Chapter 6
Gin Fei, Princess Ching Ching and Siu Lung travelled past a village that was a
mile away from Ging Sing, they stopped at a restaurant to rest and eat. Two
soldiers sat down at a nearby table and was gossiping. The three listened
intently "So are where are we suppose to meet with Captain Hui to catch
that girl?"
The other soldier replied, "Im not sure, Im just following the signs he left for us to follow. I heard the king wants to catch her alive"
"I feel sorry for her, whatever she did it must have been bad. I guess the Wah's were destined to die." The two cheered their wine cups and drank. They were ready to leave when Gin Fei stopped them.
"Who does the King want to catch?" The guards looked at him not answering. Gin Fei pulled out his sword. "If you don't tell me, you'll look like this table" He easily sliced the table in half with his sword. The Princess and Siu Lung quickly got up to calm him down.
"Fei Gor, don't get too upset. They're innocent." He put up his hand to quiet her. He took a step closer to the soldiers and they backed away. They were going to make a run for it when Siu Lung blocked their exit.
"I don't know her name, but I know she lives in the Black Meadow Village." The soldier answered in fear.
Gin Fei knew he must save Yu Lin, he turned to the Princess, "Im sorry, I must go. Siu Lung, can you escort the Princess back to the King? I will meet up with you two later." The two nodded, assuring him to do what he needed to.
Outside Yu Lin's hime. Captain Hui and his tiny army surrounded her home waiting for their cue to attack. Suddenly, the black masked person appeared. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, we are just waiting for your command." Ga Wai bowed as he spoke to the person.
The masked person waved a hand and the soldiers immediately responded by opening the doors to the tiny home. One yelled that there was no one in sight. Ga Wai followed inside and looked around...there was really no one. He was looking on the ground when he spotted a shadow moving. He quickly looked up and noticed a girl sitting on a wooden block that ran across the ceiling to hold up the roof.
"I usally don't have that many guests at one time" she said with no fear in her voice.
"We're not guests" he said bluntly. "If you want to live, you will be a good girl and surrender."
"Without a fight?" She smiled sarcastically and jumped down. The soldiers were no match for her. When she defeated them Ga Wai saw his turn and attacked her viciously. She fought with him for a few minutes but knew that she couldn't beat him if they continued.
Outside the masked person waited impatiently for Ga Wai to finish his job. When the person saw no progress, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She pulled out a poisoned needle and flung it at Yu Lin. It hit her left arm, she quickly pulled it out knowing it had poison. The poison quickly travelled through her body, she fell down to the ground, weak. The masked person was about to finish her off with another needle when a rock flew from behind them and intercepted the flying needle. They turned their heads and emerged a girl from the woods.
"Everyone picking on a hurt girl...tsk tsk tsk. And this is the King's army. I guess these are the kind of people that are protecting our country huh?" It was Fa Fa, she walked slowly to Yu Lin's side. Before the group could do any further harm, Gin Fei jumped over to the girls sheilding them.
"Si Hing!" Yu Lin looked at the two. 'How many girls does he know?' she thought.
"Captain Hui, I believe this is the first time meeting?" He was admiring his tall stature with a leadership aura when the masked person waived her hand gesturing to kill the three.
They were about to obliged to the command when Gin Fei pulled out the Princess's gold medallion. The soldiers stopped in their tracks and bowed at the sight of the medallion. It was said that if you see the medallion, it is like seeing its owner, therefore you must respect the holder of it. Gin Fei smiled victoriously, "Captain, I believe the King said to bring her back alive."
Ga Wai looked angry as he nodded "Yes, I suppose. But I will escort the prisoner myself."
"Thats fine, but she's poisoned. The antedote will be helpful." Gin Fei eyes turned to the masked person. Without acknowledging him, she turned and flew out of sight. Anger turned to worried as he looked at Yu Lin.
"Sorry, I don't have the antedote" Ga Wai smiled cruely and led his men to a nearby temple to rest.
"Si Hing, she looks really pale. What are we going to do?" Fa Fa helped Yu Lin stand up when she pointed to her house.
As she led her inside, Yu Lin said "I know a cure for this, but Im going to need your help." She looked at both of them as she sat on her bed. "Which one of you knows the pressure points on the human body?"
Fa Fa quickly answered "I do!"
"You do?" Gin Fei looked surprised. He always thought she just likes to mess around yet he never thought that she would learn something so useful? Fa Fa stuck her tongue out at him for being exaggerated.
"Good, I will read them out to you as you placed the acupuncture needles to the correct points on my back." Fa Fa suddenly turned paled and looked at her Si Hing for help.
"She's afraid of needles. She'll faint if she has to put them on anything let alone anyone." Yu Lin looked down as she tried to think of another way. "If you don't mind, I will blindfold myself and have Fa Fa help me place the needles on your back." The girls looked at each other not sure what to say or think.
Finally Yu Lin nodded "Thats the best plan I could think of" She handed Gin Fei her hankercheif from her pocket. He carefully placed it over his eyes and tied it around his head. Yu Lin got ready and lied on her stomach with her top off.
They worked together for a few hours and when they were done, everyone sighed with exhaustion. Yu Lin sat up and got dressed "I feel almost cured. Thank you both for saving my life" She smiled sincerly, her face still pale.
