Chapter 1: The Revelation

Chapter 1: The revelation

12 Jan 2014…

"Ah Ning…" The woman adorned in modern styled hanfu called out to her daughter who had her headphones on blocking out her mother's calls.

"Ning!" She called out again but this time it's louder gaining the attention of the ten year old.

Ning immediately took of her headphones and ran to her mom who was standing at the door. "Sorry ma," she apologized leading her mom inside the room.

Lady Jiang just smiled at her daughter and followed her. "Ma, should I have Xinan bring you tea?"

"Not really…"

"...Juice?" Ning unknowingly cut her mother off.

"No. I ac…"

"Snacks?" Ning asked again still cutting her mother's words.

Lady Jiang couldn't take it anymore, so she snapped on Ning. "Stop it. If I want any sort of refreshments, I can get it myself."

Ning suddenly laughed to herself seeing her mother mad at her. "I'm sorry ma, but I love you face when you're mad at me."

Lady Jiang joined in, laughing.

She knew her daughter was one crazy creature. Getting mad at Ning meant stress and Lady Jiang wasn't in for it.

"Now that you've been mused, little lotus, would you listen to me?"

"Would you let your little lotus go out to the garden?" Ning reciprocated her mother's question and looking expectant.

Ning had never been let outside the palace or out her room. For as long as she could remember, she had only seen few people in real life - her parents, Lord and Lady Jiang, her older brothers and her servant, Xinan.

'Do all princesses have tough lives?' Ning would always ask herself. She was tagged as crazy by her family but she wasn't crazy enough to leave her room and die. That's what her father always says.

"You know it's to protect you." Lady Jiang looked at Ning with a softened expression.

Ning just smiled and hugged her mother. "I know, ma. I'll listen to what you want to tell me," she said, enthusiastically.

Hearing Ning's words, Lady Jiang's face turned serious.

She looked at Ning who's large doe eyes were fixed on her. "Can you bring the book on Princess Liuxian?"

Ning was surprised as her mother asked about her favorite book. 'Is that why ma is here? She could have sent Xinan to get it."

"Okay ma…" Ning didn't question her mother and went to get the book from the shelf.

As she handed the book to her mother, she sat on the floor looking at her.

Lady Jiang started reading the book and explaining everything to Ning. Ning, on the other hand, listened intently despite already knowing everything her mother was saying.

"Do you understand everything on Princess Liuxian?"

"Yes ma. But…why are you talking about Sister Liuxian?"

"Sister Liuxian?" Lady Jiang asked, palpably confused.

Ning suddenly wore a wide smile. "I like her. Her view on royalty is cool. She and Crown Prince Yazhu were just victims of circumstances. There is definitely a plothole in the story."

Lady Jiang's face had a hint of amusement at the words of this ten year old. "So you're saying…"

"That she must have a reason for ending both their lives. The gods in the heavenly realm are the actual ones to be blamed. They know everything, so they should have explained what caused Sister Liuxian actions." Ning explained and her mother suddenly hugged her.

Lady Jiang held Ning so tight and tells her that she loves her. "My only daughter! Do not ever forget that ma loves you."

"I dare not forget it, ma."

110

After some seconds of hugging, lady Jiang let go of Ning and went ahead to pat her hair. "Ah Ning… I have something to tell you."

"Go on, ma," Ning replied looking softly at her mother.

Lady Jiang took a deep breath before speaking. "Ning, the reason you have never been let out of your room is because a whole lot of people believe you died at your birth."

"What?! I'm alive and well, ma." Ning replied rather defensively.

"I know but… no one must know that Princess Liuxian has been reincarnated." Lady Jiang's voice was almost below a whisper.

"She's been reborn?!" Ning beamed. "I would love to meet her."

Lady Jiang didn't say anything; she just stared emotionally at the daughter.

It took Ning a minute to understand everything her mother was saying. "Am I… Ma, am I the reincarnated Liuxian?"

By then, Lady Jiang was already crying. She couldn't use words to respond to her daughter. She just nodded.

Ning was shocked but not sad.

The little girl smiled widely at her mother who looked extremely shocked. "Ah Ning… I'm sorry that you have such a hard life."

"Are you kidding me, ma?" Ning smiled the more. "Everyone else wanted the reincarnated Princess Liuxian, dead. But you kept me alive. Ma, I have lived ten years on the earth. I experienced family and wealth. It wouldn't be a problem if I were to die now."

"Little lotus…"

Ning engulfed her mother in a big hug. "Ma… Don't cry. I'll do whatever you and father wants. Be it dying or getting banished."

Then Lady Jiang wiped her tears and held Ning's shoulders. Lady Jiang smiled and looked at Ning lovingly. "You will leave for the US tonight. You just have to adhere to the instructions of the ancient seer and you would be okay."

"What are the instructions, ma?" Ning asked.

Lady Jiang took a deep breath before explaining the instructions to Ning. "You are never to meet the reincarnated Prince Yazhu and if you do, stay away; don't let anyone know that you can control the weather and finally live like the westerners."

Ning nodded at the instructions but she had a question. "How would I know that it's PrinceYazhu so I can avoid him?"

"The seer said, only both souls can tell each other out." Lady Jiang replied while Ning nodded in response.

"I will go make preparations as you leave tonight with Xinan."

"She is coming with me?" Ning was shocked.

Lady Jiang nodded and went ahead to leave the room.

—

It was already night. The sky was very dark and it was time for Ning to leave Xuanlong for New York City.

The plan was set already and every guard in the palace were invited by Lord Jiang for a feast and the coast was clear.

Ning, Xinan, Lady Jiang and Ning's older brothers, Zhiying and Zhuyan who were twins, helped Ning escape without getting caught.

They drove to the airport and then Ning and Xinan boarded the jet that was prepared to take them to New York City.

After their final goodbyes and tears, the jet took off.

'This is the start of my journey to change my fate'