“What do you mean by that?” Yu Lin narrowed her eyes.

“Yu Lin… do you know what a gifted one is?”

“Gifted ones are people who are born with talents or power that normal people do not have. They have the ability to see the past, and or the future… are you a gifted one?”

“That’s right. Eleven years ago, I met your mother when they came to help my village out. I told your mother about the choices she had… I was a fool. My skills were not efficient at that time… I thought I could help, but I… I shouldn’t have said anything that day…” tears started to drip down her face.

“What do you mean?”

“I… I told that she had two choices. The first was to save you at a different time with a high chance of succeeding, but many will die. The second was to save you at that moment which would not guarantee your safety or hers, but… light will prevail against darkness again…”

“Again? Light and dark? What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry… I can’t tell you anymore than this, but don’t worry. In the near future, you will know everything.”

“Why can’t you tell me?!” Yu Lin slammed the ground.

“Because… because… I made a promise to your mother. She asked me to not tell you anything, that you will learn of the truth in the storage room.”

“She’s lying,” Yu Lin looked behind Su Mei to see Hu Die sitting cross legged on the altar, “but just torture her, if you want to get answers. Why don’t you do that?” Yu Lin glare at her as she took in a deep breath to calm down.

“Is she talking to you?” Su Mei’s voice broke her concentration.

“What?” Yu Lin bit her lip.

“The old you… is she still talking to you?”

“Why do you know that? This i-”

“It’s the aftereffects of the skill Lan Hei Kong used on you isn’t it. She appears at random moments, and tells you to do weird things.”

“That’s right,” Yu Lin held onto her trembling hand, “why have you asked to see me?”

“Because… I feel indebted to you. I have left traces of myself everywhere so that I could finally talk to you. If you ever need help, please use this,” Yu Lin watch Su Mei wiped her tears before pulling something out of her long sleeve and slide it over to her. Yu Lin picked up the object, which was a golden emblem with a bell attached to the bottom.

“What’s this?”

“It’s me. If you have this on you, then no one would dare to offend you so easily. If you show them this, you basically have the same authority that I do which is only fourth in the kingdom, after the emperor, empress, and their royal children.” Yu Lin nodded her head as she tucked the emblem into her sleeve.

“You have my gratitude,” Yu Lin bowed her head, “if you don’t want to tell me what happened… that’s alright. I won’t push you any further, after all, it is thanks to you that I also now have a wish from the emperor.”

“I see… then, our business here is done. I wi-”

“Wait,” Yu Lin’s eyes grew cold as she balled her trembling fist, “I have four questions first.”

“Questions? Tell me, if I can answer them, I will.”

“Do you know the people behind Dragon’s Lair?” Yu Lin watched as Su Mei turned away as her eyebrows furrowed downwards.

“That… I am not sure… but rest assured, Prince Zhong Cheng is not part of the group. Huan Yi and Yi Huan are not part of it either.”

“Alright then. My second question is, when will I meet her again?”

“Her?” Su Mei’s head went up and her hands dropped to her lap. “You know… you remember… I see… it won’t too long now… but I can’t tell you the exact time because… its too cloudy… I can’t see much…”

“Alright… then for my last question… when will I meet you again?”

“Me?” there was a long moment of silence in between them, “... the next time we meet… it will be me on my deathbed. When that time comes… I will answer that last question you have. Ask me then,” Su Mei stood up and she turned back around to face the altar, before sitting back down, “you should go now,” Su Mei said. Yu Lin looked at her lonely back before giving her a bow and standing up.

“Thank you… until then,” Yu Lin turned on her heels. Her hands reached out to open the door.

“Wait,” she heard Su Mei said and she paused, “I almost forgot. Tell his highness that am doing well and… Hu Tai Yang? That man… treat him well… he is your brother,” Su Mei said. Yu Lin frowned as she turned around.

“What?!”

“You were not the only child conceived by your mother… that is all I can say for now…” Yu Lin heard her say and between each sentence, her body would shake. Yu Lin’s eyes darted around before she turned back.

“I understand…” Yu Lin opened the door and walked out. She closed them behind he as she headed to get her things.

