Chapter 109 - The Choice

"Send the message to the Wei Kingdom,"

Bai Yu Yue ordered in a firm voice, "as soon as possible." 

The whole royal court looked at her in disbelief.

"Princess Yue, are you sure about this?" Bai Li, who got shocked by the determination in his daughter's nonchalant demeanour asked to confirm.

When the previous queen passed away while giving birth to the son, Bai Li's world started to revolve around his children. He was the king of the Yu kingdom, but that doesn't stop him from being a responsible father.

More than anyone else, Bai Li considered himself as the luckiest man in the Bai tribe, since he is the only one who had two adorable daughters.

Like every parent, he also wished that his daughters marry an eligible bachelor and live happily. 

But no one expected that there will be such misfortune is waiting for them in the future. 

He must sacrifice one of his daughter's life for the sake of the Yu clan. 

"Yes," Bai Yu Yue didn't hesitate to share her willingness to get married instead of her sister. 

"Please send the message," she repeated. 

Since Bai Yu Yue's words overruled other's opinions, the Prime minister called for a writer and wrote the message for the Wei emperor.

"I will go to the Wei Kingdom and deliver the message by myself." Fu Jian volunteered.

"Not yet, minister Fu, we have something else to decide." Su Bingqi reminded everyone. 

"Queen's wedding."

"How can I forget something so important? I apologize for my incompetency, majesty," Fu Jian immediately apologized. 

"Notify today itself that the Queen is looking for eligible suitors from the Yu clan," Bai Li ordered,

" Father, let's not waste any time." Bai Yu Yue suddenly pointed,

"I recommend general Zhang Yi Jun, the firstborn of the generation as the suitor for the Queen," 

Everyone's attention turned to Zhang Yi Jun who stood next to the Queen like a statue. 

Zhang Jun and Bai Ling Yue were the firstborns of their generation, so the chances of them being a couple were high. 

However, no one in the royal court knew that their Queen has already decided her partner and it was the same person who has been tailing her from the very first moment she was born. 

Bai Ling Yue loved Zhang Jun Even though Yu clan valued the maiden's decision to choose her partner, Bai Ling Yue hid her feelings for her childhood friend and bodyguard. However one day she got red-handed by her own sister and the secret she kept hidden reached the ears of Zhang Jun. 

They were secretly in love, once the right time arrives they were planning to inform everyone and get married.

On the right time, the message from the Wei Kingdom reached placing Bai Ling Yue's on a tough spot.

Her heart or her responsibilities? 

She was ready to choose her responsibilities over her heart, but unintentionally her little sister got dragged into this mess.

"I only wanted to suggest, the royal court can discuss further details and come to a suitable decision."Bai Yu Yue bowed before the queen, 

I will take my leave then." 

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Jing Junhai and Xue Lian who stood in front of the royal court looked face to face in bewilderment,

It was unbelievable for them to register that Bai Yu Yue belongs to Yu clan and they are standing in the sacred land of the Yu kingdom.

"Major Jing, can you believe this?" Xue Lian pinched herself to prove that she is not dreaming "I have only heard about Yu kingdom in the fairy tales,"

"For the last few days, everything happening in my life is nothing less than fairy tales." Jing Junhai admitted, 

"The guards, they let her without any questions, do you think that warrior Bai is someone from a well-off family? Xue Lian shared her doubt.

"I don't even surprise if she turns out to be someone from the royal family,"

Bai Yu Yue walked towards them in elegant steps,

Even before they could say something a handsome man wearing armour walked over towards Bai Yu Yue and grabbed her by the collar,

"Do you want to die?" Zhang Yi Jun dragged her to a corner and asked,

"I want to ask you the same," Bai Yu Yue chortled and elbowed Zhang Yi Jun in his ribcage and let loose from his hold,

"Someone was praising Princess."

"Well, did I say anything wrong?" Zhang Yi Jun raised his eyebrows and looked at the girl with a doting expression,

"Hahaha, I am the only one who knows the truth, should I expose your act brother in law?" Bai Yu Yue faked an angry expression and challenged him.

"I only wanted to suggest a solution,"

"Yes, yes. Your solution was to save your sweetheart and sacrifice her good for nothing sister."

