Shadows of the Sword

[CrazyT]

Great updates. Can't wait for more!

[Tu Vi]

to ccsakura - glad that you are starting to like Carman Lee. She is one of my favorite actresses, grin. Yup, i like Nhat Phi too but we'll see, right?
to zzzbeauty- well, Bat Pham is a very odd guy. i think that he likes most people. actually, he likes everyone so Cung Hong is no exception. I have a great deal of fun writing this chatper, hope that you will enjoy it.
to CrazyT - thank you, update coming up.

Chapter 21- Haunting Beauty
Louis Koo- Kim Bat Pham
Julian Cheung- Tieu Phong (Little Wind)
Carman Lee- Nam Cung Hong
Vivian Leung – Vuong Nha Yen
Ruby Lin- Lam Tam Nhu
Nicky Wu- Vuong Nhat Phi
Vincent Jiao- Chu The Kiet

The Kiet regretted the words the moment they were out of his mouth. He was annoyed at his momentarily weakness. He didn’t know what prompt him to say these all too personal words. Perhaps it was because of the way Tu Diep had looked when she laughed. It has been far too long since he last saw those lights in her eyes. The light that had once sparkled and shone within her very being, and he had watched helpless as it dulled and disappeared day by day until there was nothing left but unending darkness. Or perhaps it was because Nhat Phi was one of the few people in this world who had dared to oppose him directly. Either way, there was no reason for him to say those words. An emperor never showed his weaknesses or as his father put it, an emperor had no weaknesses.

It was raining gently. The light mist drizzled onto the lush, green grass and the moss glinted with wet tears.
Tieu Phong sat next to Cung Hong as he gazed out at the rain-covered trees. The sun shone and trickled down in thin yet brilliant beams. And the wildflowers dripped with rain. He didn’t feel the warm raindrops soaking through his robe. His face was lost in thought as he stared at the spectacular yet somber scenery. He reached inside his inner pocket and pulled out a hairpin, carved in the shape of a butterfly. Its color was almost translucent and jade-like and there were countless shades flickering within its depth from deep lavender to light blue. And its left wing was broken. Tieu Phong caressed its smooth surface with a gentle finger as he continued to gaze out at the light rain.
He then bended down and dug a hole on the ground. He was about to put the hairpin inside the tiny hole but then he hesitated. His eyes were blank as he gazed down at the small grave. He bit back a sigh and swiftly covered the still empty hole. He then carefully put the hairpin back inside his robe. His actions were slow and tired as if he was a very old man.
"But since water still flows, though we cut it with our swords,
And sorrow return, though we drown them with wine." He muttered quietly.
"Since the world can in no way answer our craving,
I will loosen my hair tomorrow and take to a fishing-boat." Cung Hong’s voice
sounded from behind him.
Tieu Phong turned around and met Cung Hong’s penetrating eyes. Cung Hong was lying in a warm cocoon of robes and dry grass, protected from the rain by two robes spreading on top of the branches that hovered over her body. Ever since she was injured, she had only woke up a few times and then drifted back into sleep again. But this time, her eyes were clear and bright.
Cung Hong grinned at Tieu Phong even thought her mouth tightened with pain, “I didn’t know that you know Li Bai. Kind of ruin your reputation, doesn’t it?”
“What does?” Tieu Phong asked.
“The infamous Rodent who would sell his mother for twenty taels actually sits in the rain, and quotes Li Bai.” Cung Hong shook her head but then her face paled as pain shot though her shoulder.
“Be still.” Tieu Phong admonished, “you still talk too much.”
“As I told you before, I don’t like pain. And the only way to relieve pain for me is to talk.” Cung Hong smiled guilelessly, “as you probably have noticed, I like to talk.”
“No, you just like the sound of your own voice. Terribly vain of you, isn’t it?” Tieu Phong asked.
“This comes from the man who uses talking to get out of most dangerous situations?” Cung Hong returned with a lifted eyebrow.
“It takes less energy to talk than to fight.”
“To most people, yes. But to you, it takes more energy to talk. I have seen the way you killed those men. I have never seen anyone moves that fast before in my life.” Cung Hong said seriously.
“Why, is that a compliment?” Tieu Phong asked with his eyes wide.
“Would you please be serious for once?” Cung Hong demanded.
“Trust me, I am being very serious.” Tieu Phong said with a faint smile.
“No, you are not.” Cung Hong stared at Tieu Phong, “what is a man like you doing in the mo lam world with such a terrible reputation? With your skill, you can be the most respected swordsman in the pugilistic arena. Why would you purposely lower yourself and be despised by everyone?”
“And why should you care?” Tieu Phong asked.
“Because I have never been able to resist a mystery.” Cung Hong shot back, “And trust me, I will find out your secret.”
Tieu Phong’s eyes suddenly darkened and became utterly empty. He gazed at Cung Hong for a long moment, “sometimes, secrets can be deadly. Are you sure that you want to risk your life?”
“Is that a threat?” Cung Hong asked with a steely voice, “I do not deal well with threats.”
“No.” Tieu Phong said softly, “I do not make threats but only promises.”

Bat Pham walked slowly under the gentle mist of rain. He inhaled deeply and took in the scent of spring rain and wildflowers. Plum and pear trees surrounded him. They were bursting with blossoms and blooming in full glory. Their petals drifted and blown with the soft rain, sailing in a colorful carpet of lavender, pink and white. And it was at that moment that he saw her, standing near the stream. Her silky, black hair was blown back, revealing her pale skin and shimmering rose complexion. Curtains of flowers rained around her. A breeze whispered through her robe and flow around her slender body. There was an almost heavenly grace to her.
And yet it wasn’t her beauty that struck him but her eyes and posture. Her eyes were deep and fathomless and not for the first time, he saw infinite sadness and exhaustion in those endless depths. Her posture was ethereal and completely isolated. It was as if she was standing in her own little island, aloof and cut off from everyone else. And he felt his heart stirred at that. He always had a soft heart toward the wounded and the lonely as evidence by the numerous injured birds and animals that he had nursed back to health.
"So delicate her jade face, drowned with tears of sadness,
Like a spray of pear flowers, veiled with springtime rain." The immortal lines from Po Chu – Yi came unbidden to his lips.
Nha Yen turned around and smiled when she saw Bat Pham. She held out a hand to catch the falling petals. “Do I really remind you of Yang Concubine?”
Bat Pham smiled wryly as he walked toward her, “not at all, I do not think that you would let a cowardly emperor sacrificed you in order to protect his throne.”
“Oh? Do you really think that his actions were cowardly? After all, he was trying to save his empire from disintegrating. And he did love her.”
“No man should sacrificed his loved one in order to achieve his prize, no matter how great it is.” Bat Pham replied firmly.
“But some do say that the end does justified the means.” Nha Yen said as she fell into companionable steps next to Bat Pham.
“And in the end, what will you have left except for regrets and loneliness?” Bat Pham bended down and plucked a blooming wildflower. He handed it casually to Nha Yen.
Nha Yen lifted an eyebrow, “why do you always pick flowers and give them to me?”
“This is only the second time and it looks like you need something to cheer you up.” Bat Pham said amicably.
Nha Yen laughed, “Do you try to save everyone?”
“No, just those that I can. I leave the rest to humanity.”

