Another AU idea that just popped into my mind. What would have happened had QianLong gone back for YuHe? Borrowing from some plot points from the New HZGG and some conversations from the original HZGG.
Parallels: ZiWei
ZiWei was four when she saw her mother smile for the first time without sadness. Surely the man in front of them could not be her father. She had no father. How often had her cousins been rude to her and her uncle been snide to her mother for such a reasons? And yet, her mother looked so radiantly happy. Her childish mind was made up then and there that she would forever be indebted to this stranger.
When the man turned his surprised attention to her, she could only dutifully curtsy and follow her mother's urgings to call him 'Ah Ma.' She was glad to leave JiNan, not because she did not appreciate the beauty of the city, but because finally her mother was happy.
Soon enough, she learned to add another word to his title. 'Huang Ah Ma.' To think that her father was the actual Emperor! During the journey back to the capital, however, she thought of him only as father. His kindness to her added to her resolution to be a good daughter.
ZiWei soon learned that life in the Forbidden Palace did not mean an end to her mother's waiting. Indeed, ZiWei often saw sadness returning to her mother's expressions. Her father had kept his promise, but ZiWei realized that he also had promises to keep to others.
She was six when she was sent to Lao Fo Ye for safety. Her mother, her beautiful, kind mother, had been so still. ZiWei will never forget the brightness of the trickle of blood that stood in such harsh contrast to her mother's pale face. Through her tears, she barely registered her surroundings, only that her mother's hand was too cold. She felt someone attempt to remove her from her mother's side, but she held firm, as though with her touch, her mother's warmth would return.
Then, her father was there. She heard his voice, so laden with sadness, call her name and the promise she had made to herself reminded her of her duty. With one last hiccup, she reached up and wiped away the tears on his own face. With a calmness she did not know she could possess, she nodded quietly to his request that she follow him to Ci Ning Gong. She turned back, only once, to see the whole room on bended knees and the crowd of Tai Yi's shaking their heads.
Poison, she later heard one of the maids whisper. Poison. But of course. She heard about the investigation that followed, heard about the executions and the banishments. The roar of a furious dragon echoed throughout each corner of the Palace.
Perhaps only she saw the guilt and heartbreak beneath the anger that shrouded her father's sorrow. So, she played the qin for him, just as her mother had done. In her best penmanship, she wrote a poem, trying to tell him in her own quiet way that despite all that had happened, her mother had been happy. "My dear child," her father had whispered, and seemed to be unable to say more.
Garbed in white, she went through all the motions required of her. Lao Fo Ye, though she never quite approved of Xia Yu He and her daughter, nonetheless cared enough for her son and had enough pity for the silent little girl to do what she could to shelter the child. The Dowager Empress did not have warmth to give, but ZiWei was grateful for the protection.
ZiWei grieved, but she knew she had to be strong as well. For herself, for her father. Still, she was but a child and moments would still find her in quiet tears.
Taking her hand off her qin, she wiped stubbornly at her eyes. No, the day was too full of sunshine and the flowers in her small corner of the garden too beautiful to waste it on sadness. A touch on her shoulder startled her. Turning, she saw a boy standing there, a handkerchief offered in his outstretched hand.
"Zi We Ge Ge," he bowed.
"I'm sorry," she said, "you are…?"
"Fu Er Kang at your service, Ge Ge. My aunt is Ling Fei Niang Niang."
"Oh," she knew not else what to say and so dabbed at her eyes with his offering.
"Forgive me for disturbing your peace. Only I heard your song and felt obliged to find the source."
"I fear I do not play it as well as my mother had."
"Xia Fei Niang Niang's skills are widely known. I am honored to have caught a glimpse of it through your playing."
ZiWei murmured a quiet thank you.
"Though the song is such a sad one."
She smiled shyly, "I was just thinking that it was too beautiful a day for me to wallow in self-pity and was about to endeavor to play a happier song."
"If I may listen?"
She nodded and turned back to her instrument.
Fu Er Kang proved a quiet audience. ZiWei studied him carefully as she played. He must not be too many years her senior and yet had so serious a bearing. Only when he smiled, as he did in listening to her song, did she see a sign of his youth.
