Authors: Denise Kahn
The preparations had been painstakingly slow and difficult, but the painting of the vase was of lighting speed and finished by morning. See-Fu knew exactly when it was over, for the fury of the pace suddenly stopped, as did the music that played throughout the night (even though Lotus Blossom had long fallen asleep). He combed his hands over and above the vase leaving only a millimeter or air between his skin and the wet paint. His heart expanded with joy and pride. He lifted his head and saw Quan Yin smiling at him and then passed out at the foot of the table, his mustache making its own design on his face.
When See-Fu woke up it was dusk. He had slept through the day and he almost jumped when he remembered the previous night’s furious events. He went to the vase and touched it with trembling hands. How did it turn out? Was it is a mess or was it superb? How could a blind man paint without seeing? And then he reprimanded himself and apologized to Quan Yin. He knew she had been with him all along. He ran his fingers over the finished vase and studied the design. From his touch he knew exactly what it looked like, and from the vibration of the minerals he understood what color the paint was. He lovingly, and with great delight, let his hands discover every millimeter of the vase. Fifteen months of work, an eternity of love, and one night went into his creation. He put his cheek on the vase and felt the tingling. He smiled. Yes, it was a success and he was indeed proud of his work. He mouthed a silent prayer to his Goddess.
Quan Yin appeared from deep within the vase extending her hands toward him.
“See-Fu, this is more than a work of art, this is a work of love from the very depths of your soul. I congratulate you. This vase will be around for a very long time. It will always, always be surrounded by love and music for it is embedded in its creation. Wherever this vase will stand, those around it will be blessed. It is time to start its life. It is time to see the Emperor.”
See-Fu held his hands together in prayer close to his chest and bowed reverently. Quan Yin melted back into the vase.
♫
CHAPTER 3
See-Fu stood before the temple of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty. He took a deep breath, knowing full well how much this audience would dictate the rest of his beloved daughter’s life. He walked up the steps of the palace, gently tapping the stone with his cane. He cradled the vase in its velvet sack very close to his heart, as if it were a baby. One of the Emperor’s guards escorted him to the main audience room, which was lavishly furnished with silk screens, cushions of all colors, and altars burning incense. He was guided to the middle of the gleaming polished wooden floor in front of a gilded throne. He thanked the guard and sat down, cross-legged. He carefully stood the vase next to him and waited. He was alone in the large room, his shallow breathing the only faint sound.See-Fu heard the shuffle of feet in the background. He knew it was the Emperor, followed by his entourage. He quickly knelt and bowed his head to the floor as the government representatives took their respective places behind their leader seated on a golden throne with great ceremony. The Emperor wore a robe made of pure gold silk and embroidered with exquisite colored designs. His head was covered with a round hat, very much like a crown, and his long thin mustache dangled down to his chest. His delegates hovered around him like bees. One of them whispered in his ear. The Emperor looked down at See-Fu.
“So, it is See-Fu, the blind potter. What is it you wish?” The Emperor said, his voice booming throughout the large hall.
“Oh, great Emperor, I come bearing a gift for you.”
“Ah, that is nice. And I presume you want something in return.” See-Fu was still on his knees, his head hovering just above the floor. “Look up, See-Fu… I mean, rise, rise.” See-Fu sat back onto his feet, his back very straight. He crossed his hands in prayer in front of his chest.
“Whatever the outcome, my Emperor, I wish to present you with this gift, for you are a great man and we have come to respect and love you, indeed adore you. May you live many springs filled with health, wealth, happiness and wisdom.”
“Thank you, See-Fu, that means a great deal to me. But now, show me what you have in the sack.”
See-Fu slowly and lovingly opened the sack. He removed the vase and then quickly held it over his head. The light coming in from the windows hit the vase. The effect was blinding. Everyone in the room gasped. Never had they seen anything so brilliant and divinely designed. They looked at it closely. The vase seemed wet, as if the paint hadn’t dried, or perhaps it was alive. On it, painted in brilliant green from the emeralds, were the fields of China with its people and myths, seemingly ready to jump out and speak. The Emperor was depicted, as well as the city and its inhabitants. In the background the countryside was filled with flowers, magnificent birds, and animals that seemed to sway, fly and run. Other people, in the fields and in the city, were talking, working, laughing and enjoying life in general. Above it all, in the dramatic blue of the lapis lazuli sky, an enormous majestic ruby-red and gold dragon enveloped the entire top part of the vase and seemed to come out of it. The Emperor and his officials were hypnotized and duly impressed. The piece was magnificent and unique.
“I am known as a powerful Emperor, See-Fu,” the leader said, “but
you
have made history with your creation. Long after we are both gone from this world people will remember me, perhaps somewhat for what my peaceful government has offered, such as education, industry, trade and maritime commerce; but more importantly for the long-lasting art, wisdom, and writings of my people. I congratulate you, See-Fu. The vase is exquisite and it shines like nothing I have ever seen. But how did you ever paint this? You are blind!”
With love and music, my Lord.”
The Emperor stared at him. “I don’t understand. Explain this to me.”
“It was quite simple really. I could see in my heart what I wanted to create and I thought of my daughter that I love so dearly. When I heard her play her qin my fingers became my eyes.” See-Fu could feel Quan Yin close by as he repeated some of her words.
“See-Fu, I commend you and I thank you for such a unique gift. Tell me, what it is you want and I will grant you your wish.”
“You honor me as a God would, my Emperor, I thank you. My wish is not so much for myself, but for my daughter, Lotus Blossom.”
“Ah, yes, I have heard of her beauty and also of her talent as a musician. Tell me, what is it you wish for her?”
