The trudge to the Imperial City was painful, to say the least. It was a long, slow walk where Ping had to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. He had at least hoped that the cold wind would numb his face, wiping out the pain left behind from the cannon, but the effort of walking had caused him to heat up uncomfortably.

Neither Tianma nor Yeung had been found though and while Ping hoped they both still lived, it meant that he had to walk, even with his injuries. He had spent some time on people's backs, the medic overriding his own objections and Shang had made comments about both making better time and Ping being in one piece when they reached the city. He had made only token protests, but still insisted on walking on his own for intervals. It kept him distracted from the whirl of different thoughts that threatened to consume him at times.

His sister, his grandmother and his parents drifted through his mind, worry about what they might say and how they may react… concern over what they might think of Shang… and worries that this was only a war-time affair and that Shang would go back to his own life, that he would insist they part ways at the city. He worried that he was seriously slowing the company down, which was a problem as their food stores that been ruined; he worried that the Huns had survived the snow dropping on their heads; he worried that those at the palace would not see him as anyone that could realistically destroy the Huns and that he would be laughed at for his claims.

However, when they spotted the glimmering city a few days later, Ping's fears had been forgotten as the chance for food approached. There had only been a pitiful amount of food gathered on the mountain and with everyone's strength sapped, it had been left to Chien-Po to carry Ping.

"We're eating first?" Asked Ling as they stepped onto the crowded streets, his eyes resting hopefully on Shang.

"Um… Yes." The overwhelming bustle of everyday city life caused the Captain to pause for a moment, but he began to push forwards in search of food vendors.

"We're eating?" Ping asked softly into Chien-Po's ear, battling an exhaustion that rose up with the temperature of the crowded streets.

"Yes, some food will improve spirits." The man replied with a nod as he tightened his grip on Ping's legs.

They moved fluidly through the crowds, Chien-Po's grace evident even around so many others while keeping another man safe on his back.

"Here." Shang and Yao came over, handing over small dishes filled with noodles and soybeans. Ping slipped from his friend's back and into Shang's embrace. "Feeling better?"

"I will soon." The young man replied with a large grin, accepting his bowl and tucking in even as the food steamed with heat.

There was no reply as the others began to consume the first proper meal they had had in days, the people of the Imperial City barely noticing the hungry soldiers as they filled their bellies.

"We need…" Shang began before coughing slightly as he lowered his bowl. "We need to head to the palace guards. Lei and Jian should have made it here well ahead of us and let them know that we are on our way."

The others agreed, still licking the juice from their fingers as the bowls were handed back. However, they hadn't made it up the steps when Ping noticed a shadow watching them. His discreetly slipped forwards to stand by Shang and whispered softly to him.

"We're being watched."

"Where from?" As Shang barely glancing as Ping as he made to look unconcerned about one of his men coming to talk to any outsiders that may be observing.

"The roofs. A house back there and another on the left here. I've seen others making their way across the rooftops."

"Sinister?" Shang asked, and Ping hesitated for a moment.

"I honestly think it's the Hun army."

"Why? They haven't attacked." Shang's face was utterly blank, even as Ping's concern flitted over his own.

"No… But they don't have an advantage here."

"Let's head to the palace anyway. If it is Shan Yu, then I don't want to end up fighting on the streets during festival time."

Decision made, they continued on. The threat of attack distracted Ping from all else, from his pain and his lingering hunger, his fears about the palace, and even from the beauty of the city, decorated as she was. Behind them, the others were still chatting amongst themselves and Ping left them to it, relieved that someone was going to hold up their façade, unaware as they were of any issues.

Hurrying up the steps to the palace left Ping with spots in his vision, but they were graciously welcomed inside and led to a chamber to await an audience.

"You're here." Lei called out a few minutes later as he entered with Jian. "Ping, how are you?"

"Better, thanks." He smiled as the men from his spot on the floor, where he had dropped.

"It'll be another hour at least, apparently. But, food is on its way." Jian informed them and he settled on a cushion.