When an eunuch came to fetch him, Er Kang thanked her politely. Only after he left did she realize that she still clutched his handkerchief in her hand.
A few months later, a new little girl came to Ci Ning Gong. Qing Ge Ge looked pale and wane and spoke not a word to anyone. In the mornings, her eyes would always be ringed with red. Zi Wei worried about her but could not figure out how best to help her.
One night, Zi Wei heard a scream and rushed to Qing Ge Ge's room to find the little girl clutching her pillow in an attempt to muffle her sobs. Wrapping her arms around the younger girl, Zi Wei felt her heart stir with pity. Humming a song, she rubbed smooth circles on the other Ge Ge's back.
"There now," Zi Wei whispered, "cry it out. I still cry for my mother too. We are too similar, you and I."
Qing-er straightened, her eyes wide with the horror of her nightmare and her memory, "I can see the white cloth, see E Niang dangling there in the air. I couldn't save her. I couldn't save her!"
"Oh Qing-er!" Zi Wei felt tears come to her own eyes, "I didn't know!"
Qing-er shook her head, "I haven't told anyone. The servants knew, of course, but I couldn't tell anyone. But that image…will I ever not see it?"
"I found my mother too. She was so still, so very still. Her face frozen into such an expression of pain. But the shock will fade."
"How can you do it, Zi Wei? How can you carry on?"
"By remembering that I am not the only one suffering. I cannot bear to bring Huang Ah Ma further grief."
"How I envy you, Zi Wei, to still have your Ah Ma. But me, I am so alone."
Zi Wei reached out to hold the younger girl's hand, "Not anymore. I promise. Not anymore."
Qing-er's recovery was a gradual one. What few words she did speak were usually to Zi Wei. Lao Fo Ye observed the interactions between her two charges and felt guilty at the distant way she had treated her grand-daughter. Zi Wei might not have been born precisely within the bounds of propriety, but her patience and kindness won her LFY's grudging admiration. That the child could reach out and comfort another even as she struggled with her own grief belied her young age.
As the years passed, LFY found that she came to dote on both her charges. They were both growing into graceful and cultured young ladies. But it was their genuine sisterhood, so rare a sight in the palace, that truly warmed LFY's heart.
When Zi Wei was eleven, different areas of the country seemed to suffer from drought all at once. So, Lao Fo Ye decided to visit a nearby Royal Monastery to offer prayers for her son and the country. There, the two Ge Ge's were introduced to the ward of the abbess. Fang Ci, or Xiao Yan Zi, as she preferred to be called, was a rambunctious child who cared more for learning martial arts from the guards than Holy Scripture from the nuns. Strangely, though, she seemed to mind ZiWei's admonitions.
The abbess, in truth LFY's eldest daughter, could not help but remark, "Zi Wei is a marvel! I have never seen Xiao Ci sit still through prayers!"
LFY beamed with pride at her grand-daughter, "Her siblings all refer to her as the peacemaker. Whenever they quarrel, they always turn to their Zi We Jie Jie for a fair audience and judgement. I have never seen her raise her voice, but I know the other children live in dread of her look of disappointment."
"And Qing-Er! For one so young, she is so very observant."
"Qing-er sees herself as Zi Wei's protector I think. My Zi Wei is much too kind and sees too much good in others. But Qing-er, she sees more truly."
"My Xiao Ci, she is intelligent, only she does not apply herself as she ought to. I am too frail to be of much use in keeping her energy in check. I am glad that the two Ge Ge's are such good influences. I only hope that these effects are long-lasting."
"My daughter, perhaps the heavens gave you Xiao Ci to make up for your suffering. General Wei passed before his time."
At such words, the abbess felt a tear roll down her face. Even after all these years, the sorrow of losing her husband was felt deeply. Theirs had been an arranged match but she had been happy.
LFY sighed and patted her daughter's hand.
"How came she to be in this monastery?"
Grateful for the change in subject, the abbess answered, "I found her on my doorstep, then but a babe, with only her name and birthday pinned to the blanket. When we searched her basket, we found a jade pendant with her family name carved on it but nothing else. From the material of her swaddle and the cloths, she must come from a wealthy family, but no one has come to claim her in all these years. She gave us quite the scare six years ago when she disappeared. Thank heavens we found her again."
