Fan Fiction |
by MetalAZNWarrior
The news on Doctor Tsui (Gallen Lo) reached the ears of Suet Ching (Rebecca Chan) through On Gong Gong (Bowie Lam). He smiled gleefully and reports, "Doctor Tsui has saved countless of lives, but he failed to save his own. Nature got its way with him and now he is gone for good."
Suet Ching drops her teacup, spilling tea on the marble floor.
Mo Yung (Ha Yu) cheers, "That is great news! Two pawns down and one to go."
Suet Ching gets up and leaves the room without a word, puzzling On Gong Gong and Mo Yung.
[Imperial Clinic]
Suet Ching dismisses the Imperial Doctors and their subordinates. She walks around and reaches what used to be Doctor Tsui's office. The other Imperial Doctors were so jealous of Doctor Tsui that they turned his office into a bathroom after he was exiled.
She remembers the first time she met Doctor Tsui. She was attracted by his appearance and seduced by his intelligence. It was a pity that she was already married to Mo Yung. She wanted desperately to have Doctor Tsui. She even offered to divorce so that a relationship between the two of them would be acceptable. However, Doctor Tsui refuted her constant offers. He said that it would be inappropriate and he didn't have any feelings for her. Doctor Tsui encouraged Suet Ching to remain with Mo Yung and to forget about him.
"Forget you?" Suet Ching cries remembering Doctor Tsui's words. "I wanted to save you, I wanted you to share my life, I wanted... but, you..."
[Palace of Gathering Essence]
Suet Ching summons Fiona (Sherming Yiu) to her lair.
"Yesterday, you told me that you would agree to do whatever I want you to do, right?" Suet Ching asks.
Fiona nods her head, "Please! I just want to get out of this place."
"It's very simple. I just want you to speak with the people of the Island."
"Okay?" Fiona is skeptical.
"The Imperial Court accused me of manipulating your father's wishes and seizing the throne unjustly. The people on the Island love you, dear niece. If you speak, they will listen to you. They will believe what you have to say. Just tell them it was all a misunderstanding and tell them that I'm not a bad person."
"So you want me to lie, basically?"
"Oh, honey, lying is too much of an exaggeration."
"Whatever."
Suet Ching smiles, "Just do as I say and there will be a boat waiting to take you back to Hong Kong."
Fiona was about to leave when Suet Ching stops her. She hands a small yellow packet to Fiona. "This is the antidote for the first poison that we gave you. Take it and you'll be poison-free. Even though you don't trust me, I trust that you'll keep your word."
Fiona's eyes wander from the small pouch to Suet Ching's face.
[Balcony of Reaching Heavens]
Situated above the gates of the Imperial Palace was the "Balcony of Reaching Heavens." It was used to address the commoners, who would gather by the thousands below the balcony. Fiona adorned her white robe and was joined by Mo Yung and Suet Ching.
People had gathered from all over the Island to attend the Island Chief's funeral and to listen to what Fiona had to say. Since the events of the previous summer, everyone was gossiping about what had happened. Everyone was really excited to hear the "truth" from Fiona herself.
Fiona cleared her throat and took a microphone from On Gong Gong. She speaks into it, "These past months have been chaotic. I know you all are wondering what is really going on and I know for sure that there are many 'outrageous' rumors out there. Today, I want to set things straight."
Before Fiona could continue, someone from below yells, "Why haven't you been on the Island for the last half-a-year?"
"I went to visit my in-laws in Hong Kong," Fiona answers simply.
"Willingly?" Someone else from below questions.
"Of course."
Suet Ching grabs the microphone from Fiona and declares, "No questions or comments!"
The crowd grows silent. They didn't dare to object to the wishes of the Empress. Fiona continues, "I know what the rumors say. They probably depict my aunt, Empress Suet Ching, as a conniving and manipulative woman who would stop at nothing to get the throne. You all may have heard that she framed Doctor Tsui and Lady Yin, my mother, for having an affair and that I am an offspring of this. With this, she convinced my father that I wasn't his daughter and was stripped of my princess title and, along with Doctor Tsui, exiled. Yes, I'm sure that's what the rumors say. But are they true?" Fiona pauses and looks Suet Ching in the eyes.
Suet Ching dodges the eye contact and glances at some trees by the side. Mo Yung approaches Fiona from behind. She feels a cold point poking her in the back. She turns around and gasps at the sight of a dagger. He gives her a cold look and through his expressions, he told Fiona, "Do what you were told... or else."
Fiona laughs and pretends that there's no dagger poking her in the back. She smiles at the crowd, "Of course, these rumors are not true. In fact, if this was true, do you think I would be here today? I won't lie because there were witnesses to the events of those days. Yes, everything you all heard did happen, but it was all an act. Yes, my father wanted me to take the throne. However, he felt that I wasn't mature enough. He asked my 'dear' aunt to play the role of the villain and pretend to plot against me for the throne. He wanted me to mature before taking over the crown. Empress Suet Ching was only doing what was asked of her. As for Doctor Tsui, he was involved with the act as well. In actuality, he wasn't exiled. He requested to retire." Fiona feels a knot growing in her throat from all of the lies.
