Die Geschichte von Prinzessin Song in Heian-kyo

Kapitel 24

The light was dimmer deeper in the woods, a stark contrast to the bright sunlight in the distance.

Mei Ling seemed interested in a sawed tree stump. It was an old tree, with different years marked on the cross-section of its growth rings, presumably to attest to the antiquity of each tree here. Scotty was also intrigued, carefully examining the years: 909, 1066, 1215, 1492, 1776…

Like a sky obscured by dark clouds, Mei Ling's pale blue eyes dimmed again. "I was born here, and I will die here," Mei Ling said, pointing to a spot on the tree's rings. "For you, it's just a fleeting moment; you won't even notice."

arrive."

Scotty noticed a significant change in Mei Ling's voice; it was aged, mournful, and piercing, reaching all the way to the heart. Her eyes were also fixed, empty, devoid of any expression. When Mei Ling's gaze swept across Scotty's face, he felt a pang of fear, a chilling coldness and the suffocating feeling of death. In a daze, Scotty stood before a door. Suddenly, there was a knock. Scotty froze, unsure what to do. The rhythmic knocking urged him on. He stared at the door, trying to understand what lay behind it. Fear flashed through his mind… How long did it take? Perhaps only a second… He finally grasped the doorknob, but there was nothing behind the opened door.

The wind in the forest was strong, lashing against Scotty's face... All the hallucinations gradually faded away from him, and when he regained consciousness, Mei Ling was no longer there.

Scotty paused for a moment, then started running deeper into the woods. He had to find her, find her immediately! Before she was attacked by danger, before she was swallowed by death, before she completely disappeared from her own world… He hadn’t run far when he found Mei Ling behind a large tree. She was standing with her back against the thick trunk, her hands behind her back, her eyes looking at the sky.

"Meiling, where are you now?" Scotty placed his hand weakly on Meiling's shoulder, as if only by truly touching Meiling's presence could he feel at ease.

"With you here." Mei Ling's tone remained distant.

"where?"

"Don't ask any more questions." Mei Ling looked very tired.

"Have you been here before?" Scottie asked cautiously, choosing his words carefully.

“Yes.” Mei Ling was like a completely different person, a person who had lost all vitality, or more accurately, a mere shell.

"When? When were you born?" Scotty didn't know how to express himself more clearly. Even he didn't understand whether he was asking Mei Ling when she had been here or when she was born. What he was about to face was clearly beyond the scope of normal thinking.

“A long time ago.” Mei Ling seemed a little lost, as if she was sorting out her chaotic thoughts.

Scotty knew he was close to the door, and he pressed on relentlessly, his pace quickening to apply pressure. "Where? When? Tell me, Meiling, tell me, where are you?"

"No, I can't..." Mei Ling's voice became sharp, as if she was struggling painfully inside, fighting against her deepest self.

(4)

Seeing Mei Ling's intense reaction, Scottie knew his question had hit the nail on the head. He couldn't relax, he couldn't back down at this juncture. "What took you away? To where?" Scottie forcefully gripped Mei Ling's shoulders, forcing her eyes to meet his.

“I don’t know. As you said, I jumped.” Mei Ling was forced to face Scotty, but still tried her best to turn her head to one side.

"Why did you jump?" Scottie tried to soften his tone, his sincere gaze suggesting that Mei and Ling had a foundation of trust.

“I can’t tell you,” Mei Ling said softly, as if pleading with Scotty.

Scotty took a crucial step that was significant for both Mei Ling and him.

"What's making your heart race? What? What is it?" Scotty pressed on, giving Mei Ling no chance to breathe.

It was something he honed when he was a detective. If you want to know the truth, this is the only way: completely break down the other person's defenses and make them crumble before your eyes…

Mei Ling panicked. After struggling fiercely, she collapsed into Scotty's arms, pleading tears welling in her pale blue eyes. "Please don't ask me. Take me away from here, to anywhere with sunshine..." Mei Ling's voice gradually lowered, more like a murmur, "Promise me, don't ask me again."

eleven

seaside.

Compared to the man-made coastline of San Francisco Bay, this place is closer to nature. The beach is lined with rocks of various shapes, and because of their rough surfaces, the sound of the waves crashing on them is louder.

Mei Ling and Scottie stood side by side, facing the sea. Scottie decided to give Mei Ling some time to sort out her thoughts, and Mei Ling gradually calmed down.

Unnoticed, Mei Ling strolled towards the seaside.

Scottie feared what Mei Ling might do next; rescuing someone on a rocky beach was no easy task. Just as Scottie was about to rush forward and pull Mei Ling back, Mei Ling suddenly turned around, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

"Why did you run away?" To allay Scotty's concerns, Mei Ling took a few steps back.

“I’m responsible for you now.” Scotty didn’t want to waste any more time; he decided to continue their conversation in the woods.

