Gui Ying’s Story

"Before your mother and grandfather took me under their wing, " Gui Ying started the story, a time before Gui Ying had met with Fangsu's grandpa. "I was born into a middle-class family that had a bit of wealth."

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Gui Ying was an adored child in her family, an only child in her family. Both her parents were doting towards her, always granting anything that Gui Ying wanted but being a sensible child. Gui Ying only asked for the essentials for her hobbies, embroidery. When she was young embroidery seemed to be her escape from everything, her talent for embroidery soon flourishing from that point on. Weaving her thread through the fabric, creating wondrous images that seem to come to life. Her hands seem to be of a God, being able to fabricate even poems into images on the fabric she embroidered on, evoking the emotions of the images.

Being born in a merchant family, she began working alongside her parents, selling products of various provinces and eventually she began selling her own embroidered works. Her embroidered works soon began selling for high prices for their extreme detail that many embroiders could not achieve. As she travelled to many provinces, Gui Ying was approached by many men for her hand in marriage, as she was seen with a high marriage prospect.

Those men ranged from age, appearance and occupations, but Gui Ying would always refuse since she knew those men only wanted her for her reputation. As she finished her newest embroidery works of a koi fish swimming alongside a field lotus flower blossoming, with the orange skies of dawn. Gui Ying felt like having a change of scenery decided to walk around the new town. The town was quieter than most, with tranquil waters that rushed towards its destination and winds that gently blow the willow trees creating a symphony that only nature could create. The cobblestone pathways lead to the many areas of the town; the bamboo grove, marketplace, marquis office, the forest and the neighbouring province.

Gui Ying decided to enter the bamboo groves to gain some privacy away from prying eyes. Walking along the cobblestone pathway, Gui Ying observed the tall, flexible and mighty bamboo towering over her figure. Giving her the slightest glimpse of the day which was soon coming to a close, and Gui Ying need to return back to her parents. But being unfamiliar with the confusing pathways of the bamboo grove, where any pathway seem to look the same. Gui Ying was lost in the bamboo groves, and it was especially dangerous for a young woman like herself to be out in the dark, especially being unfamiliar with the area made her extremely vulnerable.

Gui Ying began feeling anxious as her line of sight had reduced from light from the day getting dim. The lanterns in the bamboo grove illuminated the pathway but not enough for Gui Ying to feel safe. A hand gently grasped Gui Ying's shoulder, which she quickly slapped away in reaction. Quickly distancing herself from the person, Gui Ying turned to face the person who was, in fact, a resident of the town which she had seen many times when she was working. "I'm deeply sorry for slapping your hand, " Gui Ying quickly bowed in apology.

The resident entered the light of the lanterns, a handsome man appeared in Gui Ying's line of sight. "No worries, It's expected for any woman to fear the danger from the night, " The man waved off, appeasing Gui Ying's previous anxiety. "It's quite normal for travellers to get lost in the bamboo groves, " The man held up a lantern in his hand, gesturing for Gui Ying to follow him.

"Normal?" Gui Ying questioned.

"Yes, it is, " The man continued walking through the bamboo groves leading out, "Let me escort you back to your residence, even if you are out of the bamboo groves it's still too dangerous for you." Politely suggesting for him to accompany her in case something happen to Gui Ying. Which Gui Ying gladly accepted, following the man while giving direction to her residence to the man.

"Judging from your attire you must be a guard here in this town." Gui Ying stated seeing the detail and materials the armour the man was wearing.

"Yes, I am, " the man scratched his head stopping at the doorway of the inn Gui Ying was temporary living in, "Though I'm not of a high position, so I'm usually only assigned to patrol the bamboo groves."

Gui Ying bowed politely to the man, "Thank you for escorting me to safety, " She pushed back a strand of hair behind her ear, "May I ask for your name?"

