Stories Inspired from HZGG

*Part II of Kidnapped*

Zi Wei was really scared. The kidnappers have locked her up in a small concrete cell. She coughed real hard. Her flu was getting worse. She fought back the tears as she remembered seeing Er Kang stumbling onto the pavement. An arrow protruding from his chest. She still can heard the echoes of his anguished cries as he called her name. Zi Wei tried to struggle free but her kidnappers tied her up and roughly shove a piece of rags into her mouth. A few moments later, Zi Wei felt dizzy and fainted. When she woke up, she found herself in the darkness of this cell. It was so cold sitting on the hard, cement floor. Zi Wei pounded on the steel frame door. ' Let me out!!!'

Then, she heard footsteps. Someone at the door. She backed away as the door opened. There were two men. One of them is the magician and another one was a young man that was quite familiar to her. The young man moved towards her. Zi Wei moved away to the farthest corner of the cell. ' Zi Wei, don't you remember me?' said the young man. Zi Wei strained her eyes to get a better look. She heard this voice before but where? Then, it finally struck her.

' I remember you! You're Uncle Xiang's nephew. But why are you here in Beijing?' exclaimed Zi Wei. The man was her childhood friend, Jialou. They used to be playmates at her village in Jiang Nan. The young man grinned wickedly. So, she remembered him. He extended his hand towards Zi Wei but she refused it. ' You looked quite different in that Manchurian outfit. Thankfully, I've brought you some food and clothes.'
' Where are we? Why are you doing this to me?' asked Zi Wei, pushing him away.
' I cannot tell you but you'll know soon enough,' replied Jialou turning towards the door. The magician (Daiyung) placed a tray of food and a Chinese attire beside her. Then, they closed the door shut. When they left, Zi Wei's defenses crumbled as tears began trickling down her face like a shower of rain. Jialou, who actually was standing outside the cell, felt a huge stab of guilt in his heart as he drowned himself in the sound of her sobbing tears.

Jialou was an orphan boy who only have the old man Xiang as family. When the old man died, he was left wandering the streets until he chanced upon the rebels. The Great Helmsman of the Red Lotus Society took pity on him and raised Jialou as his own son. He never forgot the little Zi Wei who played with him when they were little. He loved the lovely Zi Wei whose gentle innocence and naivete captivated him even if she was only a little girl at that time. But then, Jialou knows that he was a nobody and resolved that he'll achieve great heights. Only after that, he could return to Jiang Nan to claim his bride. Soon, he was made into the Branch leader for the North territories. He returned to Jiang Nan to find her but found out that she already left for Beijing to find her father. When he return to Beijing, he discovered that Zi Wei has been proclaimed as the Meng Zhu Ge Ge, the daughter of the Emperor Qian Long. His everlasting love morphed into a consuming hatred. Feeling cheated and disheartened to see that his childhood sweetheart was now his enemy, he planned for Qian Long's destruction even if he have to sacrifice Zi Wei in order to do so.

Back to the palace, at the Emperor's place. The Emperor, Yongqi and the other officers was in a heated discussion when the palace eunuchs announced the arrival of Huan Zhu Ge Ge. Soon enough, the princess presented herself in a jiffy. ' Huang Ah Ma, is there any news?' prompted Xiao Yanzi. Yongqi tried to shut her up but Xiao Yanzi was as persistent as an obstinate mule. She turned towards the officers and bombarded them with countless questions. Her eyes flared up as she interrogated the cowering officers. ' Have you searched the city? Issued the seize warrant? Capture any witnesses? Or you're just contented to sit in your comfortable mansion while poor Zi Wei being tortured in God knows where. Maybe she was locked up somewhere much worse than the palace dungeon or the dark room. Urgh... Nothing is worse that the dark room.' Yongqi valiantly tried to keep her down but it was Qian Long's hard warning glance that managed to silence Xiao Yanzi.

