Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

For the first time in the history of Yu kingdom, the smithies all across the land burnt relentlessly to forge weapons. A kingdom which lived in peace and harmony so far started preparing to defend their homelands from the hordes of military troops approaching their boundaries.

In the Yu palace, the ministers and lords were listening to the war strategies presented by Wu Qi, the minister in charge of security and protection of the kingdom. He was one of the soldiers who supported Bai Li for the creation of Jadeland army.

"First brother and I will lead the troops to the North-East border," Bai Yu Yue suggested. "Minister Wu and major Jing along with Baba will block them at the southern border."

"But blocking the Qi army at our borders won't be enough," One of the ministers doubted. With their army strength, annihilating an army twice bigger than them was a quandary.

"We should evacuate the kingdom as soon as possible," Bai Yu Yue said.

Evacuating the kingdom!

Does that mean they have to leave their homeland?

The meeting room fell into chaos. Apart from short durations for studies and work, none of the Yu clan members left their land. How can the entire kingdom leave their home and take refuge somewhere else?

Bai Yu Yue turned towards her sister who was silently listening to everything. The person who is highly affected by the forthcoming threat was Bai Ling Yue, the Queen of Yu kingdom. Fu Jian's last message clearly indicated that the Wei kingdom is targeting the Queen, the one who wields the moonstone.

"My Queen, I request you to move to a safer ground," 

Bai Yu Yue's audacious words silenced the chattering resonated in the room in a glimpse. No one dared to spoke a word.

"Yue, what are you saying? How can I leave my land and people?" Bai Ling Yue asked in disbelief. She is the queen and the sovereign head herself. When her kingdom is under threat how can she hide? Which ruler abandons their kingdom and people?

"Take our people with you." Bai Yu Yue's voice lacked warmth. "You must leave," 

"No,"

Looking at the boiling argument between the sisters, Wu Qi meddled to explain,

"Majesty, they are here to loot our land and abolish Yu clan. No matter how hard we try we cannot avoid some loss. It is better-"

"I can fight them." Bai Ling Yue retorted.

"I want you to lead our people into a safe place till the war ends," Bai Yu Yue repeated again in an imposing tone as if she is not requesting but commanding Bai Ling Yue to leave.

The onlookers remained shocked at the awkwardly tense situation. They knew that their princess is cold and imperious, but she never defied the Queen.

"This is ridiculous. I am your Queen, how dare you order me to leave my people here and run away for my life? Bai Ling Yue raised her voice in fury.

Under the scrutinizing eyes, Bai Yu Yue remained unswayed.

"Majesty, we are not asking you to run away like a coward." Su Binqi spoke on behalf of Bai Yu Yue,

"There is a life growing on you. For the sake of the future of the Yu clan, for the sake of thousands of innocents lives, we are requesting you, the mother of Yu clan to save your people."

Su Binqi kneeled before his Queen. Others in the room, who had a similar opinion, agreed with him and followed the suit.

It was their first time facing an enemy twice larger than the entire population of Yu kingdom. Not to mention that their army or war strategies are not well developed, unlike the enemy hordes. In such a situation, instead of sacrificing the innocent lives, it is better to leave to safe haven until the war ends.

"The Queen never leaves the valley," Bai Ling Yue declared in an unflinching voice, and looked at her sister who remained like an iron pillar, stiff and unwavering,

"Even if her life is in danger, she will choose death than leaving her home,"

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Bai Yu Yue stood alone in the terrace, holding on to a small twig of a plum tree, contemplating over the events that happened in her life a short amount of time. She was living peacefully with her family and in a blink of an eye, everything has changed.

Bai Yu Yue lived away from her family for the last five years in order to look for allies to help her kingdom in need. But the ones who should've been their allies, have become their enemies and preparing to invade her home. 

"Yue," Zhang Yi Jun's voice woke her up from the thoughts. 

He walked closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

He knew that the queen's denial must have placed Bai Yu Yue in a state of guilty and self-condemnation.

She tried everything to protect her sister, but in the end, the queen refused to leave the kingdom and making her efforts go in vain.

"First brother, do you think that I made a mistake?" Bai Yu Yue's voice felt weak. She believed that her sister would agree to their request, but she was proven wrong.

"We had a chance to solve everything if I had gone to the Wei kingdom instead of minister Fu. Because of me, now we are left without any options." 

