The Royal Garden could fit an entire nation. The hills, the valleys, the fields, the ranches, no one could tell where the garden ended.
The benevolent King had opened the gates to all. For his beloved Queen he had made a private garth at which she could look from her window and her balcony, laden with fresh blossoms at all times.
With hardly a year left Queen Mudan looked at the trees and shrubs covered with blossoms of every color of spring. She clutched her flat belly and desired for life to bloom in her.
Her solitary was short lived. Her first-maid, Merida, walked in to inform the queen of a surprise visit by her family.
“My Queen, there was no communication in advance. I’m afraid we have not made the necessary arrangements. I have just informed the housekeeper. There would not be any delay, Ma’am,” Merida bowed her head with utmost courtesy.
“Thank you, sweet Merida. But, do not engage anyone to any arrangements. They would not be staying.”
Queen Mudan still gazed blankly, out of her window, as if she could find some inspiration in the wonderful display of nature which had fated her family to such an abominable doom.
Mudan’s family was escorted to her chamber. On her request, Mudan, her father, her uncle and her cousin were left alone.
“Why haven’t you come home yet? You know well that you and your sister won’t last another year. Come home with us today. We must figure something out; we must act fast.”
Mu Jin was a goldsmith who had received a tremendous boost in his business which rocketed him way ahead of his rivals and acquired for him all the reputation that the world could offer after his sixteen-year-old daughter became the Queen of Moorguo.
“Come home to what? A cold-blooded murder? I’m the Queen, baba. You unquestionably know who needs to go. By now, I had hoped to hear news of Juhua’s death.”
There was desperation and insecurity in Mudan’s voice. Being a queen, she had learned not to lose temperament in front of her subjects.
“Juhua have always been the healthier one. I would not jeopardize my hard-earned position and respect just because of you and your sister’s egocentricities.”
“No! I was the one picked by the King himself.”
“You cannot rule out the possibility of him having seen Juhua,” Mu Jin’s voice echoed through the chambers and corridors. Time was running out and his daughters had decided to take fate into their own hands.
“No! My King has never complained or remarked of any incongruity during our intimacies,” Mudan affirmed.
“My fair daughter, I am a humble man. I do not know the ways of the nobles and royals. All I know is one of you must remain in this palace. For my sake. For our family’s sake. And you cannot turn away from tradition, even if it demands to lose someone. You only have two choices…”
Mudan had contemplated this long ago. She knew what her father would offer. But she was not ready.
“…fencing bout till one of you dies or bring Juhua to the palace and let the King decide who he wishes to be his Queen.”
Mudan needed to buy some time. She had to scheme a plan before matter fell into any of those barbaric trials.
“Baba, I’ll come home after three days. My King will have his annual arms and military inspection tomorrow, followed by ceremonies of the season with juhuas in full blossom. I shall not leave him like a widower. I am to accompany him to all his country visits.”
“Fair enough. I’ll come back with Juhua if you fail to show up at our doorstep three days from now.”
Having said that, Mu Jin and his entourage left.
Merida returned to the chamber; she could not help but notice the Queen’s teary eyes.
Mudan refused to have supper and looked paler than usual. She didn’t talk to Merida or asked about the progress of the new plantations, far on the edges of the royal garden.
In her ivorysilk night gown, Mudan kept staring at the burning candles as Merida combed her long dark hair.
“My Queen, you have petals of juhua in your locks. How gracious they look!” Merida tried to lift her up by reminding Mudan of her unmatched beauty. “Truly there is no maiden as fair as you are. You are a juhua.”
Mudan turned her head eerily and looked straight into Merida’s eyes. Merida felt warm blood rushing to her head, to her cheeks. She was sure of her execution. She should have shut her mouth up when the queen did not respond at her very first effort. Merida was petrified. She couldn’t move her eyelids or look away. Her queen had never looked so ghastly.
“Am I a juhua Merida? Am I not more beautiful than Juhua?” Mudan half closed her eyes as she spoke, to Merida’s immense relief.
“My Queen, you are a juhua in full blossom. If juhua were a person then most certainly she would be nothing compared to you because you are the most beautiful to have ever graced this kingdom!”
“So, what happens after the blossom? Will I fall from the tree and wither away?”
