Double Jade's fate

Troublemaker BaiLi Yan Rui continue to yell at his top till he loss his voice in the evening. His dinner is push through and he refused to eat nor drink. Man Chun informed Tang Li about it. Tang Li take her time to eat her dinner. When darkness falls, she walk to the human cage. That young man is jaded and lay on the floor with his arms spread out watching the sky. She lean on the human cage and begin to talk.

"When i was at your age, i was the same like you. Rebellious. Reckless. Fearless. I feel that the sky is within my reach there is nothing i can't do but reality tells me harshly that there is somethings that i really cannot do. For example, a decree from the emperor. No body can defy the order from the sun of heavens. If there is a person who dare, the whole clan will be punish or ruin." She turn around and look at him. "You are young. You might not know the consequence. When you know what the outcome is , it is too late." She pause and walk around the human cage. "Let me tell you, it's just two years in staying and learning in this camp. After that, you can leave and do what you want to do. Whether you want to continue to stay here or leave is up to you." 

Suddenly he sit up and look at her. He try to talk but he can't say anything. He see the bowl of water and gulp it down quickly. In his rough voice "I just want to go."

"Then continue to stay in here. Your father had made it clear this afternoon when he is here. He will leave you in my hands."

"You are just a bitch."

She smile and she kick her heels. She starts to walk around the human cage. "Do you want to make a bet? I bet you can't survive the training here in a month's time. If you managed to stay for that two years, you win. You can ask me of anything within my ability to do but if you loose, you have to stay another two years. What do you think?"

He stare at her through the human cage. She starts to walk around outside the human cage. Yan Rui starts to walk the opposite direction inside the human cage. Each staring at each other when they cross path.

Suddenly he stop "I will bet on it. Prepare to lose bitch." 

"You have bad memory, you have to address me as General Tang, troublemaker."

"Whatever! Now let me out! I want to eat meat!"

Tang Li stare at him and decided that he needs more punishment. She continue to walk in circles outside the human cage. 

"Finish your meal that is given to you."

She point to the plate of food on the floor. He looks at it. 

"Cold can't eat. No soup." 

"Your father is the marquis, do you know what he have been doing to contribute to this nation." The young man keep quiet and start to walk in circles. 

"You don't know am i right. Your father the Marquis BaiLi is the third generation marquis to inherit the title and the responsibility given to him. He has a vast number of lands to oversea. Your father have to know when the harvest is taking place when to do rituals. When and how much to contribute to the royal family. While the balance are paid to the farmers who work hard. Marquis BaiLi have only you to inherit all his titles and duty. Those food on that plate, is part of his hard work. Even though he did not plant those rice nor slaughter the chicken himself, he did something that allow all these food to land in our hands and feed this army. What we eat here is all from your father, Marquis BaiLi. So please be grateful that the meal is place on a plate for you to eat. If we are at war, do you think we can have a meal on a plate? We eat anything that moves and roast them. After that we eat them straight without plates! No spices for that piece of meat! All these are done while the war is ongoing. BaiLi Yan Rui, eat while this nation is at this peaceful. Your father he is now in his seventy. He is looking forward to hand over all his knowledge and what he learn. Grown up BaiLi Yan Rui. Don't let your father down."

After that she walks away from the human cage. Whether he listens or not is his choice. She have said what is in her mind. The rest is up to him. 

That night she sit alone in her tent. There is little light shining in but she is polishing the sword in her hand. This sword is given to her by her father. He hand over the responsibility of going on the frontline for the first time. The first time at the age of fifteen along with Xian Wen they charge the battlefield. The sword is stain with blood of many men. Battle after battles, she saw many men fallen on the field either injured or lost body parts. Or worst they lost their lives. Her responsibility as a leader on the Tang banner falls on her. Now at twenty-six years old without Xian Wen, she have to march alone on this lonely road. She tear silently. Now the sword is all shiny without the dirt and blood, she can see the mythical beast and the words engraved. She have to continue uphold her responsibility and keep her army alive. 

That morning, Tang Li walk into the weapon storage and check on the number of weapons on hand. Man Chun is following her with a brush and papers on hand. 

"Who is supplying the arrows? We seems to need more and the arrow heads too. "

"We already contact the metal smith for the arrow heads. While the arrows suppliers are doing the best they can." 

"Fine. What about that troublemaker ... did he eat his dinner or breakfast?"

"General he did eat. We collected two plates this morning. All clean plates."

"Good. Later let him out and don't carry his baggage. Let him carry it. Assign him a tent for him. As well as a team. Let me know which team is he in."

"Yes general!" 

"What about the rest of the noblemen?"

"So far they are trying to keep up with the training." 

Tang Li nod her head and continue her inspection. In the afternoon, she went up to wrestle with the soldiers that follow her into war. The ground is make of soft sand and they are fully dress. The new recruits are running past wants to watch the match and are amaze that a woman like her can take down a man. 

"If she can't do a simple thing like this, how can i listen to her! That's why i follow her into the battle field and take her orders. Look, she is strong and tough. No man can take her down in this camp. Except for one."

"who is that sir?"

"A prince. Her husband, Prince Xian Wen." 

"She is married??? Can't tell that she is married. Where is he? In the palace?"

"We don't talk about it here but i tell you guys. He is missing in the last war. His body is never found. After nearly a year, he is announced that he is dead. The coffin in the royal mausoleum is empty. Guys, remember don't talk about it here in camp about this." 

Suddenly the troublemaker stands up, He tighten his belt. 

"General!" All eyes focus on him. "Want to spar with me?!"

Tang Li sweep her long hair back and stand straight up. Her dark eyes stare at the troublemaker.