Rescue Me, My Love

Fuqin, I am Undone

     Xia Liang Lei was born into the royal house of Zhao.  She was a beautiful baby and was her Fuqin's favorite.  She was raised with her brothers.  Whatever they learned, she learned.  She could wield any weapon with great skill, but the bow was her best weapon.  Her fame spread as she fought in every war her brothers did.  She was sought after for alliances from every kingdom.  Finally her Fuqin relented and set up a marriage alliance with the Wei kingdom.  Liang Lei was furious.  She threatened her Fuqin, her mother, her brothers and anyone who mentioned it to her.  Her Fuqin arranged for a meeting between the prospective bride and groom.  Although Liang Lei preferred her warriors garb, she often dressed as a princess should.  She was ravishingly beautiful.  Lavender was her favorite color with blue a close second.  Try as she might, her mother could not persuade her to wear any other colors.  The day the crown prince of Wei was to come, she decided to wear her baby blue robes.  They floated around her like the sky and her jet black hair shown like the night sky against the blue of her robes.  She was not extravagant and wore simple pearl or jade jewelry.  When her mother saw her, she had to approve for the robes accentuated her beauty.  She was ready to get this visit over with.
     Qiang de Hei was born into the house of Wei.  When he was sixteen, he was named crown prince.  He was now twenty-one and had yet to marry.  Being a man of decisiveness, he knew what he wanted and set out to get it.  He wanted the warrior princess as his own.  He had heard of her prowess with weapons, her beauty and her fearlessness.  Yes, he was sure she would make the perfect empress.  He needled his Fuqin to set up the marriage.  The king of Zhao finally relented and set up a meeting.  Qiang de Hei was relentless and always worked to get what he wanted.  He was quiet but he had strength in his bearing.  He was an unparalleled warrior and often led the Wei army to victory over their adversaries.  It was common knowledge that he wanted a queen that would be by his side.  The princess of Zhao was exactly what he wanted and he was going to get her.  Knowing she didn't like extravagant gifts, he got her the one thing he knew she would like.  He had a long bow especially crafted just for her.  It was black with lotus blossoms carved into it with silver trim.  The quiver was also black with lotus blossoms carved into the leather.  It was a gift worthy of a princess. 
     The prince was brought into the palace with great fanfare.  He didn't like extravagant entertainment or great fanfare.  He was all business.  The king had him brought into the throne room where he would meet princess, Liang Lei.  Small talk was all around him but he waited patiently for her to be brought.  She was escorted to the door and announced.  When she stepped through the door, the prince stood and gawked.  He was spellbound by her beauty, her grace, her proud bearing.  He had to have her.  He wanted her.  He wanted to kiss her beautiful lips, smell her body, hold her close in his arms.  Never in his whole life had he ever seen such a vision of power, grace and beauty.  He was speechless.  Her father called her forward to introduce her.  She looked into the greenest eyes she had ever seen.  He bowed and he was the epitome of grace, power and manners.  She was spellbound.  Her father had her sit by him so they could talk as they ate their meal.  They had much in common.  He looked into her beautiful face and sighed.  He would have her even if he had to bring his army to get her.  "I have brought a gift for you.  I hope you like it."  He motioned to his servant to bring the bow and quiver to her.  Her gasp of surprise pleased him.  He could tell he struck a nerve.  She rose up and pulled the string back with power.  He smiled.  Yes he wanted her.  When she sat down, her shy smile pleased him.  "Thank you for the bow.  How did you know it is my weapon of choice?"  "I didn't know.  I just made a guess, hoping you would like it.  I return home tomorrow.  I want you to be my princess.  Do you accept me, Mei Zhanshi?  I would have you by my side."  "How do I know you won't discard me once you have me?  Many have come here begging for my hand.  I rejected them all.  I want to be your one and only.  Can you give that to me?"  "I will dismiss my harem immediately when I return.  Fair enough?"  "Fair enough!  I accept!"  "Fuqin, get that in writing about dismissing the harem."
