Chapter 32: The Emperor's Order
With the emperor glaring down at her, Ying Yue couldn't help, but shake off the bad vibe she was getting from him. With a deep sigh the emperor motions for Ying Yue's father to move closer to him. Ying Yue could only watch from the distance as her father's facial expression change from confused to grinning. Finally making his way to Ying Yue, marquis Zi Wei Yang, offers a deal to Ying Yue.
"Ying Yue, my sweet daughter. If you listen to me this one time, I will let your mother live and forget about the time she tried to kill me."
Ying Yue knew that whatever her father wanted was not something she was going to like. Hearing her father try to sweet talk her into doing his bidding for him, Ying Yue couldn't help but feel shivers all over her body. Furrowing her brows now; in a deeper voice, Ying Yue tells her father to spill whatever he was planning.
"What do you want old man?"
"Now....Now, don't be mad Ying Yue. I have barely mentioned anything and you're already giving me that look."
"Stop dragging this conversation on longer than it has to be, spill it."
"Fine, have it your way then. Ahem, the crown prince has asked me for your hand in marriage, if you agree he will spare your mother and will even spare Jia Li for lying to him. Honestly. I had no idea about what happened between you and Jia Li. I swear you two will be the end of me."
Without any hesitation Ying Yue already knew her answer. She didn't care for Jia Li and knew that her mother would not want her to sacrifice her happiness. Ying Yue turns her gaze to meet her mothers. From the distance Ying Yue could see her mother breaking into a smile and mouthing words to her.
"Do what makes you happy, my child."
Ying Yue turns to her father and while grinning from ear to ear, Ying Yue rejects the crown prince's advances and the emperors offer.
"I refuse, I will not allow my father or anyone to control my life anymore."
Marquis Zi Wei Yang was no longer smiling. Looking rather shock that Ying Yue could be so cold hearted, Ying Yue's stepmother Ma Dai runs to Ying Yue and grabs her by her collar. Screaming degrading words and curses at Ying Yue.
"Jia Li is your sister and you're not willing to help her?! You monster! You're no different from a criminal! If something happens to her, it's all your fault!"
Ying Yue quickly grabs Ma Dai's hand and flings her with so much force she fell back. Falling so fast Ma Dai could barely remain standing on her own. With everything happening so fast the marquis had to catch her. Ma Dai stared in shock as Ying Yue showed no remorse. Unable to stop her hands from trembling; Ma Dai could only hold onto the marquis for support.
"Jia Li got herself into this situation, why should I help her?"
"Ying Yue, I know she has wronged you, but think about your new born niece too!"
"If you're so worried, father. By all means, you can marry the crown prince then."
The crown prince notices how unwilling Ying Yue was. Still feeling determined to take Ying Yue back; even if it meant resorting to dirty methods. Without consulting with the emperor, the crown prince cuts Ying Yue and her father's conversation short.
"Ying Yue Yang if you don't agree to my demands, I will not only kill your mother and Jia Li. I will go after other people you care about."
"You....you wouldn't dare."
"Oh, but I am serious. I am the crown prince and the future emperor. I will kill Bolin and his family along with Zhi Ruo and her father if you don't agree."
"You have changed crown prince. The man I once loved was never like this. Love is not something you can just force. What you wish for is only going to hurt you in the end."
"I wouldn't be like this if it wasn't for you and your sister. So pick, will you agree to marry me or let everyone you care for die? I won't let you kill yourself either, I will make sure you witness everyone's end first."
Unable to hold back her tears, Ying Yue sheds her tears for the first time in front of the crown prince. No matter how much she didn't care for Jia Li, she couldn't afford to risk harming Bolin and Zhi Ruo along with their family. Clenching her fist, Ying Yue returns her gaze back to the crown prince.
"Alright... I will marry you but you must let my mother and my friends go. If you harm any of them, you will only have a corpse to marry."
"Good, I will allow you to return back to the marquis residence but don't even think of running away. I will be sending royal guards to the marquis residence to watch you. Keep in mind you can run, but you won't be able to hide. I will send thousands of soldiers to come looking for you if I have to. No matter how strong you are, you will not be able to fight and protect everyone."
".....I understand...."