“I am really fine. I can walk, see.” Cung Hong protested later that afternoon when Bat Pham announced that they would stay in this area for a few more days until she has completely healed.
Cung Hong wobbled on the first few steps and nearly fell down headfirst if Nha Yen hadn’t caught her. Her face was drained of blood and her lips were white.
“Cung Hong, you can’t move yet. It will disturb your wound.” Bat Pham said gently.
“But I don’t think that it is healthy for her to stay out in the cold either.” Nha Yen said with a frown. “And the dampness in the moss is not helping. Now that Cung Hong is able to move a little bit, we should bring her to somewhere warmer.”
Tieu Phong pushed up from the tree where he was lounging. “There is an abandoned manor not far from here. We can probably reach it by nightfall.”
“All right, then we would stay there for a few days until Cung Hong makes a complete recovery.” Bat Pham decided and Nha Yen nodded in agreement.
“But..” Cung Hong clamped her lips when Bat Pham turned and looked at her with steely eyes. She had never seen Bat Pham looked so determined before. There seemed to be an iron will beneath the gentlemanly manner. “Fine.” She said with a pout and was rewarded with one of Bat Pham’s full smiles. And it was a killer. She blinked in reaction to that dimpled and utterly appealing grin.
“Wipe off your drool.” Tieu Phong said next to her ear when Bat Pham had moved away.
“I am not drooling!” Cung Hong replied between clenched teeth and smiled when Bat Pham looked back at her with questioning eyes.
“It’s nothing.”
Just as soon as Bat Pham turned away, she shot her elbow into Tieu Phong’s stomach and then moved very slowly, but majestically away. And as soon as she was a few feet away from the annoying man, she reached up to check if she was drooling. And she was not. She shot a triumphant look back at Tieu Phong and saw that he was doubling over with laughter. She resisted the fierce urge to walk back and wiped off that annoying smirk. Instead, she settled for a very satisfactory fantasy of dousing him with wine and then watching him stagger around with a full-blown headache. And she would do it sometimes in the future, she promised herself since it seemed like wine was Tieu Phong’s only weakness.

She was grinning like a cat a few minutes later when Bat Pham made a wooden seat and placed her on top of it. And then Bat Pham and Tieu Phong proceeded to carry her toward the direction of the manor. Tieu Phong was grumbling under his breath and she gained enormous satisfaction from hearing him.

Lavender twilight was settling as the group reached the crumbling manor. Jungle of weeds grew around the mud brown manor. The wooden gate was rotting and the stone path that led toward the house was covered in moss and grass.
Upon reaching the house, Nha Yen went forward and pushed open the gate. The wood created ominously as it swung inward, revealing a dark, cavernous room where spider webs hung and spun. And there were the squeaks of mices and the scattering of some unknown rodents. Thin rays of the sun trickled through the holes on the roof and reflected palely on the rotten walls.
Nha Yen wrinkled her nose at the dirty ground. She picked up her pale blue robe and stepped inside.

Soon, a fire was blazing in the room and everyone was bathing in its warmth.
“There are two fairly clean rooms near here.” Nha Yen came out, “Cung Hong, you and I can take one room while Bat Pham and Tieu Phong take the other.”

Dusk spun into night as the moon rose past the mountain. Its light glinted silver into the room where Cung Hong and Nha Yen rested. But then a dark cloud sailed past and covered its brilliant light. And the world sank into darkness.
Cung Hong stirred from her restless sleep when she suddenly heard a strange sound. She stayed still as she cocked her head, trying to listen. And then the sound slowly increased into an empty moan. The moan rose into an eerie cry and to Cung Hong’s eyes, there seemed to be thousands of white shadows dancing on the wall. A shiver ran up her back and she shook the sleeping Nha Yen, who was lying next to her.
“Nha Yen.” She whispered urgently.
“What is it?” Nha Yen came wide-awake instantly.
“Look.” Cung Hong pointed with a shaky finger toward the wall, which was smeared with some dark substance.
“I don’t see anything.” Nha Yen said with some confusion.
Outside, the wind seemed to have pick up and the leaves and branches rattled together. The scent of rain blew into the room, bringing with it a damp, metallic smell.
It smelled of blood, Cung Hong realized. She grabbed Nha Yen’s hand as she stared at the wall.
A crackling laugh suddenly sounded from the window.
All the hair in the back of Cung Hong’s neck stood up and she whipped her head toward that direction.
She screamed when she saw a white skull grinning at her from the empty darkness. Its eyes glow red and rivers of blood spilled from their depths.

<font size="1">[ March 29, 2003: Message edited by: Tu Vi ]</font>

[ccsakura]

What a cliffhanger! I can't wait to see what happens next!
I love the scenes between Tieu Phong and Chung Hong. And Nha Yen and Bat Pham's relationship is developing cool..
Great Chapter!

[zzzbeauty]

Yeah, I agree, a total cliffhanger. <IMG SRC="smilies/blob.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/blob.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/blob.gif" border="0">

Tieu Phong has a butterfly hairpin and Tu Diep loved another man; any connections. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">
Hmm... according to my knowledge, Diep=butterfly.

Somehow, I kinda sense some foreshadowing in suggesting that Nha Yen is similar to the Yang Concubine.

This story is getting better and better; I am so excited and looking forward to the next chapters.

<IMG SRC="smilies/blob.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/blob.gif" border="0">See, i"m so excited, I can't even sit still. <IMG SRC="smilies/blob.gif" border="0">

[Bubeng]

Tu Vi,

I can see you did have fun with the last posting. Great chapter! I just wondered tho, why do you name the chapter "haunting beauty"?
The last part, was Cun Hong hallucinating or did she really saw the skull, etc?

zzzbeauty: That's very perceptive of you to put 2 and 2 together regarding the pin and Tu Diep.

[Danielle Lin]

interesting cliffhanger! please continue. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> and i really like how cung hong and tieu phong's relationship is developing too <IMG SRC="smilies/love.gif" border="0"> very cute how they pull pranks on each other too. i'm really curious about that pin thing like bubeng. that was really smart thinking zzzbeauty, i'm way too slow to usually catch on to stuff like that <IMG SRC="smilies/blush.gif" border="0"> bya- "jia you" with the story!
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><table border="0" width="80%" bgcolor="#dcdcdc" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#eeeeee"><font size="1"> </font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>
The one thing you can give and still keep is your word. <IMG SRC="smilies/doggy.gif" border="0">

[shootingst8r]

Doesn't Tieu Phong work for The Kiet? How can Tieu Phong and The Kiet's wife have anything going on? Or did i read it wrong?

