Phoenix Jade Hall~
The door creaked slightly as Chu Mian and Yaoyao approached quietly.
Chu Mian bent down to Yaoyao's level and cupped her tiny face, whispering, "Your mother has not been in her right senses for two days. Don't do anything that would spike her anger or cause her more pain. Just laugh… play with her… remind her she still has light in this world."
Yaoyao nodded gently, then tiptoed to the wide doors, peeking through a small crack.
She blinked, her voice soft and curious. "She's hugging Daddy's robe… Hasn't Daddy returned?"
Chu Mian's lips trembled at the question. She crouched beside her and stroked her hair tenderly. "No more questions, Yaoyao. The more you ask… the more I find it hard to explain."
Yaoyao tiptoed into the Phoenix Jade Hall, clutching a handmade paper crane in her small hand. Her eyes scanned the quiet room. The scent of her mom's favorite crushed lavender lingered in the air. She sniffed it in, her face bubbly.
"Mother?" she called softly.
Yan Ruo sat near the window, draped in thick layers of silk, her usually proud posture now slouched, shoulders trembling ever so slightly. She didn't turn around.
Yaoyao took careful steps forward. "I made this for you," she said, extending the crane, her voice hopeful. "It's a protection charm. Teacher said if you make one with love, it wards off sadness."
Yan Ruo reached out slowly, her fingers brushing the fragile paper. For the first time in two days, her eyes shimmered as she saw Yaoyao standing next to her.
"How did you get here?"
"Aunty---- I mean I begged the guards to let me see mommy! And I also wanted to tell the baby a story. It is about a warrior princess from the 17th. She is just like you mommy." Yaoyao whispered innocently. "I was going to share my sweet buns with her when she came out…"
At that, a strangled sob escaped Yan Ruo's lips. She pulled Yaoyao into her arms, holding her tightly. "You shouldn't bother."
"Why? Is Mommy not having a baby again?"
"Mommy lost the baby. Mommy tried. She tried so hard, Yaoyao." With tears lodged in her eyes, Yan Ruo wailed, holding Yaoyao so tightly. "Yao, you have to go back. Tell the guards to take you back. It's not safe here. You are the only thing I have left, return and don't catch the virus."
"Mommy, what of Daddy? Is he not coming back to us?"
"I said leave Yaoyao! Leave and don't ask me questions!" In an instant, Ruo's mood changed and she flung a mirror at the wall, it shattering with a loud noise. Chu Mian ran into the room on hearing the noise, and dragged Yaoyao away from Yan Ruo.
"What is wrong with Mommy? Is she mad at me? I didn't mean to anger her." She sobbed, shivering with fear at Ruo's new haggard appearance. Chu Mian shielded Yaoyao with her arms, her voice firm yet trembling.
"She's not mad at you, sweetheart. She's just… broken right now."
Yaoyao clutched Chu Mian's robes, her tiny frame shaking. "But… but I was trying to make her happy. I just wanted her to smile."
"I know," Chu Mian whispered, glancing back at Yan Ruo, who had collapsed to the floor, sobbing into Ji Weilan's robe like a widow mourning at a gravesite. "You did well, Yaoyao. You gave her light even if only for a moment. Let's leave her for a bit okay?"
Chu Mian ushered Yaoyao out of the palace and into the hallway. She took deep breaths and lowered herself to Yaoyao's height. "What ever bad thing she said, Madam Yan didn't mean it. You are a good girl okay? Can you sit along the merry go round for a bit, I will be there to take you to the hideout."
"Mmhm." She nodded her head, dragging her feet away from the Phoenix jade hall.
Just about to enter into the room, A loud trumpet sounded following the heavy footsteps into the empire. The large wooden gates being pulled open. "It can't be..." Chu Mian bit her lips to ensure she wasn't dreaming.
And it seemed not only her heard the trumpet, Yan Ruo heard it too. The door now fully ajar, Ruo stepped out dragging her feet into the blooming lights of the day. "Did you hear that?"
"Yes, that is the trumpet! Master Ji has been found!"
**********
Royal Court~
"Yes My Highness, King Ji has been found. He is very much alive and is currently making his way through the moonhills to the empire. He said I should deliver you this news."
Yan Ruo took the piece of paper without a word, her fingers trembling as she unfolded it. Her eyes scanned the delicate script, but the words seemed incomprehensible to her, nothing but symbols and marks she couldn't decipher.
She didn't care. The paper slipped from her hands as she balled it up and squeezed it tightly into her robes. "Where did you say you found him?"
The guard hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice low. "We found him near the borders of the Moonhills, near the old pass. But… the journey to the empire will take several days. He is not yet close enough to arrive immediately."
"Days?" Yan Ruo repeated, her voice dangerously soft. "I don't care. I will wait for him at the gates. I will not let him out of my sight again."
Chu Mian stepped forward, her voice calm yet filled with concern. "My lady, we have to be careful. Your health—"
"Do not speak of my health!" Yan Ruo snapped, her eyes flashing with anger towards Chu Mian. "Get my armor, I will go get him myself."
"Impossible, Madam Yan! You are not fully recovered! Your body is still facing the changes and effects of a miscarriage. I dare not accept such!"
"Insolence! Chu Mian, you really have some guts. Guards take her away and get her replaced immediately. I'm finished dealing with your whines and complains about how I take care of my health." Yan Ruo snapped and two guards came running into the court and soon escorted Chu Mian out. Another maiden wearing blue robe came in.
"Your Highness..." She laid her head to the ground, her palms clasped firmly to the ground. "My name is Shi, I'm at your service."
"Get me my finest armor and robe. I want to get my husband back!"
Shi quickly rose to her feet, bowing low before Yan Ruo. "At once, Your Highness." She moved toward the wardrobe, carefully pulling out a dark crimson armor adorned with intricate silver patterns. The armor was of the finest craftsmanship, designed to reflect the elegance and power of the royal family.
"I must go now," she murmured to herself and the out loud. The maidens stormed away from her. "Ji Weilan... I will never allow you to slip away from me again."
The attendants finished adjusting the armor, and Shi stepped back, her head bowed in reverence. "Your Highness, everything is prepared. We await your command."
Yan Ruo nodded, taking a deep breath, before turning toward the door. "Open the gates and get me the finest carriage, one of the divine seer and then a dozens of guards."
********
Taking a hurried walk along the small pavement, the imperial physician, Lu Mo caught a hold of Chu Mian being led outside the Jade hall and into the small sanctuary.
"Chu Mian?" He looked worried as he hovered past the guards to get to Chu Mian. "On who's command do you detain Madam Yan's maiden?"
"Her Highness gave an order to take Chu Mian away. It is on her command, Imperial physician Lu."
He blinked confusedly twice, coughed awkwardly and said. "Then release her. I need her for something."
"Makw sure she doesn't go anywhere her Highness or I won't be responsible for any blames." He let go off her and signalled the other guard to do the same which he did soon after.
They departed at once leaving Chu Mian alone.
"Physician Lu, thank you. I don't know what has gone over Madam Yan. I assumed I was her favorite but today right in front of my eyes, she replaced me with that sneaky fox, Shi Cou."
"Shi Cou? Who is that?"
"She is one of the maids who serve for her Empress."
"Shi Cou transformed to a human flesh eater during the second day of the apocalypse while coming back. She has been killed and laid to rest. Is there another Shi Cou I should know of?" He stroke his chin and then widened his eyes. "Did Shi Cou accompany her?"
"Yes she did. I don't understand..."
"Someone is controlling Shi Cou. That is not the real Shi Cou! She is possessed by a sorcerer. Oh my God, we have to close the gates and get Yan Rou back to the palace!"