It was a hot, summer day when Ming Ran sat sobbing silently in front of the mirror, startling both of his brothers who had come in from training. He was buck naked surrounded by all of his clothes, sobbing in front of the mirror alone. The boy was only four years old and had yet to speak one word, let alone make a single sound. This latter part made his family worry, as the boy was indeed an enchanting beauty: long, silver hair like light shining down from the moon on a bright night, big red eyes more exquisite than the finest gems, rosy cheeks that blushed a hue of cherry blossoms at the peak of spring, and pale skin like expensive china. The amount of attention he garnered was astounding, a number of servants had already been charged on accounts of abuse. None were more brutal in their torture than his older brothers, the bodies of these criminals were so badly marred a passing constable had thought wild dogs had eaten the bodies. His brother's weren't the only frightening guardians this young boy had on his side: Gong June had used one such despicable servant as a training dummy, Fa Lin had tortured another more brutally than the embroidered guards (she had been scouted by the prison warden after that). A few families had lost considerable face after having their scandals revealed by some anonymous hero after their sons had paid a little too much attention to Ming Ran. Ming Luo and his wife on the other hand, were more about preventative measures: their beloved youngest was to wear clothes with bells on them, so they could find him even if he wondered off to play with the other children, and a whistle to blow if he ever needed help. One that would summon a spiritual beast to protect him (curtesy of Wei Ning and Cang Yuan).
Watching their brother sob naked in front of the mirror had made his brothers assume the worst, but just as they were about to hunt down the scoundrels responsible Ming Ran ran over and hugged Ming Quan, sobbing harder.
"A-Ran, what's wrong? Who did this?" he asked, picking him up. Ming Ran only pointed at the mirror. The two brothers followed him over and looked in the mirror. They couldn't find anything wrong, and looked at each other in dismay. Ming Ran pointed at the mirror.
"Um… Ah! Yes! You are very pretty, Ming Ran!" his older brother stuttered. Ming Cheng stayed silent for a moment.
"Which part of the mirror makes you upset?" he asked. Ming Ran pointed down towards the lower half. Ming Quan tilted his head, looking at the base of the mirror.
"You're a boy, A-Ran." Ming Cheng said, searching for a reaction. Ming Ran flinched and began to cry harder, "Did you think you were a girl?" He asked. Ming Ran paused. He had been called "third young master" for as long as he could remember, and his father and mother called him their "son", so obviously he should be a boy, but somehow seeing his naked body in the new mirror today made him realize: he was male. His second brother began to laugh very hard once he realized what was wrong, before hugging his little brother. Ming Quan scooped him up and wrapped him in a sheet.
"Where are you going?" Ming Cheng asked.
"To mother." he ran off before Ming Cheng could say anything otherwise.
"Brat." Ming Cheng muttered, walking after him. Ming Quan had become more and more unruly with his new little brother shielding him. However, did this mean what he thought it meant?
...
Three hours later, five guests arrived at the house, breathless to see Ming Cheng standing at the entrance waiting, looking serious.
...
Ming Ran looked at himself in the mirror, feeling utterly miserable. Ming Quan had dragged him into the family room and told their parents that he wanted to be a girl and was quite upset that he wasn't. His family was— for the most part— quite mischievous and playful, and when both mother and father heard this, their eyes lit up.
"Ah! All those clothes I bought for A-Ran before he was born have not gone to waste!" Ming Qing sighed, dreamily getting out some more accessories to adorn her son's long hair. Ming Ran was wrapped up in fine silk dresses with matching shoes and accessories for the last three hours! First was a blushing pink dress, followed by a pale jade dress, then the violet dawn dress, the latest dress was the fair blue of the sky above with silver flowers blooming in his hair and sapphires. Ming Cheng entered first to see his youngest brother become a younger sister and froze. Ming Ran sighed, indulging in his mother's bout of dress-up. Wei Ning peeked in and froze, a blush spreading across his cheeks to his ears and crept further still down his neck.
"Wei Ning? Why'd you stop?" Wen Quinn asked. Gong June pushed passed him,
"What'd you see?" The door opened wider giving them all a full view of Ming Ran whose blush went from cherry blossom pink to a deeper shade of a rose. The two groups stared at each other for a while before Ming Ran shrunk behind his mother.
"A-Ran?" This is too embarrassing! he screamed internally.
