Mei-li froze in horror. Then, she burst into tears.
“
Goodbye,” the man said as he headed for the exit.
Mei-li cried despite her master’s efforts in calming her. The death of her father made her more determined
to go than ever.
“
Will you let me go tomorrow?” she asked again.
“
Fine. You may go, but you have to be careful,” her master replied.
~
The next day morning, Mei-li packed her stuff and was ready to set off. She said farewell to her master and
rode her horse towards the Great Wall.
While she was riding through the grassland under the scorching sun, she saw a group of people gossiping
on a steep hill, staring on the Great Wall. Overwhelmed by curiosity, she spurred her horse there. When she saw
what it was, she could not believe her eyes. It was the brick with the red cross! She dismissed the crowd and
pulled out the rock. She saw a sack and opened it. She was stunned by what she saw – a jade bracelet and a
sheet of paper beside it! She unfolded the paper and read it.
Dear Mei-li
It is time that I should tell you the truth. You are not my daughter. You are Emperor Qin’s daughter. One
day I was wandering in the market when I saw you, standing in a corner. I thought you were an orphan and took
you home. I played with you and treated you like my daughter. I know you are from the royal family because I
recognised your dress. In the same bag you should find your bracelet which you wore when I found you.
Li-ming
“
It’s not real,” cried Mei-li, “Li-ming is my father, not Emperor Qin!”
She threw the bracelet away and rode away into the woods, never to be seen again.
* * *