finish the story!!!

[dohc4.6sc]

uncle ricky, would you read us a bedtime story please?

[Crazy Asian]

after you blow me first.

[alpine_aw11]

and let me give you a singapore subway.

[dohc4.6sc]

after you blow me first.

~arranges bj from lexi~

[dohc4.6sc]

is everyone really that young on here?

[alpine_aw11]

Cool points to anyone who knows what a Singapore Subway is. No cheating.

[redrumracer]

Morning, Hour of the Dragon...

A warrior rode his horse at full gallop from the city gate and entered the square where the execution was held. Mongol soldiers surrounded him immediately; swords, bows and arrows at the ready. He stopped his horse in front of the tent waving a scroll in his right hand. "STOP! In the name of the great Kublai Khan, stop this execution now!" he bellowed in the Mongol language.

The warrior wore a red helmet over his head, a matching red metal chest plate and shoulder guard over his chain linked armour. He was riding a white stallion, covered with a red blanket embroidered with the imperial wolf crest of Uygor on both sides. The warrior carried in his left hand a staff which stood on his stirrup and on that staff, a small red flag of a black wolf within a white circle fluttered in the wind. It was the standard of the Turfan kingdom.

The executioner relaxed and placed the tip of the long sword in front of his feet and he gazed at his master, Lord Jujur Marknor, the khan-to-be of the Great Khanate.

Princess GoldenFlower, relieved at the interruption of her execution, opened her eyes and turned her head to peep at the warrior from her prone position. His voice sounded familiar but she couldn't place where she had heard him before.

Without any malice, Jujur stood and spoke loudly to the warrior, "the great Kublai Khan has not been with the living for a long time. Why did you invoke his name and who are you?"

"I'm Prince Ohgee Barakhan, son of King Zajkor Barakhan from the kingdom of Turfan. We are part of the Uygor Empire and come under the protectorate of the Chagatai Khanate. Uygors, Merkits, Tarjits, Tatars and Mongols are brothers-in-arms since the time of Tamujin, the great Genghis Khan. Inside this scroll is a promise from Kublai Khan granting my King any property he so wishes as a gift. It is with this promise that I now claim the woman you are executing." The warrior extended his right hand to Jujur, presenting the scroll.

A Mongol soldier approached him, retrieved the scroll and handed it to Jujur. The other lords and council elders crowded around him. After reading the scroll, Jujur looked up at the warrior.

"Why do you want her? She is a hostage from the Middle Kingdom. Our great city of Xanadu has fallen to the Chinese. Our council of elders dictated that she must die!" Jujur crumpled the scroll and threw it to the ground. The other lords and council elders gasped at his action. Throwing a scroll with the great khan's seal was sacrilege!

Ohgee dismounted, retrieved the scroll and bowed towards Jujur. He spoke with conviction, "My lord... may I approach you?" With strength, he planted the staff in the ground and then he handed his sword to a Mongol soldier nearest to him. He stood with his arms behind his back, waiting for Jujur's reply.

Jujur noted that the warrior was unarmed and beckoned him to advance with a wave of his hand.

He approached Jujur, removed his helmet and held it in his hand whilst his free hand hooked behind his back, demonstrating to Jujur that he was not a threat to him. Ohgee stood beside him and whispered into Jujur's ear. Jujur's eyes widened. After the prince had completed his message, Jujur turned and stared at him in astonishment.

Lord Jujur thought for a few moments, then announced, "you may take her away and do what you wish with her, so long as she does not go back to the Middle Kingdom."

He waved to the executioner to release the prisoner, turned away and sat cross legged on the podium, looking annoyed. The other lords and council elders were bewildered. What had the stranger said that changed Jujur's mind?

"Thank you Your Lordship. You will not regret this decision." The warrior bowed, put on his helmet, retreated, retrieved his sword and lifted the staff. After mounting his horse, he tipped his head towards Jujur and moved towards the prisoner.