"Im glad I could help!" Fa Fa beamed as if she did all the work. Gin Fei gave her a stern look, without having to ask anything. She answered quickly "I know what you're going to say. Why did I sneak out again? Well, I got bored, so I left and wandered into the woods. But eventually I got lost and when I heard people talking, I decided to follow them and so I snuck behind a tree and watched them." Gin Fei wasn't impressed, his look didn't change. "Hey, if I wasn't here, she would have been dead! Stop looking at me like that!!"
Yu Lin noticed the thick tension between them "Yes, she DID save my life. Its not that big of a deal that she sneaked out" She tried to diverge his attention away when he was still glaring at Fa Fa. "Its getting late and we have to be on our way tomorrow." His eyes softened as he looked at her with a worried glance. He knew she didn't want to go but it seems she has no choice. "There's another room through that door, you can rest there if you want." She pointed across the room.
Fa Fa took her chance to escape as she ran to the room.
Gin Fei shook his head in disapproval as he watched Fa Fa disappear into the room. "Im going to have to teach her a few lessons when we get back...she" He stopped when he saw Yu Lin's worried _expression.
"What if I end up dying, like my family? I can never avenge my family's death. And the Wah's medicine books will not be put into good hands. All my promises to my parents and brother will be useless now. I've already dishonored them." She pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them as tears fell from her lovely face.
It was the first time he saw her cry. She look so innocent and lost. "How about I promise you this? As long as Im still alive, I will never let anyone harm you." She looked up at him and slowly smiled.
"That was the first thing you said to me when we first met. You remember?" He looked away as he recalled saving her from the six men.
"Iam a man of my words, if I can say it I will follow through with it." he said honorably. "And you don't even have to ever use any kung fu either, cause I'll be there before you know it!" He was teasing her now.
"You can't follow me around your whole life." She said, realizing that she just implied that he liked her, she started to blush.
He was about to comment when Fa Fa yelled from her room "Go to sleep!! You can be lovey dovey in the morning!"
The two smiled as they took their places to sleep. Again he slept on the chair leaning on the wall beside her bed.
The Palace.
Siu Lung walked the Princess to her room and without saying anything he ran to his grandmother's room. He knocked on the door frantically calling to her.
"Who is it, come in!"
"Po Po, Yu Lin is still alive! I think she's in trouble because the King asked his soldiers to seize her."
Po Po's _expression turned to worried "Don't talk too loud." He almost forgot he was in the kingdom and no one knows of his identity. "All these years, I thought she died. No girl could survive on her own. Your parents will be so happy to know their little girl is still alive." She bowed to the two hidden tiny wooden grave heads with Wah Dai Fu and his wife's name carved on it.
"So the King has been trying to find her all these years? And after the fire that killed my parents, Yu Lin disappeared?" Po Po nodded solemnly. 'Im sorry Siu Lung, you must not know about your family...not yet at least'.
Chapter 7
The next morning, Captain Hui came to the front door and knocked loudly,
"Lets go! The King is waiting!" When there was no reply, he barged in.
The place was empty, thinking that they escaped, he ran outside. But instead he
found the three standing there waiting for him.
"Looks like somebody slept in." Fa Fa said teasingly.
"Never mind your smart remarks. Lets go." He led the way as his men followed. The three trailed behind.
Yu Lin knew that if she wanted to escape, she could have. Gin Fei mentioned that early in the morning when they woke up. She decided to see the king, she wanted to get this over with and solve any problems he had with her family. Her parents would want it like that. And if she ends up dying, so be it.
They travelled a long distance and eventually made it to Ging Sing. Ga Wai was eager to turn the prisoner in and claim his prize so he was walking briskly. Lost in his train of thought, he didn't noticed that the three had stopped at a nearby restaurant to eat. They ordered food and drinks as Ga Wai towered over the table expecting them to get up.
"Aiya! We have to eat too you know!! We've been travelling non-stop. We're not ANIMALS that can go on and on. Humans eat!" Fa Fa's remark was so loud that everyone in the restaurant heard. Embarrassed, Ga Wai sat down with his men and drank his tea.
Yu Lin smiled at Fa Fa's comment, 'she's very smart. I love her attitude!' Even Gin Fei had to grin listening to his martial sister tease the Captain, bringing him to embarrassment.
When they were done eating, they walked on their way. Yu Lin looked around in awe, she barely remembered the Kingdom when she was small. Its even more extravagant than when she recalled.
At the Palace gate, they were stopped by General Hui. "Chain her up, we don't want anyone harming the King" Gin Fei was about to intercene when Yu Lin shook her head lightly. He knew what she meant. There's no use in fighting, its the King's turf now.
The General violently grabbed her arm and led her into the large room where the King sat at his throne and his men lined up on two sides of the room waiting for his questioning period. Yu Lin walked calmly to the center and turned to see where Gin Fei was, she felt safer with him around. Everyone knelt down in unison and greeted the King "Your Majesty!"
General Hui noticed that Yu Lin stubbornly stood there instead of kneeling, he used his powers to push her to kneel down. She fell to her knees in an instant. She still refused to kneel as she glared at the General daring him while she sat on the ground instead. The old man was furious and was about to strike her when the King held up his hand "General, that's enough." He took his place in line as he bowed in discipline.
