BOOK TWO
CHAPTER I
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Eighteen years passed since the day Jin Ho and Ye Yang’s child was believed to be kidnapped. A lot of things changed including emperor’s relationship with her wife. Li Yuan; Ye Yang’s father, was already fifteen years widowed from his wife Li Yin who passed away due to health issues. Emperor Jin Ho ruled the empire with pride and honor. He developed infrastructures, built shelter for homeless and equal justice for his people. Everyone loved him. He had given his heart and soul to serve his subordinates.
Eighteen years and they never talked about the child who’s next in throne. “The emperor wouldn’t allow it. It’s prohibited.”, says one of the palace servants. Ye Yang was left broken hearted; longing for her lost child.
It was the first day of spring, Tian Lo; a commoner who live a normal life outside the palace, does the usual thing in the morning. He helps his mother; Han Young,earn for a living. She sells homemade pastries and sweet rice, while he hunts for wild animals and sell their meat at the market. He is a good son and wishes for a better life for his mother. “Mother, I am going to the village to sell these meats. I just hope I will earn bigger this time,” “Alright then, be safe my son.” She kissed him goodbye then he left.
Meanwhile, back in the palace, Princess Deng; Jin Ho’s daughter, who yearns for a mother’s love, she grew with a golden spoon and rebel. She seeks for Ye Yang’s attention but ended up being ignored and sometimes reprimanded by her actions. She often sneaks out and takes a stroll outside the palace. But then, she’s always caught in doing so. “You are the runt of this family. You’re a disgrace. Your stubbornness won’t change the way I feel for you,” Ye Yang exclaimed. “Why mother? What did I do for you to do this to me?”, Deng cried. Ye Yang will just look at her, and then walks out.
“What’s the long face, my dear?”,a familiar voice echoed the place. It was the emperor; Jin Ho, trying to cheer his lonely child. She looked at him trying to hold her tears. “You don’t need to tell me, I know. It’s your mother, isn’t it?”, “You mean my stepmother,” “Don’t say that,” “I’m not her child that’s why I am not worth her love, am I right father?”, Jin Ho went closer and hugged his child. “No, it’s not like that. She loves you,” “No one loves me. I’m a burden,” she cried. Jin Ho brushed his fingers on her cheek to wipe her tears, “Shh, you’re not. You’re the most precious thing that ever happened to me. The day I first held you; you were so tiny,” “I am glad you are my father. You make things lighter for me,” then she hugged him again.
“Mother, what’s my father look like?”,Tian Lo asked. “He’s handsome. I remember the day I first saw him. I knew then he’s going to be the man I will love and cherish,” “I wish I had the chance to be with him.”
Jin Ho walks in to his room; Ye Yang is in front of the mirror, combing her hair. “I need to talk to you,” Jin Ho stated. “I know this is all about your child again,” and then he nodded. “Yes. It’s been fifteen years since she came and you never showed her how is it to be loved by a mother,” “I am not her mother. And never will be,” the room was filled with silence, then, “It’s been years; eighteen years,” “Eighteen years and I’m still in pain,” “And still I am paying for that eighteen years? I chose to live my life Ye Yang,” “You chose to break my heart. You left me broken. From the moment that child arrived, we’re done,” “You don’t understand,” “I really don’t understand. I will never understand. And just so you know, I regretted the day I married you.”
“I thought she would understand. My life is miserable; I lost my son, my only heir to the throne. And now, I’m losing my wife; the woman I loved and always will. Your child is all that’s left for me. And I promise you, I will give her the life you dreamt for her,” Jin Ho said talking to Zhangyi's grave. Zhangyi; Deng’s mother, she is rumored to be the emperor’s concubine.
Ye Yang was left in her room, she held a piece of cloth which her son wore eighteen years ago. She cried harder.
Eighteen years ago, “Jin Ho, did they find him?”, Ye Yang asked. “Not yet, I will be joining the search tomorrow morning,” Everyone in the palace is searching for the prince. But there’s no sign of him. “Son, I am worried about your condition. But the empire is at stake. People are complaining. Maybe it’s time for acceptance. He’s gone. Live your life. You still have your wife.”