Jujur's nineteen year old son, Marak, was furious with his father's pronouncement and he clenched his fingers, suppressing his anger within him. Marak wanted to rush toward the prisoner and pierce her heart with his sword, but he managed to suppress his frustration. In his young mind, the princess should pay with her life for the destruction of Xanadu.

GoldenFlower stood, looked up at the warrior with bewilderment in her eyes and mused, 'Why did they spare me? What did this prince say to Lord Jujur? Why can't they just let me die and end my miserable life? Will I spend the rest of my life in slavery?'

Her mother's voice spoke sweetly inside her mind,'my daughter, you have to live your life as it comes to you and don't wish for death. One day, you will see your father.'

She looked at the warrior without expression and offered her left hand. 'He looks familiar, but he couldn't be TallMonkey.' His helmet covered his eyes.

With strength, Ohgee grabbed her hand and pulled her up to sit behind him on his horse. He kicked the horse and they began to move away.

Marak couldn't help himself and grabbed a bow, placed an arrow on it and aimed at the princess. Marak was one of the best marksmen in the Mongol army. As the arrow shot out from his powerful composite bow, he smiled.

Jujur jumped up and slapped his son's face in anger. "Why can't you respect my decision?"

GoldenFlower felt the hard blow of the arrow piercing her back and cried out in pain. She hugged the warrior's chest tightly, but, her hands released him when darkness clouded her mind.

Ohgee quickly planted the staff on the ground and managed to catch her with his left hand before she could fall to the ground.

Twenty Turfan riders with helmet and body armour, similar to Ohgee, appeared from behind a nearby hill and rushed towards them. They quickly formed a protective line between him and the Mongol soldiers. Two riders helped Ohgee bring the limp body of the princess down from the horse.

Ohgee dismounted and cradled GoldenFlower in his strong arms. She gazed at him without focus, puzzled as to why she was shot. Then her eyes became clouded with darkness, her eyelids closed, her body sagged and her head fell backwards.

Jujur mounted a horse and rode to the prince. Ohgee's escorts parted to let him pass. Jujur stared at the lifeless body of the princess, "I didn't want this to happen. Marak will be punished." He rode back to where he came from.

~*~

"When I finally have you in my arms as mine to cherish, providence takes you away from me again. Why am I fated not to marry you?" Tears flowed down his cheeks. Then he saw, below her pale lifeless face, the gold pendant containing his love poem hanging around her neck. She had told him once that she would never remove it and wanted it next to her heart - until the day she died.

Ohgee, saddened by the loss of the princess, placed her body on his lap as he sat on the ground. He gazed at the point where the arrow pierced her back and his eyes widened. There was some hope that she may still be alive as the arrow did not hit any of her vital points. Wetting his finger with his tongue, he placed it next to her nostrils and his sombre mood changed. His eyes widened. He could feel her shallow breath!

The princess was in a state of shock and had fainted. If he didn't react fast, she would soon die. Motioning urgently to one of the riders to bring him some clean cloths, he prepared to remove the arrow.

~*~

The Turfan warriors had commandeered a horse-drawn cart from the Mongols to transport the princess. In her weak condition, they could not travel very far.

The convoy came to an oasis where a dozen trees grew in a circle around a well. Four abandoned mud houses stood forming a square. As nightfall would come shortly, the men organized to make camp quickly. A large tent, given by the Mongols, was hastily set up and they laid the princess inside. They would need to camp here until the princess was fit to travel.

Whilst she was unconscious, Ohgee would care for her personally. There was no woman in their group. He knew that in her feverish state, he could not allow her wound to become septic.

~*~

Three days later, Hour of the Horse...

The princess finally awakened, feeling very weak. She could feel the stabbing pain on her back and tried to recall what had happened.

The flaps of the tent parted. The whole interior brightened with sunlight as a tall man appeared and spoke jubilantly in Chinese, "Ah! At last the princess wakes up!"