"Wah Yu Lin, Ive been looking for you for ten years now. You were lucky then when someone saved you because your family was sentenced to death when your father refused to save my beloved queen." The king was angry and sad as he talked about the past.
"Hmph! That was still no reason to kill everyone that lived in the Wah's home! The servants and workers were innocent. Not to mention my brother. Haven't you heard of the saying 'Yat Yan Jou Yat Yan Dong' (Who ever does it, that person should be blamed). Anyways, you have a hundred wives." She said coldly.
"That's not the point! He being a doctor should save anyone in harm of dying." How dare she talk back with such force. He's never met anyone like her, she's so much like her father. Hopefully a little smarter, he thought.
"Its useless what I tell you, you are the King. The man that runs his country and does whatever he desires. Are you going to kill me now?" Nearby, Siu Lung's heart ached as he watched his sister being prosecuted. He glanced at Po Po, with a discouraged look 'You lied to me.' She knew why he looked a little angry, so she turned away.
The King was getting frustrated because it seem he cannot get through to her. Its from all that anger she has for him because he killed her family. "I am willing to make a proposition with you. If you save my sick wife, I will give you anything you want."
She looked amused "Anything?"
He nodded firmly "A King does not lie".
"Fine, I want the medallion that will spare my life in any situation." She looked at him daring his words. She knew he could not say no since he already agreed. Yet she could not trust this King.
He smiled, "Thats all? Of course you can have it." She looked confused, why would he agree of such a thing? "No need to question, its just a tiny medallion. Anyways, if you ever try to betray me, which I believe you are smarter than that, I'll have other plans for you." He said it with a harsh threat. 'This girl is a lot smarter than her father. She would be most helpful if she was by my side.'
Yu Lin thought about it for a minute. 'He couldn't be too bad of a King if he worries about his wife that much.' She smiled confidently "Yes, I will take your offer", she kneeled and bowed her head for the first time.
The King laughed with glee. "Great, get up get up. No need to be so proper. General, take off her chains this instant!" The General was shocked, he never thought it would like this! 'She's one more problem we have to worry about.' He obediently obliged to the King's orders.
"May I ask you something, your majesty?" The King nodded with a question look on his face. "When did you realize the queen was sick?"
The King answered with no thought "After we came back from the temple up north from the Palace. She came back and the maid found her unconscious on the floor. That was about two weeks ago."
Yu Lin thought for a minute. "I would like to go there and take a look at it."
"Sure, Captain Hui, I assign you to go with Wah Siu Jei..." Yu Lin shook her head.
"No, your majesty. The Captain and I...are not in good terms." She eyed him cautiously. "I would like to request Chan Gin Fei to assist me. Afterall, he has the best kung fu around here." She winked at Gin Fei from afar.
"But Im afraid Mr. Chan doesn't know where the temple is."
"Your majesty, I can escort them. I was present with the queen at that temple." Siu Lung answered. The King smiled and nodded thoughtfully.
"Then its settled. Its a little late right now, so I suggest you three get some rest and leave in the morning." He nodded at everyone indicating the meeting was over. Everyone kneeled as the King left.
Outside, in the Palace Garden. The Princess was showing her new guest around when Siu Fei approached them. "Wah Gu Leung, there's someone here that wants to speak to you." She looked at him with suspicion and he leaned in "Its a person that knows your father and mother." he whispered in her ear. Yu Lin's face brightened as she agreed to see the special person.
"Go ahead, we'll have more time to see the Palace later" the Princess said when Yu Lin turned to her about to apologize.
Siu Lung led Yu Lin into Po Po's room. There the elder lady was bowing at the tiny wooden grave head again. She turned to Yu Lin "My, you look just like your mother. A bit prettier though...strong just like your father." She smiled proudly at the confused girl.
"You knew my parents?" Finally she was going to get some answers.
"Knew them? Your father saved my husband's life! Such a shame that he died a week later in the battlefield. Leaving this widow and her grandson." They both looked at Siu Lung. "On the day of the prosecution. The King allowed me to see your family one last time. You were missing the whole time, we were all worried not knowing if you were alive. I told your father 'Im a weak old lady, but I still know when a debt has to be re-paid.' He wouldn't hear of it." Her eyes wet with tears as she finally told the true story. "Because I was the next closest person to the King, the guards allowed me to be alone with your family in jail. I brought my grandson along, he was about your brother's age. I suddenly thought of a plan, to replaced my grandson with your brother." Yu Lin gasped as she clutched her mouth, tears dripped downed slowly as she came to realize that Siu Lung was her brother!
"But why...you gave up your grandson for our family?" She looked at her brother and he was even more shocked.
"You told me that he died in the fire with my parents!" She had lied to him about so many things. He finally came to realize why, his heart came out to her instantly.
Crying as Po Po continued "Your father had refused, but I said to him 'Its the least we can do for you. Ive lost everyone I love, except my grandson. But I don't want your family to disappear without a reason. Its not fair for your children.' Before he could refuse any longer, I grabbed Siu Lung and changed his shirt with Ah Lam. The guards didn't notice nor questioned when I walked out. I knew my plan had worked." She wiped away the tears, smiled as she touched Yu Lin's face, "Your father would be so proud of you, continuing on the Wah's medicine practice. Its just a shame your father was too stubborn to realize what would happen when he denied the King of his request. Now you two have finally met." She smiled proudly at the two reunited brother and sister.