She cried and cried. She never talks to him for about a month. “I have reasons why I stopped. I had to live longer for our people, for you.”A year after the incident, they all recovered, except for Ye Yang. She’salways locked inside her room, trapped herself in the world of loneliness. One evening, she opened a chest under their bed. She saw a scroll; a scroll that will ruin her marriage. It was a letter;
“Chun Jin Ho,
I wrote this letter to remind you on what we’ve talked about, my son. I’ve requested you on living with her in one roof; do as what we’ve planned. Make her fall for you. In that way, your marriage won’t fail like what happened to mine. Keep this in mind “Love is not a priority; what’s important is that the marriage is stable with staying power that will balance good energy forces”. Do as what I said and you’ll be well. May heavens bestow you wisdom.
The Great Emperor Chun Ming”
Her world falls apart. She was broken into pieces. Jin Ho entered the room. She went closer to him, and showed Jin Ho the scroll she’s holding. “Why? Why Chun Jin Ho?”, he hugged her tight, tears fall from her eyes. She let go from him and, “You succeeded and your plan went well. Congratulations emperor,” “No, no. It’s not what you think. I must’ve admitted, at first, all was part of the plan. But things changed Ye Yang. It was me who fall in love with you. That’s why I pursued on marrying you. Because it was for real already.”, “You actually think I will be glad hearing those from you? I don’t know what to believe now. Our marriage is all lies.”, “No, don’t say that. It was wonderful. What we have is different. It was something extraordinary. I know you felt it too. It’s too beautiful to just throw it away. You were the one who taught me the value of love,” “It’s too late, Jin Ho. You left me with no choice.” He held her hand, “Don’t let go.” She stepped forward, withdraws her hand from his grip, and then left the room.
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CHAPTER II
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Tian Lo woke up early; he went to the village in a raise for a living. On that same day, Princess Deng escaped from the palace guards and went outside the palace. She’s dressed with a black robe and black turban for a disguise so that people won’t recognize her.
She went downtown, and as she walks down the road, she accidentally slips on a rock and bump into a young man who walks adjacent to her direction. “Are you alright?”, “Yes, I’m fine, I think,” “Here you go,” then he lift her up. They looked in each other’s eyes. They felt something. It was like a connection. “You, you looked familiar to me. Have we met?”, she said. “I believe this is the first time I saw you. New here?”, “Yes, we just moved in, I guess?”, “I suppose you’re rich. You have different clothing,” “Nah! I wish I wasn’t. Anyway, thanks for your help, I’d better be going,” “Wait!What’s your name?” “Princess… Oh! Dengxin,” “Beg your pardon?” “Dengxin, my name is Dengxin.”“Oh! Deng, I like it,” “Ah, it goes on you I guess, excuse me,” “Tell me Dengxin, what would a man have to do to find himself in your good graces?” “Who wants to know?”, she walks fast and he followed her, “Let’s just say a charming stranger?” “This charming stranger seems pretty sure of himself, but he had to know me a lot better than some girl he just met on the street,” “Oh but he’d like to, very much,” He bumps himself in the flower stalls. “Oh no, I’m not sure if I want to meet this stranger,” He fixed the flowers then followed her again. “I doubt if he has any idea on how a girl should be treated,” “Like a princess I suppose.”,
“No. Like a person with kindness and respect,” “You’re not like most girls are you?” “What do you mean?” “Oh nothing, I didn’t mean to offend you.” “It’s alright, it’s just that I have pretty shouts at life,” “So am I,” “Really?” she smiled. “Every day, the same old routine,” “Until you just want to run away,” “and never come back.”, they both exclaimed. She sighed, then “Oh, I’d better be heading back home, they might be looking for me by now,” “I hope I see you again, Dengxin.” Then he turned his back and went to his direction. “I hope to see you again.”, she whispered.
Back in the palace, “Emperor, we found the princess outside the palace,” “You may leave us now.” “Father, I am so sorry for…” “You did it again. You went outside the palace again. How many times am I going to tell you, it’s a dangerous world out there, you might be hurt,” “I can take care of myself father, I’m fifteen years old.”, “What makes you think you can? And if I’m right?, I wouldn’t forgive myself if something bad happens to you. Please do not try to escape from the palace guards Dengxin; never again. Do you understand?”, “Yes father.”
