Chapter 4
Andy Lau - Chu Ga Lung
Noel Leung - Cheng Sum Mong (Dream)
Julian Cheung – Lam Kit Sing (Star)
Ruby Lin - Ah Yin (Sparrow) aka Flying Sparrow
Nick Cheung - Miu Tak Keung (Courage)
Miu Kiu Wai – Cheung Fu (Tiger)
Charlene Choi – Yung Ching Yee
Maggie Cheung Man Yuk – Yeung Gam Lai aka The Fair Nun
The two reached the little town, it was more crowded than usual and it didn’t take Sum Mong long to decide she would visit the brothel after hearing the news about the new girl at Lan Fong “Don’t think of it.” Tak Keung warned her when her eyes traveled to the brothel.
“Why not?!” she asked stubbornly “It won’t hurt anyone, we’re just there to see.” She pleaded with her round eyes.
Tak Keung had a weak spot for her and she knew it “Fine, for just ten minutes!” he emphasized.
“Yes!” she jumped up and down happily “Now give me your robe and belt.” She pointed.
He moved away with an outraged look “What?”
“I can’t go in if I’m a girl!” she exclaimed.
“Then what will I wear?” he reasoned.
Just then, she saw an official on a horse trotting through the streets. Her eyes brightened “I’ve got an idea.”
When the sun went down, the city lights were lit. And it was a perfect chance to abduct an official in his own home, where he was most comfortable. Sum Mong stuffed the cloth in his mouth to keep him from screaming out. She tied him to a pole in the temple while Tak Keung kept watch. She picked up the black robe and placed it over her blue dress “How do I look?” she walked over to Tak Keung.
He couldn’t help but laugh “Like you could fit another person inside.”
She frowned “I can’t help that he is too fat. Switch with me. You be the Official.”
He wanted to save the trouble of arguing with her “Fine.” He nodded and began untying his belt. Within minutes they were completely changed in costume “You stay behind me, if they realize you’re a girl—”
“You talk too much!” she pushed at his back as they followed the small trail back to town. Lan Fong was busy and flooded with people. It was crowded to the point where they were clearing out the average and making room for officials “Wow…good thing I thought of stealing an official’s robe.” She whispered when they made it inside. Tak Keung was treated with respect and earned a seat near the other officials. They nodded politely to him and he did to them.
“What if they talk to me?” he whispered.
“Talk back.” Sum Mong leaned down and answered, she winked at him playfully “You’re doing great. Just nod and smile.”
A moment later, another gentleman seated next to him. He was handsome and his aura gave way a presence many feared. He turned to Tak Keung and nodded “How do you do?”
“Good.” He replied shortly.
“It’s my first time in town.” The gentleman explained.
“Really? Where did you come from?” the man looked friendly and harmless to Tak Keung.
“The Pal—I mean Toi Bak.” He smiled after catching himself. A man with cold eyes stood behind him as he stared at Tak Keung and then Sum Mong.
“Really? Is it cold up there? Is there many things to see?” Sum Mong forgot her role as a servant and began asking the man questions.
He frowned strangely at her while Tak Keung pretended to scold her “How rude of you! I specifically said you cannot speak to anyone above you!”
The man raised a hand and laughed “It’s quite alright, Official. I believe he is only curious about where I came from.” Sum Mong gave him a weak smile and turned away.
“Gentlemen!” a woman in her late forties appeared at the nape of the stairs to get their attention, two rows of girls filed out and walked accordingly down the stairs to each official, serving them wine and fruits “I’m sure everyone is eager to meet Hoi Lin Gu Leung. Without further introductions, I present her.” She raised a hand to the left and a girl in a soft pink lacy dress appeared. Her face covered with a matching pink lace material. Her hair perfect and her eyes mesmerizing as she moved them along the officials with care.
