Thanks for the overwhelming support! I was totally surprised to see the all the comments and likes! It is very motivating. ????

  The surrounding darkness, the death-like silence and the cold feared and tormented her. Qing Feng enclasped her hands so hard that her fingernails dug into her palms. At present it was only the pain that could keep her cool an calm. The surrounding darkness, like a black hole, would eventually be swallowing her up.

  Suddenly, the surrounding darkness was replaced by maroon, the redness that reeks of the scent of blood, overcame her —


  A cruel and brutal voice surround her ears, “The Emperor of Qiong Yue took a fancy on you, that is your good fortune. If you are lucky enough to obtain his favor, the Qing family will enjoy glory and honor. If you don’t comply, then wait for a family extermination!” Qing Feng shivered uncontrollably, she doesn’t want any favors, she only wanted her family to be intact!

  Father — Mother —


  She wanted to cry out but was unable to make any sound.

  “Feng-er, Mo-er, in the next lifetime, lets still be sisters!” Eldest sister croon gently at the side of her ears but no matter how hard she tries, she is unable to see anyone other than a sheet of maroon surrounding.

  Elder sister — Younger sister —


  Why are you not responding to me?

  Her neck abruptly tensed up and her throat felt as though it was disconnected, she wanted to struggle…… But she was unable to move and the pain…… Its excruciating……

  Ahh–


  “You have woken?” Qing Feng hastily took deep breathes and her line of sight eventually cleared up. She saw a pretty and amiable face, with a gentle voice but there was not much attentiveness in it, quietly looking at her. The terrifying nightmare made her speechless and it was only after a while could Qing Feng calm herself down.

  “Who…… are you?” She almost couldn’t recognise the hoarse words out of her mouth. After speaking, Qing Feng felt a burning sensation at her throat which hurts so badly that she could not even swallow her own saliva. The painful choking sensation recurred caused Qing Feng to pale slightly and mumbled, “Water……”


  “Please wait for a while.”


  Fu Ling walked a short distance beyond the screen and Lan Fang, who was standing far away approached her, tugged at her sleeve and remarked softly, “Fu Ling, why are you still care for her? With her looking like this, the Emperor will not take a fancy on her! Most likely in the near future, she will lose her life!” When she was sent here in the morning and her veil was removed, Lan Fang had a great shock from the two deep and frightening scars. They dared to send this kind of ugly monster to the Palace!

  Qing Feng turned around to look and found that other than the female just now, there was a even younger female. Both of them stood together and spoke quietly thus Qing Feng was unable to clearly hear what was spoken. She wanted to sit up but realised that not only she did not have any energy to do so, she is also experiencing dull headache. As she was lying, Qing Feng was able to secretly observe the room. Even though it is not decorated in a glorious splendour and looked like a regular room, the furnishing was rather exquisite.

  Fu Ling gently pulled her sleeves back and calmly poured the water, whispering back, ” The Imperial Household arranged us to look after her, that’s our responsibility.” She has examined Qing Ling’s features, haughty nose amd smooth translucent skin. It was truly an rare exquisite beauty, it was a pity it was disfigured.

  Lan Fang smirked as she complained, “Hearing about the poems on the three sisters of Hao Yue, I was actually curious about ravishing beautiful they were to collapse nations and cities, didn’t think that she is a…… Ugly monster!” She have in fact spent fifty teals of silver to bribe so that she was able to leave the Laundry Bureau and serve this famous world beauty. She initially thought it was a good task, as if she was favoured then she herself would be of a certain position in the palace. This was a truely unexpected result!

  “These are things that are out of our concern.” Fu Ling replied before turning away, carrying a cup of warm water.”I don’t want to concern myself with this!” Lan Fang snorted quietly before hastily heading out of the room.

  When Qing Feng looked over again, the young female has ran off and the female that she initially met was at her bedside carrying a cup of water.

  With the female’s support, Qing Feng could sit up and drank a cup of water. Once her throat felt a little better, Qing Feng cautiously asked, ” Who are you?”


  Fu Ling evaded Qing Feng questioning look, bowed and replied softly, “This servant’s name is Fu Ling, a palace maid to take care of your needs”


  The female’s attire, behaviour, manners and speech, unsettled her thus even though she has her suspicions, Qing Feng continue to ask, “Where is this place?”