A few more agonizing hours later, the hellish session of dress-up had finally ended, and Ming Cheng held his youngest brother, rocking him slowly and trying to stop him from pouting. The manor had witnessed the early caresses of spring in the last few weeks, pushing small buds out from their winter slumber from the trees to the bushes. The garden was slowly being rejuvenated under the warm guidance of the spring sun. When spring came upon the land, the garden was incredibly serene— the perfect place to meditate and train. Ming Quan was practicing beneath one of the flowering trees, feeling the energy of the budding spring warm his bones and bring him to new heights. Ming Quan had been doing very well recently in catching up to his brother. At eight years old, Ming Quan was considered in his own right a genius, and a weapons enthusiast. He had collected a vast amount of techniques in his study— located in the East Wing of the Ming Manor— and had almost mastered two of them. At 10 years, Ming Cheng had already started training with his father's troops. Ming Ran, on the other hand— was much more sickly than his siblings, yet he seemed to have grasped something much more than his siblings. There were a few religious texts and scrolls in the Ming Manor's library— Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and philosophy texts— these were the books that Ming Ran devoured. The boy seemed to soak up spiritualism like a sponge, and as he read he remembered some of what he had taken from the void.
Ming Cheng watched their brother and couldn't help but see the heart he was searching for, but there was also something that kept him from truly believing that this was the one soul he had been so desperate to find: the fear of hope. Yet today, something told him that he had a reason to be hopeful. Something about the tantrum in front of the mirror, gave him that push. So, while looking out at the pond where the koi had just begun to wake from their dreary slumber, he sat with him, watching the fishes.
"Do you know about The Twisted Root?" he finally asked. His younger brother stared at the water awhile before shaking his head. He swung his legs back and forth, enjoying the warm breeze blowing across the water's surface. A few mayflies landed on the water, rocking on the subtle ripples. Ming Ran watched them with a strange solemn expression, one could almost see a bit of knowledge blur his concentration and awareness of the world around him. The koi penetrated the surface and swallowed the mayfly whole. Ming Cheng flinched, sneaking a peek at his brother— the child was worryingly kindhearted, and death often seemed to upset him, even over the tiniest and most insignificant of beings he would begin to sob. Today, he watched with almost a look of resignation, before forcing his gaze away and pointing towards another part of the garden.
...
He was on the precipice of a breakthrough, and as he looked at the deepness of the void, Ming Ran searched endlessly for what insight he was lacking. He had felt much closer to the void— the vast emptiness that embodied the collection of absolute knowledge, eternal collections of wisdom, and the absolute truth— than most might. Or maybe there were many people who felt close to the collection of the origin, maybe that is what it meant to be wise or what it was to have knowledge or to find the slivers of the shattered truth come together in this world. Maybe it was what made the judges, the wiseman, the shaman, the miracle doctors, the sage emperors, the geniuses, the people who stood as pillars to the universe. Yet there was something in Ming Ran that connected him to the void. There was something that made his existence absolutely nothing. Sometimes he could feel it infiltrating a place in his soul, bringing the void closer to him. As the void was a place of nothing— a collection of endless burnt out something— he should probably be much more afraid, what would happen if he ceased to exist in this world? Yet, there was something almost calming about being so close to that place, a cradle that seemed to be much safer than the world at large or in the bosom of even Wei Ning. Yet, it was the sense of ease that Ming Ran felt around that boy that pulled him back from the void every single time. He would find the people there that he had nearly forgotten— as he came close to becoming nothing and everything— whether it was Fa Lin who taught him to write— mercilessly fixing the flaws in his brushstrokes, but also dotingly bringing him pieces of taffy. Or maybe he would find Gong June who would tuck him under her arm and flee with him to tow, vaulting over the walls of the manor and laughing like a maniac as they listened to the cries of the servants and nannies that were supposed to be watching him. They would go to the marketplace and she would buy him whatever he wanted, trying her best to get him to call her Jiejie. Khan Qing would join them and all of them together would go to the gambling den, where she would win big in mahjong or go. Maybe it was Ming Cheng who often brought both of his brothers out to play at the barracks, making sure that they each had something to do, and bringing them to a restaurant afterwards where they would eat good food together. All of them were healthy, happy, and arguably safe. There was nothing to worry about there, and the strong pull he felt to watching them and being with them made him watch more. The more he interacted with them, the more he felt at home.