Nodding to two other children who were helping the three girls with their kites, the abbess continued, "Liu Qing and Liu Hong there, they found her. They were no more than skins and bones themselves, but they helped return her home. Xiao Ci became attached to them and as they were orphans as well, I let them stay."
LFY nodded in approval and the two smiled at the happy cheers from the children as the kites rose up into the sky.
The year Zi Wei turned thirteen, the palace was once more draped in white. Yu Fei's passing might not have left Huang Shang with the same grief that Xia Fei's did, but yet another child tasted the bitterness of losing a mother. Wu Ah Ge was on the cusp of an age to be master of his own household, but Lao Fo Ye, having always had a soft spot for this particular grandson, insisted that he also come to Ci Ning Gong for the next year.
Wu Ah Ge's presence also brought along that of the Fu brothers. Fu Er Tai was his book companion and came to Ci Ning Gong both to walk with Wu Ah Ge to their morning lessons and to work on their assignments. The two Ge Ge's, both well known for being well versed in literature and history, were often consulted to review the two's work. Indeed, afternoons and evenings were not uncommonly filled with word games and riddles amongst the youngsters to the enjoyment of both LFY and HuangShang.
Er Kang, who had started his position as bodyguard for the Emperor that year, was thus often present as well. The years had not changed his serious demeanor, though in the presence of his brother, he proved more willing to smile and partake in wordplay. His reputation for being gifted in both literary and martial endeavors in addition to the Emperor's favor had already caused rumors to circulate that the Emperor intended for him to wed Six-Ge-Ge in the future.
Zi Wei, who was fond of her older sister, was happy for her. Six-Ge-Ge was a sweet and gentle soul. Prone to illness, she was thus not as close to her siblings. Zi Wei and Qing-er, being the princesses closest in age, always visited her when they could. Though her interactions with Er Kang had been few over the years, Zi Wei thought of him as capable and strong and so could take care of her sister.
Two years later, however, when Zi Wei turned fifteen, Six-Ge-Ge became so ill that she never recovered. The same illness that ended Six-Ge-Ge's life also threatened not just the rest of the Palace but the city as well. So, the Emperor decreed that the court be moved temporarily to escape the epidemic.
Qing-er went with LFY but ZiWei would not hear of being separated from her Huang Ah Ma, particularly in his time of grief. The Emperor, even removed from the capital, did not rest in his efforts to ensure that the infection was controlled in the city in addition to his other responsibilities in running the country. Zi ei kept close. She ensured that his favorite tea was prepared and personally prepared his ink. With gentle cajoling, she also made sure that he actually rested. She played the most calming songs she knew for him, even composing not a few of her own, and read to him when his eyes grew too fatigued from the many documents.
Her care of her father did not go unnoticed. Er Kang, who had been one of those chosen to ensure the Emperor's safety, watched her quietly. Oftentimes, it was he who also helped escort her back to her rooms after yet another late night of meetings between the Emperor and his advisors.
On one such evening, she stumbled on the path and would have fallen but for his steadying grip.
"Ge Ge!"
Zi Wei rubbed at her eyes tiredly, "Thank you."
"Ge Ge, please, we can all see your dedication to Huang Shang. But you must care for yourself as well. What will he do if you fall ill?"
"I am well," she reassured him.
The two walked on in silence until ZiWei spoke again, "I am sorry, though, that I never thought to offer my condolences to you as well."
"To me?"
"The whole court knows that Huang Ah Ma intended a marriage between you and six-jie jie."
"Ah."
In answer to her questioning look, Er Kang explained, "I knew of course. I knew Ah Ma and E Niang were simply waiting for us to be older. But I must own that I did not think much on it."
"No?"
Er Kang shook his head. "I am not unaware that Huang Shang intends me to marry into the Royal Family. It has been an expectation ever since I was young. I have simply accepted it."
"You are a dutiful son and subject."
Er Kang smiled faintly, "Yes."
ZiWei looked at him thoughtfully, "You and Er Tai are so very different."
"Are we?"
"You have never truly seemed like a child. Even the first time we met, I thought you solemn."
"Ge Ge remembers?"
"I was in a particularly vulnerable moment, but you reminded me to think on the good memories I had of my mother as well."
