Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

As soon as Li Juan stepped into the lonely cubicle of the emergency care room, her eyes caught the sight of Tang Wei Sheng's sleeping face. 

For some reasons, her memories ran back to an evening from eight years ago.

A similar hospital visit has left severe wounds on two teenagers and ruined their lives with agony and pain.

Silently moving closer to the bed, various memories of her past flogged in Li Juan's mind. 

Her ink-black eyes impassively wandered on Tang Wei Sheng's sleepy face as she watched him slipping in and out of consciousness.

After a moment of silence, Li Juan sat next to him and gently touched the back of his palm. When her warm hand came in contact with his cold skin, Tang Wei Sheng's eyebrows twitched in response.

"They asked me to try waking you..but I'm confused...how should I address you? By what name should I call you? Li Juan looked around and swept a glance across the silent room as if she was giving herself some time to catch up with her thoughts.

"I don't know whom I talking to,Wei Sheng or Wei Lang?But whoever is listening to me, I owe you an apology,"

Li Juan gently pressed his palm as she hesitated to continue.

"I admit that the torment you have going through, is nothing but the result of what I have done, eight years ago. That day, you did something regretful and left me frightened. Both of us was wrong and hurt each other in the crudest form that no teenager could handle. We could've, I could've stopped it from happening if I showed a little bit of courage. But I didn't do anything to help you.

Last time when we spoke, you said that how difficult was for you to live with a family who gave more importance to your dangerous alter ego. You said they treat you well because of him. But I've never known that someone like you, who shone brightly like a star, actually had a dark past, none can even think of. 

There is a part of me that still wants to console you...sympathize with you... being guilty over what I've done to you.

That day I thought you were possessed by a monster. My head was too clouded with fear and anger to see what's going on. Later on, whenever Wei Lang appeared, it always has been a frightening and painful reminder of that day. I resented Wei Lang for ruining both of our lives. I considered him as a monster feeding on you. 

If I only knew you better, then I would've understood that Wei Lang, you are not a monster, but Tang Wei Sheng's guardian angel. You are the reason why he is still alive. The memories that are too painful for him, his anger and pain...all of the bad things...you kept it for yourself so that he could appear normal outside. You just wanted him to survive the toxic and painful environment that has been forced upon him,"

Li Juan stopped for a moment when a wave of guilt washed her over, the rims of her eyes, turning red and teary,

"I once said that I will never be able to forgive you for the fright, the trauma that you left on me. But after knowing what has made you turn into a monster who is feared by everyone, I can no longer see you the same. I'm sorry that, it took me years to realize that whatever happened in the hospital, was nothing but an attempt to show your true self to me," 

As soon as Li Juan recalled the memory, tears started to trickle down from her eyes. 

"You were just a lone soul who never felt love. When Tang Wei Sheng resented you for being powerful. You hated him for receiving love from others. When Tang Wei Sheng was accepted by everyone and kept you at distance due to their fear and respect. How could I blame you for holding onto me, someone who was lonely as you? How could I blame you, when all your life you only know the pain? You were longing for acceptance and love that has been always denied for you," 

She wiped the tears that flowing endlessly from her eyes and reached out to brush off the hair strands that covered Tang Wei Sheng's forehead,

"Thanks for taking care of him this far, Wei Lang," She gently patted his hair and said in a comforting tone,

"Thanks for protecting the naive and fragile side of him. But you must know that Tang Wei Sheng is not a kid anymore. He is an adult who is capable to bear the pain and anger. There is no need for you to endure it alone. Rather than fighting with each other, you should let him know how you feel....more than anyone else he is the one who is supposed to accept you,"

Li Juan sounded extremely vulnerable as she tried to console him. It wasn't easy for her to dig up the most painful memory buried inside her and re-evaluate it from another person's perspective,

"Wei Lang, please let Tang Wei Sheng know that you are not his enemy or just his protector, but you are him. Both of you are like two sides of a coin and you deserve love and happiness as much he does," Li Juan covered his palm with hers and lowered her head in guilt,

"I'm sorry that it took me years to realize that you were searching for someone who could treat you as a normal person...without fear...without any stigma...,"

Li Juan stood up from her seat and lowered herself near Tang Wei Sheng's face.

