After lunch Jianyu returned to his residence as Ying Yue remained in the empress residence alone. With nothing to do, Ying Yue decides to spend the next few hours polishing her sword and practicing her swordsmanship. Shen An and Li An would always be against Ying Yue practicing swordsmanship as it was not feminine.
"Your highness. you're the empress now. There is no need for you to continue practicing swordsmanship."
"I'm aware of that, but this is something I've always done. It's a part of me now."
Shen An gives up trying to convince Ying Yue. Instead they would close the entrance to the empress residence to avoid having anyone walking by noticing Ying Yue. Looking at the sun nearly falling, Shen An stops Ying Yue in the middle of her training.
"Your highness it is getting late. Should we head back inside?"
"There's no need for that. I'll be heading out shortly."
"What? To where and with who your highness?"
"The emperor wants to take me out, so I'll be heading out tonight. Don't wait up for me, I might be out for a while."
"Did you need help getting ready?"
"I guess I can't go looking all sweaty. I'll need another bath first. Prepare the plainest clothes you can find for me."
Shen An and Li An bids Ying Yue farewell as they leave to complete their tasks. Shen An leaves to prepare the bath as Li An leave to prepare Ying Yue's clothing. Once Shen An returned; Ying Yue knew it was time to go. With her sword still tied to her waist, Ying Yue heads for the baths again as Shen An followed behind. As to not waste time, Ying Yue made sure it was only a quick bath. Quickly disrobing herself, she jumps right in and scrubs herself. Looking down at her plump chest, Ying Yue sees that the marks have changed.
"Oh, they look like a bruise now."
"Your highness that is normal. Don't worry about it."
"Hmmm...I guess so."
As Ying Yue had her back facing Shen An, she was unaware of someone approaching the baths. Shen An quickly notices the figure walking closer and greets the figure only to be motioned to be silent and exit the baths.
"Shen An? I think I'm done; can you give me my robe?"
Ying Yue calls for Shen An over and over with no reply. Finally turning around Ying Yue sees a naked Jianyu walking into the bath and seating himself next to her.
"Disappointed that I'm not Shen An?"
"Jianyu?! Why....why are you here?"
Quickly moving away from Jianyu, Ying Yue could only stare as Jianyu continue to laugh at her reaction.
"Ha Ha! This is the royal bath. Are you saying I'm not allowed to be here?"
"I...I didn't say that. I just thought you'd have your own bath inside your residence."
"Oh I do. I went to your residence and Li An had told me you were going to be here. So here I am, I thought you might want some company."
"Well I am done, so enjoy yourself."
"Are you sure you want to get out? I'll see everything."
Ying Yue watches as Jianyu breaks into a grin. Feeling embarrassed, Ying Yue couldn't bring herself to leave the bath.
"Not leaving anymore?"
"How can I after what you just said?!"
"It's not like there's anything I haven't seen already."
Ying Yue blushes at Jianyu's remarks before clenching her fists and walking towards Jianyu. Seating herself next to him, Ying Yue glares at Jianyu before commenting on his remarks.
"Well, that's true. Same goes for you Jianyu. It's not like I haven't seen everything already."
"Oho...getting rather bold there. Who was the one that kept their eyes closed most of the time?"
"Hmph...you can't blame me for that. It was my first time, it's natural to not know what I was doing. You on the other hand, seemed like you knew what you were doing."
Although Ying Yue was the one who brought it up, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous about all the women before her. Rather than embarrassed now, she was now annoyed and disappointed in herself for getting mad at things that happened before her time. Meanwhile Jianyu could tell what was going on inside Ying Yue's mind. Lightly pinching Ying Yue's cheek; Jianyu breaks into a chuckle.
"I know what you're thinking. It's written all over your face. I'll have you know that was also my first time."
"Lies! Don't lie to me Jianyu. I'm sure you've had women throw themselves at you."
"Just because they do, doesn't mean I have to accept. I never cared for love or marriage in the past. I was so focus on training and studying to become the perfect ruler someday. Love was not something I found necessary; it was more like a weakness."
"Then....why did you like princess Biyu?"
"I'm not sure why I was drawn to her in the first place. Maybe because of her different features and black hair. She was a fearless woman and did not bow to me even when she found out who I was."
"I see, anything else I should know?"
"Not really, just know that I have never loved anyone like the way I love you. Biyu was someone of the past. Nowadays when I think of it, I really question if I even loved her. When I compare my feelings to her back then to the feelings I have for you now, it's different."
"Well, aren't you the sweet talker."