"Ge Ge gives me too much credit. I remember that you had already been determined to soldier on. Your music had drawn me to greet you, but your courage left a profound impression on me."
Zi Wei paused and withdrew something from her pocket, "I never did return your handkerchief."
Er Kang blinked at the proffered piece of cloth, "Ge Ge has kept it all this time?"
ZiWei smiled, "Things borrowed must always be returned. Thank you, Fu da shou ye, for your company, then, and now."
Curtsying, she parted from his side and returned to her rooms.
Er Kang stood on a path a moment longer, his hand grasping the handkerchief tightly, before departing for his own quarters.
The illness seemed to pass away as summer cooled into fall. Zi Wei found that though she was happy to be able to return home and be reunited with Qing-er and LFY, she missed the conversations her and Er Kang shared. Time had done away with barriers of his politeness and her shyness so that she felt she could count him as a friend.
She was eighteen when she realized that friend was perhaps not an adequate term. That winter, she again accompanied LFY to the abbey, though this trip was more subdued as they mourned the abbess's passing. Even XYZ's spirit seemed faded.
"What is to become of me now?" Her friend asked, "Perhaps I'll join Liu Qing and Liu Hong at Hui Bing Lou. They're doing quite well for themselves."
"I'm surprised you did not join them already," Qing-er teased.
XYZ's reply was uncharacteristically solemn, "Tai Shi has been ill for a while, I could not leave her side. She is the only family I know."
ZiWei hugged her friend, "Do not worry, I'm sure she made preparations for you. Tai Shi is not without resources, you know."
XYZ sighed, "Perhaps."
"And if all else fails, we'll ask LFY."
XYZ looked to Qing-er, half hopeful, half fearful, "LFY never did like me very much. I am not nearly as learned or refined as you two."
"But LFY is of a kind disposition. She has cared for me and ZiWei all these many years."
ZiWei nodded in agreement but XYZ still shook her head, "You are her family. I am but an orphan with an unknown past."
"It is not like you to be so melancholy, XYZ."
XYZ sniffled, "I have missed you two. Letters are helpful, of course, but…"
Glancing at each other, ZiWei and Qing-er both hugged their friend close and let her grieve.
XYZ fell into a fitful sleep, but ZiWei found that her mind was too full to allow for slumber. Rising quietly, she slipped out of the chamber and into the cold air. Finding her way to her favorite spot in the gardens, she paused in surprise at seeing the figure sitting with his head raised up to the moon.
"Er Kang?"
"Zi Wei." He quickly made room for her on the bench.
"Is HAM well?"
"You need not worry, HuangShang simply wished to send heavier cloaks for everyone."
"Oh. Surely he did not need to send you for so simple a task."
"I volunteered."
"Oh."
A silence fell between them.
"You are troubled."
ZiWei shook her head, "Only a little. I cannot help but think on the parallels in our lives."
"Parallels?"
"Qing-er, XYZ, and I. We've each suffered losses at young ages. Such losses leave shadows on our hearts that can never be fully erased. I suppose we have also each been fortunate, perhaps me most of all. For I have not just LFY, but also Huang Ah Ma. But poor XYZ. Now that Tai Shi has passed, she truly has no family. She may act silly and rambunctious at times, but that's only because she uses humor to diffuse all her emotions. Caring for Tai Shi has changed her, made her subdued. LFY might say it has made her more sedate, but the XYZ I know has always been so full of spirit. I do not wish to see such brightness dimmed."
"She is fortunate to have you as her friend."
"It just does not seem fair though."
"You know the world is not always fair, Zi Wei."
"I know. I do. Only…"
"It will be well."
"I fear I lack your certainty." Sighing, she turned to look at the moon. "But such worries seem incongruous on a night such as this, do they not? No wonder I found you so transfixed. Have you ever seen so beautiful a sight?"
Er Kang glanced at the moon but then back to the peaceful expression on her face, "No, no I have not."
Something in his tone made her afraid to look at him. And so, she murmured the first line of poetry that came to mind.
ErKang was quick to answer in kind. Falling into familiar territory, Zi Wei smiled and continued their game. A sudden shiver interrupted their conversation.
