Meanwhile, Princess Chun'er slowly rose from her royal bathtub, which was crafted from square wooden tiles. The water was lukewarm, and a steamy foam clung to the surface. Her attendants approached, offering her a covering as she glanced around the room. She walked steadily to get dressed, noting that all her belongings were packed and ready for departure.
Following her brutal clash with General Chu Qiao of the Xiuli army—the bloodiest battle between the Wei and Yanbei armies in the city of Hong Chuan—she was condemned by her own father. Exiled to a remote mountain, she was sentenced to live as a sojourner.
After that, she was reduced to slavery due to her treason against the Wei state. In a moment of temporary madness following the death of imperial concubine Ning'er, she attempted to murder her own father.
She was raped when she traveled to Yanbei. On her strange journey alone, she thinks she should come to his bridegroom. Later on finds herself defiled and left with no one to rescue her.
During those tumultuous days, Chun'Er discovered her brother, Prince Yuan Song, who had taken on a disguise with the intention of assassinating Yan Xun. Stealthily blending into the ranks of the Yan army, Yuan Song positioned himself behind Yan Xun and struck with a deadly stab.
Despite the severe wound, Yan Xun displayed remarkable resilience. With a swift and brutal counterattack, he managed to turn his sword and decapitate the 13th Prince Yuan Song, ending his life in a moment of fierce combat.
On that fateful day, both princes fell to the ground. Chun'er, who was standing close by, rushed to aid her brother. It was a day marked by tragedy for both the men she loved and for the Wei Princess, whose anguish was doubled by the unfolding calamity.
She also lost her maidservants, and her closest ally, Wei Shu Ye, died defending her when she was imprisoned in the secluded West Temple and nearly poisoned. Despite the danger, Wei Shu Ye sacrificed his life without a second thought. In his final moments, he confessed the secret love he had harbored for years, dying in the Princess's arms. From that point on, Chun'er was stripped of all that was good in her life, leaving her to weep bitterly to the heavens, her tears heavy with despair.
Royal princesses, particularly direct descendants of the emperor, cannot be executed. Instead, they are typically reduced to slave status. Only the Emperor has the authority to restore their status through an act of forgiveness or by summoning them back to the royal palace. Alternatively, if the princess marries a prince of royal status, her standing can be reinstated. Until such an act occurs, she is forbidden from entering the Emperor's palace and must remain in her reduced status, awaiting either the Emperor's summons or a change in her circumstances.
"I have nothing to go back to this place," Chun'er said.
She quietly left her room and ventured outside, dressed in a simple, light, flowy dress rather than her usual ornate princess attire. Her hairpin, a symbol of her royal status, was removed, and her hair fell straight and sleek, its black sheen catching the light.
She became more beautiful and more matured looking at her face this time than when she was a princess, she seems naive, walks and talks like a child but more than enough to say she is different. She had hidden talents that were never brought out to light when she was still a princess.
Now, as she rode the white horse provided by Shen Jin Palace, she did so with determination and confidence. She reassured herself that she would be fine, believing that having faced so many trials, she could withstand whatever came next. The former princess anticipated more challenges ahead, but she felt resilient and unbreakable.
Skilled in spear throwing and archery, she relied on these talents for self-defense. She had also trained in swordsmanship and was well-versed in political science. Despite these abilities, she had seldom used them in critical moments, as her experience had been limited and confined within the palace walls.
As the horse slowly carried Chun'er away from the palace, she reminisced about her childhood and the happy memories it held.
From a distance, the Great Summer Emperor watched with a heavy heart. Despite his imperial power, he felt powerless against the very law he had enacted—a law that had now turned against his beloved daughter. It was as if the law itself had exiled his own blood from Shen Jin Palace.
The Emperor grappled with the bitter reality that, as ruler, he must uphold justice and demonstrate a stable government, even if it means enforcing punishments on those closest to him. He knew that the law must be impartial and that no one, not even members of the royal family, could be exempt from its reach—even if it meant the disintegration of his own family affairs.
Chun'er was heading south from northwest Wei, embarking on a journey of a thousand miles with enough provisions to last until she reached her designated place of exile. There, she would serve a ten-year life sentence in isolation. If her father, the Emperor, did not grant her forgiveness, her current slave status would become permanent. This verdict was sealed on the 28th day of Spring, in the second month of the year. She would live in a remote, secluded location far from the palace, without any servants. Now, she was entirely alone.
