Once the New Year's celebrations were over, Feng Rong and Tang Daiyu made preparations for their journey north.

Food and clothes were packed, the sedan carriage procession prepped for the long ride. Medicine was added for her, should she need it. A week later, everything was ready. In the morning, Tang Daiyu wrung her hands nervously. Soon, a masked man entered the residence.

"You asked for us, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, Rong and I are heading north, back to Chang'an. We have security measures in place, but I'd feel better if you and your men also shadowed us, just for an extra precaution."

The man bowed. "We are at your service, Your Majesty. Emperor Jianyuan exiled us. It's time we helped those who can stand up to him."

"My husband and I aren't looking for a war."

"That may be so, but I would suggest you prepare for it no matter what happens."

Tang Daiyu shivered involuntarily. She stared at the man before her.

"We leave soon. Will you help?"

The man bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good."

~~~

A little later, Tang Daiyu and Feng Rong set out from Nanning with an entourage of fifty soldiers and twenty-five attendants. The exiled Changs followed close behind. Luckily, there were no hindrances on the journey.

When the Royal Procession crossed the border into Chang, an arrow flew towards the main carriage and lodge in the windowsill.

"Stop!" Feng Rong roared.

Tang Daiyu leaned over and pulled aside the curtain on the window. She quickly grabbed the sheet of paper from the shaft, unrolled it, and read its message.

We are sorry, Your Majesty, but with Chang soldiers now constantly guarding the forest, we cannot go any further. Good luck and many blessings upon you and the Emperor.

Tang Daiyu looked up. Feng Rong was staring at her. She re-rolled the piece of paper and tucked it into her sleeve.

"Continue the procession,” she called out. “It's okay, we're not being targeted."

"Daiyu, what was that message?"

She shook her head. "Don't worry about it, Rong. Everything's fine."

"You know you can trust me, right?"

She nodded. "I know, it's just not important. Let's keep going. There's a temple just up ahead. I'd like to pray there."

Feng Rong agreed and decided to let the matter drop for the time being.

~~~

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At the temple, Tang Daiyu went inside and lit some incense. She closed her eyes and prayed to Guanyin for safety for her, her child, and her husband.

When her prayers were finished, she exited the temple and headed back to the procession. Once she was seated inside the main carriage, everyone got moving again.

~~~

On the second half of the journey, things soured when Feng Rong brought up the arrow-sent message again.

"Daiyu, my Empress, if it concerns me at all, I need to know what it says."

She groaned, "How many times do I have to say this? It's not important, Rong!"

"You don't have to keep secrets from me."

"Oh, like you haven't kept secrets from me?"

He groaned, "What are you talking about?"

"I heard you add Heping when you were talking about my father the other night. I didn't say anything back then, supposing I had somehow misheard you. But now that I think back on it, the probability of that is growing less likely."

"You must've misheard, Daiyu."

"No, I don't think I did. What did my father do, Rong? What got him and my family killed for treason?"

She stared at him. He sighed.

"There are some things that you just don't need to know, Daiyu. It'll only make your pain worse."

"What do you know, Rong?"

He looked at her, sadness in his eyes. "Please, don't be too upset. I didn't tell you before only because I didn't want to ruin your memories of your father."

Her eyes widened in shock and horror. Tang Daiyu’s bottom lip quivered.

"What did my father do?"

Silence.

"What did he do, Rong?!"

Resignation washed over his face.

"Chancellor Ru relayed palace secrets to my father. It started when we came north and stayed those two weeks. My father convinced him to do it, said that it'd bring peace and unity to our two kingdoms. I don't know how he was caught exactly, your father was always so careful. But I think Emperor Jianyuan began to suspect something and might've had a spy follow Chancellor Ru. You, of course, know the ending to this."

Tang Daiyu stared at him in shock.

"How long have you known about this?"

He murmured, "Since the beginning. I spent so much time with you because my father tasked me with keeping you occupied so you never suspected anything. He knew you were being brought up as if you were going to be the next Chancellor."

Betrayal flashed across her face. Salty tears welled in her eyes, threatening to fall.

"I lost everyone I cared about because of you and your father. I've suffered because of what you've done."

Feng Rong admitted, "All those years ago, your father agreed to a betrothal between you and me. Who knew it would evolve like this?"

"You've been watching me the whole time, haven't you?"

He shook his head. "Once you were moved into the palace, and Tang Bao into Lord Shuo's residence, we couldn't keep eyes on you two any longer. So for the past couple of years, we’ve had no intel on you. But we did learn of Tang Bao's death."

Tang Daiyu couldn't believe what she was hearing. Everything she thought she knew was crumbling around her.

"Stop the carriage," she called.

She pulled out the paper from her sleeve and threw it at him. The carriage lurched to a stop, and she moved to climb out.

"Daiyu, what are you doing?"

"I'm walking for the rest of the journey. Don't bother to try to persuade me otherwise."

Then, she stepped out and walked alongside Hua Chao-Xing and Wu Caihong.

"Your Majesty!" they exclaimed.

"I'm walking. I suggest neither of you say anything."

Her attendants nodded and bit their lips.

Inside the carriage, he read the message. Confusion furrowed his brows.

What has Daiyu gotten herself into?

Outside, Tang Daiyu thought, I can't believe his nerve! I trusted him. And now, I learn he's partly responsible for my family's demise. How can I bring honour to my family name when my father really did turn his back on his Emperor?