Copyright Giant Eagle 2000

giant_eagle610@yahoo.com.sg

The fictional characters of Huan Zhu Ge Ge i.e. Xiao Yan Zi, Xia Yu Her, Xia Zi Wei and Fu family belongs to Qiong Yao. Qian Long, Fu Heng, Ling Fei, Yong Qi, Ji Xiao Lan and other real historic figures don’t belong to anybody at all. This story is mine, mine, and MINE! To Aunty Qiong Yao and her publishers (Crown Books), please do not sue me for copyright violations. I am not making money out of this.

You are welcome to feature this story (in its entirety) on your websites but please have the courtesy to obtain my permission and give credit where it’s due.

A closer look at the events that led to Zi Wei’s birth.

In view of the occasional strong language and sexually suggestive situations in some parts, the story is rated PG-13. YOU WERE WARNED!

This is my second attempt at writing a HZGG fan fiction. My English is not that good, so is my Chinese. Most of the time, I write medical reports (I’m a final year medical student) so do forgive me if my writing is "dry" and not "Qiong Yao" enough to you.

Ji Nan is a prefecture in the province of Shan Dong and also the name of the main city of that prefecture. Yes, the prefecture and city still exists today and yes, there is really a Da Ming Hu (Great Ming Lake) in Ji Nan.

The rainy months of Shan Dong are during summer, from June to September. So Qian Long must have visited Ji Nan during summer, other wise there wouldn’t be that [Bi Yu](Shelter from the Rain) episode, and of course, no [Huan Zhu Ge Ge]. Autumn (October to December) in Shan Dong is a combination of coolness and warmth which results in fog. I suppose this is what inspired the [Yan Yu Too] (Misty Rain Painting). Very little snow during winter but I read that it’s pretty cold and dry.

Zi Wei is crape myrtle (Lagerstromeia indica), an ornamental shrub or small tree, which belongs to the family Lythraceae. It belongs to the loosestrife family and is native to China but also found in Korea. The flowers range from snowy white to red or purple, and grows in clusters up to 25cm wide. The tree is rarely more than 9m tall. The flowers bloom in July through September (summer in China) and the peak of the bloom is during mid summer (August and September).

• 1735-Aisin Gioro Hong Li (1710-1798) becomes the fourth Manchu Emperor of China, reign name Qian Long (1735-1795)
• 1741 -Qian Long goes to Mu Lan, north of Beijing during the seventh month (June). If this is true, he couldn’t have been in Ji Nan (800 km South East of Beijing) and there wouldn’t be Zi Wei. Still, the imperial records keeper could just change the dates and facts a little…
• 1741-Wu Ah Ge, Yong Qi born
• 1748-Spring the Hsiao Hsien Empress of the Fuca clan passes away. In history, Fuca Lan (orchid see Reference no. 13) is said to be Hong Li’s one true love. She is also the sister of Fu Heng (remember the bodyguard with in HZGG I who accompanied our favourite characters on the tour). The other one and only person who is said to be Hong Li’s true love is his youngest daughter, Her Xiao Princess, who wouldn’t be born until 15 years after the events in HZGG.
• 1748-The border wars with the Miao start. It only ends in 1776. (In HZGG I, the border wars start in 1742 and ends in 1743. A historical blooper by Aunty Qiong Yao which dear readers can choose to ignore.)

• Summer 1741-Qian Long visits Ji Nan, is caught in the rain and forced to seek shelter. Well, we

all know whom he met here. The foldable fan with a lotus flower painted on it was

probably made around this time

• Autumn 1741- Qian Long paints the [Yan Yu Too] for Yu Her

-Qian Long receives orders from the Empress Dowager to return to Beijing

• Summer 1742-Zi Wei born (XYZ also born during this period)

The [Yan Yu Too] was painted during the 10^th month of 6^th year of Qian Long, during autumn. Zi Wei says she was born on the 2^nd day, 8^th month 7^th year of Qian Long, "during the blooming season of crape myrtle". That means she was born sometime in August or September of 1742. Assuming Yu Her had a normal full term pregnancy which is 38-42 weeks, Zi Wei must have been conceived around November or December 1741. Golly, I’m starting to sound like a doctor.

Zi Wei didn’t specify how long the [Xiao Zhu] (Little Stay) was but whatever the length of time, it was enough for Qian Long to seduce/fall in love with Yu Her. The way Zi Wei described her mother, Yu Her was hopelessly in love with Qian Long. Yu Her must have been very young and impressionable when she was romanced by the thirty-one year old Qian Long, a charming ladies’ man. In history, Qian Long had 10 wives/concubines when he ascended the throne. By the time he passed away, he already had 40 official consorts of varying ranks, and possibly numerous undocumented "girlfriends". One could say that he was "experienced".

Of course, my dear readers are better informed than I am. I’m writing this fan fiction based on the information I’ve got at my disposal here.

(BTW, I’m not related to the midwife Mrs.Lee who delivered Zi Wei)