Now, he had found a sense of understanding. There was a large part of him that was stuck somewhere, and he had no way of knowing how to dislodge his foot from the gnarled roots keeping hold of him. Thus, he sat on his bed one spring day, unraveling that sense of understanding that was hidden deep inside his soul. The knowledge, wisdom, and absolute truth was like freezing water, and the further he waded inside the slower his mind would work, and the further he got from his physical self. The smell of wet trees from the last of the spring showers, the smell of the city on the horizon that carried over to him, and the horrible stench of blood, the life that dripped down and that soaked the very air and foundations of this place. Yet, Ming Ran could feel an aloof coldness welling up within at the thought of this place— another piece of reality, another truth that could not be denied.
"And so, what is this place to you?"
"The Hunting Grounds."
"What about those lights in the distance?"
"The City."
"And? What is this place to you?"
"A place where the cycle ends, a truth of the world that all must accept."
"And? Do you? Accept it?"
"It is simply a part of reality. Some are destined to end up on this path."
"Then, why do you place such importance on this place?"
"This is where my foot is stuck."
"Can you feel your foot?"
"…I'm not sure. I am human, I should have a foot, shouldn't I? No. Not all. Did I… have a foot?"
"What does your foot look like?"
"Ah. It looks like this." Ming Ran looked up at Cang Yuan and smiled, pointing to his foot. He felt the waters recede and the knowledge of who he was seep back into his soul where it belonged.
"That's right. Now, it's time to come back, he is going to have a heart attack."
Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was a white, furry tail. Ming Ran caressed it gently, eliciting a soft chuckle from the creature.
"I can see why my student is so taken with you." a fox looked down at him with bright, blue eyes. A long, wet tongue brushed lightly passed his cheek. Ming Ran reached up and pet the nose lightly. There was a rustling sound on the other side of the door.
"Just give us a minute." the fox chided. The door burst open revealing Ming Quan who rushed forward and held Ming Ran close.
"Little One!!! Ah, are you alright?!" he cluttered his face in kisses, and hugged him close. Ming Cheng swung his fist down.
"Did you not hear Cang-Daoshi tell you to wait?" He gave a respectful bow and dragged his brother out. "Please excuse us." Cang Yuan sighed and shook his head, shifting his appearance back into a human.
"Youngsters these days are so impatient!" he turned to Ming Ran and raised an eye brow, "And? How did you end up in the Spring of Origins?" he sighed, shaking his head, "No, don't answer. I think I understand a bit, and you probably won't be able to answer me as you are anyhow." He paced about the room for a time, "Do not dip your toes in that place again. You almost lost yourself to it. While it is a place to return to at the end of one life, it is no place for those currently with being. Live through this life and bring something back to the Spring when the time comes. Absolute knowledge and wisdom is not something that should exist in the mortal world. Do not ever tell anyone you still have a connection to it."
...
"Do you want some of that?" Gong June pointed at some candied hawthorns being sold a few feet away. Ming Ran was being carried under her arm like some sort of sack and looked up to see the stand. He shook his head and pointed to the ground hopefully. Gong June had already lost interest and trotted over to a stall selling roasted peanuts. She bought a few bags and made her way to a tree before setting Ming Ran down and handing him a bag to munch on. She leaned back and fiddled with the stalk of hay between her teeth. Looking at her, one would think she was a brutish thug from one of the bigger gangs. She wore her blazing hair high in a ponytail with a simple (but by no means cheap) golden head piece, a crimson robe with a black belt and hunting boots. From far away, she not only looked like a thug, but also a young man. Her mother, Gong Mei, would have already fainted looking at her daughter. Still, one had to admit, her ability with a spear and sword were nothing short of impressive. She let out a long sigh, and closed her eyes.
"Let me know if you want to get any more snacks, 'kay?" she said. Ming Ran nodded, but wasn't sure if Gong June had noticed. The marketplace was as busy as ever and with the coming of age ceremonies of the crown prince coming up, things were busier than ever. Servants from just about every household were purchasing wares from about the market. One of the daughter of the Fa family, one for the song of the Ming family, one for the son of the Ming family, and one for the crown prince. Then, there were some gifts for the young master of the Wei family who had the emperor, two generals, and a powerful court official backing him. Not to mention the immortal master they had to impress before their young masters and young mistresses made their way to the Twelve Mountains! There was much to do, gifts to give, and outfits to buy! Servants from every household were doing their best to keep up with the busy schedules. Merchants were trying their best to keep up with the onslaught of people coming in and out of their stores. Several maids followed a young woman with light pink hair and blue eyes. She wore a dress from light pink silk with rows upon rows of pink pearls and a white jade hair ornament. She looked haughtily from side to side as she strode down the street. Ming Ran watched the crowd with interest, munching quietly on the roasted peanuts. The bag was very soon empty of its contents, Ming Ran dusted off his hands and looked around for some place to dispose of it. He stood and patted off his pants before checking on Gong June. She slept peacefully in the sun, and every once and a while the piece of hay would twitch and move about in her mouth. Ming Ran carefully stepped into the streets after find one such trash can.