GoldenFlower was happy that he knew her language and thought she recognised the voice. But that was so very long ago. She strained to see the visitor. His face was overshadowed by the strong sunlight behind him. Her heart started to beat faster as her excitement rose. She wondered, 'Could he be...? Please let him be my one true love.'

His smiling, bearded face came closer to her and she became delirious with joy. She ignored the pain. Even though she was still weak, she found strength to push her body up and quickly wrap her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly and weeping incessantly. The pain on her back was dreadful but the happiness that filled her heart overpowered the pain.

She pushed him away and held him at arms length. With her glassy eyes fixed to his, she whispered sweetly, "TallMonkey, I'm so glad that you saved me from death!"

His finger touched her lips lightly as he gazed lovingly into her tearful eyes. "Will you be mine to love and cherish now that no one can claim you anymore?"

GoldenFlower was so pleased that he still wanted her after so long a time. "I'm 22 years old now and no longer of an age suitable for marriage. Many men have taken my body for their pleasure. My heart and body is scarred with sadness and pain. I've lost two babies." She paused, the sorrow of losing her babies hit her, but she took a deep breath and continued, "my face is no more as sweet or pretty as I used to be. I'm not worthy to be your wife. I can only be your concubine and I will gladly serve as your slave."

He took hold of her pendant with his fingers and smiled at her, "does this pendant you are wearing mean anything to you?"

With a bit of shyness, GoldenFlower looked down, her eyes avoiding his and answered coyly, "Yes."

"What?"

She recited the poem from memory, "Until the time I belong to you, and you to me, our hearts will never be truly happy. For as sure as the sun rises, Yin and Yang will be united as one. Until that time befalls, I will be in the shadows, waiting patiently for you to come." Tears formed at the sides of her eyes.

"The time is now, and I've come out from the shadows!"

GoldenFlower embraced him tightly and started sobbing intensely with happiness. She suddenly remembered something. Pushing his body away, her eyes opened wide as she looked into his and whispered, "Until now, I know you only as TallMonkey. I still don't know your actual name."

"I'm Ohgee Barakhan, son of King Zajkor Barakhan of Uygor. And... I still want you as my wife. Anything else you need to know?" He gazed intently at her and smiled.

GoldenFlower grinned and she put her hands on the back of his head to bring his lips near to hers. "The rest can wait. Right now, show me what I've missed for so long!" Her eyes closed as their lips touched. She pulled him down to her body and planted kisses on his face, showering him with her love.

~*~

The same evening, near the camp fire...

Ohgee and GoldenFlower sat at the edge of a pond in the centre of the oasis, away from the rest of his warriors. He was dressed in comfortable, beige, long flowing robe, similar to those worn by the Arabs. She was similarly dressed as her clothes were still in Karakorum. The dress she had donned a few days earlier was stained with blood.

Gazing at him lovingly, holding his hands, she asked, "What did you whisper to Lord Jujur?"

He smiled at her. "I told him I had wanted to marry you for many years but I couldn't because of circumstances. I begged him to be merciful and grant me my wish to make you my wife. By doing so, it will deprive the Emperor of you. He will also have a friend in the south otherwise my army will join the Chinese to attack him. Right now, he needs friends, not enemies."

"I've so many things to ask and I don't know where to start!" She smiled back at him.

"We have a lifetime to answer all you queries. When you are able to ride, I'll take you to my palace, but, I warn you, it won't be as beautiful as the Forbidden City!"

"That doesn't matter so long as I have you," she replied. "In fact, I'd prefer to live a farmer's life!"

"Ha! Look at your feet! You won't be able to do field work because you'll be falling most of the time!" He laughed loudly. "Besides, a farmer's life is not for me."

GoldenFlower blushed but smiled. Then she gazed at him and spoke softly, "Let's start from the beginning. Why did you come to Xian?"

"Well, I was on my way to Xian to surprise my good childhood friend, who had set up a trading house for grapes and raisins. He had taken up his father's business. You may not know it but Turfan is famous for its sweet grapes and raisins." He smiled at her.