The man saluted, "My name is Sun Cheng Fu, "

After Gui Ying entered the house, leaving Cheng Fu outside to continue with his duties. Gui Ying placed her back to the wall. Cheng Fu was the first man to not have straightforwardly asked for her hand in marriage and treated her like a normal person. Gui Ying's thought of Cheng Fu's awkward but gentle manner towards her make rare giggles erupt from her lips.

After that encounter, Gui Ying would go to the bamboo grove to do embroidery hiding away from a particularly persistent rich young man named Bai Dong Li, who would ask for her hand in marriage. As Gui Yung settled herself on a rock, the tranquillity of the bamboo groves made Gui Ying solely focus on her embroidery, each thread and weave Gui Ying would give her full concentration. The finished work was a willow tree that stood alone swaying in the wind with a background of calming blues and white. Cranes with their majesty splendour stood along with the willow trees with their feet submerged in the calm rivers. Looking at through the canopy of bamboo, Gui Ying saw that the day was still bright. Thus continuing to embroider on a new piece of fabric creating a much simpler design with the bamboo groves with a mist weaving itself through the bamboo stalks with the beautiful white moon showing through the gaps.

"Your embroidery looks beautiful, " a masculine voice startled Gui Ying, causing her to fall off the rock she sat on. A thud against the fallen bamboo leaves, lifted the leaves around her. "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you." Cheng Fu took Gui Ying but the hand lifting her off the ground while dusting off any remaining bamboo leaves of her dress.

"Cheng Fu, why didn't you tell me you were here?" Gui Ying gently laughed at Cheng Fu's panicking about her falling.

Cheng Fu awkwardly scratched the back of his head, embarrassed to have caught Gui Ying by surprise, "You were concentrating on your work, I didn't want to disturb you." Honestly answering her question, while picking up one of Gui Ying's finished works.

Cheng Fu was amazed by the sheer detail of the embroidery, quickly realising that he was holding her work, he handed it back to Gui Ying. Gui Ying thanked him and they both walked together back to her residence. Days turned to weeks, Gui Ying would finish working at the merchant stall and go to the bamboo groves to do some embroidery until Cheng Fu would escort her back home. Gui Ying would often stop by the training hall where Cheng Fu was practising his martial arts with co-workers. After his training, Gui Ying would always feed him some homemade pastries even though they were simple dishes. While Cheng Fu would always chase away all the pesty men who were chasing Gui Ying. The two exchanged gifts to express their love for one another. Cheng Fu gave Gui Ying a jade pendent with a complicated knot, while Gui Ying gave a scent bag filled with dried lotus petals and herbs.

After a year, the two eventually began developing feelings for one another. Cheng Fu eventually asked for Gui Ying's hand in marriage, which she happily agreed. When the couple asked for the parent's blessings, Gui Ying's parents were fully supportive of their union but Cheng Fu had no parents, so they proceeded to arrange for a marriage date.

Unfortunately, before the happy couple could tie to knot together on their happy union. A civil war broke out causing mayhem to the province, Gui Ying was separated from Cheng Fu as people from the province all tried to escape to other provinces. Because her parents were merchants, an official deemed them as spies and was later executed while Gui Ying was still preparing to move out of the province.

Seeing the lifeless bodies of her parents, Gui Ying heart was broken but also she gagged upon seeing them lay on top of other rotting bodies. The putrid odour cause Gui Ying to scrunch her nose to block the smell out, however, it was too overpowering. Gui Ying travelled with others to the capital where the civil war hadn't managed to reach.

From being a merchant's daughter and Gui Ying was now degraded to a beggar, Gui Ying tried to beg for money. For days, Gui Ying would go without food leaving her to scavenge through the rubbish of restaurants occasionally being beaten up by the restaurant owners. Being a woman she could easily sell her body for a roof over her head and food but the memories of Cheng Fu made her refuse to even resort to such a disgusting path, she would rather die than sell her body to other men.

On a rainy day, Gui Ying could not contain the hunger any longer, seeing the piping hot steamed buns in the stands. Seeing an opportunity when the vendor was getting more freshly made buns, Gui Ying rushed to the streamer filled with buns, grabbing four of them whilst burning herself. Unfortunately, the vendor saw her take the buns and chases her.