There was a merchant selling ornaments at a stall not too far away. Gleaming gold, fair jade, and illustrious pearls decorated the accessories and caught Ming Ran's eyes. He wondered over and peered curiously at the bobbles. Ming Ran reached out to look closer at the hairpin with a dragon carving on it, but just as he picked it up a set of pink dyed nails snatched it away.
"How dare you try and steal Lady Khan's hair pin!" One of the maids piped up in outrage. Ming Ran looked up and saw the young woman from earlier, his mind freezing.
—Six Months Ago—
Fire crackers popped down the street as a giant dragon was paraded down the street. Winged horses, acrobats, majestic spirit beasts, and rare animals lined the streets. Cultivators roamed about and made merry amount the many citizens of the mundane world. Boats crowded the river, cheers were heard all around, and many tasty snacks were being peddled by merchants. Gong June whistled in appreciation, she wore the fiery red robes of a young master of the Gong Household, a golden insignia wrapped around her ponytail.
"Everyone really went out of their way today! Guess I have to hand it to Wen Quinn! This is pretty fricken' awesome!" she said. Ming Cheng held onto Ming Quan's hand and made certain Ming Ran was stable on his shoulders.
"Is that really something to be surprised about? He was never lawyer material, more of an arts major." he said. Ming Quan pulled a little on his hand,
"Brother! Brother! There are acrobats over there! Let's go look!" he gazed longingly at the performances. Ming Cheng sighed.
"Hold on a minute! You'll get lost."
"I won't." Ming Quan puffed his cheeks. Gong June ruffled his hair.
"We have to wait for his royal highness to come and your Lin-jiejie. I'm sure you know what happened the last time we went off to play without her." she smiled, but her eyes were looking a thousand miles away. Ming Quan shuddered and even Ming Cheng had minor goosebumps sprouting on his arms. That was an unpleasant memory. Ming Ran craned his neck to get a good look around him. There was a man walking on stilts throwing out flowers. Ming Ran tried catching one but almost tumbled off of his brother's shoulders. Ming Cheng caught him.
"Careful there!" he chided softly. Ming Ran nodded and stayed still, but his eyes— large as saucers— never left the fluttering flowers raining from the sky.
"Ming Ran!" a voice like a bird in the first sign of spring called out to him. Khan Qing waved her hand as she bounced like a rabbit over the crowds. She found her way over to them and managed to poke his cheek before being swatted away by his formidable older brother.
"Careful!" Ming Cheng hissed, stepping away and protecting his brother. The bells placed in Ming Ran's hair chimed gently. Khan Qing grumbled,
"C'mon. There's no harm in a little poke on his chubby cheeks." Gong June laughed in response to her friend's grumbling. Ming Quan looked around hoping to see either Wen Quinn or Fa Lin somewhere in the crowds. Instead, a white, pristine robe with a jade green sash appeared from the crowds. Wei Ning made his way through the crowds, a tired pallor flushed over his face. A few young cultivators hung off of his arms, and followed him through the crowds. He approached the group and Gong June tried her best not to laugh. He gave her a withering look and looked up at Ming Ran.
"Shixiong! Who are these people?" one of the girls whined, pressing her chest into his arm as she looked darkly at Gong June. Gong June crossed her arms and raised her eye brow. Khan Qing hid behind Gong June looking shy. Wei Ning said nothing and bowed to them.
"Sorry I'm late." he said. Ming Cheng shrugged, but Ming Quan puffed out his cheeks.
"Where is Lin-jiejie? I wanna go play!" he whined. Wei Ning ruffled his hair before his brother could say anything.
"Soon." was all he said, but Ming Quan nodded. Ming Cheng growled.
"I have to tell you to do something ten times before it gets anywhere near done and all he has to say is a word? Unbelievable!" Ming Quan giggled and hugged his big brother, Ming Ran hugged him from above. Wei Ning managed to shrug off the female cultivators and looked around.