Ohgee continued his story, "it rained heavily one day and my horse broke its leg. I had to kill the animal and I was covered with mud. A farmer gave me some clothes in exchange for my expensive dress. I gave them my sword for safe keeping and I told the farmer that I will come back one day to get it. I would look ridiculous had I carried a sword in farmer's dress.

"I then continued my journey and I happened to meet a group of farmers running away from the police. That was when I was caught by the police. I pleaded my case before the magistrate, but, because I was not wearing my expensive dress, my story was not believable. I was sentenced to be executed.

"On the day of my execution, I was fated not to die. The governor's daughter came along and saved my life." He looked at GoldenFlower and smiled. "When you fainted, I carried you in my arms. I saw the most beautiful girl in my life. You also had so much compassion. From that point onwards, I wanted you to be my wife."

She blushed and gazed at him. "You should have told me you were a prince and I would have run away with you!"

He smiled. "I know you wouldn't have. That's why I had prepared the poem even before I met you on the hill top. I know your character. You wouldn't let your father down!"

"Maybe if had you pushed me harder, I would've surrendered!" she giggled.

"No you wouldn't! Anyway, I followed you on your journey to Beijing and saw you were very brave fighting the bandits. I thought you would be killed when the leader came for you. I don't know why he hesitated but you didn't and you killed him instead. But, I saw you felt sorry for him and held him in your arms as he died with you holding him. I couldn't come to your aid because your father would have thought I was one of the bandits."

GoldenFlower spoke softly, her eyes downcast, her fingers playing nervously with each other, "many men died for me! He was one of them."

"Once you were in the Forbidden City, I lost contact with you. While I was in Beijing, I joined a Confucius school, studying how to run a country. I only knew you went back to Xian when my friend, who had a trading house in Beijing, told me that you were no longer in the capital. I rushed back to Xian, hoping to meet you again and I'm glad that I did. I didn't know you lost your unborn child." He looked grim.

She held one of his hands and squeezed it firmly at the memory. Forcing a smile, she spoke softly, "that's over! Please continue."

"You remembered our encounters in Xian?" he asked. "I wasn't actually sorry that I took you against your will, but I felt remorse when I left your palace. Then I saw your face inside the carriage on the day you left for Beijing again. I knew you hated the tryst we had in your bedchamber!"

"That's over. We both liked it but I blamed myself for giving in to you so easily." She managed a smile and touched his cheek warmly.

"Whilst you were in the Forbidden City, I stayed with my friend and continued my studies in the school, hoping to meet you. It was a very long wait before I even got a chance to see you. As you were leaving Beijing at DaQing Gate, I shouted, "I'll come for you, My Princess."

"Yes, I remembered that. I thought that was you." She smiled at him.

"I took a boat up the river to Xanadu, hoping to see you before you arrived there, but I didn't manage to catch sight of you. I did manage to glimpse sight of you with another beautiful lady in the botanical garden a few months later. Then news of your marriage to Akgan Khan reached me. That's when I decided to go back to Turfan."

"I had to do it because I was carrying his baby." She gripped his hands tightly, pulled them to her face, feeling his warmth, tacitly asking for his forgiveness.

"You don't need to explain your actions to me." He gazed at her and smiled.

"I want you to understand my circumstances," she uttered with her eyes downcast.

"Then there was the uprising by Prince Subutai and Akgan Khan was assassinated. The news reached me a few days later as I was in Turfan and it was winter. I immediately journeyed to Xanadu. Then Prince Subutai was assassinated and Lord Jujur took over the city. When I heard that Lord Jujur had moved all the princesses to Karakorum, I followed you to there.

"A few months later, I heard that Xanadu was surrounded by the Chinese and I knew you were in big trouble. I met MorningBird in a traveller's inn. We rode as fast as our horses could carry us to my kingdom's nearest outpost. I brought back to Karakorum all the warriors I could spare. And yes, MorningBird should be safe in my palace in Turfan." He smiled at her.

