Turned Table of the Phoenix

Grandmaster

I sat up in my bed. The faint sound of rain woke me from my deep slumber. The mountains, hills, and valleys were covered with a thick fog that made everything seem eerie and dreadful. The empress walked into my room wearing a full white silk dress that fitted her slim body. A white thin veil covered her round face and hid her reddened eyes from the previous night. In a hushed whisper she said, "it's time to bury your father."

I simply nodded and turned around not wanting to see that snake... it was because of her that my mother died.

I threw on a light blue silk and silver threaded sheni that hugged my body perfectly. My hair was pinned up completely showing my sharp jawline. I walked out into the garden where the funeral would be. Sitting down on a stone path, I plucked a few flowers, smelling their sweet scent and holding them close to me. As others gathered across the other side of the garden I rose and walked over with my flowers still clutched in hand.
Rain started to fall from sky and seemed to increase its amount as the servants and empress' sorrow grew. The people of China were in mourning, but I somehow couldn't bring myself to tears.

After the funeral a servant walked up to me and asked, " Princess   Eu-meh are you alright?"

"Yes I am, I simply need to return to my chambers... I'm feeling under the weather."

The servant nodded and walked away just as I did. As I looked back the empress stared in my direction. I couldn't help but guess that she was glaring at me. I told myself yet again that there could only be one queen in this game of chess.

It would be months, almost a whole year until the empress would be seen again. Since the day of the funeral the empress had spent most of her time in mourning or in meetings she held in private. In rare occasions I would handle the foreign affairs for her in her absence and would feel a hint of power. One meeting though would change the course of the game.

I walked in wearing a golden sheni with a silk red Phoenix embroidered on it. A large pin rested in my hair and it's beads dangled as I moved, looking at each man in the room. My stare was fixed on Japanese Emperor Hitoshi whose smile was unsettling. I glared and finally spoke.

"Why do you come today to meet? What are your intentions?"

"As you see your highness, you are of age to start becoming acquainted with young men. I was thinking of perhaps having a social in order for you to meet eligible young men. I have a son your age I think you would be fond of."

"Very well... we will have this social if that is all you ask of me."

"Yes of course! Of course! I wouldn't dare ask too much of you."

I could sense something... something inside that told me that it wouldn't be a good idea to fulfill his request. However, every empress needs her king... I must say yes. He didn't say I have to find a husband, it's also a key in the second part of my plan...

The music flooded the room as did the bright colors. Lights flickered and illuminated the room brightly. Colorful lanterns hung from the ceiling and stairs. Women wore their finest silk dresses as men had on their best hanfu's that they owned. Both the men and women dazzled each other. Old men fancied young women and the young women chased the strong youthful men. I looked at the many smiles that crawled on the guests faces. Many Japanese and Korean nobles drank to their hearts content and talked amongst another. The professional dancers were seen across the room performing dance after dance perfectly. The men beamed at the young dancers who flowed with the music.

"Thank you for attending we are glad you are here," Emperor Hitoshi expressed. The room became silent as he spoke louder.

"Princess Eu-meh will you be so kind as to please your guest and my son with a dance. I have heard that you are an astounding dancer. Prove the words correct."

I stood there in shock. Emperor Hitoshi patted his sons shoulder and he bowed to me. I gathered my composure and went to the center of the room, even though my breath was still a bit shaky. The music started and my hands started to move to the beat. Soon my body became one with the steady flow of the music. The drums became faster as did my feet. I spun and twirled, my hair became loose and fell onto my shoulders. The hairpiece fell out, but I continued the dance. As I glanced across the room I saw a young man and our eyes met... he was too far to see details clearly. As soon as I caught his eye he ran for the door. I had become too distracted in that split moment and had lost the rhythm of the dance.

I felt a sharp pain streak across my arm. My foot rolled under me and I fell to the floor, wincing and grabbing my arm. The people in the room started to scream and pointed at a figure that was running out of the room. Across from me, pierced in the floor was an arrow. I looked at my arm, the arrow had cut through the sleeve and on its side was a deep gash. Noble men rushed over asking if I need the physician. I shook my head no fuming over the incident that took place. I looked across the room. There she stood... smiling, it was none other than Saku Miyo and next to her side was Emperor Hitoshi.
I gripped my arm and stood up, as I did I heard the guards call out, "We have the culprit!" I smiled towards the two of them. There was another player in this game...