Capítulo 16: Invasion

"What did you do?" Jinghua (Doctor) found Yang Qui (3rd Prince) near the table of food. He was getting himself a drink. "Did you make her stand on that ledge?"

Yang Qui let out a soft laugh. "What made you think I'd make her do that? As if I care enough to talk to her."

Jinghua studied her friend's face. "But you care enough to save her from falling."

Yang Qui's face twisted. "She wants to kill herself. She was already in the air when I grabbed her." He turned to her. "You've been here all this time. Why is she trying to kill herself?"

Jinghua hardened her eyes at him. "I thought you didn't care?"

"I don't," he said firmly. "But if something happens to her… you know what the would mean."

Jinghua averted her eyes. Yes, the princess could not die. She was not from Heping but she was its most valued treasure. Without her, they would've already crumbled.

Yang Qui offered his arm to her. "Come along. We'll say our good night. I want to sleep."

She took his arm and they made their way to the Emperor who was still seated on his throne.

"Yes?" the Emperor asked.

Yang Qui already had his head bowed. "Father, thank you for the party. If I may, I would like to re—" but a sudden light from the corner of his eyes caught his attention. He lifted his head and saw it.

Through the ballroom's open doors, he could see the watchtower's fires were lighted.

That only meant one thing.

Invasion.

It took less than a minute before all visible watchtowers have their fire lighted. It burned bright, high in the sky, signalling the whole country of what was to come. The people inside the ballroom were in panic. There were screaming and bustling as everybody wanted to get out of the palace.

"Go," Yang Qui pushed Jinghua to the emergency exit.

"But—"

"Go," he repeated. Jinghua looked helpless but he didn't take his eyes off her until she was out of the room.

The soldiers that were in the party already formed a circle in front of the Emperor.

"General," the Emperor called and Yang Qui stepped forward. "Order your men."

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty." He turned to the soldiers. He pointed to four different persons. "Divide these men and escort the empresses and royal children to the Haven."

"Father," the Crown Prince started. "If I may stay. I ca—"

"No," said the Emperor. "You are going with your mother. Leave now."

"Move," Yang Qui told his soldiers. Once the royals have left the room and he was alone with the Emperor.

"Is this what you were trying to tell me earlier, when you arrived?"

Yang Qui told his father about the things that he knew.

A week before they went home, they received news that the Shanmai Empire (Princess Lin Yingyue's hometown) was planning to attack Heping. But they were not set to arrive until next week.

It could only mean one thing. There was another group of people at their gates. It was not something out of the ordinary. There were a lot of other kingdoms and empires that tried. But as he already said, only a crazy general would try to infiltrate a walled place.

"You have nothing to worry about, Father. I will resolve this," Yang Qui said.

He was about to turn his heel to face the enemy but then his Father's answer made him stood his ground. "No."

Yang Qui lifted his head, not believing what he just heard. His Father had always trusted his decisions when it came to the safety of the empire from invaders.

The Emperor spoke, "You're not going elsewhere other than to get Princess Lin Yingyue away from this place. There is too much danger coming. Take your most trusted men. You're going to keep her somewhere safe until I call you back here. Do you understand?"

Yang Qui's body froze. "But you need protection here! You need me here! What about the empire?"

"Am I not the Emperor?!" The Emperor bellowed, his voice echoing even with the doors opened.

Yang Qui bowed his head apologetically. "You are, Your Imperial Majesty."

"You do as I say. I have other generals here. I put the Princess' life in your hands. Make sure that she's still alive when you get back here!"

Yang Qui knelt, receiving his order. "As you wish."

"Go," The Emperor said. Yang Qui was almost at the door when his father called him back. When he turned he saw that he had a grave look on his face. "General, if things go wrong, you are to die before the princess."

Yang Qui felt it like a blow to his chest, but he knew that his Father was speaking to him as The Emperor. He nodded grimly and went out the door.

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