She was so happy to learn about her maid and hugged him. "Thank you for saving them. You met her husband?"

"Yes. I'm happy for her too! A few days ago, I wore my battle dress and saved you. Anything else that I've missed out?" Ohgee said.

"Yes, but right now, I just want to hold you and not let you get away!" GoldenFlower hugged him tightly and wept softly. She felt his true love for her was unlike others she had experienced before.

~*~

The next morning, the pain was bearable and she decided to leave the oasis. They broke camp and journeyed to the Kingdom of Turfan.

Six days later, they passed a very spectacular mountain range.

"This mountain range is most unusual!" GoldenFlower spoke to Ohgee.

"Yes. This is the Flaming Mountain. From afar, the pattern on this mountain will look like many fires rising from the ground to the top. The red colour of the soil makes it look like fire all the more. It stretches for many li." He replied then arched his eye and smiled. "I've a surprise for you at the corner of this mountain range."

"I'm so happy to be together with you and I like surprises. Any hints?" she tried to pry an answer from him.

"We'll get married there!" he smiled.

GoldenFlower's heart started to beat faster and her face flushed. Finally, she will get married to the one true love of her life! 'Will there be a grand reception around the corner?'

~*~

The convoy set up camp beside the river in the valley. There were many trees to shade the tents as the weather was hot.

Ohgee smiled and gazed at GoldenFlower, "Ready?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed with happiness and couldn't wait to get married to him.

They carefully rode the winding path up the mountain and pass opened doorways to caves. She was puzzled! Where is the grand reception?

"This is the one thousand Buddha cave temple!" Ohgee said.

"But, this place is deserted!" she exclaimed.

"Yes. This temple was abandoned when the Arabs converted most of the people in this land to Islam. I used to meditate here when I was a child. It is very peaceful and cool inside!"

[redrumracer]

She made a face and said, "But, it's so quiet, dark and eerie!"

"Please trust me! This place is safe!"

They dismounted and Ohgee tied the horses to a pole and unsaddled them. He carried the horse blankets in his arm and extended his other arm to her.

She took his arm and they went into the darkened cave. He lit a torch. Once inside, she saw many murals of Buddha painted on the walls as they went deeper into the cave. Goose pimples formed on her skin. They passed many chambers until they reached a large chamber with the statue of Lord Buddha seated cross-legged on a large platform, his open palm, one on top the other, on his lap.

Ohgee lit a few torches and the chamber had an eerie glow. He lit an oil lamp in front of the deity and told her to follow him. He knelt and bowed to the image of Buddha. She followed his example.

"Oh gracious and almighty Lord Buddha, we are here to ask your blessings for our marriage. You have brought us together and had tested me by making me wait for her for so long. I want her to be my wife because I love her. Please grant me this wish." Ohgee gazed at her and smiled.

GoldenFlower glanced at him and grinned. She looked up at the deity and spoke, "Lord Buddha, we had saved each other from death. I believe we are destined to be together for life. I love him and want to be his wife."

They ended their prayer by clapping their hands three times, turned to look at each other and grinned. With twinkles in her eyes, she asked him, "now... what's next?"

"We make love!"

"What? You mean here? This is a holy site!" She appeared lost at his request.

"What better place to consummate our marriage than in front of the Lord Buddha in this holy place!" he replied and started to lay the blanket on the ground.

Ohgee began to undress. She saw him remove his clothes and apprehensively followed suit, all the while, glancing up at the divinity as if asking for approval. She couldn't help herself from shivering. When they were naked, he slowly approached her and held her waist as his lips found hers. Her arms hooked around his neck and she took his kiss deeper while she pressed her shivering body against him.

They broke off the kiss. He led her to the blanket and they lay down on their sides, their eyes appraising each other's face in the semi-darkness of the cave. They held their partner's head firmly and their lips touched once more. Their eyes closed and their hearts began to pound hard. Soon, they were wiggling and grinding wildly against each other. Their wandering hands found their partner was more than ready and willing.

