Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

The royal court of the Yu kingdom joined for the first time after the winter to discuss the forthcoming spring festival.

While the ministers and various tribal leaders were debating over the events and activities of the festival, Bai Yu Yue's eyes were on the empty spot of the minister in charge of foreign relations. 

It has been two months since Fu Jian went to the Wei Empire. Since they descended the Tu mountains during the early month of the winter season, the journey must have taken more time than it required. But there wasn't any news from the informers as well.

The Jade merchants in the mainland were indebted to Yu kingdom for their priceless jewels and gemstones and on return, they have become the eyes and ears of a Kingdom which is kept hidden from others.

Lin Dan, the second in command of the Jade land army, came looking for Bai Yu Yue,

"General Yue, there is an emergency," he said in a low voice.

Looking at Lin Dan worried face, Bai Yu Yue immediately understood the seriousness of the situation.

She bowed before the Queen and left with the soldier, without paying any attention to the discussions happening in the court.

Lin Dan led her to the infirmary in the military barracks.

"Did someone got injured?" She asked and entered into the room only to witness the doctor bandaging a soldier's injured leg. 

"Wu Ying," Bai Yu Yue immediately recognised the soldier. He is one of the soldiers went to the Wei Kingdom with minister Fu. 

"We found him collapsed in the boundaries," one of the soldiers reported,

"How's he?"

"It is a miracle that he survived," The doctor said in a distressed voice. "He is starved for days and the frostbites-" he stopped and looked at the door,

Bai Yu Yue turned around to face Zhang Yi Jun who followed her to the barracks. When Bai Yu Yue left the court all at once, he got worried and decided to rush over. 

"Yue, what happened?" Zhang Yi Jun stared at the woman who stood before him, with cold eyes.

"Majesty," One of the soldiers addressed Zhang Yi Jun, "it's Wu Ying." 

"They have returned?" Zhang Yi Jun moved closer and looked at the skinny figure lying the bed, "But what happened to him?"

"He is the only one who came back,"

Bai Yu Yue's words left him petrified.

"Minister Fu and the soldiers?" Zhang Yi Jun narrowed his coal-black eyes. "Where are they?"

"We only found him." 

"Send a troop to the borders and search for the rest of them," He ordered,

"We will not find them," Bai Yu Yue retaliated,

"What are you saying?"

"No one would dare to hurt a person who carries a jade token. Help will be given to him no matter wherever he goes," Bai Yu Yue uttered the lines which are carved into every single person's mind in the mainland as well as Yu kingdom for more than a hundred years.

She looked at the devasted state of her fellow soldier, "He is hurt and starved to death. What could be the reason?" 

"Yue,"

"Our strategies to avoid the war has failed and we must prepare to face the worst," Bai Yu said with an aloof face and turned towards Lan Dan, "Inform the patrolling troops to look for any signs of intrusion,"

"Intruders in the Yu kingdom? That is not possible." Zhang Yi Jun disapproved to Bai Yu Yue's claims.

None of the outsiders can infiltrate the Tu mountains in the winter and reach Jade land without anyone's notice. Since it is impossible to stay outdoors in the freezing weather, even the patrolling troops of Jade land army halt their activities in the winter.

"None of the mainlanders can enter our-" Zhang Zhi Jun tried to validate his claim, but his words were interrupted by Bai Yu Yue,

"First brother, there is no point in avoiding the truth by repeating the same line. What if someone trespassed? She asked in a harsh tone. 

Like Zhang Yi Jun, Bai Yu Yue also believed that the security system in the Yu kingdom is faultless, until two days ago, Huo Jin, an outsider who is not familiar with the high mountains protecting the Jade land, successfully got into the Yu kingdom and sneaked into her chambers. 

As a maiden in love, Bai Yu Yue was delighted to know that he came looking for her. But if she examines the situation as the general of the kingdom, the arrival of Huo Jin shows their failure in protecting the borders.

"First brother, we cannot take any chances, we must act quickly," Bai Yu Yue requested.

"Let the troops search the perimeters of the kingdom and avoid spreading the panic among the people," Zhang Yi Jun instructed and took a glance at Wu Ying,

"Let's wait until he wakes up and tell us the truth," he turned towards the doctor, "Inform me as soon as he wakes up,"

"Yes, majesty." The doctor replied.

Zhang Yi Jun walked out of the infirmary with the Bai Yu Yue and soldiers in silence.

"How about we leave with the patrolling troops?" He suggested,

"No majesty, if both you leave the palace it will alert the people, I will go with the troops." Lin Dan volunteered and immediately called for the troops.

Bai Yu Yue was giving orders to the soldiers when Bai Ling Yue came to the training grounds.

The army stood in unison and saluted before her.

"Why did both of you leave the court in the middle of the discussions?"

Bai Yu Yue looked at Zhang Yi Jun before answering her sister. He signalled her to go ahead and inform the queen about the situation.

"We were planning to increase the security in the borders,"

"Did something happen? 

"We found an injured soldier," Zhang Yi Jun took a deep breath and said, "In our borders,"

Bai Ling Yue stared in them in disbelief, "Where is he? let me see him." She demanded.