     Three months later they were married in a grand ceremony at Wei palace.  For a year, they lived in wedded bliss.  If he went to war, she did too.  His number one concubine was not happy.  When the harem had been dismissed, she was furious.  Who did that princess think she was anyway.  Su Shang Mi decided she would get her if it was the last thing she did.  Each one of them had been given a choice to either accept marriage offers or go into the harem of a lesser prince.  In order to be able to stay in the palace complex, she chose to go into the harem of second prince, Kai Song Rhen.  He was not like his brother.  He was course and rough with his harem women.  She hated him.  First things first.  She had to get rid of that prince.  After six months in his harem, she slipped poison into his wine.  Since he was known as a heavy drinker, proof of who was responsible could not be found.  He died a week later.  That left his harem up in the air.  Once again they were either released or sent to another harem.  Su Shang Mi could play the victim very well.  She played that card in front of the Emperor.  She was not without beauty.  Emperor Wei Kang Shi took her into his own harem.  She was crafty, that Su Mi.  It wasn't long before certain concubine became ill.  She was one of them.  Her game was to gain sympathy.  It paid off.  She played her role as a delicate little flower to perfection.  Her plan was going smoothly, or so she thought. 
     It was one thing that Wangfei Xia Liang Lei was and she was nobody's fool.  She knew Su Shang Mi was a snake in the grass.  She knew she was a scheming slut trying to work her way to the top.  She read through her the first time she ever met her.  When she was invited to tea, she knew an attempt would be made on her life.  She sat down that night and told Qiang de Hei of her fears.  She also told him she was pregnant, but she didn't want anyone to know just yet.  Qiang de Hei was ecstatic!  "Dearest!  This is wonderful news!  Why be quiet about it?"  "Hei, that Su Mi has asked me to tea tomorrow.  I would refuse, but I wish to be seen in a positive light.  I want your Fuqin to see that you and I are fit to be emperor and empress.  Do you understand?  I know she will try something.  I'm going to beat her at her own game.  I'm told your Fuqin has not visited her.  Is that true?"  "Yes, it's true.  He doesn't trust her either, but he has no proof of her wrongdoing.  He's convinced she has murdered her way into her position.  My mufei hates her and does not include her in any functions.  If she had her say, Su Mi would be dead.  Be very careful, Lei Lei.  She will try to hurt you.  I'm sure of it."  They had tea the next day in the afternoon.  Liang Lei was regal and poised.  She wanted that hussy to know she was at least a hundred notches above her.  She brought her full guard and her full retinue of maids.  She made a very grand entrance.  Su Shang Mi was so angry she could hardly contain herself.  The smirk on Liang Lei's face made her even angrier.  She knew right then that she was no match for this princess warrior.  She decided a new strategy was needed.  "Thank you for accepting my invitation, Wangfei.  I wasn't sure you would be available since you spend so much time training in military affairs and not the pursuits of a genteel woman of the palace.  I'm wondering just how you will be able to carry on as empress once the crown is passed to Huang taizi.  You have absolutely no refinement whatsoever."  Liang Lei, being totally insulted, raised her hand for her maid.  She whispered in her ear.  The maid whispered into the ear of the nearest guard.  He left without bowing.  "Why don't we see what Huang Taizi Qiang de Hei thinks about my abilities?  He will be here shortly."  A maid came in with a tea tray for them.  The tea was brewing on the table before them.  Liang Lei drank no tea or did she eat any cakes.  Qiang de Hei walked in and everyone bowed down.  He sat by Lei Lei.  "Husband, this lowly concubine of your Fuqin's palace thinks that I am unworthy of my position and that I have no skills to be empress.  I have asked you here to tell her your opinion.  Please bring me justice!"  She bowed to him knowing she didn't have to, but she did to be proper.  Qiang de Hei stood and walked around Su Shang Mi.  "So you think Wangfei Xia Liang Lei is not fit to be my wife and future empress?  I suppose you think you would be better?  I hated you when you were in my harem and I hate you now!  Just one more wrong step from you and you will be thrown out of this palace and be exiled.  I hope you understand?  My Fuqin will not save you either.  I know about you!  Every little crime you have committed.  Be warned.  My people are watching you.  I suggest you stay close to your little bed here in your own quarters.  Come Wangfei!  We have work to do!"  He gave his hand to Liang Lei and they left together.
