SLEEP ON THE MAT?

As the morning sun cast its golden rays upon the bustling market, She-ying, Yuan-hue, and Zheng-tai navigated the throngs, their ancient Chinese attire drawing curious glances. Suddenly, a familiar figure emerged from the crowd - Crown Prince Huo-zui, his eyes narrowing as he approached.

"Excuse me, sir, have we met before?" Huo-zui inquired, his tone laced with a hint of curiosity.

Wang-wei, his loyal guard, intervened, his voice tinged with amusement. "Crown Prince Huo-zui, you've encountered numerous individuals today. Shall we return to the palace, lest another chance encounter leaves you bereft of more teeth?"

Huo-zui's countenance darkened, his whispers laced with irritation. "You expose my identity, Wang-wei. What gain is there in that?"

Zheng-tai's eyes sparkled with mirth as she addressed Huo-zui. "You are the Crown Prince, I presume? The one who suffered a blow from a girl that would hardly ruffle a baby's hair?"

As Huo-zui's face reddened, Zheng-tai continued, her voice laced with intrigue. "Since you've encountered her, you must know her whereabouts. Tell me, where would a short-tempered individual such as herself flee?"

Huo-zui's thoughts turned inward, his response measured. "If I were she, I would seek a place known only to myself, a sanctuary hidden from prying eyes, even those of my parents."

Zheng-tai's gaze turned inward, her mind racing with the possibilities. "A place of solitude, accessible only once a year, on his birthday, when he can dismiss his attendants and guards, feigning a dream of assassination to ensure his solitude..."

With a knowing smile, Zheng-tai turned to her companions, her voice barely above a whisper. "I believe I've unraveled the riddle. Let us follow him to the palace."

As they trailed Huo-zui to his mansion, Zheng-tai's thoughts whirled with anticipation. Upon arrival, Huo-zui invited them to sit, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Tell me, how do you know her? Is she your betrothed?"

Zheng-tai's cheeks flushed, her laughter like music. "Oh, no, nothing of the sort. She's my...sister."

Within the opulent confines of Huo-zui's palace, Zheng-tai's enigmatic smile hinted at secrets untold. "She's my sister," she revealed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Huo-zui's countenance transformed, his curiosity piqued. "Ah, I see. Well, in that case, pray tell, what is her nature?"

Zheng-tai's chuckles danced in the air. "She's a force to be reckoned with, always fleeing from home. You needn't imagine her wrath; it's a tempest to behold."

As the evening drew to a close, She-ying's anxiety grew. "We must away, the hour grows late."

Zheng-tai rose, her movements fluid. "Indeed, we must take our leave. Farewell, Prince Huo-zui, may our paths cross again."

Within the palace walls, Huo-zui pondered the encounter, Wang-wei's words echoing in his mind. "Perhaps, Your Highness, he avoided you due to your unintended slight against his sister?"

Meanwhile, at a nearby inn, Zheng-tai's companions awaited her revelation. "What did you glean from our conversation with the Prince?" She-ying inquired.

Zheng-tai's gaze turned inward, her thoughts whirling. "I discovered a hidden passage, known only to Huo-zui. A secret, hidden from prying eyes, even those of his parents.

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