In the dark, Gui Ying line of sight was reduced and didn't anticipate the incoming stone thrown at her head, causing Gui Yung to fall down to the ground while dropping the stolen buns. The vendor began beating up Gui Ying spewing profanity and after there were finished, they spat on her.

Gui Ying staggered to pull herself up to grab the dirty buns, dusting off as much dirt as possible. Gui Ying continues to walk through the dark alleyways where she set up for her home. Gui Ying shared her place with a woman who had two other children.

"Miss Lan, here, " Gui Ying handed the dirty buns the woman, "Sorry they are a little dirty." quickly apologising.

Miss Lan shook her head, "Gui Ying you are such a kind soul, you could have kept the buns for yourself." The buns were given to the children so their bellies could be full. Gui Ying ate her own bun to fill her stomach which was not often that she did. The burn marks in Gui Ying hands were severe and they would most likely leave a scar behind. Gui Ying walk a fair distance to a nearby river to cool the burn. Wincing at the pain when she submerge her own hand in the cool water, Gui Ying held it there until the pain went away. After a few moments, the burn was soothed by the water, Gui Ying ripped at part of her skirt to make a temporary bandage to protect the burn from getting an infection. Gui Ying took the jade pendent from around her neck, touching the smooth surface as her was reminded of Cheng Fu. When she decided to return back to dark alleyways of the capital, she saw a familiar figure in the distance asking a local for directions. It was Cheng Fu.

Ashamed to see Chen Fu, Gui Ying hid her face with her sleeve and quickly walked past Cheng Fu's line of sight, quickly vanishing into the dark alleyways to rest, hoping to forget about him.

As one may say, not everyone can escape their fate.

Upon waking up, Gui Ying tried to wake up Miss Lan, but as soon as she touch Miss Lan. It was cold and stiff. The cause of her death was infection and starvation. Both her children were left to fend for themselves, Gui Ying decided to take Miss Lan's body and take it to a decent burial place. She began clawing at the ground, trying to dig a hole deep enough to put Miss Lan's body it. Once Gui Ying placed Miss Lan's body into the ground, the children and her began praying. Seeing that the children were now parentless, Gui Ying took it upon herself to care for the children to the best of her ability. Day in and day out, Gui Ying work tirelessly trying to find new spots that were safer and feeding the children, sometimes even forgetting to feed herself.

Eventually, Gui Ying wore out so much to the point she was too sick to get off the floor. With a high fever, weak body and two children to feed, Gui Ying forced herself to go out and find food. Her mind was muddled, Gui Ying bumped into Cheng Fu who immediately recognised her, "Gui Ying! Is that you?" he hugged Gui Ying tightly, "You have a high fever! We need to get you to a doctor!" Cheng Fu touched her forehead, trying to carry Gui Ying to a nearby doctor clinic.

Gui Ying pushed Cheng Fu, "Don't touch me! I don't even know you!" quickly lying and rushed off to a nearby alleyway to lose him in the confusing maze. Unforunately, Gui Ying stumbled into a gang terrority, a unruly gang member grabbed her by the arm. "Look here! Boys! Look at what I found running about our terriorty." a smirked reached his ears as more gang members came over surrounding Gui Ying giving no opporunities for escape.

"She's a bit dirty, but still a beauty." A gang member commented

"If we clean her a bit, I bet she could get a couple of gold coins." Another butted in.

Gui Ying struggled against the man's strong grip, "Let me go!"

The gang member who was holding her captive grinned meanacingly, "We can't do that now, you walked into our territory so you are ours to do whatever with." A uneasy feeling began budding in the pits of her stomach as she was being dragged off, Gui Ying began struggling even more but it was futile as Gui Ying was weaker than them. Gui Ying head swung to the side as she fell to the ground holding her cheek, her vision began hazing in and out of consciousness. One of the men had hit her to make her stop fussing around. They picked the fallen Gui Ying, hauling her on to their shoulders.

