Chapter 38 (1/2)

Xiao Yao often comes across as really clever, scheming and devious no less, the hardscrabble smarts of someone who’s had to survive on her own and learned all the tricks. But she selectively chooses when to apply that brain of hers, and sometimes even though the answer is clear she can be clouded by personal feeling or an unwillingness to think about that particular issue. Case in point her relations.h.i.+p with Xiang Liu, whatever is going on between them that neither addresses. Same with her problems with Jing that may have been avoided had she put more effort into it initially.

Up next in the world of Lost You Forever is the percolating next steps between Xuan Yuan and Gao Xing. Zhuan Xu isn’t content to just rule over 2/3rd of the world, and truth be told his ambitions may actually benefit the people more than divided rule. While Zhuan Xu can, and does make the hard decisions, Xiao Yao has always s.h.i.+ed away from that. Moreover she places family above anything else, and definitively about kingdom and country when those things kept her parents apart and ruined her hopes for a warm loving childhood. With that said, everyone could see this cataclysmic day coming from a mile away except for the girl who just wants to live an ordinary boring life.

Chapter 38 – Armed Conflict Closer, No Hope in Sight:

Spring was late coming this year and even late into the fourth month there were still lots of snowy patches on Xiao Yue Peak.

That was good for Xiao Yao because she liked to bury fruit wine in the snow and take it out during dinner to drink. It tasted even better then using mystical power to quickly freeze the wine.

Even though Xiao Yao had her own palace, most of the time she spent in the medicine valley or with Yin seeing patients in the clinic.

Xiao Yao and Yin practiced medicine vastly differently and often b.u.t.ted heads over how to prescribe medicine leading to sign language fights.

One day Xiao Yao couldn’t convince Yin and was so frustrated she got the Yellow Emperor involved to judge.

“I concede Yin’s prescription isn’t wrong and has very good effect but this particular patient lives by the lake and the medicine I prescribe grows by water. If he’s lucky he can find some by the lake and if not it won’t cost much to buy it near where he lives. But Yin’s medicine grows in the deep mountain and doesn’t grow where he lives. It will cost a lot for him to buy it.”

Yin signed to to the Yellow Emperor and Xiao Yao translated “To treat a patient the first priority is finding the best medicine to cure the illness. Xiao Yao’s medicine is slow working and eating it will cause the patient to lose his appet.i.te.”

The Yellow Emperor smiled “You are both right but at this point deciding the right medicine isn’t based on either of your medical skill but based on the patient’s family situation. If he’s rich then use Yin’s prescription for the best medicine, if he’s poor then use Xiao Yao’s prescription since the family livelihood is just as important as the patient’s illness. You can’t cure the patient and cause him to starve to death.”

Yin thought about it and agreed with the Yellow Emperor: All my patients are n.o.bles so I have never taken into consideration whether the patient can afford the medicine.

Xiao Yao quickly added “And I put too much emphasis on the ease of getting the medicine locally.”

The Yellow Emperor sighed “Curing an illness isn’t limited to one prescription either. If the patient lived near the mountains then Yin’s prescription would be cheaper than Xiao Yao’s.”

Xiao Yao smiled “Yes, and that is why medicine isn’t limited to the wealth of the family but also where they live. Years ago in Gao Xing when I opened a clinic a lot of patients were fishermen and the prescriptions I gave based on the Sheng Nong Herb Manual were good but were Middle Plains plants that the fishermen were not familiar with nor could they afford it. Later I tried using local plants and my prescriptions were much better received.”

Yin was incredulous: People dared to find fault with the prescription gleaned from the Sheng Nong Herb Manual!

The Yellow Emperor said “In the vast wilderness all the environment and climate are different and one Sheng Nong Herb Manual is not enough, not anywhere enough! You two want to write ten more manuals to supplement it?”

Xiao Yao and Yin stared at the Yellow Emperor and Yin signed “Not possible, it’s impossible since in the last ten thousands of years there has only been one Sheng Nong Herb Manual!”

Xiao Yao said “It’s too hard, it’s not doable!”

