"Is it really because you want to change age-old customs? I'm curious", asked Chenxi, who is Weilong's personal bodyguard and close confidant, in his mid-twenties, with his tall and imposing figure, sharp alert eyes, stern chiseled jawline and long black hair.
"Chenxi, it is true that I don't believe in the old legends of Goro, the cultivators or the spirit flame stone. If these were true, why have there been no such supernatural events for centuries? If the Ying really practiced powerful black magic, why haven't they used it against any of the clans? My grandmother, who believes these legends, would say that it's because, for ages, contact between the other clans and the Ying clan was less and the Ying people would also not travel to other lands. But I can refute that with the help of the same legend which also talks about the valley of Heishan, the place where dark powers cannot be bound. The place has the temple of Heishan and the town beyond it where people from all three clans can go visit buy medicinal herbs and seek treatment from the Heishan healers. The place is under the control of Ling and Ying. According to our men there, the Ying people, including the princes and princesses, often visit the town. Not even one supernatural account has been reported in centuries. I would rather believe that these are just myths, made up by ancient people, and they constantly had rifts with the Ying clan because of their cruel and rebellious nature. So, they wanted an excuse to not associate with Ying. But I do believe human beings can be evil in nature.... ", said Weilong as he poured some tea for Chenxi.
He took his tea and drank a sip.
"I know what you are thinking Chenxi. You can ask me if you really want to know" Weilong said.
"Then I will. Your highness, like what the Dowager empress said, do you hold the Ying responsible for the deaths of the former king and queen?" he asked.
"Chenxi, you are my closest confidant and you understand me. Yes. I do suspect that something happened to my father in Ying and I do not believe that my mother had an accident. I lied to grandmother about what I think of their deaths. It's just that I believe that it's more of a human doing rather than that of evil forces. According to General Xue, who served my father, he met Ying Jingfeng, the king of Ying, for the first time in the Heishan Valley. It was after that my father wanted to form a good relationship with Ying. According to Xue's words, Jingfeng, was friendly, and he was the one who wanted to befriend the Ling clan. So, he made the first move, not my father. My mother died of a strange illness. A woman who claimed to be a Heishan healer used to visit father to treat his mental condition. His condition only got worse. Soon, my brother fell ill. Consort Rongyi suspected the healer. She kept on telling everyone that something was not right about the treatment. As a precaution, our grandmother sent me, Xinli and Yongqi off to our mother's family house. Eventually, my father died. We returned to the palace for his final rites. More tragedy struck us when my brother also died. I was made crown prince, soon to be enthroned as the King. Consort Rongyi suddenly fell ill. Official Wangjun remembers that she sent a letter to her brother, King of Shen. Her last words, right before she took the last breath was 'the Ying woman will come! Save the crown prince…'"
"Did it mean that they were targeting you, your highness?" Chenxi asked.
"It is possible." Weilong replied.
"Why didn't you ask the Shen King about the letter?", asked Chenxi.
I wish I can ask him. The Ling festival is coming up and I intend to invite him to attend.
A guard came in. "Your highness, lady Bai is here" he said.
"Let her in"
Weilong smiled and looked at Chenxi.
"I will excuse you then" Chenxi said.
"Go rest now, Chenxi. After the wedding tomorrow, we will have restless days. We have to make sure that Ying Meili stays in our control.", said Weilong and Chenxi walked away.
Weilong looked at the person that's approaching, Bai Qinyue a striking woman in her early twenties, with an air of elegance and quiet confidence that commands respect. She is the daughter of General Bai, one of Weilong's most trusted commanders, and she is the closest friend of Princess Xinli, Weilong's sister. Intellectually, Qinyue is a force to be reckoned with. She is well-versed in literature, strategy, and the intricacies of court politics, making her a valuable advisor in any discussion. Her voice is soft yet firm, with a calm assurance that makes others listen when she speaks. Qinyue has a way of seeing the bigger picture, often considering outcomes and consequences that others overlook, which is why Weilong values her counsel so highly.
"Qinyue, come sit with me" he said, and she listened.
"Your highness, it's an honor to be in your presence" she said softly.
"You will never drop the formality, will you? We have been friends for years and you still address me formally" he said
"Forgive me your highness but I should. You are the King." This is something Weilong has heard over and over again.
"Qinyue I think you have already heard. I have no other choice" he said.
"I have your highness, and I support your decision" she replied.
"Aren't you sad?" he asked.
"Your highness, I know my place and I don't have the right to be sad."
"Why? Qinyue, you are the only woman I believe is fit to be my queen."
"Your highness, you praise me a lot. I am honored. Even if I can't be your queen,
I'd love to be your friend" she said.