The men gawked and gasped at her beauty. All were thinking the same thing, if the other half of her face was as beautiful as the rest of her. When she made her way down the steps, she lifted her hands to the right hip and curtsied every so delicately “Hoi Lin kept everyone waiting, please excuse my tardiness.”
Sum Mong’s vision was suddenly blocked and she was shorter than the average men. Arching her neck, she failed to see the girl. All she heard was her voice “Hoi Lin Gu Leung, please do not be polite. It was all worth the wait.” A man spoke up, his eyes trailing her figure.
“Thank you, General Chan.” She nodded. He smiled broadly, impressed by her knowledge of who he was “Before we start the bidding, Hoi Lin would like to play a little game of questions.” When the room grew quiet, she continued “A hawk that flies across the horizon bringing food back to her nest to feed her children. It is shot down by an arrow. How long does it take for it to fall to the ground?”
Sum Mong frowned strangely as she looked down at Tak Keung, it was a peculiar question for an escort to ask. She guessed it was a trick question but wasn’t sure where the trick was hidden “How high is the mountain?” one rich merchant question, desperate to please the pretty lady.
“There is no mountain.” A voice broke into the crowd. All eyes turned to the door at a young man no older than thirty. He was tall and handsome with a dimple that would make girls melt. A hush ran through the crowd as he walked into the center and stared directly in Ah Yin’s eyes “It is a metaphor.” The men began whispering amongst themselves “Am I right?” he bowed shortly with a smirk.
Ah Yin couldn’t help but nod “Yes, you are.” She recognized him from the streets earlier that morning. Luckily he didn’t see her face or he would have blown her cover “Can anyone explain the metaphor?”
“I believe it is—” Kit Sing began only to be shot an evil glare. He tilted his head with interest “You’ve got quite a temper.”
“And you don’t belong here.” She said softly but her words were full of threats “Shall we start the bidding?”
The men began to stand up and circled closer to the center “Ten pounds!” one man began.
Sum Mong pushed Tak Keung closer “Come on, say something!”
“No, I’m not bidding.” He hissed.
“Two hundred pounds!” Sum Mong forced him to raise his hand, but he yanked it back within seconds. The crowd gushed at the bold call.
The gentleman sitting next to him remained calm, his hand gently placed behind his back. He waited for the bidding to slow down before raising his hand “One thousand pounds.”
Everyone turned to the voice as some moved aside for him to walk towards Ah Yin. Sum Mong shrugged when Tak Keung looked at her “Would anyone like to overbid?” Ah Yin asked the crowd. No one had the balls to reply as they did not have that much money “Very well, Hoi Lin will service you tonight.” She curtsied. Her eyes moved over to Kit Sing, who made no attempt to make a bid. He stared on curiously while she led the rich man up the stairs and into a room.
Sum Mong sighed “You should have called two thousand.” She nudged her sworn brother.
“We don’t have the money, Si Mui.” He whispered.
“So? We don’t have to. I just want to see what she looks like. But if you ask me, I think she’s suspicious.” Sum Mong followed the girl up the stairs until she disappeared. Something familiar about her made her eyes twitch but she couldn’t put a finger on it.
“Come on, the show’s over.” Tak Keung fanned himself “This robe is so heavy, I’m sweating in it.”
Before they reached the exit door, the woman in charge gushed towards Tak Keung in a syrupy voice “Dai Yan, why are you leaving so early? Please come join the fun. You may not have won Hoi Lin but there is Yu Fah and Lai Kwan.” She pointed to a few girls as they swung their hips over dramatically, pushing themselves on Tak Keung.
Sum Mong suddenly grinned “Yes, go ahead Dai Yan, I will stand guard.” She watched as he was helplessly taken away into a room. She followed shortly and disappeared down the other hallway where she last saw the girl in pink. She found the room with ease as she passed the guard and turned a corner into another room. She leaned her ear against the wall to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“What would you like to hear?” her fingers moved over the harpsichord delicately.
“Nothing.” The handsome man smiled, his eyes friendly and she could tell he meant no harm but she was taught not to trust men, much less give them the benefit of the doubt.