The Yellow Emperor spent his life conquering from North to South and created countless legendary miracles in his lifetime so in his mind there was no “impossible”. He said “I asked you two if this task was worth doing, not whether it was easy to do.”

“If it’s possible to create a herb manual from all parts of the vast wilderness then it’s not just something worth doing it’s one of the most amazing things ever! It would benefit the people of the entire world and all their future generations. Every single person!”

The Yellow Emperor pushed “If you are certain of the value in doing it then why not undertake the task? One word “impossible” and you don’t dare try?”

Yin and Xiao Yao grimaced, not everyone was the Yellow Emperor daring to do things no one dared, daring to think things no one dared. Xiao Yao thought and said with certainty “As much as can be done then. Even if it’s another hundred remedies then there will be people who benefit from just another hundred more.”

Yin nodded: Even ten more herbs it will be beneficial.”

The Yellow Emperor said “Good!”

That night the Yellow Emperor told Zhuan Xu that he decided to organize the writing of a new medical text and wanted his full a.s.sistance.

Since the Yellow Emperor abdicated he never asked Zhuan Xu for anything and this was the first time so Zhuan Xu immediately agreed.

The Yellow Emperor summoned a group of doctors over from Xuan Yuan and picked twenty of the best to bring to Xiao Yue Peak.

Yin and Xiao Yao started to prepare writing another medical text.

Xiao Yao was so busy with the medical text discussion with the doctors she didn’t notice that it was particularly busy on Zhi Jin Summit and Zhuan Xu’s residential palace Qian Yang Palace was brightly lit day and night with powerful officials coming in and out. It had been two months since Zhuan Xu visited any of his consorts.

But no matter how busy or tired every single day Zhuan Xu would go to Xiao Yue Peak to greet the Yellow Emperor.

The officials and consorts chalked this up as “the Black Emperor is so filial” but in the eyes of Empress Xing Yue there was another meaning behind it and that meaning caused her to be sleepless every night and had no appet.i.te. She sometimes thought only she saw through Zhuan Xu and knew his secret, but then she sometimes chided herself for making something out of nothing.

As summer approached the female Xuan Yuan Commander Chi Sui Xian led a night attack on a Gao Xing barracks south of Chi Sui and successfully conquered it. It was like a dagger deep into Gao Xing by ensuring that even if the Xuan Yuan forces attacked deep into Gao Xing it would never risk having its supplies cut off because this river territory was now under Xuan Yuan control.

The Black Emperor named Chi Sui Feng Long as the Great General of the Xuan Yuan army and dispatched him to lead thirty thousand troops to attack Gao Xing.

It had been tens of thousands of years since Gao Xing fought a war. The Gao Xing army was like a rusty sword sheathed too long and even the most impressive weapon was now dull after too long since being sharpened. The Xuan Yuan army was different, since the forming of the Xuan Yuan kingdom the army never stopped fighting and had spent the last thousands of years in battle. It was as ferocious as a attacking tiger, as tough as forged stone. The Xuan Yuan front line army was led by General Yu Jiang who came from Gao Xing’s Yi He tribe. He was a water power and familiar with water battles as well as Gao Xing territory and climate. Under his charge within three days Xuan Yuan had conquered two Gao Xing castles.

Faced with such a colossal event the entire vast wilderness was in stunned shock.

Only Xiao Yao on top of Xiao Yue Peak remained in the dark about what was happening. She only noticed that the doctors seemed to be chatting less and often zoning out while working.

Jing came to visit Xiao Yao on Xiao Yue Peak and Xiao Yao asked him “Did Zhuan Xu forget to pay the doctors? I feel their hearts are not really into doing their jobs!”

Jing was about to respond when the Yellow Emperor coughed. Jing said nothing but directly stared back at the Yellow Emperor and didn’t look cowed in the least.

Xiao Yao stared at the Yellow Emperor and then at Jing and noticed for the first time that Jing’s aura was not weaker than the Yellow Emperor at all. She suddenly jumped in front of the Yellow Emperor and blocked him from Jing before making a funny face “Grandfather, what’s going on?”

“Girls, when you grow up you always side with your man!” The Yellow Emperor shook his head “What’s going on? You go ask Zhuan Xu since neither Jing nor I want to be blamed for being loose lipped.”