"I hope one day, both of us will be able to forgive each other and leave the painful past behind to live the rest of our lives in peace,"

Li Juan leaned closer to place a kiss on his cold forehead with her trembling lips,

"Sleep as much you want, but when the right time arrives, please wake up as someone whom you always desired to see yourself as..., someone who is amicable, yet powerful, considerate but not a pushover. Please wake up into a whole new world that is filled with people who love and cherish you as you are,"

Li Juan concluded her words and turned to walk away from the room, silently wiping her teary eyes,

As her frail footsteps faded away, a teardrop rolled from the corner of Tang Wei Sheng's eyes.

-----------------------

As soon as Li Juan stepped out of the emergency care room, Yang Xiong and Ahn Lu Shan rushed towards her.

"Did he wake up?" Yang Xiong asked in an anticipated voice.

"No, but he will," Li Juan said indifferently as she tried to hide her wet eyes,

"Huh?" Yang Xiong exchanged glances with Ahn Lu Shan as if he heard something wrong. The duty doctor clearly asked Li Juan to wake Tang Wei Sheng, but she came back saying that he is not awake yet.

Ahn Lu Shan who noticed Li Juan's reddened eyes came to help her and stopped his junior from bombarding her with questions.

"Give him some more time," 

"I will leave then," Li Juan slightly bowed before them and looked at Zhang Zhi Jun intending to leave. However, the moment she took a step, Li Juan stopped as if she remembered something. She took out the wolf plushie from her pocket and returned it to Yang Xiong. 

"Ahh I'm sorry, I used to have something similar to this while I was in high school. I lost it somewhere and now looking at this, I feel bad for not taking good care of my things," She said and looked at Yang Xiong with a faint smile,

"Assistant Yang, I'm not sure whether I've said it earlier or not, but thanks for saving us on that night when we got into trouble with those thugs,"

Yang Xiong went blank for a moment and then he suddenly realized that she was talking about the night when he first met Tang Wei Sheng and Li Juan as two kids who were beaten to death by a group of lowly thugs,

"Oh, I thought you have forgotten about it," Yang Xiong touched his ears as he brushed off her words as if it is not a big deal.

"I do have some trouble recollecting my memories. But I do remember you since I owe my life to you,"

"You owe your life to somebody else too," Yang Xiong casually said and glanced at Ahn Lu Shan who was listening to their conversation.

"Yes, I know," Li Juan's lips curl into a heartwarming smile, "I will be always grateful for that,"

"I assume that this is going to be our last meeting?" Ahn Lu Shan pointed out when Li Juan urged to conclude the conversation with gratitude.

"Hmmm, probably. I no longer wish to become the reason for anyone's pain," She slightly bowed her head to pay the respects before leaving.

"Well, there is not just pain, you can be the reason for good and warm memories too," Ahn Lu Shan reminded her with a beaming face,

"Hmm, I agree. But for us, I think it is better to leave the past memories behind and start afresh," Li Juan tilted her head towards the closed glass doors and sighed,

"There might be people who still love him and of course, you two are with him. I'm sure that he will be fine. Once everything gets settled, please go ahead with his treatment,"

"Sure, we will do that," Ahn Lu Shan reckoned her good intentions and agreed as he moved aside to let her go,

However, all of sudden, Li Juan held on to his shirt's sleeves and stopped him,

"Uncle Ahn, you didn't tell me how you know my parents?"

Ahn Lu Shan who got startled by her words, remained speechless as he stared at Li Juan's face glowing with a warm smile.

It was the same smile that he wished to see in Li Juan, as he protected her from shadows and saved her from numerous death threats.

