=//=

In this way the seasons changed, the warm summer drifted past and a cool winter began to manifest in soft snows that would cover the garden. Everyday Bingquing would sit through court with Langhua and learned of the affairs of state. Then they would both sit and pour over reports. Often Langhua would begin to tell tales of her youth where she had lived amongst the mountain tribes before she had been selected as a potential bride for Zaiyuan. The queen was always gentle with her and at night would caress her with gentle abandon that the gods had blessed her with such a wonderful daughter. Sometimes they would go visit Yan Ming who would dress Bingquing up and play with her. Other times they would visit the harem where young prince would paint in the lion on Bingquing's back with water paint.

In these days, Bingquing knew no end. The bliss was endless. She'd never been so pampered and happy. Langhua saw to her every need and comfort like she really was the mother she had never known.

But like all good times it couldn't last.

It stopped abruptly when Langhua could no longer produce milk. She was devastated. It was a dark day where she abstained from court and stayed in bed, kissing Bingquing again and again as her tears fell. "We cannot stay together anymore, little daughter"

Bingquing was touched by the tears, but there was little she could do. Fate already had plans for her. She could not disobey or Jungpi would fall into disarray.

By this time, Bingquing's hair had grown to her feet. She wore it in a braided hairstyle on the crown of her head, but loose in the back so it covered her back like a waterfall. As the hair had grown the tattoos had been covered. It no longer bothered her when people called her princess or your highness. And in this time, she had grown too. Her face had lost it's roundness and her eyes had grown more angular. Her hips had widened and her body had grown soft in places there had been bone protruding.

After midday, Bingquing rose from Langhua's grip and called a maid to dress her. It had been long since she had properly worn a full set of clothing. Langhua preferred little shifts or nothing at all. But she choose a simple light blue fabric to reflect her mood.

She went to visit the king who was painting in his office. Bingquing bowed as Zaiyuan acknowledged her. "Hello, my little flower, what brings you into my office during the hour of the midday meal."

"Mother refuses to--"

Zaiyuan cut her off, "Today is your name day. You may ask for a gift."

"A gift? Father, may I go riding with you? I have not been outside the palace in so long."

Zaiyuan laughed, "Yan Ming would ask for jewels or a hairpin. I thought you would ask for books as your mind is sharp. Langhua tells me so. But if you wish, I am going hunting with some foreigners soon."

"Mother said she will lose me. How will she lose me if I will stay here?"

Zaiyuan considered his painting of the plum blossom tree in the garden outside. "Your name was announced this morning. You are Imperial Princess yǎn shā. Do you know what the meaning is?"

"Is that not a general's term for a surprise attack? It could also pertain to cats pouncing, could it not?"

Zaiyuan nodded slowly. "That is true. But to outsiders, it also states your purpose as well as a warning. Yan Ming is the Phoenix of Jungpi. You are the Lion. A phoenix is always reborn, but a lion is not so easily defeated."

Yan Sha bowed, her new name feeling like the veil was lifted off of her. "I thank you."

"Yan Sha, before you go, there is one more ceremony you must undergo before you are allowed outside of the palace."

Yan Sha nodded, "If father thinks I can accomplish it, then I'm sure I will be fine."

"Your mother will meet you at the moon pool where your adoption took place. It will be tonight as we are blessed with a full moon."

Yan Sha shivered and bowed before leaving.

=//=

The moon pool was clear as Yan Sha approached with her maids. The bottom gleamed with pearls as big as a fist. Yan Sha was enchanted and was going to lean down to touch one, when she heard someone approach.

Langhua's reddened eyes and the hair hanging in limp strings unbound about her face shocked everyone, "Leave us."

The maids quickly disappeared as Langhua disrobed and got into the water. Yan Sha touched Langhua's hair and smoothened it so it would not be wet by the content of the pool. "Mother, please do not be upset"

"Yan Sha . . . please come . . . your mother cannot bear to do this again to you."

"Mother . . ."

"Yan Ming is studying to rule and you will be taken from me. I cannot bear to part with you both."

Yan Sha quickly removed her garments, but as she lowered herself into the pool, Langhua began to unbind her hair so she could run her hands through it fully.

"Today is the day my body betrayed me. I am so old now, my little one. You have no even begun your moon cycle and we must force this already."

"Mother why don't we have more time? Father was saying the same thing."

Langhua laughed as she brushed the soft hairs off of Yan Sha's face and kissed her suddenly. "You will know after it happened, why we rushed this."

They sat in the water for a time with Langhua whispering her sweet nothings about how she was her favorite. "Yan Ming was always trouble, but you always did what I said. You never fought. You were perfect, always."

Then as the moon rose and the pool reflected the moon perfectly, a pearl below them began to glow. Langhua sat Yan Sha on the edge of the pool and picked up the pearl. She opened her mouth and wet it. The glow emanated from her open mouth as Yan Sha watched in wonder.

Langhua pushed Yan Sha's legs open and began to touch the petals between her legs. Yan Sha made a sound as something began to pulsate low within her pelvis. Langhua insert in a finger, which released a piercing wail. Langhua flinched as she inserted a second finger and eventually all and pushed up. Yan Sha began to push back, but some invisible force wouldn't let her move. Langhua removed her hand, but Yan Sha felt a new pressure as the pearl slipped into her opening. She screamed as it expanded in her before it all stopped and she felt the area grow cold.

Yan Sha looked at Langhua and began to close her legs, but she stopped her. As they both watched, the Jungpi royal emblem burned into it from the light of the moon. Then Langhua closed Yan Sha's legs.

"Do you still feel pain?"

Yan Sha flexed her thigh muscles and shook her head, "No. Why do we do this? What is it?"

Langhua shook her head, "This we cannot say until you are married. If I am not there, the moon will guide you."

=//=

The moon will guide you . . . Langhua's words echoed in her mind as Yan Sha opened her legs and touched the pearl's surface. There was no sensation at all from that area so she replaced the fabric and fell asleep.

=//=