[Tu Vi]

to ccsakura - sorry, no cliffhanger. i am hoping that the resolution is not too lame. and of course the secret of the manor is coming out the next chatper or so.
to zzzbeauty- very sharp reading, i am afraid that you have found out my bag of trick. Nha Yen = Yang Concubine???? who knows, right??? glad to know that you think the story is getting better since i think this chapter is a little bit off but blame it on my chem. grin.
to Bubeng- "haunting beauty" will perhaps be clear at the end of the story, grin. can't believe that you actually pay attention to the chapter's title. thought no one read that. wow. you can decide whether or not Cung Hong is hallucinating.
to Danielle Lin - more of tieu phong and cung hong. hope you don't think it is way too weird.
to shootingst8r - we'll see right? all will be reveal in due time.


Chapter 22 - Destiny
Louis Koo- Kim Bat Pham
Julian Cheung- Tieu Phong (Little Wind)
Carman Lee- Nam Cung Hong
Vivian Leung – Vuong Nha Yen
Ruby Lin- Lam Tam Nhu
Nicky Wu- Vuong Nhat Phi
Vincent Jiao- Chu The Kiet
Gigi Lai- Mai Tu Diep

“AHHHH!” Cung Hong screamed as her hand tightened around Nha Yen’s.
The door banged opened, bringing with it the cool air.
Cung Hong flew out of the bed, disregarding the pain in her shoulder, and wrapped her arms around Tieu Phong who had just rushed in.
“What?” Startled, Tieu Phong took hold of her body as Cung Hong’s legs trembled and gave out. He lifted a brow and was about to make a sarcastic remark when he saw her bloodless face.
“What is it?” He asked in a gentle voice.
“Look.” Cung Hong gestured toward the window as she buried her face on his chest.
Tieu Phong looked toward the window and saw nothing but a thin, bare tree tapping its scrawny branches against the wall.
“I’ll check.” Nha Yen offered as she flew toward the window and disappeared into the darkness.
“Be careful.” Bat Pham shouted as he followed her.
“Hey.” Tieu Phong shook Cung Hong slightly as she trembled violently against his body. “There is nothing there. It is all right.” He said soothingly against her rose scented hair. He sighed when she shook her head and burrowed into him.
“Fine. We’ll just wait until Nha Yen and Bat Pham get back. Then you’ll see.” He tightened his hold around her as she was about to slide down onto the floor because her knees were knocking together. “Now, tell me, what did you see?”
It took Cung Hong nearly a minute to find her voice, “a skull.” She whispered shakily, “with blood coming out of its eyes.”
“I see.” Tieu Phong said soberly, “then perhaps you also saw a dancing skeleton?”
It took Cung Hong another minute for the insult to sink it. When it did, she jerked back and saw stars bursting before her eyes. Her shoulder was aching like a rotten tooth and her legs were knocking together like a wind chime. She yelped in pain as she fell down on the floor.
She stared daggers at Tieu Phong who has crouched down and was now staring at her with mildly curious eyes. He made no attempts to help her up.
“You..” Lost for words, she could only clenched her teeth, “you ungentlemanly….”
“Yup, I am that.” Tieu Phong interrupted her tirade. He cocked his head when she stopped, apparently trying to breathe. He could almost see the steam coming out of her nose. And noticed that her face was no longer pale, instead it was fused with anger and rage.
“You..” Cung Hong grabbed a wooden pillow that had fallen off the bed and began to pummel Tieu Phong with it. All she saw before her was a glaze of red and his smirking face.
“That hurts. Stop that.” Tieu Phong dodged her incoming pillows but she was sneaky and managed to hit him on his chest and head a few times. He could swear that he heard birds chirping when the hard pillow connected with his head.
“Children, children.” Bat Pham’s amused voice cut into the chaos. But the enraged Cung Hong didn’t seem to hear him. She continued to hit Tieu Phong as the later feebly attempted to protect himself.
“We were only gone for a few minutes.” Bat Pham sighed as he turned to Nha Yen, “and look what happen.”
“Apparently we can’t leave them alone.” Nha Yen said in a dry voice as she watched the chaos before her. She walked back toward the bed and sat down,
“When do you think Cung Hong would be done?”
“Probably take her a few more minutes.” Bat Pham replied as he sat down on the only chair in the room. He winced every time the pillow smacked against Tieu Phong but he made no move.
“That’s got to hurt.” He commented to Nha Yen at one point.
“I should get the bandage out.” Nha Yen said as she folded her hands serenely on her lap.
“No, Tieu Phong has a very hard head. He should be fine.”
And their conversation continued with the sounds of whack, bam, and thud serving as a strange background music.
Finally, the mist before Cung Hong’s eyes faded and she stared open-mouth at Tieu Phong who was sporting a few bruises.
“Oh, my Heaven.” She whispered faintly as she dropped the pillow. Her father was right, after all. She did have a terrible temper when roused. According to the Ice Emperor, she had broken a few things when she was a child and things didn’t go her way. But she didn’t know it was this bad. She stared at the very injured Tieu Phong with guilty eyes.
“I am so sorry, are you all right?” She finally found her voice and croaked out the apology.
Tieu Phong stood up with a dignified manner, brushed his stained robe, fixed his flying hair and walked out of the room with a piece of his broken dignity trailing behind him.
Nha Yen buried her face in her hands as her slender shoulders shook. She knew that it was very wrong to laugh but she couldn’t help it.
Meanwhile, Bat Pham helped Cung Hong up, led her toward the bed and sat her down while maintaining his sober expression.
“Are you all right?” He asked steadily.
“Yes, I am fine.” Cung Hong said as she elbowed the still laughing Nha Yen.
“In that case, good night.” Bat Pham walked toward the door as his shoulders shook slightly. He closed the paper-thin door and then burst out laughing as he leaned against the stained wall.
“How can you possibly laugh?” Cung Hong admonished the giggling Nha Yen as soon as Bat Pham walked away.
“I’m so sorry.” Nha Yen managed to speak between burst of giggles, “but it was irresistible.”
“Hmp, you don’t see Bat Pham laughing. At least, he is the only sane one in this group.” Cung Hong narrowed her eyes when she heard the very ungentlemanly howl coming from outside the hall.
“And what did you just say?” Nha Yen asked as she lifted a brow.
“I don’t know where I got the idea that you are the most graceful and well-mannered lady I have ever known.” Cung Hong grumbled as she laid down.

