Day breaks and Ying Yue wakes up to the cold air slipping in through the window that was left opened last night. Nearly freezing to death, Ying Yue forces herself to move out of bed and closes the window. Crawling to the edge of the bed, while wrapped up in her thick blanket; Ying Yue manages to close the window and run back inside to her bed. As she was about to close her bed curtains, Ying Yue hears a knock on her door.
"Knock Knock."
"Who is it?"
"It's Fu Jia."
Still wrapped inside her blanket, Ying Yue makes her way to her bedroom door. Lightly propping it open, Ying Yue pokes her head out.
"Welcome back Fu Jia. I'm assuming you were able to deliver my letter?"
"Yes, your highness. I did get a lecture out of it though."
"Ha Ha! I'm sorry, it was urgent."
"Your highness, you should not be apologizing so easily."
"Why does everyone keep saying that? It's not like it's wrong."
"Someone of your status doesn't need to do such a thing. It is fine since no one is around, but refrain from that when there are others."
"Alright....alright I understand. You may go back to your duties."
As Ying Yue moves her head back inside her bedroom, Fu Jia takes out another letter.
"This is from his majesty."
Ying Yue grabs the letter and nods goodbye to Fu Jia before closing her doors. Moving back to her bed; still wrapped in her blanket, Ying Yue opens the letter to see what Jianyu wrote.
It's been a while my empress. Two weeks flew by but not once did I not think of you. Please stay within the palace for now. I hope you know I'm doing this to prevent anything from happening. I know you're bored, but it can't be helped. I am currently traveling around the borders trying to find Bai Chun and his base. We haven't had any luck so far. I will come visit you in two days. Until then, stay out of trouble.
Love
Your Emperor
"Geez....he talks like I like getting into trouble."
Although Ying Yue knew Jianyu was just worried, she couldn't help but feel he was being a bit too extreme. As Ying Yue places her letter under her pillow, she hears another knock on her door.
"Knock Knock."
"Come in."
"Good afternoon, your highness."
"Ah! Shen An and Li An."
"You have a visitor today your highness. Please let us help you get ready."
"What? Who is it?"
"She said her name was Yi Yu. Should we have not let her in?"
"Oh, her. I do remember her. Alright, help me get ready and nothing too heavy and flashy. It's just a friend visiting after all."
"Yes, your highness."
Ying Yue seats herself in front of her mirror as Shen An and Li An did her hair and makeup. Li An braids Ying Yue's long hair, before rolling them in and pinning them up to create a bun. Leaving partial parts of her hair down, she clips in hairpins and accessories. Meanwhile, Shen An draws on a red flower onto Ying Yue's forehead and finishes off with a tint of red on Ying Yue's cheeks and lips. Ying Yue chose a dark red dress with black patterns sewed onto the back. Ying Yue smiles in satisfaction and turns to face Shen An.
"Shen An, where is she?"
"We had her wait in the main hall your highness."
"Which main hall?"
"Yours, your highness. You do have other buildings in your residence. Were you not aware?"
"I....I knew that. Ha Ha....which way is it?"
Shen An points into a direction as Ying Yue leads the way. After all this time, Ying Yue never really explored any other parts of her residence other than her sleeping quarters. After walking for a good five minute, Ying Yue finally comes to a stop. It was a rather large building with beautiful carvings on the outside. Ying Yue walks into the building as Shen An and Li An followed behind her.
"Yi Yu!"
Ying Yue happily runs and greets Yi Yu who was sitting down at small table and chair.
"Your highness! It's great to see you again."
"Yes! Same here! I'm happy to see you looking well. Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, I'm much better now. I was able to convince my father to let me out today."
"That's good, why the sudden visit?"
"I figured you'd be bored, and came to visit you."
"That's awfully kind of you."
Ying Yue ended up spending the next three hours talking with Yi Yu over tea and snacks. Ying Yue told her about her world, and about how everyone there had black hair. Yi Yu would talk to Ying Yue about the other noble girls that are still after Jianyu, regardless of the fact that he's married now.
"Who's Su Yun?"
"Your highness, she's friends with prime ministers' daughter; Shi Chen."
"Ah....great. Another Shi Chen to deal with. It is getting late Yi Yu. Did you come in a carriage today?"
"Oh, don't worry about me your highness. My men should be outside the palace grounds waiting for me."
"Oh! Alright, then I will see you out."
Ying Yue motions for Yi Yu to follow her to the main palace gates. Still chattering along the way.
"Do come visit me again Yi Yu."
"Of course, your highness."
Yi Yu bids Ying Yue farewell before heading off in her carriage. With Shen An and Li An still following behind her, Ying Yue makes her way back to her sleeping quarters.
"Ah, it's snowing again."
Just when Ying Yue thought the snow had stopped. There was now enough snow on the ground to see footprints. Taking a deep breath in; of the cold air. Ying Yue props her bedroom doors open and undresses herself. Switching into her night gown, Ying Yue dismisses Shen An and Li An for the day.
Meanwhile, Yi Yu returns to her residence. After greeting her father, she heads to her bedroom. Closing her bedroom doors behind her, Yi Yu was about to take off her thick shawl but stops in her track when she sees a shadow. A dark figure dressed in black approaches her from behind her changing screen.
"Who....who's there?"
Shivering nonstop, Yi Yu was scared for her life. The dark figure moves out from the shadows and into the light. There, Yi Yu watches as the mysterious figure removes his mask. In a deep voice, the man finally answers her.
"You don't know me.... but I know you rather well. Does the name Bai Chun sound familiar?"
"You're....that wanted man! Someone! Help!"
Bai Chun quickly covers Yi Yu's mouth and glares into her teary eyes. Motioning for her to be quiet, Bai Chun finally removes his hand after Yi Yu nods her head to comply.
"Don't even think of calling for help. You'd be dead by the time they come anyways."
"What....what do you want?"
"I need you to do something for me. If you disagree, I will not only kill you but your family."
"Please no...my family has nothing to do with this."
"I'd like to avoid blood shed if possible, but that's up to you. I see you're rather friendly with that human empress."
"No….no I can't do anything that will harm her!"
"Well, it's her or your family. Listen well girl, in three days you will lure her out of the palace grounds. That's all you need to do."
"What do you plan to do with her?"
"That's none of your business. Don't forget; three days from tonight, during the full moon. I will be waiting outside the palace."
"She's the empress! Harming her means instant death already!"
"No one will know if you keep your mouth shut."
"How.... do I know you won't kill me afterwards?"
The man stares at the shivering Yi Yu, before leaning in closer.
"Because you're already at deaths door with that illness of yours. I don't have to do anything, but I can save you.... on one more condition."
Yi Yu clenches her fists and could only nod to respond to what Bai Chun was saying, As Bai Chun was about to leave through a portal he created, he quickly chants another spell.
"That spell I casted on you is to keep you quiet. You won't be able to tell anyone, no matter what you do. If you try to speak it, you won't be able to talk. If you try to write it, you won't be able to write."
"I don't understand why you can't just do it yourself if you're able to create portals!"
"My nephew isn't' as stupid as I thought. There's a strong barrier around the palace. If I try forcing my way in, I will be trapped inside and he would be notified instantly. Why would I be stupid enough to do that when I can use you."
"You…. don't…forget our deal!"
"Heh, I keep my words."
Without another word, Yi Yu watched as Bai Chun disappeared into his portal.