"Forgive me, you are cold." Er Kang made to give her his cloak but Zi Wei stopped him.
"I should rest. As should you. You still have to travel back to report to Huang Ah Ma."
"Then allow me to walk you back."
ZiWei laughed, "I will not get lost in so short a distance."
"We are walking in a similar direction," he insisted.
"How logical you are. Very well."
They walked in companionable silence.
"Good night, Er Kang."
"Good night."
TaiShi, it turned out, did make arrangements for XYZ. Indeed, TaiShi had left XYZ all her worldly possessions. As TaiShi had not only been a princess but also a beneficiary of the House of Wei, those possessions were not insignificant.
"She named you her foster daughter, Xiao Ci." LFY explained, "And though we cannot induct you formally into the family, still, I can count as your grandmother in spirit. You should be able to come visit Qing-er and ZiWei in the palace."
"I can? LFY, truly?"
LFY nodded.
"Oh!" A giant smile spread across XYZ's face, "Thank you! Thank you! ZiWei, Qing-er, did you hear?!"
The two princesses laughed with their friend.
XYZ, it turned out, had big ideas about what to do with her new-found wealth. After discussing her thoughts with advisors that LFY suggested, she put into action plans to renovate some of the properties she held into orphanages and homes for the elderly who had nowhere else to turn.
"The heavens have been kind to me," she explained to ZiWei, "and now that I am able, I must help those who were unfortunate like me."
"Your dream of becoming a nu da xia has come true, XYZ!"
Qing-er's comment caused XYZ to laugh with joy, "It has, hasn't it?!"
"Zi Wei, Qing-er!"
The girls turned and greeted the emperor.
"And who is this young lady?"
"Fang Ci greets the Emperor."
"Fang Ci? Ah! You must be my sister's foster daughter."
"Yes Huang Shang."
"Are you also called Xiao Yan Zi?"
"How does HuangShang know?"
The Emperor laughed, "Zi Wei and Qing-er have read excerpts from your letters over the years. You cannot know how much laughter you have brought us!"
"Tai Shi always called me a ka xin guo. She meant it in exasperation I think, but if it brings such enjoyment to Huang Shang, then I willingly accept the title!"
The Emperor laughed again. "Now then, ZiWei, Qing-er, I was just on my way to find you two. I have decided that it's time again for me to see the world outside the Palace and inspect if my people are truly well. Do you think LFY would agree to allow me to steal you two for this trip?"
"When do you plan to leave, Huang Ah Ma?"
"In the next month or so. I am leaving the planning in Fu Lun and Er Kang's capable hands."
Er Kang spoke up, "Thank Huang Shang for such trust."
Though his words were to the emperor, his eyes were on ZiWei.
"Huang Shang, Qing-er would like to request that we include XYZ as well."
"Oh?"
"Huang Shang, XYZ has early become like a sister to me and ZiWei. She has kept busy with her projects, but I know her heart is still burdened with TaiShi's passing. I think such a trip will have a great ability to lighten her grief. Besides, I think her company will add a lot more excitement!"
"Then in that case, Er Kang, you must include one more 'ya tou' to your plans."
And so the matter was decided. LFY, though loath to part with her two charges, knew that the Emperor's plans had another reason. The girls had reached marriageable age and the young men who were going on this particular trip were the Emperor's top picks for consideration. Of course, she made no hint of this ulterior motive to the two princesses. When she heard that XYZ was to go on the trip as well, she was initially concerned. Though the girl had some semblance of a lady, her origins were still unknown. And so, for the sake of her own peace of mind, she decided that the time had come for her to conduct some investigations.
Just as Qing-er had predicted, the inclusion of XYZ made for a very entertaining trip. Her internal sense of justice meant that the group interfered on matters that might have otherwise escaped their notice. Still, she was able to make the Emperor laugh as no one else can. Under her influence, all members of the group found that they easily shed the rigidity of manners from the Palace.
Wu Ah Ge and Er Tai both found themselves fascinated by XYZ. As for Er Kang, he only had eyes for one particular lady. Qing-er observed these events and smiled to herself. So she had been right after all! Ever since the last winter, she had noticed the blushes on ZiWei's cheeks each time her and Er Kang's gazes crossed and the intent way Er Kang looked at ZiWe when he thought no one else was watching.