Prince Yuan Song, dressed in his princely attire, watched his elder sister depart. His heart was shattered for the second time. The first heartbreak came when he had to bid a painful farewell to Xinger, never to see her again. He later received the tragic news of her death alongside Yuwen Yue at the frozen lake.
As he reflected on the loss, his anguish only deepened. Consumed by rage and sorrow, he vowed to find Prince Yan Xun, the man responsible for their deaths at the icy lake.
All power in the empire now rests with the Great Summer Emperor, Prince Yuan's father. With this power, the emperor funded cutting-edge research to replace his decapitated arm. The empire invested its resources into developing advanced prosthetics and engaged skilled artists to design Prince Yuan Song's new arm. As the officially crowned prince of Wei, Yuan Song is set to inherit the throne upon his father's death.
During the winter season, Prince Yuan Song dedicated himself to intense bodybuilding, focusing on enhancing his physique and building strength.
Prince Yuan Song pretended to be at the palace, observing his sister's departure. However, after some time, he discreetly sneaked out with one of his servants. At the back door of his palace, a dark brown horse awaited him. Disguised in a black hood, plain pants, and a shirt, he wore his imperial jade hanging from his belt.
Yuan Song followed his sister Chun'er in secret.
He also instructed a group of advance party servants to watch over and guard the princess during her solo journey. Having already lost two of the most precious women in his life—his mother and Xinger—Yuan Song could not afford to lose his only sister.
With the limited power he currently possesses, Yuan Song is learning to use it to protect his sister. These are responsibilities he was unable to take on while his mother and Xinger were still alive.
"Heee!" Yuan Song stopped the horse.
"Where did she go?"
She went this way Prince, said the palace guard.
Yuan Song followed her sister's trail together with his personal bodyguard.
As night fell, Chun'er rode down the road alone, her eyes reflecting sadness but not fear. Sensing that someone was following her, she tightened her grip on the reins and halted her horse. Drawing her bow and nocking an arrow, she prepared to shoot as she noticed a figure in a hooded cloak moving through the dark forest.
"Show yourself!" Chun'er shouted and her horse a little bit anxious.
The hooded man remained motionless as Chun'er, unwavering, prepared to shoot. He raised his hand, keeping his head bowed. With fierce determination, Chun'er released her arrow, only to see it intercepted by a pair of daggers thrown by the man.
Without hesitation, the man walked toward her. Chun'er swiftly nocked another arrow and aimed it at his forehead. The man stopped, and Chun'er, startled, watched as he removed his hood. Her eyes widened in shock as she recognized him, her expression one of disbelief, as if she had seen a ghost.
The man bore a long, fresh stitch on his left neck. Absent was his usual smirk as he stepped forward and knelt before her. With a passive voice that seemed almost foolish, he pleaded, "I beg you to come and stay with me, princess."
"Yuwen Huai!" The princess nearly shouted his name, her voice dripping with clear rejection despite her shock.
"Yes, it is I," the man said, his voice steady despite the situation. "Some believed I was dead, but today I've come to prove I am alive and to take you to a safe place. Wei Shu Ye asked me to help secure you before he went to the temple, but you never arrived at the boat he prepared. I waited, but no one came. I am saddened to hear the news that he did not survive."
"I also have your half-brother, the son of Lan'er, my half-sister, hidden safely," Yuwen Huai said, his tone persuasive despite the situation. "Please come with me, princess. I can take you to a secure location where you'll be safe. Given your current condition and the long journey ahead, I foresee that any attack could leave you defenseless."
"Lan'er? My father's latest concubine is your half-sister?" Chun'er asked, her surprise evident.
"Yes, princess," Yuwen Huai confirmed. "She is my half-sister."
Chun'er composed herself, though her brows remained tightly furrowed. Yuwen Huai stood up and placed his hood back over his head. He extended his palms in a gesture of waiting, his gaze averted as he felt unworthy to meet her eyes directly. Inside, he hoped she would accept his offer, but if she chose to refuse, he would respect her decision while continuing to protect her from the shadows.
Yuwen Huai had been aware of the Emperor's imperial decree concerning the princess long before anyone else. As the former head of the royal court, he had facilitated the decree himself. Following his near-fatal battle with Chu Qiao, Yuwen Huai was rescued by Shi Da, Princess Zama's bodyguard. Shi Da had taken him to the Batuha family's mansion, where he had recuperated.
In the cold northern grasslands of the Batuha family's estate, Yuwen Huai spent the remainder of the winter season recovering from his severe injuries.