"Ha Ha! I'm serious Ying Yue!"
"Well, it's getting late. We should get out and get ready to leave."
Ying Yue walks out of the bath first, followed by Jianyu. Quickly putting on her robe, Ying Yue bids Jianyu farewell as she walks back to her residence with Shen An who was waiting outside. Jianyu waits until Ying Yue was out sight before creating a portal back to his sleeping quarters.
Finally, back to her residence Ying Yue motions for Shen An and Li An to help her get ready. Li An brought in a pale mint colored dress with white small flowers sewed onto the front of the dress. Using light makeup, Ying Yue lightly pats on blush only. Finishing off with a jade bracelet and jade hairpin.
"There, I think this should be fine. Well done you two."
"Thank you for your kind words your highness."
"I'll be going to his majesties residence alone, you two can go finish any other task you have for the day and call it a night."
After dismissing the sisters, Ying Yue makes a run for it to Jianyu's sleeping quarters. After running around for ten minutes, Ying Yue was now standing in front of Jianyu's residence. Quickly greeting the guards, Ying Yue makes it inside into Jianyu's bedroom. Propping his bedroom doors open, Ying Yue walks right in.
"Jianyu? Are you ready?"
"Almost."
"Isn't that too extreme? I thought we were going to sneak out."
Jianyu was wearing a red outfit, with a gold dragon emblem on the back. Rather than flashy, Ying Yue couldn't help but find it a bit too cringy looking.
"Heh, I think you should think about changing your clothes Jianyu."
"Too much?"
"Yeah....something less eye catching would be better."
After Ying Yue's remarks, Jianyu finally changes into a completely black outfit. Tying his hair up, he glances over to Ying Yue before chanting a spell to change their hair colors. Quickly grabbing onto his sword and tying it around his waist, he holds out his hand to Ying Yue.
"Shall we get going?"
Ying Yue nods her head in agreement. Moments later, she watches as Jianyu casts another spell to open up a portal. Jianyu grabs hold of Ying Yue's hand and leads her through the portal. Once Ying Yue got through the portal, she realized they were in the same place as last time.
"Ah...back here. Sure, brings back some memory."
"Come on, let's check some food stalls Ying Yue."
Jianyu who was still holding onto Ying Yue's hand, leads her to the main street. It was different from the festival, but the night market was still bustling. Full of people, food, stalls and many more. Jianyu motions for Ying Yue to buy whatever she wanted. Since she didn't have dinner yet, Ying Yue made sure to make a stop for food first. Grabbing two meat skewers, Ying Yue hands one to Jianyu.
"Mmm! These are always the best."
"Hmm...they indeed taste different from palace food. Ying Yue, I need to check on a place nearby, want to come along?"
"What place?"
"A tea house nearby. Since we're in town I might as well stop by there."
"Ehhh....but I wanted to eat some more. Since it's nearby I should be fine by myself."
"Are you sure?"
"Jianyu I'm fine! Don't worry, I'll just be in this area."
Although reluctant, Jianyu takes Ying Yue's word for it and leaves her alone. Ying Yue continues to walk around looking at every stall she could find. After walking around for ten minutes, with her half eaten meat skewer still in her hand, Ying Yue notices a figure dressed in black among the crowd. For a moment Ying Yue thought she saw red hair. Rubbing her eyes, she quickly checks again; only this time the figure was gone. Thinking she was probably just tired, Ying Yue quickly turns around and bumps into someone. The impact was strong enough to make Ying Yue drop her meat skewer and wince in pain.
"Ah! I'm sorry!"
"No, it's my fault for scaring you."
Ying Yue glances up at the tall figure in front of her. To her surprise, it was a man who looked to be around the same age as Jianyu. Ying Yue watches as the man removes his hood revealing red hair. Ying Yue couldn't believe it. Jianyu was supposed to be the only royal left, or so she thought he was. Without thinking, Ying Yue whispers out a name.
"Bai Chun.....?"
The man was no longer smiling. Rather he had a serious look on his face. Ying Yue couldn't help but find his gaze cold and scary. It takes alot to scare someone like Ying Yue, but this man's was different. Ying Yue watched as the man bent over to pick up her meat skewer that was now covered in dirt. The strange man grabs hold of Ying Yues right hand and places five silver coins in her hand.
"Ah, looks like this can't be eaten anymore. Here, take this and get yourself another one; empress."
"No....no need!"
Ying Yue quickly hands the money back to the man and runs for the shop Jianyu was at. With her heart nearly beating out of her chest, Ying Yue couldn't shake off the feeling that; that man was bad news.