"It is not your fault Yue," He pressed her shoulder to console her. 

"Minister Fu and our brothers, they died because of me."

"No, don't think like that." He told her, "If you were in their place, you would've done the same."

"He is coming for Jie, the moonstone" Bai Yu Yue's eyes turned moist, "What if we fail to protect her?"

The moonstone which is wielded by the Queen of Yu kingdom, no one really knew it's form or attributes, expect the tribal leaders in the Yu clan. 

The moonstone which is sought by many was never a gemstone or any material thing that one can easily possess.

The heart and soul of the moon goddess, which she transferred to the lunar maiden - it was the moonstone. 

The one who calms the turmoil in the wolf, eliminating the evil residing in his soul and bringing back to his glory of "the protector mortal realm", so that he can rise up to the level of immortal and unite with his long lost love,

The moon resides in the heart of the lunar maiden. 

The wolf and his moon.

The mortals on the earth only cared about the subsidiary effects of moonstone, forgetting it's original value, they considered it as a rare gem and searched for it.

In order to become the ruler of the mainland, Wei emperor pursues after the precious crown jewel of the Yu kingdom and the Queen one who wields it -That's how Yu kingdom perceived the motive behind the war.

No one knew the truth, that the Wolf is coming for his moon.

"It is not just Jie, your child, the future of Yu clan…" Bai Yu Yue stopped in between her sentences. "What about our people? Why didn't I thought about them? How can I be selfish and ruin their life?"

"Bai Yu Yue, you are not selfish and you didn't ruin anyone's life." He assured her with guilt-stricken eyes.

"I am ashamed to say that we are the ones who ruined your life,"

Bai Yu Yue glanced him with clueless eyes.

"Why did you do that, Yue?" He asked in a soft voice. "You could've told us the truth about Xue Lian and-"

"I don't want anyone of you to worry." She interrupted him, "I am the one who has done the deeds and I must be responsible for my actions." She sounded resolute for a moment,

"But Jie, she repeats that she will never leave the valley,"

"Ling Yue, no one can take her away," Zhang Yi Jun promised her, "We will protect her until our last breath,"

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Xue Feng examined the man wearing red dragon robe, seated on a black stallion leading the army which blocked their siege,

The king of Yu kingdom.

It was the first time he met someone from Yu clan. As per the stories circulated in the mainland, the dark complexion, big black eyes and ravishing countenance, everything befitted the group of people who claims to be the descendants of mother nature.

"Salutations to the ruler of Qi kingdom," Zhang Yi Jun initiated the conversation, "We don't remember inviting anyone for the spring festival,"

"We are not here for any pleasantries. Hand over your queen and you shall live," Xue Feng arrogantly said. He was not ready to have a conversation with these mountain-dwellers. In front of his giant army, the Yu kingdom and its people were a tiny speck who doesn't deserve any respect.

"What if we refuse?" Zhang Yi Jun's voice appeared obstinate without any fear. 

"The audacity !!!! Xue Feng broke into a hysterical laugh, 

"Your borders have been surrounded by the two hundred thousand Qi army men, it is two hundred thousand men." He repeated the numbers as if he is trying to scare them,

"Within a day or two, the Wei army will be here. It won't take us any longer to barge into your tiny kingdom and drag your queen out." Xue Feng's evil eyes narrowed while he spat threatful words. "So hand over her while I am being nice,"

"You haven't changed!" An icy voice heard, right beside from king of the Yu kingdom, "Rude, arrogant and idiotic,"

That voice struck Xue Feng's head like a bolt of lightning, and he snapped his head to the side only to meet a pair of chilling eyes glinted with a murderous aura,

"Warrior Bai," Xue Feng squeaked through his gritted teeth,

"Warrior Bai," the soldiers in the Qi army repeated the name in surprise and looked at the figure atop of the horse. "Bai Yu Yue of Tu sect, their trainer,"

What brings him here?

"It's been a while, brother-in-law," Bai Yu Yue greeted Xue Feng with a mocking smile, "Xiao Lian sends her regards,"

"Brother-in-law," Upon hearing her form of address, the men on both side gawked in a daze. The Bai Yu Yue they knew was a bachelor/bachelorette.

