Xiu Ying and Luo Li arrived at the capital gate after two and a half hours of horse ride. It was pretty late at night, but commander Lu's house was still brightly lit. Lu Feng Mo is the commander and Xiu Ying's uncle; he has a son that's one year older than her named Mo Fan. Commander Lu was the one who taught Xiu Ying martial arts and swordsmanship when she was young.
Xiu Ying walked into commander Lu's study room while Luo Li went to prepare some bath water for her.
"Xiu Ying? Thank goodness you're back. I was getting worried that something might have happened during the mission."
"The mission went well. Is there something wrong?"
"Your father has been looking for you. Have you seen him since you got back?"
"No, I haven't."
"It's been five years now. Please give your father a chance and forgive him."
"I'm sorry, Uncle Lu, but I cannot bring my heart to forgive my father. I'm tired. I will be heading back to my room. Please go to sleep early, Uncle Lu. Mo Fan would be unhappy if he knows that you're staying up late to work on government issues."
Xiu Ying left General Lu's study room and headed towards her living quarters. Luo Li was waiting for Xiu Ying by the bathroom door. "You can head to bed now. I won't be needing your help."
"Yes, master," answered Luo Li, and left. Xiu Ying took a bath and went to bed.
At dawn, Luo Li arrived at Xiu Ying's room and was surprised that the doors were closed shut. She did not hear any movement from inside the room. 'It is very unlike Miss to wake up late.'
Xiu Ying would always wake up at dawn to clean her sword and practice martial arts. Not daring to walk into Xiu Ying's bedroom, Luo Li just stood outside the door and called. "Master, are you up?"
No answer. Luo Li was hesitant to open the door. Just then, a voice was heard from inside the room. "I'm up. You can come in."
Luo Li opened the doors to Xiu Ying's room, letting sunlight shine brightly into her room. Luo Li then sets the new set of clothes she had been holding on to Xiu Ying's table.
"Master, I have brought you a new set of clothes. Do you want my help to change into them?"
"No, I don't need your help. Let my Uncle and brother Mo Fan know that I'll not be attending breakfast with them."
"Yes, master," replied Luo Li, who then left the room to inform commander Lu and Mo Fan.
All night Xiu Ying was unable to sleep. She kept on seeing Jian Yu's face when she closes her eyes. She remembers his face clearly, the dimples on his cheeks when he smiles, and those eyes that sparkled like stars in the night sky.
Xiu Ying finished getting ready and head to commander Lu's study room with Luo Li. There, commander Lu and Mo Fan were waiting for her. Xiu Ying took her seat and informed them of the mission last night. She then let commander Lu and Mo Fan know that there's a chance that their leader will send people to rescue them. Mo Fan then told Xiu Ying that he got a message earlier saying that the prisoners will be arriving at the South Gate in an hour and a half.
"Xiu Ying, will you be heading there with Mo Fan?"
"Yes, uncle."
"Please be careful and take care of yourself. Mo Fan, look after your cousin while you're out there."
Mo Fan looked at Xiu Ying then smiled. "Rest assured, father, I will protect Xiu Ying, with my life."
Xiu Ying then got up from her seat. "Thank you, but there's no need for you to protect me, brother Mo Fan. I can protect myself. We should be leaving now, take care, uncle." She left the study room while Luo Li quickly followed from behind.
Mo Fan felt dejected. "I will also be leaving then; please look after your health, father," said Mo Fan before he left to catch up with Xiu Ying.
Heading to the South Gate of the capital, Xiu Ying is in a horse carriage while Luo Li is driving it. Mo Fan rode on a horse all by himself.
Since young, Mo Fan had always admired Xiu Ying, but she only treats him as an older brother. Xiu Ying, knowing that Mo Fan has feelings for her, she distances herself from him. Mo Fan rode his horse up close to the window of the carriage.
"Xiu Ying. I hadn't got a good time to ask you this, but how have you been doing?"
"I've been good."
"Since I haven't seen you lately, would you like to have dinner with me tonight and catch up?"
"No. I will be heading out of the capital after this mission."
"Oh, that's okay, we can just catch up next time. By the way, why are you going out of the capital?"
This time Xiu Ying didn't answer him and pretended to fall asleep. The rest of the trip was peaceful and quiet, just like how Xiu Ying wanted.
Since this morning, Xiu Ying had decided that she will be leaving the capital for a while. She wants a break, a break from being a princess, the missions, and her father. Xiu Ying had intended to visit Jian Yu's grave for some time now, but she couldn't because she's been busy with the mission.