Groans and screams of pain resounded into the alleyways, Gui Ying once again fell to the ground. Her head throbbed in pain as she laid on the ground, "Master this girl is sick, " A young woman's voice echoed in Gui Ying's mind, her body began feeling weightless as her body was lifted up from the ground.

Gui Ying found herself in a room on top of a bed, "Jie Jie!" The two siblings ran into the room jumping onto the bed hugging Gui Ying's neck as they began crying. Gui Ying returned the hug, holding them with the gentlest touch.

"I'm here," Gui Ying kissed the children's temples, wiping away the tears, "It's okay, I'm here."

"You're awake." A young woman entered the room. The way the woman entered the room was graceful, everything was perfect and poised. There was no error in her walk, Gui Ying could tell the woman was not of common birth. "I was monitoring you to see if you were what I was looking for." The woman sat down on a chair, holding a jade pendent that Gui Ying held to preciously. The woman gave the jade pendent back to Gui Ying.

"So, you just watched these children suffer alongside me so that you see what you wanted?" Gui Ying angrily shouted at the woman seeing that the woman could have helped the children out of homelessness and have them live in a safe environment with shelter, food and a home.

The woman sighed, "I wanted to see your perseverance to survive even in the harshest of conditions, see whether it would break you or not." The woman explained to Gui Ying for leaving Gui Ying and the children to the dangers of homelessness.

"You could at least taken the children and look after them," Gui Ying refutes back.

"I left them there to see if you would be able to care for others," The woman stood up, "Call me selfish all you want but this is how reality is, it will either strip you of everything or make you untouchable." The woman stood up abruptly causing the chair to fall backwards as she voiced her agreement to fight against Gui Ying's words.

Gui Ying has no words to say to argue against the woman's words. "Why?"

The woman's expression sadden, "Because of my children," staring out the window overlooking the streets bustling with movement, "Because of what I am, they will suffer." The woman reached out of the window, grasping the air as if she trying to grab something but in the end it escaped from her hand.

The door of the room was opened, revealing a small child about the age of 10 or 11 bursting with endless energy that seem to be contagious. Her unruly hair bounced in every direction as she carried a spear, "Mama! You're back!" The young girl ran into the woman's arm, kissing the woman's cheek.

Another woman much elderly, entered the room carrying another child, who was pale, with ash grey hair, an unusual hair colour. Her smooth pale cheeks were flushed red. Her head laid on the shoulder of the woman carrying her with her eyelids closed, "Ma'am Fangsu sickness has relapsed again." the elderly woman handed the small child called Fangsu to the woman who rocked the hold in her arms. Humming a melody, through the melody had a very nasal tone to it, it was pleasing to the ears.

The elderly took the energetic girl to the side, brushing her hair. Even though it was brushed through, the hair remained unruly as if there was no way to tame to large mass of hair. The elderly woman tied the hair into a ponytail while placing a ribbon and tying it into a hairstyle typical for a male, so the hair wouldn't come to the front and keep the hair away from the neck. "Mama! Fang Fang was silly today, she wanted to play with me so she didn't have take her medicine." The energetic girl spilled the beans as she swung her short legs that barely touched the floor back and forth.

"Liansu would you like to take bitter medicine everyday just because your body was weak?" The woman questioned the young girl as she continued to rocked the sick child in her arms to keep her comfortable.

"No, I hate taking medicine," The young girl answered whilst sticking out her tongue cheekily, "It's so bitter."

"It's the same for her sister," The woman sighed while rubbing the child's forehead, who unconsciously nudged her head into her bosom to seek comfort in the familiar embrace, "She doesn't like the bitter taste and she has to take it for the rest of her life just to keep living." Telling the young girl the reason Fangsu not wanting to take her medicine.

Gui Ying and the two children beside her watched the family interact with each other, "Both your children are very different in personality." Gui Ying commented as her saw the varying qualities of both sisters.

The woman nodded, "I haven't told you my name," The woman gave a slight bow, "I'm Chen Heng Hui."