“No, my Queen. You will not fall and wither away; you will bear fruit. Your fruit will bear seed and the seed will go under the soil and grow into a magnificent juhua tree.”
Merida wanted to be of great assistance in matters of her Queen. She wanted to shower her with adoration and sympathy if that was what her Queen’s condition demanded. She kneeled down in front of Mudan and held her hand.
“What is the matter, My Queen? You are not yourself. Your skin, your eyes. Something is dreading you away. You haven’t told His Majesty about their visit.”
“Merida, I am in an unbreakable dilemma. It is a matter of life and death.”
Merida had difficulty finding the right words to persuade her Queen to share the matter with her.
After two or three long drawn breaths, Mudan decided to open up to her trusted maid whom she had handpicked from the neighborhood of her humble town, by the river Hipi.
“Hundred years ago, in the town of Kamang, my great great grandfather, Gonglu Jin, worked as a goldsmith. During that time, he was the only one with thatkind of a business; market was favorable to him, him being the only big fish in town. He had a habit of recruiting young, intelligent and sharp men to keep his accounts updated.
“Asteri was one of his newest recruits. He was annoyingly quiet and often failed to submit his records on time. Gonglu almost fired him one autumn noon but he pleaded with his extreme poverty as an excuse. Asteri’s honest and innocent voice softened Gonglu’s heart.
“Two months after that incident, a lad stole five gold coins from the safest keep of Gonglu’s private parlor. How he managed to get in? No one knew. Asteri was one of the firsts to see someone run out of the office. He chased him to the market.
“Within seconds words spread like wildfire, ‘Asteri ran away with ten gold coins!’
“Asteri was in the middle of the crowded winter market. He looked around but the thief was nowhere to be seen. He saw Gonglu and his men charging towards him. As soon as he opened his mouth to say something, Gonglu impaled Asteri with his sharpest sword.
“Everybody witnessed the cold-blooded murder of a youthful, handsome seventeen-year-old lad. Blood streamed out of his mouth and colored his fair cheek in crimson as he laid motionless on the dusty market alley.
“At that very moment, Fengari was trembling behind a barrel of wine, staring at his twin’s lifeless body; he didn’t dare move lest the coins would clink in his pocket.
“At twilight, when all men had returned home, a woman arrived at Gonglu’s doorstep.
“Her presence brought a deafening silence. With her was a boy whom everybody thought was Asteri’s ghost, as fair and handsome as the one who was gone.
“‘Gonglu Jin, you have taken away one of my two precious gems. In what manner do you propose to compensate?’ The woman’s voice was poised and respectful but, her tone was demanding and absolute.
“‘With hard labor and dedication, I have built myself a decent life,’ Gonglu answered, ‘You should have taught him well, Lady. Taught him not to fiddle with me or fiddle with my business. Do not expect me submit to your schemes. I know the ways of the paupers too well. Now get out of my land!’
“There was neither compassion nor regret in Gonglu’s voice.
“‘Gonglu Jin, I wish you good health and safety all your life. May all generations that come from you, each beget a pair of twins who would be infertile for life unless one of the pair dies before the age of seventeen.’ Having said that, the woman and her son departed, never to be seen again.
“Gonglu never pondered over those words until his children and their children made it as clear as the river Hipi: the witch had cursed them. He formed a rule and years later on his dead bed he spoke his last will: ‘Always save the healthy one, by all means. Kill if you must but the blood should never stop running. The blood of Jin.’”
“Holy holy!” Merida listened with the keenest interest. She had missed tales like this ever since her grandmother had seceded from her family. “But my Queen, I fail to see how this story of the past might bring tears to your eyes.”
Mudan turned towards the mirror and said, “Merida, I have a twin.”
Merida’s jaw dropped.
“I have a twin sister. Her name is Juhua. She’s stronger and healthier than me. But I must tell you I am fairer and I have fuller breasts and wider hips.
“King Tie Mu saw me when we were bathing in the river banks. He was on his horse with his hunting party. He got down and held my hand, asking me to be his wife while I was barely covered by chiffon. All the women had run behind trees and bushes, including Juhua. My King never saw Juhua. Baba is wrong to think that my King must have been mistaken. It was me he fell in love with. Baba thinks I will not live long enough, he wants to replace me with Juhua. If I die and King Tie marries another woman, Baba will lose his status and wealth. Worse still if I die without bearing a child! How can I, till my sister is alive?”
