The New Journey to the West
Yew Chung International School-Secondary , Chen , Chia Yi - 14
Z hang Yueying fumbled with the jade bracelet around her wrist , the pale green stone cold against her fingers and the summer sun warm on her back . Sitting on the steps that lead to the central garden , she glanced at the various trees , flowers and plants that grew there . From the towering weeping willow that grew in the center of the garden , to the small plum blossom tree that only bloomed in winter . As she stared longingly at the plum blossom tree a memory of her father leading her around the garden as a child surfaced , them walking from plant to plant , hand in hand .
Her father Zhang Qian-a high ranking official-was ordered by the Han Emperor to head west in hope of finding allies to help him fight the growing threat of neighboring clans . Her father took 100 men and marched west the very next day while she sat on the front steps and wept . The parting gift in her hand was the only thing that gave her comfort , a pale green jade bracelet with an intricate design carved into it . He had been gone for 12 years . In that time , she had grown from a naive child into an intelligent young woman , her father ’ s image growing fainter and fainter every day .
A faint jingle of bells caught her attention , followed by the sound of soft footsteps . Turning around , she caught a glimpse of raven black hair , piled up in a simple hairstyle and secured with a silver pin decorated with a bell ; Snow white skin and eyes as big as moons . “ Hey guess what ?” she said “ What is it Zhaojun ?” she asked “ please don ’ t tell me that Empress Wei is visiting , I ’ ve had enough drama this week .” “ I have some good news !” She replied trying to hold in her excitement . Rolling her eyes she turned to her friend and braced herself against the wave of news , who was she going to talk about this time ? Crown Prince Liuju or Princess Weizhang ? “ The emperor ’ s making me a princess !” she blurted out . “ What ?” Yueying said almost dropping the bracelet in her hand
Known as the most beautiful person in all of China , Wang Zhaojun was born in a small village near Hubei province . Skilled in calligraphy , painting and music , she caught the eye of the Emperor who brought her into the palace as a lady in waiting . That was where she first met her friend , wide eyed and scared as she was brought in . “ The emperor said he was impressed by my skills in calligraphy and music .” Zhaojun said clapping her hands together “ The letter that arrived yesterday explains in more detail ” “ How did you get the empress to agree ?” Yueying said , eyes clouding with suspicion . The Empress envied Zhaojun ’ s beauty and had attempted to assassinate her many times , all of them unsuccessful . Which only made her hate Zhaojun even more . Since Yueying had foiled many of the attempts , the Empress wasn ’ t particularly fond of her either . “ I don ’ t know .” Zhaojun said , “ But don ’ t mind that now , the ceremony is in a few hours !” “ A few hours ?” Yueying exclaimed , “ Why didn ’ t you tell me earlier , I have other things to do in the afternoon !” “ Whether you like it or not , you ’ re coming with me !” Zhaojun said , pulling Yueying to her feet and dragging her away from the garden .
Yueying didn ’ t know how she ended up at the palace again . She felt as stiff as wood as she forced herself to place one foot in front of the other as she climbed the palace steps , the black silk dress Zhaojun had picked for her felt like poison ivy against her skin as the fabric swished around her feet with every step she took . Yueying hated the palace . She hadn ’ t been there in a long time but she still remembered the poisonous courtesans , mask wearing officials and shadows lurking in every corner , waiting to stab and betray at every turn . She dreaded going back there , but she had to go . She couldn ’ t leave her friend .
It had taken a long time for them to get here . The palace was enormous and filled with winding paths and various intricately decorated buildings where the emperor ’ s many wives lived . It felt like walking through a maze . In the time it had taken them to get here . The warm afternoon sun had melted into the distant mountains as the sky turned from clear blue to deep purple , accented with rich oranges and pinks . Yueying tried her best to hide her discomfort as she stiffly walked up the last few stairs and stepped into the throne room , she was greeted by a cacophony of voices . Red lanterns hung from the sides of the room , their hazy red glow gave the throne room a warm and festive atmosphere . The room was filled with all types of people , from bubbly princesses gathered around a corner gossiping to servants scurrying around carrying jugs filled to the brim with wine and plates stacked with a variety of snacks and dishes . Yueying walked over to