“You’re home early?”, Han Young said. “Yes mother.” “What’s with the face? You look so happy, is there something you want to talk about son? Or should I say someone?” He nodded. “I met a beautiful girl downtown today mother. Her gray eyes, with her brown hair and white complexion, she’s not like the other girls I met, and she’s different.”, “She’s definitely different because she can make you smile that way.”, “I just hope to see her again mother.”
“These are divorce papers, Chun Ye Yang!”, Jin Ho shouted. “I can’t take it anymore. Seeing you make things harder for me,” “Then don’t come to see me, I will give you your own space. But divorce? I will never give it to you. It’s too much. You’re too much.” Silence filled the place. “How can you just throw it all just like that? I’ve been enduring the pain because it was my fault but don’t you consider my feelings in this divorce you wanted? You’re throwing it off my face! You never heard anything from me and now what?; a divorce? Just kill me!” “I expected you’d be over-reacting like that and…” “Over-reacting? You are the one who’s over-reacting. I lived a life for eighteen years, eighteen years of suffering. Do you consider what I feel? I also lost a son. I also suffered like you. But the only difference is I can only count on myself. I have no one to cry on. I was alone in my darkest years. Do you even care if I’m hurting? I tried to be as hard as a rock. But I’m also mourning.”
That night, Jin Ho went to see his father. It was a deep conversation. “I grew up to be a great emperor you wanted me to be. And I am. I had given my people what they always wanted; their convenience. But there’s one thing in life I failed to be; being a husband to my wife. I hate the fact that the man I didn’t want to be is already me now. And I hate you for that, father. I hate you for I’m already like you. And I hate you, for controlling my life. My marriage is a failure. I am a failure,” “Hate me as long as you want Chun Jin Ho. But you still have the time to change the way she feels for you,” “She hates me. And she wants a divorce,” “A divorce? She’s overpowering you now! Tell me you wouldn’t,” “I will divorce her. That’s what she wants,” “Where’s your pride Chun Jin Ho? If you divorce her, it will lead to your misfortune, China will fall,” “It doesn’t matter now, if she wants it, I will give it to her,” “You will regret it son. Give yourself a time to think about it,” Jin Ho went to his room and couldn’t help himself on thinking about Ye Yang; those days when they were in each other’s arms, completely in love. “If this will make her happy, I will let her go.”
The next morning at the palace garden, “I wish I can see him again, I don’t even know his name,” Dengxin whispered. She sneaks out and escaped from the palace guard again. She went downtown to look for the man she met a few days ago. But she failed. She returned in the palace and felt pretty upset. She couldn’t help herself thinking about this young man. She went to her father, “What do you want little Dengxin?”, Jin Ho asked. “Nothing, I just want to ask you father, how was it to be in love?, “In love? My child, you’re still young and why are you asking such question?” She didn’t answer back thus looked at him with her small gray eyes. “Come here, you’re still young for this things and I wouldn’t allow it for now. You see, there’s a perfect time in everything. Go back to your room now my little Dengxin. Have a rest.”
She still wanted to see him, the next day she went outside the palace again, but this time she doesn’t know Jin Ho ordered a palace guard to follow her and look after her.
She went for a walk then she was surprise to see him. “It’s you again,” Tian Lo said and he sounds excited. “I really would like to see you again,” “I would like too. I’ve been thinking about you since the day you left me at the market with all that meats scattered,” “Oh I apologize. I wasn’t looking to where I’m going,” “Nah! I’m fine; my mother didn’t know what happened anyway. Whew, I’m safe,” then she laughed. “And if your mother knew?”, “Then I’m dead by now.” She looked shocked, and then he added “Nah! I’m just trying to give you a fright,” Then they both laugh. “Want to go somewhere else?” He asked. “Where?”, “Here, come with me. I will show you something,” He brought her in an abandoned garden. “It’s wonderful,” “There’s more,” he grabbed her hands and they went at the upper deck of the garden. “Now look,”
“This is incredible! I can see the palace from here,” “The palace? You live there?” “Oh I’m hungry, is there something we can eat?” “You haven’t answered my question yet,”
She leaned forward, “Your eyes, they’re wonderful, it’s like I’ve seen them before,” Dengxin said. He leaned forward too, closer and closer. Then he kissed her. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Oh! I apologize for such action. I shouldn’t do that. I’ll find something to eat,” He went at the garden pagoda and found a fishing rod; he went fishing and later cooks the fishes he caught. “Let’s eat,” he said. “About earlier,” “No, let’s don’t talk about it, I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry,” “It’s alright. Apology accepted.”
