Parting Ways

After parting ways with Jianyu, Ying Yue heads back to her bedroom. Taking a seat by her table, Ying Yue stares into space as she thinks about her future with Jianyu. Still trying to cope with the idea that she had just officially said yes to Jianyu; Ying Yue couldn't stop grinning to herself. Thinking to herself that there's no turning back now. Her maid Shen An who as standing across the table couldn't help, but ask Ying Yue about what was going on in her head.

"Your highness, is there something on your mind?"

"Hehe, would you like to know?"

"I am willing to listen to anything you have to say."

"Well! Shen An, Jianyu asked for my hand in marriage again today. I think I've kept him waiting long enough, so I said yes."

"Your highness that is great news! As your maid I couldn't be more happy for you."

"Thank you, Shen An! You're the first person I told this to, so don't tell anyone yet."

"Of course! My lips are sealed! It is getting late now, will you be heading to bed soon?"

The moment Shen An asked Ying Yue if she was going to bed, Ying Yue remembered she was supposed to meet Zi Tai. She was so caught up in the moment she forgot all about it. In the heat of the moment she forgot to mention it to Jianyu too.

"Your highness? Did you hear me?"

"Ah! Sorry Shen An, you may retire for the night. I will stay up a bit longer."

"As you wish then, have a good night."

Ying Yue watches as Shen An leaves her room. Ying Yue walks to a nearby window and glances at the moon. There was a good half hour left before Ying Yue's appointed time with Zi Tai. She was now debating if she should go or not. The thought of Zi Tai ending up waiting all night crosses her mind.

"Oh god...what if he ends up waiting all night? Ugh...guess I'm going."

Ying Yue throws on a shawl and shoves her sword into her sash. Quickly glancing around to make sure no one was around, Ying Yue makes a run for the corridor by the library. After running around for ten minutes, Ying Yue makes it to the corridor. With nothing, but the moonlight acting as the only source of light, Ying Yue spots Zi Tai and a figure fully cloaked standing next to him. Ying Yue moves closer with caution and calls out to Zi Tai.

"Zi Tai, what is the meaning of this?"

"Ahhh. About time you came. Damn woman making me wait so long."

Ying Yue knew he didn't like her much, but now he was mocking her? Ying Yue wasn't going to stand for it and knew she was going to be the future empress, so she needed to start standing her grounds. It was still too early to tell others that Jianyu had proposed to her, so Ying Yue had to quickly come up with a solution.

"Watch your tone Zi Tai, whether you like it or not I am still a candidate to become the empress. Why did you call me out here?"

"I asked him to do it."

The cloaked person slowly moved into the moonlight. Of all people it had to be Shi Chen. Ying Yue couldn't help. but wonder why Zi Tai was helping Shi Chen as the emperor disliked her so much.

"What do you want for calling me out here Shi Chen?"

"A week from now when the sun reaches its highest peak, the portal to your world will be open again. You will leave this place and return to your world."

"What are you talking about? The portals been closed off already!"

"True it was, but I had the old priest reopen the portal. Opening a portal in our world is much easier than opening one to yours. It takes a good week to reopen one once it's been closed off."

"Why should I listen to you?"

"You're holding the emperor back if you marry him. One, you're nothing more than a human, two, you don't have a social background of family backing. My father is the prime minister, therefore I'm the most suited person for him. If you care for him you will come to the temple grounds, a week from now."

Saying what she wanted to say, Shi Chen disappears into the darkness. With only Ying Yue and Zi Tai left. Ying Yue has never been left so speechless before. Rather than being mad, she knew what everything Shi Chen said was right. Ying Yue finally makes contact with Zi Tai who remained silent throughout the whole conversation.

"Why are you helping her Zi Tai?"

"No particular reason. I only want what's best for our emperor."

"You...you love Shi Chen don't you? Is that why you're helping her?"

"..."

Zi Tai didn't deny nor confirm what Ying Yue had just asked him. Ying Yue could tell from how he looked at Shi Chen. His eyes reminded Ying Yue of how Jianyu looked at her. A sharp, but gentle gaze, filled with sincerity.

"So, you're going to sit back and watch the woman you love chase after another man?"

"That's none of your business."

