Chapter 41: Farewell

Hong Liu was just about to step out of the gates of the Ocean of Bliss Palace that she stopped as another person she should apologize walking towards Palace with quick steps, Fate Lord Ming Zhu. Fate Lord looking at Hong Liu bowed.

"Little Highness, I was just coming to see if you are alright? You should have not gone the Silver River," the last part was said with a strict statement.

"I am sorry, I know. Are you angry with as well?" She asked, her face scrunched up in a sad pout.

"No, your highness but I am never drinking with you ever again," He said kindly.

Hong Liu managed a sheepishly chuckled but there was also relief that there is a one less person who is angry with her. She uses to trick people all the time but she never did them to harm them in any way, it was the first time that it completely went downhill. She sigh.

"I am glad you don't hold it against me," Hong Liu said.

"I am sure it all comes from the right place but I was wondering what happens there on the shores silver river?" He asked.

"It was all a disaster if First Lord hadn't come in time..." Hong Liu narrates him what actually happened.

"Ming Zhu, I think I have caused enough trouble, therefore, I am leaving,"

That was the last thing that Ming Zhu expected to hear.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Green Forest," she answered, whereas she would go

"But I thought you can't and you are injured" He frowns in concern.

"Its fine and one day I have to go back, I really hope you don't have any grudge against me. I would really like to be friends with you,"

"Your Highness, I assure you I bear no ill-will and I do look forwards to our long-lasting friendship as well. In the same spirit, I ask you to rethink your decision, from what you have told me you are really injured. Yes the First Lord healed you but I think you will need all the rest you can, are you even fit to fly?" Ming Zhu insists.

"I don't think so I can open my wings yet but I can still walk, Don't worry Ming Zhu, I will find my way back," Hong Liu seems determined. Ming Zhu was curious, her rush to leave awfully feels like someone who is abandoning a battleground, it must be something with the First Lord after all he got woken up from his seclusion. He can only imagine what he had said to the Little Princess.

"Where are you planning to leave little Lotus?"

Hua Shen voice made Hong Liu look at the side where she was coming from.

"I am planning to go back home if I stay here until Crown Prince comes back it might take me centuries to go back," Hong Liu smile but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Really? You are heart is changed so soon. what about your father giving you harsh punishment," Hua Shen raised her eyebrow, she was no fool she can detect something happen. Huan Ling look positively remorseful as he comes to her with the news that Hong Liu gone to shore the shores of the silver river, even she can't comprehend what the little lotus was thinking going there?

"I have thought it over and it won't be something harsh that I already been through," Hong Liu nodded to herself, trying to be brave. The truth was she was not sure what was waiting for her in Green Forest but today after everything. She would take her aunt's scolding because she knew after all the scolding her aunt at least spare a hug seeing that she was just trying to help, after all, she was most spoiled and loved being the first and only child of the third generation of Bai. Now on the gates of Ocean of Bliss Palace, she started to feel homesick.

Hua Shen seeing the down face of the little lotus had no heart to stop her, the old rock definitely said something. Hua Shen eyes met Ming Zhu's in understanding. Hua Shen sigh.

"Alright Little lotus you look like you missed your family, but don't forget me and if your plan work you aunt would be married to Nine heavens. We will meet all the time!" Hua Shen tries to cheer her up and hugged.

This Hong Liu giggled excitedly thinking about that her aunt will be happy and she made life long friends in the Nine Heavens.

"Then I have to go and make sure that Crown Prince win my aunts heart back," Hong Liu hugged her back as she saw she had more to look forward to. She released her.

"Then we bid you farewell, your highness," Ming Zhu bowed.

"Thanks for keeping me company here, I wouldn't able to live here so long if you two weren't here and tell the Second Prince I have left and I will keep him sending missive if still have more important things to do," Hong Liu said beaming.

"Of course, I will. Though I don't understand why you helped in the first place, he is not very reliable you know and I have no opinion of Crown Prince if the title for being a heartless god was not already taken by the First Lord Dong Hai. I would give it to him," Hua Shen said.

"First Lord is not heartless and Crown Prince definitely is not heartless. I know Crown Prince Xian Yu loves my aunt and my aunt loves him too. Now I think of it I think I understand now why would somebody will do something completely foolish compelled by their feelings," Hong Liu said.

A far away thoughtful look cast on her face though Crown Prince and her circumstances are not the same it could be said in the terms of their karma they were quite alike, he said Xian Yu tries to push her aunt away for her safety and end up hurting her, all compelled by his feeling she was sure now it's hard to think straight when the only thing you are focused on the one you love that you forget about your surroundings or consequences. The difference between them was her aunt loves him to where Hong Liu think she had a one-sided illusion.

Ming Zhu and Hua Shen observe her wisely.

"Hao La! I bid you farewell, my friends," Hong Liu gave little friendly bow shaking herself out of her thoughts. She walked to words the east gates of heaven.

Ming Zhu and Hua Shen watched her go.

"You know Ming Zhu we have been around First Lord enough, to see him break countless maiden's heart, we gossiped about it and even had a few laughs at some unfortunate maiden who had fallen for the old rock but why this time it felt so heartbreaking," Hua Shen mused.

"Because this time High Goddess, it was real," Ming Zhu answered. At that moment sadness filled more both of their hearts as they sigh.