28 Another Goodbye (1/2)
The bells rang across the land to announce the fall of another emperor. Everyone wore white and their waistbands were embroiled with mountains, rivers and lotus flowers. Tubes of wind chimes flirted with each other, gently bumping together to create a soft sound that echoed throughout the palace. This noise supposedly guided the new spirits to a happy afterlife.
Slaves were given permission to stop work and mourn. This caused Mingzhu great difficulty finding Meifan and Jiang, who strayed following their usual routine. It took all morning to belatedly realise one maid took to hiding under the bridge. Meifan sobbed and tightly hugged her knees, as if it stopped her from falling apart. Her hair draped around a sorrow-filled face, failing to hide her pain. The sunlight, struggling to shine through the coverage of building floors and bridges, created an angelic glow to her skin, making her seem mythical.
”Meifan!” Mingzhu exclaimed in relief. ”I lost you. Why are you here? Why are you crying?”
”S-Senior L-l-lin!” Meifan croaked. ”She never came back. Huian, she never came back!”
”We will find her. She is probably mourning with the others.”
”The b-b-bell is ringing!”
”The bell rings for fallen emperors, not housemaids.”
In the entire palace, Mingzhu felt like the only one who appeared sane. Maids cried while idiotically sweeping grassy areas or hanging up dirty linen. The eunuchs acted worse and wandered around aimlessly, lost without their lord. Mingzhu found it darkly amusing but the humour died with Meifan's sorrow.
”Y-you are wrong. The maids were talking about it at breakfast. Senior Lin killed the emperor and empress! She w-w-will stand trial tomorrow!” Meifan crumpled over, more tears running down her face and wetting her gown.
It didn't make sense. Although Jiang shared a dark history with the emperor, there was no motive to kill the empress. The kind lady Mingzhu met always requested Jiang's company. How could Jiang murder someone so pure? Why now? If anyone was guilty, it would be...
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”A flower cannot grow in a tree's constant shadow,” the master spoke in a clear, calm voice. ”Give her the mission.”
The council of elders either grunted or nodded, sitting in a semicircle on a higher platform. They perched on small cushions, dressed in different coloured robes depending on their rank. Their faces were half-covered by decorative animal masks yet the leader could be identified by his long white hair and beard. People described Fa Biming as a kind soul, smiling easily despite his tragic past.
”You are indeed right. A child should not be punished for their father's flaws. However, the person we speak of has not gained our trust either,” Biming countered.
”Use the mission to test me,” Mingzhu pleaded. ”If I fail, I was of no value before and you can send a Masked Master. If I succeed, I prove my loyalty to the mountain clan.”
”Preposterous! A Masked Master should be tasked with assassinating the emperor, not our enemy!” The Tiger argued.
This sparked more noise to erupt in the room. The masters talked among themselves, arguing over the offer provided by a daughter of a criminal. The men and women were silenced by Biming, whom raised his hand and put it on his heart. This meant he accepted the proposal.
”If you return with restored peace between the kingdoms, the past sins will be forgiven by all. I swear it by the blood that has smeared these mountains.”
”I swear by the blood that smeared these mountains.” Mingzhu repeated the new oath and kowtowed.
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The Masked Masters wouldn't steal her mission. It was her duty to kill the emperor. No one else would act unless she failed. Besides, they liked order and perfection, not brutal murder that covered the walls in blood. They couldn't have taken away her duty… could they? Unless the Fox intervened.
The image of the fox mask shook her core. Without the mission, she could never repay her debts and make amends. The gentle chimes in the palace constantly reminded her of this throughout the day. It drove her wild. She needed answers and only one person could give them to her. So when darkness came and rain pattered on rooftops, she sneaked away.
The black outfit, stored in a broken roof tile, helped blend her into the night. A square of teal material covered her face, worn to hide her identity since she sacrificed her face covering to bandage Joaolong. The rain offered more concealment and she weaved through buildings without suspicion from soldiers. Soon, she reached the front area of the palace.
The building looked plain, similar to the guest chambers except for the blocked windows and guarded door. Minghzu watched the two soldiers out the front. Carefully, she raised her bamboo stick and blew hard. Darts shot out of the pipe and into the unsuspecting guards. Within minutes, they fell to the ground with a grunt. The paralyzing agent took full effect, granting Mingzhu access to her target.
The inside of the building divided in half; the open area walls were lined with weapons while the rest of the room formed a cage from thick bamboo stalks. Inside this cell, Mingzhu found Jiang curled into a ball, trying to sleep on the cold, damp and dirty floor. Already, she had withered and crumbled away into half the woman she was. Something tightened in Mingzhu's throat at the sight, making it difficult to swallow.
”Wake up.”
”Who is there?” Jiang asked into the darkness around her.
”Someone who wants answers.”
Jiang sighed and continued facing the blank wall. ”Are you here to cut out my tongue?”
”Do not mock me,” Mingzhu growled. ”I need an explanation for the rulers' deaths. No matter how strange.”
”Leave me be. I accept my fate.”
”Who killed the emperor?” Mingzhu asked but Jiang remained silent. ”Who. Killed. The. Emperor?”
Jiang finally turned around. ”Someone you cannot win against. Understand?”
Was everyone working against her? Mingzhu's temper burst and she grabbed Jiang robes, pulling her to the cell bars. The sadness for Jiang had morphed into pity and shame. How could someone turn so weak? Where was her harsh words and glare? ”I do not care for riddles and vague replies. I want answers. Did you see any men in masks last night?”