' Xiao Yanzi, these officers have done their best. Please keep quiet and hear what the officers have to say, ' said Qian Long as he signaled her to come near him. Sulkily, she obeyed her father but not before staring an irate look towards the officers that obviously meant ' Whatever you've done is not good enough if Zi Wei still cannot be found.' Yongqi sighed in relief. He already had his hands full with Zi Wei's kidnapping that he can not possibly shouldered the responsibility of keeping an eye on the other princess at the same time. Now that Er Kang still injured and won't get any better for at least a week, Yongqi also have to take over his duties as the head of security. Plus, he could not sleep a wink ever since last night.

One of the officers stepped forward and gave his report. ' We went to the inn Wu Ah Ge found this Daiyung but no one there confessed to even know him. We interrogated all of the residents at the inn and the houses nearby but no one seemed to know anything about this man. But our informant was lucky to stumble upon some information that proved that the man was a member of the Red Lotus Society.' Xiao Yanzi's eyes grew wider by the minute. Oh, so the rebels got Zi Wei.

' We also traced the kidnappers movement after they capture Meng Zhu Ge Ge but we lost them just outside the city. These men were really good. The kidnapping obviously was planned properly by whoever behind this,' said another officer.
' But why Zi Wei? She's just an ordinary gege. Why didn't they went for the other royal children?' inquired Yongqi.
' We think it was coincidence,' replied the officer. But Qian Long disagreed.' I don't think so. I remembered that the magician asked Zi Wei specifically to help him with his trick. It was obvious they wanted her. But for what? She doesn't have any enemy or any importance to the kingdom.'
Yongqi interrupted him by saying that Zi Wei was very important to the Emperor. ' I think they're going to hold her hostage to blackmail you.' Qian Long stood up in rage. ' How dare they try to blackmail me?'
' But Huang Ah Ma, I think this is one of possible explanations. We'll see if the Red Lotus Society send in their demands soon.'

Qian Long balled up his fist in his frustration. Xiao Yanzi tried to cheer him up by saying that if the kidnappers wants to exchange her for whatever they want, they won't harm her. After all, even if they locked her up in a dark room, Zi Wei would be so used by it she would be totally at home.' Qian Long laughed bitterly. He hugged her and told her when he promised them that he won't ever put them in prison, he meant it. ' To think that Zi Wei is being locked up somewhere else is too much to bear for me. At least if you were jailed in the palace dungeon, I still have the power to release you but this time, I am helpless.'
Yongqi stepped forward and confidently said, ' You're not helpless, Huang Ah Ma. You still have me and the guards are searching the city right now for any signs of her. We'll find her, soon. No doubt about it.'

In Kun Ning Gong, the Empress were reveling in delight as she listened to Rong Ma Ma narrating the latest misfortune to befall the hapless Zi Wei. Rong Ma Ma gleefully mused, ' I believed that the Heavens were finally at our side, Huang Hou. I hope the kidnappers finished her off and maybe we could use this chance to get rid of Huan Zhu Ge Ge as well.'
The Empress sighed. She still remembered Zi Wei's kind act which the Empress still held in gratitude. But the kidnapping was not her fault at all so why must she sympathize the ungrateful princess. Deep down, she admired Zi Wei's compassionate heart and pure innocent soul. Yet, she heavily resented the fact that Zi Wei and Xiao Yanzi were well-liked by everyone in the palace including her own son.

It was another different matter for Ling Fei who whole-heartedly doted on Zi Wei and Xiao Yanzi. She never stirred from Er Kang's beside together with Fu Jing. Er Kang was still unconscious but the bleeding has stopped. The Imperial Physician have gave Er Kang the antidote for the poison. Fu Jing was very worried and constantly prayed for Er Kang's health and Zi Wei's safety.

