Xiao Yue's First Visit To The Palace

Xiao Yue was born as the youngest daughter of the Tribe Chief's youngest brother. She was technically a princess but since she was the youngest of all her cousins, and was not born to the Tribe Chief directly, many people forgot about her status.

Her parents were humble people who never flaunted their bloodline. They also never bothered to remind their children to stand out among the other children. Xiao Yue grew up rolling in the mud with the other children from the tribe, no one ever called her princess.

Although Xiao Yue's father was more interested in doing common folk jobs such as carpentry, hunting, or farming, he was often summoned by his brother, the Tribe Chief, to discuss various problems at hand. When he came back home, he would share the latest news with his wife over dinner. Xiao Yue and her brother who were sitting down for dinner also got to hear about it.

When Xiao Yue was younger, she did not understand much. The phrase she often heard was "Hong Kingdom". It was always Hong Kingdom here, Hong Kingdom there.

When she grew older, the phrase was expanded to form sentences such as "Hong Kingdom is demanding more tribute" or "Hong Kingdom plans to seize our land".

Xiao Yue understood that Hong Kingdom was evil. And that her tribe was in danger. This revelation would scare most children, but Xiao Yue had never experienced any attack launched by the Hong Kingdom to fully understand the terror.

She remembered chiming in the conversation once, asking innocently why they could not just defeat the Hong Kingdom. Her father had laughed, ruffled her hair and said, "Because Hong Kingdom has General Long Zhao Xue. That man never lost a war."

It sounded almost like her father admired the general. Indeed, it was Long Zhao Xue who was then sent to deal with their tribe.

The night before the annihilation, she was carefreely sorting through the farm's daily yield, putting each medicinal root and herb in separate containers when her mother came in and told her that the tribe shaman would like to see her. The tribe shaman?

Xiao Yue's eyes grew big.

Not everyone had the chance to meet with the tribe shaman! Only those who had important positions in the tribe got to meet with the tribe shaman! Xiao Yue instantly got nervous. She dried her hand, wet from anxiety, on her skirt covertly while following her mother out...

"... Third Madam."

Xiao Yue's head snapped up.

"Ah yes, she said."

Immersed in reminiscing, Xiao Yue did not notice that the carriage had stopped rolling. A hand in a black leather glove was stretched out to her. Xiao Yue took Long Zhao Xue's hand and stepped out of the carriage.

The view was breathtaking. She had never seen a building so grand. Pairs of guards stood with straight backs and serious expressions at various locations. Xiao Yue sighed in her heart. If there were so many guards outside, would there be fewer guards inside...? 

It did not matter how good she was in martial arts, if she was outnumbered then that was pretty much it. The young woman gazed at the man who was leading her up the stairs. What expression did he have under that silver mask?

Xiao Yue had not checked the security around the other manors. Surely, someone as important as Long Zhao Xue would also be surrounded by guards. As she thought, the only time she could attack him was when they were alone in the bed-chamber.

Xiao Yue bit her lips. Chance will come. When the chance came, she would not waste it. As soon as she went home, she needed to prepare a trap for Long Zhao Xue. She could not afford to make mistakes because if she failed once, she might be executed on spot. It's either her or him. Again, she already died once, she told herself. How bad could it be?

Long Zhao Xue led her before the King. It was custom not to look up at the King unless instructed to, so Xiao Yue gave her greetings while gazing at the hem of the Hong King's golden robe.

"You finally bring her to the palace, the King said. " I hope everything is well with your health?"

Long Zhao Xue bowed and answered, "This subject thanks the King for the concern. My wife and I are doing very well right now."

The King did not sound like an old man. Xiao Yue was itching to look up. When the King asked her to lift her face, she did so immediately without reserve. Indeed, the King was pretty young. Maybe around his thirties. About the same age as Long Zhao Xue himself. No wonder they got along so well.

The King smiled upon her, but there was a mysterious coldness in his eyes. His gaze seemed to dissect Xiao Yue's mind, threatening to unearth whatever unholy intention she had in mind. Xiao Yue clenched her jaw anxiously. Thankfully the King did not linger on her for long.

"Very well. Zhao Xue, come to my study before you leave. I have something to tell you."

"Yes, Sir."

Following the short introduction, Xiao Yue was led back to the carriage to wait while Long Zhao Xue disappeared with the King somewhere. She waited and waited, but Long Zhao Xue did not show up.

Xiao Yue wondered if the Hong Kingdom was planning to attack another tribe out there. Her expression turned dark. The Hong Kingdom was an established, rich kingdom. Why did they need to bully other people who just wanted to live in peace? Xiao Yue hated them all.

After almost an hour had passed, a eunuch came over to tell them that General Long needed longer time to discuss with His Majesty and that Third Madam could go home first. After the eunuch departed, the guards looked at Xiao Yue, expecting instructions.

"Let's go back," Xiao Yue said.

She would love to snoop around but there was no way to do it without so many eyes observing her.

The carriage thus rolled out of the mighty palace. While the trip to the palace was quick and unobstructed, the trip back was long and had a lot of stoppages. When they stopped for the n-th time, Xiao Yue pulled aside the carriage curtain and asked a guard riding next to the carriage, "What's wrong? Why are we stopping again?"

The guard respectfully answered, "Reporting to Third Madam, a criminal is being paraded across the city before he is executed tomorrow. It's best if we do not get close."