Jin qing went back with a hero's welcome.

She went to the emperor first, who praised her for her wisdom and bravery, and said the people of that city wants to name her their patron.

Jin qing didn't care for the name nor the title, all she wants is just to relax until she is needed again.

The emperor invited her to stay in the palace for the afternoon, but she declined.

"Right now, all I want if to return home." She said quietly, keeping her head low

"That request is granted." He nodded. "The days of travel must have been hard on you, you may return and rest."

And so Jin qing returned, just as normal, heading straight for her room.

She was stopped by Xue Hua when they crossed paths.
They haven't talked since Jin qing was recognized as the Xue Xian, and this was their first interaction in a while.

Xue Hua curtsied, but Jin qing held onto her hand and lifted her up.

"We are still sisters," she smiled "why are you curtsying?"

"Sister is on a different status, and it's only right if I show some formality..." She said quietly.

Jin qing sighed "we are still family. Here, it's alright. I don't want this silly title to get in the way of our sisterhood."

Xue Hua looked up, her lips playing on a small smile "A silly title?"

Jin qing smiled and looked away at the sky, but she held onto her sister's hands "Its nothing but a title, but who I am doesn't change."

Xue Hua laughed "Why is sister so carefree if the title many would die for? Is the bond of sisters this important to you?"

"I grew up in the countryside without the knowledge that I have sisters, and I wished to treasure them when I return." Jin qing smiled "I grew up around the elderly couple's sons, so I knew no girls of my age until I came here."

"But," Xue Hua replied, stroking her sister's pale and soft hands "if you grew up in the countryside, how are sister's hands still so soft?"

"It wasn't always this soft. Time lets the cuts and roughness heal, but marks are always left behind," she held up her hands to her sister's face "see?"

Sure enough, there were small white scars scattered on her palms and hands, a few pale ones peeked out from under her sleeves.

"Oh, I see..." Xue Hua said softly.

"They knew I was of aristocratic birth, so they gave me gloves as I worked, it helped too." Jin qing said, looking at the sky, then looked back down "What about you Xue Hua? Where are you going?"

"Taking a small walk, studying alone is difficult."

Jin qing smiled "I have time, let me help."

<>

Jin qing listened as her sister recited her texts. Jin qing had it memorized long ago and didn't need a reference.

"Blossom, not petals," Jin qing without opening her eyes, her head rested against the heel of her hand. "And slow down, you must not rush when reading."

Xue Hua knew she must not get impatient at her elder sister, but she was getting a little annoyed.

She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted when she saw her sister's posture straighten and opened her eyes.

"Continue, quickly," Jin qing said hurriedly as she herself opened up a book and pretended to read. "Or rather, come, pretend to be busy"

She followed Jin qing's orders and quickly sat down on the opposite side of her. Xue Hua had just cracked open a book as Shang ye walked in.

Both girls stood up and curtsied, and in response, Shang ye turned to Jin qing and bowed.

"Xue Xian." He nodded.

"You may address me by name when in private." Jin qing replied, "I wish not for this title to destroy my last ties as a human."

"If you wish." Shang ye replied, "I heard about your success in that city."

"Success is not built on one man's back alone, but on the hands of many." Jin qing quoted.

Shang ye turned his head slightly to Xue Hua "Is your sister always this humble?"

Xue Hua smiled "Sometimes even more."

"What brings you here today?"

"My brother heard about your endeavor, charging out to battle with the soldiers, and sent me to make sure you were alright." He answered.

Jin qing grinned softly "I'm fine, thank you."

"That's good to hear." He said, and saw the pile of books that were on the table "Studying?"

"Yes," Jin qing replied.

Shang ye walked over to read the titles, then looked up at Jin qing with an amused smile "The art of war?"

"Yes," Jin qing replied, "It's one of my favorite books."

"A lady of war reading about it, fitting!" He replied, then turned around. "I have affairs that I need to attend to, I won't bother you ladies any longer. Though Jin qing, I hope you know that the army is very eager to meet you, and they would appreciate it if you dropped by for a visit."

And with that, he left without another word.

What he didn't tell them was that he came on his own free will. He knew his brother already is paying close attention to this immortal of blood and snow, and he will not let him gain the upper hand.

<>

Jin qing was alone with her maids in the study after Xue Hua left. Her mind needed to concentrate on other things, so she began to paint.

She wondered about Shang ye and his sudden visit and his strange request.

Why am I thinking so hard about this? She thought. Why am I thinking about this at all? I'm just a battle planner and problem solver, I don't need to worry about this.

Her hand suddenly shook and the inkpot tumbled across the table.

Bai yan and Ye bin looked up from the sudden noise.

