Joy of Life
A family inclined to kindness and charity would grace the descendants. Thanks to one small act of kindness, by providence she comes across a grateful friend; Fortunate that her mother, has done an unperceived good deed…. Men should rescue the distressed and aid the poor… Who would have guessed that kindness in this world ultimately would be the road that one must choose, that proverbial fork in the road? Clouds of rain float on eastern winds as new vines start to blossom. Though drums of war roar too loudly and their brilliance has been lost, a green grass carpet greets the sun by the break of morning. Let us wait for the yellow leaves, a few gourds are harvested.
The Sound of Sorrow
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The entire city was unadorned and covered in plain white silk. It was as if a great snowfall that seeped coldness into people's hearts had fallen in September. Snowflakes seemed to be landing on everyone around the Royal Palace and in each of the streets, alleys, and private residences. They were not true snowflakes. Rather, they were white cloths, pieces of paper, lights, hangings, and lanterns.
The pure whiteness was clean. It subdued the sorrow and tears in the people's chests, who were terrified of disturbing the saddest day Qing Kingdom had experienced in 20 years.
The news of the Emperor's demise could not be hidden forever, particularly as the rumors grew. The empress had to make a prompt decision. She could not wait for the group sent to Dong Mountain to retrieve the Emperor's body or for the various investigations to continue before she announced the earth-shattering news to the world.