“Eager to start the night?” she asked.
To her surprise, he shook his head and pointed her to a chair across the table from him “Please.” He said eloquently “I do not mean to insult you, but why did you chose to take this job?”
She snickered at his naïve state of mind “You were well protected as a child, weren’t you?”
It was an understatement, but he nodded “Yes. I suppose I was.”
“Well, you may not know that not everyone has their choice of paths to live. Some are forced to be something they are not. Some grow up without a family and learned how to survive on a day by day basis, never knowing if they would live another day.” She spoke of much pain and anger.
“I apologize, I had no idea you led such a hard life.” He said sincerely.
Ah Yin relaxed her eyes “It is not my life. It is what I have seen through the course of my life.”
“I see.” He nodded. Getting up, he looked around the room “You enjoy living here?”
She poured him another cup of tea, she had poisoned when he turned his back “It is not home but still comfortable.” She handed him the cup “Shall we begin the night?” her smile hidden behind the veil.
He took the cup from her hand and placed it on the table “I am not interested in your service.”
She was taken aback and wasn’t sure if she heard correctly, her eyes tilting towards the tea “I don’t understand, Chu Gung Zhi.”
“Call me curious, I only wanted to see what you looked like behind the veil.” He said honestly.
“Taking out one thousand pounds to see the true face of an escort? Is it worth it?” she shook her head in shame “I’m afraid you would only be disappointed and demand your money back.”
“Nonsense. I can always tell a beautiful girl when I hear her voice.” He said with confidence “No amount is a problem for me.”
Her eyes sharpened at the comment “It’s a wonder this country is pulling itself deeper into poverty with rich people like you wasting money away in brothels that give nothing to the people but broken hearts and homes.”
“I beg your pardon?” he was confused by her sudden temper change. To his shock, she unwrapped her belt and used it as a weapon, the material wrapping around his body “Fung!” he cried for his bodyguard.
The man standing guard broke into the room, sword drawn as he hopped towards Ah Yin, trying to control her. She blocked each stroke with easy glides, using her cloth to block a few cuts. The guard sliced through the material that held the Prince in one piece “Run.” He said shortly.
Chapter 5
Andy Lau - Chu Ga Lung
Noel Leung - Cheng Sum Mong (Dream)
Julian Cheung – Lam Kit Sing (Star)
Ruby Lin - Ah Yin (Sparrow) aka Flying Sparrow
Nick Cheung - Miu Tak Keung (Courage)
Miu Kiu Wai – Cheung Fu (Tiger)
Charlene Choi – Yung Ching Yee
Maggie Cheung Man Yuk – Yeung Gam Lai aka The Fair Nun
Prince Lung rushed out of the room and turned to his right. Suddenly the room opened and a hand pulled him inside. Sum Mong raised a finger to her lips “Shhh! It’s me.”
“What are you doing here? Where is your master?” he asked, forgetting that he was in danger.
“He can take care of himself. Did you see what she looked like?” she asked nosily. He shook his head “Why not?”
“She tried to kill me.” He answered ever so sarcastically.
“Right.” She nodded and pulled him by the hand “Come on, I’ll get you out of here.” They made it through the other hall, the people downstairs were oblivious to the fighting upstairs. Sum Mong barged into the room to find three girls all over Tak Keung, who was trying unsuccessfully to be a gentleman and nudging them away while they fed him chicken, wine and other food “Si Hing.” She closed the door behind her.
“What’s wrong?” he said with a mouth full “And why is he with you?” he whispered.
“Nevermind that, I was right. That girl is a fake, she knows martial arts.” Sum Mong hissed “She tried to kill him.” She pointed her thumb behind.
“Search!!! Everyone out!!!” a booming voice called out.
The two turned to each other wide eyes “Take it off!” Sum Mong advised quickly as she realized the Official they kidnapped was probably found. But he didn’t get a chance to untie the belt before the door broke open, appearing the red face Official with a gang of soldiers “Them! They kidnapped me and impersonated me. Arrest them!”