  “Imperial Palace.” Fu Ling spoke the two words lightly but it made Qing Feng trembled, “Imperial Palace of Qiong Yue?”


  “En!”


  They have reached Qiong Yue! “My sisters??”


  “This servant don’t know.” Fu Ling calmly replied while bowing her head

  This lady, named Fu Ling, is wearing a respectful mask but will not tell her anything! Qing Feng struggled off the bed but her body fell onto the floor. Fu Ling quickly came forward to firmly hold onto Qing Feng’s shoulders and supported her up, “Miss Qing, please do not flail about.”


  “Let go of me! I want to see Yan Hong Tian!” That tyrant that destroyed her family!

  Fu Ling’s face turned white and urgently spoke, “Miss, you cannot address the revered name of the Emperor, this isn’t outside of the Palace!” It can be seen that this Miss Qing is a reckless woman but in this Palace doing as per one’s whim is the one thing that mustn’t be done!

  As Qing Feng was clutching Fu Ling’s arms, she snapped back, “Then you tell me, where are my sisters?!” Why is she in the Palace! If they were sent to the Palace, then how about Elder sister?? And Younger sister?? Where are they?

  With hurting arms caused by QIng Feng’s clutches and witnessing the set of teary eyes, Fu Ling hesitated a while before finally replying, “This servant really…… don’t know……”


  Begging her is useless! Qing Feng used all her strength to push away from Fu Ling, but she did not have enough strength to get up and could only crawl towards the door. Even though the Imperial Palace has freeze her heart, when Fu Ling watched this unbending woman, she felt a faint wave of admiration. Fu Ling supported her once again and persuaded, “Miss Qing, you have yet to recover, you mustn’t flail around!” She felt her pulse and comprehended that her health is in an extremely bad state and the wound on her face have yet to recover. If she were to catch a cold now, it would be troublesome.

  Qing Feng affirmed that Fu Ling will not tell her the news about her elder and younger sister, thus she too will not take her words to heart.

  As both of them were pushing and pulling, a low voice beyond the doors was heard, “What are you doing here?!” A 40 odd year eunuch that was dressed as a man, walked into the room with palace maid Lan Fang trailing behind.

  Fu Ling bowed and greeted, “Wang Gonggong.”

  Qing Feng lifted her head and turn to the voice, with a cold pair of eyes, hair in disorder and with that sinister looking scars. That image startled Wang Li Xin, who just entered, till he suck in a breath of cold air.

  Lan Fang pointed that the slumping disfigured Qing Feng and said, “Eunuch Wang, she is Qing Ling who is sent as a tribute from Hao Yue!”


  “She is Qing Ling??” A painful sharp shrill of voice suprisingly screeched as a finger pointed quivering at Qing Feng, “This…… How is this possible? This…… Where are the Hao Yue’s officials?? Who was the one that went to receive?!” Wang Li Xin almost stop breathing when he looked at the scars on Qing Feng’s face again. This is a woman that the Emperor specifically requested for! How did it came to this? If the Emperor blame him, will he still have his life?

  Lan Fang immediately replied, “Gonggong, this servant have asked Official Zhao, the Hao Yue officials claimed that she is Qing Ling! Furthermore, the people from Hao Yue have left ages ago!”


  Li Xu said that she is Qing Ling! Qing Feng froze. Why did he say such a thing? Eldest Sister was specifically requested by Yan Hong Tian, why would he say that she is Qing Ling. Moreover, Elder sister is more beautiful than her and her scars are swallower, why would Li Xu say that she is Qing Ling, unless…… Unless in the ruined temple, Elder sister and younger sister have already…… Died…… That is why Li Xu used her to impersonate!!

  The cold stone floor was not able to compare to the intense cutting chill that her heart felt. Qing Feng sat on the floor blankly, the surrounding noise diminished in her ears and she could only hear the mangled words from her heart. Why is the one dead not her?? It was her that wanted to commit suicide! Why was the one dead not her!! Why?!

  Wang Li Xin was beside himself in panic, “What…… What can be done?!” Seeing that Wang Li Xin also loathed this Miss Qing, Lan Fang quickly kneel down and softly spoke, “Eunuch Wang, this servant is accustomed working at the Laundry Bureau. Is it possible to let this servant return to the Laundry Bureau?” Even though working in the Laundry Bureau would never accomplished to anything, as long as the Older Palace Maids are treated well, there will not be any hardship. Overall, it would not be as bad as staying beside this ugly monster!

