Many years ago…

A four year old Tang Daiyu ran up to a ten year old Liang Yingzhou, who was practising his martial art forms.

"Zhou-ge! Zhou-ge!"

He stopped his practice, turned, and chuckled as he looked down at her.

"Ah Daiyu, what is it?"

Though he was fervently serious about training to become a great martial artist, almost to the extremes, he had a soft spot in his heart for the Young Lady of the Tang family that he saw as his younger sister.

"The cherry trees are all in bloom! Zhou-ge, will you pick me one of the flowers?"

He smiled at her and nodded. Following her over to the cherry tree grove, Liang Yingzhou waited for her to pick out the blossom she wanted. The little girl pointed up at one of the trees.

"I want that one!"

He reached up and picked the fully bloomed cherry blossom. Liang Yingzhou gently put it in her hair, and she beamed up at him.

"How do I look, Zhou-ge?"

He gave her a soft smile and said, "Like a Spring Spirit. Young Lady Tang will definitely rival Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, and Diaochan in the future."

Tang Daiyu grinned happily. "Zhou-ge is so nice! Zhou-ge is the best!"

"Daiyu!" a deep voice called out.

She turned around to see her father approaching. Liang Yingzhou shifted and bowed to him respectfully.

"Chancellor Ru."

"Baba!"

Little Tang Daiyu ran over to her father, tilting her head back and forth.

"Look! Zhou-ge got me a flower."

He smiled at her. "It does look very nice on you. Now, go find your mother. I need to speak with Yingzhou."

Tang Daiyu nodded and ran off. Chancellor Ru looked at his protége. He swiped his arm out wide.

"Walk with me."

They set off. After a few moments, Chancellor Ru spoke.

"Yingzhou, you have trained well while you have been here. I'm quite proud of you."

Liang Yingzhou stopped and bowed towards his mentor.

"Thank you, Master Tang. It's an honour to be learning martial arts from you."

"Mmm."

They resumed walking, and as they passed a koi fish pond, Chancellor Ru took a deep breath. He slowed to a stop and faced the pond. His hands clasped behind his back. Liang Yingzhou stopped too, turning towards his master.

"I have arranged for you to continue your training in Nanchang. You have already mastered the basics and started learning special art forms specific to the Swift Breeze Sect. Therefore, it's only fitting that you should officially join the sect and become a disciple to the Sect Leader. Your new master will be Zhuge Feiwang."

Liang Yingzhou's eyes widened in shock. "Wait… the Master Zhuge?"

Chancellor Ru nodded. "Master Zhuge is my sworn brother. He has agreed to accept you as his Direct Disciple, and I know he will train you well."

Liang Yingzhou quickly bowed in thanks. "Thank you,

Master Tang."

Chancellor Ru added, "I just have one condition."

"Anything."

"When Daiyu was born, the astrologers predicted many hardships would come her way in the future. She has the destiny of the Phoenix. Yingzhou, I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, you will look out for my precious daughter. She is very intelligent; but even so, she might need some guidance in the future."

"I will do whatever I can for her, Master Tang."

"Good, good. It's settled then. You'll leave for Nanchang in a week."

"Thank you, Master Tang."

Chancellor Ru nodded and walked away. Liang Yingzhou let out a heavy breath, unable to believe his good fortune.

~~~

One week later, a crying Tang Daiyu ran out into the front courtyard with her tears streaming down her face.

"Zhou-ge! Zhou-ge! Please don't go!"

He stopped and turned around.

Trying to console her, he said, "Don't cry, Ah Daiyu. I'll see you again one day."

She looked up at him and sniffled. "You promise?"

He nodded solemnly. "I promise."

She proceeded to hit his chest with her small fists. "Don't forget your promise to me!"

Liang Yingzhou chuckled and said, "I won't. I have to go, Young Lady Tang. Be safe."

He leaned into her ear and murmured something to her. Then, gently separating himself from her, he turned and stepped out the front gates. Tang Daiyu watched sadly as he left. Her father walked up next to her and patted her head gently.

"That boy has potential, Daiyu. I have a feeling he's going to become a great martial artist one day."

"Zhou-ge," she murmured despondently.

Her father sighed and said, "Come on, lunch is almost ready. Your mother is waiting for us."

Chancellor Ru led Tang Daiyu into the manor and shut the front doors behind them.

~~~

In her bedroom that night, a stillness settled over her. She pouted and looked at the cherry blossom on her nightstand.

Laying on her stomach, Tang Daiyu propped her chin on her hand and sighed, thinking about the last thing Liang Yingzhou had said to her.

Wishing us long life, though sharing moonlight from afar.