Chapter 4; Royal Banquet.

All arrangements had been finalised for the feast and the noblemen and ministers had arrived at the palace .Long tian xi had sent word to the soldier that the would strike at the sunset, coincidentally today was also the beginning of the Dano holiday* so all the villagers were gathered at the market place to celebrate making it easier for the soldiers because it was unexpected.

Meanwhile at the palace food and drinks were served and many performances were being held when suddenly one of the minister was shot with an arrow, someone from the crowd screamed the words "we're under attack and a once harmonious feast fell into tumult arrows rained down from the sky, swords had been unsheathed and the smell of blood filled the air.

The palace guards protecting the princess and her maids led her to her private chambers .They had been waiting in silence for what seemed like hours but no sound was forthcoming ,suddenly the lights went out and darkness engulfed the room. The sounds of swords slashing down the doors was heard.

"Tell the crown prince that the princess has escaped. I'll track her down ".

After the massive bloodbath the only males left were the king and his male relatives. All the officials and noblemen had been slain in cold blood while the all the women had been bound and kept together regardless of status.

The guards down in the village had also done a good job , everything was going according to plan.

"Your highness there's a problem the princess escaped, we don't know how but there's no trace of her" .Long tian xi had expected this to happen, she could run but he would find her because he just had to have her by his side .

"it's okay tell the general to round up the slaves and start the journey I'll meet up with you at the East peak river " the prince said riding away from the palace towards an uninhabited forest at the western side if the country.

Long tian xi had been I qintong thousands of times in the past but he was so swift in his sneaking around so nobody noticed him. He knew about all the secret passage ways in the palace but this was the only one that would lead the princess out of the palace safely if he was lucky enough he would be waiting for her at the exit of the tunnel as it took almost three hours to explore it.

Hao mei was beginning to get tired she had been going around in circles trying to find the right pathway, sadly that, like every other thing was not working out at all.

Just as hao mei was about to lose hope she noticed a streak of light coming from the only tunnel she hadn't entered meaning there was an opening at the end. Overjoyed she quickly walked in the direction of the light hopefully she would be out of here in no time and her family would be safe.