The man's robes were long, navy in color with a detailed pattern embroidered with golden threads. Lotuses dotted the shoulder and sleaves, while a large bird stuck in flight was sewn onto the chest. A black hat worn by high-ranking officials rested on his head, his greying knot tucked beneath its cover.
He stood in a darkened hallway gazing at the wall art that stretched for several yards. The image was carved from precious materials; jade, hundred-year-old Zitan wood, and decorated with gold. The very work could buy a mansion. But what was more eye-catching, was
the image that drew the man's intense concentration.
A landscape, a destroyed battlefield once beautiful, now littered with bodies, and a tiger lurking in their midst. A willow tree with a crane resting on its branches is on the edge of the clearing, witness to the bloody battle and crushing defeat.
The man sighed and shook his head, was it grief in his eyes?
"My lord, what you asked for." A servant appeared by his side, bent at the waist he presented a tray on which a pile of scrolls lay.
"Hmm." He accepted them with one hand while waving the servant away with the other. "You may leave."
"Yes my lord." The servant bowed and backed away, exiting the hall.
The older man, a palace official moved towards the end of the hall where his table sat, low to the floor, and placed the tray next to his writing instruments. After examining each one, he finally picked one and unrolled it, allowing the fabric to stretch wide. Words turned the white paper nearly black, showing the document was detailed and lengthy.
The first words were; ShanTong Battle, Eighth year of Emperor Wei's rule.
Fingers crumpled the once pristine and well-maintained historic record, tearing through a few words. The scroll dropped to the floor and the official walked over it, his shoe leaving a large print on its now damaged surface.
...
Lu Meiwan watched as her younger brother, Lu Zhanyi wrestled their dirty dog in the dirt. Some might think that finding your own happiness is most important, but for the girl, seeing her brother laugh and smear mud on his face brought her all the joy she needed.
She sat in their small courtyard at the table sipping her favorite othmansus tea and nibbling the fresh pink, rose-shaped pastries. The yard hosted beautiful flowers and lush greenery, as well as a delicately crafted pavilion. The doors to her room were open and the curtains that hung over her bed lifted in the breeze. Opposite her room, behind her, was her little brother's room, currently being tidied by maids after the naughty child's latest schemes.
"Zhanyi," Meiwan called. Looking towards the sun, she could tell it was
almost time for the evening meal.
The boy ignored his sister's voice and continued to growl along with golden creature, laughing when barked back at him. Meiwan shook her head and sighed patiently, her brother had always been wild and unrestrained.
Hearing footsteps, the girl glanced over and saw her father hurry towards his study through the covered walkway. Dressed in his usual flamboyant robes and hair decorated with a golden headdress over his topknot, he was muttering to himself and wiping sweat as his feet quickly carried him further away from his children.
Meiwan's brows lowered as her eyes followed the older man. She had seen him several times now acting strange, often speaking to himself and hiding away in his study. His unusual actions worried her and she couldn't figure out why. It felt like an itch she could not scratch.
Her father was a successful business man and merchant, who catered not only to their great country of An, but also to allying countries. Mr. Lu had brought his family wealth and luxury, such so that they never needed for anything. As it was with their current social status, it was expected that his children become talented so that one day, their family would rise in social rank.
Meiwan in the four arts, and Zhanyi in his education possibly becoming an official. It was not common that merchants were accepted into society as they were looked down upon for catering to others. But the Lu family had made their way.
She, however, was nothing exceptional. She had neither failed to master, nor had mastered any of the four arts, stuck in an awkward middle. Her brother was worse off than she, for obvious reasons. The child was unbridled and reckless, much more active than any other twelve
year old boys she knew.
Meiwan turned back to her brother. "Zhanyi!" She scolded, though kindly. "It's time to wash up for the evening meal."
The boy looked grumpily at his sister but slowly rose to his feet. "Yes, sister."
...
Later that night, Meiwan stepped out from the main hall where the meal had been served and headed towards her room. She passed by her father's study and noticed the flickering light that bounced off the paper and bamboo walls. Her father was still up, he'd come here instead of retiring for the night.
Meiwan was normally a dry and monotone girl, far more emotionless than others sixteen-year-old girls her age. But this night, curiosity called to her and she listened. She slid up against the wall and used her finger-tips to prop open the window. Inside her father stood at a bookcase and breathed heavily. His hands each held a piece of paper, torn in two, while shaking his head.
The girl could feel her heart beating, for her father's actions showed to her that something was indeed wrong. And it troubled him deeply, for him to stand there, his face showing a sort of helplessness.
She let her mind run through the possibilties of what could be wrong, but being a sheltered daughter, she didn't even know where to begin. All she could do, was hope her father could solve whatever trouble had found them.
Letting the window close quietly, Meiwan continued the rest of the way to her room and slid the doors closed behind her. Her living space was small and simple, just like her, decorated with plain white fabrics and a bonsai. She preferred it that way, not wanting to encourage a lavish lifestyle when at any moment, it could be taken away.
Things were never certain, the world was constantly volatile, so it was best to always be prepared for whatever might happen.