Still grinning, Bat Pham went off to search for Tieu Phong. He found the later sitting on the roof, staring at the night sky with enigmatic eyes.
“Are you all right?” Bat Pham asked as he sat beside Tieu Phong.
“Yeah.” Tieu Phong touched the bruise on his forehead gingerly, “as you said, I have a very hard head.”
“You were listening.” Bat Pham smiled slightly.
“Hard not to, after all, you and Nha Yen were discussing my possible demise.”
“And you could still hear us through Cung Hong’s rage.” Bat Pham’s smile remained as he continued, “you know, this puzzle is fascinating.”
“What puzzle?”
“Of you and Cung Hong and possibly Nha Yen.” Bat Pham stared up at the glittering stars. The sparkling diamonds of the night appeared to be just a few feet above him on the blanket of the night. He could imagine touching them with his hands. “All of you are like the stars up there, seemingly close enough to reach and yet infinitely far away. Like the stars, you held unfathomable mysteries and secrets.” He turned to look at Tieu Phong, “and you, my friend, is the closest star and the farthest of them all.”
“You have a very fancy imagination.” Tieu Phong said dryly.
“Perhaps.” Bat Pham picked up a leave that had fallen of the oak tree that towered above the crumbling manor and landed on the roof. He twirled it and then threw it down, watching its path as it flew and landed gracefully on the mossy ground. “Perhaps not.”
“Where did you come from?” Tieu Phong asked suddenly.
“From the clouds beyond the mountains.” Bat Pham replied almost pompously. He laughed suddenly, “that sounds exceedingly arrogant, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Bat Pham smiled, “I come from a humble hut deep in the forest.”
“And will you return to it after you are done?”
“Perhaps.” Bat Pham looked at Tieu Phong with suddenly penetrating eyes, “why the question?”
“Why do you interfere with this? The White Cloud Manor has never held any interests in mortal affairs.” Tieu Phong ignored Bat Pham’s question and continued with his own.
“You make it sounds like we are no longer humans.” Bat Pham smiled cheerfully, “we are still very much humans and very much a part of the world. We must contribute to it in anyway that we can.”
“Are you sure that you are going the right path?”
“Ah, but what is the right path?” Bat Pham asked back.
“Do you believe in destiny and fate?” Tieu Phong asked unexpectedly, “and that a person is born to do certain things in this world. To some people, that is their right path.”
“Following their destiny?” Bat Pham shook his head, “sometimes, following what you think is your destiny can lead to your destruction. No one, in this world, can know their own destiny. And those who presume that they do is either arrogant or blind.”
"..Destiny is a boat on the waves,
Borne to and fro, beyond our will. (*)"
Tieu Phong muttered with his eyes gray and bleak like the winter sky. He laughed humorlessly, “it seems like none of us can escape our destinies.” He closed his eyes and laid back on the roof.

It was barely dawn, and the water glimmered and moved restlessly. The Kiet stood on the shore, near the end of the curved road and looked over the waves. Although he rarely had time for them, he enjoyed mornings like this, where the air was clear and the scent of flowers only an illusive reminder. He could breathe here and allow himself the rare opportunity to empty his mind and simply enjoy the beauty set before him.
He’d promised himself fifteen minutes, fifteen minutes of just standing there and watched as light exploded in the far horizon, illuminating the water scarlet and painted the rose pagoda with sharp slashes of shapes and vivid colors. As he stood there, he saw a bird poking his head curiously out of the low shrub. That was freedom, he realized, knowing your place and be content with it. And not for the first time, he wondered where his place was? His father would have tell him that he belonged him, no, that he conquered and commanded here but ever since he ascended the throne, The Kiet has wondered and has grieved.

“So did you find anything last night?” Cung Hong asked Nha Yen the next morning as they sat in the main, rotting hall.
“No, nothing, not even a footprint. Bat Pham and I have combed the nearby vicinity and if anyone was there, we would have notice.”
“So it might have been a spirit or ghost.” Cung Hong said with her eyes wide. “Your lightness kung fu is among the best in the pugilist world. And if you couldn’t find anything, then that meant that whoever it was wasn’t human.”
“There is no such thing as spirits.” A masculine voice sounded from behind her.
Cung Hong barely restrained a yelp as she turned around slowly. And as she had dreaded, he stood there with his faded bruises and lofty grin. She had tossed and turned last night and came to the grim conclusion that no matter what he did, she had behaved very badly. There was no other choice, she straightened her shoulder and looked straight into Tieu Phong’s eyes.
“I sincerely apologize for my behaviors last night and I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” She said in a rush, wanting to get it over with.
“Wow, be still my heart.” Tieu Phong held a hand to his chest. “Did Nam Cung Hong from the exhaled Ice Palace actually apologize to humble, little me?” He gasped, “Oh, I need to have this bronze.” He rubbed his eyes, “Or mayhap I am dreaming? Because Nam Cung Hong would never apologize to an ungentlemanly rodent like I.”
“Would you just stop it and accept my apology?” Cung Hong stomped on Tieu Phong’s foot.
Tieu Phong yowled and stepped away from her. He winced, “well, since you put it that way and since I am such a gracious gentleman, all is forgotten.”
“Ahhh!” Cung Hong resisted the urge to reach up and tear out her hair. Instead, she concentrated on the meatless bun in her hand.
Tieu Phong sat down next to her and nudged to the plate of buns toward him, “so how did you sleep last night after your violent encounter with my poor brain?”
“You said you forgive me.” Cung Hong said indignantly.
“Well, I did.” Tieu Phong rubbed his chin, “but I didn’t say that I would forget it.”
“Oh, heaven, what have I done to deserve this?” Cung Hong lifted her eyes toward the sky as Tieu Phong continued to tease her.
Bat Pham who had just entered a few minutes ago smiled at the ceaseless bickering, met Nha Yen’s amused gaze and felt that the world was at peace.

(*) the poem is written by Wei Yingwu and translated by unknown.
]

<font size="1">[ April 01, 2003: Message edited by: Tu Vi ]</font>

[Bubeng]

"wow. you can't decide whether or not Cung Hong is hallucinating".

With Tu Vi's story sometimes (I mean many times) the obvious is not always the way the story goes <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">.

Still enjoying your story. I'm pleasantly surprised how fast you can update your story. Great job!

[Danielle Lin]

<IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"> hmm DID cung hong actually see that? (skull thingy)...
<IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> oh well i guess we have to wait and see.
the scenes with cung hong and tieu phong are so cute <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh2.gif" border="0">, of course i wont think it as too weird. they are so funny! poor tieu phong though... <IMG SRC="smilies/smash.gif" border="0"> i cant believe cung hong beat him up! <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh.gif" border="0">
update soon! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

<font size="1">[ April 02, 2003: Message edited by: Danielle Lin ]</font>

[zzzbeauty]

As always, thanks for a great chapter.

I love Cung Hong and Tieu Phong; they are so immature. <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh2.gif" border="0">

I love all the <IMG SRC="smilies/smash.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smash.gif" border="0"> between the two of them. I believe there's a saying for that..."when you love someone you tend to hit them, but if you don't like them, you will feed them sugar and sweets" I think it goes like that..lol..correct me if I'm wrong.

Here, this is to you Tu Vi for the update, it's on me. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

<IMG SRC="smilies/beerchug.gif" border="0"> or <IMG SRC="smilies/drinkpepsi.gif" border="0"> take your pick.

