Ying Yue makes her way towards the front gate, with Su Ru following close by. Taking a deep breath, Ying Yue walks closer to where all the other concubines were standing. The crown prince glances around and notices Ying Yue; he hops off his horse and runs towards her, like a child.
"Ah! My dear concubine! You came after all!"
The crown prince grabs hold of both of Ying Yues hand and held them both inside his own hands. With hope beaming in his eyes and a satisfied smile on his face, Ying Yue forced herself to smile.
"Why yes.... I wouldn't miss it Ha....Ha."
The moment the crown prince grabbed hold of Ying Yue's hands; she could feel the crown princess eyes on her. Not just any kind of stare; Ying Yue could feel the hatred coming off from her. Breaking into a grin as she had accomplished what she came to do, Ying Yue breaks off from the crown prince's hold.
"Crown prince, please be aware of where we are. There's many eyes on us right now."
"Ahem, you're right. Pardon me for not being aware."
The king walks over and motions for the crown prince to get back on his horse. Time was running out and they've wasted enough time. The crown prince, quickly hops back onto his horse and rides towards the front. Soon, the crown princess and all the concubines also walked towards the front. Unsure of what to do, Ying Yue quietly follows the concubines. Ying Yue stands off into the side, suddenly, she notices another man.
"Su Ru, who's that?"
"My lady, that's the second prince."
"Oh? First time I'm seeing him."
"He rarely leaves his residence. The second prince spends most of his time immersed in his study. At least that's what everyone says."
"Hmmm....I see."
A tall man with dark hair, broad shoulders and a growing mustache was on another horse; next to the crown prince. Although, not as good looking as the crown prince, Ying Yue could still see him as someone who would popular with the ladies.
Once the hunting crew and everyone was out of sight; Ying Yue turns to to leave. All of a sudden the crown princess jumps in front of her and cuts her off.
"Stop right there!"
"What is it, crown princess?"
"You know I'm the crown princess and you dared to embarrass me there?!"
"What did I do?"
"You dared to touch the crown prince in front of so many eyes! Do you have no shame?!"
"Pfff...from what I remembered; the crown prince reached out to me first. If that's all you have to say, I'm returning to my residence."
Ying Yue watched as the crown princess face turned bright red, either from embarrassment or anger. As Ying Yue continues to walk back, the crown princess turns around and yells out to her.
"If you take another step, I will send you to the cold palace as punishment for a week!"
Ying Yue breaks into a grin and continues to walk.
"You! Stop right there!"
"Crown princess, don't worry. I'll walk myself to the cold palace!"
With those parting words, Ying Yue walks towards the rose palace with Su Ru walking close by. Not once did Ying Yue turn back to glance at the crown princess. Once they were far enough, Ying Yue breaks out into a laughter.
"Ha Ha! This is going much better than I had planned, Su Ru."
"Indeed, my lady. Are you really heading there, tonight?"
"Of course! It's an order from the crown princess, right?"
Quickly making their way to the rose palace, Ying Yue packed her things as Su Ru did the same. They took whatever they could, leaving no traces. Ying Yue grabbed her sword, some money, her hand-made map and the scroll she found in the library. She also made sure to bring the male clothing she had gotten earlier from Su Ru.
"Are you ready, Su Ru?"
"Yes, my lady. I also packed some food and snacks as well. Being in the cold palace means less food and things so I also brought a blanket for the night time."
"Good, let's be off."
Without any hesitation, Ying Yue and Su Ru walks towards to the cold palace. As they got closer, the guards standing by stops them.
"Halt! Who dares to try and enter the cold palace?!"
Su Ru quickly comes in between and greets the guards.
"Greetings sirs, this is lady Ying Yue. I'm sure you all have heard of her from the crown princess. She is to spend some time in the cold palace to repent."
"What? I heard of no such thing!"
"You can check with the crown princess then. Or would you rather risk the crown princess punishing you for not letting us in?"
The guards talked among themselves, and motions for Ying Yue and Su Ru to enter the cold palace. Su Ru bids the guards farewell and closes the entrance gate. Off into the distance, Ying Yue could see an unkempt courtyard and residence.
"It looks like it hasn't been used in some time...."
"It has been over twenty years from what I heard from the other maids. The last one to use it was the second princes' mother."
"What? What did she do?"
"I heard she offended the queen and as punishment, she spent two years here."
"Two years?! Gosh, the queen is much worse than the crown princess."