The crown prince breaks into a smile. Feeling satisfied from hearing Ying Yue's answer and demands. The crown prince turns his attention back to his father. The emperor himself looked shock at what his son had just done. Looking shock, but feeling rather proud that his son had what it took to be an emperor. Breaking into a laughter, the emperor stands up and walks to his son. Lightly patting him on his back, the emperor makes his announcement.
"Ha Ha! Who would've thought today will mark a joyous day as well! In two weeks from now, we will be having the wedding between Ying Yue and my son; the crown prince. I will remove the charges placed on madam Bai Shun and Jia Li."
Jia Li breaks into a smile and runs to the crown prince. Happily grabbing the crown prince by his hands, Jia Li thanks the crown prince for his leniency. The crown prince quickly snaps his hands out of Jia Li's grab and stares at her.
"Don't thank me, you should thank your sister. Just because I've decided to spare you doesn't mean anything. I'll give you two choices Jia Li Yang. Divorce me and return to your parents, or remain as my consort and live in the cold palace. Your choice."
"What?...Cold palace? I don't understand your highness. I....I thought you forgave me; we even have a daughter together. Tell me you're lying, please."
Without even a word, the crown prince turns his back on Jia Li and glances over to Ying Yue. Getting one last look, the crown prince bids the emperor and empress farewell before exiting the throne room. Jia Li could only cry out in frustration. Ying Yue unable to utter a sound, silently cries. Once the crown prince was out of sight, Zhi Ruo and Bolin runs to the weeping Ying Yue and consoles her. Zhi Ruo quickly hugs the silent Ying Yue.
"Ying Yue....you would've been better off never returning to these curse lands."
"Sniff....Sniff....I'm so sorry Zhi Ruo and Bolin. I almost dragged you two into this mess."
The emperor paid no mind to Ying Yue and quickly leaves the throne room, followed by the empress and all their royal guards. Ying Yue's father, marquis Zi Wei Yang breaks into a smile and happily walks off with Ma Dai and Jia Li leaving only Ying Yue, Bolin, Zhi Ruo and madam Bai Shun left. Bolin pats Ying Yue on the back and whispers to her.
"Ying Yue, you must run away from the capital."
"Bolin I can't. The moment I do, you and your family will suffer the consequences. Even if I made it out of the capital alive with my mother you have a big family, you will not be able to save everyone. The crown prince will spare no one. I can't have your innocent family die for my sake."
Ying Yue's mother walks to her side and takes hold of her hand. Giving Ying Yue a tight squeeze, she smiles at the weeping Ying Yue.
"It will be alright my daughter. We will make it through this together."
"Yes, mother."
With the sun not far from setting, Ying Yue and her mother took a carriage home that was guarded by royal guards from the crown prince. Standing in front of her father's residence again, Ying Yue never thought she would ever live to see this horrible place again. Before long her father emerges from the main house and comes out to greet Ying Yue and her mother.
"Ah! My sweet daughter! You're finally home! Come, we have a room prepared for you."
"No need, I will be staying with mother."
"Well, you should come and eat at least."
"I've had a long day, have them bring it to mothers room."
Rather than doing what her father wanted. Ying Yue grabs hold of her mother's hand and makes her way to the side building. Off into the distance Ying Yue notices Chunhua sweeping her mother's courtyard.
"Chunhua!"
"Hm? My lady?......oh goodness my lady! You're alive!"
Chunhua quickly drops her broom and runs to hug Ying Yue. Crying hysterically seeing Ying Yue and madam Bai Shun alive. Barely able to speak out anything, as everything she said was drowned out by her own crying noises.
"Chunhua, calm down. We have all night; I will tell you everything."
Throughout the night, Ying Yue told her mother and Chunhua everything. Everything including saving Jianyu, falling in love and being betrayed by the priest, Shi Chen and Zi Tai. Reminiscing about the dragon world made Ying Yue miss Jianyu. Walking to the window, Ying Yue stares at the moon and whispers to herself in hopes of Jianyu hearing her.
"Jianyu....please… come save me. I need you."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Gumibear
Gumibear I know some of you want a mass release, but I am barely able to find time to write this story. I'll work on releasing more over the weekend, but that's not guarantee. Please make do with the daily releases for now.
P.S I do have a full time job and this story is something I do on the side. I don't make money off this.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned! :)
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