She looked around the darkening cold castle, though it was darkening the gleam in her eyes was reluctant to accept the fate now.She was sure that this castle was guarded by the soldiers.
She ran around with unimaginable energy, by the down, she would definitely found a way to free herself from this cold castle then she would directly head toward the east border.
Henan walked in different directions of the castle to find a supportable spot for her jump outside.
She found a small iron rod which she planned to use as weapon.
Soldiers outside never thought that the girl inside the cold castle was planning an escape, they lower guards because they were sure that spiritless girl was waiting for execution.
The cold castle was surrounded by wild shrubs.
The third floor and the back of its window perfect for her jump, she could cleanly land between the thin part of shrubs and the fled.
She first wanted to meet Queen. Henan had explored every corner of the palace and she could enter and leave without coming into notice.
A small shrubs part swayed lightly, merely they noticed.
Henan was out. Martial movements were always light and undetectable if carefully put.
She carefully walked a distance and then went toward the Palace.
The Queen was in her room, she was awake just now and was looking saddened.
How could a mother"s heart accept such situations? Mothers always went to the extent to save their children from hardships but now her son was supposed to be stronger in order to become the next ruler but still in her eyes he was a small child whose simple cough could cause her awake all night with concern.
Henan behaved like a maid and enter her room.
She saw the Queen and felt grief.
"My Queen_ this much worry would deteriorate your health_ and your son would feel not good to see this_ I am sure you would not mean to dispirit him to see you_!!" this familiar voice was promising and spirited.
Queen looked up, and her eyes lit up, "Henan... you came out of cold castle...!!" there was uncertainty in her eyes, she was not ready to believe her own eyes.
"I am afraid... I might not be able to see my son...he is captured by the enemy... what would happen to him!!" Queen was clutching her hair.
Henan spoke with determination, "Nothing would happen to him_ he is the son of brave mother_ I am going to find his whereabouts_ he would be back soon_!!" it was unclear whether Henan consoled the Queen or a.s.sured herself.
Henan was ready to leave but Queen stopped her and stood up with difficulty, went to her closet and brought out a sealed sword covered but its hilt was shiny and uncovered, it was not thick enough.
It would be sharp then.
"This is my family symbol which my father gave me because I was sole child of my parents_ from now on_ this sword belongs to you_!!" she gave it to Henan. Henan kept the sword because she had no weapon on her.
She sneaked out, the soldiers need enough time to find out that Henan was missing from the cold castle.
There was a long journey ahead of her and this time she was alone too.
She sneaked her favorite horse from the royal stable and fled.
Up to the time, Henan was only accused of the breaking of purest conventions of a woman but now she was going against every convention.
Life always gives surprises.
She was not going to disguise herself in a male outfit, because she was brave enough to face the outcome of her decisions.
If she was supposed to fight, she would fight with all her might not reserving even a bit.
If Wan Hu could stand for her, she would stand steeled for him, no matter what.
She would not plead if she was caught!
She could die during her journey...or she could be lucky to reach Wan Hu!
She set her thoughts aside and focused on the ride.
She crossed the big royal state in a day, she had learned how to survive homeless.
She faced a few barbarians and then started to cross a big forest.
In a weak journey, she was at the periphery of Kingdom Zhilan. One half of the Belle Forest was a part of Shang Kingdom territory while the second half of the Belle Forest was the part of Kingdom Zhilan.
There were many boundaries which were left without soldier posts because there was no apparent threat of enemy invasion there.
So common people could travel between Kingdoms after some minor investigation from the check posts.
She was entering from the Belle Forest which was without formal check posts too.
Before she could enter in the Zhilan Kingdom, she faced the wild angry bear, after sustaining small wounds she was able to get rid.
After the end of Belle Forest thick part, there came the bamboo forest of Kingdom Zhilan.
It was a famous forest for its peaceful nature.
Crown Prince Yong used to visit this forest for hunting.
She slowed down her pace because now she was in the territory of Zhilan Kingdom.
She covered her head with the hood of her dress, this dress gave an old woman whom Henan helped during her journey.
It was the fall of the seventh night of her journey.
Her horse was slowly moving while she was resting on the back of her horse.
The dying glow of the bright sun was finally getting dim, the light wind made it comfortable in the bamboo forest.
She thought to venture in the royal state of Kingdom Zhilan the next day and find out some information about the Palace till then she would rest herself for the small wounds to catch up and also she would be able to fix her tired appearance. It was necessary to not get suspicious in the royal state as an outsider.
In her resting position, she heard some vague voices and horse steps nearby.