“You know the saying, once you save someone, you’re responsible for them for the rest of your life, so I have that responsibility. I need to know that.” Scottie emphasized the last sentence.

Mei Ling's gaze darkened, and Scottie knew it was time to reveal the truth.

“I know very little… It’s as if I’m walking down a long corridor… There used to be mirrors hanging there… The shards of those mirrors are still hanging there…” Mei Ling’s narration was fragmented. “When I reached the end of the corridor, there was only darkness… I knew I…”

"If I step into the darkness, I will die..." Mei Ling showed no particular reaction to the mention of death, remaining as calm as ever.

But I never made it to the end; I always came back before that, except once…

"Just yesterday?" Scottie asked calmly.

Mei Ling nodded silently, her tightly closed eyes seemingly hinting at her difficulty in facing the truth. It was probably the first time she had spoken to anyone other than herself, and Mei Ling herself found it very difficult.

“You didn’t know what was going on until you found yourself with me. You didn’t know where you were, but do you remember the shards of that mirror?” Scotty knew that the deepest gates of Mei Ling’s heart had been opened, so he no longer used the same sharp tone he had in the woods.

“Just a little bit.” At this moment, Mei Ling was as candid as a child. She poured out all her long-standing confusion and hoped that Scotty could help her find the answer.

After establishing mutual trust, Scottie began questioning the man in his own way.

What do you remember?

“There’s a room…I sit there all by myself…always alone.”

"what else?"

"grave."

"where?"

“I don’t know… it was an open grave… I stood next to the grave, looking down into it… that was my grave.”

Mei Ling's words reminded Scotty of the time when Mei Ling stood alone in front of "Calado's Tomb" in the cemetery behind the church.

"How did you know?" Scottie didn't miss any details.

“I know.” Mei Ling’s tone was firm and left no room for doubt.

"Is there a name on that tombstone?"

"No, it's new, waiting..." Mei Ling seemed to have returned to her dream, her body trembling slightly from fear.

"what else?"

“It was part of my dream… There was a tower with a bell inside… It seemed to be in Spain… and then it disappeared.” Mei Ling closed her eyes and poured out her heart to Scottie. Mei Ling seemed to feel much lighter afterward.

“A portrait? Did you see a portrait?” Scotty emphasized this detail, recalling Mei Ling’s daily visits to the Honor Museum where she would sit for long periods in front of the portrait of Carado.

"No."

Through their long-standing interactions, Scotty knew that Mei Ling was probably not hiding anything, but what could these images prove? "If we can find the key..." Scotty slowly stated his thoughts, "then we can assemble them..."

combine……"

"That will explain my dream..." Mei Ling seemed to have found the answer, and she appeared somewhat delighted. "There is a way..."

The law can explain everything; if I go mad, then everything is explained.

Scotty was astonished by Mei Ling's nonchalant expression when she talked about her madness. In fact, this was the answer he had initially thought of; it seemed to be the most reasonable and easiest way to explain everything. But it was also the answer that Scotty could least accept and could not allow. He commanded himself to stay away from these absurd thoughts.

Mei Ling ran quickly towards the beach. Scotty rushed over and pulled Mei Ling tightly into his arms.

"Scottie, don't let go of me," Mei Ling pleaded in Scottie's ear in her magnetic, deep voice.

Mei Ling had no idea that this was exactly what Scottie wanted at that moment. He tightened his arms, holding Mei Ling firmly in his embrace. "I'm here, I'm holding you."

As their lips drew near, Scottie felt the long-lost love return to her. Those soft lips, so warm...

The scent intoxicated Scotty. He desperately wanted to judge this feeling more accurately, perhaps he wanted to savor the sweetness of this taste even more fully. He devoured the warm, soft fragrance, breathing in the unique aroma of Mei Ling... Mei Ling's hands embraced Scotty, and waves of tenderness emanated from her back. Scotty's heart was completely conquered by the powerful force of love.

twelve

Miki's message in the apartment mailbox made Scotty suddenly realize that he hadn't seen Miki for a long time because he was so preoccupied with Mei Ling's case. Thinking that Miki was his closest friend, Scotty couldn't help but feel remorseful for his carelessness.

When Scotty entered, Miki was engrossed in drawing. Since starting her job as a designer, Miki hadn't had the free time to draw in a long time, but she was clearly in a good mood.

To ease his guilt, Scottie agreed to Michie's request for dinner and a date. However, before leaving, Scottie curiously uncovered the canvas Michie had deliberately covered the painting with after he entered. For a moment, Scottie stood frozen in place.

Miki was clearly surprised by Scotty's actions. She sighed almost imperceptibly, as if regretting something, but soon her expression turned expectant. A careful observer would notice that the painting was likely painted by Miki for Scotty. Previously, she had been annoyed that her carefully prepared secret had been exposed prematurely, but now she eagerly awaited Scotty's praise or exclamation.