She no longer cared that she was making out in the temple. Her thoughts were only to bear him a child. Even in the coolness of the cave, her body was hot for him.

He was beyond holding back. He had waited for this moment far too long.

She moaned her delight when he pinned her down and invaded her eager body. His monstrous intruder felt like he had split her apart. Yet, she held him tightly in this moment of holy union, experiencing the joy of total surrender. Yes, she had submitted herself to his love. Her arms and legs urgently encouraged her lover to proceed.

Ohgee began to slowly plough into her, rubbing places deep inside her body that would soon bring her to heaven. Her moans of ecstasy echoed loudly within the large chamber, spurring him to thrust into her harder and faster.

Their actions were primal. They had waited for this moment for a very long time. Only fate had brought them together and they wanted their pleasure without delay, unwilling to forestall their harmonious moments any longer.

When his time of extreme bliss came, he grunted loudly, held her head tightly, shoved all he had into her and pumped her full of his life giving juice. His gift was so voluminous that it oozed from her orifice. He had not been with a woman for a very long time.

GoldenFlower followed his climax with her own earth shattering bliss. Her body shuddered beneath him as she milked him for more. Her limbs held him tightly as her pelvis pressed against him, wanting more of him deep inside her body. She hungered for his baby and knew he could make her wish come true.

Before he could disengage from her, she used her internal muscles and quickly made him hard again. She couldn't get enough of him and wanted more gratification. He was surprised to find that he could recover so quickly and continued to make her happy. This time, their love making was more passionate and they slowly fulfilled each other's need for blissful conclusion.

~*~

Three days later...

As the convoy journeyed to Turfan, Ohgee told GoldenFlower that the Chinese referred his city as HuoZhou, meaning 'a place as hot as fire'. In his own Uygor language, Turpan meant 'the lowest place' since it is one li below sea level. The Turks called his city Turpan also, but meant, 'the fertile land'. The Silk Road passed his city and Turfan's market place had everything you would want to buy from the West as well as from the East.

They passed many farms; their land was covered with rows of grape vines. Some farmers were drying their grapes to make raisins. Some also grew vegetables. Their water came from the Karez Underground Water System that was developed through many generations. The whole Turfan valley was fertile and GoldenFlower saw the farmers were waving at them happily when they passed by. One farmer gave her a bunch of grapes and when she tasted one, her face scrunched up because it was so juicy and sweet.

At last, they reached a large walled compound. Ohgee announced, "welcome to my home!"

MorningBird and KindHeart had heard news of their impending arrival days ago. They rushed out to meet her as she dismounted from her horse in front of the palace stairway. MorningBird knelt in front of GoldenFlower, bowed and said, "Oh mistress! I thought I'd never see you again. I'm so happy to see you alive!"

"For that, you'll have to thank my prince," she replied and smiled at her maid, motioning to her to rise.

Master KindHeart gazed at Ohgee and spoke, "Thank you for saving our Lady!"

"I'll only save the ones I love." Ohgee smiled back at him. KindHeart didn't catch that he had used 'ones' - plural!

King Zajkor Barakhan came out with Ohgee's elder brother and stood at the top of the stairs. The king spoke, "son, I see you have brought back a living treasure!"

Then, gazing at GoldenFlower he smiled broadly and said, "welcome to my humble palace!"

"Thank you Father!" she replied.

"Father?" the king stared at his son, "you mean you two are married?"

"Yes Father. I took her to the 1000 Buddha Cave Temple and we pledged our marriage vows there." Ohgee replied.

"I want you two to have a proper marriage in my palace." The king looked at his eldest son and said, "Go and help your younger brother prepare for a grand wedding befitting a prince."

~*~

18th day, 6th month, year of the Monkey - Turfan

Lady Waterlily, MorningBird, GentleBreeze, BeautifulFern and SweetFruit were doting on GoldenFlower in her bedchamber, telling her how beautiful she looked in her colourful Uygor wedding costume provided by the King. Unlike the Chinese custom, she didn't have to cover her beautiful face.

