Story Inspired by HZGG

By Dytia

' Xiao Yanzi, I'm not going to listen to you,' said Er Kang shaking his head in disbelief. Ever since that night at the British Embassy, Xiao Yanzi cannot stop talking about it. Now, she wants him to host a dinner party at the Fu residence (since they can't possibly hold it in the Palace or Hui Bing Lou as it is still under construction).
' Aww... come on Er Kang. Don't be such a spoilsport. I think Fu Lun and Fu Jing will agree.'
' No way... Zi Wei, please talk some sense into her.' Zi Wei gladly soothed Er Kang telling him that Xiao Yanzi meant no harm. But she thinks that they should not trouble Fu Lun with this kind of nonsense.

' Nonsense. It isn't just nonsense. I think we need to host a ball in order to broaden our minds and enrich our knowledge of different cultures,' said Xiao Yanzi wisely. Both Er Kang and Zi Wei, bewildered by Xiao Yanzi's sudden wisdom, could not say a word in reply. Xiao Yanzi smiled. ' They didn't notice that I used one of Huang Ah Ma's famous quotes,' she thought slyly.

Just then, Yongqi joined them. He brought along his friend, Lucy much to Xiao Yanzi's disgust. Yongqi introduced her to Zi Wei.

' And you remember Xiao Yanzi and Er Kang.'
' Yes, I couldn't possibly forget you,' said Lucy teasingly at Er Kang while batting her eyelashes. She glanced at Xiao Yanzi and said,' You're the girl who spilt soup on the Japanese general's wife.' Xiao Yanzi indignantly protested,' It was an accident.'
' Oh well, I guessed you wouldn't dare to come and ruin my party. I'm having a ball this two weeks from now to mark the British Ambassador departure. He is going to France.You must remember him. I think he danced with you that night.' This time, it was Yongqi who turned red with jealousy. For the last few days, he have to answer Mr. Smith's inquiries about Xiao Yanzi. It seemed to him that Mr. Smith have developed a liking for her.

' We'll be there, ' said Xiao Yanzi vehemently. Zi Wei were amused to see the horrified look on Er Kang's face. But Yongqi was worst. After Lucy left, Yongqi furiously said to her. ' What do you think you're doing?'
' Relax. I've already thought it over. This time, we have two weeks to get ready for the ball.'
' And who's going to help you?' Yongqi hastily inquired. She shrugged. ' I'll find someone.

Xiao Yanzi was on her way to see Huang Ah Ma when she bumped into Mr. Smith on her way. Mr. Smith was really glad to see her and impatiently tell his translator to ask her if there's anything he could do for her. When the translator told Xiao Yanzi, she exclaimed. 'Yes, there is.' She told him all about Lucy's ball and that she needed somebody to teach her and Zi Wei some dinner and social etiquette. ' Maybe some English too.'

Mr. Smith happily obliged her request except for the part that she wanted to learn English. ' You need years before you can properly speak in English,' he said. But Xiao Yanzi insisted that he has to help her. He agreed at the end.

For the next two weeks, Mr. Smith and his translator came to Shu Fan Zai to teach Zi Wei and Xiao Yanzi how to eat with spoon and fork, how to curtsey and dance. Yongqi and Er Kang were not too happy when they discovered the arrangement. Still, Xiao Yanzi can be very difficult at times and this is one of those times. At the end, Yongqi regretfully submit to her wishes.

Xiao Yanzi and Zi Wei successfully learned dining manners and social graces much to the others surprise. Actually, they were surprised to see Xiao Yanzi finally putting in effort to learn. ' I wish she studies Chinese poetry as hard as she studies those fork and spoon.' Yongqi sighed.
But Xiao Yanzi could not grasp even one English word much to her disappointment. ' I cannot let that banana girl outstage me this time. I have to do something about it.'

Xiao Yanzi didn't realize that Mr. Smith have been watching her closely during the lessons. Zi Wei noticed it and told Er Kang. But she added that Mr. Smith have been very polite to her and Xiao Yanzi so she doesn't think it meant anything. Zi Wei was wrong. Mr. Smith was mesmerized by Xiao Yanzi's spontaneity and beauty. He had never seen a girl like Xiao Yanzi. It was a pity that she was already engaged to Wu Ah Ge. He realized that Xiao Yanzi doesn't have the same feelings so he put his love aside and try to assist her in every way he could.