"Dearly gathered today, I hope you will all spread this fact that I have just disclosed to everyone you know on the Island. Empress Suet Ching is the kindest person I know and the sweetest aunt that I could ever have. Please, don't believe the rumors. Just look at me and look at her. We are both healthy and look well. There is no animosity between us. Everything that the rumors were derived from was just an act. A huge misunderstanding that was exaggerated." Fiona can't make herself look her audience from below in the eyes.
She looks up into the sky and concludes, "My father's spirit in heaven will surely testify to this." She sniffs back tears. "Thank you for coming today." Mo Yung withdraws his knife and places it inside of his robe.
Suet Ching smiles at Fiona and takes over the microphone. "Thank you, sweet niece." She looks at the crowd and says, "How has the Island been since I've taken over? Everything has gone well. The truth of the matter is that the Imperial Court does not like me. They spread these lies to taint my image. The Imperial Court consists of aged men who desire to become the Island Chief. They want to overthrow me to seize power. Look how Princess Fiona and I are so close. Can there be such hate between us? No! I am like a mother to her. What mother would eat her own children?"
[Imperial Garden]
Fiona catches a snowflake in her palm. She thinks to herself, "It's all over now. After my father's funeral, I can go home. I won't have to come back here. I can leave everything behind. I don't care about this place anymore. It's no longer my home." She remembers how she was so displeased with living with the Kams when she arrived in Hong Kong last September.
She felt that the Kams were troublesome and ridiculous. They were always talking about someone or something. She laughs thinking how uncomfortable she initially was around them all. Now, she missed them. Living with the Kams, she did not have a moment of silence.
In the cold interior of the massive Imperial Palace in the brisk of winter, Fiona felt terribly lonely.
[Palace of Gathering Essence]
"Why did you do that?" Suet Ching demands.
"What?" Mo Yung shrugs his shoulders.
"Why did you threaten Fiona with a knife?"
"Who knows what she would have said if I hadn't? If you hadn't given her the antidote, I wouldn't have to."
Suet Ching sighs, "Leave her alone."
"Don't pretend to be the Goddess of Mercy now. We have to finish her off."
"What are you talking about? I promised her that she could return to Hong Kong."
"Promises are meant to be broken." Mo Yung smirks.
Suet Ching slaps Mo Yung, "Who do you think you are speaking with? Don't you dare act without my consent."
Mo Yung runs out of the room in fury.
[Outside of Palace, Small Village]
Mo Yung wore a big brimmed hat with sunglasses. He made his way to a hut in a small village located outside of the Imperial Palace. He knocks three times on the door before giving it a scratch. A woman opens up and laughs at him, "You look ridiculous!"
Mo Yung smiles, "I'll take it and everything off inside... then I won't look ridiculous anymore."
He shuts the door of the hut. Giggles from the woman could be heard from inside.
[Emperor's Palace]
On Gong Gong walked around the body of Island Chief (Law Kong). The palatial mortician had finished "fixing" him up. White candles continued to light the room of the late ruler. Island Chief lay on his royal bed with golden sheets. White flowers surrounded him. On Gong Gong picks up a flower and smashes it with his right hand. "Do you think you can still be so glorious even in death?" On Gong Gong begins speaking.
[Outside of Emperor's Palace]
Bo Gong Gong (Liu Kai Chi) wanted to make sure that everything was set for the funeral the next day. He also wanted to see if the palatial mortician had done a good job and to say a personal farewell to the Island Chief. When he approached the "Emperor's Palace," he was puzzled as to why the door wasn't closed. He tiptoes to the doors and peeks inside the creak of the door. To his surprise, he saw On Gong Gong walking around the Island Chief's body.
Curiosity overcomes Bo Gong Gong and he stands besides the door to listen.
[Emperor's Palace]
On Gong Gong sneers, "You people think that you're all so damn better than everyone else. What gives you a right to look down on others? Who are you to say that you're better than other people? Who are you to order people around and beat them like they're animals? I served you all, and what do I get? Scorns and slaps!"
On Gong Gong clenches his fists and punches a pillar. "God damn!"
He calms his nerves and smiles at Island Chief, "This trend will break. Your dynasty will end in your hands. Your sister will get what's coming to her. Your precious daughter will die a thousand deaths. It's all thanks to you. If you hadn't arranged that 'pleasant' marriage between Mo Yung and your sister, I wouldn't have the chance... Everything will be mine!" He laughs menacingly.
[Outside of Emperor's Palace]
Cold sweat runs down Bo Gong Gong's forehead.