Governor FlamingDragon was with King Zajkor, Prince Ohgee and his elder brother, joking about old times. The governor's trip was done in secret and he didn't want either Emperor HeavenlySky or Lord Jujur to know about his presence in Turfan.

The whole city of Turfan was gaily decorated and its citizens were already having a gala time dancing, and celebrating with wine and food. It was proclaimed a holiday and all shops, except food and drink outlets, were closed.

When the time for the wedding ceremony came, the family members assembled in the visitor's hall of the palace. The newlyweds knelt in front of the Ohgee's ancestors praying to them silently whilst the King, Queen, his eldest son and his wife, sat on the dais on one side whilst the governor and Waterlily sat across them on the other side.

A buddhist monk stood in front of the newlyweds, chanting and sprinkling holy water, blessing their union.

The Tea Ceremony began with the newlyweds serving to the King and Queen, then to the elder prince. Then, they turned and served the governor and his wife. They were so happy for their daughter marrying her true love!

~*~

Epilogue

6th day, 3rd month, year of the Rooster - JaiYu Pass

Noon, Hour of the Horse...

JaiYu Pass was the western entrance into the Middle Kingdom for the Silk Road. The Great Wall began at this spot in the west and stretched to ShanHai Pass on the eastern shores of China. A large fort, fully garrisoned by soldiers throughout the Ming period, guarded this important gateway.

The climate was extreme. It was hot during the day, with hardly any clouds to shade, and cold during the night. If it rained, the soldiers stationed inside would celebrate because it was a rare occurrence. Water could be obtained through wells.

In the tower castle of the West Gate, Emperor HeavenlySky and his Minister of War, General Shu, stood waiting impatiently for the arrival of Princess GoldenFlower. From the top of the tower, they looked westward for any sign of approaching travellers.

GoldenFlower reasoned with Ohgee that she could not hide for long from the emperor. It would be better to face him and ask for his approval and forgiveness. A letter was sent to the emperor for a meeting and he had agreed to this venue and time.

A moment later, a convoy of mounted Turfan soldiers approached from the west, escorting a carriage. They stopped a short distance from the gate. GoldenFlower alighted from her carriage, carrying a baby. She was dressed in colourful Uygor female attire; more appropriate for hot and dry weather conditions. Her four maids, dressed in Ming period women's clothing, knelt behind her. Prince Ohgee, wearing a Turfan soldier's uniform, dismounted and stood beside her, occasionally glancing at the baby. From afar, GoldenFlower could see that the emperor had aged considerably and his hair had turned white.

Ming soldiers quickly formed a line at the entrance of the West Gate. The emperor and his general walked out to receive them. General Shu got down on one knee and bowed to the princess. GoldenFlower handed her baby to Ohgee, walked towards the emperor, knelt and bowed.

The emperor approached her and motioned her to rise. For the first time in two years, he saw her beautiful face again and tears swelled in his eyes. "I thought I'd lost you. I'm so happy to see you again." He smiled. "You've put on some weight!"

"Thank you, Your Highness. I've recently given birth and I now look a bit plump. I'm alive today because of that man who is holding my baby." She pointed to Ohgee. "I hope you'll grant me a wish."

"Go on. Ask me." The emperor said. He had inkling what her wish would be.

"I love you, Your Highness, but I wish to be the wife of Ohgee, the prince of the Kingdom of Turfan. My heart and happiness are with him. We live a much simpler and carefree life than in the Forbidden City. I want this way of life. Your Highness, I desire your approval," she replied.

"I still love you and it's very difficult for me to let you go. Besides, you're destined for greatness as my Empress. I owe you that." The emperor gazed at her beautiful eyes and tried to smile. He held her hands in his like a glove, unwilling to let her go.

"Your Highness, my love... Empress BeautifulMoon is a beautiful woman. Her qualities as your Empress are better than mine. I know it. Your Highness, she loves you very much. You may not realize it, but the short time I had spent with her, I could sense it. She's one of the reasons I sacrificed for my country. You need to rekindle your love for her and you'll find that she is a greater person than me." Her sad eyes fixed at his while she gave him a broad smile.

