"Miss Sun, wake up. It's your big day today. You are so lucky to be able to marry someone you love," said Xiao Hua as the girl placed a tub of water on the table for her miss to wash her face with.

The girl on the bed woke up. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes. She stretched and yawned, finally awake. With long ebony hair, and a small peach like lips, she was a beauty, well-known around town.

The young woman was none other than YuQiao, the daughter of General Sun who protected the city and the Lord.

YuQiao was all smiles and butterflies, as she remembered the fact that she was getting married to YongSan today. The boy whom she met and fell in love when she was just still a child and had grown together. He was not from a noble or equal status house, but due to his hard work he climbed up the ranks and showed his talents in the army and was soon promoted. YongSan later proposed to her family and her father finally agreed. It was a joyous occasion.

Meanwhile, as YuQiao was getting ready, her mother and her nanny, Madam Pang were walking towards her room with a tray of breakfast, containing all YuQiao's favourite food.

"How many years has it been since she joined our little family?" asked Mistress Sun.

"It's been twelve years already Mistress," replied Madam Pang.

"It seems like fate when I looked upon her face and I felt such a deep bond and love towards the little girl and adopted her as my child. It is all thanks to you for bringing her to me," said the mistress as she held the old maid's hands.

"It is not me, but fate. I too was led there by chance, meeting her and bringing her here," replied Madam Pang with a smile. "I am glad it all turned out well."

"We took turns taking care of her despite the high fever that might have robbed her of her life. I do not have any more I wish from this world, but the hope that all my children will lead a happy life, especially YuQiao. She has bought me so much joy. I hope for the rest of her life, she will lead it happily as well," sighed Mistress Sun.

"We all hope she does, especially the Master who did not wish the miss to marry, saying that his baby is going to be married. He loves the miss the most out of all his children," said the old maid.

And they both let out a little laughter.

Mistress Sun could still recall the fond memories of how the little girl had charmed her way into her father's heart. The girl was interested in studying, writing, and reading so the family hired a tutor for her. She attended the lessons, but at night she would still look for her father.

It was the only free time he had—being the general and the lord, he was busy patrolling and training the soldiers in the daytime. Usually everyone was already asleep when he came home except for his wife and now his little girl.

Mistress Sun could remember how the little girl would climb onto his lap and sit on it, telling him stories and events that happened during the time when he was away.

And sometimes, he would also read to her or teach her how to write using the brush, slowly guiding her small hands as Mistress Sun stood next to them adding oil to the burning lamp illuminating quietly from the corner of the table.

But that was not the only reason he loved her. She was unlike other little girls. She spoke like a boy and acted like a boy, and it made her father very happy. The man could do everything with her which he could not do with his son as he had a weak constitution since birth.

The little girl was like a son he never had. So, whenever he was free, he often bought her out with him on trips to the outskirts of the city where he taught her how to shoot arrows and ride horses in the vast field. They would spend hours and hours on end outside, hunting rabbits and birds, secretly against her mother wishes. "Girls should always act like girls," said Mistress Sun when they came home, but she was never serious about it. She knew how enjoyable the time was that they spent together.

As a lady should, she was given lessons in sewing from her mother every day. Her aunt on the other hand, taught her singing and dancing, which she loved very much as well. However, unknown to everyone, her aunt was very good in martial arts, and she taught them to YuQiao.

As the years went by, she excelled more in martial arts than any other skills she learned. She often had duels with her brothers and even won over them. She learned every stance and mastered them after seeing them once. Although, he never boasted about her, her father, Master Sun was very proud to have her as his daughter, a daughter that was talented in more ways than an average person. He often joked that he would pass his lordship to her.

Before they reached her room, YuQiao was already outside her room, practicing her sword. It was her morning routine, and even though it was her wedding day, she did not miss it. Furthermore, it calmed her.

Preparation

"My child, did not I tell you to stop? It's your wedding day! You do not want to smell like a pig, do you?" scolded Madam Pang.

YuQiao stopped in her tracks and looked at her mother and Madam Pang, giving them a bow before crying out to them, "Mother, Madam Pang!"

She placed her sword in its scabbard and gave it to Xiao Hua before heading towards them. She linked her arm with her mother's and walked back to her room. "Mother," said YuQiao, "I am getting married today."

"Yes, I know. You started to tell me months ago, as you keep counting the days. Let's go now or you will be late when the groom and guests arrive."

They all entered into YuQiao's room where a hot bath was already prepared, waiting for its occupant to bathe in the fragrant soaked water. "Mistress, prepared as per your orders," said Xiao Hua to Mistress Sun.

Mistress Sun, who knew her daughter very well, had already anticipated that she would have her morning practice even though she had told her otherwise. YuQiao looked at her mother, thanked her, and went to take a bath. Xiao Hua and Madam Pang bathed her, pouring the warm water onto her body, avoiding the hair, afraid that getting it wet meant it would not dry in time.