Outside the palace, the whole city was shocked by the news of Zi Wei's kidnapping. Being the People's Princess, Zi Wei had the reputation of being kind and generous. The people loved her very much and was outraged by the news. Many of them came forward to help the guards find her. This made Daiyung very nervous as he confided his fears to Jialou. ' I don't understand why you wanted to kidnap her in the first place. The same chance we had could be use to kill the Emperor himself. And the Qing dynasty will be destroyed.' Jialou brushed him aside. ' Remember Daiyung, the time is still not right. We need more supplies and supporters before we could attempt to destroy Qian Long's empire. I wanted to use the girl to achieve this. How ironic it is that it was his own child who brought down his reign.' They laughed heartily and feasted on the scrumptious dish laid before them.
' The soldiers were everywhere,' said Dai Yung. His eyes wandered towards Zi Wei's cell. ' Her flu is getting worse and we need her to be in good conditions.'
' She won't be here for long. Tomorrow, we'll get on with our plans. How are the other prisoner?' Daiyung grinned devilishly. ' You mean those Liu siblings. They are still sleeping. That drugs you gave them were quite strong. Knocked them out hours by now.'
' Check on them. We have no time to lose.'

Back in the cell, Zi Wei listened to their discussion through the wall. ' Could the siblings be Liu Qing and Liu Hong?' she said to herself. Confused, she wondered about the plan they were talking about. What does she, Liu Qing and Liu Hong got to do with it? She started to feel dizzy but tried to fight it. 'Must find a way to warn Huang Ah Ma but how?' She leaned against the wall, rubbing her hands to keeping out the chills yet she still could feel it slowly seeping to the bone. Her teeth clattered against each other as she valiantly tried to think up something happy for a change. She thought of the lovely spring blooms and the soft touch of the first snow falling from the sky. She conjured up images of her past adventures, remembering the fun they all had together. ' I wonder what Xiao Yanzi is doing right now?'

Well, our guilt-stricken Xiao Yanzi was following Yongqi throughout the city along with hundreds of soldiers. They only return to the palace after dark. Xiao Yanzi became really irritated. She could not believe there's no sign of them and insisted that they keep on searching. But Yongqi objected that they all including Xiao Yanzi herself were very exhausted and need the good night's sleep. ' You cannot help Zi Wei by tiring yourself needlessly. What if you bump into those rebels but you're too tired to even raise your hand against them?'

Xiao Yanzi angrily pouted at Yongqi before finally admitting that he was right (like always). She retired for the night but not before praying as hard as she can for Zi Wei with Jin Suo and the rest of the servants. Just before they go to sleep, Jin Suo asked Xiao Yanzi about what will happen if they never find Zi Wei. Xiao Yanzi hesitated. Jin Suo went on saying that all her life, she had been with Zi Wei. She cannot imagine how will she live without Zi Wei. ' Xiao Yanzi, have you ever thought of that?'

Xiao Yanzi closed her eyes. A solitary tear ran down her cheek. She slowly wiped it away before replying, her voice sounded so frail and weak. ' You know, before I met you and Zi Wei, I lived in the streets. There's no one who would look after me until Zi Wei came along. My life have never been the same and I couldn't even bear to think what if I didn't bump into you at that wedding. No, Jin Suo, I've never thought of that. Good night, Jin Suo.'
' Good night,' replied Jin Suo. She slowly closed the door and went to bed. That night, the cheerful swallow weeped bitter tears on the pillow.

