After countless shattered cycles of reincarnation, all that remained was the final tribulation and one last act of willfulness.
“Your Majesty, the princess consort has torn down your entire rear courtyard!”
“Never mind.”
“Your Majesty, the princess consort spilled the Meng Po Soup!”
“Never mind. Meng Po must have cut corners again.”
“Your Majesty, the princess consort has gone to the mortal realm again!”
“The mortal realm seems unsettled lately. It's time I went down to take a look...”
By the banks of the Yellow Springs, passing ghosts loved to admire that single flower on the other shore. Its blossoms and leaves would meet at last, and their love would never end.
