It's Your Decision To Make.

At the Dowager's palace,

All the rooms were lit up. Meiwei sat in a corner with a tray filled with wool. She had made a woollen sweater for a new born. She still had to make more or she would be beaten with plank. She rejected the idea the instant it was brought up, but she was tired out by only one woollen sweater.

Her eyes drooped until it closed, she was really sleepy and wanted this sleep badly. She merely closed her eyes when she heard the sound of footsteps headed towards her and her heart flew away.

Meiwei immediately sat straight and started making another woollen sweater.

The door opened and the maids brought in food. It was after seeing the dishes that she realized she was terribly hungry. She waited for them to leave before digging in. Perhaps because she was hungry, everything that was served tasted extra delicious.

She groaned when she almost choked with rice.

Inside the northeast palace it was a total chaos as Meiwei's servants ran around trying to find their mistress.

The guard that had gone after Emperor came back with a sullen expression.

"What is going on?"

"Did you see the Emperor?"

"Did he agree to find ma'am?"

"Does he know where our lady is?"

Questions flew in the air and the man sighed heavily. He shook his head.

"The Emperor..." He paused and took a deep breath.

Their mouths hung open as they awaited the great news.

"He doesn't know her whereabouts and has refused to help..." The messenger trailed off.

The hopes on their faces dashed instantly.

A maid in the right wing suddenly laughed and the servants in the left wing looked towards her. Her mouth formed a straight line as she cleared her throat not daring to look towards the servants in the left wing.

She turned and went in to give her ma'am the good news.

The servants in the left wing continued wailing!

The gate opened and strings of light came in.

It was obvious that a noble was been accompanied because the light was clear like the blazing sun.

Two maids came into the compound first then a young lady followed.

It was the Princess. They immediately bowed.

Nuying looked around, "You all look worried,"

"Yes, we are! Our madam is missing." The messenger almost cried out.

"Well, your mistress is at the western palace..."

"West? With the dowager?" The messenger asked with a big smile on his face.

"Wow! That means our Mistress is with the dowager."

"Yes, she is. We were worried for nothing."

The messenger darted a look towards the maid at the right wing and smiled.

It was obvious that the reason why the maid is standing outside is to laugh and mock them but with this great news she will have to cover her face in shame.

Nuying wanted to continue after being interrupted by the messenger but seeing the smiles on their faces she stopped.

"I will leave now," Nuying said. She turned with her maids to leave and a figure dashed towards them. With a sense of security the guards blocked the Princess immediately until they saw who it was.

Consort Muwen?

"Princess Nuying," Consort Muwen started. "What brings you to the Northeast? And you are leaving without being entertained? It's so sad that sixth consort Meiwei didn't teach her servants courtesy. How can they let you leave without a cup of tea? Come this way, I will brew you a good tea to refresh you and keep you vitalised." Consort Muwen pointed to the right wing.

"No, the sky is resting already. You should rest too as I will return to my chambers and do same," Nuying rejected the offer politely.

The big smile on Consort Muwen's face disappeared. She joined her two hands together and bowed. "Then, be safe on your way."

And Nuying with her servants strode away instantly.

_____________

At the Eastern palace,

Xiaofan sat in a corner watching Xiuying, she would smile as if thinking about something, she rocked back and forth in her sitting position.

She's this happy? She must love him a lot. It was because of her love for him that she sacrificed everything. Her happiness. Her family. And even her life. After she died, Ju-Long was forced to make Meiwei the Empress and even had a son with her.

Now thinking about Xiuying and how her life turned upside down. Xiaofan remembered her own life... And her lover, Jin Yunshen.

Her Yunshen was seen as a devil, because he rarely smiled and would make sure you live a hard life if you as much tried to mess up with his business.

Xiaofan mind went whirlwind as she thought about the good times she spent with Yunshen. A tear dropped followed by another and it started streaming.

_____________

"Sixth Consort Meiwei is currently in the western palace receiving her punishment," Junnian reported to the Emperor.

Ju-Long was a little bit surprised.

"She was caught by the Dowager as she tried to stop Maid Yue from bringing in your meal that was prepared for you and the Empress." He continued.

Ju-Long said nothing and dismissed Junnian with a flick of his hand.

Junnian bowed to the Emperor, turned to a very dark corner and bowed his head too then turned and left.

In the dark corner, Junting stood erect with a sword in his hand. His eyes dark, and his face had no single expression.

"What do you think?" A voice suddenly asked.

"I'm in no position to give my opinion."

"I'm talking about my visit to the Empress today, do you think it was a wise decision?"

"My Lord, this lowly servant answer doesn't matter. If the Emperor thinks his decision is right then right it is." Junting answered.

"Okay then, i visited her because the Dowager wants an heir soon." Ju-Long said.

"I believe you have to decide yourself. It's a decision for you to make."

"Right. How's the mountain area?" Ju-Long asked.

"Quiet and free from danger. There's no sign of the enemy yet."