And so, when the group passed a wide expanse of open grassland, Qing-er brought up the idea that she and ZiWei should learn how to ride horses.
"ZiWei and I both have Manchu blood in us. Our ancestors conquered the plains on horseback. We must live up to our heritage. "
"What about XYZ?" Yongqi asked.
The young lady in question laughed, "I may not have Manchu blood, but I already know how to ride. I agree with Qing-er though, this open field is perfect. Lao Ye said we were to stop for a few days here, it's a wonderful opportunity to learn."
ZiWei was more hesitant, "Are you certain, the horses are so tall?"
"ZiWei, trust me, I won't let you fall."
At Er Kang's reassurance, ZiWei blushed but reluctantly nodded her head.
Qing-er smiled quietly to herself, "Yongqi, ErTai, looks like Er Kang has already chosen his pupil. I suppose that leaves me with you."
Er Kang was a patient teacher and ZiWei felt her fears slipping away quickly.
"I chose the most gentle of the horses," Er Kang explained as he followed at her side, "she is also older and so will be less likely to startle."
"Thank you, Er Kang."
"There now, you don't have to hold on to the reins so tightly, just enough pressure to guide her."
ZiWei nodded.
"How do you feel, Zi Wei? Do you think you're ready to move a little faster?"
Taking a deep breath, ZiWei nodded again.
They cantered alongside each other.
"There! Now you've got it!"
She smiled gratefully at him, "I have the benefit of a great teacher."
He grinned back at her.
"Do you know, Er Kang, I've never seen you smile so much than during this trip."
"Perhaps I have found a reason to smile."
She found that she could not meet his intent gaze.
"ZiWei, I…"
"Er Kang, do you think we can rest a little?"
"Of course. Just pull a little on the reins. Wait, let me help you dismount."
Rather than release her once her feet touched the ground, however, ErKang paused, "ZiWei, please, let me speak."
Looking up at him uncertainly, she nonetheless nodded.
"Remember when you offered me condolences regarding six-ge-ge's passing? I told you then that I was not grieved simply because I had long ago accepted my duty. It wasn't the whole truth. For my omission then, I apologize. What I couldn't admit then was that I felt not grief but relief. I know it's a terrible thing to say. I know your sister's passing caused you and HuangShang pain. But I truly, truly only felt relief. Because it meant that I didn't have to marry six-ge-ge. Because it meant that perhaps, perhaps I would have a chance to request HuangShang to let me marry someone else."
"Er Kang…"
"ZiWei. Please. As clever as you are, surely you must know. You are the reason for my smiles. That you had kept my handkerchief gave me hope. That night beneath the moon gave me hope. Please don't tell me that my hope has been in vain."
"I…" ZiWei reached up, "there, you see, you're furrowing your brows again. I think, I think I'd like you to keep smiling instead."
"ZiWei?"
"As clever as you are, surely you must understand."
When he continued to stare at her, she added, "the ErKang I know is always certain."
"I must admit that this is the most uncertain I have ever been."
"Are you certain now, then?"
"There, now there is that smile."
That evening, in the privacy of their room, Qing-er studied ZiWei with an intense look. ZiWei took pity on her friend, "Yes Qing,-er. Thank you, Qing-er. Your plan was a success."
Qing-er had the grace to blush.
XYZ glanced at them curiously, "What plan?"
Now was ZiWei's turn to blush.
"My plan to ensure ZiWei's everlasting happiness of course!" Qing-er laughed as he grabbed XYZ's hands to twirl in circles.
"Qing-er, Qing-er, stop! Stop! You're behaving like me. I'm still so confused."
Qing-er stopped and said, "Why, my plan for Er Kang and ZiWei of course!"
"Er Kang and ZiWei? What about Er Kang and ZiWei?"
XYZ's glance went from ZiWei's blushing face to Qing-er smile of triumph.
"Oh! ZiWei! And I thought of you as a true friend. How could you tell Qing-er and not tell me?"
Qing-er laughed as ZiWei hid her face in her hands, "She never breathed a word of course. But in this world, no one knows her better than me. Although, I suppose I am to be replaced soon! Gladly do I step aside though, for it was my intent all along."