They spent the whole day together laughing and sharing things about them. “You really must’ve come from a fortunate family,” “Why is it so?” “You talk so different, you even dress different, and your skin looks pale. It looks like…,” “Like what? Tell me,” “Like you’re a princess,” “And if I am, will you go away from me?” “Of course not, you’re my friend. Not everybody gets to meet a princess, for a villager like me, so tell me, you are a princess, aren’t you?” “I wish I wasn’t,” “So you are, your highness,” “No, come on. Don’t call me like that. I thought you were my friend. You don’t have to address me like that. I’m normal too. Nothing’s different; I’m just like everyone else. It’s just that I differ because of the way I talk and my clothing; as you said,” “Alright, you said it anyway. I will be your friend,” “Really?” “Indeed,” She hugged her and showed how happy she was. “Oh I have to go. Its sunset, my father will be mad if he knew I’m going out the palace again,” “Yes, you’d better be going back. He might be looking for you,” “I will be seeing you again, right?” she asked. “I will be here, will be always waiting for you whenever you want to see me,” he replied. “By the way, it’s Tian Lo; name’s Tian Lo, if you want to know,” “I will be seeing you again, Tian Lo,” she said then left.
Back in the palace, the emperor knew that Princess Dengxin escaped and went outside the palace again. The palace guard told him and the emperor waits until his daughter returned. “Oh! Father,” “Where have you been?” “I went for a walk, at the palace patio,” “The patio?, at this hour? You never like it there, aren’t you?” “I… I just wanted something for a change,” “For a change huh? Go to your room and rest, you might be pretty exhausted.” She knew to herself that what she said were all lies. But she had no choice. She knew her father would be upset if she told him she was outside the palace again, with some stranger she just met. She thinks of him all night, his face, his eyes, and the kiss. She couldn’t sleep.
The next day, she waited for the palace guards to have their meeting, it was every morning; palace guards were evaluated by the general. That moment, the princess left and went outside the palace, again. The palace guard followed her too. “Tian Lo?” she whispered. “You made it,” “I did, so what are we up to this time?” “Come with me,” they went at the forest, up in the mountains. “Here we go,” he said. “Here? Are you serious? All I can see is an old tent,” “That same old tent that my father used when he lived here,” “Where is he now?” “He passed away even before I was born,” “Oh, I’m sorry,” “No, it’s alright. I just hope I met him. I go up here if I wanted to feel at peace,” they enjoyed each other’s company. They hang out that day, sit at the fire pit, shared laughter, and shared stories.
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CHAPTER III
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Ye Yang is having a dip at the lake; her beauty fills the place, she remembered the day she and Jin Ho shared love. It was back then, everything was perfect. They were inseparable.
She took a swim, further and further, she accidentally stepped on something pointed, she couldn’t move and drown herself into the water. She was about to lose her breath, then suddenly a man jumped into the water and saved her from drowning. It was Jin Ho. He pumped her chest then she’s back. She felt nauseous, lose her consciousness and fainted. Jin Ho lifted her. He brought her in her bedroom and clothed her. “What are you doing? Are you trying to kill yourself? You made me feel worried.”, He caress her hands and looked at her; still unconscious. “You have to be careful now; I am not always around to watch over you. I loved you ever since the first time I first laid my eyes on you, and I will love you until my very last breath. I will let you go, because I want you to be happy; a life without misery, a life without me. Be safe, my Ye Yang.” He kissed her on the forehead and he whispered goodbye. Then he left the room. She gained her consciousness and somehow felt the kisses on her forehead. All she can remember is that she was at the lake and then now she’s at her bedroom. “It must’ve been a dream.”
