"Knock Knock."
Ying Yue turns her head to the sound of someone knocking on her door in the middle of the day. She had asked her maids to leave her alone for the rest of the evening as she wanted time alone. Ignoring the knock, Ying Yue goes back to studying the dragon clan's writing system. After a moment of silence, Jianyu slams open Ying Yue's bedroom doors. Jianyu glanced around the room and turns his gaze back to Ying Yue. Seeing who it was, Ying Yue quickly stood up from her chair.
"Why didn't you open the door for me Ying Yue?"
"I didn't know it was you, and you weren't saying anything. So, I assumed it wasn't anything important."
"Fair enough, where are the maids I assigned to you?"
"I had them go help the kitchen, I wanted to study alone today and I can't do that knowing there's people standing over my shoulder."
After hearing Ying Yue's reason, Jianyu closes Ying Yue's door behind him. Fearing he might try something again; Ying Yue quickly took a step back.
"Wait wait wait! Why are you closing the door?!"
With every step Jianyu took, Ying Yue took a step back. Running from the table to hide inside her bed. Ying Yue quickly closes her bed curtain. Before long Ying Yue could hear Jianyu laughing from the outside of her bed. Thinking Jianyu was playing a prank on her, Ying Yue decides to open her bed curtain. Still on her knees and inside her bed she peeks out to see where he was. All of a sudden Jianyu pushes Ying Yue onto her bed. Slightly creeping over Ying Yue, Jianyu grabs hold of Ying Yues hands and holds them above her head. Ying Yue braces herself for whatever was to come, but in the end she only felt a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Are you on the bed inviting me?"
"What? I'm doing no such thing!"
"Ying Yue, you've been here for over four months, isn't it about time you get used to this by now?"
"I don't think anyone could get used to this."
Blushing from ear to ear, she realized that maybe climbing into her bed wasn't the greatest idea. Quickly pushing Jianyu away, Ying Yue sits up on the edge of her bed. Feeling her face burn up, Ying Yue knew she couldn't let these feelings grow as she still needed to find a way home to her mother. Jianyu see's Ying Yues face twist with confusion. Worried that she's probably overthinking.
"Ying Yue, why don't you join me for an outing? There's a light festival happening tonight, are you interested?
"Really?! Can we go?"
"Of course, we can leave when you are ready."
"I don't think the generals will let us go though."
"Who said anything about letting them know? I can create a portal and have it take us out of the palace without anyone knowing."
Filled with excitement, Ying Yue couldn't wait! Being stuck in the palace for the past few months has become unbearable. As Ying Yue searches her closet for an outfit to change into, she stares at the dragon emperor who was still standing near her bed.
"Jianyu, do you plan to stand there or are you going to leave the room so I can change?"
"What's wrong with me being here? I'll be seeing everything in the near future anyways."
Ying Yue blushed from Jianyu remarks, without thinking much, Ying Yue walks to Jianyu and grabs hold of his right hand and leads him out of her bedroom. Jianyu stood outside the door in shock that Ying Yue actually kicked him out of her room.
"You didn't have to lock me out Ying Yue!"
"It's your fault for saying those things! Now stay out there and think about what you said!"
Taking her sweet time, Ying Yue changed into the plainest outfit she could find. it was a pale pink dress with a tint of lime green, it also had a beautiful water lily embroidery onto the front skirt. Since the maids were not around, Ying Yue left her hair down and only pinned a portion of it up. Making a small bun and tying it; Ying Yue clips a jade hair pin in. Ever since Ying Yue started staying in the empress residence she's never had to worry about food, clothing, jewelry or makeup. Jianyu has always made sure she had the best, even without her asking for anything. Ying Yue stares at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing herself anymore. After she gave away her sword, she stopped practicing. Her calluses were healing and her hands no longer looked like that of a warrior. While thinking she should get back into training, Jianyu knocks on her door.
"Ying Yue, are you finished?"
"Ah, yes. I'm coming."
Ying Yue pushes her chair in, and slowly makes her way to the door. Catching Jianyu off guard, Jianyu could only stare in shock at the beautiful woman standing in front of him.
"I know I say this every time, but you're beautiful Ying Yue."
"Thank you Jianyu. By the way, why is your hair golden now?"
"Well, since we are sneaking out, I used a temporary spell to change my hair color. While we are at it, I'm changing yours too. We want to avoid drawing as much attention as possible."
