A month had passed since Ying Yue and Jianyu took in the war refugees of Shangliang. Although it took time for their people to accept it, they were eventually able to live together in peace. Ying Yue was in the middle of airing out her bedroom before it got too cold when she remembered something.
"Wait....I feel like I'm forgetting something."
Shen An who was sweeping the floor could see Ying Yue's conflicted face.
"Your highness, what's wrong?"
"Shen An....I feel like I'm forgetting something. The harvest season just started didn't it?"
"Yes, your highness,"
Ying Yue pauses again and stares out the window. After seeing leaves blowing past her, something finally clicked.
"Oh my goodness! Bolin and Zhi Ruo's wedding!"
Ying Yue dashes to her stash of scrolls and looks through them all. With so many scrolls piled up from the year, Ying Yue had to really dig for it as they all looked nearly the same. After twenty minutes, Ying Yue finally pulls out the correct scroll.
"What is that, your highness?"
"Oh, just a wedding invitation."
"Who would be so bold to invite the emperor and empress of the dragon kingdom to their wedding?"
"It's not from anyone here. This is back in my world."
"Your highness, you're not thinking of going back are you?"
"Just for the wedding, I won't be going alone this time. I have Jianyu and Junjei."
"If that is what you wish, your highness. When will you be leaving?"
"Hm....judging from the letter. It's a good week or so from today. Shen An, will you go prepare the gifts for me?"
"Of course, what did you have in mind your highness?"
"For the bride, I want a priceless hairpin. For the groom, I want a sword. Bolin is a general so he will need something better than the sword I left him."
"Very well, I will see to it."
A week goes by and the special day had arrived. Ying Yue was barely able to sleep thinking about seeing her friends again. With the sun breaking in through the window and the sounds of birds chirping outside her bedroom, Ying Yue quickly jumps out of bed as Shen An and Li An were just about to come wake her up.
Just as the sisters were about to knock on her bedroom door, Ying Yue had already opened the door and welcomed them in. Shen An carried in a beautiful dress as Li An carried the gifts.
"Your highness, I got you what you requested."
"Good. Does his majesty know?"
"Yes, I did inform his maids to let him know of today's occasion."
Shen An quickly unfolds the dress and shows Ying Yue the beautiful colors and embroidery work. It was a beautiful black dress with gold embedded into the dress itself. Although it wasn't as dramatic as her other dresses, it was more than enough for her trip this time. As Ying Yue slipped into the dress, Li An moves onto dressing the little prince in a matching outfit.
"Hah, I'm guessing his majesty is wearing something similar?"
"Yes, your highness. We had the seamstress tailor all three outfits to use the same fabric."
Once Ying Yue was finished dressing; Shen An helped with the makeup and hair. Keeping most of her hair down, Shen An pins a portion and pins Ying Yue's hair up with golden hair pins and a small gold crown. Moving onto the makeup, Shen An adds red lipstick and a dash of blush and a tint of red onto Ying Yue's eyelids. Smiling in satisfaction she motions for Ying Yue to look in the mirror.
"What do you think, your highness?"
"Isn't this a bit too much?"
"Not at all."
"Ha...very well. We'll keep it this way."
Just as Ying Yue was about to stand up, Jianyu comes knocking on her bedroom door.
"Knock Knock."
"Are you ready, Ying Yue?"
Jianyu props one side of the door open and comes walking in a smiliar outfit to Junjei. Ying Yue smiles at the scene and dismisses the sisters.
"You two are done for the day."
"Please be careful your highness."
The sisters quickly exited the room, only leaving the little family left.
"Are you ready to leave? The sun will set in five hours from now. We should head there before it does."
"I know...I know. Let's get going. Can you help me carry the gifts?"
Ying Yue grabs Junjei and carries him on her hip as she moves to grab her sword as well. Just as Jianyu was about to chant a spell to her world, Ying Yue remembered something else.
"Wait! Can we stop by the white tree first?"
"What? Why?"
"I promised your mother I'd bring Junjei to see her. Since we're all together we should stop by to say hi before leaving."
"If you say so, my empress."
Jianyu chants a spell and creates a portal connected to the cave and waterfall in seconds. As Jianyu carried the gifts in, he motions for Ying Yue to follow. Slowly walking in through the portal, Ying Yue was now standing in front of the white tree.
Ying Yue kneels on one knee and holds Junjei up to the tree as she greeted her mother in law.
"As promised, I've brough Jianyu and Junjei to see you."
After a few minutes of silence, Ying Yue motioned for Jianyu to create a portal to her world. Ying Yue sat around and waited for a good fifteen minutes before Jianyu finished creating the portal to her world.
"Are you ready?"
Jianyu stretches out his right hand for Ying Yue.
