Whee! The start of the final arc. I really want to thank each and everyone of you who have given me the support and encouragement for Little Moon. Reading, writing, translating... all these activities are actually solitary activities, but I have been so fortunate to have been able to talk to all of you, so instead of feeling alone, I feel so invigorated!
I'm a bit nervous about this chapter, so *cross fingers* all of you will like this. This chapter answers many of the questions I have been asked at the start. Enjoy!
Chapter 13: It all starts with a red thread
Little Moon/Yue
(i)
I felt an intense
heat radiating from the core of my body. I blinked my eyes opened and saw Uncle
looking worriedly back at me.
Even in this dire
situation, I could not help but laugh at this feeling of déjà vu. This was just
like the start when I first touched Hsiao’s golden threads.
I hurriedly blurted
out, “How is Hsiao?” Immediately after I spoke, I felt a strange tightness in
my chest and a strong lack of breath.
“Prince Sun
teleported you to me. You don’t have to worry, he is with Hsiao and Xi Yang
will make sure Hsiao is alright,” Uncle said wearily.
“Don’t move,” Uncle said
as he pressed a meridian point at my wrist, “If not for Xi Yang giving you some
of his own pure divine strength, you were very close to disintegrating your
essence into oblivion. However, your core is now incomplete…”
Uncle shook his
head, “Is Heaven’s fate for both of you so?” He shook his head more vigorously,
“Perhaps, it is my fault. I should have revealed to you all about your origins,
Yue, so you could make a genuine choice.”
I was lying on the bed and
did not have the strength to lift myself up. I asked, “What do you mean,
Uncle?”
Uncle took my silk sachet
from my robes and took out the red thread, “Do you remember when I first gave
you this red thread and said this was your beginning?”
My heart paused as I
nodded.
Uncle lifted up his head
and something rippled through his eyes, “Already, it has been more than a
hundred years.”
(ii)
A hundred plus years
ago…
The Moon God
“She broke your red thread
too?” I heard Moon Maiden Yi ask Moon Maiden Er.
Moon Maiden Er
nodded, “It looks like what they say of her on earth is true… she has too hard
a destiny structure and will harm her husband (克夫)”.
My interest was
pricked. In all my years as a Moon God, I had not met a woman I could not
match, “Who is this maiden?”
“Her name is Ye Liu (叶榴 – Ye comes from the Chinese word “leaf” and
Liu comes from the Chinese word “石榴”
(Shi Liu) which means pomegranate) from the Golden Carp Village. She is now
twenty-five and long past the marrying age,” Moon Maiden Er curtsied in
greeting and answered.
“Quite a few Moon Maidens
have tried to connect a red thread for her, however, the red threads will
connect but get cut very easily,” Moon Maiden Yi added, “It is quite a pity for
she is a real beauty.”
Moon Maiden Er nodded,
“When she was born, she was engaged to the neighbour’s baby boy. However, a
year later, the boy fell ill and passed away. She was so beautiful that when
she was thirteen, a rich merchant that traveled through the village wanted her
as his wife. However, after they were engaged, the rich merchant received news
that a ship full of his goods had sunk in the sea and he had to break off the
engagement to marry a rich woman instead…”
Moon Maiden Yi and Moon
Maiden Er chorused on about the various red threads that had been snapped into
half along the way, through some strange occurrence or accident – none ever
through her own direct actions.
Slowly, there were
whispers that her destiny would harm a husband but she was still well loved by
the villagers, for she was known to have golden fingers and was soon a famous
mid-wife.
One of my brows
arched at that… and I decided to visit the Golden Carp Village to meet this Ye
Liu.
(iii)
I still remembered
that day. There was a small bamboo hut with small shrubs of pomegranate
outside. The pomegranates were rounder and more luscious than I had ever seen
like red blushing bags of happiness. The pomegranate flowers blossomed like the
red-veiled brides that leaned up their heads in eagerness to be kissed.
There was a girl, passed
the bud of youth, in faint orange robes like the fading sunlight. She was
sitting on a bamboo stool by a small wooden table, her eyes were closed and she was sipping
tea, as if she was waiting for something.
