Ming Li and the Charmed Phoenix - Part 3

After a bountiful breakfast which, regardless of his worries, Ming Li fully enjoyed (he had slept too often on an empty stomach in the past to let good food go wasted), he was taken to the princess' presence.

 “ I hope you are fully rested, I suppose there are many questions you wish answered, I will answer to the best of my knowledge”.

“I thank you, princess. First of all,  Is it known how this curse may be broken?”

“In the same way it was cast upon us; sprinkling  on us, gathered in the great hall, the pollen of the blue peony that blossoms every two hundred years on the shore of Dongting Lake”.

 “But, if it needs two hundred years to bloom... Is this the proper time?”

“ Do not worry, the Dragon King has the pollen harvested, he always carries some on his person, in a little silver brocade purse”.

“ Where is the Dragon now? In the lake?”

“ No, until the full moon of Mid-Autumn  he will be a guest of his third cousin, the King of the Yellow Mountains.
You will have to go alone, Ming Li, he would immediately recognize anyone of us, but I will do my outmost to help you, my people and my riches are yours to command”.

“Is there anyone at your court who knows the way to the Yellow Mountains, Your Highness?” .

“ Yes, the commander of my guard knows it well, and in the library you will find some maps, he will show you”.

“ I thank you, and assure you that, if there is a way to succeed, with the gods’ help I will find it.”

“ I never doubted it: my people will take care of you and your every need.
I will see you again before your departure Ming Li…and upon your return”.

 The following days where spent making preparations until Ming Li felt ready. By then he knew the story of the Dragon King of Dongting Lake since the day he had hatched, during the reign of good Emperor Yao, and the road for the Yellow Mountains as if he himself had built it.

 That evening Meihuang went to him: “ My thoughts will accompany you”, she said, “ and even though you must travel alone you will have all the help I can give.

Tonight you will fall asleep here, but tomorrow you will wake up at the borders of my domain. You will have a fast horse and a sword as sharp as the North Wind during the Great Cold,in your purse you will always find the money you might need, and in the bag food and the appropriate clothes. This is what I can do.

Fare you well, Ming Li”.

With these words the phoenix princess went out of the room, immediately Ming Li started yawning and felt his eyes closing, as soon as his head touched the headrest he fell asleep.



Part 1

Part 2

Notes: Ming Li means 'Bright Gift' (Ming , meaning 'brightness', 'splendor' is the family name, it always comes first in Chinese names).

Meihuang means 'Beautiful (female) Phoenix' probably the specifics of the curse where inspired by the princess' name.

Emperor Yao is one of the mythical wise emperors he is said to have reigned from 2358 to 2258 BC (dates may vary, chronology of the oldest dinasties and the times before them isn't precise).