He was inside the throne room, a palace guard knocked and “Your Highness, I followed the princess and she’s gone outside the palace again. But this time, they went up in the mountains; the forest particularly,” “Up in the mountains?, Forest? What was she thinking?” He threw the cup of tea; he’s gone mad. “Alert the general and the soldiers, we’re going up in the mountains tonight,” ‘As you wish Your Highness.” Then the palace guard left.
Meanwhile, Dengxin and Tian Lo spend the rest of the day together. Inside the tent, “I deeply express my gratitude in everything you do for me, Tian Lo,” Dengxin said. “It’s alright. I never said this before, Dengxin. I, I don’t know but whenever you’re beside me, I am happy, I feel complete, and if this is what they call love, I think I’m in love with you, Princess.”, “Me too Tian Lo.” “But you are a princess. You are meant for a prince. Not for a villager like me,” “It doesn’t matter. I’m sure my father will understand,” “This is against our tradition,” “If being a princess means not to love you; then I’d rather be not.” He hugged her tight.
“I will go outside to check on something,” he went outside and he was shock to see a man dressed in fine clothing, with gold in it. It was the emperor. “Where’s my daughter? What have you done to her?”, Jin Ho shouted. “I… We were just hanging out your highness, I didn’t mean any harm,” “I don’t need your words young man, where is she?” Dengxin went outside the tent, “Tian Lo, what took you so long?” She said and saw her father, she was shocked and speechless. Jin Ho grabbed Tian Lo and attempts to punch him on the face. “Father, please. Don’t hurt him,” he released the young man from his hard grip, “What you’ve done is a disgrace, Dengxin. You’ve failed me. This is against our law! He will be punished as I say,” Soldiers were about to arrest the young man, “Father I beg you, I won’t go outside the palace, never again, but please don’t hurt him. Leave him alone,” He moved closer to Tian Lo, looked in his eyes, he was struck somehow by looking at him, it seems like he knew him. His eyes, speaks to himself. “Leave him. Let’s go back to the palace.” Says Jin Ho then they left.
They remained silent until they reached the palace. Dengxin breaks the silence. “Father, forgive me. I am so sorry,” “You lied to me, I raised you without your mother and this is what I’ll get in return?, I don’t want you seeing that young man ever again, nor knowing that you went outside the palace. Are we clear?” “I hate this life I have! I don’t want to be a princess, I wish I wasn’t. I don’t like everything I have. I am sick of it!,” He nodded. He looked disappointed on what Dengxin said. “I’m sorry father, I didn’t mean to say that,” “I’m exhausted. It’s enough. You go and get some sleep too.” She ran to her room and cried hard as she could; thinking of Tian Lo.
He went at the palace balcony, Ye Yang is there too. He approached her and “I went over this for weeks. I never knew this day would come, and I am not quite sure what words will I say. I dreamt of a life full of joy and love, where I can share it with you. Be old and hold you in my arms. But it goes different now. I keep in mind that if this means a lot to you, it shall be done. It’s hard though; sleepless nights. But don’t mind about me, everything is settled now. I will not interfere in the life you wanted. Not anymore. You will never hear anything from me. Live happy and be well. You may leave the palace before the sun rises. I guess this is it. We’re done, as you wished. Goodbye then,” he turn his back and about to leave, “Wait!” Ye Yang exclaimed. He continued to walk far from her, holding back his tears. “It’s over.” He whispered. She felt guilt in her heart; somehow she knew he was hurting. But it’s too late to change things now. She walks adjacent from his direction, went to her room and took her clothes, then leave. “Goodbye Chun Jin Ho,”
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CHAPTER IV
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It’s been a week and Jin Ho is still left broken hearted. Dengxin is worried about his father, she went to see him. “Father, I am worried. You haven’t left your room for a week now,” “I don’t want to live, losing her is like dying,” “You cannot be like that father! What about me, I need you. I am sorry for the things I said; the bad things. But please, I am still here father; I will never leave you,” She hugged Jin Ho and he couldn’t hold back his tears anymore, he cried. “I love you father, and I promise never to do things that will disappoint you.”