Yu Lin stucked the emblem inside her endless bracelet as she walked up to Zhong Cheng. Zhong Cheng looked anxious as he grabbed onto her arms.

“How was it? Was older sister Xi Xing doing well?” he asked. She nodded her head.

“She’s fine,” Yu Lin reassured him and relief washed over his eyes.

“Thank you, sir Yu Lin,” Zhong Cheng’s hands moved away from her arms as he smiled, “then since everything we needed to do has been done, let’s start heading back,” Zhong Cheng said.

“Your highness,” Yu Lin fiddled with her fingers, “is it alright… is it alright if we visit the prison first? I want to the royal physician before we leave,” Yu Lin asked.

“Why?”

“It’s… never mind. Let’s go.”

“I-it’s fine. If you want to see him, then let’s go,” Zhong Cheng grabbed Yu Lin’s wrist as he started to pull her towards the royal prison.

Yu Lin stared down at a beaten down Du Yao who panted as he laid unconscious on a pile of straws. The look in Yu Lin’s eyes grew distant. She pointed a finger into the jail cell and touched Du Yao’s ankle. She released some chi energy before standing up and facing Zhong Cheng.

“Let’s go,” Yu Lin said. Zhong Cheng nodded as he ordered Yu Hai and Hai Yu to start preparing.

-

It was already dark into the night when they reached the academy and Yu Lin bowed to them before she returned to her section. When she walked into the courtyard she saw Nie Fu sitting at the courtyard table with his chin resting on his hand.

“Servant,” she said and Nie Fu jumped before he turned to see her. His jaw dropped as he smiled.

“M-master!” he said as he stood up from his chair and ran to her with his arms out. Yu Lin eyes widened for a second before she stepped away to dodge his embrace.

“What are you doing?!” she frowned as he stumbled before standing straight and turning to look at her.

“Master! I thought you were gone for good!” Nie Fu cried as tears streamed down his face.

“Why?”

“Bec-”

“What are you doing here?!” Yu Lin turned to see Yamanaru glaring at her as he fanned himself.

“Why? Am I not supposed to be here?” Yu Lin glared back. Yamanaru shut his fan closed as he held his hands behind his back.

“A disgrace. You ran away from helping all those people and you dare show your face back here?!” Yamanaru pointed his finger at her.

“Then, who healed them?”

“Of course, it’s was Chen Hua who saved their lives because of you! Get out of here!”

“Oh… Sir Shan was the one to healed them?” Yu Lin nodded her head.

“Get out! I don’t know how you managed to sneak in here, but get out!”

“She didn’t sneak in! Teacher Li already told us that Principal Ro has already pardoned her because she accomplished a great feat!” Nie Fu defended her. Yu Lin eyes widened for a second at his outburst before she swallowed hard.

“See? No matter what I had done, all circumstances have been taken care of. Now then, I will excuse myself. I’m really tired… if you try to do anything ridiculous, I can’t guarantee I will be merciful,” Yu Lin walked past Yamanaru as she headed towards her room. She was careful to see if Yamanaru was going to try anything, but nothing happened.

“M-master!” she heard Nie Fu call out to her as she reached her door.

“What?”

“M-master… I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me tomorrow. I’m tired.”

“No! I’m scared if I don’t tell you now… I won’t have the courage to tell you tomorrow. Please, master…” Nie Fu looked at her with puppy eyes. She let out a sigh before she opened her door.

“Come in,” Yu Lin gestured and Nie Fu nodded as he went inside. Yu Lin closed the door behind her as she watched Nie Fu take a seat around the tea table and she sat across from him. She watched as he tapped onto the table nervously. “Go on,” she slumped back in her chair, “hurry up and tell me and then leave. I’m tired,” she let out a sigh. She watched as Nie Fu looked down at the table as if he was trying to pierce a hole through it with his gaze. He bit his lip and took in a deep breath before looking up at her.

“The incident that happened at Henua village… that wasn’t a coincidence at all, Master!” Nie Fu said. Yu Lin immediately sat up as she slammed her hand on the table.

“What do you mean?!”