Three Thousand Vermilion Blossoms

Three thousand red blossoms scatter and fade, then one day I find my true love and return. This is truly a very old-fashioned story: the escape of a princess from a fallen kingdom. Still, I sincerely hope I can bring something fresh to it, so I'll take my time filling it in. Here's a bit of dialogue: “What are you looking for, miss?” “I'm going to get revenge.” He said, “All things in this world are born yesterday and die today. This is both fate and cause and effect. Why cling to it?” I smiled. “You're no monk, sir, yet you speak nothing but Buddhist principles.” He said, “Buddhist principles can save all living beings. Anyone can practice them.” I sighed. “But the Buddha shows me no favor.” He smiled and asked, “The most painful revenge in the world is having your father killed and your mother taken from you. The deepest hatred is seeing your country and family destroyed. Which kind of revenge do you seek?” “My country and family destroyed, my father killed and my mother taken from me.” I spat out each word through clenched teeth, resolute and unwavering. “Then I'll help you.” He smiled like a spring breeze and held out a bowl of soup.