"Hold still, my lady! You're dripping everywhere!"
舒嫣 (Shū Yān) fluttered around her like a frantic bird, wringing the corner of a towel.
The floor was wet, the air thick with steam from the hot basin.
Shumin sat on the edge of the bed, grinning like an idiot.
Her hair clung to her face, her robe half-dried.
"I told you not to go near His Majesty!" Shu Yan scolded. "Why would you block his path? Do you want to die?"
Shumin hummed softly, ignoring her.
"I saved him," she said proudly. "So technically, he owes me one."
Shu Yan froze mid-motion, staring. "Owes you…? My lady, that's not how it works in this palace!"
But Shumin only smiled wider, twisting her damp hair into a loose knot.
"I changed it, Shu Yan. Nothing bad happened. The Queen won't have to cry this time."
Her maid blinked. "The… Queen?"
"Never mind." Shumin waved a hand dismissively. "Just fetch me dry clothes. Preferably something less tragic."
Shu Yan sighed helplessly and went to the wardrobe.
For once, Shumin didn't care about her scolding.
She felt light...almost giddy.
'So I really can change it.
Maybe this world isn't doomed after all.'
A low voice came from outside the door.
"My lady," a guard murmured, "a letter for you."
Shu Yan frowned, wiping her hands, and took the folded parchment through the curtain.
She brought it to Shumin.
"It's sealed. There's no name..only the royal crest."
Shumin's smile faltered.
Her fingers hesitated on the edge of the wax seal.
The royal crest meant only one thing.
She broke it open carefully.
Concubine Wen is to attend the interrogation hall.
This summons is private.
Her eyes widened.
"The… interrogation room?" she repeated.
Shu Yan's face drained of color.
"Why? What did you do? My lady...what did you do again?...!!"
"Nothing!" Shumin said quickly, waving the letter.
"It's fine. Maybe… maybe he wants to thank me."
"Thank you? In the interrogation hall?" Shu Yan squeaked.
Shumin puffed her cheeks, folding the letter neatly.
"It's private. Maybe he doesn't want others to know I saved him. You know, royal pride and all that."
She stood, smoothing her new robe, eyes glinting with nervous excitement.
"No one knows about the attack. No one knows I pushed him. So this must be secret gratitude."
Shu Yan clutched her towel like a shield.
"My lady, please don't..."
But Shumin was already walking toward the door, smile tugging at her lips.
Poor me...she thought. Even his 'thank you' has to be top secret.
----
The corridor to the interrogation chamber was cold and dim, but Shumin walked like she was going to afternoon tea.
Her silk skirt swayed, her mind humming.
It's fine. He's just shy...Maybe he wants to thank me in private....royal men have egos too.
The thought made her grin.
When she pushed open the heavy wooden door, sandalwood smoke drifted through the air.
Inside, Li Zhan sat at the far end of the room, half-hidden in shadows.
Only one lamp burned between them.
"Well..well...!!" Shumin began brightly, hands clasped.
"You wanted to thank me, didn't you? Already said you're welcome, but if you're planning a more personal thank-you, I don't mind."
The King didn't move.
Didn't speak.
He just looked up slowly, his eyes like frozen ink.
Before she could blink, he was in front of her
and his hand closed around her throat.
Her back hit the wall with a soft thud.
"Tell me," he said coldly, "whose idea was that?"
Shumin's eyes went wide, but not with fear
more like shock.
"Excuse me? I'm being choked instead of thanked?"
His grip tightened.
"Do you really think I'd believe you risked your life for no reason? You..!!..who's never left her chamber before...suddenly runs into the forest? You did it to get my attention."
Shumin wheezed out a laugh.
"Mr. King, I don't want your attention! I'm the number one fan of the Zhanyao fan club, okay?"
His brow furrowed.
"...What fan club?"
She tried to pry his hand off, exasperated. "Oh heavens, you wouldn't get it! Anyway
if this is how you 'thank' people, no wonder you have loyalty issues!"
He blinked, taken aback by her audacity.
She finally managed to push his arm away, straightening her collar.
"You can ask questions like a normal person, not throttle me like a side character you dislike."
His tone darkened. "You talk too much."
"Thank you. I take that as a compliment."
She brushed past him and sat down on the interrogation chair, crossing her legs with all the dignity of a drenched cat.
"Fine. Ask your royal questions.. Your Majesty."
Li Zhan exhaled, his patience thinning.
"Why did you do it?"
"I told you," Shumin said simply.
"I knew something bad would happen. So I went. Not for you...for the Queen."
That stopped him.
"The Queen?"
"Yes," she said proudly.
"She's perfect...Kind, elegant, tragic. You two deserve a happy ending."
He frowned. "Happy ending? You speak nonsense. I know your kind...You only...."
"Oh really?" she cut in, voice playful.
"You've never visited me, never talked to me before today.
How exactly do you know me? In your dreams?"
He stared, momentarily thrown off.
She tilted her head.
"See? You don't even know me, and yet you've already judged me. Typical."
He shifted his gaze away, muttering,
"I'll call a healer. Perhaps you're… not yourself."
Shumin stepped closer, smiling softly.
"Look at me. Do I look insane to you?"
For a moment, he did.
His eyes flickered ... not with anger this time, but something she couldn't name.
Then, without warning, he flicked her forehead lightly.
"Annoying," Li Zhan said, his voice quieter now.
He turned sharply and strode toward the door.
Shumin rubbed her forehead, frowning.
"You know, flicking someone's head isn't exactly kingly behavior."
He didn't look back.
"Neither is tackling the Emperor off a horse," he replied, dryly.
She grinned. "Fair enough."
When the door shut behind him, Shumin leaned back in the chair, still smiling.
He didn't punish me.
He didn't hate me.
Progress.
"Maybe the next time," she muttered to herself,
"he'll actually say thank you… without choking me first."