The Powers That Be

Outside, the noise of hard hooves galloping toward the house could be heard by the servants working on the gardens in the courtyard. Dressed all in the same blue shirts with matching hats and brown pants, the gardeners were busy weeding, trimming, and fertilizing, when a nobleman who looked like an older version of Tang Mei stopped short in front of the gate of the house. Various servants standing guard both inside and outside the courtyard, who could be distinguished from those working the gardens by their leather protective vests over dark green robes, sprang into action. They gathered the maids and other attendants to form two receiving lines leading from the gate into the courtyard.

A servant opened the large doors of the gate. Just as the nobleman was getting off his horse and was about to ask "Where's…," he was interrupted by Tang Mei, who appeared as if from nowhere and said "I'm here! I heard the commotion at the door and figured it was you." Tang Mei walked toward his brother, who was about half a foot taller, with broader shoulders, but with the same cool dark eyes. He continued, "Older brother, I'm so glad you received my letter and were able to return so soon."

"Are you sure it's her?," questioned his brother, stroking the neck of the horse in an unconscious gesture of gratitude for the hard ride.

Tang Mei responded, "I'm not 100% sure, but she fits the description in the prophecy."

"Take me to her," was the curt response back.

"Jing'er," Tang Mei cajoled, "why don't you rest first after your long journey, and I'll bring her to have tea with you afterward?" He took the reins from his brother and handed them to the servant standing nearby, who was on alert for this task.

Tang Mei's brother took a deep breath and let it out slowly, considering the words. "I guess we've waited this long, a little while longer isn't too much to ask," he agreed and walked into the courtyard with his brother in tow. He suddenly stopped and whispered, "But don't keep me waiting too long. The emperor is sure to be hearing about my return as we speak."

As suspected by the elder Tang brother, the emperor was indeed usually notified of any goings on of their family. At the moment, the emperor was in his study at the main palace, looking over reports. He was seated at his desk, which was not low to the ground as was the usual style, but rather about waist high. It was in an ornate style with golden dragons carved from wood spiraling around the legs. His chair, which looked more like a throne, was also ornate with dark blue velvet covering the seat and the back. Both the desk and the chair were on a wooden platform that required three steps to reach. The room itself was large with many shelves that held various scrolls, books, and other important documents.

After about an hour or so, the emperor threw the document he had in his hand down in anger. Turning to the eunuch who was always at his side, he said, "That village north of the river in Shan Dong is still experiencing bad fishing and they are saying there have been evil omens of late. Why hasn't General Tang, tsk, I mean, Minister Tang reported for duty there? He was released from his duties in the military over a week ago!"

The eunuch bowed and calmly began reply, "Reporting to his majesty, we have not heard wor—" but stopped abruptly at the entrance of another eunuch seeking audience with the emperor.

"What is it now?," the emperor sighed in annoyance. The eunuch to his side walked down the steps and raised his comrade up from the bowed position that he had assumed upon entry. The man who stood up gave a piece of rolled up parchment to the head eunuch and then promptly took his leave. Looking at the scroll, the eunuch noted it had the military seal on it. He broke the seal to inspect the contents for hidden dangers such as needles. Then, he walked back up to the emperor and handed it to him with both hands outstretched and his body bowed.

The emperor read the contents with a frown, "Looks like Minister Tang is finally back home where he belongs, but he wants leave to take care of 'personal matters.' Send word denying the request and that he is to take care of the mess in his district. He has a good way with words and is rational, so I expect this to be dealt with swiftly. After he is done, he is to report to me directly in person. I need to keep a closer eye on the boy." Then he handed the scroll back to the eunuch and said, "Give this to our guest, but make sure no one sees you going into that part of the palace. It might be best to send it with your aide."

The eunuch bowed and said, "Yes, your grace."

"Also, find out what these 'personal matters' are. It's not like Tang Jing to leave work for such things," commanded the Emperor in a gruff voice.

"Yes, your grace," was the response.

The same time that the emperor was in his study pouring over reports, the elder Tang brother was also in his own study looking over similar documents. Having rested from the long trip, he was waiting for his sister and brother to bring their guest over to him. The study was a much smaller than the emperor's and the decorations were not as ornate. For instance, the table and chair were more modest with no golden dragons in favor of simple but no less beautiful dark wood legs. There were two sitting areas across from each other and perpendicular to the master's desk. Each had a table with two chairs facing toward the middle of the room.

There was a knock at the door and after Tang Jing said "Enter," the door slid to reveal his younger brother. Tang Mei entered, followed by Tang Xiao Chu and Lulu, with two maid servants bearing refreshments trailing behind. The eldest Tang took a good look at Lulu as she entered and was surprised when she returned his gaze. His eyes did not show any emotion but there was a slight sparkle that showed an interest.