Xiao Yao smiled and pushed the Yellow Emperor to sit down “You play a go match with Jing and I’ll brew tea for you guys.” She grabbed the tea set and went to the kitchen to work seeming like nothing was wrong.

When the sun was setting Xiao Yao said to Miao Pu “Go to Zhi Jin Palace and tell His majesty that I’m cooking dinner personally so if he has time come dine with us.”

A half hour later Zhuan Xu arrived and saw the table was still empty and Xiao Yao was plucking herbs. He smiled “Aren’t you cooking? Where’s the food?”

Xiao Yao slowly wiped her hands “Just waiting for you to arrive.”

Servants walked in with four charcoal grill platters and placed one on each dining table. They then brought out all the meat that Xiao Yao already marinated – lamb chops, venison, and rabbit.

Xiao Yao said to Zhuan Xu “Other than meat there are fresh vegetables gathered today in the valley. Grill the leaves and the stem can be used to make soup to drink afterwards to cut down the oiliness of the meat”

The Yellow Emperor, Jing, and Zhuan Xu all sat down before their own table and Xiao Yao placed the herbs she was plucking earlier on plates for them to use as dipping sauces.

Zhuan Xu sniffed and immediately placed meat on the grill “Last time we grilled our own meat was the lantern festival last year. It’s been a few years since I’ve eaten wild vegetables. Every spring it crosses my mind but then I get busy and forget.”

Xiao Yao laughed “Wild vegetables have more bitterness and most people aren’t used to it but once one gets used to it then it’s tasty. I figured you guys all tried it before so prepared it today.” When the Yellow Emperor was young he barely had enough to eat so he ate more than his share of wild vegetables. Zhuan Xu was a market hooligan and often ate wild vegetables with rice. When Jing was in Qing Shui Town every spring Lao Mu would buy wild vegetables to save money so Jing got used to it as well.

This meal took a good hour to finish and afterwards Jing and the Yellow Emperor resumed their unfinished go match.

Xiao Yao laid on the pallet with a wine cask in hand and two gla.s.s chalices. Zhuan Xu took one over and Xiao Yao poured him the purple reddish mulberry wine. It was iced cold so the gla.s.s chalice was soon frosted over.

Zhuan Xu took a sip “Sealed in snow? It’s better than frozen with ice powers.”

Xiao Yao smiled “Of course.”

Zhuan Xu said “I hear from Yin that since coming back from your trip last year you’ve been collecting books and information on voodoo.”

“I visited Jiu Li so it’s natural to be interested in voodoo.”

Zhuan Xu stared at Xiao Yao “How’s your health these days?”

“Under your orders Yin gives me an annual check up. Doesn’t he report to you?”

“He tells me you’re fine but how do you feel?”

“I feel fine.”

“Did you break the voodoo bug linking you with Xiang Liu?”

“More or less!” Having one Jing worried about it was enough, Xiao Yao didn’t want Zhuan Xu also worried.

“What do you mean more or less?”

“I raised the bug and planted it. What are you worried about? Are you worried I’ll die because of my own bug? I think you’ve been listening to too many rumors. Voodoo isn’t that scary and even if you don’t believe me you should believe in the Jiu Li tribe.”

Zhuan Xu “It’s Xiang Liu I don’t trust. You be careful and if Xiang Liu comes to see you tell me immediately.”

Xiao Yao nodded “Yessir, Your majesty!”

Zhuan Xu moved to smack her and Xiao Yao ducked and his hand was very gentle to begin with so he ended up combing his fingers through her hair in a gesture that was tender and longing.

Xiao Yao sipped her wine “Grandfather, Jing, and those doctors here, everyone is being weird. What’s going on outside?”

Zhuan Xu played with his chalice and said nothing as he stared at the wine colors reflecting in the gla.s.s.

Xiao Yao said “If I head down the mountain I’ll know everything so I just want to hear it from you.”

Zhuan Xu gulped down all the wine in his gla.s.s and sat up straight on the pallet. He stared at Xiao Yao and said “I gave the order to attack Gao Xing.”

