After returning to the dragon world three weeks ago. Ying Yue and Jianyu had been busy helping with the rebuilding of Shangliang. Despite everything and everyone's objection at first, in the end; there was now volunteers willing to help rebuild Shangliang. With so much progress in such a little amount of time, Ying Yue couldn't help but feel ecstatic as she waits for the results in the next coming months.
Like any other afternoons, Ying Yue was out and about tending to her duties with Junjei and her two maids. While Ying Yue was relaxing and reading scrolls in the royal garden, she hears a familiar voice calling out to her.
"Your highness!"
"Hm?"
Ying Yue turns around and realizes it was Fu Jia.
"Fu Jia, what is it?"
"Your highness, I have information on what you requested last time."
Ying Yue motions for the two sisters to take Junjei to go play in the garden as she speaks alone with Fu Jia.
"What did you find?"
"Tao Chen and I discovered a cave in Xinjing that is potentially where the crown prince is getting his powers."
"What do you mean?"
"Two years ago, the crown prince placed out an order for anyone with any hint of spiritual powers to apply for a state job within the palace. Ever since then, numerous people have gone into the palace and never came back out."
"So... you think the crown prince is somehow stealing other people's spiritual powers?"
"Well, after hearing the news. Tao Chen and I decided to check out the cave but we couldn't even get close to it. The moment we got ten feet within the entrance our noses would start to bleed. The moment we got five feet closer, our knees would go weak and we could feel our strength being drained from us. We had no choice but to leave."
"Did you find out anything else?"
"Uh….I'm not sure if this will help, but we found out the queen is not the birth mother of the crown prince."
"What?"
"The crown prince was the illegitimate child between a maid and the king. Since the queen wasn't able to have children, she raised him as her own."
"Hah…that would make sense why he wanted me to help him stabilize his position as crown prince. If his younger brother is a full blooded noble it only makes sense why people would support the second prince over the first prince."
"What are you planning to do your highness?"
"Political issues within the kingdom of Xinjing is none of my concern, but keep an eye on them. If the second prince is fighting for the throne, I fear the crown prince might drag us into it since I still have the divine sword."
"Should I inform his majesty of today's meeting?"
"No, I will speak to him on my own. I still find that story of the cave very interesting...I need to speak to the old priest then. Jianyu is in Shangliang right now but should be back later. Have someone prepare a carriage for me. I'm going to the temple."
"Yes, your highness."
Fu Jia quickly bids Ying Yue farewell and runs off to prepare a carriage. Shen An and Li An finally returns with Junjei who fell asleep after playing all morning.
"Your highness, should we head back to the palace?"
"No, I have business to attend to. Shen An, I need you and Li An to watch Junjei. You three may head back to my residence first. I'll be back later."
"Your highness, let one of us accompany you."
"It's alright, I'm just going for a quick visit."
Ying Yue dismisses the sisters and heads off towards the main palace gates. After fast walking for fifteen minutes, Ying Yue could now see Fu Jia in the distance with a carriage. Ying Yue quickly walks towards Fu Jia and thinks for a moment.
"You know what, Fu Jia. I think you should come along and listen to what the priest has to say."
"Are you sure, your highness?"
"Since you were there, you might be able to answer any questions the priest might have better than I can."
"As you wish, your highness."
Fu Jia quickly hops onto his horse and leads the carriage out of the palace. Ying Yue sat in silence for a good twenty minutes before reaching the large white temple. In the center of the large temple, Ying Yue could see the old priest praying. Without even turning back, the old priest whispered from beneath her breath.
"I've been expecting you, your highness."
"Old priest, we need to talk."
"Of course, you two may follow me."
"The old woman leads Ying Yue and Fu Jia into a large study room with a square table in the center with four chairs at every corner.
"Take a seat, I will have someone bring in some tea."
"I'm assuming you already know why I'm here."
"Of course, your highness. There is nothing I don't know. I also know you're expecting your second child."
Ying Yue was shocked and speechless just from what the old woman said. Placing her hand above her stomach, Ying Yue looks back at the old woman.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's still small so you wouldn't have sense anything. Give it another month and his majesty should be able to sense it as well. I'll say you're two months along right now. I'm not the best healer in the kingdom for nothing."
"I guess you have a point. If it's coming from you, I'll believe you but this isn't what I came to talk about."
"If you're here about Xinjing, then there's nothing for you to worry about. The kingdom is shrouded in the emperor's barrier. Anyone with any ill intention would not be able to enter the kingdom. After Bai Chun took you last time the emperor has heightened the security to prevent anything similar from happening again."