Tears rolled down from Mudan’s eyes. She got down from her seat and embraced the carpet on the floor, all in despair and anguish.
All Merida could do was bend over her queen and hold her. Mudan told her about the only choices she had and cried some more.
All of a sudden, Merida announced with hope and joy, “My Queen, I can help!”
It took time for the words to settle in Mudan’s ears. How could a poor town girl possibly be of any help?
“My Queen, my grandmother Mofa can help. She has a way with the world. I will take you to her during His Majesty’s visit to the country. We can steal an hour and go see her in the forest. She left home eight years ago and settled in a tiny cottage in the deepest trough of the forest. Some called her a blessed soul while others shamed her as a witch. But I know with all my heart that she is a loving and a caring spirit.” Merida was proud of this account of her family.
“Is your grandmother alive?”
“Yes, she is, My Queen. Come with me day after tomorrow. I promise she will not refuse to help.”
After two sleepless nights came the day of the Grand Royal Tour.The king and queen with their ministers and general and royal guards met all the rich and the poor of their kingdom. They dined at the castles of the nobles and distributed gifts amongst the peasants and craftsmen.
Mudan and Merida excused themselves from the royal caravan that had stopped at the countryside. Merida led her to the darkest part of the forest which was exceedinglychilly. The giant roots stuck out of the soil and choked each other in tight deadlocks. Everything was green, including the ground, cut through by blades of sunlight.
Mudan was not impressed by the facade of the cottage; it was all black and brown with soot and dusts and decay. The wild vegetation had taken over the piece of land which seemingly belonged to the owner of the cottage, along with an abandoned sty.
They entered into an atmosphere of angst and longing. Something about the air made Mudan want to fret like a child.
“Zumu! How have I missed you!” Merida sped up towards the sole bed in the empty wooden and earthen room.
“Do not touch me Merida! Stay right where you are,” an elderly voice processed from the corner of the bed.
Slowly, with creaking of wood, Mofa sat up on her bed and said, “I have been expecting you Mudan. I had expected our meeting to be sooner.”
The moment Mofa came into view, Mudan could see the contrast of her skin, all wrinkled and spotted, to her hair which was long, thick, straight and as dark as a raven’s feathers.
“Mofa, I have come to seek help. I am in a situation where one…”
“I know exactly why you are here.”
The rattling sound which had been contributing to the intimidating ambiance suddenly revealed its source. A red snake of such a gigantic size which would make any Goliath jump for his life, emerged from under the blanket of Mofa. The devilish creature coiled itself on Mufa’s lap and kept hissing, exposing its wet fangs. Its eyes were mustard yellow and skin sectioned in patterns of chevron with thick tubed tail of rough impure crystals.
Mudan gasped and groped Merida’s hand which was cold with fear; Merida was not aware of this.
“I am an old soul Mudan. I lost my loveliest Asteri and soon after Fengari too, when he took his own life.He could not bear the guilt.”
Mudan and Merida were horrified by this revelation. The witch has been passing down herself through generations. How many lives had she lived? And how many taken?
“It is my curse to live through lives. Like a snake I will shed when this body can no longer stand the test of time,” Mofa smirked.
“Come closer Mudan, let me see you.”
Mudan sat down next to Mofa. Terrified of both the devil and its owner.
Mofa placed both of her hands on Mudan’s shoulders. She studied Mudan, absorbed herself in her life, in her mind.
“I see you are determined. I’m surprised, your heart carries love with hatred…… Unmixed…. Perhaps your fear is as strong as your love. I see, you are sure.”
Mudan gasped a little.
“I would expect you to return this favor to Merida,” Mofa said, half whispering.
“Yes,” Mudan agreed.
Mofa pulled her closer and slowly breathed into Mudan’s mouth.
“Release this into Juhua and she will live no more. If you fail to get this out of yourself, it will kill you in your sleep.”
Mudan felt her chest tightening and her muscles aching. Her head was throbbing. A feeble force seemed to be pushing out her skull from the inside. Her neck felt stiff. Something seemed to be irritating her throat. She began to sweat heavily.
