An unknow day in the city of Huangzhou, a carriage rattled the leaves on the dry path when it passed by.  The sunlight that beamed throught the shade landed on the face of a young girl sitting by the carriage's window. Tears rolled down her cheek and landed on her satin dress.  A hand reached over and wiped the moisture off her face.  The loyal maid didn't know what to say to comfort her lady, so she just sat silently by her side. It was such a beautiful day where the birds sang above the trees, the autumn foliage filled the forest into different colors, and the wind carried the aroma of the morning breeze that gently caressed the scene.  One would wonder why grieved on such a splendid day... Gifted the beauty that one can only dream, both parents had gone to heaven and never would be seemed Illness dominates her young lonely life, tears soak her pillow at night, will life once again be nice? The uncle and grandma of her mother's family pitied the poor child and decided to take the girl under their care.  From Hsuen Ying's knowledge, her mother's family is very prosperious in Huangzhou.  Her mother once told her that in her huge household, there were so many servants and slaves that it's impossible to even remember all of them and there are some that she had never met.  she would watch her mother's dreamy eyes sailing away in her memories. Koo Jain, the oldest brother of Ying's mother, works for the emperor in the imperial palace.  Her other uncles aren't as successful but also held position to serve the state.  The koos had been serving the state for many generations, each generation would be more prosperous than the other.  As an old saying, "the rich will get richer and the poor poorer." The Hsuens were also very prosperous in Suzhou but after her father's death, the family's wealth withered away, and other properties were inherited by other male members of the family since Ying is the only child of the family. The carriage soon came to a stop in the city.  Ying stepped out of the carriage with the help of her maid.  There she found herself in front of a massive mansion with high cement walls and stone lions in front of the grant entrance.  Servants rushed out to the newly arrived guest and led the girl into the red mansion. It was an elaborate house, as the girl passed the central courtyard, decorative plants were everywhere and maid and servants would greet her as she passed by. In the room where the family was waiting to accept their guest, the floor is covered with cashmere carpet.  They have elaborately craved furniture and painted walls with floral design.  And some were left bare for hanging of calligraphy and painting. The room was occupied by numbers of maidens and lords beautifully dressed in silk robes.  A aged woman in her 70s lied on the coach cushioned by animal fur with a young boy around 17 of age next to her.  He was elegantly dressed in robe made with expensive cloth and a jade belt around his waist.  A ruby was also tied around his topknot.  His tall lean body and handsome face made the clothes that he wore very outstanding.  Koo Lok, being the only son of Koo Jian, he was pampered by everyone in the family especially his grandma.  He waited in the room like everyone else for the arrival of this new cousin of his. The maid lifted the curtain and in walked a girl.  Lok watched the girl as she shyly stared at the strangers in front of her.  The girl was then introduced to the people, mostly uncles, aunt, cousins and servants.  The old lady asked the girl to sit on the coach with her and Lok.  Lok could only stare at the girl next to him speechlessly.  He had seem many beautiful maidens but never was one as beautiful as this new cousin of his.  The red mansion was filled with women of all kind of delicate grace and beauty but this newly arrived member of the mansion overshadowed them all. ****** my teachers always complain about my writing especially grammar, so please bare with me.  hopefully i'll improve.  those of you that liked the story so far please come back and I'll try to update the story everyday.  any comment regarding the story please sign click on the guestbook=====>

chapter 2