"Who told you that I sacrificed you?" Zhang Zhi Jun gawked, "For the first time in the history of the Yu clan, we got the strongest suitor."

"So you are not worried about me?" Bai Yu Yue's face immediately turned into a cute pout,

"I should worry about the emperor, he is going to be in trouble for the rest of his life." Zhang Yi Jun chuckled and attained a defending position.

"You come here," Bai Yu Yue's lips curled into an evil smile while she made a punching gesture at him, "let me teach you a lesson,"

"No, no. I yield," Zhang Yi Jun opened his palms in defeat and wrapped his arm over her shoulder,

"We are sorry to drag you into this mess," He apologized in a soft voice,

Bai Yu Yue smiled, "You should be."

"Your sister is a great ruler, but she is too kind to survive in the battlefield of power." Zhang Yi Jun explained,

"In the past years, we were surrounded by people whom we considered as our allies. But now the times have changed and everyone is greedy for the power,

And right now, we are in a tough situation Yue, without a powerful ally, we cannot survive in this world."

"I understand first brother," Bai Yu Yue pacified him with a bright smile, "I am bound to my duties to this land. For the existence of the Yu clan, I am happy to do whatever I can,"

Zhang Jun ruffled her hair and glanced at Jing Junhai and Xue Lian, who was looking at them with a flustered face. "Who are they?" 

"Major Jing Junhai and princess Xue Lian," Bai Yu Yue introduced them, "They are going to live with us from now on,"

"Did you inform your sister?" he inquired,

"No," Bai Yu Yue replied with a sheepish smile, "we were in a hurry,"

Zhang Yi Jun rolled his eyes at her and walked towards the guests.

"Yu clan welcomes you both, I am Zhang Yi Jun, the commander in chief of Jade land army." Both of them exchanged the greetings,

"The royal court is still going on, how about you freshen up and take rest?" Bai Yu Yue suggested.

"Jie," a ten-year-old boy ran towards Bai Yu Yue and almost jumped onto her, 

"Aigooo, she crouched down to his size and pinched his chubby cheeks.

"When did my little tiger grow up? Jie can barely carry you," Bai Yu Yue talked to him with affectionate eyes,

"I can carry the wooden sword with one hand," He proudly declared and touched the sword, hanging on Bai Yu Yue's waist belt, " One day I will also carry Jie's "Da Hu Zhao,"

"Aye, why would my little tiger carry Jie's sword? Jie will get you a new one, a bigger and much better one." Bai Yu Yue made her offer,

"No, no, I want to Jie's "Da Hu Zhao" he adamantly said,

Zhang Yi Jun crouched down and asked in a firm tone,

"Xiao Yu, what did your master said about swords?"

"The swords have their own souls which bounded to their wielders," He enunciated each word enthusiastically,

"So who does the Da Hu Zhao should belong? Xiao Yu or Xiao Yue?"

"Jie," He immediately agreed to Zhang Zhi Jun and realized his mistake the next moment, "Huh, then I will get a new one," A sulky expression lingered on his little face,

"Xiao Yu, let me introduce you to your uncle and sister," Bai Yu Yue smiled and led her little brother to Xue Lian,

"My bother, Bai Yu,"

Xue Lian looked at the boy who had similar features with his sister and smiled. Anyone can easily tell that he is going to be a charmer when he becomes an adult. 

"first brother, can you inform Jie about them?" Bai Yu Yue requested,

"Hmm, I will talk to her. You take them to the chambers," Zhang Yi Jun said to them and went back to the courtroom. 

"Warrior Bai, do you mind if I ask you something?" Jing Junhai who was fascinated by Bai Yu Yue's interactions with others asked her. "Who are you?"

"Me?"

"Princess," A woman in early twenties called out and walked towards her with a face full of smiles.

"Princess!!!" Xue Lian and Jing Junhai left speechless. Does that mean their doubts were on point?

The woman bowed before Bai Yu Yue,

"When did you arrive?"

"Just an hour ago. I went to the court and met the queen and-"

"You went to the court in these clothes?" She looked at Bai Yu Yue as if she has done some unforgivable sin.

"What is wrong with these clothes?" 