Standing only two feet away from Jianyu, Ying Yue could hear Jianyu chanting the ancient words. In a matter of seconds her hair changed golden yellow. Watching in amazement, Ying Yue couldn't help, but smile in satisfaction.
Jianyu smiles in relief seeing Ying Yue happy. Turning to his left and facing the wall, Jianyu started chanting again. In a matter of seconds, a portal opened. It was connected to an alleyway close to the town. Jianyu, offers Ying Yue his right hand. Although reluctant at first since they were not married yet. Ying Yue takes hold of Jianyu hand as he pulls her through the portal.
Slowly making their way to the festival grounds now. Ying Yue had never seen such things before. The town streets were filled with food stalls, and clothing stalls. Vendors could be heard trying to sell their items. Restaurants were opened and children ran amok with their toys. People could be heard laughing from every corner, and beautiful light lanterns filled the streets. Seeing such a thing, Ying Yue couldn't help, but break into a smile. Feeling like a child again, Ying Yue could barely restrain herself from running. The only thing holding her back was Jianyu who was still holding onto her hand.
"Did your world have these things too Ying Yue?"
"Yes, but I was never allowed to attend such things. My father always told me it was for commoners and that it is a distraction to my sword training."
"I'll buy whatever you want, we have all night. So why don't we check everything?"
"Really?!"
Filled with excitement Ying Yue didn't realize she was dragging Jianyu to every stall. Ying Yue was trying any food she could find. As she was enjoying the candied apple on a stick, she stumbles upon a shop that sold swords. Pausing for a moment, Ying Yue turns to Jianyu who was standing beside her.
"Can I have a sword?"
"What do you need it for? Is there something I need to know?"
"Lately I've just been feeling incomplete without my sword. I gave it to my mother as parting gift, since I was so sure you'd kill me once you woke up."
"If it makes you happy, let's go pick one out."
Ying Yue broke into a smile! Looking like a little child that was given candy. As they made their way inside the shop, Ying Yue sees an older man looking to be in his fifties with a beer belly standing at the counter.
"Welcome customers! Feel free to look around!"
"Thank you, sir."
Browsing through the shop, Ying Yue could tell that everything was top quality. After realizing how expensive everything was, Ying Yue's face went pale. Tugging at Jianyu's arm, Ying Yue whispers to him.
"Never mind, everything is too expensive. The cheapest is three gold, and that's worth one hundred silver already. Let's go."
"Ha Ha, Ying Yue there is nothing in this country I can't buy. I am it's king, go on. Pick one you like. Don't worry about paying for it."
Checking into the back of the small shop, Ying Yue spots a white covered scabbard. Hidden and blocked by other quality items. Reaching into the bin, Ying Yue pulls out the beautiful sword. Slightly opening the sword Ying Yue realized the sword itself was completely white. Woven with a golden handle with the end of the sword looking like a flower spreading out.
"I want this one. What is this made of?"
"I've never seen anything like it, let's ask the man at the counter."
Ying Yue and Jianyu made their way to the counter. Placing the sword onto the counter Ying Yue begins to question the old man on the origin of the sword.
"What is this sword made of? It's completely white."
"Hm? Well, would you look at this. I thought I lost this sword, who would've thought it was just hiding."
"What do you mean by that?"
"No one knows where this sword came from. My grandfather said he noticed it inside his shop randomly one day. No matter how many times he tried to sell it no one would buy it, so he tried throwing it away. Only to find it back inside this same shop the very next day. He took it to a priest thinking it was haunted, but the priest only told him this."
"The sword is waiting for its rightful master, when the rightful person comes along the sword will unsheathe itself."
"Mister, if I can pull it out of its scabbard, will you let me take it for free?"
"Heh, alright little lady. If you can pull it out, it's all yours."
With little to no effort, Ying Yue pulls out the sword completely. Revealing its beautiful white shade. The old man couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"I can't believe it! I've never seen such a thing before. May I touch it?"
The moment the old man touched the sword, the old man's hand passed right through it. Watching in shock the old man looked even more confused now. It wasn't just the old man that was confused. Ying Yue and Jianyu both had never seen such a thing. Unsure of what to do, they decided they will take if back to the temple in the morning.
"Alright old man, a deal is a deal. The sword is mine."
"By all means, take it. It was never ours in the first place. May it keep you protected."
Jianyu and Ying Yue made their way out of the shop. Keeping the sword still inside its scabbard, Ying Yue was going to tour around the festival some more before they were stopped by five mysterious figures.