“I am home mother, I found something, and I think it’s a valuable item. We can trade it for a large amount mother,” It was a golden pendant with a royal symbol engraved on it; which means heaven’s blessing. “Where did you get this?” her face looked shocked. “I found it mother. It was covered with mud, somebody must’ve dropped it,” suddenly, she remembered it was the same symbol engraved on the cloth that Tian Lo wore when he was still a baby. “Mother, are you alright?”, “Of course I am,” Tian Lo wore the pendant. “I think I saw this symbol before, ahh I knew it, the emperor’s robe.” “The emperor? You met him?,” Han Young said. “Remember the girl I’ve been telling you? She’s a princess. Daughter of the emperor, and yes I met him.” “You know the law my son, you might be killed. Stay away from this girl Tian Lo,” “But I love her mother,” “It’s forbidden,” “I know. But the emperor seems to have a good heart,” “Don’t give in easily, that emperor is a tricky one, I know,” “Why mother? How can you say that? You don’t even know him,” “I know him very well, and he is the one responsible for your father’s death. He killed your father; with his own hands. That woman you love is the child of the man who killed your father; forget what you feel for her.” “I will revenge my father’s death,” Tian Lo said holding the pendant in his hands; wanting to crash it.
Three days passed, Tian Lo couldn’t forget all about Dengxin. But on the other side, he felt remorse and wanting to avenge his father’s death. “I shouldn’t love you anymore Dengxin. Your father is the reason why I haven’t able to see my father. He killed my father. He caused my mother in terrible pain.”, Tian Lo speaks in his mind. His mind is full of thoughts about his father and Dengxin. He’s confused; totally out of his mind. He walks slowly and not looking to her direction, he accidentally bumped into a woman; about years of his age older to him, rushing and panting, “Oh I’m sorry young man, I didn’t mean to, I’m sorry I’m in a rush,” he looked at her and suddenly her face seems pretty familiar and feels like he knew her before. But his mind is full of different thoughts for him to add up another. He just ignored her and continued walking towards his destination.
Back in the palace, Emperor Jin Ho stayed at the terrace near his room. He enjoyed the smell of fresh air; shut his eyes and recalls Ye Yang’s face in his mind; her hair, her lips, her nose, her long brown hair, and her eyes, “Her eyes. I knew it; her brown shiny eyes just like that young man’s eyes. Could it be? Is it possible that he’s my son?”, Jin Ho said. These thoughts were all left in his mind. Meanwhile, downtown where Ye Yang decided to live, she looked at the stars, wondering about his dear son, “I still believe that you and I will be together again, my son.”
“It’s been forever Chun Jin Ho. He’s just a commoner you had met in town. How could it be possible that he’s your son?” Chun Ming exclaimed. “A commoner?, And what if you’re wrong and I’m right? He might be the missing heir to my throne; my son. He’s been kidnapped by that lunatic concubine of yours,” “Wait for a moment,” Chun Ming handed over Jin Ho a piece of cloth with Royal seals and symbols. “I believe this belongs to your child…” he reached for the cloth and couldn’t believe what he is seeing. “…I found it eighteen years ago. I decided not to show this to you because I don’t want to ruin the future of China if you will be living on resentment. It will poison your mind, your soul, your life.” “I already am father. Losing the only person I love with all my life is just like living on resentment.” Jin Ho walks out of the room, sadness and pain draws his face. It was then like the way he was eighteen years ago.
It’s been a
few weeks after Chun Ming’s revelation; Jin Ho wasn’t like he used to be. He was
miserable. The Great China he built with long years is drifting apart, as well
as his relationship with his daughter, Dengxin. He ruined everything that was
left for him.
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They hang out together, shared their laughs, went to different
spots inside the palace. One evening, they decided to go outside the palace and
spend the moment just the two of them.
CHAPTER
V
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Three years
passed, every hearts moved on from all the pain they’ve been through, the
emperor loses all the greatness he earned; including the empire’s fortune.
Ye Yang get
used to her life being a commoner. A lot of things had change. Thoughts crossed
her mind, silk clothing, jewels, escorts, classy foods, and… Chun Jin Ho, the
emperor. “He used to be the man I love; the only man I loved…”, she said while sitting
in a flimsy, twiggy chair. “…I wonder how he is now.” Ye Yang continued.