"You look," she hesitated to speak, even if their princess is cross-dressed as a man, her exquisite beauty hasn't faded. 

"You look skinny. Did they starve you in Qi kingdom?"

Bai Yu Yue glanced at Xue Lian, "Meng Jia, wait, wait," She interrupted and turned Meng Jia towards Xue Lian,

"Who is this pretty girl?" Meng Jia asked in an elated tone. 

"She is the one who starved me." Bai Yu Yue chuckled, "Princess Xue Lian,"

Meng Jia immediately paid her respects,

"They are tired, can you show them their chambers?"

"What about you?"

"Aye, I can find my room, please take care of them," Bai Yu Yue demanded,

One of the maids took Jing Junhai to the other side of the palace, whereas Meng Jia took Bai Yu Yue and Xue Lian to the northern wing of the palace quarters.

"Princess, Meng Jia will be on your service, if she refuses to take care of you, I stay next door, feel free to drop in and complaint." Bai Yu Yue said with a playful voice and led them into the chamber. 

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After showering, Xue Lian decided to pay a visit to Bai Yu Yue's chambers next door. The Yu kingdom, the palace, Bai Yu Yue's identity, everything was entirely new for her and she was curious to know more about it,

Xue Lian stepped out of her chambers to an empty corridor. Unlike the palace in the Qi kingdom, Yu palace does not have any tight security. Even the chambers of the princess remained unguarded.

Xue Lian smoothed out her robes and hair and hesitantly knocked at the door,

"Come in," a melodious voice replied,

Xue Lian entered the chambers only to get mesmerized by a gorgeous woman who was carefully selecting the clothes from various robes displayed by a maid.

"Pretty " Xue Lian gaped in astonishment.

"So you are," She replied with a beautiful smile, 

"Jie,' Bai Yu Yue walked out from the bathhouse with wet hair and a towel draped over her body,

Xue Lian looked at both the women in the room, with 

They look similar.

"Jie, she is the one I have talked about,"

"Oh, your princess," Bai Ling Yue walked over and grabbed Xue Lian's arms,

"I am Bai Ling Yue, thanks for taking care of Yue,"

"It was warrior Bai who took care of," Xue Lian stuttered when her gaze fell on Bai Yu Yue, who stood there wearing a towel.

Bai Ling Yue followed her gaze,

"This girl, come here and get dressed," Bai Ling Yue scolded her sister and turned towards Xue Lian to explain, "She always needs an extra hand to get dressed as a "lady"

"It is tiresome even to choose one from this, why I must wear these clothes," Bai Yu Yue walked over and complained while rummaging through the clothes.

"Uffo, why can't you dry your hair properly?"

Bai Ling Yue pulled her sister and began to dry her hair with a dry towel,

"I don't know, how you managed to stay alone for five years,"

" I am too tired Jie," Bai Yu Yue, snuggled upon to her sister. "Can I wear something comfortable, please?"

"Don't fall for these tricks, my Queen, the princess is trying to hide something," Meng Jia who came with the food warned Bai Ling Yue.

"Aye no, no," Bai Yu Yue who got flustered by the statement quickly took a robe and turned to move towards the changing room,

"Let me check," Bai Ling Yue who saw through her sister's escape plan, stopped and scanned Bai Yu Yue.

"What is this?"Bai Ling Yue's eyes caught the sight of the wound mark on Bai Yu Yue's upper arm.

"Its nothing, I got hurt while sparring," She casually said,

"Sit here," Bai Ling Yue pulled her into the bed and checked the wound. The wound has healed but it left a scar on Bai Yu Yue's smooth skin.

"Woman's body should be treated as-" Meng Jia opened her mouth to advise, however, Bai Yu Yue interrupted her,

"The marks of wounds are medals for a warrior," 

"Who is going to marry a woman with scars?" Meng Jia reprimanded her, "Everyone prefers a woman who got smooth skin and soft body."

"Please don't scold warrior- huh Princess Yue. She got hurt while trying to save me," A low mellifluous voice pleaded,

Three of them looked at Xue Lian who stood there like a pretty doll.

Xue Lian gulped in hesitation and said in low but with a determined voice,

" I can...no, I will...I will marry her,"