[ccsakura]

Oh wow, so maybe Cung Hong imagined that Skull thing it sounds pretty scary, no wonder she clung onto Tieu Phong like that it's pretty scary, but the way that she hung onto Tieu Phong was cute, I love this couple! It's weird to think that Tieu Phong is so strong yet he lets Cung Hong pick on him like that, it's cute. Bat Pham sure is a gentleman I like it how he uses stars to describe his companions! The Kiet sounds like he doesn't have any control over his life, somehow I feel sorry for him, he seems to love Tu diep alot though.

[eeyore]

Hi Tu Vi, I just read this fanfic last Friday and finish just then.. now I'm waitin for the next chapter..

I don't know how you manage to put so many surprises... the Emperor is actually The Kiet huh? I wonder does Tieu Phong know about this? hm...

I think Bat Pham doesn't really love anyone.. he has soft spots for most females luckly he's a gentleman.. he,he,he...

Tu Vi I'll be waiting for the next chapter unpatiently... <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> ... you're really a gud writter. <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0">

[Tu Vi]

to Bubeng- hehe, thank you. that is the greatest comment a writer can get. too much stress, that is why i updated so quickly. the more stress out i get, the more i write. weird, eh? <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">
to Danielle Lin - yup, we will see. thank you for not seeing the weirdness of that chapter.
<IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">
to zzzbeauty - you are very welcome, dear. ah, thank you, i believe i will take the pop drink. been scrolling down the smilies bar but could not find the symbol. i am so pathetic at computer stuff.
<IMG SRC="smilies/crying.gif" border="0">
to ccsakura - more of everyone coming up. yup, bat pham is a pretty dreamy type of guy. as for the kiet, having absolute power doesn't mean he has absolute happiness. poor dude, eh?
to eeyore- hey, always glad to see a new reader. glad that you have been enjoying Shadows.
Tieu Phong and The Kiet? we'll see, right?
Bat Pham, hmm, what do you think about his love life now? <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh.gif" border="0">

Chapter 23- Broken Hopes
Louis Koo- Kim Bat Pham
Julian Cheung- Tieu Phong (Little Wind)
Carman Lee- Nam Cung Hong
Vivian Leung – Vuong Nha Yen
Ruby Lin- Lam Tam Nhu
Nicky Wu- Vuong Nhat Phi
Vincent Jiao- Chu The Kiet
Gigi Lai- Mai Tu Diep


“But I really think that this manor is haunted.” Cung Hong said a while later. She turned to Nha Yen, “Nha Yen, do you know its history?”
Nha Yen shook her head with a smile, “I’m sorry, Cung Hong.” She glanced around at the rotten wall and decaying roof, “by the look of these walls and ceiling, I would have to say that this building have been destroyed and abandoned for at least four decades. Also, I don’t think that the owner of this manor belongs to the mo lam world. And even if he does, he is only a minor name because I have never read about such house in the records of the pugilist world.”
Cung Hong’s face fell, “so it is hopeless.”
Bat Pham smiled at her, “we can still look around for clues if you wish. I am sure that there must be something left.”
“Really?” Cung Hong perked up.
Bat Pham looked at her indulgently, “I don’t see any reasons as to why we shouldn’t. After all, we will be staying here for a while at least until your injury is completely healed.”
“You are the best.” Cung Hong nearly squealed. She grabbed Bat Pham’s hand and smiled adoringly up at him.
“Geez.” Tieu Phong grumbled to Nha Yen, “she acts like he has given her the moon and the sun.”
“She is a child at heart.” Nha Yen smiled, “easily amused and easily broken.” She glanced at Tieu Phong, “take care of her or you will have to answer to me.” Her quiet eyes were suddenly steely.
“I don’t take to threats very well.” Tieu Phong answered easily with an almost self-mocking expression on his face, “besides, what make you think that I will break her heart?”
“Your type always does.” Nha Yen’s eyes were distant.
“My type?” Tieu Phong lifted a brow.
“Your heart is that of a wanderer’s. It will never stay in one place.” Nha Yen said softly so that Bat Pham and Cung Hong could not hear her.
“So is Bat Pham.” Tieu Phong looked over at Bat Pham who was engaged in an intense conversation with Cung Hong.
“But he is far too kind to break anyone’s heart. I suspect that his gentlemanly nature will never allow him to harm anyone. He is one of the few good men left. You, on the other hand.” Nha Yen paused for a second, “have none of his restraints or his goodness.”
“Am I such a bad person to you?”
“No.” Nha Yen smiled suddenly and it was like the sun coming up, “on the contrary, I think that you are one of the few men who are brutally honest with themselves. You have no illusions about who you are or what you must do.”
“Who are you?” Tieu Phong asked almost in wonder.
“A very simple woman.” Nha Yen stood up and patted Tieu Phong’s shoulder, “I hope that someday you will find what you are looking for. And I desperately wish that Cung Hong would be your answer and your sanctuary.”
“I have no need for a sanctuary. I know perfectly where I am.”
“Perhaps, or perhaps that you don’t know that you are lost.” Nha Yen was about to walk out of the room when Cung Hong yelled after her,
“Nha Yen, where are you going?”
“I am going to try to find the study. Usually the books hold the best answers.”
“I’ll go with you.” Cung Hong walked awkwardly toward Nha Yen. She still flinched every time she moved.
Nha Yen put her arms around Cung Hong to support her and both made their way down the dusty hallway.
“A remarkable woman.” Tieu Phong said to himself as he watched Nha Yen laughed at something Cung Hong said.
“Both are remarkable women.” Bat Pham said from behind him.
“And more complex that I have ever realized.” Tieu Phong muttered.
“My friend.” Bat Pham said with an amused grin, “no man in this world can understand the mind of a woman. We shouldn’t try. It will only give us headaches.”
“Since when do you know so much about women? I thought that you live in solitude ever since you were a child.” Tieu Phong turned around, leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms.
“I read.” Bat Pham replied.
“You sound like Nha Yen.” Tieu Phong shook his head, “you two are really suited for each other.” He sighed mournfully, “it seems like I have no chance.”
“Don’t worry about it. My heart has already been lost a long time ago and I suspect that it will never be found again.” Bat Pham’s eyes were misty as he stared at the horizon where dawn was a rosy blush against the looming sky.
“Oh?” Tieu Phong looked at Bat Pham with interest, “who is the lucky lady?”
An image of long ago flashed before Bat Pham’s eyes: a laughing girl in pigtail dancing in a field of flowers. He lifted his hand, wanting to hold the memory but then it faded away into nothingness and all he was holding was the air. He unclenched his fist and looked at his empty palm. “I don’t know.” He shook his head and smiled, “let’s go find Cung Hong’s ghosts.”