But Scotty's reaction was unexpected. He simply stood there, staring at the painting, completely unaware that Miki was standing behind him. A hurt expression gradually appeared on Scotty's face, and his somber look made the wrinkles on his face even more pronounced. Beneath his paleness lay an undisguised anger.

Miki also noticed Scotty's unusual emotions, but sadly, she couldn't understand or soothe the turmoil and struggle Scotty was going through at that moment...

Without a word, Scotty turned and left. Miki stared at her work, her face flushed, the palette knife in her hand leaving devastating, irreparable marks on the canvas…

Under the slightly gloomy sky, one could vaguely make out Carado's portrait on the canvas, the only difference being that Carado's aloof and noble face had been replaced by Michele's smiling expression...

Thirteen

It was already past midnight, but Scottie still couldn't fall asleep.

In just one night, Scotty seemed to have aged several years. It was a night of reflection, as he tried to piece together the fragments of Mei Ling's dream; it was a sleepless night, as he didn't know how to face the enormous changes in his own emotions; and it was an even more agonizing night, as Scotty internally lashed out at himself, questioned himself, comforted himself, and tried to stay awake. In all these years, Scotty had never felt a night as long as tonight.

The knocking at the door late at night always inevitably evokes a sense of fear, but the knocking continued, and it sounded like Mei Ling's voice.

Scotty hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the doorknob, but he eventually turned it and opened the door, revealing Mei Ling's terrified face.

"I want to see you! I want to be with you!" Mei Ling rushed in and wrapped her arms around Scotty's body, curling up in his arms like a frightened little animal, trying to draw warmth and comfort from him.

"Why? What happened?" Instinct told Scotty that Mei Ling must have sensed something again, otherwise she wouldn't have run out of the house to look for him in the middle of the night.

At the same time, Scotty was also very gratified that Mei Ling came to him at this time, which at least proved that he was the person she trusted the most, and also proved that the feelings surging in his heart were not just his wishful thinking.

Mei Ling told Scotty that her dream was becoming clearer and clearer, "It's that tower again, that bell, and the west..."

"A Spanish village... I saw it all for the first time... It was a village square... Shady trees... and an old Spanish-style white monastery... Opposite the trees was a large wooden house... with a porch, shutters on the balcony, a small garden, and next to it was a horse-drawn carriage rental shop, where the horses were tied up... At the end of the meadow was a white stone house, with a lovely little tree growing in the corner..." Mei Ling recounted her entire dream with a look of fear, then looked at Scotty helplessly.

Scottie looked at Mei Ling tenderly. Apart from holding her tightly in his arms and transferring his body heat to his beloved woman to calm her fear, he didn't know what other way to relieve her inner pain.

“An old wooden hotel built in early California, and a salon… a low, dark ceiling, hanging oil lamps…” Scottie tried to keep his tone calm, his gaze always gently fixed on Mei Ling’s eyes. He didn’t want Mei Ling to suffer any more shock. “It’s all here. This isn’t a dream.”

fourteen

Scottie's car sped along the highway for about an hour. Outside the window, the towering ancient trees on both sides of the road intermittently blocked the sunlight. As a result, the interior of the car was sometimes bright and sometimes dark, casting a layer of light and shadow on Mei Ling's face, just like the unpredictable expression on her face at this moment.

The San Juan Parish, a suburb of San Francisco, was once a Spanish-populated area. To commemorate that history, most of the...

The buildings still retain the style of Spanish architecture from that period. Visitors who suddenly arrive here may feel as if they have been transported back to a prosperous era full of exotic charm about a hundred years ago.

In the carriage shop, the hitching posts and mangers still stand silently. The place is long gone, far removed from its former bustling glory; only these wooden props remain to bear witness to history. The coachmen and the throngs of merchants passing by are no more; only Scottie, with Meiling, tries to awaken her from her slumbering dreams.

For Scotty, the whole truth will be revealed here, today. After leaving here, he may lose Mei Ling, the woman he loves most, forever, but at this moment, what could be more important than letting Mei Ling escape the shadows and be reborn? And for Mei Ling, the dreams that have been troubling her all along, the lingering entanglement of death that has haunted her heart, will also find their answers here.

Seeing Mei Ling's nervous expression, Scottie didn't want to make things difficult for her any longer; it was indeed hard for Mei Ling to accept this reality all at once. He held Mei Ling's trembling body in his arms, leaned close to her ear, and whispered in her ear:

“You and I are here, and everything is real.”

Mei Ling's gaze wandered again. Although still nestled in Scotty's arms, her eyes searched her surroundings. The power from the dream seemed to be nearby, hinting at something. The four walls were like an insurmountable barrier. She didn't know how she had entered this web, but now she couldn't find a way out. Scotty's strong arms made her feel warm, giving her strength. Like a drowning person grasping at a last straw, although the fear in her heart eased slightly, the four walls...

The water relentlessly swallowed her little by little, and she could hardly resist the immense call from within.