Yu Lin turned to Siu Lung "Dai Gor!" They embraced each other for the first time. Both crying so hard and as they let go of each other, she wiped her tears away "Im sorry, I didn't mean to be mean" He knew she was talking about the first time they met.
"Don't be silly, we both didn't know. I just found out the other day when I heard the soldiers talking about the Wah family and I realized it must have been you." He smiled proudly at his little sister "Now you're a famous doctor."
"Oh, that reminds me. Come with me." She led him to her room where her belongings were. There were three medicine books in her hand, "I stole these ten years ago when father told me I couldn't learn them because I was a girl. Stubborn as I was, I defied him, I guess it should go to the right owner now." She grinned at him, knowing that she already learned everything in the books.
Siu Lung grew up with a gift of medicine. Although Po Po tried to keep him away from learning he would always manage to sneak in one of the older doctor's medicine room to read the books. But to have his father's books in hand was the greatest gift. "Thank you, Ah Mui." He suddenly remembered, the King doesn't know he's still alive. "Wait, we can't call each other Gor or Mui, the King will be really angry if he knew what really happened 10 years ago."
"Thats fine, I'll copy the Princess and call you 'Lung Gor'. Or is that not allowed? She says it way sweeter" she teased him as he blushed at the word Princess. "Don't worry I won't tell." she whispered exaggerating.
"Well, how about you and your Chan Dai Gor" he teased her back. 'Two can play at that game!' She shrugged her shoulders. "What's wrong? Did he do something to you?"
"No no...I just think he likes the Princess thats all." Remembering that her brother has a crush on the Princess, she quickly said "But you're a way better match."
He smiled at her teasing nature "It doesn't matter who I like, its still the Princess's choice."
From outside the room, Gin Fei watched them from a distance. They looked so happy talking to each other. He wondered when they began to get along so well. Before they could notice him, he walked away.
"Si Hing, no need to be so sad. If you like her why don't you just tell her?" Fa Fa said out loud when she saw him peaking at Yu Lin.
"Shh...its none of your business! And why are you eating? Didn't we just eat a while ago?" She was chomping on a pork bun.
She pouted he lips "I didn't have enough to eat! You're just mad because she looks happier with him" He ignored her and walked to his room as she followed him. "I know how you could get her. Do something nice for her, girls always fall for that." He stopped in front of his door, turned around to face Fa Fa.
"Don't be so nosy, little girl.
Go to bed because YOU are going home tomorrow." With that he walked into
his room and slammed the door. She stuck her tongue out. "And don't do
that, you're not twelve anymore!" Not knowing what else to say, she pounded
her feet on the ground as she returned to her room.
Chapter 8
The next morning Gin Fei woke up extra early. He had something special planned
for Yu Lin. He smiled as he looked out the window of his room ready to express
his feelings toward Yu Lin.
"What are you so happy about?" Fa Fa peaked her head into his window where he was standing. Startled by the surprise, Gin Fei jumped back. It made Fa Fa laughed so loud she had to cover her mouth.
"If I had a heart problem, I would have died! You can be so annoying Siu Si Mui." He smiled lightly at the situation, afterall its going to be a great day. "Even you can't get me down!" He abruptly left the room leaving Fa Fa staring after him...'What's wrong with him, Ive never seen him that happy...' She suddenly thought of their conversation yesterday, a smile brighten her face. She giggled at the sight of her martial brother 'in love'.
Yu Lin woke up from the knocking on the door. She was exhausted from the long day before. "Go away!" She yelled out at the person.
"Wah Yu Lin, open this door right now!" It was her brother, she lazily got out of bed and walked to the door and opened it. Her brother walked in shocked to see her still half asleep. Holding onto her blanket, she dragged herself back to the bed and plopped onto it. "Woh, you still sleeping?! We have to leave soon." He tugged her arm as she whined.
"Im so tired." She pushed him away.
"I know, but Gin Fei and I are all ready, we need to go now!" She sat up at the sound of his name. "Actually, he was up way earlier than we were, I saw him a while ago." He raised his eyebrow waiting for her to get up still.
"Okay, Im coming." Siu Lung crossed his arm and stared at her when she didn't budge. "Ah Gor, we may be brother and sister but you still don't want to see me get dressed do you?" She dodged his hand when he playfully tried to hit her head.
"Hurry up!" He laughed at her remark as he stepped out and waited for her.
She quickly got up and dressed. In a few minutes she walked outside ready to go. But no one was in sight, she heard a commotion going on around the left corridor and went to go see. When she got there, she found a bunch of bunnies that were running loose. The maids attempted to catch them, but they were too fast. So she decided to help out.
Near Yu Lin's room, Gin Fei looked around cautiously and entered with a huge bag full of...stuff. The bunnies worked perfectly! Within a few minutes he walked out again looking around for people.
"There you are, Chan Dai Gor!" Yu Lin exclaimed when she saw him by her room. He quickly sidestepped back pretending like he just came to her room instead of coming out of her room. She didn't really notice that he was blushing. "Im ready to go now."
"Where's Siu Lung?"
