Two people stood amongst the darkness of the imperial palace banquet hall balcony. This was pretty much where it all started for the two. Ones eyes brightly shining like the night's stars and the other's eyes held so much forlorn that you couldn't help but grieve with him.

"Why?" Feng Huang's voice cracked with emotion. "Why would you do this?"

Jing Long smiled bitterly at his brother, turning his back to him looking out at the palace grounds darkness. "What are you talking about brother?"

"Don't play with me Jing Long." Feng Huang napped clenching his teeth and knuckles until they bled.

"Jing Long, your face. What did you do to your face?"

Jing Long touched the mark on his face. "I thought you would be angrier at me giving up the throne rather than my face."

"F**k the throne." Feng Huang spat.

Jing Long lets out a laugh and poor Feng Huang couldn't see the delight in the situation.

"I remember when we first met." Jing Long said. "I was so angry at my mother for keeping you a secret. Really, I was envious of your freedom. I would rather be a general than a prince any day, so I hid my intentions and wanted to see if we're identical twins. Ah."

Jing long closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "You couldn't have known my dismay. We couldn't we have been identical?"

"Who wants your ugly mug." Feng Huang says feeling offended by his brother's remarks. "You're still not answering my questions."

"What I mean is, from birth Feng Huang, you have been sacrificing for me. I thought it was about time I did the same for you."

Feng Huang in his wheelchair stared up at Jing Long. Was this really his dreamer, crybaby little brother? It seemed that the war had toughened him up. If Jong Long had heard what Feng Huang thought, he would have cried. Who toughened up? Jing Long would rather face ten wars that the training regime General Wang put him through.

"You're my brother Jong Long."

"And you're my brother too."

Feng Huang couldn't answer back, looking at Jing Long walking into the throne room terror rose in his heart. If it wasn't for Da Fan squeezing and pinching his hand, he swore he would have run to Jing Long. Feng Huang didn't mind Jing Long sacrificing for him but he did he have to go to such an extreme.

Covering almost half his face Jing Long had a burnt mark on the left side of his face. The mark was an angry red that took away from Jing Long's beauty. Never mind resembling Feng Huang, Jing Long didn't even look like the Emperor or Empress anymore.

"Your sacrifice was too great Jing Long."

Jing Long touched his face again. "The procedure was extremely painful but worth it. You can just think of it as a big, red birthmark.

"What does Lou Chun Hua think about it?"

Jing Long shrugs. "She was the one that found the person to do the operation. She's a strong woman. I wouldn't be here if not for her."

During battle, Lou Chun Hua (Jing Long's wife) played the part of nursing his injuries from the battle and sparring with General Wang. Lou Chun Hua got the person to help burn the mark on Jong Long's face.

"Both of the women we married are strong."

"I saw that you got rid of General Wang. What of his daughter?"

Feng Huang knew he was referring to Cong Wei Yang. To be honest, he and others forgot about her existence. "What of her? I am not through with her."

"Should I feel sorry for her?" Jing Long asked, knowing his brother can be cruel.

"Don't."

Jing Long smiled and the two stood in silence for a while. The two lifted their heads towards the sky like they usually do as young boys when they often met. Normally their chatter would go on until wee hours of the night with the backdrop of crickets as their only audience. This night was just like their boyhood days.

Feng Huang sighed breaking the silence. "Jing Long, do you really don't want to be Emperor? I you want to be I can almost certain Father Emperor would approve."

"I don't and it's too late. I never really wanted to be Emperor. I thought that being Emperor as a child that I would be able to see you often. Mother always thought of it has my birthright."

"Have you told her of your plan before making that outrageous request from the Emperor?"

"I did, briefly." Jing Long turned to face Feng Huang staring into his eyes. You could see the unwavering resolve staring into the eyes of Feng Huang.

"I'm sorry for making all you did for me all for naught." Referring to Feng Huang marrying Cong Wei Yang to garner support from General Cong. "I'm sorry for all you've lost brother, but I love being a general. I don't have to act like a prince. I never wanted anything more than when I asked father to separate our house."

Jing Long smiles as if remembering the scene. After everyone had gotten over the shock of the frightening scar on Jing Long's face, it was time for him and General Wang to receive their rewards.

General Wang's awarded a fief for his contribution, Jing Long was given the option by the Emperor to request what he wanted. Jing Long had waited and thought long and hard. "I wish to separate my house."

Commotion filled the throne room, even the Emperor was surprised much less the Empress. "Don't you know what it means Jing Long to ask for a separation."

"I do, Father Emperor. This is my wish. I wish to establish my own house."

The Emperor stared at his son looking to see any sign of hesitation or fear but all he saw was unending determination.

"Very Well." The Emperor nodded and signal to the eunuch beside him to write the decree. "The first prince for his ending bravery and sacrifice, I award him his household. Separate from the royal family. Xia Jing Long"

Jing Long sighs whispering his household name, 'Xia, Xia'. "Thank the Emperor for his grace.

The two brothers were brought out of their remembrance by an exploding firework in the sky. Feng Huang then said. "You know that idiot is going to be Emperor, right?"

Jing Long laughs. "You really don't like Jing Bai, do you?"

"It's not that I don't like him. It's just that I find him annoying."

"I can just imagine the face he'll make when we tell him that he might be the next Emperor."

"Feng Huang snorts. "He might even run."

"He can run." Jing Long says. "But he got two older brothers who'll show the way."

Feng Huang entered into his and Da Fan room in the palace.The candles were out with only the moon casting a glow into the room. Feng Huang rolled his wheelchair to the beside to where Da Fan lay. In his chair he caressed her beautiful face and hair gently with a smile on his face.

Da Fan didn't even move, not even when Feng Huang climbed into the bed and gathered her to his body. Da Fan snuggled into his chest feeling safe, warm and secure. Feng Huang leaned over her with her head still on his arm and gently kissed her.

With the glow from the moon and the promise of a brighter tomorrow, Feng Huang whispered into the slumbering woman's ear.

"I love you Da Fan. My heart, my soul, my wife."