Legend of The Phoenix

[ Tang Dynasty] [Palace] Ripples echo in sequence in the blue crystal river flowing into the main sea. The waves sink over the dry sand and pause a few metres to the trees standing upright with their branches floating in the air. Strands of my hair disengage from a band which holds my hair in place until a strong wind from behind me blows it off. Water drips from my wet hair tapping slowly against a sword on my right hand. My eyes soaking under the cold water blurs my vision, although I could still see the surrounding. Turning around quickly as I feel a swift movement over the trees, my feet start running down the forest. I glance from the corner of my eyes towards both directions, before scurrying hurriedly. A thud runs after she jumps over a leg, somersaulting over to the roof. She turns around with a large smirk on her face. I could not see through her clearly as she hides her face with a blue cloth. Bending over the roof and staring at me from the bottom, her blue robe dangles in the air, attracting major attention. I look around for any passerbys before throwing a dagger, but she dodges freely while the dagger punches into the roof. Shopkeepers scream at me as I jump and run over their roofs. Before I can get a better view of her eyes, she turns away and jumps down, running off. Peeling my sword out, I tiptoe, somersaulting over the roof. My feet touch the centre and hold my body in position while I take the opportunity to look down. She was making her way to the end of a small house nearby. I jump down and walk slowly moving with my breath. My feet pause by the door and bash the door open. An empty and quiet room greets me making my eyebrows furrow. I move leftwards when I feel a sudden movement aiming for my throat. The dagger stashes into the wall holding her back for a while. Just when I think it is over, she twirls behind me and points my sword at my neck, smiling before ripping off the cloth over her face. "You lost! Again!" Studying the disappointed look on my face, she lowers the sword, handing it to me with a stern expression. My hand reaches out for the sword and sigh as she folds the cloth in a triangular form. I drag my feet to a table close to the window and grab a jar of wine. She smiles and grabs a seat beside me while looking at me as I pour the wine in two separate cups. This is me, the Princess of Liang State. Nothing much interesting in my life. But I knew ways to make myself happy even though nothing seemed for me. One thing I loved, food...with wine! They were best put together! "Rong'Er-" "I know. This is the one fiftieth time. But there's still other tries?" I raise the cup and sip it wholly, dumping it on the table. The leftover wine in the cup splashes over my fingers clutching to the cup and the table too. She stares at the empty cup and turns to me with a concerned look. I pull out a pouch and dump it on the table away from the splashed wine while smiling so big that her eyes curve into a furrow. "You're not going-" "-Of course I am! I'm not missing this festival for anything. There will be lots of food, toys and fun. You should try it for once too-" "-No. I'm not helping you this time. The ministers already have their eyes on you—you should grow up now." My hands drop dead at her answer, but I manage my composure and sit opposite her. Cupping my cheeks in my palms held over the table, I blink my eyes repeatedly exposing a big smile on my face. She looks away immediately and wavers her eyes in hesitation. "Okay—Only for today." With mischief crawling over my eyes, I jump into a hug after squeezing her cheeks. Grabbing a few taels of silver in my pouch, I tie the cloth over my nose to the back of my ears before I walk out after waving her. She shakes her head with a sigh before throwing a stone over where the guards stood. Immediately a hit echoes in their ears, they run towards that direction leaving their posts empty. Taking advantage of their chase, I jump down the wall with a playful scoff as I balance my shaky feet from the jump. Throwing my pouch in the air continuously, I take one step at a time from the wall. My eyes look around quietly screening the busy movements of townspeople setting up the lanterns. The streets are busy and very bright as several lanterns are fixed in various stores. Only a few places are without the lanterns. As I twirl around, my eyes settle on the different designs introducing the lanterns in several stores. Not to talk of the bright colors, their models are amazing. Each have unique shapes, from all sorts of designers. Looking up fo them, I smile seeing shapes like butterflies, rabbits, cone and even cylinders. My footsteps bounce back when someone bumps into me making me drop my pouch on the floor. I bend down quickly and retrieve the pouch while my lips curve into irritation. I dust off the dirt and turn around when my nose detects a familiar smell. My eyes pop at the sight of sweet coated haws on sticks. They stand gorgeously in lines in front of the trader who smiles when she sees me staring at them. I walk slowly to her and point to one with a huge smile. She nods and looks at me for a while before talking. "Two taels." My hands move into my pouch and bring out enough to pay for it. A smile curves over my lips as I bite a bit of it with a beaming moan. Not being able to resist the taste, I bite another portion, chewing with my eyes closed. I move from that spot and chew happily while walking around. "This is the tenth year after the emperor passed away. Have you seen the Princess?" A woman shakes her head as she marches with the latter with lanterns in their hands. "I heard she looks exactly like that cursed Princess. What fortune can she bring Liang?" The other woman gasps with her mouth covered with her hand. My lips purse sadly hearing the comment running in the town. What makes me more worried is the rumor that I looked like a cursed girl. A round of applause follows erupting the silence in the town square. They begin applauding as lanterns are released into the atmosphere. The beaming red and cream light from the lanterns shine across the streets lighting up the atmosphere. A lot of people begin gathering at the centre of the town square letting go off their lanterns too. My heart feels fluttering for a moment when someone dashes behind me, casting a shadow over me. Immediately I turn around, I can only find a busy crowded area full of different people. My eyes lower unconsciously because I suddenly feel weird. Cheers draw me back to reality, but my mind was still unsettled. I fold my lips and walk forward, marching to the river. A lot of people were below with friends and drawing flower lanterns on the surface. I can see how beautiful the scenery is from the spot I am standing. It was immensely pretty to see the water surface decorated with flowers drawing them far away. I pick one from a*****e with one tael and rush down, sitting over my knew with my eyes closed. I don't remember much about you, but I still feel the need to send my greetings to you... Are you still watching over me? It's really difficult to be in the palace without you. Lowering my hand, I drop the flower lantern and stare at it slowly, as it floats away. My eyes turn back when I feel someone's gaze at me, but the place was so crowded. Just when my eyes fall on someone wearing a black robe with his face hidden in the dark running, I step down, running after him. Quickly making my way amidst the crowd, the shadow disappears when I get to the end of the town square. A few people were there, but it was still difficult to find the person. A strong wind suddenly brushes over my face and entangles the cloth, revealing my face. Nervously, I start to look around in circles, searching for whoever it is. My eyes flicker seeing a floating robe exposing its edges. Accompanying it is a pair of black long boots hiding under the black robe. As I look up slowly, my attention settles at the bark of the peach tree. Behind the tree, a young man stands by clothed in a black robe with his face hiding behind a blue mask. In his trembling hand, he possesses a little dagger while hiding behind his back. His heavy eyes waver at my looks as even the mask could not hide the eerie gleam in them. With contemplation and hurt in his eyes, he stands still with his hand trembling under the dagger. Confusion blocks my curiosity to study him further to even notice the dagger in his hands. "Do you need something?" My lips fold anxiously awaiting for a reply to curb my curiosity, but he doesn't respond and keeps still. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" Frustration and fury draws into my body as I get no answer to my question. Before I can walk up to demand an answer to his rudeness, he steps back and begins running into the forest. Shiver runs down my spine when I feel another dark, swift movement around me exposing a silhouette. Looking back and finding an empty area around me, I take a few steps back while gazing back and forth from the corner of my eyes. Three daggers fling over me and stash against the tree behind me. As I turn back, I yell and race after the guy as more dark shadows follow my trail, with daggers in their possession.