| The Tale of Yang Guifei |

 note; this a true story, set during the Tang Dynasty in China. Yang Yuhuan (later known as Yang Guifei) was born in 719, and died tragically in her thirties. I have taken a challenge upon myself to commemorate being inactive, and tell the beautiful tale of Lady Yang. With one twist . . . MONSTERS.

| spring 733 |

     As the cherry blossoms littered pastel pink petals, a soft breeze brushed across Yuhuan's robe. The cotton fabrics fluttered at her ankles, swirls of pink surrounding the young girl. 

"Yuhuan," a voice called. "Yuhuan, are you ready?"

Yuhuan turned around, her large eyes catching the attention of her uncle Xuanjiao. He was a rather ordinary fellow, with long black hair that was pulled back into a traditional bun most men sported. Though a low-ranking official in Henan Municipality, Yang Xuanjiao was the main father figure for his young niece Yang Yuhuan. Her father had died when she was young, so it was Xuanjiao who had molded her into the young woman she was now. Though fourteen years old, her eyes held a distinct look - she was a very wise soul in such a young body. 

"Uncle Xuanjiao," Yuhuan said sadly. "I do not wish to leave this place." 

Xuanjiao frowned, watching the light gather in his nieces eyes. "You must leave," he urged. "You will bring great honor to the Yang name and you will be far better in the palace. Think of that, Yuhuan! You will sleep in the same place as the Emperor!" 

A conflict welled within Yuhuan. Though she did not say anything, her lips tightened and vision lowered as she was guided by Xuanjiao to the carriage awaiting her arrival. Never would Yuhuan say this aloud, but she did not think it an honor to sleep where her emperor slept. She would rather continue to stay at Shu Prefecture, where her father brought the family to live before his untimely death. Yuhuan had many memories that lie in the familiar building. As if sparked by that thought, the fourteen year old began to envision old memories. She could see her father - his face wrinkled by his constant scowl and narrowed eyes - holding a hand out for a younger Yuhuan. She could see her three elder sisters chasing butterflies in the meadows. She even saw her mother patching up a wound on a young and cheerful Xuanjiao. 

It was her home, her future, her only place. 

. . . Now it was being taken away. 

Yuhuan passed her sisters, Han, Guo, and Qi. They seemed so happy for her, smiles painted on their pretty faces. Yuhuan was used to this feeling that splattered across her aching heart. She was unlike her sisters, not brainwashed by the status branded on a women at birth. Yuhuan believed she had more worth. Did she not deserve to live a life that was not solely for having children and pleasing men?

"Don't look so melancholy," Han, the oldest of the Yang sisters, chirped. "The Prince of Shou won't be happy if his beautiful bride is creased." 

Yuhuan hugged Han, Guo and Qi. She pressed her eyes against Han's breast, keeping the scalding tears at bay. It seemed the youngest sister, Yuhuan, was the only one who knew that her potential was being thrown away. Uncle Xuanjiao had raised her, had implemented into her mind that she was a talented and worthy young lady. So why did he send her away? 

"Don't make me leave, Han! Tell Uncle Xuanjiao I'll marry someone - anyone else!" Yuhuan begged. 

Guo wiped away Yuhuan's tears. Qi brushed her hair behind her ears. 

"You have always been the most beautiful of us all, Yuhuan," Qi murmured gently. "We will visit you whenever you become lonely, and make sure you are dripping in lavish clothes and jewels. Do not be afraid, sister. There is no use crying - this is a world run by the firm grasp of men. You are a young woman with the will of a fierce warrior. Become a proper woman and I swear that you will hold power higher than any man." 

Without another word Yuhuan was placed into the carriage, trails of tears decorating her pale cheeks. As Han, Guo, and Qi waved, along with mother and uncle, the young girl felt her heart clench in pain. 

Yuhuan knew she could only be the perfect woman, if she wanted to survive. 

After all, it really was a man's world. 

| fall 737 |

     "You truly are a beautiful specimen," Li Mao spoke to his wife. Yuhuan nodded and smiled back. She averted her eyes, gazing at the red table cloth. Though she should have been honored to dine with the emperor, her husbands father, she was anything but ecstatic. 

At the tender age of eighteen, Yuhuan was now a well developed woman, clearly more beautiful than all the emperors consorts, daughters, and even his wife. Once the emperors wife passed away, she was officially named the most elegant woman in the palace. Li Mao was proud to flaunt Yuhuan as his bride, but he spent most of his time at war or with his harem. This left Lady Yang solemn and distant. As dinner ended with the royal family, Yuhuan excused herself to wander the palace, as she had done so many months before. 

Yuhuan soon found herself in the private gardens. She knew if she was caught she would be punished, but the call of sweet flowers and lychee fruits beckoned the woman into the forbidden fields. 

"My wife, Wu, used to wander the gardens too, you know." 

Yuhuan jumped, her heart racing as she faced the emperor Xuanzong. He stood by the gateway she had entered, shadowed by the palace lights above. Knowing her place, Yuhuan fell to her knees at once. 

"Please, forgive me, my Lord!" she begged. "I did not mean to intrude into your private gardens and dishonor the sacred place of Empress Wu." 

A pregnant silence filled the gardens. Emperor Xuanzong let out a chuckle, surprising the frightened woman. Without warning, Xuanzong pulled Yuhuan from her knees and sat her down on a bench that overlooked the roses and other exotic plants. Lightning bugs hummed in the sky. The gardens were completely solitary and somehow, Yuhuan felt less scared. 

"I'm not going to punish a beautiful maiden for merely gazing at nature," the emperor teased. "Nature was made for us all - not only the divine." 

Yuhuan was astounded into silence. Never had she heard such words from a man - let alone a man who ruled over the Tang Empire. She took in his appearance, noting he was rather plain. He had almond shaped eyes that seemed to look through her, complemented by a strong jawline. Despite being thirty-four years her senior, he looked not a day over thirty. He was strongly built, but still held a soft roundness in his gut. 

"I-I suppose you're right," Yuhuan whispered. 

Xuanzong sighed. "I ought to escort you back to Li Mao. Although, I don't want too. Silly, yes?" 

Yuhuan let a half smile graze her lips. She appreciated the emperors kindness and humor. It was a vast change from the overbearing confidence that enveloped her husband. She wanted to talk to Xuanzong longer; to look at the stars in his eyes and sit in silence. 

"I don't think so," Yuhuan giggled. "As you said, nature was made for us to gaze upon. It will not be incriminating to do what we were made for. Do you agree?"

Xuanzong grinned from ear to ear. 

"Not at all, my dear. Not at all." 

| end of pt. 1 |

     YAY! An actual good update! For those of you wondering, there is going to be a part two. This story is FAR from over. After the second part, it will officially be the end of Hero. I wanted to honor Yang Yuhuan by giving her the ending! 

Please comment a ton and take a gander at my first chapter of Hero vs. These last few. I hope you see the change as well. 

This was the tale of Yang Yuhuan, an actual Chinese woman who became a symbol of women with power and a love story that you'll never forget. 

Bye.