Xiao Yao’s smile froze. She had thought Zhuan Xu did something because of her real birth ident.i.ty but who knew….Xiao Yao thought she heard wrong “Zhuan Xu, repeat that again.”

Zhuan Xu said “I gave the order to attack Gao Xing.”

Xiao Yao bolted up and threw the gla.s.s chalice in her hand at Zhuan Xu’s head.

The gla.s.s chalice struck Zhuan Xu’s head hard and the purple red wine splashed all over his hair and face.

Xiao Yao turned and ran off and Zhuan Xu didn’t even bother to wipe his face before bolting after Xiao Yao.

The Yellow Emperor and Jing both heard the noise and looked over. Jing was about to get up but the Yellow Emperor grabbed him and shoved him into a room and ordered the servant to close all doors and windows.

Xiao Yao ran into her room and slammed the door hard in Zhuan Xu’s face. Zhuan Xu pounded on the door “Xiao Yao, Xiao Yao…..”

Xiao Yao used her back to keep the door closed and refused to let Zhuan Xu in.

“Xiao Yao, listen to me.”

“Listen to you what? Are you going to say that when our four uncles was trying to kill you back then you ran to Gao Xing and it was the Grand Emperor who took you in? Are you going to say that he took you as a disciple to teach you the zither, to govern, to train your secret guards?”

“Xiao Yao, you don’t understand!”

“I don’t understand what? Tell me what! Did I say anything that wasn’t true?”

“What you just said is all true but there is a lot more you don’t know. If it wasn’t for him then I wouldn’t even be an orphan in the first place, why would I need him to take me in? You also wouldn’t have needed to wander the world alone for three hundred years.”

Xiao Yao was stunned “I don’t understand.”

“When Auntie told you about the past she must have been very detailed in telling you all about your real daddy. But she must have said nothing about what happened in the past with the Grand Emperor, right? Maybe Auntie already forgave him or maybe Auntie wanted to protect you and not let you know.”

“What past things? What are you trying to say?”

“Do you know why our Eldest Uncle was mistakenly kill by your real daddy?”

“Mom said Eldest Uncle wanted to force Grandfather to abdicate so he had Mom concoct a potion for him that would cause a G.o.d to be unable to use his powers for a few months. Who knew Eldest Uncle would accidentally drink the potion himself and that is why he couldn’t protect himself against my daddy.”

“It’s not Eldest Uncle who wanted Grandfather to abdicate. It was Master who convinced Eldest Uncle to do that! He also was the one who got Auntie to make the potion and he handed it to Eldest Uncle. When Auntie was making the potion she didn’t know Eldest Uncle was going to use it. That was a potion that Auntie made for Master so that he could successfully force the former Grand Emperor to abdicate. When the former Grand Emperor was forcefully locked up in his palace and then mysteriously died, do you know why there was the Five Prince Rebellion afterwards? Or why Master used such a b.l.o.o.d.y approach to deal with his own brothers? Now there is no talk about how Master become the Grand Emperor but Xiao Yao, back then you lived on Five G.o.ds Mountain so look deep into your own memory. You must still remember the former Grand Emperor, the one you called grandfather as well. He was murdered by Master! That is why the Five Princes revolted!”

Xiao Yao wanted to deny it that but the broken memory fragments in her mind confirmed for her that what Zhuan Xu said was true. She remember the former Grand Emperor that she used to call grandfather. She actually witnessed the moment he died and she remembered that her mom tearfully slapped her dad hard afterwards.

Zhuan Xu sorrowfully continued “If it wasn’t for Master then our Eldest Uncle would not have died. If Eldest Uncle didn’t die, then the chasm between your mom and real daddy wouldn’t have been so impossible to bridge!”

Xiao Yao leaned against the door and wearily said “It’s not all dad’s fault.”

“Then what about my dad! When Auntie discovered Zhu Rong’s nefarious plan and went first to beg Master to help her, it was Master who denied Auntie!” Xiao Yao shook her head and yelled “No! That’s impossible!” That was the dad who loved and adored her, the dad who tirelessly taught Zhuan Xu everything.