Early next morning, there was a huge stir just outside the gates. There were people cheering and shouting. Mingyue were woken up by the sounds of Xiao Dengzi and Xiao Zhuozi banging the door outside. ' They found Meng Zhu Ge Ge!!! She's home! She's home!' they shouted. She quickly jumped out of bed and wake Jin Suo and Caixia. Xiao Yanzi, the sleeping beauty, angrily shouted for them to keep quiet. ' Quiet!! I want to get some sleep,' she exclaimed as she bury her head under the sheets. Just then, Jin Suo burst into the room and pulled Xiao Yanzi out of the bed. Xiao Yanzi pushed her away and started rubbing her eyes open. ' Yawn... It's still early, Jin Suo. I want to sleep more,' said Xiao Yanzi sleepily as she bumped her head onto the pillow. Jin Suo giggled, putting her arms on Xiao Yanzi's back and whispered, her eyes twinkled as she says it,' Xiao Yanzi, look in front of you.' Xiao Yanzi looked up. All of a sudden, her droopy eyes lit up wide. ' I think I am dreaming,' said Xiao Yanzi astonished. Jin Suo helping the stunned Xiao Yanzi up who cannot believe whatever she was seeing. ' Pinch me, Jin Suo.' She obeyed. ' Ouch!! You don't have to do it that hard. Wait a minute I felt that. I'm not dreaming. It's real. She's real!' Xiao Yanzi excitedly jumped up and down. Screaming in sheer delight, she rushed to her Zi Wei. Xiao Yanzi began to dance around Zi Wei still in her night clothes. ' Xiao Yanzi, stay calm. What if somebody sees you like this, ' Zi Wei teasingly warned. Xiao Yanzi impishly shook her head. ' I don't care. The most important thing is that you're safe.How did you free yourself from those rebels? Did they torture you or put you in a dark room? Show them to me and I'll surely beat them up properly to avenge you.'
Jin Suo walked towards them, her hand pointing towards the next room. ' Xiao Yanzi, Fu Jing and Er Kang is just next door. You might disturb them. And stopped bothering Zi Wei with your nonsense. She's most probably very tired.'
At the mention of Er Kang, Zi Wei rushed towards Jin Suo and anxiously asked, her trembling hands in Jin Suo's firm grasp, ' How is he? I saw him got shot. He is alright, isn't he?' ' He'll be alright now that you're back,' Jin Suo gently replied as she led Zi Wei towards the next room

Just then, Fu Jing woke up. When she got out, she was stunned to see Zi Wei standing right in front of her eyes. They both embraced like mother and daughter. Then, Zi Wei hastily walked towards Er Kang's bedside. Er Kang was still sleeping soundly just like a baby. ' I leave you with him for a moment. Zi Wei, I must say that you look quite pale,' she placed her hand on Zi Wei's forehead.' Oh my, you have a bit of temperature. I think I should fetch Taiyi,' said Fu Jing alarmed. Zi Wei cordially replied that it was just the flu and she'll be all right soon. Fu Jing refuse to accept Zi Wei's excuses so she hurriedly left to fetch the Imperial Physician.

Zi Wei sat beside Er Kang and lovingly kissed his pallid cheek, ' I've returned to you, my love, even if not for long. I was so afraid for your safety. When I saw you got shot, I imagined the worst. I'm so happy that you're safe.' Miraculously, right at that moment, Er Kang woke up. Her name was the first thing he said. He slowly opened her eyes to see the smiling Zi Wei right in front of him and he, too, smiled back. He tried to sit up but the pain was too much. Zi Wei held him down and told him not to move. Overjoyed, Zi Wei shouted for the others to come and see. They all came in and could not contain their joy when they witness the injured Er Kang greeting them a hearty ' Good Morning!'

Everyone was so happy with Zi Wei's return that they totally forgot about the kidnapping. Yongqi did ask, though. Yet, Zi Wei dismissed his suspicion aside by trying to evade the question. ' They pitied me so much that they have to let me go.' Qian Long on the other hand take it as a sign that the Red Lotus Society were a bunch of fools who would not dare to challenge the mighty Emperor Qian Long. Xiao Yanzi whole-heartedly agreed with him. The Empress, ironically, thought that the Heavens have cheated her out of her lucky stars and was full of doubts. Yongqi, too, could not push his suspicions away. ' There's something fishy going on and I'm going to find what is it.'

Er Kang started to recover at such a rapid rate that even the Imperial Physician was surprised. In three days, Er Kang can already sat up and eat by himself. Zi Wei too regain back her healthy glow and did not cough anymore. Her sore throat was also better. Since the day she returned, Zi Wei never left Er Kang's bedside and, together with Er Kang's mother and Ling Fei, nursed him back to life. But Jin Suo discreetly noticed that although Zi Wei was genuinely happy to see Er Kang healthy, she could detect that Zi Wei was acting a bit strange.