I watched the light fall
on her black hair and flicked off her long eyelashes. She had an intelligent
face. As if she heard something, though I made no sound, she opened her eyes
and looked at me.
“Have you come to
find me?” She asked, not surprised. She was clearly used to foreigners or
strangers seeking her out.
Before I could
answer, a young ruddy-looking boy came running towards us, “Big Sister Ye Liu, San
Niang (三娘- literally three mother) is about to give
birth!”
She smiled as if she
already knew, “I had a feeling it would be today.”
She turned to me, “San
Niang is having triplets, I would need another strong pair of hands. Come with
me as well, then I will help you with your matter later!”
With that, I was pulled
along by Ye Liu to help San Niang give birth.
(iv)
“This doesn’t
usually happen,” Ye Liu said as she dabbed medicine onto my thumb
apologetically.
I shook my head as if to
indicate it was no matter. The last baby, the only girl of the triplets, was
born with one sharp tooth. It had bit my thumb so hard that blood had spurted
out.
Ye Liu smiled, “Still, it
is a blessing that the three were born safely. You have done something great,
Gentleman…?”
“Liang (亮 – light),” I said.
Ye Liu looked at me
curiously, “So, why have you come to seek me? Is a woman in your family
pregnant?”
I laughed, “I have
no wife or family.” Ye Liu seemed to brighten up at that.
“I am only a traveler,” I
said, “I had heard about the famous golden fingers of Ye Liu and was curious.”
Ye Liu waved her hands at
me, “These fingers?”
“I have seen them shine in
action today and I am satisfied,” I smiled.
Ye Liu laughed. Her heart
was like a bird - soaring, carefree and open. There were no holes to connect.
“What do you do when you
travel?” Ye Liu asked, intrigued.
“I matchmake people,” I
said.
Ye Liu’s eyes
widened, “Aren’t only women matchmakers?”
I smiled, “The Moon
God would disagree.”
Ye Liu seemed
especially tickled and laughed, “Yes, that old man would protest, won’t he?”
Ye Liu suddenly
sobered up, “Ah, you have heard about my destiny structure, haven’t you? I am a
famous mid-wife, but an infamous never-wife.”
I nodded, “I have heard of
it.”
Ye Liu smiled wistfully,
“They say my destiny is too strong for any man.”
I saw her bird-heart
stretched out its wings – not in shame, but in pride. Nothing would cage her.
“Life is full of
surprises,” I said, “Let’s wait to find out.”
Ye Liu laughed and
shook her head, “Why wait for any man before one lives?”
(iv)
Whenever I traveled
in the mortal realms, I never bothered to change my appearance, though my hair
would be black instead of the silvery light of the moon. When I first appeared
before Ye Liu, I was a young gentleman in my late twenties. Every year, when I
visited her, I would subtly increase my age.
The young baby girl that
bit me when I helped delivered her had already grown into a precocious child of
eight. Since birth, her face was as round as a moon, hence she was named San
Yue (三月 – Three Moon). I felt some hereditary pride in that.
Time was kind to Ye Liu,
it passed through Golden Carp Village, but left no trace on her. In these eight
years, there were men, fine men, who had asked for her hand in marriage, but
she had declined them all. Although she never married, she was a godmother of
possibly hundreds.
Every year, I would visit
her, she would serve me pomegranate cakes and tea, and we would watch the full
moon.
The light autumn wind
breezed passed the river that flowed through the Golden Carp Village. San Yue
mischievously stared at me for a while, before she asked, “Uncle Liang, are you
in love with God Ma Ye Liu?”
I had to admit that the
question took me by surprise, “Why do you say so?”
“Because they all say God
Ma Ye Liu is waiting for you,” San Yue said.
I crinkled my eyes in
laughter, “God Ma Ye Liu waits for no one,” I shook my head, “My heart cannot
love.”
“Then, why do you
visit her every year?” San Yue persisted.
I did not have
a chance to answer because we were both interrupted by a beautiful melody
played from a flute.
