The Phoenix flew over the vast checkerboard that was Chíang-an, the capital city. The sky was cloaked in clouds; if any scampering people looked up as they hustled from tea shops and gem dealers, they would have only seen a dark feathered silhouette crossing overhead, making for the palace.
She saw the emperor in his gardens in an open courtyard, his head low, pacing like an elderly tiger. She let herself fall from the sky. When she landed, the eyes in his otherwise inscrutable face were wide. She shook herself, arced her wings until they were arms, a change slipping over until her form was clothed in human skin, scarlet feathers become silk, talons now tiny feet.
The emperor, clearly overcome, bowed low. ìI am at your feet.î
She touched his shoulder. ìRise, Te Tsung.î
ìMy lady Phoenix, this is a most great honor.î
ìPerhaps not as great as you think. I come in private.î
ìI was told to see the Phoenix in an emperorís reign means he has done right for the kingdom?î
ìYes, but no one else has seen me.î
He pondered this. ìSo if I were to tell anyone you have favored me this wayÖî
ìóThey would think you were boasting without cause, yes.î
Te Tsung hung his head even lower. ìThen I am being punished?î
She let out her breath. ìYou are proving my decision right, Te Tsung. I came here today to tell you I am leaving your country. Your descendants and all the emperors after youónone of them will see me again.î
ìYou are leaving?î he asked, dumbfounded.
ìYes. And one of the reasons I am is that you humans think my every move involves you!î She saw his stricken face and softened her tone. ìI cannot be the arbiter anymore, judging good and bad emperors. There is too much potential for abuse. My motheróyour ancestor, the Empress Wu, she warned my motheróshe should have listenedóî
ìMy lady, forgive me,î the emperor interrupted, ìbut your mother visited the Empress Wu? She who dared call herself ëDivine Empress Who Rules the Universeí?î
ìOh, yes. She came to visit one of her festivals. Surely you knew thatóit was a very public appearance; Empress Wu needed all the supportÖî She stopped, feeling sick. ìYou had not been told.î
ìOnly of the Empress Wuís wickedness.î He turned and began to pace again. The Phoenix followed. ìYou are right to leave. We are such an evil race we cannot even let history stay true. I was pondering this when you came, trying to untangle conflicting stories of my ancestors. I wonder whether anyone will remember well of me.î
ìKnow for yourself you have done well,î she told him. ìPublic acclaim I cannot give you, but I will give you that.î
ìIt was wrong of me to want more. That is a great enough gift.î
ìIt will have to be enough. It is the last gift I can give you.î She bowed to him. His face was a mystery again. She raised her arms up, brought them down as wings, and Te Tsung was alone in his garden once more.