"I don't know, lets go find him" She led him to her brother's room. "Lung Gor!" she yelled out loud not realizing that Gin Fei was staring intently at her. 'Lung Gor? Since when did she start calling him that?'
"I was looking for both of you!" Siu Lung called from behind them. The three greeted each other and started on their tiny journey.
As they walked past the Palace, there was a hill that was quite steep, but it didn't stop them. Siu Lung and Yu Lin teasingly hitting each other as they giggled like little kids. Gin Fei following a few foot away looking at them with jealousy. 'Was it a mistake to do that for her? What will she think of me?' He was so worried about what would happen when she saw her room that he didn't notice Yu Lin running to him. He was falling behind.
"Fei Gor ah, why are you so slow? Come on, we have to hurry." She grabbed his hand without thinking twice and dragged him up the steps to the tiny temple. He smiled at her sweet gesture and she called him Fei Gor! He put aside his worries and followed her.
Inside, the temple was dusty and it looked like no one ever stayed there before. "Since the queen got sick, the King stopped having his people clean up the place for her." Siu Lung explained as he wiped away the dust on the Buddha statue.
"Lets look around and see what we can find". Yu Lin using her full concentration tried to find any little clues that might be useful. She saw a back door nearby "Does this door take you anywhere?" she asked out loud.
"Yes, the back yard of the Temple. The queen use to play chess with the head nun while she sipped on the crisanthimum tea." Yu Lin motioned the guys to follow her.
The back yard nice and shady from the large trees that surrounded the area. Suddenly something caught Yu Lin's eye, a tiny white bottle with blue flowers. She walked over to pick it up when the masked person flew from the roof where she was waiting for them. She aimed the sword straight at Yu Lin. "Ah Lin, watch out!!" Siu Lung warned her.
As if she didn't hear anything she continued to reach for the bottle. The clang of two swords collided, Gin Fei had quickly intercepted the masked person. "You want to destroy all evidences? Not too easy with me around." He fought with the person as Siu Lung ran to his sister's side.
"You okay?" She ignored him.
"Look, I found the bottle. I think it has the poison in there." She brought it up for Siu Lung to see.
"Are you crazy? Why didn't you dodge the person?" He was worried and didn't know why she was so calm.
"Im okay aren't I?" She glanced at Gin Fei fighting with the intruder.
"Oh..I get it. You guys have some kind of pact going on huh? What? He saves you when you're in danger or something?" He was quick to realize why his sister trusted Gin Fei so much.
"Don't be too smart. I just have alot of faith in him thats all." She turned away so he wouldn't see her smile.
The two fought for a while and Gin Fei managed to barely slit the person's arm. The cut wasn't too deep but it was enough for her to leave with pain. Gin Fei was about to chase after her when Yu Lin stopped him "Ay, Fei Gor, let her go, we got what we needed."
The guys turned to her "How do you know its a girl?" the guys asked in unison.
She smiled knowingly "Didn't you smell a flower like scent on her body?" The two guys shook their heads 'no'. She rolled her eyes "Every girl has a scent of flower, thats what..." She stopped when the guys leaned their heads in and sniffed her playfully.
"No, you got no scent, actually, you kind of stink." Her brother teased her.
Embarrassed at his comment, she quickly explained "Well of course I smell...different. I work with medicine all day! Anyways, Im allergic to flowers." She really wasn't but it was a good excuse.
"You are?" Gin Fei looked worried. "Uh, I have to go, Siu Lung can you escort her back safely? Don't worry the masked person won't come back, she's already hurt." Siu Lung nodded with his forehead wrinkled wondering what's wrong with him?
Gin Fei quickly flew off without any further acknowledgement. Yu Lin looked at her brother with curious eyes. "I wonder what he's doing." Her face suddenly lit up with a michevious grin. "Wanna follow him and see what he's doing?"
He smiled "You mean YOU want to find out. Okay, I'll race you back and..."
She didn't let him finish as she flew off after Gin Fei, not too far behind was her brother.
Back at the Palace, Gin Fei ran straight to Yu Lin's room and closed the door behind him. He woke up early in the morning to pick flowers in the garden. There were about a hundred different kinds with many colors of beautiful flowers. He wanted to surprise her and tell her how he felt. Quickly, he grabbed the flowers and threw them outside her window where they fell on the ground, they were piling up really fast. He was almost done when he spotted a single rose on her bed, he jumped over to retreive it when the doors flew open and Yu Lin stood there stunned. He was hiding the rose behind his back.
"What are you hiding? And why are you in my room?" She suspiciously asked.
"Uh, I thought I saw a burglar." He answered stupidly.
"In the Palace? The guards would have been here by now." She didn't know what he was up to but she was about to find out. She took some steps toward him and he quickly backed away towards the open window.
"I guess he jumped out the window. Well...Im going to go now. You better go see the queen too." She nodded her head as if agreeing with him. He sighed with relief when she started to walk out the door. Instead she spinned her body around him and pulled out the rose he was holding.
"A rose? You were hiding a rose?" She was confused now.
Blushing profusely, he stumbled on his words "I..uh..wanted to..give...surprise." How was he going to explain this? It wasn't intended to turn out this way.
"WAAH! Who waisted all these flowers!!" Exclaimed Fa Fa, Siu Lung came up behind her staring at the flowers.