"Sorry we're late!" Wen Quinn hurried through the crowds with Fa Lin. He was dressed in a simple purple robe embroidered with phoenixes. His long, chestnut hair was tied back with a simple, cream ribbon. Fa Lin was dressed even darker in a robe that looked almost black, if not for the sudden explosions from the nearby firecrackers that revealed a night dark blue. Silver thread was used to embroider peonies. Dark hair was pulled up into a scholar's knot where a black jade hair pin simply (but perfectly) adorned her hair. A beast held a purple gun in its jaws as it's right paw was raised in attack. Dark red eyeliner and dark lip stick gave her the aura of death and doom. It was the exact opposite of the playful and excited atmosphere at the Dragon Boat Festival. The group stared at her incredulously. Ming Cheng and Wei Ning looked over at Wen Quinn. He held up his hands,
"I tried to get her to wear something more festive…" he said, sighing. Fa Lin sighed,
"…and I tried to get your highness to finish his work on time. I had no time to change into something more lighthearted." she scowled at him.
"…" the group stared at her.
"Jie..? You wear that to work?" Ming Quan asked quietly. Fa Lin smiled, making everyone shudder. She pinched his cheek.
"Look whose learned to speak disrespectfully to his elders…" she laughed quietly. Wei Ning stepped silently forward, and picked Ming Quan up.
"Let's go."
They began to enjoy the festival, Ming Quan and Ming Ran gaped at the acrobats. Gong June laughed as Ming Ran leaned so far forward on his brother's shoulders that Ming Cheng was having trouble balancing. Ming Ran's tiny hands were trying to reach out and pop some of the bubbles that were being magically created from thin air. The female cultivators watched as Wei Ning reached out to gently take Ming Ran from his brother's shoulders.
"Shixiong! Who is this little gongzi?" she coquettishly reached out to him, only to be blocked off by Ming Quan, his heckles raised.
"Don't touch my little brother, you old hag!" he snarled. Ming Cheng sighed, and pushed him into a bow before the cultivators could take offense.
"My apologies. My little brother is just a little wary of strangers approaching our youngest." he explained. The female cultivator forced a smile.
"Of course, of course! Such a lovely young gongzi. It makes sense that you'd be wary of any threat." she smiled. Gong June saw some meat skewers roasting nearby and grabbed Wei Ning's arm. The female cultivators froze.
"Hey, Wei Ning. Buy us some of those, yeah?" Wei Ning raised his eye brows.
"Why should Wei-shixiong buy you anything?" One of the female cultivators asked.
Fa Lin nodded, and pointed over to the roasted peanuts near the skewers.
"Yes, buy us those too. Wen Quinn will go with you. Make sure you bring something to drink as well." she said. Wen Quinn's mouth fell open.
"Why should we go buy you all stuff?!" he asked.
"You were late. We had to wait for you so long! Right, Ming Quan?" Gong June looked over the at drooling Ming Quan. He swallowed hard,
"Big brother? Those smell really good…"
"Then, why don't you help out too? You were also late!" Wen Quinn asked Fa Lin.
"…and whose fault was that?" she sighed. Ming Ran's stomach growled.
"…"
Gong June waved enthusiastically to Wei Ning and Wen Quinn, laughing as they made their way to the long lines.
"Make sure you buy enough for all of us!" she called after them. Ming Cheng picked his youngest brother up and shook his head.
"Making the crown prince of the empire run errands for you?"
"He'll live."
"Unless he forgets to turn in his assignments again." Fa Lin said. Ming Ran and Ming Quan shuddered at the unsaid threat in her voice. Ming Ran looked over at the stalls on the other side of the street, filled with trinkets, baubles, and food. He trotted over and walked down the road, weaving through the people. There was a sudden rush of people who engulfed him like a tidal wave, carrying him further down the rows of stalls. A hand broke through the people and fished him out. Ming Ran let out a small sigh of relief, and looked up at the person who had saved him. A young man around his age with stern eyes and an unfriendly face looked down at him. Ming Ran swallowed hard and nodded shyly in thanks. The boy had dark purple eyes like amethysts, dark hair held up by a red ribbon. A frown was etched into his face as though he had never smiled, and his skin was pale. There were bruises hidden under sleeves that were much too big for him (maybe just for the purpose of hiding those bruises) and upon closer inspection his clothing (despite looking expensive) were worn and threads were flowing in the barely present wind.