"Qing-er!"
"Alright, alright, ZiWei, I've embarrassed you enough. We'll see tomorrow if ErKang does better with my teasing!"
The next morning, Er Kang let his touch linger a moment as he handed Zi Wei into the carriage. She blushed but returned his smile. Periodically, she found herself glancing outside the window and would catch him looking back at her. Such behavior did not go unnoticed.
"ZiWei, are you alright?"
"Ah Ma. I apologize, I missed what you said."
HuangShang laughed. "Ah! It must truly be nǚ dà bù zhōng liú!*"
"Ah Ma!"
"There now, ZiWei, you need not worry. I've had my eye on Er Kang, I'm glad that he is finally to be my son in law! Now then, Qing-er, ZiWei has found her guī sù,** when will you do the same?"
"Lao Ye, Zi Wei is to leave your side soon. I must linger a bit longer to keep you and LFY from missing her too much."
HuangShang laughed.
"Lao Ye, I am too happy for ZiWei. I feel like singing!"
"XYZ, what a wonderful idea! Yes, let us sing!"
"Do you hear that?" Yongqi turned to his companions, "their happiness is palpable."
ErKang laughed, "Our whole road has been one of laughter and song."
"Ge," Er Tai remarked, "I don't think I have ever seen you so happy."
"Really? Today is simply a great day!"
"Er Kang, how long were you going to keep us in the dark? You must remember, ZiWei is my sister."
ErKang laughed again, "What have I to hide? I have ever been forthright and honest. Yongqi, I promise you, I will do all in my power to ensure ZiWei's happiness."
"I know you will. Er Kang's right, today is indeed a great day. What say you to joining the ladies in song?"
Within the carriage, the ladies heard their new accompaniment and their smiles widened even more.
That night, an express letter arrivedfrom BeiJing for the Emperor. When ZiWei and Qing-er heard that it was from LFY, they were much alarmed and rushed to the Emperor to find out about the contents.
"Ah Ma, LFY is well?"
HuangShang put down the papers, "Hmm? Oh yes. Huang E Niang has been busy while we've been away. She sent me a most interesting report about our XYZ."
"XYZ?"
"It seems we must include a trip to HangZhou. Here, why don't you read for yourselves?"
ZiWei and Qing-er read through the letter and could only gape at each other in shock.
"I understand now," Qing-er remarked, "treason is serious and must be decided in the capital, for LaoYe yourself to oversee. And yet, there are no records of the Fang family's supposed crime."
"Should we tell XYZ?"
"Hmm…I think not yet. The whole matter is suspicious. I think I will send Fu Lun ahead to detect the details."
The two ladies nodded.
The group settled in the West Lake region and their days were spent visiting some of the Emperor's favorite sites. Fu Lun recruited Er Kang to help him with his given task and soon the two were able to present what evidence they had gathered to the Emperor. The expression on the Emperor's face grew thunderous as he heard their report and went through the evidence.
"Ah Ma," Zi Wei soothed, "be careful of your health. We had suspected as much, only now we have the evidence to prove our suspicions."
"Lao Ye, do you think it's time we told XYZ?"
"Yes. She is the true victim here. She deserves a chance to see justice be done for her family."
XYZ was bewildered at the solemn faces the met her when she answered the summons.
"XYZ," the Emperor said, "what do you know about your family?"
"My family? Lao Ye. TaiShi only told me that I had been fond as a baby. She had given me all that had been left with me." She reached into her pocket, "This jade pendant is all that I have left."
"XYZ, what if I told you that LFY has found your family?"
"Found my family? Where are they? When can I meet them?"
"XYZ, I'm afraid you cannot meet them. Your parents have already passed."
ZiWei and Qing-er were quick to come to XYZ's side.
The Emperor sighed, "XYZ, your parents were victims of the most despicable kind of humankind. Abusing their power to exact personal revenge! But don't you worry, XYZ, Fu Lung and Er Kang have provided ample evidence. Today, I will make right the wrong from 18 years ago."
XYZ nodded.
The sentencing of Liang Da Ren quickly spread through the region and was met with great cheer from the common people. For years they had suffered under his tyrannical rule. For XYZ, to look upon the killers of her parents as they got their just rewards, was bittersweet. When the matter was completed, she could only turn teary eyes to the Emperor.
