dark eyes filled with confusion.

“Where am I?” he croaked, his voice raspy from disuse.

“You’re safe,” she assured him, her tone soothing. “I found you in the forest. You were hurt.”

He struggled to sit up, wincing as pain shot through his body. “I… I can’t remember.” His expression shifted from confusion to concern. “Who are you?”

“I’m Liu Wei,” she replied, feeling the weight of his gaze. “I’m a herbalist. I’ve helped you.”

“Liu Wei…” he whispered, as if testing the name on his tongue. “What happened to me?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted, her brow furrowing. “You were injured. Do you remember anything?”

He closed his eyes tightly, as if trying to force memories to surface. “I see... flashes. A palace, a crown... and a woman.” He opened his eyes, searching hers. “But I don’t know who they are.”

A knot formed in Liu Wei’s stomach at the mention of the palace. Could he be a nobleman? She couldn’t ignore the feeling that he was somehow important, and that danger might still lurk nearby.

“Stay here until you regain your strength,” she urged, her protective instincts flaring. “You’re safe with me.”

He nodded, though uncertainty clouded his features. “Thank you, Liu Wei. But I fear I may be a danger to you.”

“You’re not a danger to me,” she insisted, her voice firm. “We’ll figure this out together.”

As the last rays of sunlight faded, Liu Wei felt a strange sense of fate intertwining their paths. Little did she know, their journey was just beginning—and the echoes of the past were about to resurface in ways she could never have imagined.

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across Liu Wei’s modest cottage. The air was cool and fragrant with the scent of dew-soaked earth. She stirred early, her mind still heavy with the events of the previous day. The man she had rescued, now named Xuan Li, was still asleep, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his story than he had revealed.

After preparing a simple breakfast of rice porridge and pickled vegetables, she stepped outside to gather herbs for their meal. As she worked, her thoughts drifted to Xuan Li. She felt a deep sense of responsibility for him, as if their fates were now intertwined.

When she returned, Xuan Li was awake, propped up against the wall with a contemplative look on his face. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and the bandage she had wrapped around his arm was stained, but the wound seemed to be healing.

“Good morning,” Liu Wei greeted him, a smile breaking across her face. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” he replied, his voice still hoarse. “But I still can’t remember anything. It’s like I’m trapped in a fog.”

She placed a bowl of porridge in front of him, watching as he took a cautious sip. “You need to regain your strength. Perhaps memories will come to you with time.”

Xuan Li nodded, but there was a flicker of frustration in his eyes. “What if I’m dangerous? What if I was… someone important?”

“You are important,” Liu Wei assured him. “You are here now, and that’s what matters. I’ll help you figure out who you are.”

As they ate, Xuan Li's gaze wandered around the cottage, landing on the herbs hanging from the rafters and the various bottles filled with dried plants. “You’re quite skilled with these. How did you learn?”

“My parents were herbalists,” she explained, a hint of sadness in her voice. “They taught me everything I know. After they died, I devoted myself to helping others.”

His expression softened. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” she replied, touched by his empathy. “It was a long time ago. But now I have a purpose.”

The morning passed as they talked, laughter mingling with serious conversations about their pasts. Liu Wei found herself captivated by Xuan Li’s presence, his charm slowly breaking down the walls she had built around her heart. However, as the day wore on, a sense of unease crept in. She felt as if they were being watched.

That night, while tending to the fire, a rustling sound outside caught her attention. She glanced at Xuan Li, who had fallen asleep on the floor. Quietly, she approached the door, peering into the darkness. Her heart raced as she spotted shadows flitting between the trees.

“Xuan Li,” she whispered urgently, shaking him awake. “Wake up! I think someone is out there.”

He shot up, instantly alert, the remnants of sleep wiped away. “What is it?”

“Stay here,” Liu Wei instructed, grabbing a small dagger she kept for protection. She slipped outside, moving cautiously, the cool night air prickling her skin.

As she stepped into the moonlight, the shadows retreated, but she could sense their presence lingering nearby. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but she stood her ground, ready to confront whoever lurked in the darkness.

Suddenly, a figure emerged, cloaked in black, their features obscured. “You shouldn’t be meddling in things you don’t understand, herbalist,” the figure hissed, a mocking tone lacing their voice.

Liu Wei’s heart raced. “Who are you? What do you want?”

“The prince is not meant for someone like you,” the figure sneered, glancing back toward the cottage. “He belongs to a world you cannot comprehend.”

“Prince?” Liu Wei echoed, realization dawning. Xuan Li was more than just a stranger—he was a royal heir. The weight of the truth settled heavily in her chest, a mixture of fear and protectiveness washing over her.

“Leave him alone,” she demanded, holding her dagger with resolve. “He’s found peace here.”

The figure chuckled darkly. “Peace is an illusion. He will remember, and when he does, you’ll be nothing but a distant memory.”

With that, the figure melted back into the shadows, leaving Liu Wei trembling in the moonlight. She rushed back to the cottage, her mind racing.

“Xuan Li!” she called, finding him still sitting where she left him, confusion etched across his face.

“What happened?” he asked, his voice thick with concern.

“There was someone out there,” she replied, breathless. “They mentioned you… they called you a prince.”