"Why the heck are you gaping at me? If you got something to say, say it." his voice was that of a child, but had the intensity of a full grown man. Ming Ran swallowed hard, feeling a little unsure about this new person. The boy glared at him, and Ming Ran tried his best to smile politely despite the circumstances.
"Why are you grinning like an idiot?" the boy asked, looking away. For a moment, Ming Ran thought he was going to leave him behind, and panicked. However, the boy only sighed and grabbed his hand, leading him down the street. "You really shouldn't wander from your parents." he lectured Ming Ran as he led him down the street. A few food stalls made their stomachs growl. The boy froze, a little bit of life flashing about his face, he peaked at Ming Ran and blushed before hurrying to buy a bag of roasted peanuts.
"This is only cuz you sound hungry. God, do your parents starve you or something." he grumbled, handing Ming Ran the bag. Ming Ran stared at him, a little disgruntled, and pointed at the boy's own growling stomach. "I ain't hungry if that's what you're worried about!" Ming Ran sighed and opened the bag of peanuts. The smell wafted through the air and caused the boys stomach to growl again. He blushed deeply, and Ming Ran laughed. The boy stared at him, realization dawning.
"You're--" Ming Ran held out the bag of peanuts, offering some of them to the boy. He blushed again, his cheeks puffing up, he held his hand out, "Well, I guess of you insist, I could take a few off of your hands." Ming Ran smiled and shook his head. This child, really!
The two of them wandered the marketplace a while before another the stall caught Ming Ran's attention. The stand had many lanterns hanging down and set out across the counter. There were many dragon shaped ones, phoenixes, lanterns with dragons painted intricately on their surface, almost dancing across the paper. Ming Ran wandered over and looked at one that was shaped like a lotus flower. This lantern would be very pretty lit up above the water. Ming Ran stood on his tippy toes trying to get a closer look, when a hand snatched the lantern away. Ming Ran came face to face with a frightening looking young woman wearing a bright pink dress and ruby hairpins. He looked around for the boy from earlier, greeted only by the busy streets. His new friend was nowhere to be found. She looked down with undisguised scorn,
"And who are you to stand in this miss's way?" she glared at him so hard that Ming Ran burst into tears. While he still was unable to make a sound the bells adorning his hair jingled as he hiccuped, bringing attention to his big brother. Ming Quan rushed over and hugged Ming Ran.
"Xiao-Ran! What's the matter, who bullied you? Want me to knock 'em dead?" Ming Ran only cried harder, the bells shaking along with his trembling body. Ming Quan looked up at the young woman and glared. "What did you do to my brother?" he yelled. The young woman only scoffed, lightly fingering the lantern in her hands.
"What is it to you?" she turned up her nose, "This Young Miss wanted this lantern, how dare you raise your voice at me?" The lantern dealer sweated profusely watching this scene. He was well aware of who these two young masters were, and knew the consequences of upsetting them, however, he also knew that they weren't usually as troublesome as the other young mistress. Spoiled and arrogant and unwilling to relent. Even the slightest insult could end in him needing to flee the city. On the other hand, the young masters had quite the fearsome backing, could anyone ever forget the story of the scam artist and how faired under the Fa household's Young Mistress? Or the drunkard who pushed the youngest master of the Ming family? The Gong family's reaction was brutal— even more frightening was the duel. Then again, the eldest young master of the Ming family was probably the scariest. However, wasn't he alright? He wasn't the one who upset their youngest, right? Best to stay as inconspicuous as possible, and let the young lady of the Khan household dig her own grave! Just as he was thinking that, however, one silver coin was tossed in his face.
"I'll be buying this." the young mistress said, turning away. She stalked off without even collecting her change. The merchant stared at her in shock, and looked down at the massive hot potato she'd thrown him. Ming Quan was still hurling insults at the young mistress, and the tinkling of little bells was still coming from below the counter. The merchant sighed, feeling rather guilty. He had no more lotus lanterns! He looked around trying to find something suitable.
Ming Ran was hiding under the table, still crying. This was really too scary! The more he cried the louder everything became, and there was so many people, and there was a terrifying pink monster out there, and she glared at him, and… the soft peck of paper landed on his cheek startling him. The lantern merchant held a delicate bird lantern, its tiny beak lightly kissing him. He wiped his eyes and softly pet it on the head, his face brightening. The merchant smiled,
"Come on out, young master! This one's on the house." Ming Ran crawled out from under the table and pulled out one of the golden coins he had gotten from his eldest brother. He held it out silently to the merchant. The merchant took it and handed him the lantern.
