From cute to empress

"What's wrong? Mengmeng?" Zhen Youcai noticed my abnormality and asked quickly.

I shook my head, said nothing, and just hugged her tighter.

The little girl's thin body trembled slightly in my arms, and I felt a chill coming from her. This chill seemed to be the despair spreading from the deepest part of her heart.

"Let's take her back first." I said to Zhen Youcai, with a barely perceptible tremor in my voice.

Back in the makeshift tent, I gently placed the little girl on a soft blanket. Her face was frighteningly pale, and her eyes were empty, as if she had lost her soul.

"I'll go get a military doctor to take a look." Zhen Youcai said as he turned to leave.

"Wait," I called to him, "go get a basin of hot water first, and then find some clean clothes."

Zhen Youcai was puzzled, but he obeyed. I carefully wiped the dust off the little girl's body and changed her into clean clothes. Her body was light, as light as a feather, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

I asked Zhen Youcai to prepare some light food, then brought it to the little girl and said softly, "Come, have something to eat."

The little girl slowly raised her head, glanced at me, then looked at the food in front of her, but did not move. Her eyes were full of fear and anxiety, like a frightened deer, ready to escape at any time.

"Don't be afraid, child, it's safe here." I tried to sound gentle. "We are here to help you."

I picked up the spoon, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, and gently brought it to her mouth. She hesitated for a moment, finally opened her mouth, and slowly drank it.

The bowl of porridge was soon finished, and the little girl's mood gradually stabilized, and a hint of life gradually returned to her eyes. Seeing her face gradually become rosy, my heart also relaxed a little.

"What's your name?" I asked softly.

The little girl looked at me timidly but didn't say anything.

"It's okay, take your time." I encouraged her gently.

She bit her lip, as if trying hard to recall something, and then said in a weak voice: "My... my name is... Ah... Ah Fu..."

"Afu," I stroked her hair gently, "Don't be afraid, we will take care of you."

Ah Fu raised her head, her big eyes filled with tears. She looked at me, then at Zhen Youcai. Suddenly, she stretched out her little hand and tightly grasped the corner of my clothes...

Ah Fu's tiny hands clutched the corner of my shirt tightly, as if grasping a lifeline, her strength astonishing. I gently held her in my arms, patting her back like a child, humming a nursery rhyme from my hometown. Zhen Youcai sat nearby, watching us quietly, his eyes filled with affection.

We set up a small tent, covered with soft blankets, specifically for Ah Fu to rest. During the day, Zhen Youcai and I took turns accompanying her, telling her stories, teaching her songs, and playing with the wildflowers we found nearby. Ah Fu loved listening to my stories. Whenever she did, her eyes would open wide, her gaze fixed intently, afraid to miss a single word. Although she rarely spoke, she often wore an innocent smile that warmed our hearts like the warm winter sun.

"Afu, look, what is this?" Zhen Youcai found a kite with a broken string from somewhere. He used branches and cloth strips to remake it, making a simple but beautiful kite.

"Wow!" There was a glint of surprise in Ah Fu's eyes. She stretched out her little hand and carefully stroked the colorful patterns on the kite.

"Come on, brother will take you to fly a kite!" Zhen Youcai took Afu's little hand and ran to the open grassland.

Watching them run, I couldn't help but smile. Over the past few days, under our care, Ah Fu has gradually regained some of her vitality and a smile has appeared on her face. However, in the dead of night, her deep fear and anxiety would surge up.

"Dad! Mom!" Late at night, Ah Fu, who was sleeping soundly, suddenly woke up. She sat up from the bed, crying at the top of her lungs, her little body shaking violently.

Zhen Youcai and I rushed over upon hearing the noise. Seeing her like this, we felt so distressed. I quickly hugged her in my arms and comforted her softly, "Ahfu, your parents are fine. They are watching you from a distance."

Ah Fu hugged me tightly, her tears soaking my clothes. She called out "Dad and Mom" ​​over and over again, her voice full of fear and despair.

This situation happened almost every night. I knew that this disaster had left an indelible shadow on her young heart, and no matter how much care we gave her, it would not be able to completely heal her inner pain.

Looking at her increasingly thin face, Zhen Youcai and I were filled with worry. We had to do something to make her truly happy.

"Why not..." Zhen Youcai suddenly spoke, but stopped talking.

"What do you want to say?" I turned to look at him.