Xuan Li’s expression turned serious, and a flicker of recognition passed over his features. “A prince? That… could explain the dreams.”

“We need to figure out who you are before it’s too late,” she urged, panic bubbling beneath her calm facade. “If they are looking for you…”

“I can’t remember,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I promise you, I will find out. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

In that moment, Liu Wei felt a warmth spread through her, a flicker of hope igniting. They were in this together, and perhaps, through the storm that was approaching, they would find the answers they sought—and the love that was blossoming between them.

---

The morning sun bathed the cottage in a warm glow, but the air between Liu Wei and Xuan Li felt tense. The previous night’s revelation—that Xuan Li could be a prince—had thrown them both into a whirlwind of confusion and fear. Liu Wei’s mind raced with the words of the mysterious figure who had threatened her: "He belongs to a world you cannot comprehend."

Xuan Li sat at the table, his brow furrowed in concentration. His gaze was distant, as if he were trying to piece together a puzzle that was just out of reach. Liu Wei could see the frustration in his eyes, and it pained her to watch him struggle with the weight of the unknown.

“I don’t understand,” Xuan Li muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “If I am a prince, why can’t I remember anything? Why would someone want to hurt me?”

Liu Wei poured tea into a small clay cup and placed it gently in front of him. “Memories can be fragile,” she said softly. “Maybe you blocked them out because of something traumatic. But I’m certain of one thing—you’re not just anyone. Whoever that person was last night, they were afraid of you.”

He looked up at her, a hint of vulnerability in his dark eyes. “What if they’re right? What if I don’t belong here?”

“You do belong here,” Liu Wei said firmly, her voice unwavering. “At least for now. Until we know more, you’re safe with me. We’ll figure this out together.”

Xuan Li took a deep breath, nodding. There was a strength in Liu Wei’s presence that made him feel grounded, even in the face of such uncertainty. She had saved him, not just from his injuries, but from a life that seemed to slip through his fingers like sand. He trusted her—more than he trusted anyone else, even himself.

After breakfast, Liu Wei suggested they take a walk to clear their heads. The village was small, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. The locals greeted Liu Wei with warm smiles and respectful nods, though their curious eyes lingered on Xuan Li. The villagers knew little of his presence, and Liu Wei had made sure to keep his identity a secret.

As they walked along the riverbank, Xuan Li paused, staring at the flowing water. “I’ve had dreams,” he admitted. “Of a palace with high walls, of men in armor… and a woman. But her face is always blurred. I feel like I should know her.”

Liu Wei’s heart tightened. “Do you think she could be someone important from your past?”

“I don’t know,” Xuan Li replied, his voice distant. “But the dreams… they feel real. Like they’re trying to tell me something.”

Before Liu Wei could respond, they were interrupted by the sound of approaching horses. She tensed, her hand instinctively moving toward the dagger she kept hidden in her cloak. A group of riders came into view, their armor gleaming in the sunlight, banners fluttering in the wind. These were no ordinary soldiers—they bore the crest of the Tang imperial army.

Xuan Li’s breath hitched. “They’re looking for me,” he whispered, instinctively stepping back.

“We need to hide,” Liu Wei said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the forest. They ducked behind a cluster of trees, watching as the soldiers dismounted and began questioning the villagers.

“Has anyone seen a man, early thirties, dark hair, wounded?” the captain barked at one of the elders. “He’s a traitor to the crown and must be captured at all costs.”

Liu Wei’s heart pounded in her chest. Traitor? She glanced at Xuan Li, who looked just as bewildered as she felt. There was no time to process the accusation—right now, they needed to stay hidden.

As the soldiers combed the village, Liu Wei and Xuan Li slipped deeper into the woods, the sound of their footsteps swallowed by the dense undergrowth. They didn’t stop until they reached a secluded clearing, far from prying eyes.

Panting, Liu Wei turned to Xuan Li. “A traitor? Could that be why you’ve lost your memory? To protect yourself?”

Xuan Li shook his head, confusion and frustration mingling in his expression. “I don’t know. But something tells me that’s not the whole truth. I don’t feel like a traitor.”

Liu Wei nodded. “We need to stay one step ahead of them. If they think you’re dangerous, there must be more to this story. But until we find out, you’re not safe.”

Xuan Li’s hand instinctively reached for the sword Liu Wei had given him earlier. “Then I’ll fight if I have to. But I won’t let you be hurt because of me.”

Liu Wei’s heart warmed at his words. She had only known Xuan Li for a short time, but the bond they had formed felt deep and unshakable. There was something about him—a sense of nobility, of honor—that made her believe he could never be the traitor the soldiers claimed.

“We’ll figure this out together,” Liu Wei said, her voice filled with determination. “But for now, we need to keep moving. We can’t stay in the village anymore.”

Xuan Li looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude and something more—something deeper. “Thank you, Liu Wei. For everything. I don’t know who I was before, but I know who I am now. And I want to stay by your side.”

Her cheeks flushed at his words, but she pushed the emotions aside. There was no time for that now. They were on the run, and danger lurked around every corner. But as they set off into the unknown, Liu Wei couldn’t help but feel that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

And maybe—just maybe—the echoes of Xuan Li’s forgotten past would lead them to a future neither of them could have ever imagined