Letter

Just as Ying Yue was about to leave. She felt Ru Shi creep up behind her. Eyes cast down but her aura wrapped around her. Instantly grabbing her attention and causing her body to come to a sudden halt. The servants who were about to open the door for her stopped mid-pull.

"What is it, Ru Shi?"

"I'm sorry, young miss," she lowered her head even more. "There was an accident."

Ying Yue frowned as she prompted Ru Shi to lead the way.

Her friend that was more like a sister led Ying Yue back to her sleeping quarter's. Alone and away from prying eyes. Ru Shi dropped the act. A sneer appeared on her lips. No longer was a young weak servant before her but a warrior with an aura that became bloodthirsty as she pulled out an letter.

Pressed into the wax was the symbol of a five tailed pheasant engulfed in fire. The Blood Moon tribe. The very same tribe that was framed for poisoning and ambushing the prince a few days ago. Anger upturned her lips and eyes glinted dangerously.

"Where was this located?"

"It was in one of the luggage. Where you keep your personal items."

The unsealed scroll twisted in her hands. If she was not mistaken, the reason they planted this on her, was to eliminate any chances of any of Feng Mo Chen's loyal subjects from becoming the crown prince's consort. The chosen lady needed to come from a house that supported the enemy and could easily be moulded into a tool to control the crown and possibly be the escape goat on his death.

Her brother had forwarned her that there were a few placed in by him and the crown prince that were loyal to them. Which meant that those women had a high risk of being exposed as a traitor to Black Water.

"Destroy this and oversee the new servants coming. Brothers shadow assassins will come disguised. We will need to slowly and surely remove anyone harbouring any ill-will towards us. Keep only those that can be used later."

Nodding she gave back the fake letter to her friend.

"Oh, if no one does a place search. Return back to me. It seems there will be a good show to be watched."

Ru Shi smiled, pocketed the letter, before disappearing before her very eyes.

Shaking her head. Ying Yue retraced her footsteps. Bringing along another maid from the Jiang household to take Ru Shi's place in being welcomed. Her thoughts were surprisingly calm even after such a strong move in such little time. She was sure not many of the other girls would be fully unpacked. In hindsight made for a perfect plan to eliminate those loyal to the crown.

Jiang Ying Yue crossed over the bridge. The material of dress in her grasp. Eyes ahead. Every single gaze was back onto her now that she was the last to arrive. Noses turned away in contempt. A waste of the tribe was a mere bug in their opinion. Nothing to look at.

She will remember those faces.

Zhang Hui Yin, the daughter of General Zhang Jie. Chen Yu Yan and Chen Ra Lin, daughters of a high ranking official.

On the far end, Ying Yue stood in line, standing beside a woman with a small stature similar to herself. A veil covered her mouth and nose, but she could see the welcoming smile by the crinkles at the corner of her eyes.

Zhao Ruo, the young miss of the Zhao family, who also happened to be close with the Jiang family. Zhao Shan, her second brother, happened to be one of the higher ranking soldiers of the Black Water army under her father General Jiang. He is also one of the few Jiang Min had hand selected to be trained by him to be at the same level as his shadow assassins.

Ying Yue smiled back.

A man flanked by guards held out a scroll. Ready to call out its contents. To the left off him. Flanked by more guards was the youngest of the royal Feng family. Princess Feng Li Li. Her gaze was sharp. Assessing each woman standing before her. Sizing them up.

The moment her gaze fell onto Zhao Ruo and Jiang Ying Yue. Her lips curled up in disgust. Instantly mentally abolishing them from being a true candidate for her brother.

Ying Yue didn't feel the least bit hurt or disappointed that she didn't gain the favour of the King's spoiled daughter. It wasn't like she was here to really win the crown prince's heart. In public, she would have to appear infatuated, but all her energy will be used elsewhere.

They can have him for all that she cared.

"The Crown Prince has arrived."

Immediately everyone bowed in respect. A chorus of greetings left their lips in harmony. Eyes cast downwards. Except for the princess and the man that followed behind.

Princess Feng Li Li bore the same looks like the King and her eldest brother Feng Mo Chen. Sharp chin, thin lips, and brown eyes that were so dark that it almost made them look black.

"Prince Feng Li Long."

Ying Yue gave the same respect as the others. Though her gaze never truly broke from his face. This was the famous youngest of the royal brothers. Sick upon birth and almost killed his mother during labour. Had a near-death experience when he had followed his older brothers on a hunting trip. Holed up for a year before he emerged and became one of the two Black Water prince wielders.