"I think..." Zhen Youcai paused, as if he had made up his mind, "Let's hold a birthday party for Ah Fu!"

"Birthday party?" I looked at Zhen Youcai in surprise. The post-disaster reconstruction work has just begun and there is a lot of work to be done. Isn't it inappropriate to hold a party now?

"I know what you're worried about," Zhen Youcai held my hand, his eyes firm, "but Ah Fu needs to be happy. We need to let her know that even though she lost her parents, she still has us, and there are so many people who care about her and love her."

His words touched me. Yes, a joyful banquet might be able to dispel the haze in Ah Fu's heart and make her feel warmth and hope again.

I nodded in agreement, and Zhen Youcai immediately began making preparations. He gathered all the rescue workers and affected residents and shared the news. To everyone's surprise, everyone expressed their support. They shared their treasures, made small gifts and toys, and prepared delicious food.

On the day of the banquet, the sky was clear blue and the sun was shining brightly. We set up a simple stage in the center of the camp, adorned with colorful fabrics. The faces of the disaster victims were filled with smiles, and the children were happily chasing and playing around, filling the entire camp with laughter and joy.

Ah Fu, wearing the new dress I had specially sewn for her and a garland on her head, walked slowly to the center of the stage, hand in hand with Zhen Youcai, like a little princess. She looked around curiously, and her previously dull eyes gradually sparkled with excitement.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!" Everyone sang in unison, their voices loud and warm.

Ah Fu was startled by this unexpected blessing. She tightly grasped Zhen Youcai's hand, somewhat bewildered. I walked up to her, squatted down, smiled gently and said to her, "Ah Fu, today is your birthday. Everyone likes you very much. I hope you are happy."

I handed her a piece of sweet cake. She hesitated for a moment, and finally took it with a shy smile on her face.

The atmosphere at the banquet became increasingly lively, with people singing and dancing, enjoying this rare happy moment to the fullest. Ah Fu gradually let down his guard, happily eating cake and playing with the children.

Seeing the long-lost smile on her face, a warm current surged in my heart. Perhaps Zhen Youcai was right, love really can heal all pain.

As night fell, the lively banquet drew to a close. Ah Fu snuggled in my arms, her small hands tightly around my neck. She raised her head, looked at Zhen Youcai and me, and whispered, "You...you are my mom and dad."

I was stunned. Before I could respond, I heard a commotion in the crowd and someone shouted, "The Emperor has arrived!—"

Before I could react, I saw a venerable monk in a cassock, flanked by guards, slowly approaching. His face was kind, and he clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and gave a Buddhist salute to Zhen Youcai and me. It was then that I remembered this monk was none other than the Imperial Preceptor, a highly respected and accomplished monk dedicated to post-disaster reconstruction and widely esteemed by the people.

"Amitabha," the Imperial Master's voice was deep and rich. "Your Majesty and the Empress are so kind and compassionate, saving people from suffering. I would like to thank you both on behalf of all the people in the world." As he spoke, he bowed deeply. I quickly stood up and wanted to support him, but he dodged me.

"Master, you are too kind," I said. "This is what we should do."

"Yes," Zhen Youcai also spoke up, "Seeing the people suffering, we feel the same way. We just want to do our best to help everyone overcome the difficulties."

The Imperial Preceptor nodded, his eyes falling on Ah Fu. He smiled lovingly and reached out to gently touch her head. "Child, you are very lucky to have met the Emperor and the Empress. They will take care of you like your biological parents."

Ah Fu seemed a little shy and shrank into my arms, looking timidly at the Imperial Master. I patted her back gently and said softly, "Ah Fu, don't be afraid. This is the Imperial Master, a highly accomplished monk. He's very kind."

The Imperial Preceptor looked at Zhen Youcai and me and said with satisfaction, "The Emperor and Empress are compassionate and will surely lead Daliang to prosperity." He then pulled a delicate little wooden box from his sleeve and said, "Here is a bodhi seed. I hope it will take root and sprout under the care of the Emperor and Empress, blessing Daliang with everlasting peace."

I took the box and nodded solemnly. After the Imperial Master left, Zhen Youcai looked at the box in my hand and said thoughtfully, "Bodhi seeds... maybe..." He hadn't finished his words when suddenly, a loud noise came from the distant sky. We looked up and saw that the once clear sky had been shrouded by a thick black cloud. The dark cloud rolled, and lightning and thunder roared, as if foreshadowing something...