Peony Princess & Other Old Myths and Legends

Butterfly Lovers Part 2 (Unedited)

Yingtai's older sister was in the garden. She was taking care of her favorite lotus flowers, but had stopped and was lost in a daydream.

"Daiyu..." A voice calling her name. Even though gentle, it made Daiyu jump.

"What---Oh, Manchoi, it's you!" Manchoi Ma was a childhood friend. His father and the father of Daiyu had been friends forever. He often came to visit the older brothers, and always brought presents for the girls.

"Forgive me, Daiyu. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine," the beautiful girl said with a smile. "I was watering my flowers, but have been lost in a reverie...Bingwen is not at home. Father sent him to run some errand. But please come in; I will ask Shi Kau to prepare tea for you."

"Thank you. But, Daiyu, I didn't come here for your older brother- not this time. I came to see you."

She stared at him, surprised. "Me? But why --"

"Do you remember our conversation a few days ago? About Yingtai? I opened my heart to you, Daiyu. And you promised to help me. Did you have the opportunity to...talk to your sister?"

Daiyu closed her eyes and sighed. "Oh, Manchoi... No, I didn't - couldn't actually. I know how important it is to you. But my sister is a little... well, lost those days. Besides, I am busy preparing for my wedding. I am so sorry..."

"Daiyu, you are my only hope. Forgive me for burdening you with that. But my heart is burning with love. If I don't marry your sister, I'll die! Seriously..." 

"Manchoi, you know that my sister doesn't care for marriage. Her mind is only to poetry and school. In the last days, she was the time in her chamber, crying. Even if I had talked to her, it wouldn't have changed anything."

The young man nodded. He seemed desperate. Daiyu was sad for him, but there was not much she could do. "Give her some time, Manchoi. All those silly ideas of hers will vanish and she will..."

"What do you say, Daiyu? I heard that Yingtai was leaving. Your father allowed her to attend school. How could he do such a thing? How can he give his permission for something that can bring the ruin of his daughter?"

"Manchoi, please," the young girl whispered. "Please don't forget it's my father you are talking about. You know that to me you are like a brother; there is nothing I wish more but to see you and Yingtai together. But I won't have you insult my father in his own house. Taking decisions about his children is his right. And he always has good reasons for his decisions."

"Forgive me, Daiyu." Manchoi hid his face between his hands. "I didn't mean to be offending. You know how I respect your father and your family. But my heart burns with the ache of love. I think of your sister all day, and in the night, sleep abandons me. She won't hear me. What do you expect me to do? I am desperately in love, and Yingtai won't even so much as look at me... I am so desperate, Daiyu! Nobody should suffer that much for the sake of love."

Daiyu remained thoughtful. For a while, she made no reply. "My sister hardly pays attention to me, Manchoi. I am not sure that talking to her would have changed anything. But maybe..."

The young man stared at her, his eyes shining with a fire of passion. "Maybe what, Daiyu? Please tell me. I would do anything! I would escalate the highest mountain, bring the rarest flower, buy the most expensive jewel if it helped to have Yingtai's love."

"You don't have to do any of those things, Manchoi," Daiyu said with a smile. She felt for her friend, but his passionate words about doing things that only heroes in old legends performed were somewhat excessive. She needed to do an effort not to chuckle. "I was just going to suggest - why not talk to our father? Or our grandmother, but father will be even better. Just let him know you want to marry Yingtai. I believe that will make father happy. But Manchoi," she added quickly, seeing that the young man was ready to have the conversation right there. "Just wait a moment. Tell father when my sister will be back from school. There is no point in hurrying things. Wang and I have been in love for years, but he waited for me to come of age before asking permission to marry me. "

"I'll wait then, Daiyu. I could wait an eternity, you know this. Thank you, my good friend, my sister. I hope that someday, I will be able to repay your kindness."

"Just be patient. And to see you and my sister happily married will be enough to make me happy." Daiyu smiled and she was really beautiful.

Manchoi didn't stay for tea. He took leave from his friend and went to walk. He was too excited and needed to be alone.

When he left, Daiyu left her lovely flowers and went back to her room. She had not shown Manchoi how worried she was with the departure of her sister. Nor could she understand why her father had permitted that she goes away. Father must have good reasons for that, she repeated to herself.

She took a superb ivory comb and started combing her long dark hair, forgetting Manchoi and her sister. A dreamy smile brightened her face as she was thinking of her wedding with Weng- her twin soul and only love. 

Art on cover (above title) is by CG.