"Chirp Chirp."
The sun was shining over the horizon now. Bolin finally decided he needs to wake up. Listening to the sound of birds chirping outside his window. Unable to sleep anymore, he forces himself up. Slowly sitting up, Bolin scratches his chest as he fix his sleep wear. Groaning at the thought of having to do some more work for the emperor made it hard to wake up.
"Gosh, I don't know how Ying Yue handled all this when she was here."
It had been a week already since Bolin returned from the northern borders. With his new position, Bolin has yet to find another time to visit Ying Yue's mother. As Bolin walks to freshen up, his father the prime minister walks in.
"Knock Knock."
"Come in."
"Bolin, about time you woke up. How long were you planning to sleep?"
"Father, did you really come all this way just to lecture me?"
Standing about a good three feet from his father, Bolin's father clears his throat and seats himself on the small brown table inside Bolin's room.
"Ahem! I came to let you know I will be setting you up to meet duke Wen Bo's daughter. You remember them, right? His youngest daughter just turned seventeen, and you are not getting any younger. You're already twenty."
"Father, can we not talk about this in the morning? You knew how I felt about Ying Yue. It hasn't even been that long since I lost her."
"I understand Bolin, but she's not coming back. You have to move on. The meeting will be today in three hours make sure you don't miss it and embarrass me."
"...I understand father...."
After saying what he wanted to say. Bolin's father was finally done. Slowly walking to Bolin, he pats Bolin on his right shoulder. After breaking into a small smile, the prime minister turns around and exits Bolin's bedroom. Breaking into a sigh and groaning at the idea of another thing added to his plate.
"Sigh, how am I going to get out of this now?"
Dressing himself in a dark green outfit made with gold embroidery. It was a gift from his mother, but Bolin has yet to ever find an occasion to wear it to. It had been too long since he wore normal clothing. With the clock ticking away, Boling decides he needs to visit his mother. Bolin was on his way when he was stopped by a servant calling out to him.
"Young master Bolin!"
"What is it?"
"You have a guest waiting for you at the entrance."
"What? She's already here? It's only been one hour."
"Uh...she says her name was Zhi Ruo."
"Ha! Why didn't you say so!"
The moment Bolin heard the servant mention Zhi Ruo's name. An Idea clicked in Bolin's head. Zhi Ruo was going to be his way out of dealing with all the marriage related stuff from his father. Running to the front entrance, Bolin spots Zhi Ruo standing outside of her carriage with her maid next to her. She was dressed in a beautiful white and red dress. With a peony flower embroidered onto the front of her skirt and with her hair braided up, and pinned with a silver hairpin, Zhi Ruo was breathtaking. Bolin couldn't help, but be mesmerized by Zhi Ruo.
"Zhi Ruo! What brings you here?"
"Ah! Bolin, I had just returned from visiting Madam Bai Shun. She wanted me to give you this."
Zhi Ruo opens her carriage and pulls out Ying Yue's sword. Removing the cloth from the sword, its beautiful golden cover could be seen. Breaking into a small smile, Zhi Ruo hands it to Bolin.
"Here, madam Bai Shun says you will need this more. She hopes it will protect you on your endeavors."
"I can't accept it, it's Ying Yue's momentum to her mother."
"I understand Bolin, but please understand her views as well. She's lost Ying Yue already. She will feel better if you have this sword to protect you."
Zhi Ruo, pushes the sword into Bolin's hands. Bolin couldn't say anything, but stare at the beautiful sword in his hands. Breaking to a small smile he thanks Zhi Ruo for all she's done.
"Thank you Zhi Ruo, for everything."
"Not at all. This is what friends do."
"Uh...about that.... Zhi Ruo, I need your help on something. I think this is something I can only share in private with you. You may have your maid accompany you if she can stay away at a certain distance."
Unsure of what Bolin wanted, Zhi Ruo nods in agreement. Bolin decides to take Zhi Ruo to his family garden. Sitting in the small pavilion. Bolin goes on to tell Zhi Ruo of how he's trying to avoid getting married as he's not ready.
"I need you to help me lie to my father."
"What? Lie to prime minister Shao Shuren? I don't think that's a good idea Bolin."
"You don't understand, he's forcing me to meet girls. That's not my priority right now. So please help me! We can just be pretend lovers, until we both find someone we like. This will work out for you too! I'm sure your father has mentioned marriage to you as well."
"Hm... that's true. My father has been nagging me about that."
"Don't worry Zhi Ruo, it's only a fake engagement."
"Sigh, alright I'm in. How do we go about it?"
"My father should be in the main hall with first madam. I just need to introduce you, and since you're the daughter of duke Dong they won't be against it."
Bolin then gestures for Zhi Ruo to follow him. Breaking into a small sweat, Zhi Ruo couldn't believe she was going really go through with it. Trying to calm her beating heart, she could only clench her fists and brace herself. After walking for ten minutes, Zhi Ruo and Bolin were now in front of Bolin's father and the first madam.
