2 2: Trouble started

"A prophecy was delivered to the emperor by the Head Seer." First Young Master Chao Shen said taking another sip of his tea.

"ohh"

Chao Shen sighed deeply and looked at her intently.

"Remember what you promised me five years ago?"

'Of course, how can I forget?' she wanted to say this to him but decided not to.

Lihua moved around the room in deep thinking.

"The prophecy about the Blood Princess was given almost 15 years ago. Is there additional information about it?"

"Yes. But the king did not inform us about its content. All he said was 'look for the Blood Princess if you want to keep your lives'. He is furious."

"I think it involves an element of time."

"Element of time?" Chao Shen looked at her with confusion.

"How's the health of the king?" Lihua suddenly asked.

"The health of the king? I haven't heard anything unusual about his health."

"I will ask someone to look into it."

Then, Chao Shen understood what she was thinking. He looked at the young woman in front of her. It's been 5 years since their path crossed. She is just a helpless and weak young slave back then but looking at her right now, he felt a sense of pride of what he had created out of her.

The Blood Princess prophesy was given to the king by the Head Seer almost 15 years ago. The prophecy stated that the Blood Princess is a woman from above that meant to destroy the current kingdom because of its inability to rule the people and its negligence in worshipping the gods. The moment the king received such prophecy, he issued a decree to kill all female newborns throughout the kingdom. It was a terrifying time. All families who had a pregnant family member prayed fervently to the gods to give them a baby boy. But those unfortunate families who had a baby girl was fallen into grief and hatred because a supposed new life celebration turned into a funeral. Some tried to hide their babies but since it is a royal decree those who were caught were killed including all their family members.

15 years ago.

It was raining hard the whole day and the night fell into a great coldness. In the small vacation house of the Yang at the foot of the Holy Mountain, the Minister of War's servants are in a panic as their mistress is going in childbirth. The Minister of War Hu Yang is anxiously pacing outside the door. He is still young, one of the youngest first rank generals in the history of the kingdom but he looks older and mature because of the battles he went through.

The heavy rains faded the sound of Jia Yang's childbirth. The pregnancy is delicate that's why the Minister asked her to stay at the vacation house to keep her away from the stress and troubles of the capital. Until they received the decree.

"Commander, I am sure Lady Jia will go through this," said by Syaoran, the Minister's first-hand man.

"I know. She is a strong woman. I am just..."

Then, suddenly strong lighting and thunder broke in the sky. Both men looked up.

"The heavens seem like in agony tonight." there is a tinge of sadness in Hu Yang's voice.

Then, suddenly the doors open and both men immediately went inside. They were blocked by an old man wearing a white robe.

"Let me see my wife and child," Hu Yang resisted the old man.

"Let me speak to you first," said the old man firmly.

"Later, after I look at her!" he pushed the old man aside forcefully. He went to the bed and kneel.

"My lady, you are strong. Thank you." he touched the woman on her forehead, wiping the sweat that formed there.

"My lord, how's my child?"

Hu Yang looked at the midwife who is holding the child. The midwife hesitated. She looked at the old man who blocked them earlier. Hu Yang looked at the old man as if asking him something. The old man nodded. Hu Yang's face turned pale.

"What's wrong my lord?" Jia Yang sensed there's something wrong. She started to feel panic. She wanted to sit up and looked for her baby but Hu Yang stopped her making her lay down on the bed again.

"My lady, the baby is okay. Just rest first." one of the lady servants said.

"That's right. You need to rest first. You heard the baby's cry. Lady Le will take care of our baby." saying this, Hu Yang stands up and motioned to the old man to follow him outside. Lady Jia Yang looked at the servants around her and she is sure something is wrong. She starts to panic again.

"Tell me, what's wrong? Is my baby okay? Tell me! All of you!" she is being hysterical now. The lady servants started to calm her down. But after a few minutes, she fainted.

Outside the room, the face of Jia Yang is calm but with determination.

"Commander, what are we going to do?" Syaoran asked. He is worried about the safety of the Yang Family especially their first born.

"We have to do it." Hu Yang said firmly. Both men looked at him shocked.

"Hu Yang!" the old man scolded him.

"Master Guang, we know the gravity of the decree. We need to kill the baby."

"But Commander, she is your daughter!"

"I know! That's why we need to do this!"

Silence fell between the three men. The rain continues to pour out. Hu Yang, looking at the sky let out a loud cry. Then he said to Syaoran, "Go back to the capital and informed everyone that my child died because of complications." his heart hurt so much he felt that a dagger was thrust into it. Then, he looked at Master Guang. "Master, our families have been friends for years now and I hope you will accept my request. The Yang family will be indebted to you forever."

"You know you don't need to say those things to me. What do you want me to do?"

After saying his request, Syaoran and Master Guang both bid him farewell. The young man rode his horse towards the capital while the old man rode a horse going back to the Holy Mountain with a small baby on his right hand.