"Who are you?"
A voice called from behind Ying Yue. She knew this voice, wanting to just run-away Ying Yue slowly turned around to face the man behind her. Bending slightly, with her hands clasped in a fist,
"Greetings crown prince."
Thinking to herself, of all people to run into. It had to be the crown prince. Remembering their last encounter made Ying Yue weak in the knees.
"You may rise."
"Thank you, your highness."
Ying Yue could feel the crown prince staring at her. Thinking to herself, wondering if she looked weird. Feeling uneasy Ying Yue had to break the silence.
"Your highness, is there something I can help you with?"
Crown prince Wang Yong knew Ying Yue was a beauty, but he had never seen her look like this before. She was elegant, poised, dignified, and most of all beautiful. The crown prince finally remembers their last encounter and decides to clear the misunderstandings. Clearing his throat he finally speaks out.
"Ahem, Ying Yue Yang. If you have a moment, please keep me company. You are my sister in law now. I wish to lighten the tension between us."
"There is no tension between us your highness, perhaps you are mistaken. I am merely your sister in law and the imperial general."
"Perhaps you are right, but there is something about you I can't wrap my finger around. Please do join me at the pavilion."
The crown prince, placed his right hand out. Gesturing Ying Yue to the location of the pavilion. Not wanting to be rude, Ying Yue lightly nods her head and walkes to the pavilion. Followed by the crown prince and his guards. After seating themselves, the crown prince decided this was the time to know more about Jia Li's side of the family.
"Ying Yue, I mean...sister in law. Please tell me a bit about yourself. Although you are younger than me by three years, you've definitely had more experience in life then I have."
"What would like to know your highness?"
"Anything really, oh! How about your fight with Hong Chen? What was he like in person?"
"Hong Chen? He was a brutal man. He was strong, large in size and had a scar across one of his cheeks. I heard he suffered that scar from childhood from his own father. I do not know the reasoning to it though."
"I see, what were his sword and fighting style like?"
"I would say he wasn't the best, but he was strong. One wrong move and he could easily slash a person in half easily."
Before long, Ying Yue realized two hours had gone by. Still reminiscing about how this could've been the life she could've had. If she had just told the crown prince her feelings in the beginning. With tears welling up in her eyes, Ying Yue turned to her side to wipe her tears quick. The crown prince noticed and was taken back a bit by it.
"I'm sorry Ying Yue, did I say something wrong?"
"Not at all your highness, it's just when the heart is in pain, and the mouth cannot utter a word, only then will the eyes do it. I just remembered my mother and it made me sad. If you'll excuse me your highness I have to go."
With those parting words, Ying Yue stood up and bid the crown prince goodbye. Meanwhile the crown prince was still sitting in place in silence. The prince was lost in thought, he knew that what Ying Yue said was very familiar. He then remembers reading them in the letters with Jia Li, but how could Ying Yue know of the letters if it was between him and Jia Li. With a worried look, the prince heads to his study to find the letters, only to be stopped by Jia Li who happened to see him in a rush.
"Your highness! Where are you off to in such a rush?"
"Jia Li! You're not supposed to be out walking! The doctor said you're in your early pregnancy stages and anything rough can harm the baby!"
"Your highness, I'm not so weak. I'm perfectly fine! I was bored being stuck in my room all day lately. I just wanted some fresh air. If you're so worried then come stay with me, maybe I won't be so bored then."
"Ah, Alright I will. Come let's go back to your residence. I can always deal with the other things later."
Jia Li happily getting what she wants, links arm with the crown prince and off they go. Straight to Jia Lis residence in the royal palace. Meanwhile Ying Yue makes it back to where she was staying with Zhi Ruo. Without saying much Ying Yue decided she had enough. She would never be able to be normal. Starting from her dress, Ying Yue changed out of the pretty dress, removed her makeup and threw her hair into a ponytail. Zhi Ruo, unaware of what happened quickly walked to where Ying Yue was.
"Ying Yue? What's wrong?! Why're you taking it off?"
"Zhi Ruo, I just had enough and realized I am not cut out for this life. Wearing men clothing and fighting on the battlefield suits me more."
"Nonsense! What happened out there?!"
Ying Yue paused. Slowly slumping her thin shoulders. Ying Yue turns and looks at the worried Zhi Ruo behind her.
"Zhi Ruo, I ran into the crown prince at the royal garden. He finally called me his sister in law."
"Oh no, of all people."
Slamming her hand onto her forehead. Zhi Ruo could not believe how unlucky Ying Yue was. She regretted not going with Ying Yue now. Of all people it had to be crown prince Wang Yong.
"Aiyah, what can I say Ying Yue. I regret not going with you. Maybe you wouldn't have suffered so much."
"Ha Ha you're so funny Zhi Ruo. I'm okay now. It's almost dinner time. I'm going to wash up before they bring out the food."
Ying Yue turns and leaves to the washroom. She felt dirty after spending hours outside with the crown prince. It was dark by the time Ying Yue finished. Getting one last glance at the moon. Ying Yue decided to pray, even if she did not believe in god.
"God, if you really exist. Please watch over me and everyone that will be going through the ceremony soon."
Meanwhile, Bolin finally received Ying Yues letter. Disbelief at first, until he heard the news spreading across the northern towns and cities. After asking around Bolin's fear was confirmed. He had sent Ying Yue back to her death. Bolin was ready to leave the northern border and head back to the capital and save Ying Yue. Bolin ran to the horse stable and was about to leave when he was stopped by his second commander; Ren Zhong.
"Out of my way Ren."
"I cannot do that Bolin; I need you to calm down and listen to me."
"I can't do that right now! It's my fault Ren! I sent Ying Yue back to the capital and now she's going to be sacrificed for some legend?! I'm not going to stand here and watch it happen!"
"You won't be able to do anything even if you go! Ying Yue has accepted her fate, so why can't you?! She could easily run away, but she's not!"
Bolin stopped and got off his horse. He stood silently in the middle of the night. With his lips quivering, unable to say anything. Bolin finally uttered out his true feelings for Ying Yue.
"I... I can't abandon Ying Yue. I love her. I don't want to lose her like this."
"I know Bolin, then you better pray. Pray that she overcomes the challenges and come back. Did you forget? In the legend it was documented that nine girls returned after being thrown into Mount Tai. The least you can do for her, is pray for her."
Nothing else could be heard throught that night, just the sounds of crickets and fireflys flying about.