Sum Mong overturned the table causing a commotion between the guards and them. She reached out and took Ga Lung’s hand “Come on!”
“I did nothing wrong.” He said calmly.
“Si Hing!” She called when a guard came towards him with a sword. Tak Keung hopped on the bed and used the canopy to block the guard’s vision before kicking him down. She rushed over to help him but at the same time saw that Ga Lung was captured willingly. She grumbled “Stupid man! Si Hing, go first. Find me!” she pushed the window open and made him jump out from the second floor. He knew she would not be harmed. Jumping out, he made it to ground safely. The last scene he saw were swords placed on Sum Mong’s neck as she surrendered.
“You will pay for my suffering!” the Official bellowed.
She rolled her eyes “You were tied to a pole, how much suffering could that be?”
“Do not speak back!” he ordered. He turned to Ga Lung “And you, what are you doing with this thief?”
“I do not know him.” He answered honestly.
Sum Mong flicked a brow up “Really? But all this was your idea, Dai Gor.” She snorted.
“Oh, they are brothers!” the man turned to the guards “Take them to jail, I will sentence them tomorrow!”
“Wait! I really don’t know this man. Fung! How dare you arrest me! I will have your heads! Fung!” he called for his bodyguard but he was nowhere in the brothel as was the girl in pink. Whispers broke through the crowd as they watched the two being ushered out by Imperial guards.
“Shut up!” one guard was tired of his cries as he gave him a good whack behind the neck making him faint. Sum Mong gaped in shock but decided it was best to keep her mouth shut.
They were thrown in jail along with the other petty thieves that stole to survive. She stared at the man across, her brows knitting strangely while she analyzed the medallion that fell from his body. It was made of real gold and a dragon was carved on the front, she bit into it and rubbed her teeth painfully. She quickly hid it in her shirt when Ga Lung came to. He rubbed his neck painfully “You’re up.” She greeted with a raised chin.
His eyes narrowed at her with a sense of blame “You…this is all you’re fault.”
“You’re welcome too.” She snickered “Don’t forget, I did save your life.”
“And you put my life in danger.” He pointed to the jail “I cannot be in here.”
Sum Mong laughed “What’s wrong with jail? You get a place to sleep…” she picked up the hay and threw it up in the air “And you get food.”
“It’s not your first time inside?” he asked while rubbing his back, just then he realized his medallion was gone. He began to panic while searching his belt and sleeves.
“Looking for this.” Sum Mong dangled the piece in front of her face.
“That’s mine!” He got up and placed a hand out to take it back.
She retrieved it “Eh! How do I know it’s yours? I found it.” She reasoned.
“Where? On my body?” he quipped.
Sum Mong grinned as she stood up “Oh, a quick tongue. Let me give you a piece of advice. If you want to get something back, try a nicer tone. And I found this next to you, it could have been dropped by the past prisoner that was locked in this cell.” He was growing frustrated with her. He turned his head away refusing to look at her. She laughed playfully and stepped over to give him back the medallion “Here. I don’t take what’s not mine. I was only playing.”
He held the piece in his hand, it was the only identification piece that Officials would know he belonged to the Royal family. He turned to see her making a comfortable spot in the corner. Still thinking she was a guy, he walked over and sat down next to her “My name is Chu Ga Lung.”
Sum Mong shifted her seat away to keep a distance “Chu Dai Gor.” She smiled.
“Do you have a name, Hing Dai?” he grinned.
“Oh, I’m a brother now?” she teased “I have no name.”
“That’s absurd, everyone has a name.” He said with ruffled brows.
Sum Mong shrugged “I don’t.”
“How about I name you?” he suggested.
She was interested “Sure.”
“Hmm, you’re petite. So let’s call you Siu Yeung?” it was the name of his servant in the Palace that he treated as a brother.