' Zi Wei, is something wrong?' she asked. Zi Wei brushed her concern aside by trying to evade the question.
' What makes you say that.'
' You seemed so quiet these days. And you always tried to gave excuses not to see Huang Shang. When you have too, you acted aloof and unconcerned. Why is that?'
' Nothing. Must be the flu. After I've drunk the medicine Taiyi gave me, I'll be all right.' Jin Sou was not satisfied. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yanzi came running with a white pigeon in her hands. ' Look, I found a messenger pigeon perched on the rooftop.'
' Xiao Yanzi, I told you not to climb on rooftops anymore,' said the exasperated Jin Sou. Xiao Yanzi rolled her eyes around, ' I know, I know. But look, there's a message here under its wing.' Zi Wei, started to grew uneasy, coolly asked what does it says. Xiao Yanzi began to read it. ' It's a poem!' she exclaimed.

' When the moon is full on the fifteenth night,
The twin stars will vanished out of sight,
Only the dragon's gem could bring back its shine,
Or doom will befall at the first sign

How weird... I wondered who was it for.' pondered Xiao Yanzi. She glanced curiously at Zi Wei who suddenly turned ghastly pale. She began to swoon, immediately she sat down as she began to shiver uncontrollably. ' Zi Wei, do you need to see Taiyi?' asked Jin Suo, tenderly placed her hand on Zi Wei's forehead. ' You don't have a temperature.'
Zi Wei shook her head. ' I don't want to see Taiyi. What day is it?' Xiao Yanzi quickly replied,' The fourteenth. Zi Wei, I do think you need to see Taiyi.' Zi Wei hastily stood up and yelled,' No!' Both Xiao Yanzi and Jin Suo jumped back. Zi Wei never used that tone of voice before. Zi Wei's hand flew over her lips as if regretting what she just said. Her eyes glistened with tears. She felt a sickening lump looming in her throat practically choking her up. ' I wanted to see Huang Ah ma. Don't follow me and don't wait up,' she said in a hurry as she flew right out of the room leaving the bewildered Xiao Yanzi and the skeptical Jin Suo. Jin Suo curiously thought out loud, ' Zi Wei is hiding something from us.' Xiao Yanzi indignantly pouted at her,' We're sisters. She shouldn't keep any secrets away from us.'

Jin Suo thoughtfully said, ' Zi Weis was very disturbed by that secret of hers. You've seen the way she acted. It was totally unlike her. She must have a very good reason to conceal this thing away from us. Xiao Yanzi, I think we should let her be. After a few days, things will return to normal again.' Xiao Yanzi raised her brows archingly questioning Jin Suo's hypothesis. ' Okay, I'm with you too. But to tell you the truth, I still don't like the idea. I wonder why does Zi Wei want to see Huang Ah ma for. '

That was the same thing Yongqi thought of when he bumped into a very distraught Zi Wei on his way back from the Emperor's place. ' Zi Wei, Huang Ah Ma is not here. He's out hunting.' Her enchanting face seemed to crumble when she heard Yongqi said it. She started to turn back for Shu Fan Zai but Yongqi stopped her. ' Zi Wei, I know something's wrong. I've observing you these past few days ever since the kidnapping. You're not acting like yourself. Whatever it is that troubling you, you can trust me with it.'
Zi Wei shook her head. ' No.. I can't .. or they'll..'
' They'll what?' Zi Wei started to retreat away from Yongqi but Yongqi grabbed her hands firmly not letting her go. She struggled but was determined to know whatever secret she is keeping from him. Finally, Zi Wei burst to tears. ' I cannot tell you.'
' Then, I'll guess. You know, I've been thinking a lot. It is highly unusual of those rebels to just let you go.'
' Well, they did! Now, please let me go.' Yongqi let go of her hands. Zi Wei walked a few steps away before hesitating. ' Yongqi, what would you do if I or Xiao Yanzi got caught by the enemy and you have to do something you totally hate in order to release us? I mean, would you do it or not?'
Yongqi immediately replied that he would. ' Your lives were more important.'
' Even if it meant to betray Huang Ah Ma,' said Zi Wei reluctantly. She glanced at the horrified Yongqi. He glared back at her. Zi Wei went on and said, ' Huang Ah Ma is also important to you. So, at the end, who would you choose?'
In an instant, Yongqi gave her that knowing look, ' Zi Wei, the rebels did this to you, didn't they? Who was it that they have which put you in this situation?'
Zi Wei refused to say anything and and ran away. Yongqi, dazed and confused, earnestly tried to figure out what was it Zi Wei try to tell him. It was obvious that they have somebody she cared but who? He rushed back to Jing Yan Gong and summoned all of his men and Er Kang's to assist with his investigations.

