Two weeks had gone by since that time where Ying Yue saw Bai Chun. Ying Yue could still remember the sensation she felt during that time. Just remembering the incident gave Ying Yue goosebumps. Not only was Bai Chun missing; Jianyu has also disappeared since that night. Ying Yue clearly remembers waking up alone to a cold room alone. With winter not far away, Ying Yue knew everything was only going to get harder from here on out.
Stuck alone inside the empress residence, as Ying Yue was still not allowed to go outside the palace. Ying Yue has tried to sneak out only to be caught by Fu Jia. No matter how much Ying Yue pestered Fu Jia to tell her where Jianyu was, he would only keep his mouth shut and advert his gaze. Sitting alone in the empress residence, Ying Yue would pass her days away by reading scrolls from the imperial library that were all about Bai Chun. With Shen An and Li An as her only companion inside her bedroom, Ying Yue could only discuss her thoughts about it with her maids, as Fu Jia was not allowed inside the bedroom.
"Wow, all these scrolls are so detailed. Some are so sad to read...it's almost like they knew who he was."
"Your highness, those were written by the late empress."
"What? What do you mean Shen An? Why would the late empress know so much about him?"
"This is not something that's talked about often. We only know because one of our ancestors was the personal maid that served the late empress. Your highness, did you know that Li An and I come from a lineage that has been serving as the personal maids to only the empress for centuries? It was not on a whim that we were chosen to serve you."
"I had no idea! Can you tell me what you know about the relationship between the late empress and Bai Chun?"
"If it will help you, I will tell you what I know."
"If it can help me understand his motives. It will be something worth knowing."
"You see, in our family home back in Panyuan. We have our own scroll of collections that holds information about past events, wars, and anything that can someday teach the younger generation about the past."
Ying Yue listens inventively as Shen An continues to speak. Trying to not miss anything that might help Jianyu in his search for Bai Chun.
"Wait, Shen An and Li An. Are you two from a noble household?"
"Yes, although we are not that well known as the other nobles here due to our skin color, but that is a story for another time. When we were thirteen, our mother made us read the scrolls from the collection. In one of the scrolls, it talked about how the late empress and Bai Chun were childhood playmates. Since Bai Chun was a child, he was always bedridden. Bai Chun's father, who was emperor at the time felt bad and therefore had the prime minister's youngest daughter; MinZhu, come be his playmate. Can you guess who that child was?"
"The late empress?"
"Correct, your highness."
"What? Seriously? Tell me why I already feel like I know what's going to happen."
"As they grew older and closer Bai Chun started to develop feelings for Minzhu, but lady MinZhu was in love with his older brother; Huang feng who is the father of our current emperor right now. Bai Chun was aware of her feelings for his older brother and so he tried to intervene. He asked for her hand in marriage only to be denied by his father and prime minister. Even when the prime minister liked Bai Chun, he did not want his daughter to marry someone who may not live much longer."
"Did empress Minzhu know about Bai Chun's feelings?"
"She did as they grew older, but she was already in love with the late emperor and therefore could not reciprocate his feelings. Bai Chun felt betrayed and abandoned when Minzhu and the crown prince Huang Feng got engaged. Hence why he turned to the dark arts when he was old enough. His hate for his brother grew and has continued to this day. His past is a tragic one if you think about it, your highness."
"I mean...losing your first love to your brother and then growing up neglected as well, makes a lot of sense as to why he strayed into the dark path."
"Are you alright your highness?"
"Eh, yes...I'm fine. Does emperor Jianyu know?"
"I don't believe so, your highness. You may tell him if you wish to."
"Thank you Shen An, for telling me this story. It is getting late; would you mind bringing me my dinner?"
"Of course."
Ying Yue watches as Shen An and Li An exit her room. Making sure they were out of sight, Ying Yue walks to her desk and writes a quick letter addressed to Jianyu. Ying Yue throws on a thick shawl and walks outside of her bedroom and hands the letter to Fu Jia who was standing guard.
"General Fu Jia."
"What is it, your highness?"
"Can you please deliver this letter to emperor Jianyu?"
"Your highness, I am not allowed to leave your side."
"I'm aware of that. If Jianyu asks, just tell him I ordered you to do it. You know where he is, don't you? Otherwise I would've asked one of my maids to deliver it."
"Sigh, you're putting me in a tough spot, your highness."
"I'm counting on you, Fu Jia."
"Very well. I'll be off, but please stay within the palace grounds under his majesties barrier."
"I will, don't worry."
Ying Yue hands over her letter to Fu Jia. Wasting no time, Ying Yue watched as Fu Jia quickly leave the premises and disappear. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air; Ying Yue stares into the sky.
"Snow! It's snowing! Ha Ha!"
Ying Yue felt like a child, running into the courtyard with her hands wide open, reaching into the sky. It was now cold enough to the point where she could see her breath already; Ying Yue knew that eventually snow would follow. Off into the distance, Shen An and Li An could see Ying Yue dancing around inside the courtyard; trying to catch the snow that would only end up melting at her touch.
"Your highness, what are you doing?"
"Ah! No... nothing. You guys are back already I see. Come, lets head back inside and have dinner then."
Ying Yue quickly leads the way as Shen An and Li An were holding the trays of food. Ying Yue seats herself onto a chair by the table as Shen An and Li An places the tray of hot foods on the table.
"Shen An, Li An! Join me for dinner. I'm sure you two haven't eaten yet."
"Your highness that's not appropriate! We can't do that!"
"It's fine, I've gotten tired of eating alone lately."
"You are an odd one, your highness. Only you would ask your maids to come dine with you."
"I am different since I am from a different world too. Come join me, it's an order."
"Sigh, very well your highness."
Ying Yue motions for the sisters to take a seat at the empty chairs across from her. Although reluctant, Shen An and Li An agrees to dine with Ying Yue.
"See! Food tastes so much better when you eat it with others."
"If you say so, your highness."
Ying Yue and her maids would spend the rest of the night chattering away about relationships and their personal issues. Being raised among men, Ying Yue had forgotten how fun it was to chat with other girls around her age.