Author's note: I'm so sorry for the delay. I have a rough time here, but no worries. Here is the next story. And... Happy Chinese New Year, guys!
Zi Wei and Er Kang's Journey
Zi Wei and her kids are on their way to the palace. She promised Huang Shang to bring her kids to Huang Gong to meet him. Huang Shang really enjoys the time by playing with his grandchildren nowadays, not to mention the little Ah Ges and Ge Ges around the palace. But still, Zi Wei is his precious daughter, which makes her kids his favorite grandchildren. Zi Wei smiled, lost in her thought. She remembered her sworn sister, Xiao Yan Zi and her brother Yong Qi, the lovey dovey couple that she misses the most. "Er Niang, why are you so happy today? I just saw you smile, for… let's see… the last five minutes?" asked Fu Xin Dong, known as Dong Er, Zi Wei's first son. His little sister Xiu Lan hugged her mother's arm, enjoying her scent that comfort her along the journey.
Zi Wei softly petted his son's head and smiled to him. "I told you already that we'll be going on a long journey, right?" she asked calmly. Dong'er nodded enthusiastically. "There, I will meet with my brother and sister." Zi Wei explained.
Dong'er nodded and gave her a boyish smile. "Which brother and sister? Er Niang, you surely have a lot of brothers and sisters here in the palace that I can hardly remember all of them. So, who are exactly this brother and sister of yours?" he asked again. Dong'er is just an eight-year-old little boy, but as he has a mother like Zi Wei and Er Kang as his father, he turns to be a clever boy after all.
"I haven't met them for about 7 years." She added. Yes, seven years has passed. She really misses Xiao Yan Zi. Although as a princess and Fu Jin she has to socialize a lot, still she misses a friend to share her feeling, a friend like Xiao Yan Zi.
Now, Zi Wei's face turned into a gloomy face. Dong'er decided not to ask any other questions about the journey, for he realized that his mother really misses whoever it is. He smiled and poked his sister's shoulder. "What are we going to play with Huang Ye Ye today, Lan'er?" he asked.
Fu Xiu Lan, Zi Wei's daughter thought a bit. "I could play the zither for Huang Ye Ye. I have mastered some new song." She said happily. Huang Shang feels so happy as he knew that Lan'er inherited her mother's musical talent.
"Oh no… no, don't." said her brother and shook his head with a disagreement. "It would be boring. Because when you play zither and sing, I could do nothing but listening. That's not a good idea, Mei." He said. Zi Wei smiled as she followed the conversation between her kids. Dong'er is really an energetic kid.
"Oh, why don't you play chess with Huang Ye Ye, Ge? I'll be watching near you." She said. Lan'er loves to watch her brother defeated by Huang Shang. She always cheers for her Ye Ye.
"Gee, Mei, are you really that happy to see me lose?" Dong'er sighed, a little disappointment on Lan'er's excitement.
Zi Wei laughed as she saw her children arguing each other. She hugged both of them and said, "Why don't you two play with Xiao Feng Ge Ge and Shi Wu Ah Ge? I and your father need to talk to Huang Shang and Ling Fei. Can you do that for me?" asked Zi Wei in a motherly tone. Zi Wei never talks to her kids in a high voice, even if she angry.
Dong'er laughed. "Sure, Niang. I can show Shi Wu Ah Ge some new moves that Ah Ma taught me. The sword master that Huang Ye Ye bestowed to Shi Wu Ah Ge really left behind, compared to Ah Ma." He said happily. Both Xiao Feng and Shi Wu Ah Ge, Yongji are Ling Fei's children.
They finally arrived at Huang Gong. They walked along the Imperial Garden to reach Yan Xi Gong, Ling Fei's palace. Zi Wei sighed again. This used to be the place where Xiao Yan Zi, Yong Qi and Xiao Jian practicing their martial art. Zi Wei dropped her kids at Ling Fei's place. After greeted Ling Fei, Dong'er and Lan'er ran to the nearest garden to find Shi Wu Ah Ge and Xiao Feng Ge Ge. "Niang Niang, would you come with me to Qian Qing Gong? Zi Wei really needs to discuss something with you and Huang Ah Ma." Said Zi Wei, requesting Ling Fei's presence to support her. Ling Fei gave her a motherly smile and nodded. They walked together to Qian Qing Gong.
The eunuch informing their visit. Zi Wei saw Er Kang already stood near Huang Shang. "Zi Wei greeted Huang Ah Ma. Huang Ah Ma Wan Sui, Wan Sui, Wan Wan Sui." Said Zi Wei. Huang Shang gestured her to get up and she walked to stand beside Er Kang.