"It is too! This involved me the moment you sneaked Shi Chen into the palace! What do you think the emperor would do if I told him about tonight's encounter?"

"But you won't, because deep inside I know you've been trying to find a way home."

After saying what he wanted to say Zi Tai turns around and leaves. With only the moon as her light, Ying Yue walks back to her residence. Feeling more tired than ever, she closes her eyes and falls asleep.

Day breaks and Ying Yue wakes to the sound of horn blowing in the distance. Quickly sitting up she rushes to open her bedroom door and sees Li An standing at the entrance of her residence. Quickly throwing her shawl on, Ying Yue makes her way to where they were.

"What's going on Li An?"

"Ah, you're awake your highness. It looks like overnight Bai Chun succeeded in conquering one of our borders. The emperor is sending reinforcements there right now. He did send notice to have you go to his sleeping quarters today when you woke up, so let me help you get ready."

"What? He did? Why didn't you just wake me up!"

Quickly running back inside her bedroom with Li An right behind her; with little to no time. Ying Yue quickly dresses in a plain pale-yellow colored dress. Using light blush and lipstick to bring out some color to her face, Ying Yue quickly ties a portion of her hair up, leaving the rest down. Worried that something major has happened, Ying Yue couldn't waste any more time. Ying Yue was practically running at this point. After ten minutes, Ying Yue and Li An finally arrives to the dragon emperors sleeping quarters. Li An remained in the court yard as Ying Yue walks to the door.

"Knock Knock."

"Jianyu it's me."

"Come in Ying Yue."

Ying Yue props the door open and sees Jianyu standing a good six feet away from her. Rather than wearing his usual meeting outfit, he was wearing his armor. Baffled by the scene in front of her, Ying Yue could only stare. Jianyu pauses and motions for his maids to leave him.

"You look like you have something to say, Ying Yue."

"What is the meaning of this? Why are you dressing for battle?"

Jianyu sees Ying Yues face twist with fear. Slowly making his way to where she was standing now, Jianyu pulls Ying Yue into an embrace. Ying Yue couldn't help, but cry. Thinking that maybe everything last night was just a dream. Jianyu couldn't help, but feel pained after seeing the woman he loved cry for his sake.

"Bai Chun has taken over the eastern borders. I had sent general Tao Chen and Fu Jia to guard the borders, but they are currently wounded and unable to lead. Ah Mei and Fang Li are off at the western and southern borders. There's no one left, but me to lead the troops to the eastern borders. I have to go and reclaim it, Ying Yue."

"Why...Why you? You're the emperor! What about Zi Tai?!"

"Zi Tai has been suspended for now."

"What?"

"I had someone else look into the rumors that were spreading in regards to me and Shi Chen. All the reports came back, pointing to him."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was hoping to keep you away from anything that might take away the light in your eyes."

"Jianyu...I can fight too!"

"No, I refuse to send you to the front lines. This is my battle."

"When will you return then?"

"I'm not sure. I hope to return in three weeks or less if everything goes well. The eastern border, thankfully is not too far as compared to the others."

"Couldn't you just teleport yourself and your army there?"

"Heh, it would be much easier if I could. There's a max to how many people I can take. It also drains my strength quite a bit every time I open a portal. The more people I have to take, the more of my strength it takes."

"Uh....it does? Why didn't you mention this to me sooner! And here I was, having you teleport us everywhere."

"It's only right for me to travel with men."

"Sigh, I understand."

Ying Yue removes herself from Jianyu's embrace and walks to Jianyu's closet that had his helmet. Grabbing the helmet with both her hands, Ying Yue walks back to Jianyu and places it on his head.

"Although I don't believe in gods, I will believe in you. Please come back to me safely."

"I promise you, I will come back."

Jianyu places a kiss on the weeping Ying Yue's forehead. Breaking into a smile to assure her he would return. Grabbing hold of her left hand, he leads her out of his residence. Making their way to where the rest of his army were. Ying Yue could see in everyone's faces that this was not going to be an easy travel. Jianyu finally let's go of Ying Yue's hand and hops onto his horse. Glancing one last time at each other, Jianyu motions for his men to start moving.

Ying Yue stood at the entrance of the palace. Slowly watching as the man, she loved disappear out of her sight.