  Looking at the apathetic and sluggish female sitting on the floor, Wang Li Xin faced Lan Fang waved her and impatiently replied, “Go back, just go back!” He reckoned that once the Emperor saw Qing Ling’s face, he will take away her life in a fit of anger. In the Inner Palace, whatever talents in singing and dancing or outstanding moral character and bearings are all false. Their faces were only weapon to win the Emperor’s favour. With Qing Ling’s disfigured face, all the chances have vanished. He doesn’t need to waste his energy on this type of person! He has to start to make arrangements, in case the Emperor punish him for this outcome!

  “Fu Ling?” Lan Fang gave a meaningful glance to rule-abiding Fu Ling, if she is not leaving in such an circumstances what are is she waiting for!

  How would the intentions of the palace maids escape the experienced Wang Li Xin who has been managing the Palace for so many years. With slightly narrowed eyes, Wang Li Xin snorted, “Why, you too, want to return?” Its not impossible to send her back to the Female Medical Department. It only depends if she is sensible or not and if she able to show respect or not.

  “Miss Qing is not feeling well, this servant would prefer to stay and take care of her.” Fu Ling lowered her eyes to the floor, portraying a respectful posture but speaking in a neither servile nor overbearing tone.

  A female medical attendant’s job will easily be enable on fawn over the various mistresses. She is already over 20 years old but is still at the lowest ranked palace maid. In this case where she was a haphazardly recommended medical attendant, it can be seen that this Fu Ling is not a quick witted person. Qing Ling is after all a person specifically chosen by the Emperor, if there were any problematic issues that arise, he too will be in trouble! After some thoughts, Wang Li Xin sternly instructed, “That’s good, you stay behind and make sure that she doesn’t run around!”


  “Yes.”


  Wang Li Xin did not bother to give Qing Feng another look and left abruptly. The young palace maid, Lan Fang followed him out of the room without delay.

  Qing Feng sat on the floor blankly with a vacant expression. In contrast with the red dress, her face was much paler than before. Fu Ling stepped forward and question softly, “Miss Qing, are you all right?”


  For a long time, Qing Feng held onto the bedside to stand up. Even though the joints of her fingers turned white due to excessive exertion, she still refuses Fu Ling’s support. After taking a great effort to stand up, Qing Feng coldly expressed, “Go out. I would like to be alone.”


  Seeing tears falling silently down and with that hidden pair of grey eyes, Fu Ling felt faintly worried but knows that additional words will not be beneficial. In the Palace, there are more than enough pitiful and lamentable women. She…… will not be the last one.

  Fu Ling closed the door unhurriedly and exited the room.

  epilogue 2

  The final part!!! This concludes the story for Qing Feng and also opens up the story for the next generation…… ENJOY!!!

  Sixteen Years Later

  In the afternoon of the beginning of autumn at a huge side courtyard, three young girls were sitting under a tree. All three of them were very beautiful but each were a different type of beauty. The female that was sitting nearest to the door was dressed in a green white dress as her expression was as calm as water as she silently wipe the thin blade she was holding. The sword was very thin but it was extremely sharp.

  By her side, the red clad girl was very different from her. As the crimson clothes outline her face, there was a cinnabar mole in the middle of her brows, as bright as fire. She sat tall and straight with her brows arched like there was some sort of noble atmosphere. As compared, the white clad female was much more lazy as she prop her chin with one hand and held a cup of tea with the other. There was a calculated smile in her eyes and she did not hide it, "Elder Sister Chen, Elder Sister Ning, after a few more days it would be my sixteen birthday. Do you…… Have any indications?"

  The red clad girl look at her and asked frankly, "What kind of indication do you want?"

  "Oh. What you gift is your intention, why let the birthday star mention what gift to receive?"

  "Intention?" Yan Ning frowned but she soon replied, "This is simple."

  Seeing that she ready did not continue questioning, Su Su was somewhat anxious and turn the subject around, "But nonetheless…… Since I am so considerate, I will definitely not let my two elder sisters headache. I will reluctantly give my requests."

  Having known that she had something she want, Yan Ning smiled, "Say it."

  "Ke ke." Faking a cough, Su Su said loudly, "I want to have……" The end of the sentence was dragged on but she did not continue for a long time. Yan Ning had a look of intolerance, "Speak!"