San Yue clapped her
hands, “Big Brother Hsiao (箫 – flute)!”
She turned her head and I
saw that at the other side of the river was a distinguished youth in white
robes, playing a jade green flute.
In a blink of an eye, this
little moon-cake faced girl had also formed her own red thread. I frowned because
there was a deep tinge of black around its edges.
When the melody ended, San
Yue was about to run towards the other side of the river.
“San Yue,” I said as she
smiled at me. For the first time, I did not know what to say – for a red
thread’s destiny is a red thread’s destiny, regardless of its end.
“Stay safe,” I said
finally and patted her head before she ran off.
(v)
When San Yue was
sixteen, Ye Liu fell very sick. Ye Liu had loved all her god children, but
somehow, she doted on San Yue the most. She smiled as if in remembrance, “Maybe
it was because she bit you.”
I visited Ye Liu on
her last day on earth.
“I thought I would
not be able to see you this year,” Ye Liu said gently as I sat next to her bed.
I stroke the hair away from her forehead,
“You are weak and shouldn’t speak too much.”
“But I have so much to
say,” Ye Liu smiled, “Liang.” It was the first time she called my name, a name that even my Moon Maidens and fellow gods did not know.
“They all said my destiny
was too strong, but one’s life always ends in some way or another. I
have no regrets, I had lived life the way I wanted it… but I do worry… worry
for the things I cannot see to the end,” Ye Liu sighed and asked, “Liang, would you watch
over San Yue when I am gone?”
I nodded.
“That’s good, good,” Ye
Liu smiled and closed her eyes, “I shall take a small rest now. When I wake up,
let’s drink some pomegranate tea and watch the moon, shall we?”
On Ye Liu’s last day on
earth, the small shrubs outside her bamboo hut stood bare.
I had stayed for the
funeral rites, which San Yue had arranged with her mother. San Yue had cried so
much that her face was only two swollen puffs.
That night, San Yue
and I stood by the moon lit river, the very same river I had heard the youth
Hsiao first played his jade green flute. But, it was not the same river, for
the waters are always flowing.
Although San Yue did
not say anything, I knew all she wanted to say. I saw that the red thread in
her heart had thickened – Hsiao and San Yue had exchanged marriage promises.
Hsiao had gone to the capital to take the Imperial Examinations and had
promised to return when he succeeded.
“Uncle Liang,” San Yue
finally said, she lifted up her head towards the moon and her body seemed to
glow, “I have realized that the lover is the one who waits*.”
“Although God Ma Ye Liu is
no longer with us, I know she must have been happy for the one she waited for
had came.”
(vi)
Even now, I
sometimes ask myself if I should have cut the red thread for them, knowing that
the red thread ends in tragedy? But, what is a happy ending in love?
When a maiden is
eighteen, she is at the peak of her blooming. She is no more a girl as she
takes her first step as a woman. But, there was no flush of youth on San Yue,
only the ragged traces of an endless wait.
When the first year
ended and Hsiao did not return, San Yue stood firm in her faith in Hsiao. She
was worried something might have happened to Hsiao and asked fellow villagers who
traveled to the Capital to look out for any news about Hsiao. She was unable to
leave the village since she had to take care of the aged San Niang.
In the year San Yue turned
eighteen, a jade green urn returned to the village. Hsiao was said to have
fallen very ill during the examinations and passed away. The truth was that
Hsiao had been poisoned during the examinations by officials who knew his real
identity as the illegitimate son of the Emperor. They had exterminated him
before his birth could become a danger. I had seen it the moment I saw Hsiao –
that faint golden ring of light that shone around him, but his royal destiny
was not now… the karmic circle was only beginning and us gods had no power to
stop it.
When I met San Yue,
she was frail and wispy as the crescent moon. Only her eyes brightened when she
saw me, “Uncle Liang.”
I nodded and patted her
head.
San Yue smiled, “Uncle
Liang, do you know how to play the flute?”
I nodded again.
She took out Hsiao’s jade
green flute, “Would you teach me?”
For three years, San Yue
learned how to play the flute from me. I would visit for about a week each
time, and she would practise diligently in the months in between.