Princess Zama had harbored a deep admiration for Yuwen Huai since their childhood. Despite the age difference—Yuwen Huai being significantly older—Zama frequently visited the Yuwen courtyard with her father, who had a close relationship with Yuwen Huai's father, Yuwen Xi. To Zama, this handsome yet rough-edged Yuwen Huai was the epitome of her ideal man. Beneath his tough exterior, she recognized a lonely side that only she seemed to understand.
Despite feeling rejected and sensing the coldness of the situation, Yuwen Huai remains steadfast, unwilling to let go. He continues to wait and hope that she will eventually accept him.
Chun'er, known for her stubbornness, found herself in a situation where she desperately needed support, and Yuwen Huai was her only option. Though he was not her enemy, her trust in him was limited due to his rough behavior and brutal handling of court rulings within the empire's political sphere. Yuwen Huai had committed numerous morally questionable acts to fulfill his father's orders and to honor his late father, Yuwen Xi.
After his near-death encounter with Chu Qiao, which left him gravely wounded, Yuwen Huai had kept a low profile. Without the intervention of the Bathuja family, he would have likely met a grim fate.
Yuwen Huai, deeply infatuated with Princess Chun'er just like Wei Shu Ye, loved her more than anyone else. So, when he saw Chun'er lying in the street on her wedding day, her stunning bridal dress in tatters, Yuwen Huai was consumed by fury. Gritting his teeth with anger, he resolved to punish Prince Yan Xun, who had declared rebellion and used the wedding day as his chance to escape Chang'an.
In his rage, Yuwen Huai thought to himself, "Who does he think he is to obstruct my path? I will handle this differently from Wei Shu Ye. I will act decisively after the fact." Yet, despite his resolve, Yuwen Huai found himself trapped with no escape, facing a tragic end alongside Xinger. He had already foreseen this grim outcome before it even came to pass.
Back to the Yuwen household, where the master of the eyes of God is still missing and the master of the Red Hills courtyard gravely wounded, the eyes of God repository was self-destructed, there is nothing left to restore the information and supreme court center of the Western empire. Yuwen Gao Feng left standing after the raid of the Green Hills courtyard, had been busy looking for his adopted grandson Yuwen Yue. The third concubine Tai Furen of the Red Hills courtyard and the mother of Yuwen Huai was about to rise in power when Yuwen Gao suppressed it. There were lots of changes and change of command for the entire Yuwen household since both masters were missing in action where the emperor himself ordered to reconstruct the eyes of God and save what is left.
The Great Summer Emperor threatened to oust the Yuwen Household, holding Yuwen Yue responsible for the destruction of the Eyes of God and Yuwen Huai accountable for activating the self-destruct mechanism. Despite these grave accusations, Yuwen Huai was later pardoned with the assistance of Princess Zama's father. However, his position remained vacant for an extended period.
During this turbulent time, both Yuwen household mothers emerged as a significant figures. Yuwen Gao managed to exert control over her ambitions to prevent further damage to the household and its reputation.
Thus, Yuwen Huai found himself adrift in the Wei State Empire, with his duties temporarily reassigned to an interim master. It was later revealed that Yuwen Gao had faked his death, a scheme orchestrated within Yuwen Yue's household. The Emperor's reaction to Yuwen Gao's return was surprising; instead of showing anger, the Emperor celebrated with a grand banquet and issued a decree appointing Yuwen Gao as the interim master responsible for the reconstruction and oversight of the Eyes of God.
"Princess, will you come with me?" Yuwen Huai on his soft sweet voice and all honest gesture, it is not so natural for him. Now, seems, his heart is overflowing with anticipation to allow him to serve her now that he is not set for anything to do for the western empire.
Chun'er at ease to what Yuwen Huai is offering her. It looks tempting and seems this is for her advantage and nothing will benefit Yuwen Huai.
"On one condition," she said. You are to let me live with my half-brother."
Yuwen Huai feels joy, took the hand of the princess but not in an awkward manner where Chun'er allowed her too but still cautious. Yuwen Huai although he took time off from his office and in a floating status, he is still an influential body whose followers are loyal to him. He called in his guards who are hiding in the trees and received instructions from their master. Yuwen Huai not the usual gentleman but in front of the princess Chun'er he was unconsciously one. Is this a change of heart?
Yuwen Huai gave his coat to warm the princess and one of his servants, as if planned and ready, put another poncho hoodie for his master Yuwen Huai. Chun'er and Yuwen Huai 's traveled back to the road going to the Yuwen current residence near the Red Hills courtyard.