**************FLASHBACK*************
…………The sun was nowhere to be found, hidden behind the dark and angry clouds. Rain threatened to fall at any given moment, but now was not the time.
…………A man in a tattered white garment was led out into the cleared space before the judge. His hands were chained behind him. Strands of his hair were unbounded.
…………“Wang Fong!” A woman screamed from the crowd, desperately trying to push past the guards. “He’s innocent….” She pleaded helplessly. Besides her stood her maid, carrying a child in her arms. People whispered and murmured to each other through the crowd.
…………A man uniformed in a silky red robe took his place behind a large rosewood de
…………“Zhao Wang Fong, how dare you not kneel before a judge! You are now a criminal brought in front of justice, how dare you not kneel! Now KNEEL!” A man that stood besides the judge ordered. “Jia Da Ren it’s about time.” He whispered into the judge’s ear.
…………Everyone silenced.
…………“Justice? You call this justice?” The man scoffed. “I have committed no crime. I should not have even been brought here! What JUSTICE is this?” He spat on the ground. “I’m an INNOCENT! I‘ve been framed!” He stated. “Jia Tian Qing you framed me!”
…………The two men that led him out approached him once again, shoving him to his knees, regardless of his struggling and screaming.
…………“We already have evidence and….a witness. What more do you need?” Jia Tian Qing reached for a slender piece of wood from a container that sat on the edge of the tabletop. He closed his eyes and hesitated for a moment before tossing it into the air. His eyes had not once met with those of Zhao Wang Fong, his sworn brother whom he, himself, had sentenced to death. Quickly, he left his seat. He knew that what he had done today would haunt him for the rest of his days or at least his guilt would. But, for one his purpose had been fulfilled.
…………The flat piece of wood fell to the dirt. A stout man carrying an over polished sword walked up to Wang Fong wearing a fiendish grin.
…………“WANG FONG!!!” The woman screamed as the sword came down on her husband.
…………As his blood splattered to the ground it was immediately washed away by the long expected rain that had just begun to fall. Even the heaven sympathized him and began to pour.
===================================
…………The storm had not yet ceased. Heavy raindrops can still be heard hammering against the window.
…………On the dinner table not one dish was touched. It had already been this way since Wang Fong had been taken away.
…………“Xiao Jie (Lady)…you must eat something. Gu Yeh (Lady‘s Husband) won‘t be coming back we must start without him.” Qing Er knew what was in her lady’s mind, but she had to live on with or with out Gu Yeh. It was becoming heartbreaking to see her like this.
…………“Qing Er! We never start dinner without Gu Yeh. How many times do I need to tell you this? Do I need to punish you in order for you to understand?” She sighed.
…………“Xiao Jie, you can beat me, punish me, or even leave me in the rain tonight as long as I have your words that you will carry on. If you keep this up, I’m afraid you might not be able to…Gu Yeh won’t be coming back anymore. Xiao Jie…” Her words were drowned out by tears.
…………“Bring Xiao Peng here. Please Qing Er, bring him to me.” Yue Mei said softly.
…………Her maid quickly smeared her tears away with the back of her hand. “Does this mean you won’t starve yourself tonight?” Her eyes reflected her relief. “I’ll go right away!” Qing Er hurried out of her seat and out of the dining room.
…………Qing Er returned with a child asleep in her arms but just when she entered the room, she heard a cry. Her eyes widened, it had belonged to her Xiao Jie. She rushed into the dining room in time to see flames quickly spreading onto the wooden furniture. The drapes had already caught on fire. “Xiao Jie!!” Qing Er held Xiao Peng close to her, trying to calm him down. The smoke was already unbearable. It was also becoming hard to see through the smog. Qing Er covered her covered her mouth with the palm of her hand. “Xiao Jie! Ni Zai Nar? (Where are you?)”
…………A large piece of wood dislodged itself from somewhere above. Qing Er saw something lying beneath it. Her eyes widen as she identified it to be…“XIAO JIE!” She hurried towards her but, just then, a flaming torch was thrown in through the window. It landed in front of her, blocking her way. “XIAO JIE!” Qing Er cried as she saw the beam land on Yue Mei.
…………She gasped in pain. Blood escaped between her lips. “Qing Er, take Xiao Peng and…” She whispered, “GO…!” Yue Mei managed to say with her last breath.
**********END OF FLASHBACK**********