How could he have said no to Mom’s entreaty to go save her Fourth Uncle? But then he was indeed the same Grand Emperor who brutally killed his own five brothers!

Zhuan Xu said “When you were small, didn’t you ask Auntie why she was missing one finger all of a sudden? Didn’t Auntie tell you that she accidentally misplaced it? You know that Master always wears a white bone ring on his left pinky, right? Do you know what that ring is made from? That’s Auntie’s finger! When she was crying and begging on her hands and knees for Master to save my dad, she severed her own finger to made a blood oath to him. But he still…..said no!”

Zhuan Xu’s raspy voice said each word clearly “Xiao Yao, He. Said. No!”

Xiao Yao tightly clasped her hand over her mouth and sank into the ground. She remembered the day when she discovered her mom had only four fingers left on one hand, she asked why mom was missing a finger. Her mom said she accidentally lost it. She asked her mom if it hurt? Her mom said ” No, it doesn’t hurt. The persons who are hurting the most right now are your Fourth Auntie and Zhuan Xu gege. Xiao Yao be good and spend more time with your Gege.”

If her Fourth Uncle didn’t die, then her Fourth Auntie wouldn’t have committed suicide. Then her Grandmother’s illness wouldn’t have taken a turn for the worse. Then her Mom wouldn’t have needed to go to battle….. Maybe, just maybe everything would be different now….

Zhuan Xu added “And your real daddy! Even now the world continues to marvel at Qi Yo’s subordinates, the two most capable were Feng Bo (Uncle Wind) and Yu s.h.i.+ (Teacher Rain). Do you know who Yu s.h.i.+’s real ident.i.ty was? He had another name, his real name was Yi He Nuo Nai. Now no one knows anymore, but thousands of years ago he was a very well known handsome powerful young Gao Xing n.o.ble who was also the Great General of Gao Xing’s Yi He tribe. He was also Master’s dearest friend since childhood. So much time has pa.s.sed now that no one remembers anymore and I can’t discover what Yu s.h.i.+ was actually doing working for Qi Yo. But do you think that Master would send one of his best friends to your daddy’s side for no reason whatsoever? Yes, maybe you’re right and we can’t blame everything on Master. But Xiao Yao……every time I think about how my Dad didn’t need, to die, my Mom didn’t need to commit suicide in front of me. Our Grandmother could have lived a few more years. Auntie didn’t need to go to the battlefield. You didn’t need to leave my side. I……..” Zhuan Xu’s breathing was labored “I really can’t treat him as just my respected Master!”

Xiao Yao kept her eyes shut and felt her throat constricting so she couldn’t breath anymore.

Zhuan Xu said “Master always told me ‘You don’t need to feel grat.i.tude towards me, this is what I owe Qing Yang, Ah Heng, and your dad.’ I never took what he said seriously and thought he was just being modest. Until I discovered the truth and now I know, Master was completely truthful to me!”

Xiao Yao remembered that on the Chi Sui river when she thanked her dad for saving her in the desert, he also said very clearly to her “This is what I owe Qing Yang, Chang Yi, and your mom.”

“Xiao Yao, I haven’t forgotten that he’s my Master, but I also can’t forget…..Xiao Yao, do you remember the dagger?”

“The dagger that Fourth Auntie used to commit suicide?” That dagger that gave Zhuan Xu nightmares every night, yet he insisted on wearing it daily.

“Yes.” Zhuan Xu scoffed “That dagger was hand forged by Master and given to my parents as a wedding gift. Mom chose that very dagger to commit suicide. When Mom died, she must have hated Master so much.”

“Are you invading Gao Xing because you hate him?”

“No! Towards him I feel both love and hate. But he is the Gao Xing Grand Emperor and I am the Xuan Yuan Black Emperor. My decision is based solely as a ruler.”

Xiao Yao said “But in Gao Xing there are the guys you grew up with, Ru So and Ju Mang, and the Ah Nian you watched come into this world…..Zhuan Xu, have you not thought about how they feel?”

“Ru So and Ju Mang are men and even if they oppose me they will understand my decision. Ah Nian…..likely will hate me. Xiao Yao, I didn’t think about how they would feel nor do I care. But I will accept all the consequences to come!”

