Butterfly Aubade

第一章 [ Chapter One ]

A/N:

 Important

This is not an historical based story. I admit there will be themes presented from Asian history however it is solely based on my own ideas. There may be blends of mixed influences from the aspects of China to Japan. The time period most similar to this story is the Han dynasty in China. However it will not be accurate to the real events that happened during that era. Though, I will try my best to create a realistic Asian atmosphere and culture.

 Other

 Main characters name written in traditional Chinese: 李愛雪 –translated Plum Love Snow [pronounced: LEE – AYE – SHH-REH]

Dowager Empress Name: 林美星 –translated Forest Beauty Star [pronounced: LIN – MEI – SHING] 

第一章

"It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get. "– Confucius (Khung Fu zhi)

Tears silently fell down my cheeks. I should be happy today.

I should be grateful.

But I am not. A month ago I was just another young girl who had the freedom to do as she pleased. But everything is going to change in a matter of minutes. My future and destiny for this world will now be clutched securely in the hands of the Dowager Empress Mei Xing.

It seemed so long ago now, but I remember the days when I could appreciate all that Mother Earth had to offer: expansive fields of green blades, lotus flowers stained a rosy pink hue, crickets chirping in a perpetual symphony, the soft droplets of rain water splashing onto the ground. It seemed so along ago but I still remember. I still remember my home. Even though I can not return, the memories of my childhood still remained close to my heart. The building was carved with the best type of wood, always looking smooth and polished. The rims of the roofs were decorated with shades of gold. If it was a sunny morning, I could often catch the rays reflecting off it. The courtyard and its fragrant smells of enchanted plants and fruits. Back a month ago it was the place where I belonged; there I was often lectured but loved.

My upbringing was not ordinary but not exactly the unusual surprise either. I am born as the offspring of rare love between my father and mother. Often times, I heard the quiet whispers of servants who stirred up the romantic tale of my parents. Love birds. That was what they would say, practically inseparable. Two people that were a match made in heaven. My mother, she had been rumored to be average in beauty but made up in charisma. Her calm cool temper and her quick witted intelligence was the contrast to my father. He was handsome but rash, often hot headed and badly tempered. Such love. Beautiful and genuine as I can recall from the stories grandma told me. But nothing perfect ever lasted forever. Being only three years of age, I lost my mother who died from heart failure. And that was the devastation that still scarred my father to this day.

After my mother's death, there was constant buzz coming from everyone in the household. The servants were the ones who gossiped the most. It came to a conclusion among the whole house that I was in need of a mother. Finally pestered enough by my grandmother, my father unwillingly wed again. She was my second mother, loud and spiteful. Her superior attitude was disliked among all the servants in the household and her blatant stupidity was of no help. She was sharp in her way of teaching and manner but never dared slap me. The only one who had dared slap me had been my grandmother who only acted on good will. Time passed and second mother raved on and on about giving my father an heir. But in the end, she never did. In fact, she gave birth to two more daughters. They were silly and foolish, dreaming about being swept off by handsome young court men. Their mother spent time involving herself with numerous marriage prospects for my sisters no matter age. Despite their naivety, I had grown to envy them. Xiao Yu and Jing Fen, free as the wind and inseparable by the hip, nothing in world bothered them. They had no need for worries. They flirted with the young professors who taught them, giggling about parties. It was a miracle that they even survived being born as twins. I would remain here with my head held in dignity. I had no choice but to be the proper and perfect young lady of the household.