The half moon hung high above the sky like a moon cake cut from the center.
Wang-Yi wandered around the halls of the government palace, seemingly looking for a way out of the mess, but seemingly unable to.
What should I do next?...
Wang-Yi rubbed his chin.
Somewhere in the distance, came the faint sound of music.
Out of curiosity, the prince began to walk toward the source of the music.
This small adventure led him to a inner garden, where there was a mini pond with a single stone bridge connecting to the center. At the center of the bridge was a small red pavilion, and underneath the pavilion, sat Mo-Qin playing the Gu-Qin.
The moment prince stepped onto the stone bridge, he was struck by the music, to the point he found himself unable to move another step forward, as he could see the song coming to life before him.
The laughing children running down the streets, the busying shop keepers, and the lively street performers.
The music suddenly stopped.
The prince's world slowly returned to reality again.
"Excuse me, may I ask who you are?" Mo-Qin said with a voice like soft silk.
"It's me, Wang-Yi." The prince said.
Mo-Qin set her instrument to the side at once and kneeled on the ground.
"Apologizes for asking my prince, what brings you here at this hour? Is my music disturbing you?"
"Not at all. Your music is amazing. Would you mind playing another song for me?"
"Give your servant the name of the song, and I shall play the piece, my prince." Mo-Qin placed the Gu-Qin in her lap again.
"I am personally not good with music; I don't really remember the names of the music I hear."
"You only need to give your servant a few keywords."
The prince paused and scanned his surroundings for a moment, then closed his eyes and spoke:
"Spring, water, moon."
"Yes, my prince." Mo-Qin replied, as her fingers graciously danced on the strings of her Gu-Qin, pulling the prince into a completely different scene:
The aroma of spring.
The gentle flowing river.
The first cherry blossoms of spring.
The moon shying away half its face like a shy young maiden.
The cold early spring night.
The music stopped and the prince slowly returned to reality again.
"I don't know how to describe it with words…" The prince found himself speechless, as tears began to roll from his eyes uncontrollably.
A single drop of tear fell onto the pavement below, causing a tiny splash.
"My prince is a man of emotions." Mo-Qin said.
"How can you tell?" The prince turned to face her.
Mo-Qin lips pursed into a small smile.
"Your servant had lost her sight, but has gained a gift in hearing."
"You can hear my teardrops from this far away?"
"Yes my prince. I won't tell anyone."
"Thank you."
"There is no need for thanks; it is merely a part of your servant's duty."
The prince walked across the stone bridge in steady strides and stood in front of Mo-Qin, a moment later, he sat next to Mo-Qin.
"In that case, I order you to start addressing me by name when in private." The prince said.
"My prince, I am afraid that isn't appropriate…" Mo-Qin said with a worrying tone.
"Are you giving the orders or I am?" The prince said with a grin.
"Yes my prince…No, I meant…Wang-Yi…" her voice was barely a whisper at the end.
"Louder, I can barely hear you."
"Wa-Wang-Yi." Mo-Qin stuttered a bit.
"Much better." The prince grinned. "I am curious, how did you lose your sight?"
"It's a long story my pri…Wang-Yi. I am afraid it might bore you." Mo-Qin quickly corrected herself.
"It's fine, I am all ears."
"When I was 6, both my parents died to smallpox. Afterwards, I came out to work as a street performer. And it was during those times, my eyes caught an infection and I didn't have enough money to cure it at the time."
"I am sorry to hear about that." The prince said.
"Its fine, it's all in the past now." Mo-Qin waved.
"So what happened afterwards?" The prince asked again.
"My music was heard by Governor Jin at some point, and that's when he took me in under his care. He placed a roof over my head and food on the table. He also paid for my treatment, but it was a little too late."
"I see…Would you want your sight to be restored?"
The place was so silent, even a distant drop of water could be heard.
After a minute of silence, just as Wang-Yi was about to change subject, Mo-Qin finally spoke up:
"I don't know."
"Why?"
"Because if I gained my sight again, maybe I wouldn't be able to keep my gift of hearing. After all, one can't have everything in life."
"Indeed…One can't have everything in life."
"Is there anything you want in life my…Wang-Yi?"
This time it was the prince's turn to be silent.
After a minute of silence, when Mo-Qin was about to change topic, the prince spoke up:
"I want to be a hero."
"A hero?..."
"Yes. The one who saves many lives and is looked up to by the people."
"I am sure you will be a great hero Wang-Yi." Mo-Qin said without stuttering.
"Tell me that when I become one. And by the time that happens, I want you to make a song for me." The prince said as he slowly got up.
"I will." Mo-Qin said.
"It's getting late now. You should head to bed as well. Good night Mo-Qin." The prince said as he began to walk away.
"Good night Wang-Yi." Mo-Qin said with a small smile on her lips.