SUFENG HWANG

The air smelled old and dusty but the strong smell of roasted meat could be smelt all over. This dark room was barely illuminated by a torch. And clearly a woman in the finnest of golden black robe stood watching the burning flames. The person been burnt was consort Mei. Her screams echoed and bounced against the walls failing to reach the outside. And right at the corner slammed against a chair was the golden dragon looking like a boneless worm. He could not move neither could he talk. And this black clad female laughed whole heartedely as she saw his horrified expression.

"Husband. Do you see?? This wife is so dedicated to thee that one has taken to do well."And once again he laughter pierced through the cold air. Within a corner hidden well and curled up was the young prince that watched thy mothers end. An no matter how sad and tearful ones eyes were. This prince did not stir.

"Sufeng Ling. The man you and your brother have considered enemy has even put his life on the line to save thy brother. Such a pity that one has proven once again to be useless."The Empress said as she looked at her sick Emperor. A sickening smile grew on her face as she walked up to him and brought her face damn close to his.

"WangFi!!! This. This is just the beginning. Do you remember what you told me the first time i came into the palace to be your Empress??" she paused as she leaned in and kissed him biting his lip hard enough to cause bleeding. The man whimpered in pain."Do remember my love. For i shall make sure to fulfil it on thee."

She turned to her servants and ordered "Find that brat!!!!"

Sufeng Qui was glad of all events. He had cleared for himself to the top tree of success. All that one needed was patience. To wait for once price. Sufeng Chi was uninterested in political affairs. His aim was the field. Far from family. Free of charge. But it then in a way he was glad to protect his family. And had no motive behind it unlike Sufeng Qui.

Silence filled the air. And unlike every normal day thy windows were shut. Even after everything once heart was heavy. One thing she knew was that the emperor must be keeping his love safe. But in this the Empress was left without a scratch. And as such one could only think of consequences if the Empress were to ever come to know.

Warm water flowed down her petite frame as Chi Wun poured water on her.

"What is young lady thinking about??"Chi Woo asked as she brushed her mistress hair. Sufeng Hwang shook her head. A light smile appeared on her face. She was indeed beautiful. Deer like eyes with calm view,a little pointed nose with naturally pale lips and her jet black hair that flowed on her body and was left lose complemented her pale skin with such perfection.

"One is thinking of nothing at all"Her voice was soft and calm. And as she spoke both maids felt like an elderly grown aristocratic woman speaking to one. They liked this look on their lady. Lately she had not be sleeping and her leg has no been well. Her dark circles had faded over the days of peace. And the ruthless dark expression on ones face was replaced by a calm cute adorable face. That looked almost like that of a baby if not for the calm deer like eyes.

"What does young lady think elder young masters will get for young lady??"Chi Wun asked as she poured water once again over the delicate skin of their lady.

"Wun Ah!!!! How do you want our young lady to know?? She is no psychic. Now go fetch her towel"Chi Woo scolded her younger sister before sending her off. Sufeng Hwang gave a slight low laugh that lasted only for a second.

"What if one was to know??"Sufeng Hwang said throwing a glance to he maid.

The sun had risen in the sky over the Zhang Empire smiling brightly promising another day without snow. The capital was white and cold as it was that it had snowed in the night till day. The Sufeng blue carriage walked the streets of Gaha capital. And the person in a double sided cotton plain white coat seated with such grace and straight as a soldier yet as a trained female of the palace was Sufeng Hwang. Sat before her was her maid Chi Woo. In Sufeng Hwang hair was a sky blue butterfly hairpin that held her hair up in a pony tail letting the rest to fall all over her shoulders. This only revealed the prominent features of her face and the cold weather only make her skin to glow.