"So, you're telling me not to worry about what Xinjing is plotting? The crown prince is stealing spiritual powers from his people and people who travel into the kingdom looking for work. How can I not be worried he's plotting something?"
"It does not matter for that problem is for Xinjing to figure out. We are not to invade into other kingdoms political issues."
"How can you be so sure they won't target the dragon kingdom in search of the divine sword?"
"I understand your concern your highness, but his majesty is stronger than that crown prince. Whatever he does he would not be able to break through the barrier."
Ying Yue knew the old woman was stubborn and didn't exactly liked her, she knew it was going to take someone else's words to convince her.
"I'll let Fu Jia inform you of what he saw then if you're so confident we'll be safe."
Ying Yue sits back and motions for Fu Jia to inform the priest in more on what he found while in Xinjing. Although the priest looked shocked, she remained calm and collected. After speaking to Fu Jia, the old priest finally takes a deep breath and looks at Ying Yue.
"I see, fine then. I will send some of my men to Xinjing to keep an eye on that cave. Too much spiritual powers in one location can be dangerous for people who don't have any spiritual powers."
"Good, please do come and inform me if you find out anything."
"Of course, your highness."
Ying Yue stands up and leaves with Fu Jia as the old priest bids her farewell. Once the two were back at their carriage Ying Yue motioned for Fu Jia to move in closer.
"This is why I asked you to come along."
"I apologize on behalf of the old priest. As you can see, she's much older and still believes in the old ways."
"That's fine. I understand which is why I asked for you to come along. Let's head back to the palace. His majesty should be back by now."
Ying Yue hops into the carriage as Fu Jia leads the way. Soon, they were back at the palace. Ying Yue quickly heads off towards her residence only to be stopped by Jianyu who saw her returning to the palace with Fu Jia. Jianyu quickly comes and grabs Ying Yue by the hand and drags her away.
"Jianyu? What's wrong?"
Still not letting go of her hand, Jianyu finally turns to face Ying Yue.
"Where were you all day?"
"I was at the temple with Fu Jia."
"Really? Is that all that happened?"
"What? What do you think I left to go do?"
"I don't know, but when I came back and you weren't here your maids told me you left the palace with Fu Jia and they couldn't even tell me why. So of course, I got worried."
"Jianyu…..are you jealous of your own general?"
Jianyu blushes and pulls Ying Yue into an embrace. Meanwhile Ying Yue was unable to budge at all.
"Jianyu, you're holding me too tight."
"I've been gone for a week and you didn't even miss me?"
"Of course, I missed you. I even did some of your work for you while you were away. They're all in my room now."
"Why did you go to the temple? Why don't you tell me that first?"
"This is not a good place to talk. Come on Jianyu."
"Fine."
Jianyu finally let's go of Ying Yue and creates a portal connected to the empress residence. Without any warning, Jianyu picks up Ying Yue and carries her through the portal in a princess carry. In a matter of seconds, Ying Yue and Jianyu were now inside her sleeping quarters. Shen An and Li An who were cleaning and watching Junjei were left shocked.
"Your majesty and your highness, you're back."
"Uh…yeah, sorry Shen An but can you two leave us for a bit?"
"Of course."
The sisters quickly heads out of the bedroom and closes the doors behind them.
"How long do you plan to hold onto me Jianyu?"
"Ying Yue, did you get heavier?"
Ying Yue flicks Jianyu on the forehead and watched as he quickly sets her down to wince in pain.
"You're not wrong if you think I'm getting heavier. You wanted a second child, didn't you?"
"You mean…..."
"I'm telling you I'm pregnant again. The old priest confirmed it earlier."
Jianyu bursts into a smile and picks Ying Yue up and twirls her in the air. Ying Yue couldn't help but laugh herself. Jianyu finally lets Ying Yue down and hugs her as she told him of why she went to the temple in the first place.
"So, you think Xinjing is planning something?"
"I don't know. I just know we can't let that crown prince continue doing what he's doing right now. He's killing people and hurting innocent people all for his own gain. You know how much I hate people like that."
"I know…I know... Ying Yue. We'll let the priest do what she can and check with her again in a few weeks. For the time being Shangliang is doing great. At this rate we might even finish quicker."
"What's been done already? I should've gone with you today."
"No, now that I know you're pregnant you're not allowed out of the dragon kingdom. You remember what happened last time?"
"Ah Ha Ha…. of course, I do…"
"Then be good and stay inside the palace. Shangliang will thrive on its own. We've helped with planting and nurturing their soil. So, in time it will be able to grow crops again. The buildings are being rebuilt and we're providing the kingdom with what we can."
"Well…. maybe when the kingdom is back on its feet, I'll visit it again."