Later, she was dried with a towel and was helped into the dress by Xia Hua. "Lady Sun, you look so beautiful. You just look like a celestial maiden from heaven, so rest assured, you just need a little bit of touch up here and there, and you will be the most beautiful bride," complimented Xiao Hua as she helped her lady getting ready for her big wedding day.

Mistress Sun and Madam Pang stood proudly at her side as they looked upon her.

Xiao Hua started by helping her get dressed. She helped her changed into a new white undershirt first and then a high-waist full flowing skirt which was secured with a piece of long flowing sash.

After that, she puts on a long full flowing skirt which was placed just above her breast and tied behind the back and was fastened again with a ribbon in the front. And a large, long sleeve robe was worn with a long shawl like a scarf around her elbows. A pair of beautifully embroidered silk shoes was then slipped onto her feet.

Next, Lady Sun was ushered to sit on a chair, facing the crafted wooden mirror stand. Madam Pang applied peony flower oil to her hair from a little bottle and then with a brush she combed her hair into a bun. Then, with skilful hands she placed it neatly upon the back of her head with a few decorative pins prepared for her wedding day.

From the makeup cabinet Xiao Hua took out a small white porcelain container which held the pale makeup. Using a small pad, she touched the makeup lightly onto the lady's face. Using her hands Xiao Hua applied a little rogue on to the cheeks. With a thin brush Xiao Hua painted her eyebrows and drew them into a shape resembling a willow leaf. With a piece of red paper, the lady painted her lips scarlet.

The finishing touch was given to her mother as she walked towards the sitting lady and placed a beautiful set of chrysanthemum hairpins into both sides of her daughter's bun. The bells which hung from the hairpin jingled slightly as the lady moved her head to look at the mirror.

"You are now a grown up, so stop acting like a child and take good care of your husband. Always put your husband and your family first," advised her mother as she held her daughter's hand. She looked at her daughter and a silent tear fell from her eyes, but she quickly wiped it away and turned around to Xiao Hua. "Remember to take care of the miss. Remind her of her manners and serve her as you have done in these years."

"It's time, Mistress," interceded Madam Pang.

Facing Madam Pang, Mistress Sun took the maid's red veil and placed it over Lady Sun's head. "Thank you, mother," said Lady Sun to her mother. Hand in hand, they walked out of the room and went to the living room, followed by Madam Pang and Xiao Hua.

Already waiting there was all her relatives and her family members. Her father stood proudly beside his future son-in-law, chatting happily and patting his back. Her father was a burly man with a loud and booming voice and from afar she could already hear him saying, "YongSan, take care of my precious daughter. I leave her in your hands now." And when he saw her daughter coming out of the corridor, he announced it to everyone in the room. "Here she comes."

Clad in red, she stepped out of the corridor and walked towards the centre of the inner hall. A bow to the heavens and earth, another towards the ancestors, a third bow was presented to her parents and a fourth bow which was directed towards each other.

YongSan then lifted her veil, and they presented tea to their elders. The first one was YongSan's substitute elder as he was an orphan and did not have any relatives; the General had asked the City Lord Ma to become YongSan's adopted father so people would not think less of YongSan. It would help increase his son-in-law's reputation as well.

The wedding ceremony went smoothly, and Lady Sun was led back into a room in the side house adjoining the main house after the ceremony ended. The General insisted that they all lived together, as YongSan did not have a family and it would be good to live together as a big family.

Chopsticks

Night came and the banquet started in the spacious courtyard. Guests began eating and drinking, congratulating the groom and the General on the union of the two families. More relatives and friends arrived as the day went on. It was a celebration which lasted from the morning until night.

"Miss... Oops, sorry I should call you Mistress now, instead of Miss," said Xiao Hua happily. "Mistress, are you hungry? I bought you some food."

There was no reply and she called out to YuQiao, but there wasn't any answer again, so without asking she opened the door into the room. Even though there was a screen dividing the room, she could see that YuQiao had fallen asleep on the bed through the transparent screen. "The Miss must have been tired," thought Xiao Hua.

She closed the door and walked on tiptoes, placing the tray on the table as quietly as possible, but when she tried to leave, she accidentally bumped into the table, dropped the chopsticks, and woke the mistress.

"San Gege (Brother San), are you there?" asked YuQiao, waking up.

"No, Mistress, it is me. Xiao Hua," said the maid as she bent down to pick up the fallen chopsticks.

"Oh," said YuQiao, disappointed. "It's so strange, how you are calling me Mistress. Xiao Hua, just call me Miss as you always do. I feel more comfortable like that." Xiao Hua nodded.

"Miss are you hungry?" asked Xiao Hua as she wiped the chopsticks with her shirt, hidden from YuQiao's view.