"Stop"Her voice came out soft. "STOP!!!"Chi Woo shouted over to the driver who stopped the carriage right before a jewel shop. Chi Woo opened the doors and extended a hand for her young lady to descend but Sufeng Hwang ignored her gesture and got down. Chi Woo retreated her hand in understanding of her Ladys behaviour. It was unintentional on Sufeng Hwang part but her life in the palace has thought her so. That touching a servant in public was not seen good on the royal part. But even this current action Sufeng Hwang was not aware of her gesture and only walked into the shop.

She was welcomed by a woman in an oval red coat.

"This lowly official welcomes young lady Sufeng to Faji."The lady half bowed bending a little on her knee and rising up to see.

With a wave of a hand Chi Woo stepped out.

"Did young lady come for the same design for her knife?? One has gone to retrieve."After Sufeng Hwang lost her knife she has ordered for a knife be made with the exact design.

She trailed her fingers on the edge of the knife but was lucky to not be cut.

"How much??"She asked even though she already knew the price.

"On the house"With that been said she turned and walked off. Handing the knife to Chi Woo she made way to her carriage and stopped as her eyes caught the person seated curled up at the other side of the street.

"Young lady!!"Chi Woo said as her mistress walked off to the dirty clad child and bent down to touch him.

"Young lady do not touch!!"Chi Woo cane yanking Sufeng Hwang hand off. Sh backed off at the sharp look that Sufeng Hwang gave her.

Sufeng Hwang bent down and took the child's hand and looked at him. This child was the child of Consort Mei. Prince Fu.

"Your highness Prince Fu what is one doing here??"The prince with the knowledge of been recognised was now sure Sufeng Hwang was no treat to him and looked up to her moving into her arms. Chi Woo was surprised at this revelation but was much more baffled at the fact that Sufeng Hwang knew of this prince. Sufeng Hwang took him into her arms and pulled him towards herself as she knelt completely. She looked around the prince and saw the dark marks on his cheek and smelt smoke. She knew instantly what had happened and gave warm smile to this prince before carrying him into her arms.

"Come with me. You'll be safe."She said. Chi Woo could not believe her eyes. The expression on her mistress face was priceless and for a second one would have thought these two were mother and son. But then Chi Woo cleared this thoughts away from ones mind as soon as it came. Sufeng Hwang was barely of marital age.

"Young lady what does one plan to do with his highness??"Chi Woo asked casually not to offend her lady.

"What else??"she said looking at the prince who held unto her neck smiling at her as she cleaned his face with her handkerchief."Take him to the residence".

"What??" Chi Woo half shouted as her eyes widened she flared her hands in the air"No young lady. No can't do."She held both her ears"Young lady General will not like this. He is a royal prince and son to a criminal. Taking him in and that too by an official is a crime. Better send him off to the palace. The Emperor will surely protect"

"My mother is not a criminal"This prince screamed out. Sufeng Hwang patted his back to comfort him glaring at Chi Woo before looking away.

"No can't do. The palace isn't safe for him."she said before her eyes widening as she looked at Chi Woo.

"One knows where to take him to be safe for life. Get me a brush and paper."

*

*

The Gaha capital has become silent and troubled,as all heads were bowed in the chilly air of the night. The emperor is bedridden and no physician seem to be able to find a cure. What  else is better than to pray?? Only God could save him now. Sufeng Hwangs plans were no failure. But this definitely was not  the outcome one planned. Chi woo could not take her eyes off this delicate little lady frame as she leaned into the chilly night and looked outside to the darken sky. Her eyes were void of emotions but the tension in the air was not missed by these servants.

A little girl with red swollen eyes body sunk to the floor as blood was splashed unto her face. She looked sickly pale and her swollen eyes were much visible. The bloodied head rolled to her feet as bile rose up to her throat.

"Elder brother"these words came out as nothing than just bare whispers. Warm tears runned down unto her face as she looked up to look at him. His most majestic posture was held up. The great emperor of Zhang Empire. The glorified,wise and justified emperor. She looked over to him as he looked down on her. She vowed to overthrow him and to make him pay. Who knew that destiny was so cruel. 