"Oh my, the Princess will be so heartbroken, not to mention these are her flowers she waters everyday!" Siu Lung looked at Gin Fei then his sister.
"I guess my secret admirer left them for me" Yu Lin said with sarcasm. She turned to Gin Fei, putting him on the spot "Did you see him?" She raised her eyebrows when he didn't answer.
"Wah Siu Jei, the King has summoned you." The guard called out from her room.
"We'll talk about this
later." She whispered to Gin Fei as she walked out with the messenger
leaving him sighing with relief. He turned around to see Fa Fa and Siu Lung
grinning like monkeys at him. Without saying anything he marched back to his
room as if nothing happened.
Chapter 9
Yu Lin was led into the King's room. It was even more beautiful on the inside
with decorations that were worth at least billions! She looked around in awe,
forgetting her manners "Ah..Wah Siu Jei, its nice to see you enjoying your
stay." The King had a special liking to her, she was definitely different.
"Im sorry your highness." She quickly kneeled down when the King spoke to her.
"No need to be so polite. Afterall you are saving my wife." He waved her to stand up and she walked towards the sick queen.
She felt her pulse and was a little curious. 'Hm, its the same as the Princess's pulse when she was poisoned.' The King noticed something in her face. "What's wrong, is she curable?" His look of concern made Yu Lin smile assuring the queen is in no harm.
"She'll be okay. If you don't mind, your majesty, I'd like to start the procedure. I don't want you to be concerned." He looked at her understandingly and nodded.
"Thank you." She smiled as he said it with real sincere.
"There's no use, even if you save me, she will find another way to hurt me." The queen said weakly.
"Not if we can help it." Yu Lin set up her needles as she began curing with the pressure points.
"You know who did this to me?" The queen was surprised, she never told the King who the culprit was because she was afraid he might be harmed.
"I haven't met her yet, but we had a nice encounter with her this morning. Who ever did this to you did the same for the Princess." She quickly explained the situation.
Outside, the King paced impatiently waiting. "Wong Gor, don't worry, she's a great doctor. I know she can save the queen." Ching Ching hated seeing her brother so worried, he had more white hair in the past month than his whole life combined.
"I know I can trust her. Im just worried thats all." He couldn't help it, he lost too many wives in the past. The only two that he loved more than anything was the queen that died ten years ago and now this one.
"Come over and sit with me. Have some tea, you worry too much anyways." The Princess tried to distract him as they sat and chatted away. Within an hour, he forgot about his worry until Yu Lin stepped out.
"You can see her now. Although she is really weak, it will take her some time to recover." The King rushed into the room to see his beloved. While the girls greeted each other.
"It was the same poison you had." Ching Ching ruffled her eyebrows in confusion. "Lets come inside first." She closed the door behind her.
The King sat by his love, holding her hand while he stroked some strands of hair away from her pale face. "How do you feel".
The queen attempted to smile "Better, thanks to Wah Siu Jei"
Proudly, Yu Lin shook her head "It was a proposition with the King, I had to do it." She was teasing but seeing the King's face change, she regretted saying it. "Im sorry...I"
He held up his hand. "No, I should be apologizing. Ten years ago, I was so hasty when I sentenced your family to death. I was just so sad and angry when my dear Yiu Mei died." He smiled as he pulled out a medallion from his pocket "A promise is a promise. Wah Yu Lin, I present to you the medallion of life."
She knelt down to hold the medallion. "I have a little surprise for you." Curious she looked at the door when he called out for someone to come in. Po Po and Siu Lung entered. "You must be so happy to find your brother after ten years." All three looked at each other in shock, 'how did he know? I guess nothing is kept hidden from the King.'
They knelt down in shame, "Im sorry your majesty, we didn't mean to lie. I was just..." The King stood up to help Po Po up.
"I've known the truth for many years now. I never confronted you because I knew how much your grandson meant to you and you still gave him up to save Wah Siu Lung. I figure if it meant that much to you, I was willing to surpass it. Ching Ching helped me see that." He felt bad about killing their family leaving two orphans to fend for themselves. They've gone through much more than he can imagine. "I want you to stay in the Palace and help me out. The useless old men that call themselves doctors are nothing compared to you two."
The brother and sister looked at each other. He knew about Siu Lung learning medicine on his own too.
"Thats great! Ive been wanting to let you know that Siu Lung is very gifted in medicine but I didn't know how to tell you." The Princess said, she was glad everything is out. She's always had faith in Siu Lung when she first found him sneaking into the medicine room to read the books.
Siu Lung smiled at the generous words of the Princess. "Thank you, but I don't know as much as my sister here."
"Ah Gor, don't be so modest, you know much more!" She knew her brother was born with this gift. It was in the family's blood, afterall.
"Okay, now can everyone stop being so modest and leave so my wife can rest?" Everyone smiled at the King as they bowed politely and left the room.
In Gin Fei's room, he nervously waited for Yu Lin to return. He knew there was no escaping this time.
"Si Hing, are you worried?" Fa Fa asked with concern. She's never seen him like this.
He shook his head slowly "Just a little embarrassed at the situation I cause"
"Little?!" She said with emphasized sarcasm, "You stole the Princess's flowers and gave it to the girl you like but ended up throwing them outside so the whole Palace could see, how little was that?!" She was being a smart mouth.