Huang Shang smiled to them. "What is it now Zi Wei, Er Kang? What is that important matter that made you brought Ling Fei here too?" he asked. It used to be Xiao Yan Zi's trick to bring along Ling Fei every time they got into trouble.
Zi Wei laughed gently. "Zi Wei replied Huang Ah Ma. We got a letter from Er Tai week ago. Er Tai and Sai Ya invited us to go visit Tibet. I want to ask your permission to go and visit them. Also…" she paused. Zi Wei looked at the eunuch in front of the door. Huang Shang understood the gesture and waved his hand. The eunuch all left the door. "Xiao Yan Zi, Yong Qi and Qing'er will go with us along with their kids."
Ling Fei holds Huang Shang's hand, calming him. She and Huang Shang do really miss them so much. "You surely have to go, right, Huang Shang? And we will hear some news about Yong Qi and Xiao Yan Zi after they come home." She asked Huang Shang, giving her support on Zi Wei and Er Kang.
Huang Shang looked at Ling Fei and smiled. "Sure thing. I really miss my Gaisin Guo." He said happily. "And… Do you guys, by any chance, know if they have children?" Huang Shang really doesn't mind to have a couple of grandchildren again.
Zi Wei nodded. "We sent Xiao Deng Zi to bring a letter soon after we got the message from Er Tai. Xiao Deng Zi said that Xiao Yan Zi and Yong Qi has two kids, son and daughter. While Qing'er has a son. Xiao Deng Zi is really happy to meet them." She answered with a smile. Zi Wei understood that Huang Shang misses his son and Xiao Yan Zi more than anyone else in the palace, including Zi Wei.
Huang Shang nodded in happiness. "Ling Fei, help me to get something for them all." He said to Ling Fei. She smiled in agreement. "I will send them to you tomorrow, Zi Wei, so that you and Er Kang can bring them along." Huang Shang waved his hand, gestured Zi Wei and Er Kang to leave. Zi Wei knows that Huang Shang has been saving presents for Yong Qi and Xiao Yan Zi every year. And it's time to give them all.
Two days later, Zi Wei and Er Kang and their kids are ready to begin their journey. They use a big carriage full of present from Huang Shang. They left at sunrise with Er Kang ordering the horses and Dong'er by his side. While the ladies sat inside the carriage. It was a beautiful morning when they finally reached the village. Bird chirping around them. Fresh air and the sound of waterfall relaxing them.
They really enjoy the trip. Zi Wei played zither while Lan'er singing, they all have lunch on a field full of grass, playing near a small river. They really have fun. Until suddenly, in the middle of their journey.
Er Kang woke up immediately. He heard something. He heard people walking quietly outside their carriage. It's in the middle of the night, in an area where there is no village near them. So, they all sleep inside their carriage. The footsteps getting closer and noisier. Er Kang thought that the intruders are amateur. Dong'er also woke up. "What is that, Ah Ma?" he asked, whispering. Er Kang placed his fore finger on his mouth, gesturing Dong'er to keep quiet.
Er Kang poked Zi Wei shoulder. Zi Wei woke up. "I heard someone outside. I'll go check. You wait here with the kids, ok?" he said to Zi Wei. She nodded. "Protect your mother and sister, will you, Dong'er?" he continued in whispering. Dong'er nodded.
Er Kang quietly left the carriage. He saw a man in black behind a tree and the other near the carriage. One of the men saw him and approached with a sword. Er Kang quickly defended himself. "What do you want from us?" he asked. "Who sent you?" Er Kang fought those two men and led them away from the carriage, so that Zi Wei and their kids are safe.
"We just want your money." One of them answered and fought back. Er Kang sighed. He felt relieved. They're just thieves. Nothing danger. Er Kang defeated them in only a few moves. They both injured pretty bad. Er Kang left a pocket of money for them.
"Next time, find a better way to get money." He suggested and marched back to the carriage. He opened the carriage door and saw Zi Wei panic face. "What happened?" he asked.
Zi Wei gave him a scared look and glanced to Lan'er on her arms. "She is burning. I think this whole trip makes her tired enough to have a fever." She answered. "We have to reach Da Li soon, Er Kang." Zi Wei took more blankets for Lan'er and some medicines.
Er Kang nodded. "We go now." He said and ordered their houses to move faster so that they could reach Da Li next afternoon.
