Tribute By The River.

Ying Lan lifted the leather flask to her lips and drank deeply, savoring the bitter-sweet taste of the wine. It was a rare vintage; she had saved it for this day — this day of remembrance. She walked towards the river, feeling the breeze on her face and the sand under her feet.

The Xiangyu flowed swift and clear, reflecting the blue sky and the white clouds. The sun played on the water, making it sparkle like a thousand jewels. Ying Lan held the flask over the river and tilted it slowly, watching the wine trickle out in a thin red stream. It splashed into the water, sending ripples across the surface.

It was a tribute to her Shifu. ♪ To you my Shifu I toast this cup of wine. You were more than teacher, you were friend of mine, my guiding light in darkest nights ♪

Three years ago, Ying Lan had burned her Shifu's body on a pyre of wood and incense. She had gathered the ashes in a simple clay urn and brought them to the Xiangyu River, where she had let them drift away with the current.

"Let me not rest under the cold earth. Let me flow with the Xiangyu waters and sail down to the oceans." It was her Shifu's final wish. Shifu had longed to join her husband, whose ashes she had poured into this same river, vowing that she would follow him someday.

Ying Lan remembered the night her Shifu had shared her husband's story with her. They had been sitting by the fire in the beggars courtyard back in Jiao city. Her Shifu had been in a rare mood of nostalgia, and Ying Lan had listened with rapt attention.

"He was a general's firstborn son," her Shifu had said, her voice tinged with yearning. "He was destined to be a general too, but he had no love for war or glory. He had a scholar's heart. He wished to study the classics and write poetry. He wished to wear scholarly robes instead of armor, he wished to carry books instead of swords."

Ying Lan had seen pain and anger flash in her Shifu's eyes. "But his father — my father-in-law, he was an ambitious man. He wanted my husband to follow in his footsteps. He made him learn martial arts and military strategies. He made him assist him in his plots. He had a large army at his command, and he thought he could seize the throne."

Ying Lan had heard her Shifu laugh bitterly. "But it was all folly. His plans failed. They only caused the death of the emperor's beloved consort and daughter, and brought down his wrath upon us. He came with all his might to avenge them. He attacked and burned our home."

Ying Lan eyes had followed her Shifu's hand as it stroked her bad leg. "I was wounded in the battle and fell unconscious. My husband told some of his loyal men to carry me to safety. When I woke up and returned to what I had called home, I found only ashes. Men burned beyond recognition. I only recognized my husband's body by his unique armor."

Ying Lan had seen tears stream down her Shifu's cheeks and she had drawn nearer to her and held her hand. Her Shifu had kept on sobbing. "My heart ached for revenge. But then how could I justify it? It was my father-in-law who was at fault. It was his greed that had provoked the emperor's fury. It was he who had driven his whole family to the grave. Leaving me to wander the world alone as a widow and a traitor,"

Ying Lan had embraced her Shifu and consoled her. "You are not alone Shifu," she had said softly. "You have me."