"What a pleasant surprise," Xue Feng couldn't hide his surprise,

"I have been running around all over the mainland like a dog and you were hiding behind this mountain,"

"You have eyes, but you fail to see," She casually said, "I was right above your head, but you failed to look above while you were busy bowing down your master,"

Xue Feng clenched his jaws to hide the displeasure boiling in his mind,

When he got the message from Wei empire about conquering the Yu kingdom, he was excited to rush over with the army to capture Yu kingdom's ruler and submit to the emperor to regain his face,

But he never expected to find Bai Yu Yue in the front line of Yu kingdom's army.

Xue Feng clearly knew that he is no match for Bai Yu Yue, even his army will not move a finger against their master trainer.

"I usually don't believe in fate and destiny, all that bull shit," Xue Feng said with a demonic smile, "But now I believe that there is something called fate and your fate is to die in the hands of the Wei emperor,"

"He is coming to take away your queen and your tiny kingdom." His lips curled in ecstasy, " and I will make sure to witness the moment he rips apart this unbending head of yours from your body,"

"Send the message to our hordes, we will wait for his highness, the Emperor of Wei kingdom, until then no one will take a step forward," Xue Feng ordered and turned to face Bai Yu Yue,

"Wait for your death, Bai Yu Yue of Tu sect,"

"Huh," Bai Yu Yue huffed, " Xiao Lian asked me to keep you alive, but I don't think I can keep my word,"

Bai Yu Yue scanned the army men on the enemy line and declared in a clear voice,

"Xue Feng, tell your master that, I, Bai Yu Yue of Yu clan, will not allow anyone to take a tiny speck from our land," 

She turned towards Zhang Yi Jun, "First brother, let's go back and wait for him,"

Zhang Yi Jun looked at her in bewilderment, how can they leave their boundaries unprotected,

"I believe in my brothers. Even if they are fighting against me, they won't forget their morals," She faced the Qi men army and raised her voice,

"Do you follow?"

"Yes, master," One hundred thousand men in the Qi army responded in unison.

Zhang Yi Jun and his army looked at the slender figure sitting on the horseback with an aloof face, astonished by the commanding power she wields,

It was true, she was born to rule. 

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In front of the Yu palace, thousands of citizens gathered with a panic-stricken face and bundles packed with their belongings, waiting for the royal verdict to move towards a safe ground until the war ends.

Bai Ling Yue stood in her red ceremonial royal robe. Her slender body remained slightly protruded at her lower abdomen indicating her pregnancy.

"I Bai Ling Yue, the Queen of Jade land, the mother of Yu clan stand before you to convey the news which we have never expected in our lifetime," She stopped and looked around,

"They are here, our enemies who are blind with greed and power, lurking over our boundary lines. They are here for our sacred land."

The crowd looked at the Queen in tear stricken eyes.

"We are the descendants of the great mother nature, our will power and beliefs are high and strong like the Tu Mountains surrounding us. We need someone to uphold our beliefs and lead the war against our enemies." 

There was a shock in everyone's face. What is she saying?

"I was pledged to protect the young and old of the clan till my last breath. But I failed to do so," She confessed,

"Upon the Mother nature and the almighty mountain Tu, I Bai Ling Yue, the queen of the Yu kingdom and mother of Yu clan step down and hereby declare my younger sister Bai Yu Yue, the 99th of the royal bloodline as the queen of Yu clan."

Bai Ling Yue's words stunned the masses of people who were awaiting the royal verdict to evacuate their homeland. But a regime change at the last moment, it was totally unexpected.

Bai Yu Yue was the one who shocked the most by the verdict. She never imagined that Bai Ling Yue would make a decision last minute, 

Bai Ling Yue removed her Jade crown adorned with five coloured gemstones and phoenix, from her head and walked towards Bai Yu Yue in poise. 

"Jie," Bai Yu Yue called her sister,

"The Queen never leaves the valley," She smiled and said, "Yu clan looks up to their powerful Queen, not someone who is weak to stand up for them. In this land, there is no one who is eligible to wear this crown than you, Bai Yu Yue, the pride of Yu clan,"

Bai Yu Yue kneeled with teary eyes and accepted the crown,

"Hail for Queen Bai Yu Yue." Zhang Yi Jun shouted at the top of his lungs,

"Long live Queen Bai Yu Yue," The age old boulders of the almighty Tu mountain repeated after thousands of excited voices of Yu clan.