Rebirth of Fa Wei Lan

Chapter 11: Spring Competition

Years comes and go... I wonder if I have change...

2 years passed and I found myself becoming use to my new life routine - Training in the morning before heading to school. During the days where I did not have to attend schools, I would either work at the port or stay at the mansion to study or read. Every day was busy and eventful. Each night, I am able to sleep peacefully. In the past, I would sleep each night in tears or in nightmares. Fear and sadness - they were emotions I knew could slowly torture and kill the soul.

"Mei-mei, enough-enough"

I had been sparring with Min and was lost in thoughts. I had not noticed that the older boy was a defending from my punches and kicks. Immediately, I pulled back and watched as he rubbed his bruised arms. I felt a little guilty for losing control.

"If you don't defend properly, your mei-mei will surpass you"

When grandfather entered the martial art hall, I gave a bow to greet him.

"Grandfather, mei-mei is actually bullying me" Min pouted as he pointed a finger at me.

It made me laugh into my fist at the sight. My older cousin was like a big baby.

"Even if Wei Lan bullies you, you deserve it"

"Grandfather!" Min pouted more while puffing his cheeks. "How could you?"

Grandfather ignored him while smiling at me softly.

"Wei Lan, you've train hard child. Come, have breakfast with grandfather"

"Yes grandfather" I followed behind him.

"What about me?" Min was indignant.

"You can come too if you like" Their grandfather spoke nonchalantly.

I giggled softly as Min followed with puffed cheeks. When he stuck his tongue out at me, I had to cover my lips from laughing out.

After breakfast in the main hall, I prepare tea for grandfather. These past 2 years, I would prepare tea for everyone after our meals. It became a source of comfort for me to be able to serve and watch my new family enjoy the cup of tea I made.

While I stood and made tea with my mother's jade tea pot, I unaware that I'm being watched by the entire household. It wasn't until I served the tea that I realized all the staring.

"Your tea is getting better and better each day" Grandfather complimented.

When Uncle Zedong nodded in agreement, it made me smile. While his son was outgoing, Uncle Zedong was a man with a few words. At first I thought it was because the man was cold or that he did not like me, but time made me realize that it was just his temperament. The man rarely spoke, but his action had always been kind. Unlike the uncles from the Zhou family - who only know how to speak sweet words but never acting on them. Now I learned not to look a people through what he or she say, but by their actions.

"Wei Lan"

"Yes grandfather" Smiling softly, I continue to pour the tea in the empty cups.

"You're now 13" My grandfather took the cup of tea and enjoys the sweet scent. "Would you like to come to annual Spring Competition?"

I knew of the Spring Competition. Min had spoken about it to me for a while now. My older cousin had competed every year since he was 13 years old and won a few of the competitions. The Spring Competition was between all of North and South Provinces - open only to the common people. The competition is a week-long event that takes place in the Wen Province. Members from age 13 to 18, male or female, can enter and compete in 12 different categories: archery, music, martial arts, sword fighting, poetry, literature, mathematics, painting, calligraphy, hunting, Go and dance. Anyone who won the most competitions would win the championship title. The reason for this is so the royal family can see the talent and skills of the younger generation. Therefore, more than the physical prize, the competition was for the family's honor. Young men would enter hoping to gain honor or the attention of major officials. Young women would enter, hoping to catch the attention of official mothers of bachelors - or better, the mothers of the royal princes.

In my past life, I had also known of this competition. While my cousins from the Zhou family are allowed to enter this competition when they are of age, my uncle had advised that I never compete. The excuse was my high status in the Zhou family and that it was beneath me to join these type of competitions. I understood now that it was because he didn't want me to catch anyone attention. Ironically, I never wanted to catch anyone attention. Things like status had never been important to me. All I had ever wanted was a family. All I had ever wanted was to be accepted into his family.

"Wei Lan"

Again, I was lost in thoughts and hadn't properly responded grandfather's question.

"If grandfather wants Wei Lan to compete, then Wei Lan will compete"

"Child, the decision is yours. If you do not like to compete, then you should at least come to enjoy the event"

This is why I respect grandfather. He never pressure me into anything and let me to decide things for myself. He never force or push. Instead, he let me live the way I wanted.

"Then Wei Lan would like to try the archery and painting competition"

Both grandfather and uncle smile at my response.

"Mei-mei, are you sure about the archery?" Min asked bluntly. "I know you want to ride Yun, but how is he against others? He might get agitated"

The archery competition requires a series of shootings arrows at moving targets. To add to the challenge, the person must be able to ride a horse. The competition is one of most challenging event, but I preferred it for 2 reasons: archery and horse riding. I want Yun to be comfortable with others and figured it was the best opportunity for him to interact with others outside of Fa Port. As for archery, Min had introduced me to the sport and surprisingly, I liked it.

"Don't worry Min-ge. Wei Lan will make sure Yun is properly ready for the competition"

Hearing this, Min nodded and continued to enjoy his tea without another word.

"What about you Min-ge?" I asked curiously.

"Umm..." Min pondered with the cup of tea against his lips. "If mei-mei is doing archery and painting, I guess I should aim for mathematics and Go"

I had to smile at my cousin response. He chose his weakest subjects to compete. I admired his stance toward the competition to improve himself.

"If Min-ge likes, Wei Lan can be your Go partner"

"You know how to play?" Min was clearly surprised.

I hid my bitter smile. I did not like Go considering my past ties to it. The game simply brings back unpleasant memories. In fact, several of the competition subjects are bringing back unpleasant memories. Even if I can do well in most of the subjects, I choose the 2 competitions that had no ties to my past life.

"Are you good?" Min teased.

"Min-ge" I said gently. "Just don't cry to Wei Lan by the end of the day"

 Grandfather and Uncle Zedong laughs, while Min chuckled softly at my confident response. Although I had no interest in playing go - especially in the competition, I did not mind helping Min improve his game. Plus, it'll be fun to watch my handsome cousin cry.