At the same time, the Forbidden City, Beijing

Tu Diep pushed aside the silk curtain that surrounded her son’s bed and leaned in with a smile. Her smile became a grin when she saw her son sleeping peacefully with a faint flush on his pudgy cheeks. His mouth was slack and there was a trail of drool dripping down his chin. He was nestled in a huge bed with golden blanket, make from the rarest of silk that hundreds of seamstresses had worked tirelessly on for months, tucked around his body.
“Sleeping late today?” Tu Diep glanced toward the closed window where the rays of the sun were dancing against cheerfully. “Well, good morning, my prince. I will check on you later.” She leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against her son’s burning forehead. Burning? Tu Diep jerked back and her frantic gaze traveled down the prince’s rosy cheeks. He looked far too flushed. She laid her hand against his forehead and was struck by how hot it was.
Tu Diep stood hastily and rushed toward the doorway where her maids and eunuchs hovered respectfully. She had not wanted them to intrude into her private moments with her son but now she cursed at her foolishness. If she had allowed them in, time could be save.
“Your Majesty.” The startled eunuchs and maids chorused in surprise when they saw the queen’s uncharacteristically agitated manners.
“Summon the imperial healers.” Tu Diep ordered and two eunuchs immediately rushed off to do her bidding, “where is his Majesty now?”
A maid answered in trembling voice, “he is still in court.”
Tu Diep debated silently for a split second but then she knew that no matter how busy he was, the emperor would always put his son above all. “Report to his Majesty that the crown prince is ill and that I have summoned the healers.”
“Yes, your Majesty.” The maid bobbled her head in panic and run toward the Hall of Celestial Purity.

“Your Majesty, I have to respectfully disagree with the Magistrate of Justice.” The Prime Minister, a robust man in his early sixties with graying hair at the temples, stepped out of the line of standing officials. “we cannot raise the standards of the imperial exams anymore. At the current rate, out of nearly ten thousands students, only one or two manage to pass. If we raise the difficulty level, then it could be very possible that no one will able to pass and the government positions will become vacant.”
“But we only need the brightest of the brightest. This is a good way to weed out all of the inferior officials.” The Magistrate of Justice argued heatedly. Contrary to his title, he was a frail looking man with completely white hair. “and the more they learn about the teaching of Confucius, the less likely they will become corrupted officials.”
“Hmm.” The Kiet, who was sitting on the throne, tapped his fingers and looked down at the two rows of bowing officials. As always, the Prime Minister and the Magistrate of Justice were bickering like schoolboys.
“Premier Scholar.” The Kiet called.
“Your Majesty, your humble servant.” The Premier Scholar (Marco Ngai) was a young man in his late twenties who was perhaps one of the most brilliant men in court.
“Your opinion.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The Premier Scholar bowed deeply before turning to the two fuming, older men, “Your Excellencies….” He began.
Meanwhile, there was some disturbance behind the left gold curtain. A eunuch leaned in and listened to the whisperer. His face paled and he immediately whispered to the eunuch who was standing next to him. The information passed five eunuchs’ ears before it reached The Kiet’s.
The most aging and highest ranking eunuch who was standing next to The Kiet bended down and whispered into his ears.
The Kiet’s eyes darkened and he stood up hastily.
“Prime Minister, Magistrate of Justice, Premier Scholar, I expect you to reach an agreement by tomorrow and report to me.” The Kiet swept out of the room as the startled officials remembered to kneel down.
“Court is adjourned.” The eunuch announced.

“How is he?” Tu Diep looked up and felt instant relief when she saw her husband strode in.
The Kiet’s eyes immediately went to his sleeping son and then his wife.
“Your Majesty.” Tu Diep began and the relief at seeing her husband was so acute that her knees trembled and gave out.
The Kiet caught her swaying body and held her in his comforting embrace as he turned to the healers who were kneeling by the bedside and taking the prince’s pulse.
“How is his Highness?”
“Your Majesty, his Highness has caught a cold.” The healer hesitated briefly.
“Go on.”
“The cold is not serious but his Highness is still very young and his body is still very vulnerable. We..” The healer faltered.
Tu Diep gasped as blood drained out of her face.
“It’s all right.” The Kiet patted her on the back but his hands were trembling.
“Do whatever you must.” The Kiet ordered, “and if anything happens to my son, bring your heads to me.”
“We understand your Majesty. We will try our best.”
“Your best is not enough.” The Kiet stared at them with his blazing eyes, “I expect my son to be completely healed. Remember, you are all dispensable.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” All the imperial healers chorused and knew with a sinking feeling in their stomachs that if anything happened to his Highness, their lives were forfeited.
“It’s all right, Empress.” The Kiet whispered against the violently trembling Tu Diep’s ear, “he will be fine.” He pulled her back slightly and wiped the tears off her cheeks with gentle fingers, “remember, I am the emperor and the son of heaven. What I say always comes true.”
Tu Diep nodded shakily.
“No Life, No Past.” The Kiet called.
“Your Majesty.” The two men immediately rushed into the room.

Nhat Phi (Nicky Wu) sighed as he sensed his patient’s unresponsive face. He was pushing the older man around the garden, hoping that the sun and the flowers would bring some good. But nearly two weeks have passed and he has made no progress. He knew that there was no hope. The Kiet’s father would remain in this state for the rest of his life, trapped in the world of his own mind.
“Young Master, you have tried your best.” Tam Nhu said comfortingly as she walked next to him.
“Unfortunately, my best isn’t enough.”
“You always told me that all we can do in this world is try our best. You have tried your best, what more can you do?” Tam Nhu asked.
Nhat Phi smiled tiredly, “you are always an excellent student.”
“But I am not your student.” Tam Nhu said.
Nhat Phi frowned in confusion when he sensed the agitation and hurt in her tone, “what is it, Tam Nhu?”
“Nothing, Young Master.” Tam Nhu shook her head, “nothing at all.”
Nhat Phi was about to press her for an answer when he heard footsteps coming toward them, “we have guests.” And at the moment he finished his sentence, No Life and No Past flew in.

[ccsakura]

Is there something wrong with the manor or is it just Cung Hong?

Wow Nha Yen seems to me like a very bright lady, and Cung hong is very innocent compared to her. Does Bat Pham have a past like Tieu Phong has? I really want to see what happens between Tu Diep and The Kiet!Maybe The Kiet's and Tu Diep's relationship will grow stronger after this incident. Can't wait til the next part of the story!

<font size="1">[ April 09, 2003: Message edited by: ccsakura ]</font>

[Danielle Lin]

<IMG SRC="smilies/thinkingof.gif" border="0">
Huh is the manor haunted, no life no past? Hmm...Something to think about.
I'll just have to wait and see. Nhat Phi is so slow can't he tell she likes him?
I hope you write more about Ta Diep + The Kiet, and Cung Hong + teui phong
<IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0"> update soon <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><table border="0" width="80%" bgcolor="#dcdcdc" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#eeeeee"><font size="1"> </font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>
The only thing we can give but still keep is our word

[zzzbeauty]

You're very welcome Tu Vi and thanks for the update.

Hmmm...I'm getting more and more <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

Lol...that 's why I love reading your story, it keeps me busy thinking about the characters. I loved how your characters are so complex and three dimensional.

Wow, now I know something about Bat Pham; he USED to be in love. Hmmm..wonder who she was??