That night, Qian Long was surprised to see Zi Wei waiting for him. Zi Wei invited him to have some tea and a game of chess, ' It has been a long time since the last time they both played chess together.' Qian Long jumped at her suggestion. They played until it past midnight. Halfway in their last game, it seemed defeat is inevitable for Zi Wei. That was when Zi Wei suggest that they both place a little bet. ' Whoever loses will have to drink all what's left in this teapot.' Qian Long chuckled. ' What an idea... why not?' he said confident that he would win.
A few minutes later, it seemed that Zi Wei had turned the tables on him and she won. Admitting defeat, Qian Long drank the whole pot right to the last drop. Unknown to him, Zi Wei had slipped in some drugs she took from the Taiyi into the tea.When he finished, he felt a wee bit dizzy and said that he like to go to sleep. Zi Wei tucked her tired father in and wished him good night. When he was fast asleep, Zi Wei carefully opened an antique cabinet which was right beside her father's bed and took out a small velvet pouch which she subsequently placed it in her pocket. She returned to Shu Fan Zai immediately after that.

The next day, the palace is yet again were dumbfounded to find out that Zi Wei had ran away. Xiao Yanzi and Jin Suo found a letter beside her nightstand and presented it to the enraged Emperor. The Emperor was more infuriated when Zi Wei confessed that she took the Royal Seal and few jewelry out of Qian Long's room. He could not believe that Zi Wei dared to betray him, moreover, just for the sake of some jewels. Xiao Yanzi and Jin Suo refused to believe it. Xiao Yanzi loudly declared that the rebels were behind this and they kidnapped her again. ' They forced her to write that nonsense. Huang Ah Ma, surely you don't believe that.' Qian Long sighed. ' Of Course not, Xiao Yanzi. But all evidences pointed towards her. I could not do anything.' Er Kang, still bed-ridden, insisted on seeing the Emperor himself to beg for Zi Wei's innocence along with his parents and the ever benevolent Ling Fei. But Yongqi, on the other hand. removed himself away from the ongoing trial of innocence and began to piece together the mind-numbing puzzle in his head.

' This has something to do with that thing Zi Wei tried to say to me but what?' he said as he silently thought. He was at Shu fan Zai all alone with the letter Zi Wei wrote still in his hands. But he was totally at his wits end. What does she want with those things? He was just about to give up when he saw the Xiao Yanzi's white pigeon. ' Since when did Xiao Yanzi rear a pigeon. Wait a minute. It's a messenger pigeon.' Yongqi took the pigeon and carefully read the poem inscribed on its wing. ' Today is the fifteenth. So the rebels wanted to exchange the gems with these 'twin stars' tonight or they'll destroy those star. But what is this twin stars?'

