Concubine Li sighed before looking up at Chu Beijie and explaining in a defeated tone, "I met Pingting back in Gui Le at court. After the signing of the 5 year peace treaty, the King of Gui Le gifted me to the King of Dong Lin. I grew up in the Royal Residence, so how could I not know the famous Bai Pingting?"

Chu Beijie stared into Concubine Li's eyes, assessing the truthfulness of her claim.

If the Queen believed that Concubine Li and Pingting had a connection, then the unborn child was in grave danger.

"Duke, for the sake of this child, I beg of you to stay in the palace for a few more days. I fear the Queen will harm us. I will be giving birth very soon, can Duke not spare just a few days?" Concubine Li placed her hands protectively over her unborn child and broke down in tears.

Chu Beijie felt torn and sighed.

Should the Imperial Concubine Li be pregnant with a son, he would become the future King of Dong Lin.

Dong Lin had already lost two princes. If they were not careful, they may well lose their final hope.

That morning, the King received the requested command flag from General Linan and as agreed the King handed it over to Chu Beijie.

"Brother, preparations are complete, you can depart whenever you desire." Perhaps it is due to the joy of reuniting with family but the King's health improved greatly.

Chu Beijie hesitantly accepted the command flag. He never once hesitated over anything before. What is the correct decision? After what seemed like eternity, he turned to the King and said, "Brother, I still have some things to do so I would like to stay in the palace for a few more days."

It is already the fourth day since arriving at the capital.

In just six days it would be his birthday.

The secluded mountain residence was very peaceful.

The guards stood outside whilst the young maids worked inside, looks were exchanged as familiar faces greeted one another with occasional encounters. Love was in the air.

Hongqiang upon noting that Zuiju was accompanying Pingting, smiled as she slipped outside to play. Pingting and Zuiju did not mind.

There was little snowfall these days, and the sun shone brightly. Its warm rays melted the thin layer of ice and snow on the ground. Zuiju was always worried about Pingting slipping hence insisted on accompanying her every time she went for a walk.

"Please take care, the ground is slippery."

Pingting stood beneath the plum blossom tree, stretching to pluck the buds. She laughed, "Every single time I take a step you keep reminding me. If you're that worried, you may as well help me then."

Helpless, Zuiju could only move to help Pingting with her task by pulling down the plum tree branches, allowing her to pluck the buds.

"Didn't you wish to display these in your room?"

"No," Pingting mischievously replied, revealing a cheeky smile, "for cooking."

"Cooking?"

She could just imagine the fragrant smell of crane boiled in a mixture of herbs and plum blossom buds.

Pingting cheerfully placed the flower buds and blossoms into a small dish as she began, "I suddenly recall reading in an old text about the medical properties of plum blossoms. I plan to add these buds together with some sugar, salt, wine and winter vegetables and make some preserves in the traditional Gui Le style. When the Duke returns, we can enjoy some together."

Zuiju quickly reminded, "I have never heard of the idea of using plum blossoms in medicine, so I have no idea of its effects. It should be fine for the Duke to try some but you must take care."

"I know", Pingting replied, "Haven't I followed your nutritional guidelines?"

Realising how far her thoughts had wandered and the truth in Zuiju's words, Pingting cheeks darkened in embarrassment.

"It's such a shame that it's winter, there are very few flowers in bloom. Once Spring and Summer arrive there will be many more to choose from and we can make so many dishes. For example, there are more than five ways of cooking to cook a peony." Pingting continued whilst picking more buds. After a while however she began to feel a bit tired. Since she was currently pregnant with Chu Beijie's child, she must never risk overexerting herself. Pingting handed her plate to Zuiju, and the two of them returned to Pingting's quarters.

"It's sunset already." Pingting remarked, "The Duke should have received the command flag by now."

She was only half correct.

Chu Beijie had long received the command flag but he had still yet to depart.

Chu Beijie was guarding Concubine Li's residence. On the outside he looked calm and collected as always, inside he was very anxious.

On the dawning of the fifth day, he had already missed his planned departure date.

He wondered how Pingting was coping. She was eager to celebrate his birthday together. He feared how greatly she would be hurt by his broken promise.

He wouldn't be able to bear it if he caused that utterly desolate look to appear in her eyes again.

"Will Duke keep me company? It will snow tomorrow. Please allow me to play some music for you to appreciate the snowfall."

She had already been disappointed by him once before.

Yet she would be disappointed once more.

His Brother, his Sister-in-Law, Concubine Li, Chu Zairan and all of the citizens would never understand the way her music, her voice, her slender fingers, her pale red lips and her elegant composure haunted his every thought. He longed for her presence.

The palace was grand but empty. There was fine food and great beauties yet no cure for this feeling of longing.

"I will try my best."

He longed to wrap his arms around her delicate frame and admire the blossoming Spring and the waxing autumn moon together with her to travel to the very ends of the world with her, admiring nature's gifts and never to be parted. He would protect her, never allowing the slightest harm to befall her or allow her to feel any pain.

Yet he was faced with a dilemma. It was a decision that would make or break his very country. How could he possibly choose a woman over the peace and prosperity of his very people, even if she was the only woman he would ever love? Birthdays come and go each year without fail. As for the bloodline of the Dong Lin King...this was the final ray of hope.

Little did he know, the messengers Chu Beijie sent out to Pingting had in fact been intercepted by the Queen.

The Queen's face was pale with shock as she slowly stepped into the King's residence and greeted the King. She waved for the palace attendents to leave.

"My Queen, why do you look so pale?" Asked the King once they were alone, "Hasn't my Brother stayed back?"

The Queen's head was decorated with a pearl phoenix ornament. With a stiffly straight back she slowly sat down as if she had a world of troubles and no idea where to start.

After finally calming down her pounding heart, the Queen retrieved a letter from her belt and placed it before the King and said with a raspy voice, "This was just intercepted, the receiver is the Duke of Zhen-Bei, I believe King will find the identity of the sender quite shocking."

The King picked up the letter and glanced at it before exclaiming, "Bei Mo's General Ze Yin?" The Queen appeared very anxious. Biting her lip, she stammered out, "The contents are very shocking, King."

It was a very long letter but the King dared not to dismiss any word. He carefully read the contents before finally ending up at the final line – the mastermind behind this was He Xia. The final words kept reverberating in his mind, mocking him. After a while he finally let out a long breath and looked up at his Queen's pained expression. "What does my Queen think of this?"

"I have already ordered for people to confirm the identity of the sender; this is indeed Ze Yin's handwriting. This seal is also his personal seal; there is no mistake."

"Ze Yin shouldn't have any connection with my Brother so why would he send a letter to him?"

"No matter what, Ze Yin has no need to lie in his letter. Revealing the plot between He Xia and the King of Bei Mo, puts himself in a position of unnecessary danger." The Queen's eyes were watery as she gazed at the King. She shutted her eyes as if they would shield her from this reality. He painfully cried out, "He Xia...my poor children, it was He Xia..."