Meanwhile,
Tian Lo lived his life with his mother, Han Young. Living his life away from
the palace; Mending his broken heart. He became stone hearted, vindictive and
pithy. “Mother, I decided to leave this place,” he said, Han Young was shocked
and speechless. “I want to live a life facing those people who hurt me, us. I
don’t want to hide anymore. I will avenge my father’s death.”, “I will come
with you my son. I won’t let you go, all by yourself. I couldn’t forgive myself
if something happens to you.”, she cried and hugged him tight. “No mother. I
have to do this, all by myself. I couldn’t afford to lose you too mother. I
won’t let it happen. I won’t.”
That evening
while Han Young is asleep, Tian Lo prepared himself to leave; leaving a note
for his mother. He stood up and left. Rain starts to fall from heaven, Han
Young woke up and saw the note that Tian Lo wrote for her. It says:
”Mother,
Leaving
you is the hardest thing I could ever done in my life. I planned to do these
three years ago when you told me the truth about my father’s death. I trained myself
to be strong and firm to protect myself from our enemies. And I think now is
the perfect time to do the things as what I planned. I will make him pay for
what he did; for ruining our family, slowly and painfully. Forgive me mother.
Until we meet again.
Tian
Lo.”
Weeks passed
and Dengxin, longing for her long lost love, reminiscing the times she shared
with him while enjoying fresh air at the palace garden. His eyes, his lips,
everything about him are still fresh in her mind after three long years. “Can I
join you?” Jin Ho bumped in. She looked awhile at then shirked at him. “I’ve
decided to hire someone to look after you; to keep you safe from the rebels around
the palace, away from harm.”, “After all you finally cared father. All these
years all you do is to think of your wife and your son! You don’t know how
miserable I am by having the feeling of being invisible to you father! The
feeling of being ignored; you don’t know how much pain I have. You don’t know
because you never asked.” He stood up, “He will be in-charge of taking care of
you. Have a rest.”, then he left.
She went
upstairs and she was surprised to see a man standing near her room. “I expected
you will be arriving tomorrow morning.”, she said. “The emperor insisted, your
highness.” He replied. She walks towards her room without looking at him. He
then saw her beauty and fineness.
Alone in his
room, Jin Ho felt bad on what Dengxin said earlier. “I don’t know what I am
doing now. Forgive me Dengxin.”
The next
day, “Good Morning Princess.”, he smiled. “What seems to be good in the
morning?”, she replied. “Three reasons.”, “Three reasons?”, “First, you see me.
Second, I see you. And lastly, you’re still given another day to do the things
you want to do. This day is way far too different from the other.”, “Arrogant
commoner.”, “Arrogant commoner? Me?”
“I know
you've been distant whenever you see me. I have a lot of shortcomings,
delinquency, and fallacies. I have failed you my child. And I won’t blame you
for hating me
The next
morning, Chun Ming gathered the soldiers at the palace patio. He is planning to
do the search for the missing prince. Soldiers fall in line and he instructed
them on what to do. He noticed a soldier; about six feet tall, with good
features caught his eye to be his mole. With his intimidating physical
attributes, he could be the one Chung Ming is looking for. He caught the
soldier’s attention and wished to speak with him privately. “What can I do for
you, your highness?”, “I will be asking you a favor, I am promoting you as
General, and lead the troop in one condition.” “Your highness, it might be too
much. The General?; what will he say if he knew I will be taking his place?” “Silly.
Don’t underestimate me. He would be promoted as well, as the Senior General.
But prior to this, every time you will be deployed to search for the prince,
all reports must be coming from you. And you will report only to me.” “What
about the emperor, your highness?” “It’s all up to me now when it comes to
this. Are we clear?” “Clear as crystal your highness.” The soldier left. “I
won’t let that commoner ruin what I’ve planned several years ago. Everything
will be falling into my own hands,” Chun Ming rejoiced.
A few months
after, they still couldn’t find the commoner.
---
One night, Jin Ho decided to be alone and not to be disturb, he
was watching the stars, “I will find you, my son. I will.”, he whispered to
himself. On the other hand, Tian Lo decided to go out and took some fresh air, “Father!
They will pay for what they did to you. I promise.”, he cursed.
