Chapter one of Man Man Qing Luo (not completed)

Opening the eyes, Cheng Qing immediately closed them , then she opened them and closed them again – after Cheng Qing repeated this process twice, she came to a conclusion – she was no longer lying on the bed at home, but instead at a foreign place.

She moved her limbs and seeing them intact she sat up without a problem. Cheng Qing was thinking about who would in the middle of the night move her from her home to this place, and what´s more, how come she hadn´t woken up.

Cheng Qing was always a light sleeper, especially when her parents were on the business trips and she was the only one sleeping at home. At the time like that  her hearing ability was astonis.h.i.+ng – a rat ran to the kitchen and climbed into a trash bin. When he put his claws on it´s lid, Cheng Qing has already jumped out of the bed, ran to the kitchen and picked up a tennis racket and waved with it.

In Cheng family´s kitchen the old rat jumped in surprise. He resentfully  ran away. When entering the ventilator the rat even paused for a short time, turned it´s body and using it´s small bean eyes contempted Cheng Qing as if to say: „I was only picking garbage. Was it neccessary to go so far? I just couldn´t open the refrigerator.“

Cheng Qing angrily scared away the mouse and went to bed again. Then there was no sound to disturb her sleep quality again, she didn´t even have a dream. After waking up and opening her eyes, she was already at this place.

The house is not big. On the powder-white wall hung a landscape, the ceiling is made of wooden boards. Before the window stood a narrow table with flower carvings on which was arranged a vase with an orchid – it was simple and elegant.

She suddenly felt her body being a little sore. Touching her bed – it was hard. People who were used to sleep on soft beds naturally would feel sore if they slept on such a bed.

The bed was interesting and appealing. A workmans.h.i.+p. It looked like an imitation of Ming period´s antique furniture. It had front panels and bed covers. From it´s each side was hanging a pale yellow mosquito net made of light muslin.  Cheng Qing thought that this bed was very beautiful. Produced so delicately it also must have cost a fortune. The pillow had a flower pattern .

The surrounding was unusually quiet. Cheng Qing was already awake so she didn´t plan to sleep again. She wanted to look what is this place and who brought her here.

Cheng Qing calmed herself down. Firstly, she hasn´t done any shameful deed, was popular in her school and had a good relations.h.i.+p with other students. Secondly she did not owe any debt – including rice and husk or owing money and favors. Thirdly, her parents – thinking about her parents Cheng Qing´s heart gave a thump. Was it possible that her parents angered someone? Thinking about it, Cheng Qing´s heart became uneasy.

She wanted to take on her shoes and go out.

Stretching her foot she was stupefied. She placed her hands in front of her to look at them, and again became stupefied. Looking at her body and hastily touching it Cheng Qing felt an anger rising. Her mind went instantly blank. She was only concentrating on listening her heart that pounded in chaos.  Her tears burst forth. This… this body is not hers! The clothes that she was wearing were also not from modern times.

Cheng Qing was breathing hard, unconsciously she opened her mouth and called: „Mum!“

She only heard a door pushed then one twenty something old woman hurriedly coming in. „San´er, mother is here. Did a nightmare plague you?“

Cheng Qing was again startled. „Mother?“

The woman walked to her and gently embraced Cheng Qing. „San´er, good girl, mother is here. Don´t be afraid. Were you having a nightmare? Look, how are you sweating!“ While speaking, she used a beautiful handkerchief in her hand to lightly wipe away her sweat. A fit of faint fragrance spread though the room. Cheng Qing was so scared she trembled. This really is not a dream! The woman has as if felt that. She lightly embraced Cheng Qing and put her on her lap. Holding Cheng Qing in her arms, she gently patted her back and coaxed: „Mother is here, good San´er, don´t be afraid, don´t be afraid.“

At this point Cheng Qing has been in the state of too much fright/was very frightened. Her whole body was stiff and she couldn´t even utter a word. By now the woman found something was not alright so she began to shake her. „San´er, what happened? San´er? Somebody come here!“

From outside run in two people – one dressed as a servant girl, and one as an older female servant -anxiously asking: „Seventh madam, what happened to young miss?“

The woman´s voice carried an anger with it. „Young miss is always afraid to sleep alone. You two also see us as not pleasing to the eye/thorns in eyes hence being so neglect?“

Both with a flutter kneeled down, their faces paling. The older one had  more courage, she spoke: „Seventh madam, this old servant saw that it was still a daybreak and it was going to be late so went to take young miss´s clothes. Haven´t thought that young miss would again have a nightmare!“  The younger servant girl already had tears in her voice. „Today young miss already slept late. Xiao Yu called out alound twice and right away rushed to prepare hot water. I thought that young miss was already awake.  Madam, forgive Xiao Yu. In the future if young miss won´t wake up i would not dare to leave her ever again!“

Seventh madam lightly sighted and said: „Are you still not hurrying and preparing things? Today nothing can´t be done carelessly!“

 After Mother Zhang and Xiao Yu heard it, they gratefully looked at seventh madam, bowed to her and hurriedly went out.

Seventh madam coaxed Cheng Qing in a whisper: „ San´er, mother Zhang and Xiao Yu are all handpicked by mother, they really care about you in their heart.“

Cheng Qing´s teeth were still chattering. She still hasn´t figured out what´s happening. Involuntarily she nodded her head. From her mouth came out an inarticulate „Uhm“ sound.