She wrinkled her nose “Sounds like sheep. Let’s call me Tin Gwong. Like sunlight because I’m bright.” She chuckled.
The Prince nodded “Tin Gwong. That’s an interesting choice. It’s very special.”
They talked into the night and the next morning, Sum Mong was awakened by a cooing sound of a bird. She looked up and found it standing at the small window with bars. Ga Lung stirred awake, he looked up to see her reaching for a bird “It’s your lucky day.” She presented the dove to him.
“We’re going to eat it?” he widened his eyes in shock.
She laughed with a shaking head “I guess money can’t buy everything. Especially a brain.” She winked playfully “Don’t think all birds are stupid, they are smart, especially white doves. They are trained for sending messages.” She flipped the bird over and pulled out a tied piece of note. She slid it open and read the words to herself ‘Eat the chicken.’
“What does it say?” he asked.
“Nothing.” She ripped it up and set the bird free.
*****************
Ah Yin somersaulted onto the ground from the tree, she stopped and turned to the figure following her since the night before “Why are you following me?” the black lace straw hat still in place.
Kit Sing crossed his arms with a taunting smile “I was only trying to catch a thief. I hear your capture is worth two thousand pounds.”
“You are not any different from me. The money you have is not yours to begin with.” She said smartly.
“Yes, but the difference is that I didn’t get caught.” His quick tongue only made her more furious.
“Do not follow me or you will pay the consequences!” She challenged.
“I’m a very curious person.” He hinted. She spun the material towards him as he jumped back blocking the vicious attack “Tsk, tsk, tsk, it’s a shame you have a temper like a tiger. You’ll never marry that way.” Me mocked.
“I’ll never marry a man like you!” she spat harshly.
He laughed with his head pushed back “I did not mean to imply that I would marry YOU.”
She grunted angrily and thrust the material towards him, he quickly kicked his legs in a circle to jump over the cloth. She decided to retrieve it and fought with her bare hands. He fought back without pulling out his sword. They went at it at full force for a good long moment. She could not identify what sect he was from since his attacks were random and it frustrated her that he would not draw his sword “Coward!” she barked when he blocked a kick and spun away.
Kit Sing grinned “A gentleman never hits a lady.”
“I am no lady.” She answered.
“I’d like to prove you wrong.” His face tightened as he finally drew his sword and attacked her hat. She knew what he was trying to do and kept her distance. She pulled out her cloth rope and fought against his sword but she soon regretted tempting him. He was more experienced than she was in martial arts and he knew which move she would plan next. She thought wrapping the material around his sword would be able to retrieve it but it only gave him a chance to cut her rope in pieces.
Ah Yin barely had enough to shoot the rest at him, he raised a hand to catch it. They began a short tug of war game before he raised the material and gave it one good whip, snapping her hat up. It flew from her head as her entire face was exposed. He was dumbfounded by her beauty, never expecting to see an angel in disguise “Pervert!” she barked angrily as she turned and flew towards her hat. Placing it over her head, she jumped off into the distance.
Mesmerized, Kit Sing smiled to himself. The fair maiden was fair and she was tougher than he expected “We’ll meet again.” He whispered the vow. Her round eyes and pink cheeks etched into his brain, even for a few seconds he felt it was worth being insulted.
He followed back to the town, soldiers surrounded the brothel and all were looking for the girl named Hoi Lin. He smirked at the ignorance of the soldiers. He passed the busy town and came upon a road leading into a dark forest. It brought back fond memories as a child for him.
His family was well off and being the only child he was spoiled. Getting everything he wanted but did not need. He turned a corner of a familiar tree, the bark still marked by his carving at age seven. He stopped to touch the word ‘Lam’ on the trunk. His fingers curled into a fist as he angrily punched it. He remembered the day like it was yesterday, he ran out to play on his own like he always did. When he came home, he found it in flames and his parents inside unconscious on the ground. He tried to pull them out but it was impossible for they weighed three times his weight.
