Rising Phoenix

Helian Zheng was quiet for a long moment, his eyes lidded over the colorful gems of his eyes.

He had a bellyful of questions. How had the Dama died? Why had the Dama’s finger shifted? But as the words reached his mouth, he swallowed them.

Why ask? She was acting for his benefit; he trusted her.

No one knew what thoughts lay behind her misty eyes, but he was sure that in that ever turning mind there was a place for him and his steppes.

Even if raging winds and bloody rain followed her as she grasped the world in her plots, he would still choose to be the silly man who never plumbed the cold truths in the dark waters.

He liked her and would give her anything. In the vast heavens and wide earth, she was free.

…

A group approached; Hu Yin Temple’s four great Dharma Protector Lamas had arrived, their faces unsettled.

“Where did the Living Buddha point?” The first Lama called out upon nearing.

Everyone silently pointed at the King’s Court

The four Lamas stirred, exchanging surprised glances.

When he had left the Hu Yin Temple, the Dama had warned that he may not return. In his parting words, he had entrusted the Dharma Protector Lama with the task of finding the next Living Buddha. To think that they would be looking in the King’s Court.

In all of their history, the Living Buddha had never reincarnated to a body so close.

But the Dama’s finger was clear for all to see, and none could change the obvious truth.

With their disciples in tow, the four great Dharma Protectors lifted the Dama’s dharma-vessel and strode to the back palaces.

Helian Zheng and Feng Zhiwei’s residence was surrounded by large courtyards with many relatives.

At the moment they had two infants, Tsamuttu and Gu Zhixiao.

Liu Mudan trailed behind them as they entered the back palace, happy hope glittering in her eyes — if the Living Buddha possessed Tsamuttu then all her torment and heartache would be solved.

A door was opened and the one year old Gu Zhixiao and six month old Tsamuttu slept soundly in the arms of the wet-nurse. As the large entourage murmured, the two infants woke, and when Tsamutta opened his eyes and saw the many serious strangers staring at him, tears filled his eyes and he began to cry.

Gu Zhixiao was more calm, her dark eyes measuring each of them as she sniffed with her little nose, a surprisingly contemplative look on her young face.

The leading Dharma Protector knelt by the door, gently laying down the Dama’s eaglewood Buddha Beads and his dark-gold Dharma-Vessel.

The Hu Yin Temple Lamas and the various Patriarchs knelt outside, their breathing shallow as they silently waited.

The surprised and terrified wet-nurse gently lay the baby’s on the felt carpet. Tsamuttu gradually cried himself out as the strangers made no move to approach, and ever so slowly he began to climb to his feet.

Tsamuttu was a particularly strong baby and even though he was only 6 months old he could already slowly clamber his way towards the Dama’s relics.

Happiness lit every face.

Feng Zhiwei stood in the distance paying little attention to the occasion, frowning into the distance as Little Dummy Gu still did not return.

Tsamuttu climbed forward and grabbed the Buddha Beads.

The Head Dharma Protector Lama’s lips quivered and he spread his arms in happy and joyous welcome.

But then Tsamuttu let go with his little fist and the Buddha Beads clattered to the ground, stubbing his toe. The little boy began crying once more and clumsily kicked at the Buddha Beads.

The Lama snapped out with his hands and rescued the Buddha Beads, disappointment covering his face.

Tsamuttu was clearly not attuned to the beads, but the Lama did not lose faith, shifting the Dharma Vessel in the boy’s direction. In the end, Tsamuttu paid the last relic no mind as he rushed back into the comforting embrace of his wet-nurse, weeping loudly as he ignored the Dharma Vessel.

Everyone sighed with disappointment.

The leading Lama looked down at the Dharma Vessel, hesitating as he exchanged quick glances with other Dharma Protectors. They were all in agreement, and the Lama quickly reached out to recover the two relics.

Behind them various eyes gleamed with thought, but no one spoke.

Clearly the Lamas did not want to give Gu Zhixiao a chance with the Dama’s relics. Not only was the little child of uncertain origin, she was the adopted daughter of the Queen. If the next Living Buddha acknowledged this young Queen, no one could stand in the woman’s way if she wished to sweep the steppes.

A female Living Buddha was a rare sight, but not unheard of, and nobody dared risk it.

So the relics were to be taken away.

The scared wet-nurse obediently reached for Gu Zhixiao.

Off in the distance, Feng Zhiwei turned to watch, her hands clasped behind her back and a quiet smile in her eyes.

Gu Zhixiao had been staring at the relics as Tsamuttu fumbled around, and now she suddenly began to giggle.

She struggled and twisted in the wet-nurse’s arms, stretching out her hands towards the head Lama, her intentions clear. As the wet-nurse hesitated, Gu Zhixiao reached up to pull her hair.

Murmurs immediately filled the air as everyone noticed the young child’s actions and the head Lama could no longer ignore the infant’s existence. He had not choice but to stiffly lower the relics.

Gu Zhixiao twisted and turned, forcing the wet-nurse to bring her forward. When she finally neared, she giggled once more and lowered her little face into the Dharma-Vessel.

Gu Zhixiao shut her eyes as if luxuriating in contemplation. The censer’s incense rose up around her, and her little face took on an air of peace and tranquility like a pure lotus flower blossoming in the white smoke clouds.

The head Lama immediately recited “Namo Amitabha Buddha.”

His attendants and fellow protectors began chanting the sutra.

Arrayed behind them, everyone quietly knelt once more.

Gu Zhixiao giggled once more as she breathed in the scent of the Buddha Beads, unknowingly shifting the entire future of the steppes.

Feng Zhiwei watched with a calm and relaxed smile, cunning and conniving hidden in the shadows of her eyes.