Realizing that his consent was not so easy in coming, she continued, "Your Highness, my love... I've lived with the Mongols in fear of death. Somehow, they knew of your plans. It was not easy to keep up the charade, knowing that the next day could be my last day on this beautiful Earth. When the blade of the executioner's knife was on my neck, I prayed that my death would be quick." She paused and saw that he was sad and speechless.

"It took plenty of courage and wit for that man, who is the father of my baby, to come and rescue me. When he was in Xian, I saved him from execution. He repaid me by saving me. The first time I saw him, I fell in love with him but I couldn't marry him because I was chosen to be the consort of the Crown Prince. Now, I beg you to grant me my freedom. Please... Your Highness!"

The emperor glanced at the man holding the baby and returned his gazed to her. He saw in her glassy eyes the craving for her own happiness. It was not that she did not love him; she loved the other person more, much more! He felt envious but managed to suppress his sadness of losing her.

"The Middle Kingdom owes you more than you think. You had done more for the country than was demanded from you. I cannot ask you to sacrifice your happiness any further. Your wish is granted!" He paused and saw a grin appear on her face. He smiled then continued, "I want you to grant me one wish!"

"Anything, Your Highness," she happily replied, her face glowing, delighted that the emperor had given her freedom.

"I want to see your baby," the emperor whispered.

GoldenFlower's smile broadened and she waved excitedly to Ohgee to approach.

When the prince was three paces away, he bowed and addressed the emperor, "Your Highness."

"You are a very lucky man to have this beautiful lady. Please take good care of her."

"I know and I will cherish her, Your Highness!" Ohgee smiled.

The emperor approached him, gazed at her baby and grinned. He asked Ohgee, "boy or girl?"

"Girl, Your Highness," he replied.

The emperor waved to General Shu to approach. The three of them crowd around the proud and happy father, admiring the baby. The little one looked wide eyed at all of them and gave a toothless smile. She had her mother's enchanting eyes!

~*~

Nine months earlier, after a week of bloody battle, the combined army of half a million Chinese men and their hundred thousand strong allies, overwhelmed the Mongols and destroyed Karakorum by burning it to the ground. Lord Jujur, his family and most of the council elders were killed. The remaining Mongols were driven north.

The Chinese established an administrative region in Mongolia. The new city of Kuku-Khoto ('The Blue City'), now called Hohhot, was made the temporary capital of Mongolia until Ulaambaatar was constructed later to become the capital of Mongolia.

With the fall of Karakorum and Xanadu, the Mongols were greatly weakened. Without a great leader, they were eventually driven out from the rest of the world.

The emperor made an alliance with the Kingdom of Turfan, later making it a protectorate of the Middle Kingdom. It made good sense for Turfan to have China as their guardian. Likewise, for the Middle Kingdom, Turfan would be their first line of defence, should there be an attack from the west.

Once a year, a few days before the eve of the lunar New Year, GoldenFlower and Ohgee would journey to Xian for a family reunion. Her maids and KindHeart would be delighted to be in Xian, away from the hot and dry climate of Turfan.

~ The End ~

[dohc4.6sc]

i hope that WRONG ASS ANSWER was intentional

[redrumracer]

i hope that WRONG ASS ANSWER was intentional
hey you want story you got story.

[dohc4.6sc]

nah i was really testing everyones hip hop knowledge. this is a classic hip hop song and i know must of you will google it now but i am only 20 and i still cant believe you dont all know it.

[quickdodge®]

Slick Rick the Ruler...Children's Story. Came out around 1987-88. Later, QD.

[dohc4.6sc]

Slick Rick the Ruler...Children's Story. Came out around 1987-88. Later, QD.

gawd damn, you other people must be young as young as paris hiltons new fetus, or you all dont like this type of music. either way you suck.