I agree, Nha Phi is kinda dumb for not realizing that Tam Nhu loves him. I hope he realizes it soon though.

Thanks for the update Tu Vi.

<font size="1">[ April 09, 2003: Message edited by: zzzbeauty ]</font>

[Bubeng]

Hi Tu Vi!
Great update as usual. Bat Pham character is not as simple as I thought before, he's becoming more complex <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">. Hmmmmm.....inquiring mind wants to know more.

We haven't seen you for sometimes. Hope that you're ok.

[Tu Vi]

to ccsakura - the manor is coming up after this chapter. grin. this incident with the crown prince will affect a lot of people and perhaps change their lives. laugh mysteriously.
to Danielle Lin - well, sometimes when people don't want to accept something, they pretend that it doesn't exist. hope that answers your question about Nhat Phi and why he is so clueless.
to zzzbeauty - hey, you are very welcome. as for Nhat Phi, hehe, maybe he just want to pretend that her love doesn't exist. grin evilly. we'll see right? and thank you so much, yay, my highest goal has always been to create complex characters.
to Bubeng - i try to make everyone a little bit different and just a little bit strange in their own way. thank you for asking, i am fine, just swamp with schoolwork and life overall. life can be hectic sometimes, huh???
Tu Vi

Chapter 24, The Debt
Louis Koo- Kim Bat Pham
Julian Cheung- Tieu Phong (Little Wind)
Carman Lee- Nam Cung Hong
Vivian Leung – Vuong Nha Yen
Ruby Lin- Lam Tam Nhu
Nicky Wu- Vuong Nhat Phi
Vincent Jiao- Chu The Kiet
Gigi Lai- Mai Tu Diep

No Life and No Past kneeled down and touched their heads against the cool grass when they saw the Grand Emperor. The ailing, older man did not notice them as his eyes were gazing into the distant horizon, his face lost in thought. After a long moment, No Life and No Past stood up and nodded respectfully to Nhat Phi,
“Young Master Vuong.”
“What can I do for you?” Nhat Phi asked urbanely as he stopped the wooden wheelchair.
“Our Master wishes to see you. It is a matter of great importance.” No Past’s voice boomed.
Nhat Phi’s eyes went to his patient and No Life immediately clapped his hands. Four maids entered with their eyes demurely downcast. “Young Master, you should not have any worry. They will take care of the Master.”
“All right. Tam Nhu, let’s go.”
“I am sorry, but Master has said specifically that he only wishes to see you. Lam Gu Leung must stay here.” No Life said firmly.
“Wherever my Young Master goes, I go.” Tam Nhu replied just as firmly.
“That is against our Master’s wish.” No Past said. “You must remain behind, we will use force if necessary.”
“No Past!” No Life held out his hand to stop the giant from charging forward. “Please, Young Master Vuong, understand our predicament. We do not dare to disrespect you or Lam Gu Leung, but we cannot go against our Master’s order.”
“Tam Nhu.” Nhat Phi said softly and put his hand on her slender shoulder, “I will be fine. The Kiet will not let any harm come to me. I will be back as soon as I can.”
“But..” Tam Nhu protested.
“Do this for me, hmm?” Nhat Phi smiled and brushed his hand over her hair. “Don’t fret.”
And Tam Nhu watched helplessly outside the elegant manor as The Kiet entered a golden carriage that was pulled by four blazing white horses. She stood there and continued to watch as the carriage slowly disappeared from sight. And then her eyes hardened and she flew through the little courtyard and was about to enter a small road where the carriage had turned when twenty men dressed in blue somersaulted out from the surrounding trees and encircled her.
“Move out of my way.” Tam Nhu demanded as her hand went to her sword.
“We cannot allow you to leave the manor.” One man said and seeing his high temples and steady stance, she could deduce that he was the leader.
“Who are you?” Tam Nhu asked as she stepped forward.
“Who we are is of no importance. Gu Leung, please go back inside.” The leader gestured politely.
“You are wasting my time.” Tam Nhu darted an impatient glance at the end of the curving road and saw that the carriage had already disappeared. She flew forward and was about to put her left foot on the head of one of the men surrounding her so that she could get the momentum. But he stepped back quickly and she dipped down. Not wasting a moment, Tam Nhu pushed her sword toward the ground and the tip of the sword hit the stone. Using the momentum, she shot forward. But then the men had quickly retreated the same distance that she had gained. She was still surrounded. Still in the air, Tam Nhu twirled her body and her sword came out of its sheath with a steely ring. She swung it in a powerful arc and power blazed out of it, sweeping in front of her.
The men flew up into the air in order to avoid the sword, and using the opportunity, Tam Nhu flew down and with her feet barely touching the ground, she ran under them. But then the men flew backward with their faces toward her and landed five feet in front of her.
Groaning with frustration, Tam Nhu glared at them, “You are leaving me no other choice. I do not want to kill you, but I will if you don’t let me go.”
“Gu Leung, we want nothing more than for you to go back into the manor. We will risk our lives if necessary.” The leader said in the same polite voice.
“Fine.” Tam Nhu bit out the word. Her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword and then the sword danced into action. It shot at the men’s most vulnerable points like heatless yet deadly darts.
“Defense Position.” The leader yelled and the men bent backward with their backs nearly touching the ground to avoid the sword.
Tam Nhu immediately somersaulted and pushed her toes on the chest of the still bending man to shot out of the circles. But then the men held their hands up while were still in that unnatural position and something flimsy and white shot out of their wrists.
Tam Nhu hit that silky material as she charged forward. She slashed down at it with her sword and to her shock, her sword made no effect on it. She narrowed her eyes and looked more closely at it. It was a tight web of white, thin robes. Two robes were shooting out of each man’s hands. Quickly calculating, Tam Nhu stepped on the robe and shot up. But then the men snapped back into their positions and shot up so the strands of robes were still blocking her way. The higher that Tam Nhu went up, the higher the men went up. But because Tam Nhu’s flying ability was higher than them, she was able to escape the looming robes. But to her surprise, the men from behind her flew forward and stepped on the robes, they then used the momentum to shot themselves forward and blocked her escape.
Tam Nhu’s eyes hardened and then in one intricate twist of her wrist, her sword split into five. She shot it through the empty space between the robes and hit the five men who were holding it. They grunted as blood spurted out of their chests. Then they fell and crumbled on the ground. And the web was broken. Tam Nhu flew through the empty spot as she heard an ear-piercing whistle.
Her heart sank when she saw countless men dressed in the same color robe swarm into the courtyard.
“Gu Leung, you can defeat us all but we will just coming. There are one hundred men surrounding this place. You cannot possibly escape. Please go back to the manor.” The leader said, his voice still urbane and respectful.
Tam Nhu knew that she could beat twenty-five men but she could not beat them all. She wasn’t a person who did impossible things.
“Why are you doing this?” Tam Nhu asked.
“I cannot divulge that detail. Gu Leung.” The leader gestured with his hand.
Tam Nhu sighed and walked slowly back to the manor. And in her mind, one question loomed, “who was Chu The Kiet?” Chu The Kiet was powerful enough to order a hundred well-trained, highly skilled men to detain her and only because he needs Nhat Phi to do something? Why did he not allow her to be there? After all, what harm could she do? Her blood chilled, no man would waste this much energy to do this unless Chu The Kiet was planning to harm Nhat Phi.