In the third year, San
Niang passed away and San Yue had grown so thin that she was but a moonbeam.
That was the last time we
stood by the river that ran through Golden Carp Village. San Yue took out the
jade green flute and started playing it. I had taught her only one song through
the three years:
The moon is clear, the wine is sweet,
Oh drink with me and make merry!
There is no time for tears,
So please do not sigh.
Whatever is not finished in this life,
Let's continue in the next.
For the
first time in three years, San Yue played it completely without any mistake. She beamed
at me when she finished.
She looked up at the
moon, “Uncle Liang, I did not have a chance to play for Hsiao before he left.
Do you think he can hear me?”
She laughed and shook her
head, “It’s alright if he cannot hear it now. I will play for him in the next
life.”
San Yue leaned her head on
my shoulder, “Uncle Liang, do you ever think of God Ma Ye Liu?”
“Yes,” I said quietly.
San Yue nodded as she fell
asleep, “That’s good, I will tell her that when I meet her…”
When San Yue slipped
away from earth, the deep red thread with the trace of tragedy fell into my
hands.
It burned like the
nirvana fire, through my skin, it gave me pain that I had never felt before since my
birth as a god. This was a deep red thread that was stained with my blood that
was bitten at San Yue’s birth.
Little Moon/Yue
(vii)
“Perhaps due to my divine
presence through San Yue’s life and the blood that was given at her birth, the
red thread that ran between San Yue and Hsiao had an affinity with divinity. I
transferred some internal divine energy and a bit of my heartstone… and after a
while, you were born, Yue.”
I was stunned, as Uncle
held my hand tightly, “That red thread is you.”
* “Am I in love? --yes,
since I am waiting. The other one never waits. Sometimes I want to play the
part of the one who doesn't wait; I try to busy myself elsewhere, to arrive
late; but I always lose at this game. Whatever I do, I find myself there, with
nothing to do, punctual, even ahead of time. The lover's fatal identity is
precisely this: I am the one who waits.”
Little Moon's Matchmaking Mission!
thx decembi!
ReplyDeletei love uncle moon's love story. it' sweet, patient and a bit sad but not tragic. Now San yue &Hsiao is tragic, a love that never bloomed.
I guess Im really still new to xian xia, even in pillow book & heavy sweetness ashlike frost, I still dont understand what's divine essence and heartstone.
Hello macopaleaf,
DeleteI'm really glad you like the Moon God's story. He is a big favourite of mine haha. I'm glad you found the story sweet, patient and sad but not tragic too!
Oh divine essence is like a concept of internal energy/strength - it's kind of like their power. The distinction is for eg, if you harm someone's arm or there are cuts, if it's trivial, they usually say it's skin injuries, external injuries. But, if it is a serious injury, it affects the internal essence/energy - it's like an internal injury. Does that make sense? Feel free to ask more and I will try and explain.
The heartstone is not really a stone, it's more a crystallisation of their internal energy.
So did The Moon God ever harbor any feelings for Ye Liu? Since he came down to see her ever so often.. she obviously loved him.
ReplyDeleteThings are always connected some way or another.. Yue Er and Hsiao has always been fated.
Thanks decembi
I suppose that is the question! It will be returned to again in the Moon God's epilogue.
Delete<3 Yes! I couldn't say in the previous chapter, but Xi Yang never had a chance because Yue and Hsiao were fated.
Thanks for reading!
the moon god said that san yue n hsiao had an affinity with divinity but yue was born from a stone so she is not san yue. so....if this hsiao is the reincarnation of the previous hsiao then where is the previous san yue?
ReplyDeleteHello uw_maulida, that is a very good question! First, the heartstone is not actually a stone, but more like the crystallisation of a god's internal divine essence.
DeleteMy concept of reincarnation is not so literal or sequential, because time is a funny concept - and it's never clear when you have many lifetimes and realms if time is even chronological, though for the most part and narrative wise, we accept a chronological order. I see it as links of thread and fate, and it's neither or necessary for people to reincarnate in sequential order or in the same time, it all depends on their overarching destiny.
