The eldest princess is annoy that every time she interact with her kept men, Bai Yi Shao will appear from nowhere. He would not interrupt the conversation but he will make it uncomfortable. He doesn't allow them to sit near here. As if over night, she have a body guard. Chen Liang a few time have clash with Yi Shao about the eldest princess. She is not happy and determine to leave the mansion one of those days. Hence she ask Mei Xue to slowly move her things out and back into the princess palace. She is instructed not to attract anyone's attention. The eldest princess is afraid that her new husband will not allow her to move out easily.
One of those days, she quietly ask Mei Xue to inform her men slowly one by one move out of the mansion and return back to the palace. Thus by the fifth day, the last men have left the Bai mansion. She is now left with Mei Xue along with some clothes and books. She watch her new husband where about. She is not taking chances to return to her big cage. She rather be confine in the palace then in this mansion.
"Your highness… you just got married. This is not …"
"Mei Xue … i can tolerate everything but i cannot tolerate my basic freedom is taken away from me. Also the marriage contract we agreed on was never interfere with each other's lives. He is over stepping that. I don't like it."
"Your highness … the grand dowager and dowager will not like it. They will send you back here."
"I will deal with them later. My deal with them is done when i married into the Bai Clan. Now i need you to … distract them in anyway. We can go back into my princess palace, tonight."
"I understand, your highness. I will do as you say."
That night, Mei Xue set fire to the storage room. Everyone divert their attention to the fire. While the eldest princess and Mei Xue travel on foot in the night to the outside of the princess palace. Her men had informed the eunuch to takes care of the palace to wait at the side gate. They waited till nearly 3am. The sight of two woman walking in the dark soon appear. They hurry to walk into the palace. The side gate is then lock tight.
That night she sleep well in her own bed. The eldest princess got up in the late afternoon. She wake up to find her husband sitting in front of her bed with his armour on and a black clark behind him. Holding his spear he simply stare at her. She swing her legs over and sit on the bed. She play with her braid and stare at him.
"Last night, did you have a good time?"
"Hmm… it's an interesting … walk."
"Did you know … my mansion caught fire?"
"Oh… i hope it is not … is everyone fine? No one injured?"
"Did you know that i panic when i find my wife missing"
"Oh … you did…"
"I dispatched my men out to find you when i cannot locate you in the mansion."
"Well you …"
"I panic Feng Huang…"
At that moment, the eldest princess stop moving her hands. No one ever worry for her safety no one have tell her face to face she cannot disappear without a reason. Her royal father aways say that she is allow to do anything she wants. No one will question her. No one will scold her. No one will dare to challenge her authority. However there is one man, now challenging her.
"There is nothing to panic about. I have …"
"I know you have the skill to fight back if needed too. I know that your maid double as a body guard too. However i am your husband. You are my responsibility. I take my vows seriously. I hope you take yours seriously as well."
She gets up and walk to him.
"My husband… you can leave now."
"Feng Huang, you are coming with me."
"I will not leave this cage."
He look up to see her stop walking.
"Come with me and leave this cage. Outside is …"
"I am a phoenix. This is my cage. I am used to this … big cage"
She spin around with her arms open wide.
"You are married to me now. Bai mansion is your new home."
"I am better here."
"No. You belong to the Bai Clan. Three days later, there will be a ceremony to have your name listed in our clan book. Including to list … Bai Wen and Bai Men under your name. "
"I will attend to that …"
"I am asking you again. Will you come home with me?"
She stand where she is and look far away. He stand up and stand beside her. He look at her almost wanting to reach out and touch her hand.
"No."
Without a word, he turn and walk away.
A year pass and the eldest princess is still living in her palace. Grand dowager had ordered the remove of all her kept men after she move back in the palace. She is left alone with Mei Xue and other maids along with eunuch. There is no music no dancer and no one to converse with her. She did not attend the clan meeting the day that Yi Siao had informed her. She hid inside her palace all day. At night while people are sleeping, she takes out her horse and ride into the royal palace grounds. In far high grounds, she look at the capital city that is quiet at night. She wonder why can't her life go as what she plan. Sometimes, she meet the emperor. They play a game of chess. While the dowager is furious with her and refuse to meet the rebellious daughter. While the grand dowager will still meet her but she shows her displeasure in words and action. Bai Yi Shao sometimes comes to visit her in the palace. He persuade her to move back into the Bai mansion. Every time the conversation leads to arguments and disappointment.
One of those day, Yi Shao comes with some Chinese wine. He set everything up in the pavilion that the eldest princess enjoy viewing the view. As he set it up, she walk up to him slowly.
"Why are you setting this?"
"It's your birthday soon and … i am returning to the border. So… may as well i come here to see you. for the last time."
She stop walking and look at him.
"Returning to the border? When?"
"End of this month. Before Autumn… i am leaving Bai Men behind. Taking Bai Wen along with me. Bai Men is too young since he is born in the capital, he might not be used to the rough life out there. Bai Wen who is born at the borders is more resilient. He have to get used to the conditions. He is my first son after all. I will install his title before his coming of age."
That night the couple talk and drink. They are both laughing and enjoying the drinks and food. He keep mumbling happy birthday to her and she laugh. The maids and eunuch watch in a distance.
"Shall we leave them alone?"
"I don't know… "
"Well i don't think anything will happen to them. Besides that, they are a married couple."
"A couple on paper."
"Still a married couple. Come on, it's late. We need to sleep…"
"What if they need more …"
"The moon is already halfway through the sky… they don't want to sleep but we … look at our eyes."
"Fine but let's inform sister Mei Xue."
Meanwhile Yi Siao and eldest princess are walking towards the hall. Still laughing about a joke that Yi Siao said. Mei Xue appear and inform the eldest princess that all the servants have retire for the day.
"You go to bed!"
"Your highness …"
"Don't worry. I am having a good time with … my husband here! He will take care of me!"
Mei Xue look at Yi Siao who seems to be clear in his head. She bow and leave them. While the couple pick up their alcohol and crawl to the other room where her bed is at.
Laying on the bed, they drink and stare at the beam. They continue to talk and laugh.
In the morning, he is gone. The eldest princes wakes up in the afternoon, naked. She had a split headache and asked for a painkiller.
"Your highness… do you need … contraceptives soup?"
"I am .. not sure but just go and get me a bowl of it. Just incase."
Her personal maid walk off in a hurry while she drinks the bowl of hangover soup. She lay on the bed and close her eyes. She cannot recall what happen last night. Soon she falls asleep to the quiet and warm afternoon. The breeze blows the curtains in her bedroom. She starts to dream of a chase with laughter curtains flying. She is looking back at every few steps. She can feel the warm floor as she runs. She isn't afraid but she keep giggling.