Ping would have let out a half-hearted cheer in response, feeling settled with even a little food in him, walls around him and friends beside him; however, Shang sat down, lifting his head into his lap and with the gentle petting and the soft lull of conversation, he drifted off.

"Ping? Wake up."

"Time's it?" he slurred as he rolled to press his face further into the warmth.

"Time to get up." Replied an amused voice as a gentle hand pushed his shoulder. "It's been an hour?"

Ping rolled onto is back and blinked as the room came into focus. He rubbed his eyes and glanced up at Shang, whose lap he was still lying in.

"Huh?" It took a minute for him to realise what was going on. "Are we going to see someone now?"

"They're still busy. Food's here though."

His nose was blocked, likely the beginning of a cold but the scent of the food now registered, dulled though it was. He sat up and stared at the table, which had been filled.

"That smells amazing."

"I know." Shang grinned at him, now standing up. "I can't wait to try some."

The others were already eating, the chatter that had sent him off now absent. However, they all returned his smile and gestured for him to help himself.

"You're limping." Shang stated as he stepped beside the table. "I thought you weren't too bad."

"I'm tired." Ping explained simply. "My ribs still hurt, my face feels like it's burning and the medic said this time it might scar, but that's nothing compared to the worry I have of the Huns finding us."

His fears were bubbling up again, beginning to burst through the surface of his calm mask like a crack in a dam finally giving way to the pressure of the water; his sleep had only supressed his fright briefly.

"We need a plan." Shang murmured, staring at his plate of food as he considered things.

"He'll be here for the Emperor."

"We're not using the Emperor as bait."

"I wasn't suggesting that." Ping turned to look at his lover, knowing he wasn't going to like this suggestion. "If I approach him, let him know it was me who fired the cannon… I mean, it's kind of obvious."

He gesture to his damaged face as Shang's expression darkened.

"No. I won't use you as bait."

"Better me than the Emperor… and it's better to keep the fighting contained." He stepped forwards and lifted his food-free hand to touch Shang's shoulder. "I'm fast, I can lead him into a trap."

"What trap?"

"One we're going to set up." Pin replied confidently, even as he could hear Mushu hissing in distress behind him. "It'll work."

His mind was speeding through different ideas, trying to consider all angles.

"We'll need to ask about the palace layout, and the guards." He noted aloud, taking his plate over to the cushions and sitting himself down to think. "Hopefully there are corridors that are dead ends, or perhaps with simply one room where you can hide in ambush. Perhaps someway in from the palace room."

"We don't know if he'll be in the palace room. We don't know where he's going to come from." Shang sat down beside him, looking unhappy about the discussion, but unwilling to be left out.

"There are a few places that lead to dead ends." Chi-Fu spoke up. "On the upper floors, you can access the roof and there are some old rooms that need fixing."

"Really?" Ping's surprise was evident on his face.

"Yes. Unless they have been fixed in the year since I was last here. I have worked here for more than a decade now." He glowered at the young soldier for a moment before his expression softened slightly. "There were some rooms that were damaged in the last big storm we had. They've been mostly emptied, but with the beams and the other bits of debris that has been kept to be reused, there should be more than enough to hide around."

"Thank you." Ping smiled at him, desperately glad for some help. "If he's creeping around the roof then we should be able to find him."

"With yelling, perhaps." Shang put his plate down and leaned over to grasp Ping's hands. "You are injured. Is running around the eaves really a good idea? Maybe you should leave it to someone else."

"I can run. I'd rather have you around to subdue him."

"I won't let him anywhere near you." Mushu promised from his collar, the venom heavy in his voice.

"Trust me." Ping finished, looking up into Shang's eyes. "I can do this."

"Right. Fine." Shang dropped his head into his chest for a moment before straightening up. "I'll go explain it to this lot if one of you two will talk to the guards."

"Of course." Chi-Fu stood up, holding a hand up to Ping to insist he remain sitting. "You should rest until we're prepared."

"Thank you." Ping replied sincerely, lying down again and placing his head on a cushion.