"Miss!" Bai yan exclaimed and helped her miss away from the ink. Ye bing righted the ink bottled and wiped up the spillage.

The shaking stopped as suddenly as it started, and her two maids looked at her worryingly.

"Miss, are you alright?" Ye bing asked, kneeling next to her.

"I'm fine." She lied.

"Has this been happening more often lately?" Bai yan asked.

"No, not really." Jin qing replied, "Can you two clean up the painting and toss it?"

Ye bing frowned mournfully at the painting. The lifelike roses were ruined with black ink, right across the stem and the flower.

Jin qing shut her eyes and stood up and waited as her maids cleaned up the mess.
She gripped her cold hands tightly and bit her lip.

She needed something else to do to get her mind off of things.

She had just left the door when she was tackled by Xi yan.

"Second sister!" She laughed.

Jin qing smiled, she knew of all people Xi yan would be the least concerned of her current rank. "Yes?"

"Where have you been all day? I heard that you returned but I haven't seen you until now!"

Jin qing poked Xi yan's nose playfully "Was Xi yan worried about me?"

"Yes! We all heard how you lead the troops to battle, and I was worried if you were injured!"

Jin qing held Xi yan's hand softly and pressed it all along her arms and face.

Xi yan smiled "I see you aren't injured! That's great!" Then, she leaned over and tiptoed to her sister's ear and said softly "Sister, I want you to be careful. When you were gone, Yu assassins came to your room."

Jin qing looked up in surprise.

"Father told us not to tell you, but I figured to let you be ready if they come back. Would you like some more guards by the door? I can ask the father to do that much."

Jin qing smiled "it's alright. How did you think I lived through the battle without some knowledge on how to protect myself?"

Xi yan grinned and held Jin qing's hand. "Alright then! Hey, second sister, let's go to town!"

"Huh?"

"You just came back and you need to relax. Besides, Huan le is at the palace and Xue Hua is doing whatever. Let us go to the city together!"

"But Xi yan, don't you think that with m-"

Jin qing didn't get to finish for Xi yan already dragged her to her oom to freshen up.

<>

Jin qing knew a noble lady's days are spent in endless bliss and peace, but she never imagined it would be as annoying as this.

She wore simpler robes of lavender to her better ones won't get dirty. Because of her thin white cape, people instantly recognized her as the Xue xian.

Jin qing hated the constant pressure of eyes that was on her. She felt their stares press down on her shoulders as a dull throb emerged from her head.

"Second sister! Look here! Isn't this beautiful?" Xi yan asked, lifting up a tasseled hairpin in deep leaf color. Xi yan held it up to her dress and then to her hair. "Does it look good on me?"

Jin qing smiled and nodded.

"What about you, second sister? Are you getting anything?"

Jin qing shook her head.

"Can I get this pair of hairpins?"

Jin qing sighed and took out a small money pouch and paid for the purchase.

"Second sister, I'm hungry, are you?"

Jin qing accompanied her little sister to lunch and ate very little. Xi yan noticed this and put her chopsticks down.

"Sister looks upset. Is Xi yan angering you? I only want to make sister be happy..."

Jin qing looked up and smiled "No, seeing you happy makes me happy as well. "

"That's good, you had a very serious face on so I was worried."

Jin qing picked up her teacup and sipped on some tea, breathing in the fragrant aroma of roses.

A servant entered the booth and bowed "Greetings ti the Xue xian, is the two misses satisfied?"

Jin qing inhaled and shook her head. "We don't need anything else."

When the servant left, Jing qing looked at Xi yan. "You saw that, right?"

"The beads? Yes, I did." Xi yan sighed "no wonder you didn't eat anything but a few bites and only drank the tea your maids prepared."

"We need to leave, now."

They stood up and hastily left the restaurant, and Xi yan stumbled.

"Are you alright?"

"I feel a little queasy..."

"Let us go to the medicines shop. I am familiar with the poison, and it shouldn't take too long to make and the poison isn't fast-acting. If we hurry, the uneasiness should go by quickly."

<>

Jin qing sat in her room as Xi yan finished the bitter tea.
Xi yan gasped and choked the bitterness down and reached her hand out, which Jin qing promptly placed a piece of candy into.

"Oooh," Xi yan frowned "that was so bitter! But like you said, I feel much better!"

"That's good to know. And remember, no one will know about this incident."

Xi yan mimicked a sewing needle and sewed her mouth shut.

Jin qing smiled genuinely.

"What will second sister to tomorrow?"

Jin qing thought about it for a while, and replied "Why, does Xi yan have any plans?"

Xi yan smiled "Let's go to the palace!"