Just then Xiao Yanzi returned with a very weak Er Kang and Jin Suo. They all looked defeated and every bit disappointed. It turned out that the Emperor had thought that Zi Wei has joined the rebels and stolen the jewels to help them. ' I mean, why does Zi Wei wanted to betray Huang Ah Ma, her own father,' said Xiao Yanzi in disbelief. Yongqi, stuck by inspiration, asked everybody if Zi Wei acted strangely yesterday. Xiao Yanzi shrugged, ' Well, funny you asked but yeah. She was not herself. Especially after I found that pigeon.' ' You mean this pigeon?' inquired Yongqi, showing the bird in his hand. Xiao Yanzi confirmed it.
Jin Suo agreed with her and told Yongqi that Zi Wei acted very aloof and refused to discuss it. ' It seemed like she have something to hide.' But it was Er Kang's answer that caused the pieces to fall to its place. He said, ' Zi Wei was normal most times except the part where I asked her how come Liu Qing and Liu Hong never visit me or sent their regards. Zi Wei looked very distraught and said that maybe they were too busy. I thought that was quite odd.'
Jin Suo, at the mention of their name, blurted out that the day before, Zi Wei asked her if she knew the exact location of Liu Qing's new inn. ' Did you tell her?' asked Yongqi. Jin Suo said yes. Hurriedly, Yongqi walked out. Er Kang called out to him asking what's wrong. ' Liu Qing, Liu Hong and Zi Wei is in trouble. I have to save them.'
' Let me go with you, ' Er Kang cried. In his haste, he stumbled to the floor. They all including Yongqi rushed to his side helping him up. Yongqi refused to bring him and asked Xiao Yanzi and Jin Suo to stay back and watch over Er Kang. ' Er Kang, I know you're worried of her safety. Yet, I don't want to endanger you or Xiao Yanzi. After all, you're still week and not fit to fight. You'll be safe here in palace. Please remember, Zi Wei's also my sister. I wouldn't let them harm her. I promise.' With that he was gone just before Xiao Yanzi started to protest that she wanted to go too since she was in a good condition to fight. ' Yongqi always leave me behind at times like this,' she complained out loud. Deep inside, she silently prayed for Yongqi's success. ' But I still hope that he bring me along.'

It was dark at the desolate street where Zi Wei was standing all alone. She stood right in front of the spot Liu Qing decided to build his inn. There's no one around as most buildings there were still under construction including Liu Qing's inn. The road was dusty and the air had an eerie quality to it. It's already midnight and as promised, Zi Wei had the Royal Seal and the jewelry Jialou asked her for. Zi Wei will exchange the stolen goods with Liu Qing and Liu Hong lives.She prayed that they were still alive. At first, she was unwilling to be used in Jialou's evil scheme but Jialou threatened to kill the Liu siblings if she did not comply. Finally, she agreed but only after she knew that Er Kang were fully cured. ' Oh, I forgot that stupid fiancé of yours. He was lucky that I shot him with my ordinary poisoned arrow. If I used the much lethal variety.... haha...' he laughed sadistically. Zi Wei cringed at the thought. Jialou warned her not to attempt anything foolish. ' If you tell anybody about this little deal of ours, you can kiss your friends goodbye. Understood?' said Jialou.

So, Zi Wei was sent back to the palace as a reluctant pawn in Jialou's game. How she struggled to keep this secret from her sworn sisters and the love of her life, Er Kang. When Yongqi tried to interrogated her, she almost spilled it out. But...

' Hui Ge Ge, you have come after all,' declared Jialou as he came out of the dark alley. Daiyung right beside him with Liu Qing and Liu Hong both struggling to untie themselves. They were shocked to see Zi Wei and shouted to her not to come nearer. ' Don't do it, Zi Wei,' shouted Liu Hong. 'Silence!' Jialou roared. ' Give me the things I asked for.'
' Release them first,' said Zi Wei. Jialou signaled Daiyung to untie Liu Qing and Liu Hong. ' Don't try to attack us. We have men all over this place,' warned Daiyung to Liu Qing and Liu Hong. They rushed towards Zi Wei. Liu Qing asked whether she's all right. She said she's fine. The impatient Jialou asked for the stuff. Zi Wei hesitantly threw the velvet pouch at him. Jialou caught it. ' At last,' he exclaimed excitedly as he inspected the Seal and the jewels. Just then, the whole place was flooded with lights. Jialou and Daiyung was overwhelmed to see they were surrounded by hundreds of Imperial Guards. Liu Qing, Liu Hong and Zi Wei pleasantly surprised by the soldiers' appearance. Some of them immediately escorted Zi Wei into a well-guarded carriage. Zi Wei straightway asked who ordered the ambush. They confessed that it was the Emperor's Royal Decree.