Kit Sing cried and cried until the flames dried his tears. He sat with his mother and called endlessly for her to wake. He remember a pair of hands pulling him out of the garden and into the safely of the dark forest. The man had no face, he only shook his head and gave him one piece of advice “Dying will not solve your pain. Revenge will feed your hunger to survive. See me every full moon in this forest and I will teach you how to survive.”
Even until that very day, he never met his master face to face. But he did not want to be called Master, only Chin Pui (Wise Elder). He stared up at the moonlight, a tear trickled down his face that he quickly wiped from the sound of sprints and jumps across the high oak trees “Ah Sing.” The man in black greeted.
“Chin Pui.” He bowed with respect.
“Are you ready?” he questioned.
Kit Sing nodded “Yes.” He drew his sword and came towards the man in a series of strokes. Artistic and fluid, he moved against the light quickly and darted away from the attacks. Their silhouette dancing along the moonlight as they practiced for two hours.
Chapter 6
Andy Lau - Chu Ga Lung
Noel Leung - Cheng Sum Mong (Dream)
Julian Cheung – Lam Kit Sing (Star)
Ruby Lin - Ah Yin (Sparrow) aka Flying Sparrow
Nick Cheung - Miu Tak Keung (Courage)
Miu Kiu Wai – Cheung Fu (Tiger)
Charlene Choi – Yung Ching Yee
Maggie Cheung Man Yuk – Yeung Gam Lai aka The Fair Nun
Sum Mong shielded her eyes when she peeked out of the cell window. The sun was directly above them “It’s noon. We should be getting fed anytime now.” She said to Ga Lung.
He grinned “And how do you know this?”
She laughed “I thought you said it wasn’t my first time in here.” She rushed towards the wooden bars and poked her head through one hole “I get caught on purpose when I get hungry.”
He had never heard of such thing “Excuse me?”
“I said…I get caught on purpose!” she yelled louder while he shook his head. Suddenly, she bounced up and down “The food is here!” she stood away from the door as the guard unlocked it for a brief minute to give them food “What is today's special, Soldier Sir?”
“Chicken.” He dropped the tray and locked the door “Enjoy it while you can, your sentence will be in one hour."
She ignored his words and attacked the drumstick. Sum Mong was about to take a bite when she turned to Ga Lung. She passed him the piece “You take this, I forget to respect the elder.”
“No, you eat it. Looks like you need more meat.” He pointed to her small waist.
Sum Mong grinned “Okay, don’t say I didn’t offer.” She bit into it and pointed with her chicken at the three pieces left “Eat it.” He found the cheap wine more tempting as he poured it into a small cup. When he raised it to his lips it was knocked out of his hand “Don’t drink it!” she yelled. Picking up a wing, she thrust it into his face “Eat this.”
He tilted his head strangely “I’m not hungry. I’m actually very thirsty.” He took the second cup and began pouring when she took the bottle from his hand “What is the problem?” obviously annoyed.
She shook her head “Listen to me. Eat the chicken.” When he wrinkled his nose and eyed the bottle in her hand, she sighed “Have I hurt you at all since I met you?”
“No, but if it weren’t for you, I would not be in this situation.” He stated.
Sum Mong rolled her eyes and to her amazement, he reached for the bottle “I said not to drink this!” she threw it against the wall as it splattered to the ground.
“What’s the matter with you?!” he cried angrily. She pouted and her nose flared in response. She had never been yelled before, even her master wouldn’t raise his voice at her for no reason. Sum Mong took her chicken leg and got up to the corner room. She sat down facing the wall and ate it quietly. His brows furrowed strangely, he thought what a petty man. When he felt remorseful for yelling, he eventually got up and walked over to her “I’m sorry.” He apologized.
She ignored his apology and continued with her chicken almost finishing it. He patted her head playfully and she gave in “It’s okay.” She said slowly “But you’ll thank me later.”
