The Final Leg.

貳 - the king's younger brother.

* * *

My uncle Jiang Chen and I were all set for the trip. We had a small wooden cart that was built two generations ago, and it shows signs of wear. The wood is dark and rough, and it smelt of fresh moss and rain. There were two large wooden wheels that connected to the sides of the cart. The handles were connected to the sides of an ox. I quickly named this ox 'An' because she seemed very peaceful. The inside of the wooden cart carried our belongings which were all stuffed in our two individual burlap sacks. They mainly included our clothes, and in mine, a few of my favorite trinkets. We also brought along fish for our journey, and crops to pay our taxes; two large bags filled with grains of millet.

As I was giving the ox water, I looked back at my village. The sun was shining, yet the wind was a howling mountain wolf reminding me that summer wasn't here yet. Over the dull green grasses and rows of mud houses, you can see the high mountains looming over the village.

The reason I am going on this trip is that my father cannot. Every year, the government requires the men of every working-class family to serve in the capital for one month. These are hard laboring jobs and include fixing and building the canals, palaces, and walls of the capital city. Unfortunately, my father suffered an injury to his leg while working on our farm this year. As the oldest of the house, I will have to be his substitute. Yet I know I am a brave girl. I have been working in the fields all my life and raising my little sister along with me. I am determined to complete this trip and make my family proud.

I finish giving the ox water and see my uncle and my family coming toward me. My father hobbles in his leg cast.

"Father," I bow down in respect, "you shouldn't be walking."

"Meihui," My father's eyes crease as a proud grin stretches onto his face. He caresses my cheek with great affection. My father has always been a strong and kindhearted man. I know it hurts him inside to send me on this trip, and he would have gone himself if it weren't for my selfless pleading. "Remember to never question your skill or bravery, but to let your bravery and skill question you." he kissed my cheek and stepped back.

My mother comes up and hugs me tightly.

"Ah, my Meihui," she sighs. She looks up at my face sadly. "You are growing into a beautiful young woman. Promise me you will watch over yourself and your uncle for me."

"I promise," I say. I then kiss her cheek to lock it.

Meili interrupts by running up and squeezing me tight. I squeeze her even tighter. I bent down so that I was at her height.

"Meili," I uttered. "Don't worry. I'll come back and tell you many interesting stories."

"Don't worry about me," she replied smiling, "Just look at what I made for you." Opening her hands, she showed me a piece of wood. On it, there was an engraved palace. It was large and tall with three curved roofs. "I saw you going into this palace in my dream," she explained excitedly, "keep this with you and think about me."

I laughed wholeheartedly. She was going to be okay. I took the engraved wood and kissed her forehead. "Will you take care of the dove tree for me?"

"I will!" she exclaimed.

My uncle said his goodbyes, and then we hurried off into the sunset.

* * *

The city was brimming with more life than I have ever seen before. Once we entered the wide gates of the city during sunrise, I was intrigued by what I saw. Once I stepped foot inside, I noticed that the ground was sandy and grassless. Many people from different villages were walking around, and usually carrying tools in their hands. From where I was, I could see all the laborers working hard on the immaculate storefronts and the tall, modernized buildings that crowded the streets. Nothing here was made of mud. But the most magnificent was the horizon. Over it, you could see the palace. Pan Geng's palace.

The palace was ginormous. The red gates stretched across the mountains it was placed upon. The palace had multiple structures surrounding it, but the palace itself was three stories high. It had curved red roofs that looked like graceful bird wings. The large, red columns held the building, and a splendid flight of stairs accompanied it below. It was an amazing sight, but it looked somewhat familiar.

"What, cat got your tongue?" My uncle asked, startling me out of my open-mouthed daze. He chuckled. "I guess it's your lucky month. The official told us that we were to be assigned to help fix up the palace."

* * *

Once the sun was high up overhead, we had made it to the gates of the palace. As weary as I was, I felt excitement as I finally got to see the place up close. The palace was earthly heaven. The vague sense of familiarity I felt when I first arrived crept back stronger than ever. I suddenly remembered Meili's present. I quickly took it out of the sack and compared the messy carving to the castle before me. The engraving was an exact replica. Then and there, I decided that the palace was my secret heaven.

Bong!, Bong!, Bong!

The large gates of the palace slowly opened up. A large entourage of palace men emerged dressed in elegantly embroidered clothing. I had never seen such clothing before. They were lined up in an organized order and were walking with a certain dignity I couldn't describe. Suddenly, everybody was bowing down on their knees. My uncle patted my back to signal me to bow down too, and we did.

"Well, color me amazed," he whispered, "This is a once in a lifetime sight."

The decorated entourage was moving at an extremely slow pace, yet I couldn't tear myself away from the sight. While everyone was bowing down, I was looking up to see if I could spot anyone. Anyone of importance.

Slowly but surely, half the entourage had passed by where I was near the stairs. In the middle, four men were holding up a wooden plate with sticks. I couldn't believe my eyes as I saw who was sitting above. My eyes locked with his amber ones for a long moment.

Xiao Xin.

The king's younger brother. 

***