Xiao Ze manages to persuade you to remain in Western Liang for another winter. You are completely relieved to see his reign solidify, and that makes the cold winter much more tolerable until spring came. You finally get the edict permitting you to depart Western Liang. You sigh in relief. Upon learning you are leaving, Xiao Ze is sad and depressed.
Xiao Ze: May I call you big sister?
Not even waiting for you to respond, he chuckles and calls you "Big Sister".
Xiao Ze: You'll always be a big sister to me. I'm sad that you're leaving, but I respect the decision.
Xiu Ying: [Smile] I'm very glad to have known you on this trip, Xiao Ze.
Xiao Ze: Will we see each other again? We must! Please remember you have a little brother in Western Liang!
Xiu Ying: I won't forget.
As you think to yourself that the young man in the emperor's robe before you will one day grow into a heartthrob, he suddenly speaks.
Xiao Ze: I think I know who you really are.
You're taken aback by that. He sighs and chuckles.
Xiao Ze: I didn't want to say it, but then I figured, since I'll see you again, why not be honest with each other?
Xiu Ying: Well...
He stops you before you could go further.
Xiao Ze: It's all right, I know what kind of person you are. No explanation necessary, but please feel free to let me know if you ever need me for anything.
You look at him with bittersweet feelings, then nod and smile.
Xiao Ze: I stopped crying since my father passes away, so please don't make me start again now. [Takes a step back] Next time, I'll be taller than you and able to protect you... Hey now, I'm not crying so you shouldn't too!
Wei Jie's Farewell
The sky is fairly clear on the day of departure. You're taking it easy in the carriage on the journey home.
Xiu Ying: [Muttering] I did it... I'm coming home, mother and father.
Despite a few close calls, everything eventually turned out quite nice, you think to yourself, and that cheers you up considerably.
Shadow: Someone's heading this way, my lady.
The carriage stops. You lift the curtain and see a man in white on a steed ahead.
Xiu Ying: [Grin] Wei Jie!
Seeing you disembark, Shadow advises you in a tone you couldn't tell whether is respectful or aloof.
Shadow: Please make it short, my lady. We're in a rush.
Wei Jie dismounts and tries to straighten your wind-blown hair for you only to be stopped by an interposing blade.
Shadow: Speak your mind, but no touching.
Wei Jie: [Calmly] That's between she and me, not for you to decide.
You see the incredulity and burgeoning rage in Shadow's eyes, so hastily fix your hair yourself.
Wei Jie: [Looks at Shadow] If you insist on hanging around, I'll take her to somewhere private.
Shadow is now seething, but controls himself long enough to back off from the sizeable entourage that's with Wei.
Xiu Ying: What are you doing here? Didn't I ask you not to see me out?
Wei Jie: I dont know when I'll see you again, so why wouldn't I? Don't tell me you don't care about it!
Xiu Ying: No, that's not it!
Wei Jie: [Chuckles] I know. I wanted to see you off, since I'm leaving Western Liang in a few days on business and it may be a long time before I return to Qing. I'll definitely see you when I get back.
You return to the carriage after the farewell and wave goodbye to Wei Jie through an open window. He stands in place until you're out of sight, and his smile immediately turns to a sigh.
Servant: Why don't you take her with you, sir?
Wei Jie: That's not necessarily a good idea. Plus, she wouldn't agree to it.
He then turns the horse around and heads back into the city, his winsome silhouette exuding loneliness.
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In contrast to the trip before, you feel only joy on the return trip, and the journey ceases to be onerous. On this day, a deluge hits after sundown.
Xiu Ying: Let's find shelter from the rain, Shadow!
But as you ready an umbrella and touch the curtain, Shadow gives a warning.
Shadow: Stay inside!
The horse neighs and the carriage pitches to an abrupt stop. The rain pounds the road mercilessly and there's thunder in the distance.
Shadow: [In a low voice] Please stay seated. It's just a few nuisance, I'll handle it.
Shadow squints, draws his sword and charges the onrushing assassins. The battle is a blend of thunder, rainfall, clanging of blades, and screams. The downpour only heightens the chills down your spine. You sit still and confused.
Xiu Ying: (Who are they and why would they want to kill me?)
A sword suddenly pierces the curtain and impales the wall next to you. Your heart skips a beat and fights to stay calm. You are fixated on the outside, with a dagger firmly clutched in your shaky hand. Through the slit in the curtain, you can see Shadow fending off ten foes and he's not exactly having an easy time of it. At last, he forces the mob back to create enough space for him to hop into the driver's seat and speed the carriage away.
Shadow: [Suddenly] Hang on, my lady!
Xiu Ying: Got it!
You have no idea why he said that but instinctively obey. The next moment, the cabin rocks and overturns as the carriage tumbles off a cliff!