"Doctor is checking him, please wait," Zhang Yi Jun held her hands and stopped her from rushing towards the infirmary.

Bai Ling Yue examined the worried face of her husband and her sister,

"Are you hiding something from me?"

"It's Wu Ying, the one who went to Wei empire." Bai Yu Yue said with a stern face. "He is still unconscious. Since we found him injured, the troops are going to inspect the perimeters. Please wait until the came back,"

"Did our negotiations with the Wei Kingdom has failed?" Bai Ling Yue easily picked up the hidden meaning in her sister's words.

"We have not confirmed anything yet, so please return to your chambers," Bai Yu Yue directed,

Bai Ling Yue appeared pale while fretting about the consequences of her actions. Did they invite trouble to their land?

"Things are still in our control, you don't have to worry." Zhang Yi Jun tried to console her.

"My queen, let us confirm it first, then we will discuss. Guards, please escort Queen to her chambers."

"Hm," Bai Ling Yue nodded and left the barracks while brooding over the situation.

In the evening, Wu Ying woke up and demanded to meet Bai Yu Yue,

Within a few minutes, Bai Yu Yue along with Zhang Yi Jun visited the infirmary. 

"First brother," Wu Ying called out for Zhang Yi Jun and tried to stand up despite his injuries.

Zhang Yi Jun rushed to help him and refrained him from standing up,

"Wei emperor, he is not looking for an alliance. He wants our land,"

Bai Yu Yue appeared calm as if she already knew about the motives behind the proposal.

"They have joined hands with our neighbouring kingdoms and preparing to loot everything from us." 

"What happened to minister Fu and others?"

"They killed him, right in front of my eyes," His words drenched in sorrow and grief.

"Why?" Zhang Yi Jun asked Bai Yu Yue, "Why would they kill someone who went with a message?"

"I don't know. When Minister Fu informed them about the betrothal of the princess, the ministers in the Wei court said that they need to discuss before making a decision. They even treated us well, but when Minister Fu came back after the meeting the emperor, he asked me to leave immediately," Wu Ying closed his eyes and tried to remember,

"They stopped us from leaving the palace. It was like they were holding us as hostages. We tried to sneak out and they-"He pursed his chapped lips to hold his pain, "Only I was able to escape,"

He took out a piece of linen cloth from his robes and gave it to Bai Yu Yue, "Minister Fu instructed me to gave this," 

She took a mug full of water from the jug kept next to Wu Ying and soaked the plain cloth in the water.

Within a few minutes, the words appeared on the wet cloth,

"They are coming for the Queen, the moonstone of the Yu clan."

The moment Bai Yu Yue read the message, she was left petrified.

It wasn't just the treasures of Jade land, the Wei Emperor is coming for the Queen who holds the precious jewel in the entire realm.

"The infamous Moonstone,"

"Yue," Zhang Yi Jun touched Bai Yu Yue's shoulder and called her, "What is it?"

"They are coming for Jie," She said with a startled voice. Zhang Yi Jun snatched the piece of cloth from her hands and examined himself with a horrified face.

"First brother," Bai Yu Yue appeared distressed, "What will we do?"

Zhang Yi Jun crumbled the piece of cloth in his fist. "Ling Yue will not know about this," He glanced at Bai Yu Yue,

"Yes," Bai Yu Yue agreed with him and turned towards Wu Ying, 

"I will not tell anyone," He gave his word.

"General Yue, they are back," a soldier informed them and asked to come to the barracks.

The messenger from the patrolling troops reported the situations in the borders.

There weren't any signs of intrusion, but something big was approaching the borders of the Jade land.

Two hordes of armies - one from the north-east side and other from the south side of the Tu mountain ranges.

"Secure the passages, every single one of them." Zhang Yi Jun ordered, "Call for an immediate meeting with the royal court and the Queen."

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The whole court went silent upon hearing Bai Yu Yue's report.

Attack on Jade land!

Most of the people in the court couldn't believe what they heard. 

No one dared to declare war upon the sacred land and bring heaven's wrath.

"What is the current situation in the borders? Queen asked Bai Yu Yue.

"Two militias of a hundred thousand soldiers are approaching the north-east gate and south gate. They will reach our borders in less than three days." Bai Yu Yue reported.

"A hundred thousand soldiers, that's equal to the whole population of Jade land.

with our army strength, we don't stand a chance to fight. Can we avoid without bloodshed?" One of the ministers asked.

Bai Yu Yue and Zhang Yi Jun remained silent. Both of them knew that the impending war is going to cost them a lot. Even though Kingdom was vast, the population of Jade land was only a hundred thousand. Since the place was never been faced with the threat of invasion, their army was relatively smaller.

"We are ready to negotiate with them." Bai Ling Yue said. "I will talk to the Wei Emperor and-"

"It is not him," Bai Yu Yue said with an expressionless face.

Everyone was shocked and looked in Bai Yu Yue's direction.

If it is not Wei Emperor who else is dared to attack the Jade land?

"It is Xue Feng, the king of Qi kingdom,"