"Ahh, it is nothing special," He snapped back and waved his hand in denial, "l met your father while he was as a detective and used to be a regular customer at Mei Rong chicken restaurant,"

He let Li Juan knew the tip of the iceberg that he has always hidden from everyone else.

However, Li Juan was sharp-witted, enough to figure out that Ahn Lu Shan was not just an acquaintance.

"That's not the answer I was looking for, but still I'm satisfied with this reply. Then I will take leave," She informed them and turned to walk away,

"Lili," Suddenly Ahn Lu Shan called her as he remembered that he will not be able to see her again,

"Don't blame yourself for what happened in his life, it is not entirely your fault,"

Li Juan agreed with a nod as she went on listening to him.

"And you weren't alone in your life. Some people loved you and wished for your well-being and good health. I won't ask you to forget everything, but don't linger on the past, too much. You should not carry that emotional baggage to your future...," Ahn Lu Shan reached out for a handshake, "So be happy and live long with your doctor,"

"I will, thank you," Li Juan shook hands with him, "I wish you all the best,"

"And make sure to do what you have promised me earlier," He reminded her about his demand to save Tang Wei Sheng, "Bye then, have a safe journey,"

He let go of her hand with a smile plastered on his face and allowed Li Juan to walk away from the hospital corridor.

"Senior Ahn, why didn't you tell her the truth that you were the one who saved her, all these years?" Yang Xiong asked his senior as soon as Li Juan was out of their sights.

"When did I save her?" Ahn Lu Shan brushed off his question with a burst of laughter.

Some truths are better that they remain hidden.

On the way back to the hotel, Li Juan remained silent as she looked at the raindrops hitting on the car window.

"Li Juan," Zhang Zhi Jun tried to initiate a conversation with her when various questions started to boil inside his mind.

Li Juan inclined her head to take a good look at his face as Zhang Zhi Jun began to speak,

"Do you know, according to the myths, the lunar maiden is the incarnation of the Moon Goddess who is apparently the fated mate of the wolf God,"

"Hmmm, I heard that story," She replied lazily,

"I have this strong feeling that the cult group that Tang family is part of...I think they do share some connections with the Yu clan. What are your thoughts on it?"

"I think the same," She replied honestly..

"Aishh..then we just made a huge mistake," Zhang Zhi Jun exclaimed in an elevated tone,

"If Tang Wei Sheng is one among them...then that makes you, the descendant of the lunar maiden as his fateful mate," He glanced at Li Juan who remained with an ultimate poker face and wondered, "If the elders of the Yu clan knew about Tang Wei Sheng's identity earlier, they might have agreed with his proposal to marry you,"

"Even if he is the descendant of Wei emperor?" Li Juan asked indifferently.

Shocked by her question, Zhang Zhi Jun applied the breaks abruptly and the car came to halt with a loud screech sound.

"Holy cow!!! he is from that bloodline?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes. I haven't checked the results, but I do believe that he shares a significant amount of DNA with the last emperor of Wei," Li Juan tried to recall the reasons that led her to conduct a highly confidential DNA test as part of her research.

"Damn!!! This is so crazy," Zhang Zhi Jun almost screamed in bewilderment, " When I heard that you have the most wretched fate, I didn't expect anything this big... Just think about it, you were almost got married to someone who shares the blood of the man who butchered your ancestors, an arch nemesis. The entire Yu clan would have died due to a heart attack if anything happened like that," 

Li Juan looked at Zhang Zhi Jun who was freaking out like a madman, unable to contain his shock and awe.

It was the same reason why she did not tell anyone the truth behind Tang family. 

It would have been a heart breaking and regretful news if the Yu clan members came to know that their Queen was closer to someone whom they noted as an Arch enemy. But more than that it would have been even more agonising to realize that the Wolf God for whom their ancestors searched the entire mortal realm, turned out to be residing in the same person who led them to death.