Then, they heard the sounds of horses galloping and sure enough, a cavalry of horsemen led by Yongqi, arrived. Yongqi boldly demanded that the two of them to surrender. ' Your brothers have been discreetly arrested and now it's your turn, rebel. How dare you tried to intimidate a young girl in order to achieve your own selfish schemes? I, Yongqi, the fifth prince of the great emperor Qian Long order you to return the Royal Seal and the jewels now.'

Jialou, who still cannot believe that he has been beaten, refused and said that he will fight to the last. ' I'll never surrender!' he screamed as he tried to get away along with Daiyung. The soldiers chased after them. Yongqi, Liu Qing and Liu Hong managed to overtook them both and a huge fight ensued between Daiyung and Liu Hong, Jialou with Yongqi and Liu Qing. Daiyung was easily defeated by Liu Hong but Jialou's skills were far greater than Daiyung that it was hard for the both Yongqi and Liu Qing to vanquish him. Brandishing a dagger, Jialou stealthily stabbed Liu Qing at his shoulder. Liu Qing fell to the ground writhing in pain. Liu Hong rushed to aid her brother. Together, they watched Yongqi fought against Jialou alone. The other soldiers tried to interfere but Yongqi stopped them ' It is between him and me!' Both of them were equal in terms of skill thus it was a long and weary battle. At the end, Jialou decided to trick Yongqi. The blade of his sword snapped emitting a foul-smelling gas. ' It is poisonous, get away!' cried Yongqi covering his nose. A few soldiers nearby collapse to the ground. Others quickly retreated. Liu Qing hastily carried her brother away from the poisonous fume together with Yongqi. Jialou leapt up to the rooftop, ' You cannot catch me, Wu Ah Ge. So long..' said the arrogant Jialou.

Just as he turn to leave, a loud swishing sound sliced through the cold midnight air and moments later, Jialou plummeted to the ground. An arrow protruding right between his eyes. Everybody turned around to the direction the arrow came. They saw a faint shadow of a horse with two people on its back. One of them holding a bow. ' They must be the one who shot Jialou,' said Liu Hong. Yongqi carefully strained his eyes to see who was it. When the horse got nearer, they finally recognized the riders.

' Xiao Yanzi! Er Kang! I thought I told you to stay back!' said Yongqi vehemently as Xiao Yanzi boldly jumped down from the horse. ' And miss all the fun, ' she retorted back. Yongqi could not believe that it was those two who responsible for Jialou's death. Er Kang asked for Zi Wei's whereabouts. Just then, a horsecarriage halted at he back of them they all turned and to their surprise, both Zi Wei and Qian Long himself stepped out the carriage. All of the soldiers bow down. 'Huang shang wan sui, wan sui, wan wan sui! Ge ge qian sui, qian sui, qian qian sui!' Zi Wei ran towards her beloved Er Kang. Qian Long on the other hand embraced his son Yongqi who bravely fought in his name. Xiao Yanzi beamed as she explained to all how she and Er Kang set out on a horse all the way from the palace after everybody else were gone. ' When we saw that evil guy perched on top of that rooftop, Er Kang brought out his bow and since he was too weak to hold it properly, we kind of cooperated and zooom....!! The arrow swished and flew right towards that man. The next thing you know, he's dead.'

Zi Wei turned to Liu Hong and the injured Liu Qing. Liu Qing insisted that he's fine. ' The wound was not deep.' An officer came up to Qian Long and presented the velvet pouch they confiscated from Jialou's dead body. Qian Long, holding the pouch, said to Zi Wei that next time if these this happen, she shouldn't endanger herself and she should tell Yongqi or Er Kang id anything was troubling her. ' Don't forget about me. And Jin Suo too. You know, Zi Wei. You have driven us all crazy with your cloak and dagger secretive way. I don't know if I can live through another one.' They all laughed at Xiao Yanzi's nonsensical chatter. Yongqi promptly announced, ' Come on. It's time to go home.'