     They walked straight to his Fuqin's rooms.  He bowed to his Fuqin and spoke.  "Fuqin, I have come to ask for justice.  Concubine Su Shang Mi has threatened Wangfei Liang Lei in word.  I have been investigating her.  There have been many mysterious deaths to certain concubines and even some princes.  If we don't put her under guard and soon, one of us will die.  I'm sure of it.  Please Fuqin, don't visit her.  She does not need to have a child.  I beg you!"  His Fuqin nodded.  "Yes, I am aware.  I would Get rid of her if I had evidence.  Get me evidence!!"  "I have evidence.  I had her rooms searched while she was entertaining Liang Lei.  My men could this."  He signaled and had his guard bring forth the evidence.  It was an innocent looking black leather satchel.  It was decorated with lotus flowers.  "If you look at this satchel, you would think it was an innocent make up case, but if you look closer, you will find the truth."  The emperor signaled for the case to be brought forward.  He had his minister open it and search it.  The physician was asked to look.  "I believe you will find a fine assortment of deadly poisons there."  The physician confirmed it.  "Guards!  Arrest concubine Su Shang Mi now!  Bring her here!"  The guards had run as quickly as possible to her rooms, but by the time they got there, she was gone.  A guard was laying by the door with his throat cut.  They returned to the throne room.  "She has escaped!  A guard was murdered.  Do you wish for a palace wide search?"  "Yes.  Bring all her maids and attendants here.  They will be questioned.  Dismissed."
     Su Shang Mi knew her time was short, but she decided she wouldn't go down without a fight.  She disguised herself as a soldier.  She knew the prince and his consort would be coming back to her room.  She hid behind a pillar and waited.  She had a special arrow just for that witch!  When they came into view, she readied herself.  If she couldn't have prince Hei, nobody could!!  Just as they were about to turn to open her door, she loosed her arrow.  Seeing it coming, Liang Lei threw herself in front of her one and only love.  The arrow went right through her heart and hit him in the chest.  They fell together.  Qiang de Hei looked at Liang Lei.  His Xiao Zhanshi.  His one and only love.  He watched as her eyes closed as she looked at him and smiled.  "I love you.....Hei."  He screamed as she took her last breath.  He screamed and screamed as he put his arms around her.  Su Shang Mi walked away calmly.  Her smirk of satisfaction was short lived as guards came running around the corner.  They caught her and took her straight to the throne room.  The emperor, learning of her deed, took a sword and sliced her head off of her shoulders.
     Xia Liang Lei awoke in her room on Kunlun.  Her Fuqin was waiting for her with her mother and Si Ming.  When her eyes opened, she gasped for air and starting weeping.  She held out her hands for her Fuqin.  He took her into his arms and held her close.  Not saying a word, he stroked her hair and whispered to her.  "It's alright now!  Fuqin is here!  It's alright!"  "Fuqin!  That bitch of a worthless concubine murdered me!  Qiang de Hei was my husband in this trial!  She shot an arrow that went through my heart and hit him too.  I loved him so!  Now he has to live without me!  Oh Fuqin!"  Her ascension energy came upon her and he laid her down to rest.  Feeling like she was ok, they left her room.  "I guess we will have to wait for the young prince to finish his trial.  I will send a message to his Fuqin right away.  My sweet girl has survived!"  Qiang de Hei fought for his life for six months.  The arrow tip had driven into his chest and the poison had entered his system.  He lay in a coma for thirty days.  When he awoke, his Fuqin told him that Xia Liang Lei was laid to rest in the royal tombs.  His grief was inconsolable.  He rose from his bed thirty days later.  He was a changed man.  He had a portrait of Liang Lei in his room.  He visited her room every day.  He left her room as it was and forbid anyone to enter it except for cleaning.  He supervised it himself.  He took the throne after ten years, but he had no empress.  He finally married, but his wife knew that she would never be named empress.  He wore a scarf of light blue that was made from Liang Lei's favorite dress.  He ruled for twenty years and passed his throne to his only son.  The last words off his lips as he died were her name.  He whispered, "Xia Liang Lei, Xiao Zhanshi, I'm coming to you!"