“If you don’t care about how we feel then you leave. I don’t want to see you! In the future you’re not welcome at Xiao Yue Peak either!” Xiao Yao ran into the inner room and flopped on her pallet before pulling the blanket tightly over her head.

“Xiao Yao, Xiao Yao…..” Zhuan Xu pounded on the door but heard silence back from inside the room. He could have broken down the door easily with his power but he didn’t force his way inside.

Zhuan Xu’s forehead wearily leaned against the door “I care about what you think!” That’s why a war that should have began three years ago got delayed time and again until now. That’s why he was willing to alert the Grand Emperor to his war intentions and sever Xiao Yao’s connection with him as father-daughter first.

Zhuan Xu didn’t dare go in but he also didn’t bear to leave. He leaned against the door and sat down on the ground, staring in desolation into the dark night.

He had a plan and a strategy for everything but right now his mind was blank. He could think of nothing so instead he remembered a time long ago……

When he met Xiao Yao for the first time, they didn’t get along at all. He was a boy but he couldn’t beat the rough and tumble Xiao Yao in a fight. He even tried to be sly and find a way to get rid of her. But gradually the two of them played together and when his parents both died it was Xiao Yao who kept him company every night. When he had nightmares it was Xiao Yao who kissed him on the forehead and vowed “I will be with you forever.” He didn’t believe her “You’ll get married eventually and leave me.” She hurriedly said “I won’t marry anyone else, I will marry you and never leave you.”

From Five G.o.ds Mountain to Xuan Yuan Mountain, from Xuan Yuan Mountain to Sheng Nong Mountain, Xiao Yao accompanied him each step of the way. No matter what happened, no matter what state he was in, she resolutely stood beside him. When Yu Jiang tried to a.s.sa.s.sinate him, it was Xiao Yao who used her body to s.h.i.+eld him. When he was in the hidden chamber detoxing from the drugs, it was Xiao Yao who endured the agony with him and was willing to be injured but wouldn’t use Jin Xuan’s suggestion to tie him up. She knew that if she suggested it then he would do it…..

Late into the night, Xiao Yao figured Zhuan Xu left already and pushed open the door to look out at the moon.

Zhuan Xu didn’t know what she was thinking about. Was she thinking about her childhood on Five G.o.ds Mountain?

The two of them, one sitting on the ground against the door, the other perched on the window, they were mere feet from each other as they stared at the moon together all night.

When a ray of light emerged from the East, Xiao Xiao appeared in the fog and knelt down in front of the door

Xiao Yao thought Xiao Xiao was kneeling towards her and gestured for her to get up but instead heard Xiao Xiao say “Your majesty, please return to Zhi Jin Summit. The officials and ministers will be arriving soon.”

Xiao Yao was stunned and she saw in the corner of her eye Zhuan Xu appear.

He sat outside the door all night long? Xiao Yao lowered her head and wouldn’t look at him.

Zhuan Xu also didn’t saw anything and was about to vault on his winged ride when Xiao Xiao stopped him “Your majesty, please wash your face first.”

Xiao Yao looked up and Zhuan Xu looked back and in that moment their eyes met and both were shocked.

Last night Xiao Yao broke a chalice of wine on Zhuan Xu’s head and he hastily wiped before running after her so he didn’t clean himself up. His face was streaked in red and white in a big mess and he actually forgot about it and was planning to return to Zhi Jin Palace like this. If the servants saw him then there would be a giant freak out.

Xiao Yao opened her door and said to Xiao Xiao “His majesty can wash up in the restroom.”

Before Xiao Xiao could answer Zhuan Xu strode inside as if afraid Xiao Yao would change her mind.

Xiao Yao took out Zhuan Xu’s old clothes from her closet and handed it to Xiao Xiao. Zhuan Xu quickly washed up and changed, putting medicine on his bruise, before walking out.

Xiao Yao was in the courtyard and heard his footstep and looked over. Zhuan Xu had a bright purple bruise on his forehead that came from the gla.s.s striking him. Earlier there was wine streaks on his face so no one saw it but after he was cleaned up the bruise was especially noticeable.

