Under the cherry tree

Memories - Letter

The gentle light of a warm afternoon bathed the office in a honeyed glow. On the wooden desk in the center of the room lay several parchments, a worn-out pen and some colorful figurines depicting soldiers, horses, cargo carts and all sorts of tiny buildings. Some ink was splattered on the left side of the draft with the newest date. The bookshelves behind the table were in a similar state of disarray. The smell of quality paper and something else one could only describe as absolutely delicious steaming buns lingered in the air.

Resting on the cyan carpet embroidered with threads of silver string in intricate patterns was a little girl no older than 7 years old. Her dark brown hair was braided in a crown on the top of her head. She wore a pretty yellow dress that, though clean a few hours ago, now bore ink stains on the hem. She stuffed her little rosy cheeks with buns as her innocent jade eyes were looking excitedly at a large map she spread on the floor along with the contents of a letter. After swallowing, she struggled to read it out loud:

"The ph—phi-phoenix rises in the northern sky. The dragon guards the treasure. Await furthrer—further whispers for our next endeavor."

"What are you playing, my little rabbit?" The rough voice of a man said as he crouched behind her, his hand perched up on a tiny shoulder.

The little girl jolted in surprise. "Da! You scared me! Don't sneak up on me like that, you big meanie!" His merry laugh and amused black eyes gave him a devilishly charming look as he flashed her a knowing smile.

"I didn't sneak up on you. I merely came through the door."

"Didn't Ma say it's polite to knock before you enter? You are so dispolite for a dad your age."

He smirked. "A daughter your age is also so impolite to hide in my office trying to ditch the afternoon classes only to mess up my entire workspace and steal my correspondence. But we aren't pointing fingers now, are we?"

She scoffed, but sat up and hugged her father lovingly as the man wrapped his arm around her. "Etiquette class is sooooo boring; embroidery too. Lady Peng doesn't teach me anything useful, really. I like what you teach me."

The man smirked. "Your mother would faint if she knew what kind of things you learn from me." He made to rest his stubbed chin on her head, but the girl suddenly looked up at him curiously. "Da? What does the message mean?"

"What message?"

"What do you mean 'what message'? The one I was reading earlier—Wait, where is it??? I swear I had it!"

He held it tightly in his right hand.

"Hey, can you give it back? Please?"

"No can do. You were hasty and completely ignored Rule Number One: always focus on your opponent's every move. Read their body language and discover the hidden meaning behind their words. There are plenty of warriors who would try to make you react foolishly by drawing your attention to the wrong things, like I did just now. Do you understand, little thief?"

The girl facepalmed. "Dang it!"

"Language!" He warned.

"Oops! I'm sorry... but won't you tell me, pretty please? I'll share the food with you!"

"While your offer is indeed tempting for my bear-sized stomach, I have to decline." He looked at the letter as he immediately grasped the meaning: 'The enemies are preparing to strike the northern border. We are ready to defend. Awaiting orders at the outpost.' Trouble, utterly dangerous and deadly trouble. Her father narrowed his eyes and tucked the paper in the pocket on the side of his chest.

"My dear, this is dull grown-up stuff. Kiddies don't have to know."

She pouted and started whining. "I'm a big girl now. Mommy said so! I demand you to tell me. It's not boring for me! I'll be a general too one day. I want to learn how to decipher military code!"

The man sighed in defeat. There's no escaping being pestered by his daughter until she finds out. "Alright, alright. It says I must stay at Imperial Palace for a while to settle some things. We won't be seeing each other for another couple of weeks. But don't worry, I'll try to make it fast. What do you say, little rabbit?"

Her green eyes turned gloomy. "Really...? Okay... But you promise me to come back as soon as you can!"

"Yes, Linzhi. I vow to return to you and your mother. Always." He paused to look at her for a moment before kissing her forehead. The setting sun made his sharp features and vigorously trained body look graver than usual. He ran a hand through his short black hair and turned on his heel.

The 7-year-old child watched her father's back as he left, never knowing how much she would come to regret not begging him to remain with her that day.