It was the first day of fall, Deng Xin went outside, feeling alone
again and miserable. She noticed Tian Lo, playing with a porcupine on his
hands. He snuggled and pet the animal. Then, it bit him. Deng Xin giggled. He
then noticed that she’s watching him. “I see someone’s stalking who, wanna hold
it?”, she shook her head and said “No,”
“Come on,”
“Alright then.”
“Hey, you should laugh more often, you look more beautiful.”
She blushed and pet the porcupine, “Aw! It bit me!”, she shouted. “Let
me see, don’t move.” She looked at him and their eyes met. Then they both
giggled, it was a different Deng Xin, full of laughter and love. “We should do
this more often.” She whispered.
“Huh?”
“More often. You said I should laugh more often. So let’s do this
more often.”
“My pleasure, Your Highness.”
“I am grateful having you by my side Chan,” she uttered. (He used
the name Chan to hide his real
identity as Tian Lo) “Three years ago I found myself in the loving arms of my
father, but now, I don’t know him anymore. It feels like there’s a wall between
us. A big wall.”, she sighed.
Then a shooting star fell from the sky. “A shooting star, look.”,
He said.
“Make a wish.”, she whispered.
“I don’t believe mine will come true.”
“Go ahead make a wish.”
“Then my wish is to make all yours come true.”
She smiled then the place was covered with silence.
“What’s your wish then?” He asked.
“To meet the love of my life,” “Again.” She added.
“Again?”
“Yes, again. I met him when I was fifteen.”
“What happened then?”
“He’s gone. I never get to see him again. My father wouldn’t allow
me. But he’s always here.” She pointed her heart.
“What if you’ll never get to see him again?”
“No!” She shouted. “I’m sorry. I will see him again. I will. I
will wait for him.”
“Guess you really love him huh?”
He stood up, “Let’s go back inside. It’s getting cold here, you
might get sick.”
She nodded. He knew it was him she’s talking about. He went to his
room, shut his eyes but couldn’t sleep. No matter how much hatred he had
inside, it was his love for Deng Xin that holds him back on avenging his father’s
death. “I love you too.” He whispered.
The next morning, he decided to bring Deng Xin to where he stays. “Why
are we here Chan?” her innocent face looking at Tian Lo’s. “I am here to tell
you something important.” “You look so serious, you aren’t leaving right? Are
you?” “No, no. I’m not going anywhere.” “The boy you’re talking about last
night…” he added. “Why are you interested to know?” she cut in.
“I am that boy you’re talking about.”
She laughed. “Couldn’t be you.”
“My name is Tian Lo. My real name.”
She was shocked and looked at him. She couldn’t move. She took a
deep breath, stood up and leave.
She hurriedly went to her room and locked herself up. “It couldn’t
be him.” She said to herself many times trying to convince herself. Hours
passed and she’s still out of herself. Suddenly, she remembered Tian Lo’s brown
shinny eyes. “It’s him! B-but why? I mean how? I need to see him!” she hurriedly
went off the bed and rushed to see Tian Lo.
He searched from him everywhere, and she saw him at the palace
garden, she walks towards him, giving him a look with her eyes, shedding tears.
She smiled at him, then she gave him a hug. “It’s really you!” she exclaimed. “You
came back for me.” She added. It was love they both felt that night; a night of
two hearts reconciled and two people madly in love and back in each other’s
arms.
Meanwhile, Chun Ming and Jin Ho are having this conversation. It’s
about the status of their empire. China’s fall.
“I guess you know what’s happening to your empire right now,” Chun
Ming said.
“There’s nothing I can do.” Jin Ho replied.
“Nothing? So you are just going to watch everything you’ve done slowly
immersed.” “Make your daughter marry Ban’s first born.”
“What? Are you out of your mind? Risking my own child for my
personal responsibilities?”
“Ban will help you clean your mess! The mess you’ve created by
doing such actions from the day your wife left you! If you just listened to me
and didn’t approve that divorce, you wouldn’t be that miserable!”
“I will pay for such actions, I am the one responsible cleaning
that mess! Not my child.”
“Daughters do. Remember Yuan? When you married
Li’s daughter, everything was arranged. She’ll get use to it. Think twice Jin
Ho. Think wise.”