He smiled “Just as long as you’re not angry.” He returned and picked up the plate of chicken “Have another one.” Sum Mong smiled as she obliged and broke into the second wing leaving him a chicken leg.
Time flew by quick as they realized it was time to face the music. The rattling of keys called out to them as they turned to see the guard unlocking the door. The chains were wrapped around their wrists. Quietly they were escorted to the judgment room. The Official sitting behind a large table above everyone else. Two lines of soldiers stood guard with wooden poles. Sum Mong picked at the piece of meat stuck between her teeth while Ga Lung stood straight with his head held high.
“You two have guts to stand before his righteousness and not kneel!” a thin man with a book in his arms barked. He stood firmly next to the Official with a smug smile.
“I do not kneel to peasants.” Ga Lung said boldly.
“Peasants?!” The Official laughed “Who do you think you are? The King?”
“I know him.” He replied causing the room to ripple with laughter.
Sum Mong nudged him “Hey, it’s no time to joke.”
“Yes and the Queen is my aunt.” The Official cracked.
Ga Lung snickered “It is treason to mock anyone from the Royal family.”
“Then you have committed the same crime.” The man dared.
Sum Mong raised her chin defiantly “He made a comment that he knew the King, it is no way belittling the Royal Family. But you are making a false comment, which by law you and your three generations could be killed instantly.”
Ga Lung raised his eyes at her with pride “That is correct, Tin Gwong.”
“Thank you Chu Dai Gor.” She bowed proudly.
“Nonsense! How dare you two stand here and make a mockery of the legal system! Making up punishments when yours is fit for losing your heads. Do you know the consequences of impersonating an Imperial Official?” the man with the beady eyes asked.
Her eyes shifted to the left when she saw a soldier cower over to hold his stomach. The Official curled his brows and nodded for the other guards to bring him out. Sum Mong smiled crookedly when in the other line, another guard fell to his knees grumbling in pain. Ga Lung turned to her with a curious expression, she shrugged and smiled. One by one they dropped like honey bees. The Official pointed to them accusingly “We couldn’t have possibly done it.” She said mockingly.
His head dropped onto the table and Sum Mong laughed with her head thrown back. She walked over to the guard that led them out, he had fainted too. She bent over and picked up the keys to unlock their chains “Did you have something to do with this?” Ga Lung asked while rubbing his wrists.
“Why, of course.” She smiled widely and pulled him along. When they made it safe in the forest, she stopped at a temple where she and Tak Keung often used as a meeting place when they were lost as kids “Si Hing!” she called.
He appeared from under the Buddha table “Si Mui!” he was happy to see her well being.
“Si Mui?” Ga Lung asked. She nodded vigorously “You’re a girl?!” he felt absurd for not knowing, since he spent a whole night in jail with her “But…” he pointed to her robe.
“Unfortunately, she is a girl.” Tak Keung sighed “Or she’s a male trapped in a woman’s body.” He decided to crack.
She glared at him angrily “What did you say? Say it again, if you dare!”
“I said—” before he could finish, she punched him the arm with force “Si Mui!”
Ga Lung raised a hand to stop them from bickering “Wait…why didn’t you tell me you were a girl all this time? You led me to believe you were a male?”
“I never like to make people uncomfortable.” She explained.
“She just wanted to visit the brothel.” Tak Keung ratted her out. He spun away from her punch while hiding behind Ga Lung “She’s violent, I advise you to run far from her as possible.”
“Miu Tak Keung!” she screeched.
He laughed while Ga Lung couldn’t help but join in. They were like brother and sisters, it only reminded him how lonely living in the Palace was. Everyday staring at maids or Eunuchs as they bowed and served his every needs. Sneaking out of the Kingdom would cause chaos if the people knew their Prince was loose in the country. But if he did not hear his father talking to General Fong about the Cheng and Lam family, it would not have brought his curiosity to learn the mystery of their sudden disappearance on the same night. When he did his own research asking the older Officials about the story, he pieced it together and realized a conspiracy had taken place. Vowing in front of his ancestors’ gravestones, he promised to clear the names of the innocent ones.
