Xue Liang remained in her room as her mother came in. Her mother looked very pale and weak walking in. "Mother, what may you want with me?" Consort Ling Fe sat near her as she looked at Xue Liang who was stitching a purple bellflower.

"How does your heart feel when you are near him?" Xue Liang stopped stitching as she looked up to her mother. "Tell me honestly, your mother wants to know how you feel about him, if he is really the one you love." She asked.

"He... He makes me happy, I feel happy with him around, he makes my heart beat oddly, his scent calms me down. I don't want him to be sad or be a burden to him." Xue Liang expressed her feelings about him as her mother smiled looking at her daughter in satisfaction.

"You've grown up well. You've met the love of your life, also your mate. You remind me a lot of me. I was like that to your father. I didn't care if he had other wives or consorts, but I loved him so I stayed with him. When I'm no longer needed then I have decided to join the Taoist Temple, but there is one day that not everyone lives forever." Her mother said coughing weakly.

"Mother, did something happen?" Xue Liang looked to her mother as she seemed disturbed.

"I cannot tell you, but when it's time then it will happen." Xue Liang didn't understand as her mother hugged her before leaving.

She was in deep thought wanting to know what her mother meant. Xue Liang continued to stitch her bellflower as she then paused to hear footsteps above her.

Su Rong had lighter footsteps as she then got up. Leaving her room, she went to the pond where she could smell at least ten of them. She gripped her sword when Liu Gang then showed up behind her hugging her which had her surprised. "Gang!" She said to him as he smiled looking down at her.

"What has my little wife startled?" He asked, seeing her a little startled.

Xue Liang looked around, she could sense the spies were hiding. Liu Gang's senses sharpened as his gaze glared around. "Looks like I'll have Lim and Rong handle it as we'll be on our way." He whistled. Xue Liang heard the spies die by the sound of swords. It went fast as Su Rong and Peng Lim came out as they wiped their swords.

"Such things are happening more frequently. Gang, I believe the wedding should be held as soon as possible. Madam Ya seems more desperate every second." Peng Lim said as Su Rong nodded.

"I'll be depending on you both to protect Liang. If you don't then there will be no punishment, but death itself." Xue Liang hit his chest so that he wouldn't do so.

"This maid will take her own life for not being able to protect her master." Su Rong bowed as she was a very loyal maid. Xue Liang knew how Su Rong was as Peng Lim sighed and pulled her wrist kissing her. Xue Liang was smiling looking down as Su Rong gasped and pushed him back.

"Lim! Remember our agreement!" Peng Lim smirked with what Su Rong said. He looked down to her as she didn't expect him to do that. She wiped her wrist as Liu Gang and Xue Liang sneakily walked off leaving the both of them to figure things out. He held her back as she leaned on his chest and watched the lotus pond in the town. People watched the beautiful couple as some were jealous and some were happy.

"Gang, while I was away for two years, I always thought you probably gave up on me. If you forgot about me, then I would've accepted." Liu Gang looked down at her as he wondered why she would bring it up.

"Liang, I've told you before, I only want you as my wife. I've always thought about you. Look here." He took out the handkerchief with the purple bellflower as she saw it.

"You kept it." She was a bit surprised.

"Of course I did. This handkerchief was the only thing keeping me alive out in the battlefield. I have it with me everywhere." He held her shoulder bringing her closer to him as she rubbed her cheeks against his chest purring again.

"You make me worry about you all the time when you're out there. Be careful, I still want to be with you as years go on." Liu Gang smiled looking down at her as he did a quick peck on her lips.

"I cannot disagree with my wife on that. Since it's like that then I suppose I can try to take a few days off or even a month or longer." Xue Liang looked at him like a pouting child. He chuckled as he hugged her close.

Xue Liang then caught the scent of Xue Ya nearby as she could sense the anger from her from a far distance. She whispered to Liu Gang. "Gang, she's here." He nodded so he could also sense her. He then laid his head onto hers as he hugged her tight.

"It doesn't matter. If she wants to see this then let her. She cannot harm a general's wife or else she would be seen as unfaithful." Liu Gang said, taking a breath.

Xue Ya was hiding in a corner of a building. She saw Xue Liang and Liu Gang hugging each other so closely but couldn't hear them. She was most angered when he kissed her. She couldn't stop the hate on Xue Liang as the fire erupted in her. She wanted Xue Liang gone for good, she was going to get rid of her mother first. Walking off to her carriage as she called specific men as they met her in an alleyway.

"Get rid of Madam Ling, she is your new target. I will tell you when." The men left as Consort Ling Fe was in her garden as she observed the flowers.

_____

"Lei, it's been a great few years working with you. Our time is slowly coming to an end." Su Lei nodded as they both knew her time was running out. "Does Consort Ling wish to do anything before that?" Su Lei bowed as Consort Ling Fe became ill.

Ling Fe started coughing as red liquid was seen on her handkerchief. "No, I just wish to rest now but to protect our children it is our duty as mothers to protect them."