But then Sufeng Hwang gave a slight smile as she looked to her brothers from her window. She looked at the two brothers that sat facing each other. It wasn't for love that sufeng hwang saved her brothers life but to prevent the past from requiring. After all fate always has a way to want to push things further than they should go. These two brothers were different. For Sufeng Qui who was less interested in martial art and much more into books with the wish of entering officialdom,he was rather hot blooded and selfish. Especially with family and so was Sufeng Chi. But then for this brother was much interested in warfare he had a very calm composure. That if one was not to be careful one would mistaken Sufeng Qui to be Sufeng Chi. And vice versa. This she had witnessed herself in the past. The rise of Sufeng against the Wang Imperial family was to happen in days to come. Only that she didn't live to see it and as such one do not know how things ended.Her soften gaze turned dark as she remembered the red coated snow of the princes manor in the Fa province. For anybody of her age one should not be able to sleep properly but she did. With a happy heart in fact. For one that been on the battle ground with ones brothers and fought off the enemy while been a concubine of the emperor,she had seen worst than this. 

The lazily seated male in his chair gaze was slightly focused on the female by the window. His rough posture and crumbled white cloak portrayed him as a tug at the moment. With his playful features and the dancing candle light any female with wild desires would come running to his feet. His attention was barely on his almost look alike elder brother whom was also clad in a well adjusted and tied robe. This brother though with his playful looks looked more of a gentleman. But who knew that below that appearance was a wild ambitious person. 

"You are barely listening to me"Sufeng Qui said exasperated as he slammed his book unto the table. He sighed as he made a swift brush through his short hair by his left hand.

Sufeng Chi looked at him with a bored look and sighed as he pour his brother a cup of ginseng.

"Older brother these days has been occupied with the upcoming examination. One surely will enter into officialdom at a young age"he gave out the cup as he used his left hand to sustain his right one. Sufeng Qui took it generously before taking a sip"but then,how can this brother pay attention when one is aware that this younger brother is less interested in court matters??"Sufeng Qui knew too well and placed his cup down to ignore ones brother but the next word compelled him to look up at his brother.

"What did you say??Sufeng Qui voice rang through the silent air. His manly rough based low voice filling the air. But then the intensity of the word startled this servants who looked at each other.

"This brother is completely clueless in official matters. Government books and political stories bore me out. I prefer books related to the outside rather than the inside. But then positive. Just think about it older brother. Everybody is studying the same thing you are. Failing candidates is also their profession"Sufeng Chi said lightly his manly based low key voice said calmly as this youth just sat back.

Sufeng Qui nodded"very possible. Bringing something so low rank of the younger age book. Nobody will see it coming. I haven't taught of that. Why did brother Chi think so??"This brother looked at his younger brother suspiciously.

Sufeng Chi gave out a crooked smile as one read through the others thought."Doubt not younger one. One overheard younger sister speak about the exams with Chi woo. She thinks but not sure if that may be what may happen."With that said brother Qui looked to the western courtyard and could see directly into ones sister chamber as by the widely opened window was a sleeping Sufeng Hwang.

"What were you thinking earlier?"He said his gaze not averting from the sleeping sister. For a second he was angry as to why the servants left his younger sister by the window unprotected from the chill of the night.

"She would make a fine soldier"Sufeng Qui chuckles at his brothers words.

"Women are not allowed on the battle ground"Sufeng Qui said as he closed his book and preparing his stuffs.

"It isn't law yet. It's just that no woman have gotten enough to. Get up there."Sufeng Chi said sitting up properly as ones elder brother stood.

With his books held out to his servant who swiftly took it away,he threw a last glance at western courtyard to see Chi Wun and Chi Woo pulling Sufeng Hwang into bed before closing the the window partly. Sufeng Chi was the first to stand to retreat as he gave a slight acknowledging bow.

"Why did you suddenly think so??"Sufeng Chi bothered not to ask what his brother meant and simply shrugged before walking off.