     Mao Qiang de Hei awoke in his room in the palace of his kingdom.  He was whispering Liang Lei's name when he awoke and looked at his Fuqin.  He raised his arm and covered his eyes as the ascension energy came over him.  Mao Wang looked at his son and smiled.  He had received the message from Mo Yuan telling of their trial.  Three days later he arose from his bed High God Qiang de Hei, crown prince of the snow leopard kingdom.  He walked into the palace and to his Fuqin's throne.  He bowed.  "Fuqin, I ask your permission to leave.  I must see my intended, Xia Liang Lei, daughter of High God Mo Yuan.  We were on trial together.  I ask your leave."  "Go, my son, she is waiting for you!"  After showing his token to Taowu, he jumped to the portico and ran into the grand hall.  Lei was sitting there in her light blue robes, beautiful as always, elegant as a queen, sweet and demure but strong as steel.  He ran to her and took her into his arms right in front of her Fuqin and Mother.  He cried as he held her.  "My love, I have come to formally ask for your hand.  I have arranged a trip to my realm for your family.  I love you!"  Mo Yuan sat and watched them.  The smile that crossed his face was one of love and remembrance.  His sweet girl all grown!  Qiang de Hei rose up and wiped the tears from his face.  He bowed and asked Mo Yuan the big question.  "High God Mo Yuan, I have come today to ask for the hand of your daughter, Xia Liang Lei, to be my queen.  I have ascended to high god.  I have arranged a trip for her and all of her family to visit our lands.  Please accept?"  Mo Yuan rose and walked over to the young prince.  "Hei, we would be delighted to accept your proposal.  When are we expected in your realm?"  "In two weeks.  I will make the final arrangements.  I must return now.  I just had to see her!  My Fuqin will contact you as soon as I return!"  He kissed her hand and bowed.  As he walked out, Baohu, always one for words, spoke his mind.  "Well Lei Lei!  Looks like I'm about to have a yemao for a brother-in-law!  That young man better treat you right or he will answer to me!  Fuqin!  I believe I will go on this trip too.  I just want to make sure everything will be ok!"  "Baohu, I'm not sure I want you to go.  You and Hei's Fuqin just might get into a drinking match!"  "All the better!!"  Liang Lei looked at Baohu in horror.  "Fuqin, please don't let him go!  He will ruin everything!  Please make him stay here!  Please?"  "It seems Baohu has forgotten his own little love over there looking daggers at him.  I wouldn't want to be him tonight!  Don't worry, Lei Lei!  Fuqin will handle this for you.  No worries!!"  Shandian Li looked Baohu right in his honey brown eyes.  "Dearest, I believe you are unable to leave Kunlun at this time or have you forgotten your duties?  Or a certain very lush meadow?  Or your two newest disciples?  Hmmm?"  Baohu's tails quickly emerged behind him swishing back and forth very quickly with force.  His eyes turned gold and he low growled.   Seeing those tails out made Mo Yuan break out into full blown laughter.  "Horse tails and fox tails!!  You better behave or you might just get a quick kick right in the middle of your hard little foxy butt!"  He stood up, offered Bai Qian his hand, placed her arm into the crook of his and walked off with her laughing as he went.