As a matter of fact, after Xiao Hua said that— YuQiao started to feel hungry. She hadn't eaten anything since breakfast from earlier in the morning. "Yes, I am hungry," said YuQiao as she lifted her veil away. With it in her hands, she walked towards the table and looked at the small plates of food that Xiao Hua prepared for her.

She sat down and placed the veil on the table and then, Xiao Hua handed the chopsticks to YuQiao. "The food seems to taste a little like dirt," commented YuQiao. Slyly Xiao Hua said, "Nothing wrong Miss, nothing wrong. It must be your imagination."

"Did you drop the chopsticks again, Xiao Hua?" asked YuQiao as she slowly turned around.

"No, Miss. I did not. I swear," said Xiao Hua as she crossed her hand behind her back. YuQiao caught the hand behind Xiao Hua and took it out.

"You are lying to me. You crossed your fingers again. I am going to punish you," said YuQiao and she grabbed Xiao Hua and tickled her. "You dropped the chopsticks again?"

"Miss, stop. Miss ha-ha...ha-ha," laughed Xiao Hua until tears trickled down her face. "I did. I admit it, so Miss, stop, please," begged Xiao Hua. "I will go get you some new ones."

"Fine, I will let you go this time," said YuQiao and she stopped. "Hurry, I am starving and bored. I have never stayed still for such a long time in my life. I miss San Gege and the banquet the most. Why does the bride have to miss her own wedding celebration?" she sighed.

Xiao Hua laughed at her comment. "Mistress, it is the custom. You can't argue with it. Although you can't go to the banquet, just be patient. At least the Master will surely come here soon. After that you will have years and years to be together. And have many children and grandchildren."

"Yes," answered YuQiao, red-faced.

"Do you want to relay a message?" asked Xiao Hua.

"A note to who?" asked YuQiao, puzzled by Xiao Hua's question.

"To the Master Yong, your husband," teased Xiao Hua.

"Yes. That would be nice. Wait for me," replied YuQiao shyly. And she went towards the study table and retrieved paper and ink. Xiao Hua began grinding the ink stone while YuQiao thought of the things she wanted to write. When the ink was ready, she wrote a small note which she folded and handed to Xiao Hua.

"Come back soon," said YuQiao who was still sitting behind the desk, waving goodbye to her maid.

"Yes, Miss. I will be back in a flash."

"Do not go wandering, go straight to the kitchen and back or I will have to punish you again and remember to deliver the note on the way."

"Yes, Miss," replied Xiao Hua and she opened the door again and went on her way.

However, before she even left corridor the door to her mistress's room. It opened and YuQiao called out to her, "Xiao Hua, tell my father that tonight the wind is going to be strong."

"Your sixth sense again?"

"Yes, it's been tingling all the while as I was sleeping."

"Anything else?" asked Xiao Hua.

"No. Nothing anymore. Go on," said YuQiao waving goodbye to Xiao Hua again. "Be careful," thought YuQiao. She doesn't understand why but as the night progresses her nerves were getting to her, and it felt like something bad would happen.

"Maybe I am just nervous," thought YuQiao after watching Xiao Hua's figure disappear. Around the corner, she went back inside of her room, sat on the bed with the red veil overhead and waited, just in case YongSan came into the room.

Time passed, but there was no news from Xiao Hua and she had this gut feeling that something was very wrong.

The strange quietness that enveloped her surroundings made it even stronger. YuQiao was getting anxious, and she even started to pace around the room instead of sitting calmly. "Why hasn't Xiao Hua come back? It's just a few simple tasks."

At last, when her patience ran out, she decided to go outside of the room to search for Xiao Hua. She walked towards the door and just at that moment when her hands touched it, she heard a scream.

The voice was not far from her room and as a daughter of a general she was braver than any ordinary maiden. She pulled her veil away and rushed out of her room to see what was happening. The sight that was in front of her was too much—so much so that she was at a loss for words.

Death

There was smoke coming from the courtyard and Xiao Hua was running towards her, body heavily injured with blood soaking through her clothing.

"Run Miss!" she cried loudly. An arrow shot through her back, and she collapsed onto the floor. "She was dead," realized YuQiao. Although her mind could not accept her death, her body listened to the words carried by Xiao Hua, and she ran with all her might along the corridor. For a moment she looked back and saw that a puddle of blood was forming around her body and there were soldiers arriving.

"They are not the city's soldiers. Their uniform had another emblem. It resembles the emblem of another neighbouring city lord, the wolves. There was also the strange plum blossom flower on the side of the wolf," thought YuQiao. She didn't have the time to think any more of it.

She ran as quickly as her legs could carry her and when she turned around a corner, she bumped into another person and fell onto the floor. Her head was full of dread as she imagined the person she had bumped into. If it were an enemy, she would surely be dead as she had no way of fighting them. She did not have a single weapon on herself. How in the world was she meant to defend herself?

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