"You are a very bad liar"Sifeng Qui said  earning a glance from his brother who turned to look at him and waved his fan. His eyes shifted from that of his brother as his eyes caught on something moving fast. It came from thy younger sisters room and was gone within that second that,Sufeng Chi did not bother and payed his respect to Sufeng Qui before leaving.

This youth heaved a sign of relief as he landed on his feet. Wrong room. This youth was in an all black attire covering his entire body and as such only his perfectly shaped sharp eyes could be seen as he looked into plain room. He could see a person tucked under loads of blanket and by the frame and sleeping posture of that person it was a female. This person found the room too plain for a female and the only thing separating his view of this female was the whites veils that hang down. He moved forward just in time to see The white carelessly clad youth turn towards him as this male moved out of reflex and hoped he was not spotted. He looked once more at the sleeping person and jumped out of the window. Better safe.

A hand smacked over Sufeng Yins head who half  yelled in surprise as he turned  To look at the black clad youth.

"You?? Here??"Sufeng Yin said as he stood up to acknowledge his visitors presence.

"You gave me the wrong room"This youth said with all seriousness and slumped himself into  a seat."This room does not suit your status". The clad youth removed his mask to reveal Great Prince Arch.

"I taught you were joking"Sufeng Yin said casually and informally to this Prince that sat before him,as though they were equals."After all we do have a gate"He slightly joked as he leaned in.

"Says the person that prefers to use my window"This Prince commented and leaned in to pick up the cold tea. Sufeng Yin watched as this prince drank the cold tea with much delight as though it was warm and sweet. Which was the opposite. This tea was of bitter leaf and was only good when warm. A smile graced this princes beautiful features as He leaned back.

"The manor is quite boring these days. With imperial matters,no doubt its time to move."Sufeng Yin frowned as he looked at him for a while."Young Prince has been returned safe and sound and i have come to give this"

Sufeng Yin looked at the handkerchief and instantly knew whom it belonged to. He had personally offered this to thy younger sister days ago and to see it in This princes hand he feared but did not show. 

Prince Arch looked intently at His friend and smiled. "I have come to return. I believe you know what to do with it."He stood up as he looked down to his friend his smile gone replaced with a serious expression."Take care. For now this prince has other matters to attend to."

With that been said he jumped out as Sufeng Yin heart dropped. He acted in the past but did not think of outcomes. With much care he opened the handkerchief as his heart dropped. 

He sighed in relief as he saw his name.

The Sufeng household was bustling with life as it was the sixth day of the week and the young males spared against each other. Even if one was not a martial art lover, it was necessary to learn for ones protection. As others spared Sufeng Hwang was learning calligraphy and was busily concentrated that one did not hear the ccommotion outside.

"Young lady ! Young lady!"Sufeng hwang looked up exasperated as she glared at a breathless Chi Wun.

"Why are you shouting like that??"Chi Woo scolded ones sister and went ahead to keep grinding the ink.

"The_the_Royal_. No. There_there's an official from the royal palace here with a royal decree"Chi Wun managed to say after much struggle in stammering.

"What??"Chi woo exclaimed in shock as she looked over to her mistress"Young lady what do we do?"

"Do not bother"her voice came out strong and authoritative making both servants to flinch as she continued with what she was doing.

All eleven sons and mothers with servants witness what was happening  as they looked the finely dressed viridian coloured silk robes that these group of women wore. At the front of all was a male clad in a deeper green silk robe that walked upright all the way to the western courtyard and stood before Sufeng Hwangs door of entry. A mini table was in his hand. Placing the table on the ground,and all officials bowing to honour the decree he rose up still on his knees. He pulled out the decree and opened it.

"Sufeng Hwang daughter of great general Sufeng Ling. The daughter of the Tian lord. Hear and obey. I Empress  Zhang has heard of the finest of the young lady of the Sufeng household and hereby deem her wealthy to enter the Royal palace to be chosen as royal consort!!!!!!!!!"