As was hinted in this chapter, Hsiao's route to becoming the Emperor of the Yan Kingdom was always pre-destined, however long, or regardless of the lifetimes it will take. But San Yue's destiny is less clear, it may be that they were only tied in that one lifetime, for that one connection. The idea of some fated couples is that the red thread links them through a few lifetimes, and I was playing with the idea of that. Hsiao can be treated as linked to the fate of the previous Hsiao (flute), but whether he is a direct reincarnation, I have left that opened. So, Yue inherits the previous love connection of San Yue and Hsiao (flute), the blood of the Moon God and his divine essence, and that marks her current fate and destiny.
Decembi - I just had to post this in the midst of work :p
ReplyDeleteThis was an exciting chapter because we get to see that past of Hsiao, Yue and Uncle Moon and how they are all linked to each other!
The most intriguing line in the chapter is this - “Perhaps, it is my fault. I should have revealed to you all about your origins, Yue, so you could make a genuine choice.”
What choice was Uncle Moon referring to? And if it was all fated, could Yue really make a choice?
I wonder if Xi Yang knows about Yue's true birth? Earlier on it was hinted that he knew that Yue's fate is in the mortal realm.
* “Am I in love? --yes, since I am waiting. The other one never waits. Sometimes I want to play the part of the one who doesn't wait; I try to busy myself elsewhere, to arrive late; but I always lose at this game. Whatever I do, I find myself there, with nothing to do, punctual, even ahead of time. The lover's fatal identity is precisely this: I am the one who waits.” - Very interesting quote. It reminds me of this: 在对的时间,遇见对的人,是一种幸福. Haha and also did you ever watch the movie "Ever After" starring Dougary Scott and Drew Barrymore. There is this scene where Scott's character (Prince Henry) has an exchange with Leonardo Da Vinci that I think is quite related too:
Henry: Do you really think there is only one perfect mate?
Leonardo: As a matter of fact, I do.
Henry: Well then how you can be certain to find them? And if you do find them, are they really the one for you or do you only think they are? And what happens if the person you're supposed to be with never appears, or, or she does, but you're too distracted to notice?
Leonardo: You learn to pay attention.
Henry: Then let's say... God... puts two people on Earth and they are lucky enough to find one another. But one of them gets hit by lightning. Well then what? Is that it? Or, perchance, you meet someone new and marry all over again. Is that the lady you're supposed to be with or was it the first? And if so, when the two of them were walking side by side were they both the one for you and you just happened to meet the first one first or, was the second one supposed to be first? And is everything just chance or are some things meant to be?
Leonardo: You cannot leave everything to Fate, boy. She's got a lot to do. Sometimes you must give her a hand.
Lemonsalt,
DeleteEVER AFTER soulmate. That is one of my most favourite movies and a huge influence on my thoughts and views about love. I'm a100% FLUFFY romantic heart. Haha.
I have revealed most of the secrets now! Though, my lips are sealed as to your question. You ask very hard questions, lemonsalt <3 Hahaha.
I really love the chinese line you said as well! I totally agree. Chinese love stories have this huge fascination about timing right? *dreamy eyes*
Yes that is one of my favourite movies too! I think that was a really good rom-com and yup Fluffy romantic at heart too :))
DeleteOk looking forward to the rest of the chapters revealing the answers in due time. I think that Anonymous below is right, you have the potential to change your day job :p
Teehee, me too! I love Ever After. I hold it so close to my heart. Now, I feel like finding my old dvd again to watch heehee.
DeleteAwww, all of you are too sweet. I'm just so grateful people actually read my stories.
Wow, Decembi what do I say? I liked your HXY fic and assumed you were a good writer, but I didn't expect you to be this good! To be honest I like your story more than most of the translations here (and I follow & like all of them). You should do as Moonblossom suggested and translate and post these in Chinese! Who knows maybe one day there'll be blogs just like this one translating your books ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much anonymous <3. Reading comments like yours and the fellow readers reminds me so much about why I want to write and share! It really warms my heart that this little dream and vision of mine can be shared and enjoyed with so many.