"LaoYe, thank you. Words cannot describe how grateful XYZ is."
"XYZ, don't cry. You cannot meet your parents, but you still have a brother living. I will make sure that he is found so that you can have the reunion you deserve."
"Brother?" XYZ gasped.
Lao Ye nodded, "You must thank LFY when we return. She was the one who decided to look into your origins."
XYZ nodded, "I will."
"There now, this entire process has been most exhausting. ZiWei, Qing-er, I leave XYZ in your capable hands."
That evening, XYZ was missing from dinner, but everyone understood that the whole affair had been emotionally draining and so let her rest.
The ladies were going to check on XYZ after the completion of the meal, but at a look from ErKang, ZiWei quietly asked Qing-er to venture forth without her.
The two walked settled themselves at the end of the dock.
"Er Kang," Zi Wei admonished gently, "You should be resting. You and Fu Da Ren have been working so hard on XYZ's case. Are you not tired?"
He turned towards her with a smile, "Tired? Yes, yes I am. But I have also been missing you."
"Missing me? I never knew Fu Da Shou Ye could be so silly. I've been here all along."
Er Kang laughed, "Silly? I suppose I have been. Before that day on the field, my mind would turn to you, half hope, half doubt. After that day, my mind would still turn to you and I can't help but smile."
"I wonder that you still managed to focus on your task."
"I wonder at that too. ZiWei, I have been so very happy." He reached over and held her hand firmly in his.
She blushed but made no efforts to pull away.
"ZiWei, do you know, I think I knew that you were to be my future the day I followed the sound of your qin. I watched you over the years as you blossomed. Your strength, your intelligence, your kindness, your dedication to your family, each little detail only added to my admiration. When you pulled out my handkerchief, I thought for certain that our meeting must have been as meaningful to you as it was to me. But you were still so young. I couldn't bear to say anything then. And so I settled on becoming your friend."
"How patient you have been, waiting for me to grow up."
"Being able to hold your hand like this, being able finally to share with you all that I have had to hide over the years, it was worth the wait."
"Your reputation does not do you justice. What a way you have with words."
"Do I? Every word is true."
"Look above us, Er Kang. We do not have the moon or the snow this time, but all these stars are beautiful as well."
"Yes."
She shook her head, "Then, as now, I fear your attention is not on the sky."
"No," he agreed readily.
"Then, as now, my heart is full."
On their return to BeiJing, the Emperor wasted no time in appointing ZiWei and ErKang's marriage. The timing proved ideal as Er Kang was excluded from the extravaganza for Princess SaiYa to pick a husband. Despite the teasing that the younger brother was to wed before the older one, Er Kang was truly happy for Er Tai.
A year after ZiWei and ErKang's own wedding, XYZ finally recovered her brother. Fang Yan, or Xiao Jian as he preferred to be called, was bewildered at the turn of events but was gladdened that his sister did not suffer unduly in her childhood.
The year she turned twenty was a year of happiness for ZiWei. She welcomed the birth of her first child and celebrated the double wedding of the sisters of her heart.
She glanced above at the full moon and gave Er Kang a grateful look when he wrapped an extra cloak around her. Resting her head on his shoulder, she sighed happily.
"Remember when I told you I thought Qing-er and XYZ and I led parallel lives?"
"I could never forget that night."
She smiled, "I think I had been wrong then. Fate has proven kind and fair to each of us. I am grateful."
He wrapped his arms around her, "I said, did I not, that all would be well?"
"So you did. So you did."
Author's notes:
A brief comment on the ages of the youngsters in this story
- Qing-er , ZiWei, and XYZ are born in the same year, though ZiWei was born earliest.
- Yongqi is about 2 years older than Zi Wei. Er Tai is the same age as Yongqi. Liu Qing and Liu Hong (I'm going to pretend they're twins) are the same age as well.
- Er Kang is about 2 years older than Yongqi and Er Tai and so about 4 years older than ZiWei
- Xiao Jian is about a year older than Er Kang, so 5 years older than ZiWei and Qing-er
*"女大不中留" meaning when a girl is of age, she must be married off (idiom)
**归宿": roughly translates to home, final destination