  Su Su hesitantly replied, "I want an Lin Lang legendary luminous night pearl."

  Yan Ning frowned, "What do you want it for?"

  Su Su snickered but did not answer. The person who was sitting at the side, carrying a sword spoke coldly, "I’m afraid the luminous night put in the military building is broken and she is trying to replace it." The Su family’s military building was a place used to develop fire weapons and fire cannot be found near it. Lin Lang luminous night pearl is much brighter than ordinary luminous night pear and would be best for lighting purposes.

  Su Su’s face turn red as she quickly said, "How can it be?!"

  Lou Chen slightly glanced up at her and under her cold gaze, Zu Zu pouted and did not refute.

  So actually she had already created a problem. Yan Ning laughed, "You have your Eighteen Lian Bu and you are still afraid of Youngest Auntie’s punishments."

  Talking about the Eighteen Lian Bu, it was truly the supreme Qinggong skill in the entire world. Faster and graceful than birds flying and it only require a blink of an eye for that figure to leap out of ten Zhang (1 zhang = 10 feet). With one breath one would be able to use much energy to jump up a ladder, much less ten Zhang.

  If she really wanted to run, Su Ling would not be able to keep up. It was said that for Su Su to be able to master this skill, she would need to thank her dearest mum, Gu Yun. As the only daughter of the Su family, Su Su was never afraid of anyone, even with that high up above Emperor Uncle, she would also dare to talk back but to one person, she would immediately be like a mouse meeting a cat and droop down. But this Miss Su was not a well-behaved person since young and it would be impossible for her not to create trouble or laze around. So since young, she was always punished by Gu Yun. Because of Gu Yun’s sword skills were exceptionally good but she did not have any Qinggong (ability to move swiftly and lightly at superhuman speed) knowledge, thus in order to hide from Gu Yun, Miss Su other martial arts skills were mediocre but her footwork were not lacking. After practicing, after she was twelve years old, Gu Yun was unable to catch her in a fit of anger.

  Just like…… Now. Lou Chen and Yan Ning only felt that the scene in front of them blurred and a white figure flashed past. The teacup was left on the table was still turning but Su Su’s shadow was not to be seen. Both of them looked at one another and a smile appeared on their lips. Without saying anything, they knew that Youngest Auntie was here already and sure enough a voice called out from the door, "Su Su —"

  No matter how fast she run, at the end she still need to be punished. Miss Su had do thirty laps of leapfrog round the field under everyone’s view. When she return back to her room, her legs were trembling like sieves and had to usher in her sixteen birthday on the bed as she laid on the bed for two days.

  In the side room of one of the wings of the residence, Su Su laid lazily on the bed that even if others entered, she was too lazy to get up.

  "Do you still want the luminous night pearl?" Yan Ning was playing with a fist sized luminous pearl. Even in broad daylight, one can see its glow, needless to say how it would be at night.

  The person on the bed rolled her eye and turn over and humph, "Not needed. Already suffered the punishment, so why do I still need it."

  A fair hand suddenly stretched out and Su Su saw the small embroidered box in front of her. She happily sat up and opened it impatiently. There laid ten dark green pills with a medicinal fragrance. Su Su’s eyes lit up, "Nuan Xin Pills?! Elder Sister Chen is the best!"

  In order to heal Lou Xi Yan’s health, Zhuo Qing devoted herself in learning traditional medicine and with the integration of traditional and western medicine, her medical skill were at a higher level. Lou Chen was naturally smart since young and with that influence, her medical skills was also not low. She would occasionally would make some blood circulation or pain pills. As for the kind of suffering Miss Su was suffering from, it was naturally a good thing.

  Lou Chen faintly replied, "Take lesser."

  "I know I know." As Su Su spoke, she threw two pills into her mouth to chew.

  Yan Ning shook her head, already pained for a few days and it would be alright to just tolerate. She even ate two pills and this was considered taking lesser? Anyways Lou Chen did not speak more and just spoil her, so Yan Ning was also lazy to tell her off and handed the rectangular box over.

  What thing was it? Su Su was filled with curiosity and open the box to take a look. It was a map of Hao Yue on a leather.

  It was actually rare to have a map and if it was in a common family, it would be considered as a treasure but Su Su was not attracted to it at all as there were different kind of maps in the Su family. Su Su threw the map back into the box and asked, "Elder Sister Ning, why do you gift me a map?"