When they arrive at the Zhao family mansion, Xiao Yanzi nervously told Yongqi to stop laughing and try to remember their plan. He giggled and said, ' I must say, Xiao Yanzi. You are really clever to think up a plan as absurd as this.' She hushed him. ' Lucy's coming.' Carefully, she unfold her fan and held onto Yongqi as they make their entrance. Everyone turned towards them as some of the Chinese men and women respectfully greeted both of them. 'Wu Ah Ge, jixiang! Ge Ge, jixiang' they chorused. Lucy, unfamiliar with the palace customs, hastily greeted them. ' Wu Ah Ge, jixiang. Huan Zhu Ge Ge, jixiang.' But she was more overwhelmed when she saw Xiao Yanzi confidently greeted her in English. ' How do you do, Ms Zhao?' said Xiao Yanzi.
' Err... fine. Where is Zi Wei and Er Kang?' she replied (in English too I may add).
' Oh, they're coming in shortly. Yongqi, I think that's our music. Shall we dance?' asked Xiao Yanzi as she held Yongqi's arms lovingly. Yongqi, trying as hard as he could not to laugh, whisked her off towards the dance floor.

To those of you who were wondering how in the world did Xiao Yanzi learn English in such a short time, let me explain. The secret lies in the fan in Xiao Yanzi's hand. Xiao Yanzi hit upon the idea of writing all of the possible English conversation on one of it's side in Chinese lettering. Yongqi's role was to point out which part she has to say (actually... read is the proper word... grin...).

Everybody were dazzled by the sight of a royal Manchurian couple dancing to Tchaikovsky's 'Four Season'. Zi Wei and Er Kang stood among the thrilled spectators. ' They do suit each other,' said Zi Wei. Er Kang agreed with him. ' If it wasn't for you, they wouldn't even know each other,' he softly said to her. Zi Wei looked up to him and replied, ' And if not because of her, I wouldn't even know you.' Er Kang squeezed her hand affectionately.

' Mr. Fu, Meng Zhu Ge Ge. How nice to see you?' Both of them turned around to see Mr. Smith and his ever loyal translator. Zi Wei again noticed that his eyes never left Xiao Yanzi. There was sorrow in his eyes as he forlornly watched Yongqi and Xiao Yanzi waltzed to the music.

' Mr. Smith, Ms. Zhao told us that you're going to France.'
' Yes, my ship will leave tomorrow morning.'
' Could we see you off? After all, you have helped Xiao Yanzi a lot these few days.' said Er Kang. Mr. Smith said no to the offer. He could not bear to see Xiao Yanzi sending him off. They came from different worlds. Furthermore, he was the British ambassador and she was a Chinese princess who's engaged to a royal prince. ' Someday, I'll find a girl just like her,' he silently thought.

It's time for dinner. Lucy offered Xiao Yanzi some chopsticks but Xiao Yanzi politely declined. Most of the guests who was also present during the embassy dinner declined to sit anywhere near Xiao Yanzi. But they were pleasantly surprised to see Xiao Yanzi's new and improved table manners. Yongqi was so proud with her that he proposed a toast. ' And to wish Mr. Smith good luck on his journey. Cheers.' All of the guests stood up and chorused, ' Cheers!!'

On the way back, Yongqi excitedly told Er Kang, Zi Wei and Xiao Yanzi how happy he was that night. But something was amiss. Xiao Yanzi was awfully quiet. ' Xiao Yanzi, did you hear a word that I said?' Zi Wei laughed. 'I think she was too tired from the excitement. Tonight was her night of triumph after all,' she said. Er Kang casually replied, ' No wonder she worked so hard for this.' All of a sudden, Zi Wei inquired,' Yongqi, could I ask you something?'
' Of course .'
' Why is your friend Lucy keep on .. err.. flirting with you and Er Kang?'
' She did not,' Yongqi protested. Er Kang agreed with Zi Wei. Yongqi laughed heartily. ' Zi Wei, don't worry. Lucy is already engaged to someone back in England. But don't tell Xiao Yanzi about it.'
' Why not?' asked Zi Wei. Yongqi slowly explained, ' I saw how Xiao Yanzi got jealous of Lucy ever since they've known each other. Since then, she got so protective around me. Frankly speaking, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ouch...! Xiao Yanzi, you're awake!' Xiao Yanzi suddenly sat upright and gave him a hard shove. ' Yes, I'm awake and I've heard everything. Who says I'm jealous of you and Lucy?'
' It's so obvious,' Yongqi exclaimed. Zi Wei and Er Kang looked at each other. ' There they go again.'