The witch had breathed a disease into her. Mudan was unable to continue the countryside tour. The King was concerned but she insisted they progressed without her. Instead of heading directly to the palace as promised to her husband, Mudan went to the town. She was undercover with only a carriage and her chauffeur.She sent Merida to handle everything at her chamber, at the palace.
Mudan’s family was taken aback to see her so weak and pale. They took her to her old room; her and Juhua’s room where she rested on her maiden bed.
In her absence everyone in the family had something to say-
“She will not be able to lift her sword.”
“Maybe a combat is not needed after all.”
“Let her body take its natural course, meanwhile Juhua can go to the palace and wait till we send her news.”
“I agree. The healthy one is still healthy; Juhua is the one to thrive, to be the queen, from our family.”
“But what if her health is restored? What if she goes to the palace?”
“We cannot let the King think we have deceived him. It’s better to show him both the girls.”
“We cannot risk Mudan being picked, again.”
“For God’s sake the King loves Mudan!”
After hours of discussion and debate the family decided to push Mudan into the river after starving her for a few days.
The next morning, unaware of what fate had in store for her, carrying the disease which was getting more severe with every passing hour, Mudan went to the banks of Hipi.
Hoping she might just kill herself, Juhua secretly followed her.
Mudan sat down on the bathing spot where months ago King Tie Mu had asked her to be his wife.
She looked at her reflection in the clear water; she had never looked so repulsive.
Leaves rustled and she turned around. She saw her own self but different; a different body, a different mind, a different soul.
Juhua was carrying two swords, their swords.
“We were never meant to love each other,” Juhua said, “It had always been either you or me.”
“I know. But I cherished the little time we had together,” Mudan replied in her fragile voice.
There was silence in the air, broken by leaves which were falling in between them, on them, on the river; drizzling green in the river’s gleam.
Juhua tossed Mudan’s sword on the ground, right in front of her.
“You are not capable of doing this sword justice today,” Juhua said, “But it would be unfair to let you go without giving you a fighting chance.”
Mudan stared at her sword; long bronze double-edged blade with ridge running along the center, rayskin covered grip under the hilt to which attached was a tassel of silk cords, finished with a pommel gilded with silver. Though it was less than thirty inches and weighed a little more than a pound, Mudan would have struggled to swing it in the manner of her choice.
My beautiful sword, she thought.
“Pick it up, Mudan,” Juhua commanded, “I will not live with the shame of an unmerited Queen.”
Mudan refused to touch her sword.
It would be a disgrace to harm a sister with this majestic weapon, she thought.
“I will not,” Mudan said, “Juhua we were together before we began to breathe. Please sister, let me embrace you one last time like we were in our mother’s womb, before we give in to this curse.”
Juhua’s heart softened a little at her sister’s words; she was her reflection, albeit sunderance.
She planted her sword in the ground and came to her sister in open arms.
“Mudan, we are so alike,” Juhua whispered into Mudan’s ear.
“I know sister, but you will never take my place!”
In a single blink,Mudan breathed into Juhua.
Juhua stiffened, she felt her chest tearing out from inside. She couldn’t move her limbs. She couldn’t breathe. Her body, her limbs, her skin stopped responding to her urgent necessity to let air in, to let her breathe.
Gasping for air she could only say the words, “…. you…… Mudan….”
Mudan dragged Juhua’s hardened arms and pushed her into the river. She watched her sister sink like a heavy rock.
She picked up her sword. She picked up Juhua’s sword and hurled it into the river.
Where you belong, with your master, she spat into the river.
With her health restoring steadily, Mudan tried to run as fast as she could to the spot where she had asked her chauffeur to wait.
As the bright day was being washed away by the striated twilight clouds, Mudan’s family waited for their daughters or at least one of them to come back home. But none of them returned.
At the palace, Queen Mudan went directly to the King’s chamber and gave him a long passionate kiss.
With the Queen’s blessing, Merida married General Jian.
A year later Mudan fed one of her two-day old twins the syrup of the du plant, deadly and painless. That day Mudan set a new rule; kill one of them within days of their birth, or at birth.
