After two weeks of staying within the lotus tea shop. Ying Yue and Su Ru were finally getting the hang of things. Su Ru was sent to help the kitchen as Ying Yue waited on customers and greeted incoming customers. Just like any typical day, Ying Yue made sure to use her time wisely. She would eavesdrop on any conversation nearby to see if anyone would drop hints in regards to finding Duan Da. As the night rolls in, and another day gone to waste. Ying Yue heads back to her bedroom with Su Ru; only to find the old woman sitting in their bedroom and sipping on tea at their small brown table.
"Mother Duan? What brings you into our bedroom so late at night?"
"Ah, Yin and Sue. Come have a seat. Oh, and close that door behind you."
Ying Yue couldn't help but worry that maybe mother Duan finally figured out they were on the run from Xinjing. Once Su Ru closed the door, mother Duan finally places her cup onto the table and reaches into her sash. She pulls out the scrolls that Ying Yue thought she hid well under her bed.
"Ah.....mother Duan...why do you have my scrolls?"
"Yin, do you know what language this one is in?"
"Huh? Anyone can tell that's in the dragon language."
"Did you know not just anyone can recognize the dragon language? It hasn't been taught to people outside of the dragon kingdom for over five hundred years. And yet, you're able to recognize it. Who are you?"
The only thing that was running through Ying Yue's mind at this moment was crap, she screwed herself over. Biting down on her lips and clenching her fists together, Ying Yue figured there was no point in lying to mother Duan.
"If....I tell you. How do I know you won't sell us out."
"Well, are you murderers on the run?"
"What? No way! We've committed no such thing."
"Then there's nothing to worry about. So long as you haven't committed a crime of that degree, your secret is safe with me."
"Sigh.....alright. I suppose it was only a matter of time before you would've found out anyways."
Ying Yue pauses for a moment and takes a deep breath to calm herself. After clearing her mind, she stares right at mother Duan.
"My real name is Ying Yue and her name is Su Ru. I was kidnapped from the dragon kingdom and brought to Xinjing where I was locked up for months. I found the scroll written by Duan Da by accident and followed its instructions. I was able to escape Xinjing and come to Jianxiang because of that scroll. I'm searching for Duan Da in hope that he'll help me return to the dragon kingdom."
"Hmm.....I see. What makes you think this Duan Da will even help you?"
"He has to! He's my only hope of finding my way back to the dragon kingdom. I have no one out here I can count on.....If only I knew where he was."
"What if I told, I am who you came seeking for?"
"Huh?"
Mother Duan's sudden change in voice shocked not only Ying Yue, but Su Ru who was standing behind Ying Yue. Rather than the high old raspy voice Ying Yue was used to, mother Duan now had a low and deep calming voice now. Ying Yue stared in shock as mother Duan removed the silk scarf covering her neck revealing an adams apple. Even mother Duan's appearance changed. Ying Yue watched as mother Duan wiped her face makeup off with the silk scarf. Rather than looking like an old woman in her sixties, mother Duan now looked like a man in his late thirties to early forties.
"You....you're a man?!"
"That's correct. Although not many people know about it."
"I see...I had a feeling when you first introduced yourself as Duan, but since you were a woman I never said anything."
"Heh, how many years has it been already. I never imagined someone would ever really come seek me out in regards to reading my scroll."
"Why did you disguise yourself as a woman in the first place?"
"I guess.... regardless of how many years it's been, I am still traumatized by what I experienced in Xinjing. Taking on the false identity and gender allowed me to relax a bit."
"Was it because of the current queen?"
"No, it was the queen dowager. She's long dead now, but every night I'm still haunted by my memories. I escaped to Jianxiang and helped raised abandoned and orphaned kids. Everyone working for me are children I helped raised. That's why everyone calls me mother Duan."
"Do they know you're a man?"
"Of course! Once they were old enough to understand I revealed myself to them and told them why I was hiding in the first place. I am the only parent figure they have. It's only natural they will accept me regardless of who and what I am."