"You like that one?" Ming Quan asked. Ming Ran smiled brightly and nodded. "Alright, then I guess it's fine." Ming Quan ruffled his hair and picked him up. Ming Ran waved good-bye to the merchant who was left with one gold coin at least ten thousand times what the lantern was worth. Mouth agape, he waved back.
As the two of them made their way back to the others, they found the pink clothes mistress from before hanging shamelessly onto Wen Quinn.
"Your Highness! It really has been too long! Will you really be so cold as to send me away?" Wen Quinn wrenched his arm free, and sighed.
"You just visited the palace yesterday, with your father." he grumbled.
"Yes! However, it feels like it's been months!" the young girl whined. Fa Lin rolled her eyes.
"If only that were true."
"I'm sorry, did you say something Miss Fa?"
"Only that your Khan family seems to be lacking not only in common sense and shame, but the ability to read the room. Khan Lang, how much longer will you cling to fantasies?" She opened her fan and held it primely with her middle finger raised high. Ming Ran gaped at the scene. Ming Quan, however, was quick to make a scene.
"It's the hag!" Ming Quan screamed, pointing at Khan Lang. Ming Cheng sighed, rubbing his temples. This little brother of his lacked manners, but he couldn't deny that this was a proper use of the word.
"A-Quan, you shouldn't speak to a lady this way. It's improper." he half heartedly scolded. Khan Lang stared at the two young masters from before, quickly putting two and two together. Then, the sniveling brat covered in snot with swollen eyes was the beloved youngest child of the Ming family? And the one His Highness cherished like a younger brother? Before she could even think to rectify the situation, Wei Ning picked up Ming Ran and examined his face, his own darkening.
"Did you cry?" he said, his voice almost silent. Loud enough, however, to make Khan Lang and the female cultivators shiver. The others quickly zeroed in one the swollen face of a crying child— no longer crying, and holding on to his lantern like a coveted treasure. Ming Quan puffed his cheeks, angrily.
"That old hag stole Xiao-Ran's lantern and glared at him." he glared at her, "Really hateful!" Khan Lang laughed, nervously.
"Misunderstanding! Your Highness, just a little misunderstanding! I hadn't realized that the young masters had already purchased it." she held out the lantern to Ming Ran, "Here, if you want this, you may have it, Young Master." she tearfully added. A crowd was gathering.
"Hey, isn't that the Ming youngsters?" one asked, "Did their lantern get stolen?" Another snorted, halfway drunk already.
"Nah! That young lady purchased it way before they even had their hands on it. Saw it myself!"
"I saw the same thing!" another piped up, "So entitled!" Khan Lang added fuel to the fire, "I really had no idea you wanted it so much!"
"But you made him cry!" Ming Quan yelled.
"Cry? Did he? I don't remember anything like that happening." Khan Lang looked away.
Ming Ran looked at the lantern that Khan Lang offered him and shook his head, showing his lantern. Trying his best to smile despite how scary this pink gauzed monster was, he hugged his lantern, petting its head. Ming Cheng sighed,
"Well, I suppose he doesn't want that one. Many thanks to Lady Khan for offering."
"What? And yet he was crying so pitifully just awhile ago because he didn't have it?" Khan Lang did her best to look confused.
"That because you snatched it from him while he was looking at it!" Ming Quan piped up again.
"Snatched? What a word to use! Was he holding it at the time?" she batted her eyes confused. Ming Quan took a step forward before Ming Cheng held him back. Fa Lin stepped forward, fanning herself leisurely.
"Lady Khan, you said that you didn't see Ming Ran cry earlier?" Khan Lang flinched.
"I wouldn't know if he did, but look at his face. It's quite obvious that he did."
"How do you know he was crying pitifully because he didn't have it? He could have cried for another reason, no?"
"What other reason could there be? Didn't this young master say that he was crying because I snatched it?"
"Hm. Was it because you bought it or because something else happened to upset him?"
"What else could it be?" Khan Lang was sweating, seriously what else could it be?
"What's going on? I mean, it doesn't sound like there's anything wrong with that logic. She bought what he wanted, why is that young miss asking these questions?"
"Ah, that? It's because she glared at the boy and startled him. Kid didn't even start crying until she glared at him." a new passerby said.