“Chu Dai Gor!” Sum Mong called when he dazed out.
“Yes?” he nodded at her.
“What are you thinking of?” she asked nosily.
“It is not important.” He smiled “I do have to find my bodyguard.”
“We’ll help you!” she offered quickly.
Tak Keung shook his head vehemently “No, we can’t. Si Fu was very angry when he found that you didn’t come home last night. I didn’t know what to tell him.”
“So you told him the truth?” she asked wide eyed “Si Hing, are you as stupid as you are naïve? Could you not make up a story?”
“No, I am not a good liar like you.” He quipped.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” Ga Lung spoke up “Thank you for your help but I must go.”
“Where will you go?” Sum Mong was surprised that she felt sad to see him leave.
He smiled “To be honest, I’m not sure. Probably to the scene of the crime, hopefully Fung returned to look for me.”
Tak Keung shook his head “I suggest you not. After today, they probably have our faces posted to every wall in the town. If they find us, we will be in deeper trouble.”
“We could disguise.” Sum Mong was anxious to help.
“We are not kidnapping another Official!” Tak Keung scolded.
Rolling her eyes, she sighed “No, that would be walking into a trap.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully “I can be a girl of course since they thought I was a man to begin with.”
“I am not going to be a woman again.” Tak Keung shook his head firmly.
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Ah Yin walked into the half burned building. Even after twenty years, it remained in it’s same place. It was said from the people that it was taboo to build over a home that was burned down. She was too small to remember the fond memories of her childhood. From the stories her Master told her, she had an older sister. She often visited the home in hopes of finding a trace or a clue that would take her to the mystery of her family’s sentence.
Asking the town was out of the question, no one wanted to tell her the story of the Merchant Cheng. Maybe they had no idea? She wondered to herself while her eyes moved towards where a door use to be. Her dress flowed over the broken door, by the space of where the bed use to be, she could tell it was her parents’ room. Suddenly a gust of wind blew against the floor moving away sand and dust that had leveled to the ground.
When something caught her eye, a metal round piece on the ground near the bed. She pulled at the piece but it wouldn’t give. Curious, Ah Yin dug into it with a debris piece near her. She found it was a hole big enough to fight a grown child inside. A tab from a book snuck through the sand as she yanked at it. She blew off the dust and wiped it with her palm. It was a book of Sewing. She opened the first page and saw her father’s red stamped name on the page. Cheng Hung Kin. Such a strong name, there was an ache in her heart when she was saddened that she could not remember him.
He was a merchant of material. What fate would bring that she used material as a weapon against her enemies. Suddenly a thought came to mind. Her father was a fantastic seamstress, maybe there was a way to sew a cloth that was nearly indestructible. So she would not have to replace her rope. She grinned happily and hid the book behind her belt and left the burned home. Night was coming and she would need a place to stay.
Ah Yin walked into a busy motel with a restaurant on the bottom floor. The manager looked up from his seat “Yes?”
“I need a room.” She handed him a nugget that would cover for the night.
“Sure.” He nodded and signed her into a room on the second floor “Chung, take this Siu Jei to the fifth room on the right.”
She noted the eye contact of the manager to a customer, her suspicion level was up as she followed the waiter up the stairs. The waiter turned to her, the veil covering her face “Do you have scars on your face?” he pointed to her hat/veil.
“Yes.” She replied shortly.
“Would you like anything else?” he asked.
“No.” she shook her head and he nodded before leaving her. The door squeaked as it closed. Her eyes moved around the room and she was quick to spot the bamboo tube sticking from the window. The motel was a scam, she had guessed it. Pulling out her handkerchief, she stuffed the tube. Whatever they were planning to blow through would come flying back to the person. It would be an interesting night, she foresaw.
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