His gaze slowly came up and met Fa Fa's eyes. "One more remark like that, Im going to escort you home myself!" She pretended to shiver in fear. "You little brat...get out! Out of my room, I want some space." He got up and pulled her arm out as she struggled to get loose. He pushed her out of his room and closed it.
"Aww, Si Hing don't want you around anymore?" she turned to see Ga Wai leaning on a tree with his arms crossed grinning at her. "That makes two of us."
"Hmph, what? You have nothing better to do than to follow me around?" She made no attempt to leave, she wasn't afraid of him. Actually, he seems to be the only person she can tease without getting so defensive. She sat down on a nearby bench.
"Do you want to take a tour around the palace? I bet you never got a good look at it." He was trying to lure her away according to his plan.
"So you could take me somewhere and kill me? Or worse rape me? I like to mess around but Im not stupid." She turned her head from him.
"Is that what you think of me?" he walked over to the bench and attempted to sit down next to her when she pulled up her feet and block the whole bench. She leaned back on her arms while staring at him. "I just want to sit down." He said offensively.
"And I just want you to leave me alone." she looked at him with fake concern, "You're mom still alive?" He looked at her with a questioned face, he shook his head 'no', "Explains why you have no manners." she quipped.
"She died when she just had me." He said with sincerity.
"She couldn't stand you huh? Had to leave this cruel life. To have to bring up a child with the ugliest ears. Tsk tsk tsk, I would have committed suicide too."
He touched his ears wondering if they were really big. She laughed as she watched his face in concern of his ears. "Is life all a big joke to you? All you do is joke around, no wonder your Si Hing wants you to go home."
She stopped laughing and stood up facing him in the eye. Instead of saying anything, she nodded her head as if he really hurt her feelings. She walked away never letting her eyes off his until she finally was out of his sight. 'Strange girl' he thought 'But very smart'.
Yu Lin walked with her brother as they chatted about medicine when Siu Lung stopped and looked at her face with disgust. "Ew, what is that? Ah Mui, do you ever wash your face?"
"What is it?" she exclaimed.
"I don't know but Im not touching it." He laughed at her as she tried to wipe it away.
"Where is it?" She kept wiping her face as he continued to laugh. She suddenly hit him "There's nothing!! Is there?!" He kept laughing indicating her guess was right.
From a distance, Gin Fei watched as the two laughed and joked. 'They look so happy. How could she ever like me?' He knew what he had to do.
He walked up to them and cleared his throat when they didn't notice him. They stopped laughing and running "Fei Gor, I was meaning to talk to you." Yu Lin was going to say something about earlier in the mornign when he put up his hand.
"Let me explain first. I was stupid to think that I could cheer you up with some flowers. I didn't know you were allergic to them. I did it because I wanted to tell you how I feel about you." He took a deep breathe "Yu Lin, I...I like you. I know there's nothing good about me, but I can't stop the way the I feel about you. I know you two have been getting along more often." The two smiled at each other, knowing what Gin Fei was trying to say. "I know the most important decision in a girl's life is her love. I am sincerly happy for you that you finally found him." He glanced at Siu Lung, but didn't noticed the disgusted look on Yu Lin's face. "I understand if this makes you uncomfortable, and you don't ever have to see me again." He sighed with relief, "There I said it!"
She crossed her arms, "If I don't see you, who's gonna protect m?. I thought you were a man of your words?" Confused, he looked at her, not knowing what to say. "Oh, by the way, meet my brother Wah Siu Lung." She said, pointing to her brother beside her.
"Nice to meet you!!" Siu Lung said with over exaggerated excitement. Gin Fei looked at them really confused.
"How...but..." he scratched his head as the two laughed at his naiveness.
"Its a long story, I will be glad to explain it to you if you have time." She was hinting to be alone with him. Her brother teasingly stood there knowing what she meant, but didn't move. She eyed him and flicked her head to the other direction indicating for him to leave them alone. "Ah Gor!"
He started laughing "Alright, no more teasing." He whispered to Gin Fei, "watch out for her, she's meaner than a tiger." He dodged quickly as she tried to hit him.
"I have all the time in the world for you." Gin Fei said. They slowly walked away together.
The Princess smiled to herself as she saw the happy couple walk off together. But her face slowly saddened 'I guess as long as he's happy, Im happy.'
Chapter 10
The General's maid quickly walked to his room with a pail of water and some
medicine that help stopd the bleeding. She knocked on the door and he opened the
door. He grabbed the stuff and nodded her off.
"His kung fu is better than I thought. How are we going to bypass him if he hangs around the kingdom so much?" Lee Yan was still wearing her black outfit from that morning.
"I don't know, but he's a good friend of the Princess's and plus he seems to have something with that Wah girl." The General was upset, he never did like their family. Suddenly he heard a knocking on the door. Lee Yan glanced suspiciously at the figure outside the door.
"Father, its me." They breath a sigh of relief. The General opened the door. Ga Wai walked in, his attention turned to the queen. "Yan Fee, are you okay?"
She snickered "This little scratch can't hurt me. Although he cut me deeper than I thought. He ruined my plans!"
"Not quite." They looked at the General. "I have a little plan. You know the King is only concerned about his precious wife and sister. What is the other thing that he can't get out of his hair?"