The left corner of Lulu's lips tilted imperceptibly upward. She noticed how tall he was and how very broad-shouldered; she blushed at where her eyes had followed and quickly looked down. "Damn, he's hot!," she thought and then was surprised at herself and wondered why she thought those words, even though she somehow knew it meant that he was attractive to her. Still, she had learned enough about etiquette from the Suns and her own experiences thus far to know that she should not have looked at him directly. "I hope he's not mad," Lulu thought with concern.

Lulu didn't have to worry, however, as the man was too busy comparing her to what was written in the prophecy.

The two maids that came in with them were in the same style of clothes as the one who had attended to Lulu while she was ill, down to the embroidery on the cuffs. The only thing different was the hairstyle each wore, which involved a low bun. They adeptly set up the tea and cakes at each of two tables across from each other. When they were finished, Tang Jing said, "Leave us," and they did, as quietly as they had come in and gone about their work.

Tang Xiao Chu led Lulu closer to her brothers, who were standing next to each other facing the women. She said, "Lulu, this is my brother that I told you about, Tang Jing. And you remember Tang Mei. Brothers, this is Lulu."

Lulu looked both in turn briefly, bowed as Tang Xiao Chu had taught her, and provided her greetings, "Hello. It is nice to meet you both."

Tang Mei understood her greeting and replied with a smile, "Hello, officially, although technically we met a few days ago when you fainted in my arms remember?"

Tang Jing squinted his eyes and said, "First of all, how did you understand what she said, and, second, what do you mean she fainted in your arms? Also, that can't be her family name?"

Tang Mei responded, "One at a time, older brother. I'm not sure how but I can just understand her. To me she is speaking our language." Then he briefly relayed the incident saying he "happened to be passing" by when he noticed the altercation at the baker's stand.

"But why did she faint?," asked Tang Jing.

"I don't know. The doctor we called said he did not know what was wrong but that it was likely just exhaustion and rest would help. It looks like was right as she looks fine now," replied Tang Mei.

Lulu turned to Tang Xiao Chu and whispered, "I don't like that they are talking about me like I'm not here," but all she got back in response was a quick shake of the head.

"What did she just say?" asked Tang Jing sharply to Tang Xiao Chu.

"Nothing important, older brother," responded Tang Xiao Chu. Seeing his disapproving eyes, she quickly continued, "But if you like, I can translate what she says if you want to ask her questions."

"That sounds good. Let's all sit down first," he replied. After they were all seated, the two brothers at one table and the women at the other, Tang Jing continued, "Does she know why you all can understand her and why I cannot?

"I can answer that one for her. No. We can't figure it out," Tang Xiao Chu replied after letting Lulu know what her brother had asked. "Tang Mei said he could understand her immediately, but it took a short time for me."

"Alright," said Tang Jing, "Ask her to tell us where she is from and how she got here, from the beginning, without leaving out any details."

Lulu told her story with Tang Xiao Chu translating, "As I told your sister before, I don't remember much. I don't even remember my name, just that it starts with Lu and that's why the Suns called me Lulu. But I do have these dreams. Nightmares really. I feel like I'm drowning. There may also be a boat or a ship, I don't know. I see a man's face and it feels familiar like I have seen it before, but I can't remember. The only thing I remember is waking up on the riverbank and being helped up by Mr. Sun." She looked at Tang Xiao Chu and asked, "Does he know about the Suns?" She received a nod in response.

Tang Jing asked, "Does she remember where she came from?"

Lulu continued with Tang Xiao Chu translating, "Not clearly. After my last nightmare, I just woke up with this sense that I'm from a faraway place and a different time but other than that I don't remember anything else. It's just a feeling more than anything."

"What do you mean a different time?" asked Tang Xiao Tan with a confused look.

"I'm not sure and I don't know how to explain it either. But I think this is the past. I mean, not my past because I'm not from here, but like past history. Wait! That just made me remember something I think.," said Lulu. She continued, "Yes, I remember, I think, that I was here. I mean, not here here, but here, in the future!"

Tang Jing exclaimed in frustration, "You're not making sense!"

After Tang Xiao Tan translated (although what she actually translated was that her brother said he didn't quite understand her), Lulu said, "I'm sorry. It's all confusing to me too and my head is starting to hurt."

Tang Jing looked a bit chagrined at Lulu's translated words. "It's alright," he said, "This is enough for now. Why don't you take her back to her room little sister. She can have dinner there. Why don't you keep her company?" Tang Xiao Chu nodded and explained to Lulu what her brother said. Then she escorted Lulu out of the room.

Tang Jing turned to Tang Mei who was eating his third piece of cookie, and said, "If she doesn't know who she is, maybe we can use that to our advantage. She certainly does fit the description just as you said."

Tang Mei replied, "Yes, but it is all so strange. No one knows where she came from, not even herself. And she doesn't seem to have any special powers."

"Not that we know of anyway," said Tang Jing.