บท 4: The Banquet

Life is always dynamic.

Li Jun Jie

***

As Jing Er, I can't speak freely however Cheng Sheng Lin is my saviour. I don't know how to meet Yu Wen if I am still here. Cheng Sheng Lin has ordered Mei Hua to serve and accompany me while he is not around. What should I do?

I have to think of a way. Father's birthday is two days later. I have to come back home to attend the banquet. I am so dizzy to imagine my father if he knows his son will become a woman. I have to go from this house as soon as possible but it will look bad if I go without telling Cheng Sheng Lin since he saved me.

That day Cheng Sheng Lin just came back home after bringing another victory for the king. I must admit that Cheng Sheng Lin is a really great general because his enemies are not easy to defeat but he conquered them all. Gossips about him had spread in this country. Now the king ordered him to visit palace so he is not here and I have to come back home.

"Uhm. Mei Hua, can you help me to tell Young Master that I have to come back home soon."

"Do you really want to go back home, Miss?" She asked.

"Of course. Now, I am fully recovered already. I just wait for Young Master. Mei Hua, do you know when your Young Master arrives at home?"

"Maybe tonight he will return."

I still worry about banquet like something bad will happen. Recently some issues about rebellion involving some officers in the palace had spread. I was checking the rumors and I found out some movement from one of the princes but I still don't have enough evidence.

"Miss?"

"Yes?"

"Miss, are you alright?" Mei Hua asked.

"Mei Hua, let me know if Young Master has returned."

"Yes, Miss."

I have to go. I can't stay here any longer. Few minutes later another maid approaches us and whispers something to Mei Hua and after that she dismisses me.

"Miss, Young Master was returned." Mei Hua says.

"I will meet him."

"I will guide you, Miss."

"Thank you."

Mei Hua looks calm and guides me to the pavilion. Cheng Sheng Lin stares at me when I come near him.

"Jing Er, please sit beside me." He said.

His voice sounds like an order to me. I don't like when someone else ordered me but this time I decided to follow his 'order'.

" You look better now." He said.

"Yes, Young Master all that because of your care. I am so grateful to meet Young Master."

"Jing Er, I know that you want to come back home."

"Yes, Young Master. Jing Er stayed here too long. Jing Er's family must be worried."

"Yes, I understand. So can I meet you again? " He asked me.

"If fate permits us to meet again then we will, Young Master. " I answered.

"Then alright. Jing Er, just say if you need something from me."

Why is he so concerned about me? I am just a stranger.

"Thanks to Young Master. I feel better now."

"Jing Er, where is your family living?" He asked again.

"I stay in Li's manor temporarily. I wish the Young Master is always healthy. Thank you for your care. Your kindness I will not forget. If you need something I will help the Young Master."

For no reason, I can feel his expression was changed when hear my answer but I am not sure as well.

"Jing Er, I will not hold you to be here anymore. I hope we can meet again."

"Thank you Young Master. I will go now so please stay healthy."

I bowed to him as a respect and showed my gratitude.

I go from his manor without bringing anything except clothes that I wear right now. I will find a way to settle this matter after I meet Yu Wen.

I am walking on the crowded street with the sun burning my skin. I need water right now but I don't have money. This woman's body makes me weak but tonight I have to meet Yu Wen.

Li's manor must be crowded by now. They must be preparing the banquet tomorrow and I can enter home as a maid through the back door.

I sneak silently and join with the other maid. Fortunately, no one notices when I get in my chamber but when I close the door suddenly a sword is in my neck from back side. I know this must be Yu Wen.

I am avoiding his attacks fortunately I can make him freeze with my knowledge to lock some acupuncture points.

"Who are you?" Yu Wen tried to rebel but his body was rigid.

"Let me explain to you." I said.

Suddenly like the fire burning me inside my body. This same pain. I can't breath again. This time my breast disappears step by step and my little brother slowly appears to replace the woman's flower.

I can see Yu Wen's face looks so scary when I see my change into Li Jun Jie. Like creepy things happened in front of him. I am so sorry he has to see me change like this. I know he wants to approach me but his rigid body makes him stay at his place. Yu Wen's eyes become moist while seeing my pain.

"Yu Wen, please close your eyes." I ordered.

I can't endure this pain anymore but I must be strong. Yu Wen close his eyes make me a bit calm. I wait a few seconds to collect my strength then approach Yu Wen to unlock his acupuncture points.

"Young Master!" He catches my body before I fall.

"Yu Wen, keep it as a secret. I want to bathe."

My voice is still weak after change but I feel calm right now. I hope I never change to a woman again.

"Yes, Young Master."

Yu Wen is preparing all that I need for bathing. Usually, some maids will assist but now I only trust Yu Wen to assist me. I feel the warm water on my skin and the pain is a bit reduced. I wash my hair and take all the hairpins in my coiled long hair.

"Young master... I am sorry because I had attacked you before. I really don't know if that is really a Young Master." He explained.

Yu Wen bowed his body to me. He looks so guilty and I understand him. On the other side I can feel something wrong with him.

"It's alright. Now you know. Let this be secret. I don't know when this body will switch again. I hope I never change again. We have to look for the lady who plays guqin to confirm it. She must know something."

"She may be a witch."

"Uhm. I think so."

"Young Master, where have you gone during this time? I was looking for you but you disappeared. Something will happen and the Old Master will give me orders to protect you." He said.

"Yu Wen, tell me what happened when I was not here?" I asked full of curiosity.

"Young Master, Yu Wen just knows that Young Master must be careful. I was investigated and found nothing. It's weird. Suddenly Cheng Sheng Lin thwarted the rebellion. I hope this is not a trap to scapegoat us. The Old Master must be known already. If something happens we must go to the North."

"What!" I am shocked.

"After we finish bathing we have to go before night. The carriage was ready on the back door. Old Master has prepared all for us." He explained again.

"How about the others?"

"They have been gone since yesterday. I am still here waiting for Young Master because I feel Young Master must come back here."

Soon the sound of swords heard from my chamber. Hurriedly I am wearing my clothes. I know something bad is happening here. I take my sword and run just to find my father.

Now this Li's manor is full of armies and archers. Yu Wen tried to block the armies in my back. At least I find my father who is surrounded by armies right now. They are ready to kill my father anytime.

From afar I can see a man with war attributes talking with father. That is Cheng Sheng Lin. I am startled when I see an arrow pierced my father's chest but father is still standing up until Cheng Sheng Lin's sword pierce on my father's heart and makes my father collapse and his eyes narrowed me with his last smile.

"Jun Jie. Go!"

"Father!"

That old man shouting out loud then his smiles disappeared. That time, my tears rolled down from my eyes. I lost my father and Chen Sheng Lin who killed my father. my heart just breaks. I try to approach my father but Yu Wen pulls my hand.

"Catch them all! Don't let them escape from this place!" The leader shouted out loud.

No. I hope he is not him. I hope he is not Cheng Sheng Lin but the fact I hear Cheng Sheng Lin's loud voices fulfill this hall.

"Young Master we must go now." Yu Wen pulled my body away from here.

"Father! Father!"

"Young Master, we have to go now. They wait for us!"

"But Father. "

Cheng Sheng Lin narrowed me with his sharp gaze. He is so remorseless. His face without any expression.

I feel the same heat. Now I know, I must change into a woman. I don't know how long until I am fully changed. Surely, I must get out of this place at least I still have siblings who are waiting for me somewhere.

"Young Master, we have to go."