"I'm sorry....I had no idea."
"Now, enough about me. Why are you on the run from Xinjing?"
"...It's all because of the divine heaven's will sword."
"Divine sword? Where is it?"
Ying Yue motions for Su Ru to bring it out; hidden underneath their old clothing and still wrapped in cloth. Su Ru walks over and hands the sword to Ying Yue. Ying Yue slowly removes the cloth and exposes the beautiful scabbard. She pulls it out of the scabbard and shows Duan Da the sword beautiful engravings.
"No way.....this is the real thing! How did you get your hands on it?"
"I didn't. It chose me as its owner and will be with me till my dying breath, at least that's what I've been told. It's because of this sword that I am in this mess. Which is why I need your help."
Duan Da takes a deep breath and unwraps his headpiece, revealing his long golden hair.
"I can't go back to the dragon kingdom. I've brought shame upon my family and no one will welcome me back. It's been almost fifteen years since I've last step foot inside the dragon kingdom. I don't even know if my family is still alive."
"So....you do have family in the dragon kingdom. If you help me, I can promise you fame and honor if you help me return to the dragon kingdom."
"Hah, you must be of high authority if you can promise that."
"Uh....somewhat I guess. Ah, while we are at it, I should also tell you I am pregnant."
"What?! And now you tell me?! How far along?!"
"A little over four months now. I'm starting to really show so If you haven't noticed, I'm not tying my clothing as tight as I should be."
"And I thought you were just sloppy, I will be calling everyone to head downstairs for another meeting. So in a few moments, make sure to come down as well. You'll have to explain everything to them. I trust them with my life, so you have nothing to worry about."
With those parting words, Duan Da exits Ying Yue and Su Rus's bedroom and heads to his room to change. Once the shop was officially closed, Ying Yue and Su Ru headed down to the first floor. Jin, who was the eldest of the men questioned why Duan Da was showing his true self to outsiders.
"Father, why are you showing yourself to them? We don't even know if we can really trust them. What if they're spies sent from Xinjing to track you down?"
"Don't worry Jin, my intuition tells me they aren't bad people. Not to mention, the only person that would want me dead is long dead now. "
Ying Yue remained silent as everyone bickered among themselves. Once everything was finally dying down, Ying Yue clears her throat and figured she needed to at least prove that she was not someone suspicious. Ying Yue turns to Su Ru and asks for her to retrieve the divine sword.
"Ahem....I know it's hard to believe, but I really am from the dragon kingdom."
Jin cuts Ying Yue off and demanded she explained everything from the beginning.
"Start from the beginning. You must've done something for the Xinjing kingdom to be hunting you down. Now, you've even dragged us into it."
"I....I'm sorry. But I really need Duan Da's help to return to the dragon kingdom. I don't know my way back to the dragon kingdom and I know the trip back is hard and confusing for people who have never been there."
"If you're really from the dragon kingdom why can't you go back on your own?"
"I....rarely ever left the dragon kingdom. Being outside the dragon palace.... everything here is new to me. I only know the trip to the dragon kingdom is a long and dangerous one. I am pregnant and can't afford to do anything that might put my child at risk."
"What? You're pregnant?! Are you married?!"
"Eh?....Yes...I am."
One of the younger guy, who was not much taller than Ying Yue screams out after finding out Ying Yue was already married and expecting a child.
"Yes.....I am expecting a child. I'm hoping to make it back to the dragon kingdom before I give birth."
"Nooooo! Why...you were supposed to be my dream girl!"
Jin slaps Xu Bao in the back of his head for being rude.
"Stop causing a scene, Xu Bao."
"Sniff....Sniff.... It's okay, Ying Yue. I don't mind being the second man."
Once again, Jin slaps Xu Bao in the back of his head as Lin An pulled him away by the ear.
"Ah! You didn't have to pull my ear so hard!"