"Bolin? What's the meaning of this."
"Father, this is Zhi Ruo. She's the daughter of duke Dong. She's the one I love now. I can't continue to meet these other girls."
Even if it was a pretend, Zhi Ruo couldn't help, but blush at the thought of becoming Bolin's wife. Zhi Ruo looks up and realized the prime minister was now looking at her. Quickly trying to compose herself, she greeted the prime minister.
"Greetings prime minister, I am Zhi Ruo."
After a moment of silence, the prime minister breaks into a smile and laughs. Quickly walking to Bolin, he pats Bolin on the back.
"Ha Ha, why didn't you tell me son! I can see why you fell for her! This is good news! I will send word over to duke Dong tomorrow then!"
"Thank you, father for your blessing."
Zhi Ruo and Bolin, bids the prime minister farewell and made their way out of the main hall. Bolin walks Zhi Ruo back to her carriage. Unable to contain his excitement, Bolin bursts out into a laughter!
"Ha Ha, this is great! I'm glad that went smoother than I thought!"
"Heh, I agree Bolin. I guess this is goodbye for now. Take care of yourself Bolin."
"Thank you, I couldn't have done it without you Zhi Ruo."
Parting ways, Bolin watched as Zhi Ruo's carriage slowly disappeared. As Bolin was turning to head back to visit his mother, Bolin hears a familiar voice call him. Realizing it was Ren calling him, Bolin knew it was not good news.
"General Bolin! We have an emergency!"
"What wrong Ren?!"
"Hong Chen has been spotted within the capital! He's already infiltrated the palace grounds as we speak!"
"What?! How did he get into the capital?!"
"They killed some of our scouts outside the capital and stole their armors! We've already retrieved the body of the soldiers. Judging from how many they've killed, there's bound to be at least ten of them inside the capital."
"Tsk, and all our men are out of the capital. Alright, head to the palace and guard his majesty till I get there. I will get ready and head there as well!"
"Yes sir!"
Ren rides off into the direction of the royal palace. Unsure of what Hong Chen was planning, Bolin couldn't afford to let his guard down. Quickly running back to his room, Bolin takes out his armor. Dressed in his armor now, he decides to bring Ying Yues sword this time. Running to his stable Bolin quickly grabs his horse and rides off into the direction of the palace.
"Sigh, why now of all times. Where are you when I need you, Ying Yue?"
After riding on his horse for fifteen minutes, Bolin finally makes it to the palace. With not a moment to lose, Bolin runs to find the emperor. Wondering why the palace was so quiet, Bolin couldn't help, but feel uneasy. Finally making his way into the throne room, Bolin sees Hong Chen holding his sword over the kneeling emperors head. Looking to his left side he notices the ministers in the corner, blocked by Hong Chen's soldiers. Quickly glancing to the right, he sees the emperor's royal guards dead and Ren laying on the ground lifeless. Filled with rage, Bolin screams out.
"How dare you Hong Chen!"
"Well look who's here, but you're not the person I'm waiting for. Where is Ying Yue?"
"......."
Bolin was unable to answer Hong Chen, and staying silent only made Hong Chen more curious. Slowly walking away from the emperor, Hong Chen makes his way to Bolin. With only five feet separating them. He points his sword to Bolin and asks Bolin again.
"Where is the owner of that sword?"
"I'm not obligated to answer that! How did you even get inside the palace?!"
"It was quite easy really. You all left your guard down, all I had to do was kill off your scouts. I didn't even need my whole army to make it inside the palace. Now, If you don't tell me where she is, I'll slit your emperors throat. I killed all these men in this room, and one more won't make a difference."
Hong Chen walks back to the emperor. Pulling the emperor by his hair, he places his sword on the emperor's neck. Bolin bites back his lips and yells at Hong Chen to stop.
"She's dead Hong Chen!"
"Lies! Of all things to lie about, you think I'd believe that?!"
Hong Chen couldn't believe it. A strong woman like Ying Yue wouldn't die so easily. There had to be something else going on. He had told Ying Yue he was going to come for her, and now that he's here; she's dead? Unable to accept it, Hong Chen slams the emperor to the ground. Bolin, clenches onto Ying Yue's sword and speaks again.
"She's been dead for more than four months now. If you agree to a truce, I will tell you everything."
Hong Chen didn't care for the Xin Kingdom nor capital. Everyone in the nomad tribe knew that the Xin Kingdom was cursed. He only came for Ying Yue. With her gone now, he had no purpose remaining in the capital. Feeling like he wasted time, Hong Chen grunts in frustration. Returning his gaze to Bolin and agrees.
"I've lost my mood. I will be waiting outside the capital entrance. Remaining here only gives me a bad feeling. You have thirty minutes general."