  Taking the map out and spreading on the table, Yan Ning eyes fell onto a place somewhere on the map as her gaze heated up, "Don’t you all find boring being shut in the capital?"

  "Of course bored." Seeing the map on the table before looking at Yan Ning, Su Su was finally willing to get up. She propped her chin up and smiled, "Elder Sister Ning, have you thought of something fun?"

  Yan Ning looked up and gave a rather mysterious smile, "Why not let’s make a bet."

  "What kind of bet?"

  "The world is so big, let’s see who can find a treasure on their own abilities. Taking one year as the timeline, we will do the comparison next year this time."

  "One year? Does this mean running away from home?! My mum will definitely skin me alive." Even Miss Su was saying that, her eyes were shinning with excitement.

  "Then do you want to bet on it or not?"

  "Bet!" That one word was able to show the world her lust for the world.

  Yan Ning look towards the silent Yan Chen who was sitting at the side. Yan Chen has always had no expression and also did not have many words but her mind was exceptionally keen. Yan Ning was somewhat nervous, "How about you?"

  Lou Chen glance at the map on the table and looked back at Yan Ning before a rare smile was raise on her lips as she replied, "Alright."

  In the third of the five night watch (modern timing: 11 pm - 1 am), three figures blotted to the city walls and actually climbed over the wall before leaping down. They fell at the other side of the wall lightly. This was considered nothing to them which showed their extraordinary martial arts skills.

  The three person ran out ten Zhang (1 zhang = 10 feet) before stopping.

  "The dateline is a year."

  "Take care."

  After saying those simple words, three of them ran towards three directions without looking back.

  Yan Ning kept running ahead but she felt apologetic in her heart. Chen, Su Su, I am sorry, I must go to that place. Only upon deceiving you all out, it would then scattered the family’s resources and thus would not be able to bring me back that quickly. Forgive me. Forgive me!

  As compared to Yan Ning’s urgency, Miss Su was much more leisured. She was ben on seeing the magnificent scenery of the sea and naturally chose the East Sea. Until she played enough, she would then go to Ju Ling Island to visit Uncle Ao and get a treasure conveniently. Maybe she would win the yearlong agreement!

  Lou Chen had a cold look in her eyes as her expression was indifferent. Her pace was calm as she headed toward the west. Then…… She will travel further away, how about Liao Yue?

  Three person, three different thoughts. In any chase, their journeys would unfold. "Would there be any danger for the three of them to just run off like this?" In the tall city tower, there stood a few people watching three of them going away. Qing Feng was still somewhat worried.

  Zhuo Qing looked very relaxed, "They are already this big, it is nothing to go out to tour around."

  Thinking of his own daughter’s negligent character, Su Ling whispered, "Should we send someone to secretly protect?"

  "Not allowed." There was a bit of pride in Gu Yun’s clear voice, "They have learned a number of skills in these years. What is the meaning of having people to protect when they go out."

  "That is true." Zhuo Qing and Qing Feng thought about it and actually nodded. During the conversation, the three slim figure completely disappeared into the night. The females at the city towered turn to leave and left the three men who are currently in a dilemma. After all, they were their own precious daughter.

  "Really don’t care?" Su Ling and Lou Xi Yan looked at Yan Hong Tian at the same time. He was the monarch and they are his officials so naturally they would listen to him. Yan Hong Tian shook his head as his lips formed a smile as he replied, "This is a family matter and base on that, Xi Yan the Eldest brother-in-law."

  Su Ling turn and looked at Lou Xi Yan unbothered, anyways it would not be his turn to make the decision and be blamed.

  Lou Xi Yan black eyes slightly narrowed as he leisured replied in a moist voice, "Furens only said not to secretly protect and did not say that we can’t secretly ’monitor’."

  This was alright?

  Lou Xi Yan was indeed Lou Xi Yan……

  Ten days later

  In the large hall the General’s residence, there knelt three persons with full of shame on their face.

  "This solider is useless, had lost Princess Ning in the Hei Shan Feng forest."

  "This solider is useless, had lost Miss Chen in Wu Men border."

  "This solider is useless, had lost Miss Su in Mao city."

  The brows of the three men who were sitting down wrinkled below it slowly released. There were some pride on their faces. Lou Xi Yan’s lips hooked up with a faint smile, "It seems that…… We have underestimated them."