"You know our rules, even if the Ying princess becomes my first wife. She wouldn't be appointed as queen right away. Only the capable wife can. I will appoint you as my consort after the wedding and you will also have an equal opportunity and I'm sure you will pass the assessment." He smiled.
"I'm more worried about your safety your highness. I have heard that the Ying princess is cruel. I hope the Gods protect you." She said.
They spent the evening talking and watching the flowers.
Meanwhile, In Shen kingdom…
Meanwhile in Shen Kingdom,
"My lovely Xiuying, I hope you take care of yourself. This is a dangerous mission" said the queen of Shen.
"I will mother" Xiuying replied.
She hugged her mother tightly.
"Xiuying, No one except me, your mother, your brothers and the men leaving with you will find out about this. I will tell everyone else that you have gone to your mother's manor to visit and spend some time with your grandmother", Shen Yongzhi said. He had a lot of thoughts about this. Xiuying is his only daughter, and he did not want to send her away like this. But he also knew that there is none as capable as her. She is also trained to fight from childhood.
Xiuying walked along the garden behind her Pavilion. She was watching the flowers, as the warm breeze of the evening made her beautiful hair float in the air.
Her maid, Chunli was also with her. As she looked at the setting sun, she heard gentle footsteps. She turned around to find Lixian, Son of Shen King's most trusted commander Wen, a tall, strong young man with amber eyes and a calm, reassuring presence. He grew up alongside Xiuying and her siblings, harboring unspoken romantic feelings for her, and remains her loyal protector and closest friend.
"I heard you are going away from the capital for some time" Lixian said.
"You heard it right. I'll be going to my mother's manor to visit my old grandmother" Xiuying replied.
"How long will you stay?" he asked.
"Don't know. Grandmother is old and I would like to serve her" She replied.
"That means, you will be gone for a while" he replied softly.
"I will be joining my dad on a trip to Heishan" he said.
"So, both of us will be gone. I'm sure Xiangyu will miss you" she replied.
"Won't you?" he asked. His eyes were bright, filled with hope.
"No, I won't! I'll finally have some peace as no one would keep pestering me to a game of archery or horse riding" she said, and they both laughed.
"How about one now?" he asked.
"Archery? Or horse riding?" she asked.
"Both!"
"I'm in" she said.
Both of them rushed out of the pavilion and ran towards their horses. Xiuying got on her horse. "Catch me if you can" she said as her horsed neighed and ran off towards the gates of the palace. Lixian smiled and got on his horse, started chasing her. They rode through the town and into the woods near the Shen town. It was getting darker. Lixian overtook her, "Ha! Now catch me if you can" he said. It got even more darker. Lixian rode far away and now he was out of Xiuying's sight. She reached an open space and there are two paths in front of her. She found Lixian's jade pendant lying near the path on the left side.
This is strange, they've done this a lot of times, but Lixian would never do this because the path on the left leads to a mountain. There is no one there and the Shen people would not go there. Moreover, he would never leave her alone.
"Lixian, stop playing. It's dark, we should go back" she shouted.
There was no response. She could only hear the sound of the night, the tweaking branches, crickets and owls.
"Lixian" she shouted again. Still no response. She rode her horse forward slowly, through the path on the left. They have never been this far into these woods before. She found a marking on one of the trees. It was a strange symbol that looked like a hexagon. The next tree also had the same marking. So did every tree from there. She saw Lixian standing in front of a tree. He placed his hands on the tree, trying to feel it. Xiuying got down from the horse.
"Lixian, what are you doing" she asked.
He turned around and said: "did you see this? The markings. I was just curious on what was on this side of the path. I'm sorry if I worried you."
She thought it was really strange.
"It's getting dark, why don't we go back?" She said. He smiled.
"You are leaving tomorrow. I think I will miss you" he said and walked towards her. He got closer and closer than he usually does.
"Lixin? Whats… whats.. wrong?" she asked.
He pulled her closer to him. She wanted to push him away. That's what her mind said. She grew up with him and always saw him like a sibling. She has never had any romantic feelings towards him. But why can't she push him away? Why does it feel like he looks really handsome all of a sudden? "No! this is not supposed to…" he kissed her aggressively on her lips. She was surprised of how good it felt that she was willingly kissing him now, enjoying how passionately he is running his hands through her breasts. It was as if she was under his spell now.
"I will not let anyone else have you" he said. She couldn't help but kiss him again and again. As she did so, she slowly started losing her consciousness.
"Princess. wakeup! wakeup!"
Xiuying opened her eyes to find herself in her chamber. She was shocked and didn't know what was happening. Was it just a dream?
"Chunli, what happened yesterday? When did I get back from the woods?" She asked.
"Master Lixian carried you back home. He said that you fell unconscious." She spoke.
"So it was not a dream!"