Before Ying Yue realized it, six days had gone by. Ying Yue only had one day left before her appointed time with Shi Chen and Zi Tai. Stuck between staying for her love or returning home to her mother. Ying Yue wasted her days away staring out her bedroom window. Her maids, Shen An and Li An couldn't help, but worry about her. With a heavy sigh, Ying Yue turns and faces the sisters.
"Shen An, Li An. Prepare a carriage and a pair of men clothing for me tomorrow. I will be visiting the temple."
The pair of sisters had no idea why Ying Yue wanted a carriage now. Without thinking much, they assumed she was just bored and wanted to visit the old priest. Nodding in unison they agreed to Ying Yue's demand. Ying Yue breaks into a smile and motions for the sisters to retire for the night,
"Thank you, ladies. You may retire for the night."
Bidding farewell to Ying Yue, the two sisters leaves the room as instructed. Ying Yue closes her window and comes to sit on her chair and table. In a dimly lit room, she decides she was going to write a letter to Jianyu in case anything should happen to her tomorrow. After writing what she wanted to say, Ying Yue sneaks out of her residence and makes a run for it to Jianyu's sleeping quarters. Placing the letter under Jianyu's pillow, Ying Yue runs back to her residence and calls it a night. Closing her eyes, she falls asleep.
Day breaks and Ying Yue wakes up to the sound of birds chirping outside her bedroom window. Rubbing her eyes open, Ying Yue forces herself to sit up. Glancing around her she could see rays of small light entering in through her window.
"Knock Knock."
"Your highness, are you awake? It's Li An."
"Come in."
Li An walks in with a pair of male clothing as Ying Yue had mentioned the night before. Placing it onto the brown table, Ying Yue could see it was a beautiful dark blue outfit. Removing her bed sheets, Ying Yue makes her way to the table and picks up the outfit.
"Li An, where's Shen An?"
"She is preparing the carriage, your highness."
"Good, help me get ready. I will be heading to the temple alone. You two won't need to accompany me today."
"Your highness, it's not safe to go alone. The emperor entrusted your care to us."
"It'll be alright, it's just the temple."
Quickly changing out of her clothes now. Ying Yue dresses herself in the dark blue male clothes and with her hair up in a bun, it was like the good old time. Adding in two jade hairpins, and her bracelet that she received from Jianyu, Ying Yue moves to her bed and grabs her sword and attaches it to her sash. Ying Yue stares at her reflection in the mirror; she looked no different from when she was the general now. Making her way to her carriage, she had the footman take her to the temple, Shen An and Li An stood at the empress residence entrance watching as Ying Yue slowly disappeared from their sight.
Finally reaching the temple grounds, Ying Yue is greeted by the priest. Rather than saying anything, the old woman motions for Ying Yue to follow her. Remembering the corridors, Ying Yue knew this was the way to the cold building in where the portal was opened last time. Keeping a good three feet between her and the old woman, Ying Yue needed to know the priest intentions.
"Old woman, why are you helping Zi Tai and Shi Chen?"
"I just want what's best for the emperor. He's still to learn his lesson from the last time he tried taking a human bride."
"I am not Biyu! Don't treat me like her."
"I'm aware of that, but in your veins; you still carry her blood."
Unable to respond to the old woman's remarks anymore, Ying Yue remained silent throughout the walk. Ying Yue knew whatever the priest was saying was true. Clenching her hands into fists, Ying Yue knew she couldn't afford to give them what they wanted.
After walking for fifteen minutes, Ying Yue was now standing in front of the building. The cold building with the hard-floored wooden room. The priest turns to face Ying Yue and gestures for her to enter.
"I'm going alone?"
"That's correct, Shi Chen and Zi Tai are already inside waiting for you."
After saying what she wanted, the priest turns her back to Ying Yue and starts walking away. Bracing herself for what was to come, Ying Yue props the door open. Making her way to the small room, Ying Yue sees Shi Chen and Zi Tai talking in the distance.
"Took you long enough, I was about to think you ran away."
"Zi Tai, I will never understand what goes on inside your head."
Zi Tai and Shi Chen moves to their side and revealed a portal. Ying Yue couldn't believe it, they really opened up another portal. If they had offered her this deal eight and a half months ago she would've took it. Standing only four feet away from the portal now, Ying Yue clenches her fist in frustration. Shi Chen standing nearby clears her throat and walks closer to Ying Yue. With only two feet between them now, Shi Chen grabs hold of Ying Yue's hands and whispers to her.
"That's your way home dear. Don't worry, I will take good care of the emperor."
Ying Yue couldn't take it anymore and flings Shi Chen's hands off. Sending her flying back to Zi Tai. Ying Yue walks closer to Zi Tai and Shi Chen, with her blood boiling; Ying Yue locks eyes with Shi Chen.
"You know what! I have decided that my home is wherever Jianyu is."
"Ugh, damn human! You're nothing, but a burden to the emperor. If you love him you will leave him!"
"That's not how love works Shi Chen!"
"Oh well, I knew you wouldn't go so easily. Well Zi Tai, looks like we need to go with plan two."
In matter of seconds, Zi Tai grabs hold of Ying Yue's arm and flings her towards the portal. Ying Yue knew they were going to force her through the portal one way or another. Catching her off guard Ying Yue was barely able to stop herself from falling in. Ying Yue quickly tries to grabs hold of Shi Chen who was nearby. Zi Tai notices what Ying Yue was trying to do and in an attempt to save Shi Chen, he kicks Ying Yue's back towards the portal. Tripping over her own feet while falling back, Ying Yue loses her balance and falls through the portal.