"So he was frightened?"
"Yeah, it's no wonder! If looks could kill! Another vendor that set up next to the stall was terrified for his neighbor! Said that the young miss was always causing trouble!"
Wen Quinn took Ming Ran in his arms and smiled at him, "Would you like another lotus lantern? We can find a stall that has them?" Ming Ran shook his head and showed him the bird lantern. "Then, I suppose that is settled. We shall be going first." Khan Lang glared at Ming Ran, startling his into the hiccups. Wen Quinn whirled around and glared at her, "Lady Khan, I hope you will stop glaring at Xiao-Ran!" Ming Ran rested his chin on Wen Quinn's shoulder, exhausted, Why are you all using me as an excuse to wreck havoc? I'm never leaving the house with any of you again!
—Present—
Ming Ran shrank under Khan Lang's intense glare, and took a few steps back. The incident at the Dragon Boat Festival still fresh in his mind. His brothers and sisters were definitely using him as an excuse to get rid of Young Miss Khan. Technically, he should bow to her and be civil, but under that intense glare, he felt tears threatening to spill over again. Why was this woman so scary?!
...
A little further away, a boy with amethyst colored eyes, watched with interest as his attention landed on a familiar child in a familiar situation.
...
"Always stand above, reach towards the sky, and face the world with a heart filled with justice!"
How long had Cassandra Clare heard this? Her family's dojo was a sparse little shack in the middle of the rough part of town. Constantly filled with crime, constantly filled with victims, and constantly filled with the type of people her family could not stand: delinquents. Whether it was the common thug snatching purses from elderly women or the bigger fish who ruled over the neighborhood. The dojo had a long standing rule that if you witnessed injustice, you fight it. Cass was not the strongest girl when she was younger. Sickly, weak, and easily bullied. She was one of the victims. Constantly living in fear, constantly surviving, every day was a challenge. As she grew into a young woman, she began to have to fear more than bullies and thugs who stole her allowance. She now had to worry about everything a woman had to worry about. Her older sister, however, was the victim that started everything. She was twelve years old at the time, had gotten her period at eleven, and had began to get curves. She went out shopping with her older sister, and as the sun's time in the sky began to wane, she hurried hand-in-hand with her older sister down the street. Her sister's pace only getting quicker with every second that passed. Finally, she pushed her little sister forward a bit, "Run! Run and whatever you do, do not look back. Do not stop until you get home, understand?"
…
Gong June slowly opened her eyes, feeling the sun burn through to her skull. She hadn't had that dream in a while. Usually, when she dreamt, it was about Elle. It was hard not to remember the funerals she had gone to her in her last life. It was hard not to remember all the hours she put into her training. Yet… what could she really do? Once something was lost there was no way to get it back. Gong June turned her head slowly to the side, expecting to see Ming Ran at her side.
"A-Ran..?" she murmured, her breath caught in her throat. Where on earth was he? A sense of dread filled her chest as she jumped up and looked around frantically. Only to hear the crisp sound of skin hitting skin.
"It is because of you that his highness won't even look at me! What is so special about you, huh? A worthless little mute!"
"...and so?" Ming Ran looked up to see a boy with dark hair stand in front of him. Amethyst eyes turned to briefly look down at him. "Maybe the Crown Prince just thinks you have too much make-up caked on that ugly face of yours." With trembling hands, Ming Ran reached up to grab at the boys sleeve. Young Miss Khan looked down with disdain,
"And you are?" her eyes searched him, taking in every last detail, before recognition blazed in her eyes. "Oh~? I know you, don't I?" A smile graced her lips, feral and haughty.
"Really? Can't say I recognize you though." the boy sneered. Khan Lang's face quickly soured, darkening like a stormy day.
"Watch yourself. I wonder, what would your father--"
"That man in none of my concern."
"You--"
"Young Miss Khan?" Gong June stepped forward, pushing both children behind her body, "I thought I recognized your voice. The pitch and the vulgar way of speaking really stands out." she glanced at the two children, her gaze falling on Ming Ran's swollen cheek. Her gaze turned cold, and she looked back at Khan Lang. The young miss flinched under the intense pressure that rolled off of Gong June like a reoccurring tsunami. "Picking on little children now?" Gong June took a step forward. Ming Ran swallowed hard, Gong June looked...
"She looks like a low level delinquent..." the boy muttered, wrapping an arm around Ming Ran's shoulder, and pulling him close.