"Yes, I think I am."
Quickly taking Jianyu's hand, they walked through the portal. Unable to keep her eyes opened, Ying Yue pressed herself and Junjei against Jianyu's chest as he held onto them. After ten minutes, Jianyu slowly let's go of Ying Yue.
"Ying Yue, you can open your eyes now."
Ying Yue slowly opens her eyes and scans her surroundings.
"We're in front of my father's residence....."
"That's correct."
"How did you know it was here?"
"Ying Yue, there's nothing I don't know. I know you didn't have the best relationship with your father but Junjei should know his grandfather at least."
"I guess so....."
Taking a deep breath, Ying Yue walks to the front of her father's residence. After confirming her identity with the guards, one of them quickly runs inside and informs Ying Yue's father of her visit. Not even five minutes later, Ying Yue could see her father running out to greet them.
"It's been a while father."
"Ying Yue, and your majesty! I had no idea you were coming! Please come inside!"
Ying Yue and Jianyu follows the marquis to the main hall where everyone was waiting for the carriages. Ying Yue glances around the room and notices Jia Li sitting next to an unfamiliar man.
With a smile on her face, Ying Yue walks by and sits next to Jia Li.
"It's been a while Jia Li, how have you been?"
"I'm fine....now. Is... that your child?"
"Surprised? He's my son; Junjei. Is this man my new brother in law?"
The good-looking man who was silent quickly stands up and greets Ying Yue.
"Greetings, your highness. I've heard of you from Jia Li. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Indeed, it is. Looks like you two are expecting any day now."
Jia Li and the duke smiles as they stared at each other. Jianyu who had left to speak with the Marquis finally returns and walks to Ying Yue and Junjei. The duke quickly notices Jianyu's hair and looks shock.
"Is....is that red hair real?"
Jianyu who was walking by heard the statement and bursts out into a laughter.
"Ha Ha! I can assure you it's real. I don't believe we've met. You may call me Jianyu."
Ying Yue steps in and motions for Jianyu to take the seat behind her.
"I'm assuming you're all waiting to attend the wedding banquet as well?"
Jia Li did indeed look happier now with the duke. She looked like she had matured over time as well. Seeing as both of the women had grown up and now have families of their own, they've decided not to bring up their past anymore. As Ying Yue was chatting with Jia Li and her husband, her father meekly walks by.
"Ying Yue, may I hold my grandson?"
Ying Yue pauses for a moment and realized how thin her father looked as compared to when she was still the general. Taking a deep breath and with a heavy sigh, Ying Yue stands up and hands over Junjei.
"Wha...what is his name?"
"His name is Junjei. He'll be one in three months."
The marquis breaks into tears as he kissed Junjei on the forehead.
"I know I have no right to ask, but how is your mother doing?"
"Mother is fine. We were able to heal her so she's enjoying her time in the dragon kingdom."
The marquis walks around the room and makes playful sounds at Junjei who's laughter soon filled the room. Ying Yue stares into a corner and could see her step mother with a face full of guilt. Seeing as she wanted nothing to do with Ying Yue; Ying Yue didn't bother reaching out to her step mother.
Soon, an hour goes by and the wedding was underway. The marquis had prepared his finest carriage for Ying Yue and Jianyu to take to Bolin's residence. After sitting in silence for twenty minutes, Ying Yue and everyone had arrived. Just as Ying Yue would have expected, the wedding was grand and packed of people. Jianyu leaves to hand over the gifts as Ying Yue walked around the banquet with Junjei.
After walking and looking round, Ying Yue hears a familiar voice call out to her.
"Ying Yue?"
Slowly turning around, Ying Yue could see that the voice did indeed belong to Bolin.
"Bolin! It's been a while."
Bolin breaks into tears and falls to his knees in front of Ying Yue. Unsure of what to do, Ying Yue quickly helps Bolin up with one hand and drags him to a table with two seats.
"Bolin, it's your wedding day. You should be happy, not crying like this."
"I know...but you have no Idea how much Zhi Ruo and I missed you. Ying Yue, I'm so glad you were able to make it. Just wait till Zhi Ruo sees you. She'll cry her heart out."
"I really missed you two too. Maybe after everything has settled down more in the dragon kingdom, I'll come visit more or have you two visit me."
"Of course! We need a time to catch up on things!"
Bolin tilts his head as he sees Junjei poke out his head to stare at him.
"Ying Yue, is that...?"
"This is my son, Junjei."
"Congratulations! Wow! he's so big already!"
"Heh Heh, thanks Bolin. He looks so much like his father, doesn't he?"
"Yes…. he does. Ying Yue I'm happy now, and I'm happy you're living a good life as well."
"Thanks Bolin. Everything was hard at first, but I'm not alone anymore."