Tu Diep wiped the sweats on her son’s tiny forehead tenderly with a silk cloth. She sighed when she saw his parched lips and pale skin.
“Empress, he will be fine.” The Kiet, who was sitting on the chair next to her, said assuringly.
“But the imperial healers said that..” Tu Diep stopped; her fear was so great that she did not want to voice it.
The Kiet waved a dismissing hand, “they know nothing. I have summoned the best healer in the Middle Kingdom to cure our son. He will be here soon.”
“Really?” Tu Diep’s eyes brightened and in her haste, she grabbed the emperor’s hand, “who is he?”
“Someone I recently met.” The Kiet did not move a muscle as he felt her warm, soft fingers touching his. This was the first time that she had willingly touched him, and this would probably be the last time. He stored it in his memory, saving it so that he could take it out and look at it in the lonely times ahead.
“Your Majesty.” No Past entered and kneeled down, “he is here.”
Irritated at the disruption and annoyed at himself for allowing such sentimental weakness, The Kiet stood up and let go of Tu Diep’s hand. “Let him in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” No Past bowed and took his leave.
“Empress, this man does not know who I am and I wish to keep it that way.” The Kiet said.
“I understand.” Tu Diep said almost absently, her total attention was focusing on her son.
A few minutes later, Nhat Phi entered; No Life was holding his arm and guiding him.
“Nhat Phi.” The Kiet walked forward and grasped the healer’s shoulders, “thank you for coming.”
“What is it?” Nhat Phi could hear the faint concern in The Kiet’s voice although the later had tried his best to shield his desperate worry.
“My son is ill.” The Kiet said simply. He waved aside No Life and led Nhat Phi toward the bed himself.
Nhat Phi sat down on the bed and nodded politely at Tu Diep, “Gu Leung.” He could not see but he could smell her scent of lilacs and knew that there was a woman here.
“This is my wife.” The Kiet introduced.
“It is an honor to meet you, Chu Phu Nhan (Mistress Chu?).” The Kiet inclined his head as he held the prince’s fragile wrist.
“Is he all right?” Desperate, Tu Diep ignored all protocols.
Nhat Phi touched the prince’s forehead after he had felt his pulse. And then he moved his hand down to the prince’s chest. His sensitive fingers accurately recording everything.
The worried parents hovered anxiously behind him.
After a few minutes, Nhat Phi looked up and smiled. “He will be fine with a few weeks of rest. I will go and write his required medicine.”
Tu Diep sagged down with relief and The Kiet blew out an explosive breath.
Nhat Phi felt his way toward a table and sat down. His fingers moved around until he felt a quill and a piece of paper. He quickly scribbled down the necessary herbs.
When The Kiet sat down next to him, he was already finished. “Here.” Nhat Phi held out the paper.
The Kiet took it and snapped his fingers. No Life and No Past immediately entered. They took the paper and silently withdrew.
Tu Diep walked toward Nhat Phi and said in her soft voice, “thank you. I do not know what else to say but thank you.” Tears were glimmering in her dark eyes.
“And you have mine as well.” The Kiet said quietly. “I am in your debt. If you ever need anything, you only need to say the word.”
Tu Diep looked at her husband. She knew that the words of an emperor were heavy than the weight of gold. And that once he had said it, he would never be able to withdraw it.
Something flickered in Nhat Phi’s eyes and he said nothing.

Later that night, Nhat Phi and The Kiet were sitting in a pagoda, looking over the imperial garden, drinking tea. The spring night was heady with the scent of flowers and grass. The moon was clear tonight as no heavy clouds covered the sky. And the blanket of the night sparkled with stars, glimmering from the farthest edge of the horizon.
The tea inside the delicate cup was steaming as Nhat Phi picked it up. He breathed in its refreshing scent and then took a light sip. His voice was tinged with pleasant surprise when he spoke, “this is the purest tea that I have ever drink.”
“Of course.” The Kiet said with no without a trace of arrogance. He was used to such fine things and in fact, he expected it. The tea was from a distant land, and the water that was used to make it was transported from the highest spring up in the Snowy Mountain, deep in the south. It was only there that the water was fit for an emperor’s tea.
“He looks better.” The Kiet continued, referring to his son. The prince had, indeed, looked much better with his now rosy skin and his lips were no longer bloodless and parched. He had even managed to open his eyes and frowned at his parents before he went back to his world of dreams. “Thank you.” The Kiet said honestly. These two words still felt awkward in his mouth because he was not used to them. And he certainly wasn’t used to saying them twice in a day.
“It is my duty.” Nhat Phi said simply. Then he sighed and reached inside his robe and pulled out a white, sealed envelope. “I hate to do this but necessity compels me.”
“What is it?” The Kiet took the envelope and looked at it curiously.
“In there is your debt.”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow you.”
Nhat Phi sighed heavily as his eyes became distant. “You told me that if I ever need something, you will do it. In there is the only one thing in this world that I want you to do.”
“Oh?” The Kiet was about to open the envelope when Nhat Phi stopped him.
“The time is not right now. You will know it when it comes.”
“You are certainly being very mysterious.” The Kiet smiled but then his eyes were thoughtful. He carefully tucked the envelope inside his robe. “All right, I trust that you will tell me when the time comes.”
“You will know it. But I hope that you will never have to open it in your lifetime.”
“Aren’t you afraid that I will open it tonight? After all, this is quite a mystery.”
“I trust you. You can be unscrupulous sometimes but there is a deep streak of honor inside you. Once you have give your word, you will never take it back.” Nhat Phi answer calmly.
The Kiet stared at him for a long moment and then laughed out loud. His laughter was rusty, it was as if he had not used it in a long time but it was a laugh nevertheless. “Nhat Phi, you are continuing to intrigue me more and more.”

And in the crown prince’s chamber, Tu Diep was looking out the window as she held her son’s hand. Her eyes were filled with tears when she saw the brilliant moon and the way its light glinted silver on the window panel.


"With twilight passing her silken window
She weeps alone in her chamber of gold
For spring is departing from a desolate garden
And a drift of pear-petals is closing a door."

By Liu Fangping, translated by unknown

<font size="1">[ May 09, 2003: Message edited by: Tu Vi ]</font>

[Danielle Lin]

Yeah you updated! I'm at school right now, and these computers aren't for 'non related school stuff' so I'll make a longer reply later. Update soon! hehe <IMG SRC="smilies/toilet.gif" border="0"> &lt;that's how I feel...&gt;

<font size="1">[ April 17, 2003: Message edited by: Danielle Lin ]</font>