Hong Chen signals his men, and off they went. Riding their horses, they all left the palace grounds. Once they were out of sight, Bolin quickly ran to check on the emperor. Seeing as the emperor still had a pulse, Bolin breathes a sigh of relief. Bolin motions for the servants nearby to call the royal doctor. Bolin now makes his way to check on Ren. With Ren barely alive Bolin calls out for the servants to hurry. Quickly applying pressure to the stomach wound Ren received from Hong Chen. Seeing as the royal had doctor arrived, Bolin makes his way out of the palace to meet Hong Chen. Riding out of the palace gates like his life depended on it, with barely enough time. Bolin makes it outside the capital entrance. In the distance Bolin spots Hong Chen and his men. Hong Chen then motions for his men to leave him alone with Bolin. Now staring at each other, Bolin finally breaks the silence.
"I know you came here for Ying Yue. You probably didn't want to kill or harm anyone unless necessary. If you wanted to take over, you would've invaded with your whole army. Now where's the rest of your army?"
"Hiding in the mountains not far from here. Now, enough of the talk, tell me where the owner of that sword is."
Bolin paused for a moment. This wasn't something easy for him as well. Moving his horse closer to Hong Chen now, Bolin only had five feet between him and Hong Chen now. With a heavy heart, Bolin tells Hong Chen of everything he knows.
"...She's been gone for over four months. I was not lying when I told you she's dead. The five-hundred-year legend came back, and she was chosen as a sacrifice. She loved this kingdom and its people more than anything. You might not believe me, but it's true. All the other noble girls returned except her. The portal is closed, and the priest is unable to open it anymore. She sacrificed herself for this kingdom, so I beg you to leave us alone."
"Ha! You all think the curse it gone, now don't you? If what you say is true and it's been four months, then why hasn't it rained? Why are crops still wilting? Looks like the heaven still hasn't forgiven you."
"What do you mean by that! Is there something else to this legend we don't know about?!"
"There is a saying in our culture general Bolin. If a sacrifice leaves the world with hatred, the heavens will grant their last wish. Seeing as the curse is still not solved, I'm guessing Ying Yue left this world hating and cursing it. Do you know what she wished for?"
"No....I don't, but I think I know someone who might."
"Heh, this will be the last time I'll see you. We are returning to the mountains and moving west. The lands there are the least affected and will last my people through winter. Farewell general. It's truly a pity I can't make Ying Yue my concubine."
Breaking into a smile, Hong Chen turns away from Bolin and Rides his horse back to his army. Bolin stared in silence as Hong Chen and his army disappeared over the horizon. With everything going on, Bolin knew he had to find Zhi Ruo. Quickly heading back to the capital, Bolin heads to Zhi Ruo's residence. After twenty minutes, Bolin finally reaches Zhi Ruo's home. As Bolin got off his horse, he's stopped by the guards outside her home.
"I am the imperial General Bolin Zhao! I need to see lady Zhi Ruo please!"
The guards looked to one another before one left to go find Zhi Ruo. Bolin stood outside the entrance for five minutes before Zhi Ruo came running out. Trying to catch her breath, Zhi Ruo finally makes it to where Bolin was.
"Bolin! Why are you here? I just saw you earlier today."
"Zhi Ruo, I need you to answer me honestly! Did Ying Yue say anything before she fell into the portal? Any last words?!"
"Uh...she did.... I'm not sure you want to know."
"Zhi Ruo, Look at me. I need to know, please."
"Sigh, Ying Yue was talking about something regarding her and the crown prince, and then when it got to Jia Li Ying Yue said."
"I curse you to never have a son. I curse this kingdom for taking advantage of me. I curse this wretched life. I curse my own father for never loving me or mother. I hope this kingdom suffers my hate."
After hearing what Zhi Ruo said, Bolin couldn't hold back his tear. Like a stream that won't stop flowing. Zhi Ruo had confirmed Bolin's fear; that maybe Ying Yue really did leave this world; hating it. Filled with regret for not coming to take her away, Bolin could only cry in despair now. Zhi Ruo could only stare and offer Bolin a handkerchief. Grabbing hold of Zhi Ruo's pale yellow handkerchief, Bolin quickly wipes his tears away. Zhi Ruo was unsure why, but she felt pain the moment she saw Bolin cry. Like a knife to the heart, Zhi Ruo knew Bolin still loved Ying Yue and was still mourning for her. Silently muttering, Zhi Ruo asks Bolin a question.
"Bolin, will you be alright?"
"Yes... I'll manage. Thank you Zhi Ruo, I'm sorry to bother you so much. I'll be leaving now, farewell."
Bolin hands Zhi Ruo her handkerchief. He turned around and hopped back onto his horse. Whatever Zhi Ruo had told him confirmed that what Hong Chen said was true. Making his way back to the palace, Bolin needed answers from the emperor.