DeleteTo be very honest, I can understand and comprehend chinese, but to write chinese! To write a chinese novel! That is a hugely daunting prospect. I think I should be able to write short one chapter one-shots in chinese, but I dare not even try to write a chinese story haha! Most of the c-novels I translate are really much better than my own fiction, but it's just that they have been handicapped as they can only be expressed in English through the limits of my own language haha. But, thank YOU so much for you huge praise, it keeps me motivated and confident that as strange as my story may turn out to be, it will be one that is also enjoyed <3
My entire comment just disappeared because I accidentally closed the window :/
DeleteTo summarize what I wrote: I think your stories are wonderful and would love to see more of your writing, believe me I enjoy them a lot! Though I don't know how, I'm sure you'll be able to share your stories in Chinese someday. I believe in you and your writings!
Dear anonymous, aww I feel sad about your disappearing comment, thank you for taking the time to comment again. Your words really encourage me and they mean a whole lot <3
DeleteDear Decembi,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your blog readers that you are reaaaally good not only with translating Chinese novels to English language but also in creating a fun, romantic story of your own. Most historical and modern romantic novels I have read had to use graphic intimate scenes to pull the readers' interest whilst your novel hooks its readers because it's light, dreamy and delightful. It encapsulates most of the tell tale signs of falling in love. How was it again? slight touch that brings shiver, chaste kiss that makes you tingle, looks that electrifies and stares that speak volumes of untold love and affection.
As for this chapter, uncle Moon God's story was touching. His curiosity compelled him to know which lead him to a lovely friendship he developed with Ye Liu. Because of his caring and compassionate personality, Yue Er was born. I wouldn't know what to feel if I were you and knowing how you came about was brought by the need to fulfill the fate you were tied in from the day you have become you.
Again, excuse my ramblings. Not even sure if I make sense. I have an ambiguous take on re-incarnation brought about by my miniscule understanding of its depth but I like the idea that perhaps, it's not sequential or maybe we keep on living several lifetimes until we finally come full circle to this so-called destiny.
Peachie
Dear Peachie,
DeleteI have to confess that your comment really touched me and I felt so overwhelmed my cheeks must have been flushed. Thank you for your kind sincere words! To be honest, I can't write graphic intimate scenes because that's not really me. Haha. I have always been most interested in what makes a person tick and how you can meet another person that just makes the world you live in make sense. Haha. I feel so happy that you called my story "light, dreamy and delightful". Thank you, thank you.
Your ramblings and thoughts are very deep! These are some of the concerns I have tried to explore and touch on in the third arc and hopefully you will also gain some answers as the story finishes :). I can't say that what I have written is accurate, because it's also just my own curiosity and experimentation with the idea of reincarnation, but you really hit the nail on the head that my idea plays with circularity and coming full circle <3
It's not everyday that I find a kindred soul who could understand my views so you are most welcome Decembi (",).
DeleteI'm truly in awe of someone who could vividly write with cohesion what I just thought in my head and touch my heart with how a story is told because the writer has this invisible connection with her readers.
Like Yue Er and Hsaio, the Moon God must have connected a red thread between you and us your readers because I cannot find anything in my bone that will make me protest on where the story is leading to.
I will faithfully await for the next chapter and I hope you continue to enjoy writing the upcoming chapters until the end.
We are sailing smoothly and it's been a good ride so far.
Keep it up Decembi ( no pressure intended ^_^).
Peachie
Aww, Peachie, that's such an adorable idea. That the Moon God has connected me with the readers with a red thread. <3 Thank you.
DeleteI'm editing chapter 14 now haha. I also look forward to the ending hahaha.
yea! I finally caught up with all the chapters and the read has been a wonderful present. thanks, decembi, for an awesome creation!
Delete- anya
p.s. love that Moon God has a lovely story, and he is definitely a favorite...perhaps a prequel/short story that focuses on Uncle Moon and how he came to be? : ]
Hello anya, thank you for reading my story. Your comment is also a wonderful gift to me ♡
DeleteYay, glad you like the moon god too. I will write an epilogue for him