"She's....not the best. That's all I'm going to say."
Ying Yue and Su Ru props the bedroom doors opened and glanced inside. Filled with dust, and spider webs, Ying Yue clenches her fists and turns to Su Ru.
"Su Ru, let's clean this up a bit. We still have to spend a night here so we need to make it livable."
"Yes, my lady."
The girls went to work and dusted and cleaned every corner of the sleeping quarters. After three hours, the bedroom was now clean enough to sleep in. Su Ru lays the blanket she had prepared onto the bed and places out the food and snacks she had packed onto the table.
"My lady, you're pregnant. You should eat something."
"Thank you, Su Ru. Come join me."
Ying Yue hands a cold bean filled bun to Su Ru, who gladly accepted it. Before they knew it, the sun started to set. After their little dinner break, Ying Yue and Su Ru explored the cold palace in search of the hole in the wall.
"Hmm....according to the scroll. It's one of the back walls."
They continued to search and search with no luck. With the sun gone now, it was getting harder and harder to see. Su Ru tries to call it a night, but Ying Yue refused to give up as they only had a day left.
"My lady, it's dark now. Don't you think we should try again in the morning?"
"Not yet, just a while longer."
Ying Yue decides to look lower and pushed away any bushes out of her way. To her surprise, Ying Yue really found the hole. Trying to hold in her excitement, Ying Yue grabs hold of Su Ru's left hand and dragged her to come see the hole.
"I can't believe it. It's really here!"
"Shhhh....not so loud Su Ru."
"My lady, why don't we leave tonight?"
"Not yet, I have a feeling the crown princess will visit us in the morning. I should be here to throw her off guard first. We'll leave tomorrow as the sun starts to set."
"Yes, my lady."
Quickly covering the hole back with bushes, Ying Yue and Su Ru made their way back to sleeping quarters of the cold palace. Now that Ying Yue was covered in dirt; Su Ru quickly draws a bath for Ying Yue.
"Ah! Even the water is cold. I'm sorry, my lady. Let me boil up some hot water."
"No, it's alright. It's late already, I don't mind a cold bath."
Ying Yue quickly undresses herself and walks right into the cold bath. Quickly wiping herself with a wet cloth; Ying Yue lasted less than ten minutes. Ying Yue motions for Su Ru to bring her a clean robe.
"Are you done, my lady?"
"Yes, I'm heading to bed now. You should as well, it's late."
Ying Yue watches as Su Ru, prepares the wooden couch to sleep on.
"Su Ru, come lay next to me."
"What? My lady I can't do that! I'm fine with a couch!"
"I'm the only one with a blanket. It's night and colder now. We'll be warmer this way."
Su Ru nods and heads to lay down next to Ying Yue. Before long, the girls drifted off, Once the sun was high enough, it peeked in through the cracks on the doors and windows. Ying Yue sits up and lightly shakes Su Ru to wake her up.
"Su Ru, wake up."
"Mmmm....my lady? Is something wrong?"
"No, it's morning now. I have a feeling the crown princess will visit shortly. Help me get ready and make sure to not draw any suspicion."
"Yes, my lady."
Ying Yue walks out of bed, followed by Su Ru. Soon, Su Ru comes back with the same outfit Ying Yue had worn the night before.
"Oh, did you wash it?"
"Yes, my lady. I gave it a quick wash last night. It should be dry now."
Ying Yue dresses herself into her dress as Su Ru was getting ready as well. Quickly munching on another bean bun, Ying Yue walks out to the courtyard followed by Su Ru.
"Knock Knock."
"Who is it?"
A male voice shouts out from behind the gates.
"Open up for the crown princess!"
Ying Yue breaks into a smile and motions for Su Ru to open the front gates. Su Ru was shocked to see how Ying Yue was right about the crown princess coming to visit.
"What brings you here, crown princess?"
"Have you repented enough?! If so, get on your knees and beg me to let you return to rose palace."
"I rather like it here. If that's all you came to say, then please leave."
"You! You damn woman! I'll have you locked in here until the crown prince returns then! No one is allowed to let this woman out!"
Once the crown princess was done yelling at the guards, she stormed off without looking back once. The guards quickly bids Ying Yue farewell as they closed and blocked off the front gate.
"Hmph, perfect. This way no one will check up on us for a while."
"Did you plan this, my lady?"
"Heh, the crown princess is so easy to manipulate. Su Ru, start packing."
"Yes, my lady."