While he shared a similar cultivation affinity with his brother Feng Mo Chen. They differed in many aspects. The crown prince was open and held a warm smile. A facade of aloofness to everything going around him. Taller and leaner. Soft in looks. Whereas Feng Li Long was smaller and more muscled. Guarded and serious. Square jaw with eyes that pierce through the soul.

The moment their gazes connected. Ying Yue, although knowing it was rude, held her stare. Even at the back of her mind she was screaming at herself that she was the young miss of the Jiang family. That she was to be a lady of demure. The woman she had been portrayed as would never hold gaze with a man let alone a man of royal status and had such a dark aura that it was on par with her elder brother.

His eyebrow cocked when she didn't back down or feign embarrassment to catch his interest. Acts that she has seen many women employ. Then he smiled. It looked strange on his face. Heightening the very aspect that had caught her interest. The jagged scar that ran from his cheekbone, across his lips, and down beneath the collar of his shirt.

It was often known that men, especially of war, were careful when it came to scars on their face. Cultivating or using beautified cream to prevent scars appearing to dampen their chances at catching the attention of a woman.

Yet, the fourth prince, bore his for the world to see. That alone had caught her interest.

Their gazes broke when a voice rang through the crowd. It was the man to the right who had introduced the two Princes and probably announced the appearance of the princess. Which she would have missed given that fact she was late.

One by one the ladies were called out. Each one battering their eyelashes behind a fan, smiling coyly to the prince, or glancing away from his gaze.

When it came to Zhao Ruo's turn. Hurried footsteps carried over the bridge. Guards following behind the stewardess. She hurriedly bowed before the royal trio. Before she reached the prince and whispered lowly so that no one could hear her.

Ying Yue watched the duo as those beside her began to whisper. Wondering what was going on. She had a hunch as to what had caused the woman to be in a frantic rush. Seeing the familiar looking parchment being handed to the prince. She mentally smiled. Exavtly who was going to be labelled as a traitor and causing her family to lose favour with the royal palace.

From here, she could see a small hint of worry flicker in his gaze as his eyes swept over the two women at the end. Seeing that Ying Yue was not worried. His face resumed its fierce frustration.

"Ladies please return back to your rooms," the stewardess finally turned after passing on the message, "we will begin your lessons and training early tomorrow morning."

Disappointment flared as Ying Yue followed everyone in bowing. Shuffling away. Half went to the Cherry Sun Tower. While the others followed Ying Yue to Jade Moon Tower.

Zheng Hui Yin, followed by the Chen twins, walked briskly ahead. So as to not be seen walking with a waste. Though from the distance and her training as Paralyser. Ying Yue could overhear the conversation as if she was walking beside them.

"Did you see that ugly scar?"

Of course their topic would be on the fourth prince and not why the sudden company had disbanded the group.

"Shh," Chen Yu Yan warned her sister Ran Lin. "He could hear you."

"He has already left with the crown prince."

Both peaked over to the courtyard. The two prince's and princess were gone.

"I can't believe he has never done anything about it. With those eyes and that hair. He could look so beautiful. Just like Jiang Min and Jiang Wei."

Both peaked at Jiang Ying Yue to check if she could hear them. She pretended to be aloof.

"The Jiang brothers are handsome but not as much as the crown prince."

Chen Ra Lin saddled up to Zhang Hui Yin.

"Did you see the princess judging everyone? You wouldn't have to worry about her disapproval seeing as your brother is her husband. Oh, how I wish I had the connections that you have."

"Or be as pretty as you." Chen Yu Yan commented.

Zhang Hui Yin merely smiled. Heading to the house across from Ying Yue.

Ying Yue rolled her eyes as she could still hear the twins remarks. Paying them no mind. She called for Ru Shi.

"Find out who had the other letter and how it was found."

Ru Shi nodded.

Jiang Ying Yue smiled as she glanced about her new place. She had a few hours to kill before she can venture out as Paralyser. Might as well take a walk and mentally map out all of Jade Moon Tower.

As Ying Yue took a seemingless harmless stroll about. Deep within the palace Jiang Min, Fei Hong, Feng Li Long, and Feng Mo Chen was reading the letter.

"This isn't the Paralyser, right?" Feng Mo Chen had to double check.

Jiang Min gave the crown prince a 'are you serious look?'

"He would've been dead long ago if such a small trick like this got him." Feng Li Long commented.

"Ah, so Paralyser is a he!"

All rolled their eyes.