Last night Xiao Yao was so angry she used her full strength when she tossed it at Zhuan Xu. He must have bled a lot and even though the wound was patched up with spiritual powers it could only heal the wound but could not remove the bruising.

Zhuan Xu smiled “No worries, it’ll be gone in two days.”

Xiao Yao lowered her head and walked past Zhuan Xu to enter the house.

Zhuan Xu stood there for awhile longer before getting on his winged ride and flying towards Zhi Jin Palace.

Zhuan Xu’s forehead bruise naturally caused all his consorts and servants to fret over him and led to his ministers and officials mumuring about what happened.

Zhuan Xu said nothing and no one dared to ask him. Everyone tried to find out from his guards and Xiao Xiao claimed that he was napping at the desk and accidentally hit his head. Everyone knew how tirelessly Zhuan Xu worked especially lately so accepted that. Only Empress Xing Yue didn’t believe it, but if she didn’t believe then then her guess of the real reason was even more terrifying so she chose to believe it in the end.

The Yellow Emperor walked out of his chamber and saw Jing sitting on the pallet having not touched his bedding last night but the go board pieces had been moved. Clearly he didn’t sleep last night and was playing against himself.

The Yellow Emperor looked at the board and gently said “Zhuan Xu is the Emperor, he may allow Xiao Yao to toss a gla.s.s of wine at his head and beg for her forgiveness, but he would never allow an outsider to see him in such a low state. Zhuan Xu and Xiao Yao have been through much difficulty in their youth so between them most of the time everyone is an outsider, including myself.”

Jing stood up and bowed “I understand. Thank you for the concern, Your majesty.”

The Yellow Emperor said “You are a very smart young man, remember that a harder steel is easier to break.”

Jing replied “I’ll remember that.”

The Yellow Emperor smiled “Go check on Xiao Yao now! Then let’s breakfast together.”

Xiao Yao was bathed and brus.h.i.+ng her hair by the window when she saw Jing walk towards her from the canyon. His one hand was behind his back and he strode forward until he was standing before her window.

Xiao Yao saw his clothes was still what he wore yesterday “Last night…..where did you sleep?”

“I slept in the Yellow Emperor’s chambers for the night.” Jing handed a bouquet of blue baby’s breath to Xiao Yao and the tender leaves still had morning dew on it.

Xiao Yao lowered her head to sniff and marveled “So fragrant!”

She put down the hair pin in her hand and pointed to her hair before turning around and lowering her head.

Jing picked a long strand and threaded it through her hair.

“Done?”

Xiao Yao picked up the mirror and saw the blue baby’s breath wound through her hair in a half braid like a crescent moon. Even the most precious and expensive bauble in the world could not have such rousing scent.

Xiao Yao put down the mirror and said “Thank you, not just for the flower but also…..for all the trouble I bring you.”

Jing lightly flicked Xiao Yao on the forehead “Who said to me that two people have to walk a lifetime together so we have to watch out for each other?”

Xiao Yao lowered her head dejectedly “Jing, whatever shall I do?”

“Do you have the confidence to get the Black Emperor to withdraw his troops?”

Xiao Yao shook her head. She knew Zhuan Xu too well, whatever he wanted no one could stop him.

“Do you want to stand with Gao Xing and fight back against Xuan Yuan?”

Xiao Yao shook her head “I only know medicine and poisons, what ability do I have? Plus I may hate what Zhuan Xu is doing but I will never help others against Zhuan Xu.”

“Xiao Yao, this is between two Emperors so there is nothing you can do.”

“But they are the dearest people in my life. Shall I just dispa.s.sionately watch from the sidelines?”

“You are not dispa.s.sionately watching, you are painfully watching.”

“Tu Shan Jing!” Xiao Yao glared at him “You have the mind to tease me? Don’t you know I spent all last night thinking about this?”

Jing pinched Xiao Yao’s cheek “Don’t think of the worst outcome when nothing is decided yet. This war will take ten or twenty years at least. Xuan Yuan is not the same as it was before and the Grand Emperor is not like Qi Yi was back then.”

The Yellow Emperor called from the door “You two want breakfast or to keep talking through the window?”