Bolin stares at Ying Yue playfully playing with Junjei and smiles at the scene.
"Ying Yue, you knew, didn't you?"
"In a way I could sense it. But unlike you I was a coward and couldn't do things like you, so I ignored it and ran away from it. I'm glad everything still worked out fine in the end. I'm sure you'll be happy with Zhi Ruo.""
"I am…. she completes me and has helped me through my dark times. I wouldn't be here if not for her."
As Bolin and Ying Yue were talking, some of Bolin's friends came by and dragged him away to drink. Meanwhile, Jianyu had just returned from doing his task.
"Were you two able to catch up on things?"
"A bit. I do feel a bit bad leaving the dragon kingdom with so much going on in there right now, but Fu Jia is reliable and can handle things for a day, I suppose."
"Don't worry about the dragon kingdom. You're here to celebrate and see your friends. You can walk around if you want. I can watch Junjei."
"Thanks, Jianyu. I'll be back in a bit."
Ying Yue hands Junjei to Jianyu and walks off into the crowd. Glancing around the banquet Ying Yue could see some familiar faces from her troops when she was still the general. As the night rolled in; Ying Yue was about to head back to Jianyu when someone pulls on her sleeve.
"Who dares!"
Quickly turning around Ying Yue finds out it was crown prince Wang Yong. Ying Yue quickly snaps her sleeve away from the crown prince.
"How can I help you, crown prince?"
"It…it's been a while Ying Yue. You look great."
"Prince Wang Yong if that's all you came to talk about, I will be taking my leave."
"Wait! Ying Yue don't be so cold to me."
"How else am I supposed to treat you after everything the royal family has put me through? Not to mention I am a married woman now. You shouldn't be talking to me like this."
Ying Yue watches as the man she once loved shrink back at her words and go silent. Like a child that couldn't respond anymore, Ying Yue couldn't help but feel a bit bad. With a deep sigh, Ying Yue decides to cut the man some slack.
"Prince Wang Yong, please forget about the past and focus on yourself. You are the future king and should never bow your head like that. Don't show those kinds of expression to your enemies. They will know you're weak and will take advantage of you. The man I once fell in love with was strong, intelligent, and wise. If you are tied down by the past then let me release you from those chains. Regardless of what you put me through, you were still once my first love. I no longer hate you and I don't want you to end up becoming something you're not."
"You'll forgive me?"
"Yes, I forgive you. But should anything ever happen again where someone I love is in danger because of you or the royal family…I will not hesitate to kill you."
"Ha…. thank you, Ying Yue…thank you."
Ying Yue pats the crown prince on the back and motions for his guards to take him away to rest. As Ying Yue was about to turn around, a familiar maid greets her.
"Greetings, your highness."
"Chunhua!"
Ying Yue quickly hugs Chunhua and tears up. The girls were unable to contain their happiness at finally reuniting.
"How have you been, Ying Yue? How's madam?"
"I'm doing well. Mother also looks better than ever."
"That's great news. I actually came to get you. Lady Zhi Ruo wanted to see you."
"Great! I've been wanting to talk to her too."
Chunhua brings Ying Yue into a red decorated room with red lanterns hanging out front. Slowly propping the door open, Ying Yue could see Zhi Ruo sitting at the edge of the bedroom; dressed in red and with a red veil over her face.
"Lady Zhi Ruo, I've brought her highness Ying Yue in."
Chunhua quickly exits the room as Ying Yue made her way closer to Zhi Ruo. After a few minutes, Zhi Ruo lifts up her veil and see's that it was really Ying Yue.
"It's really you…Ying Yue!"
"Wait, don't cry Zhi Ruo. You'll ruin your makeup."
Ying Yue pulls out a clean pale-yellow handkerchief and hands it to Zhi Ruo. Quickly pulling out a chair from the nearby table; Ying Yue seats herself in front of Zhi Ruo. The girls had so much to catch up on that there was barely enough time for it.
"How are you doing Ying Yue?"
"I'm doing well and managing somehow. You need to fill me in on details about you and Bolin!"
The girls laughed and talked about their struggles. Soon, an hour passes and the banquet was about to start. Ying Yue was about to head off when Zhi Ruo tugs on her sleeve.
"Ying Yue can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
Zhi Ruo motions for Ying Yue to listen in closer.
"Does it hurt?"
"What?"
"I'm saying, does the first time hurt?"
"Oh goodness Zhi Ruo. The first time will always hurt no matter what, but it will also depend how gentle Bolin is. I'm sure you'll be fine."
"I...I hope so."
Ying Yue chuckles at the blushing bride and pats her on the head before heading out of the bedroom. Ying Yue makes her way back to Jianyu and Junjei as the banquet was finally starting.