“She is young, and very much in love. My wish is that she may partake in the union of marriage with this wonderful man. My love for her is how this creation came about. I firmly believe that with love everything can be achieved.”
“Not only are you a brilliant artist, but quite the diplomat. I should have you in my court.” He looked at his delegates and grunted. “No, that would only be a waste of your talent. In any case, you are already an Ambassador to my court.”
“How do you mean, my Emperor?”
“With your talent, See-Fu, with your creations. As I said, you represent the best my people have to offer.”
“I am but your humble servant.”
“But now, tell me, who is it Lotus Blossom wants to marry?”
See-Fu paused for a moment, feeling the rise of his body’s temperature, unsure of the Emperor’s reaction. “It is Zhou… your nephew.” There, he had said it.
The delegates gasped. Zhou was a noble, part of the Royal family, and a warrior. How could the Emperor grant such a wish? It was impossible. It was just not done.
“My nephew?” The Emperor raised an eyebrow, perturbed and sensing his entourage’s reaction. “What you ask, as you know, is… difficult.”
“I know this, my Emperor, I know. But you cannot fault a father for trying to make his daughter happy. She is a wonderful person, deserving of a happy life. I would go to any length to be worthy of being a good father to her.”
“And that you are, See-Fu, that you are. And I do not fault you for this. On the contrary, you are a brave man. But you must know that I cannot allow a marriage such as this. You are not of a royal family.”
See-Fu was losing hope. The Emperor stood from his throne and walked around the large gold chair. He stopped and looked at the father begging for his daughter’s happiness. See-Fu raised his head a little.
“They are in love? Zhou and Lotus Blossom?” The Emperor said, almost whispering. See-Fu nodded. “They wish to marry?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
The delegates stared at the Emperor. He was pacing. They were worried. He was up to something.
“Zhou has responsibilities. He is one of my military attachés. He does need a wife, but she must be of royal bearing.” He continued to pace.
See-Fu said a quick prayer to Quan Yin. Something had to happen, it was now or never.
“Bring me Zhou!” The Emperor shouted, making everyone present jump. One of the guards ran out of the hall. The Emperor sat back on his throne. The delegates whispered among themselves. Just what was the Emperor up to?
A little while later the guard ran up to the Emperor, knelt in front of him reverently and whispered something. The Emperor nodded. The guard quickly rushed to the door. He returned with a handsome young man in full military regalia who immediately bowed in front of the Emperor. Zhou saw See-Fu and felt his mouth go dry. Why was he here, kneeling in front of his uncle, the Emperor?
“My Lord…” Zhou said.
“So, Zhou, tell me about
Lían Huá
.”
“Lotus Blossom?”
“Yes, See-Fu’s daughter!”
Zhou felt his stomach tighten, and the perspiration creeping up under his collar. The Emperor must surely know about them. Zhou took a deep breath. “She is named very appropriately. She is as lovely and delicate as a flower and her heart is even sweeter than the magical music she plays. Everyone respects her and loves her…”
“As you do, my nephew?”
Zhou lowered his eyes and nodded. “I do.”
“Do you not realize this is a problem?”
“I do.”
“Do you not realize that she is not of a royal family?”
“I do.”
“Do you not realize that you have put yourself in a very difficult situation?” The Emperor’s voice seemed to grow an octave louder with every question.
“I do.” Zhou still did not dare raise his eyes.
“Do you not realize that you have no control over love, over your heart?”
“I do.” Zhou suddenly looked up. The Emperor had tricked him. “My Lord?”
“Do you not realize that you have spoken as only a man in love can?” The Emperor said, now just barely a whisper. Zhou nodded.
“Do you not realize that I have but one alternative?” Zhou didn’t answer. He just looked pleadingly at his uncle.
“He is going to execute him,” one of the delegates whispered to another.
“No, he is a pacifist and a romantic,” another whispered back.
The Emperor suddenly stood up and shouted: “There is only one solution then, and it must be for the good of all my people!” Everyone in the room seemed to shrink. “See-Fu!”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Stand!” See-Fu did, with a little help from Zhou. The Emperor walked down the stairs from his throne to the potter. He stood in front of the blind man. All eyes were focused on the ruler. “I, absolute Emperor, decree that you, See-Fu, are now Ambassador of the Arts of this province. You are to oversee…uh, to guide the talent of our people into brilliant works of art that shall be recognized forever as some of the world’s greatest treasures. Furthermore, you shall move your home and workshop here to the palace.”
“So he can keep an eye on him, like he does everybody else,” one of the delegates whispered.
“Furthermore,” the Emperor continued, “my Nephew, Zhou, and Lotus Blossom, the daughter of See-Fu,
Royal
Ambassador to this court, shall be united in marriage upon the next full moon here in the palace. Furthermore, are there any objections so far?” He asked, looking around. All shook their heads. One did not disagree with the Emperor. “Furthermore,” he continued, “for the good of my people, Zhou and Lotus Blossom shall produce offspring worthy of their ancestors—warriors and artists!” The Emperor turned and looked at his entourage. He saw no objections. He went back to his throne and sat down with great pomp. “I have spoken!”
“Your wisdom is greater than even that of Confucius, my Lord,” Zhou said.
“Thank you, Zhou. Now go take your future father-in-law to your future bride. She must prepare for the wedding. Women are very peculiar about these things.” The Emperor winked at his nephew. Zhou smiled at his uncle—a smile of gratitude and respect, and only the way a man in love could. He gently put See-Fu’s arm over his and the two men regally walked out of the room.
See-Fu and Zhou arrived at the shop very quickly. “Lotus Blossom! Lotus Blossom!” They shouted.
Lotus Blossom came running out, worried, yet excited to see them. “Father, Zhou! What is it?”
The men just beamed.
♫