Gai Wai knew "The Mongolian border, they're going to attack if we don't give them more land."
"Thats right, so now all we have to do is fake an attack so he could send his men out. We suggest that Chan Gin Fei goes with you and we have him out of our way." The General said with confidence that his plan will work.
"No, its not good." His smile disappeared as he looked at the queen. "Lets get someone to poison the Mongolian King and have the King send Wah Yu Lin to help him. Since he wants a peace treaty with them. While I work my magic on Chan Gin Fei." she smiled wickedly at her plan.
"Im not sure if thats a good idea. He seems to only have eyes for Wah Yu Lin, how are you going to diverge his attention. Anyways, he'll eventually find out that you are one of the queens." The General had a point.
"Hmph, that darn King only cares about that precious wife of his. He married me and now what? Sure, I can convince him now and then, but with that little brat sister of his around, I can't do anything!" She angrily said at the thought of her plans not working out over and over again.
"I think it might just work. I will help to keep the Princess away if you want." They looked at each other as if the plan was settled.
"Good, then we will start now. Son, I want you to keep the Princess away from her brother so Yan Fee can talk to him. Also, send out the most trustworthy man to poison the Mongolian King." Ga Wai nodded in discipline.
In the Princess's Garden.
"Im sure Gin Fei didn't mean to pick all of them." Siu Lung said as the Princess was touching the stems of the picked flowers.
"I know, I told him to pick as much as he wanted, I just didn't think it would be all of it." She jokingly said.
"How about I help you grow them?" She smiled kindly at him. He was so sweet, too bad she doesn't have feelings for him.
"Thank you, Lung Gor. I would be delighted if you can help me." He grinned as they started to work together to grow the flowers.
Ga Wai stood aside watching the Princess and Siu Lung. 'Good, I don't even have to pretend to talk to her.' He quickly disappeared.
On the Palace grounds. "No, thats not how you do it! Here let me show you." She grabbed the kite from his hand. "See, like this." Instead of getting mad, he smiled sweetly at her. Noticing his gaze, she quickly gave him back the kite and walked away.
"Aiya, Siu Lin Lin, what's wrong now?" Gin Fei loved to tease her, he loved more to see her smile as he stared at her.
"You keep staring at me." She didn't look at his eyes. It was a strange feeling, this thing called 'love'. She had butterflies in her stomach every time he looks at her.
"I thought most girls like it when their boyfriends look at them." He couldn't stop smiling at her blushing face.
"Well, not that much! Im starting to wonder if I have some kind of defect on my face that makes you keep looking at it!"
He place his hands on her shoulder and spinned her around. "There could never be any defect big enough for me to forget that pretty face."
"Oh, so you like me because of my face?" She turned around secretly smiling.
"Of course not!" Concerned he explained "Its just that no matter what you turn into, I will still like you. Unless I somehow get amnesia one day! Even then I couldn't forget you." She turned around facing him.
"Well, what if half of my face burns off? Or I lose my nose? Or eyes?" He put his hand up to her lips to quiet her.
He slowly but emphasizing his words "I don't care what you look like...okay?" She nodded as she looked at him with her big brown eyes.
"You guys make me sick!!" Fa Fa gave a disgusted face as she evesdrop on their conversation. 'why is she always around at the wrong time?' he thought to himself.
"You're just jealous that you have no one that likes you!" He was tired of her childish attitude. "Maybe one day when start acting like a mature adult, someone will actually like you for once." His words were harsh, but there was a hint of tease in it. Although Fa Fa took it to the heart.
"Well, if thats what I have to look forward to, Id rather not be in 'love'!" She was really upset.
"Fa Fa, Fei Gor didn't mean it like that." Yu Lin tried to comfort her. Instead Fa Fa backed away and left without saying anything.
Yu Lin turned to him, "That wasn't necessary." He looked away for a minute. 'I was kinda mean.' he thought to himself.
"She'll get over it."
Outside the Palace grounds, Fa Fa ran as fast as she could. She didn't want to be around there anymore. "He's so mean! Why? What did I ever do to him?"
"Aai...I guess you saw that coming." She turned around and saw Ga Wai. He was following her again.
"What's your problem, do you have anything better to do? Don't you have burglars to catch, butts to kiss?" She was refering to the King.
"I already did all that this morning." He smiled while she got angrier. "Hey, I mean no harm, at least I never yelled at you." Without warning, she attacked him, she needed a good fight.
He cleverly dodged all her strikes without hurting her. Never taking out his sword they continued on for a few minutes. She was getting annoyed "Come on! Hit me, you wimp, what's wrong? Can't hit a girl?" She was trying to get him mad. Instead he smiled and continued what he was doing.
Finally she stopped when he still didn't fight back. "Your no fun!" She jumped away as he stood there still smiling after her.
The King's Office.
"Yan Fee, its getting late, why aren't your in your room?" He wanted to see his wife, he was still worried about her condition even though he just spent a few hours with her.
"Im worried about you. You haven't had much sleep since all this happened." She walked over to him and gave him a massage.
He lightly tapped her hands to stop. "Im okay, go rest. Im going to sleep soon."
She nodded and bid him good night. He
was even colder to her than usual. 'I wonder what he knows.'
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