Ying Yue couldn't help but burst out laughing at the scene unfolding before her. Meanwhile, Su Ru finally returns with the divine sword. Ying Yue grabs the sword and removed the cloth. She then places the sword; still in its scabbard onto the large table in front of everyone. Jin leans in closer and crosses his hands. Without even touching the sword, Jin tilts his head and stares at Ying Yue.
"What's with the sword?"
"I'm sure you all have heard of the Divine heaven's will sword."
"You expect us to believe that this sword is the real thing?"
"Ah...but it is Jin."
Duan Da who remained silent finally spoke out to back up Ying Yue.
"Father! She's deceiving you. We have no way to prove that this sword is real in the first place."
Ying Yue motions for Jin to try and pull out the sword. Jin scoffs at the idea, but still picks up the sword. Using everything he had, Jin was unable to remove the sword out of it's scabbard. Everyone watched as his face went red either from all the grunting or from embarrassment. Jin then handed the sword to all his siblings. Once again, no one was able to pull out the sword. Ying Yue then stretches out her hand and motions for Jin to give her the sword. In a matter of seconds, everyone watched as Ying Yue pulled the sword out revealing it's beautiful white shade that was almost transparent. Ying Yue then lays the sword on the table and asks for Jin to try and touch the blade. To his surprise his hand slipped right through. Ying Yue then picks up the sword and tells Jin to touch the flat part of the sword this time with her holding onto the sword. To everyone's surprise, Jin was now able to touch the sword.
"Believe me now? This sword isn't just something anyone can replicate. It's an artifact from the heavens. It's the reason I am in this mess. If I could get rid of it, I would've by now."
Jin sucks in his pride and apologizes to Ying Yue for suspecting her and treating her rudely earlier.
"I will apologize for being rude earlier. My poor judgement led me to act without thinking."
"Heh, I forgive you. This sword is the reason Xinjing kingdom is after me. To be more precise, it's the crown prince. I'm sure you all know the story of this sword."
"Who doesn't. It's a legend even in Jianxiang. Are you really going back to the dragon kingdom father?"
Jin stares and waits for Duan Da to speak out. After a moment of silence, he nods his head and walks closer to where everyone was standing.
"For years.....I've thought about going back to the dragon kingdom, but was never able to make that decision on my own. I think its fate that brought Ying Yue to me. I think it's about time I return to my homeland. I will give you all two choices. Leave Jianxiang and come with me to the dragon kingdom or remain here and continue on with your life."
"That's a given; we'll go wherever you go."
Without any hesitation everyone agreed on leaving with Duan Da. Ying Yue broke into a smile at the scene of seeing Duan Da shed tears of happiness. After everyone was done hugging each other, Duan Da turns around and faces Ying Yue.
"We need to leave as soon as possible then. To not draw any attention, I will not sell the shop but say we are leaving on a trip. It's been two weeks since you've been here so people from Xinjing are probably on their way to Jianxiang as we speak."
Duan Da assigned tasks to all his children to help with the trip preparations. Without a moment to lose, everyone listened closely as they prepare for the long trip ahead of them.
"Wait, when are we leaving Duan Da?"
"Tomorrow in the evening if possible. We can't afford risking waiting around anymore. Everyone, make sure to complete your task by tomorrow afternoon. "
Jin and Xu Bao were in charge of the horses and carriage. The sisters Sun Ju and Gao Jia were in charge of packing food, and products for the long trip. Lin An and Lu Lan were placed in charge of preparing medicine and water for the trip. Meng Xia and Yuan Chen were in charge of preparing clothing and cleaning supplies. Kong Jie and Zheng Dong were in charge of getting weapons for the trip. Ying Yue listened as Duan Da gave everyone a task, but her.
"Wait, I can help too. Let me help prepare for the trip."
"We have enough people for the heavy labor. Your task will be to help me look through the map for routes and detour. I have another map of my own that should be a bit better than the one you have."
"Alright! I'll help any way I can!"