Yīng Kingdom
Seven Years Later
White booted feet splashed through large puddles as Mîn Jíng ran down a hidden trail. The sun hung low and she knew the lanterns in the village outside the capital would soon be released.
She clutched the black butterfly mask in one hand while she held up her skirts with the other, fearing her robes would be ruined. She had worked for weeks to embroider the perfect design to match her mask in the shape of a white crane’s head. The silver silk had to glisten in the light against the bright white robes to compliment the shimmering white beaded beak.
“Hurry, Sī!” she insisted and grabbed her friend’s hand as they ran.
“I’m trying, Your Highness, but you’ve always been in better shape than everyone,” Sī replied through gasps for air.
Mîn Jíng laughed and as they neared the gates of the village, she slowed her pace to a fast walk. She carefully examined the mask in her hand before they entered.
The black ink of the wings was sleek and captured the fading sunlight. Clear glass beads gave the butterfly its veins. The meaning behind the mask was special to her, so she hoped her merchant friend would be willing to sell it with his own wares. She didn’t care about profit. Her intention was to have an adventure on the last day of the lantern festival.
“I don’t think we should be here alone, Your Highness,” whispered Sī so she wouldn’t be heard.
Mîn Jíng huffed. “It’s the last day and I have no one to escort me. Guards would have given me away and I’d have no fun. That’s even if Father allowed this, and he most certainly would not!”
“All the more reason not to be here,” Sī continued to worry.
Mîn Jíng stopped them both and looked directly at her when she spoke. “It’s my sixteenth birthday and they’ve all forgotten. My brothers left for another battle without a word. Father is busy in meetings with one general after another, one unit commander after another. You’re the only friend I have ever had, and I want to spend today with the only person who cares about my birthday. If you don’t wish to be here, you may go back to the palace. You know the secret way.”
Sī took a deep breath and sighed rather loudly to make her disapproval known.
“Father won’t blame you, if that’s why you’re worried,” Mîn Jíng persisted. “He knows I have a mind of my own. He allowed you to be my maidservant so I wouldn’t be alone, and he realized you were my partner and alibi too late to do anything about it,” she giggled.
Sī tried to remain serious but Mîn Jíng’s mischievous giggle prodded her laughter.
“I relent,” Sī finally said. “The celebration has drawn a large crowd this year, so we have to be careful to avoid trouble. If your father and brothers discover we snuck out and traveled so far alone, they’ll be angry. We have to make it home before it’s too late.”
“I promise!” Mîn Jíng said excitedly as she gave a small jump for joy.
She pulled the mask shaped like a cat down over Sī’s face and pulled her again toward her destination. Her flowing skirts and cascading sleeves fluttered behind her as she hurried around tourists to reach a certain vendor.
“I have this for you to sell,” she announced with a smile.
She handed it to him and he looked it over.
The vendor turned it around several times in his aging hand to clearly inspect it. It was, indeed, an item he could sell.
“Did you make this?” he asked, and she happily nodded. “It’s lovelier than anything I have at my stall, but I have my own business to run, young miss.”
He tried to hand her back the mask, but she pushed it toward him again.
“You misunderstand,” she told him in a soft voice. “This is for you to sell for your own profit. I want nothing in return. I only want to find the person who wears it. It's a game.”
He held it carefully as he watched her. Though she sounded sincere, it was odd for someone to offer such an exquisitely crafted mask to sell for himself.
She sighed a little at his understandable hesitation and lifted her mask only enough for him to see. As soon as he glimpsed her face, his mouth broadened into a toothy smile and he bowed respectfully.
“Shhh…” she directed with a finger to her lips and quickly lowered the mask again. “I’m here to have fun. If I can help my friend earn money for his family, it’s all the better.”
“You’re too good to us, Your Highness,” he whispered and hurried to hang the butterfly mask on a display board beside others. “Where are…?”
“My brothers were called away for the battle,” she answered his interrupted question.
The fatherly figure leaned back a bit and shook his head in concern.
“Being out alone isn’t safe for an unmarried girl, especially one of your class,” he scolded in a low, guarded tone.
She giggled softly, somewhat dismissively at his concern.
“Everyone here knows me,” she argued. “If I get into trouble, I only need to run to a familiar face and reveal my identity. Sī is here if I need help.”
The vendor shook his head in unswayed disapproval, but what could he say to one such as her?
“Take care, Your Highness,” he whispered. “Remember, our village attracts many foreign travelers during festival season.”
She nodded and laughed happily about the mask, then waved before skipping off with Sī to join the celebration.
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