Chapter 9

Two years passed, She stood on the roof of the cabin at the age of six-teen. Her clothes were worn but clean, made of different pelts and furs. Her hair was wild and free. The rough days in the forest and mountains had made her skin less white, and her hands were worn and calloused, but she was still stunning. Had she been pampered her entire life, she would have been even prettier.

She practiced her sword movements on this roof, her body had grown agile long ago. Her muscles were toned and tight against her arms and stomach. She was not as her name implied tender or delicate, but if someone were to watch her as she practiced her sword, they would see a type of beauty that was undeniable and as fresh as a breeze.

The sound of howling in the distance made her alert. She ran on the roof and jumped stealthily into a tree, then continued to jump from tree to tree until she saw the path the wolves had taken. It was a clear warning meant for her. Someone was on the mountain. She let a howl of her own, and the wolves soon darted back into the depths of the forest. She grabbed her bow and trained her eyes in the distance. She sat still, her muscles unmoving, the bow taught and ready to fire for several minutes before she saw the culprit, she relaxed the bow slightly but didn't put it away.

A woman was walking up the mountain in her hands was a small bundle that squirmed; it was held against her chest, making it so that no sound came from it. The woman was obviously scared and running from someone or something. She wondered if it were the wolves that had scared her so badly, but that wouldn't answer why she would come so deep into these mountains. Since she had lived here, she had only met four strangers. Even until now, she wasn't sure if they were sent by Xiang ge ge, because she never allowed them to see her.

The woman leaned against a tree almost directly beneath Liang Lai Jiao. From this view, she could see that it was a small child inside the bundle. She felt her heart flash with uncertainty as she looked down at the little set of eyes that met her own. A wave of howls erupted from the south, the same direction the woman had come. She raised her bow again and readied it. The woman ran deeper into the forest, missing the clearing for the cabin and running towards a tiny cave. Liang Lai Jiao watched as she hurriedly grabbed branches and sticks and anything else she could find to hide the little opening. There was an almost imperceptible sound of suckling coming from the crevice. She was trying to keep the child from crying by feeding it.

A group of men soon appeared in her sight. They were dressed in the attire of a soldier. Their blades were drawn, and their eyes flashing with killing intent. She inspected them thoroughly, noticing that one of them seemed different than the others. He was clean-shaven and well-groomed. His face was handsome and masculine, his eyes dark like ink. She had a memory of this person, but he was slightly different. This was the second prince, she was sure of it. The darkness of his eyes was something she could never forget. She pulled her bow back with uncertainty. Who was this woman?

She felt a pair of eyes on her and turned in the direction. A man in plain black clothes was watching her from a nearby tree. He let out a quick whistle, and the Prince glanced in her direction. She flew from the tree quicker than he had time to glance at her.

The group of men followed the sound of the swaying trees. She felt a slight panic inside of her chest but slowly realized that she was helping that woman by leading them away, and a feeling of peace washed over her. If she could keep out of reach and keep them in pursuit, that woman might have a chance. She jumped towards a tree a considerable distance from her, surprising her pursuers. She briefly stopped after the jump and let out three long howls followed by another short one. The resounding call of wolves soon followed.

The sounds of wolves seemed to echo from every direction. The men slowed their chase a feeling of uncertainty flickering in their eyes. They had been stationed at the nearby city of Qinhuageng under the direct command of the second prince. They were stationed there to protect the border, but because the majority of the country's northern border was covered in mountain ranges, they rarely had anything to do. Town gossip and intrigue became a type of entertainment. Within the town, there was a legend that went around and found itself in the barracks. A warrior ghost lived in the forest and controlled the beasts making them do her bidding. Hearing the howls, even the Prince felt a little nervous.

After a few more moments, they could not only hear the howls, but also the sound of running from the distance. Then within a matter of minutes, several tones of screeching hawks burst from the sky. The men were frightened enough to stop running, indecision filling them with dread.

"Get in the trees," Prince Yi Feng ordered. The men swiftly followed his command, and shortly after, there was a group of twelve men perched in trees readying their bows.

Liang Lai Jiao knitted her eyes together; she hadn't expected them to jump into the trees. If the wolves got closer, they would be in danger. She let out a long howl, and the sound of running stopped leaving the forest with an eerie silence. One of the men targeted a hawk that was soaring above them. The sight of it made Liang Lai Jiao fill with rage, she strung her bow and shot his arrow down before it had time to reach the hawk. The surprise of the men was evident. She was much farther than them but had been able to not only discern the distance, slope, and speed that was needed to shoot, but she also could do it, that kind of skill would surprise anyone.

"Who are you?" Prince Yi Feng asked. He had a rare hint of interest at the moment.

"I ask you, Prince Yi Feng, what business have you following someone so weak, with so much strength?" There was a burning disgust in her stomach that made her want to force him to defend his actions.

The men bristled at her voice. Not only was she a woman, but she also knew that he was the Prince.

"Are you calling yourself weak?" He retorted. He wanted to find her face but was unable to see past all the trees. He motioned with his hand towards one of his secret guards, telling them to move forwards.

The sound instantly put her on alert. She spent eight years in this place alone. She knew the sounds of the trees, the rocks, the wind, the animals, how could she not hear something so foreign moving in the trees.

"I ask your highness to keep your guard back. I don't want to make an enemy out of you."

"Audacious!" One of the guards snapped as he jumped towards her from the tree. "He is the Noble Second Prince, and you are nothing more than a servant! How dare you speak to him like that?" He wanted to climb into the tree and skin her alive. His name was Mao Guangli, and he had served the Second Prince since he was a young child. They grew up together, he respected his Master as if he were the Emperor himself.