American Perspectives: Ma Zhaixing Goes to War

Ma Zhaixing confesses that she slipped Prince Bo a sedative through her lip rouge that he ingested when he kissed her.  Her intention was to prevent him from going to the Imperial city of Suyang and battling with the new King, Chu You Kui. Instead, she has taken the same poison that gave Prince Bo super strength, and she is going to go to battle at Suyang on his behalf.  She feels that her fight and her death will resolve the conflict between the two kingdoms for once and for all.

Ma Zhaixing and Yao Ji head to Suyang, and are waiting to enter at the heavily fortified gate.  They have been summoned by Chu You Kui, but they refuse to go in until 4th Prince Chu You Zhen (Prince Bo's adopted brother) has been released.

A bloodied and tortured Chu You Zhen is shown from the palace roof.  Ma Zhaixing and Yao Ji exchange looks of concern.  They walk forward, and are halted.  They are informed that only Ma Zhaixing can enter.  Yao Ji is very concerned.  Ma Zhaixing is very relaxed and confident.  She authoritatively declares that she will enter alone.  She reveals to Yao Ji that she is doing this so Prince Bo and their loved ones can all survive.  She is at peace with her terrifying decision.  As a gesture of sworn friendship, she trades hairpins with Yao Ji, and tells her if she doesn't make it, to take care of Prince Bo.  Yao Ji is a bit overwhelmed and stunned.  Ma Zhaixing peacefully walks through the gates, ready for fate to take over.

Prince Bo is awakened by a yellow butterfly.  He sees a letter from Ma Zhaixing on the drink tray, instructing him not to go after her.  He doesn't comply, and he gets on his lovely black horse, and takes off like a bat out of hell, ready to come and get her.

Ma Zhaixing enters Suyang, ready to go.  The guards block the stairway leading to the King.  Ma Zhaixing demands he surrender the city.  Chu You Kui raises his sword, and issues a kill order.  The guards come running for Ma Zhaixing, swords and spears drawn.  

Prince Bo is galloping up to the gates of Suyang.  The guards are alerted to his arrival and start firing their arrows, but he is not intimidated.  His horse is struck down, Prince Bo rolls off and runs through the storm of arrows, grabs the draw bridge as it's closing, and is struck by arrows in his leg.  He does not give up.  He climb over as it is closing, and rolls down into the city.  The guards run for Ma Zhaixing with their weapons, and she is able to throw all of them off her with her drug induced super strength.  Prince Bo jumps over the wall, and goes after his former troop who are on the roof.  They submit to him, and let him through.

Ma Zhaixing is running in the rain.  She faces Chu You Kui, and walks to him.  He's holding Chu You Zhen hostage, and threatening to kill.  He pushes him down the stairs.  Ma Zhaixing catches him.  As Chu You Kui draws his sword, Ma Zhaixing pushes Chu You Zhen out of the way, and gets stabbed in the heart.  Prince Bo flies through the air and catches her from falling onto the hard ground.  He grabs Chu You Kui's blade to keep him from stabbing her once more, and proceeds to send him flying.  Prince Bo holds Ma Zhaixing tightly.  "Wolfie always manages to catch Xing'er," she says to him.  He wishes he had been there earlier, but she says his presence at this very moment is enough.

Chu You Kui is begging for his life, stating he'll give Prince Bo the throne. Prince Bo is too busy comforting Ma Zhaixing, taking in every minute of their final moment.  Chu You Kui takes advantage, and sneaks up on them with a dagger, but Chu You Zhen warns Prince Bo.  Prince Bo throws his sword, killing Chu You Kui.

Ma Zhaixing and Prince Bo stay in each other's arms one last time, as she isn't going to make it.  She takes her last breath, and the bell that was used between them as a means to communicate rings one last time.

 

This concludes my writing for "The Wolf," please find this interpretation of events favorable.  The next series of blog postings will be about "A Twisted Fate of Love."