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Prompt: Imagine the reunion of Trọng Thủy and Mị Châu beneath the glistening waters after his demise.
Part 1: Outline envisioning the reunion of Trọng Thủy and Mị Châu beneath the glistening waters after his demise
Part 2: Sample essay on imagining Trọng Thủy's encounter with Mị Châu beneath the mesmerizing waters
The tale of An Dương Vương, Mị Châu, and Trọng Thủy seemed concluded with a heart-wrenching finale. Mị Châu met her demise at the hands of her own father, the king, to settle debts of the nation and familial vendettas. Meanwhile, Trọng Thủy, haunted by remorse and grief over Mị Nương's death and tormented by his conscience, sought solace in the very well where Mị Châu used to bathe. However, their tragic separation was not the end. Following their deaths, Mị Châu found refuge as the adopted daughter of the Water Deity, while Trọng Thủy, after wandering through distant and unfamiliar aquatic realms, finally reunited with Mị Châu.
It's told that Trọng Thủy descended into the Water Palace. Despite the customary journey to the underworld after death, Trọng Thủy encountered a woman named Mạnh Bà who offered him a bowl of soup to forget his earthly troubles and smoothly transition into the cycle of reincarnation. However, Trọng Thủy, burdened by regret and indebtedness towards Mị Châu, declined the soup, opting instead to become a wandering soul in search of Mị Châu to seek her forgiveness. Moved by Trọng Thủy's anguish, Mạnh Bà could only sigh with empathy:
- Pity for the human fate, both carry their own burdens of resentment, refusing the offered soup. But few understand that being forgotten is the greatest grace bestowed by the heavens, if one does not want it, there's no need to force it upon them. Let me tell you one thing, I've also met that Mị Châu in the past, she confessed that the sins she committed remained unresolved, so she willingly became a wandering soul, eternally haunted by the memories of her misdeeds as a form of punishment. It's truly both harsh and pitiful. If your family realizes their mistakes, they should seek forgiveness from her, she resides in the Eastern Sea Palace.
After speaking, Mạnh Bà suddenly vanished, leaving behind a forest of Scarlet Morning Glory, vividly red. Trọng Thủy, in agony, knelt down, murmuring gratitude to Mạnh Bà, then set out to find Mị Châu's soul. After years of wandering and searching, Trọng Thủy finally arrived at the shores of the Eastern Sea, descending into the Water Palace. Trọng Thủy was overwhelmed by the magnificent and dazzling scenery. Despite being of royal lineage, he had never seen such extravagant decorations. The palace was not built of bricks but resembled vast caves, with exquisite carvings on white marble walls. Despite the absence of sunlight deep underwater, the palace always gleamed brightly, thanks to countless pearls placed everywhere, on walls, beneath the ground. Coral reefs were stacked closely together, creating myriad shapes and forms that words could not describe. While he was in awe, Trọng Thủy was apprehended by the aquatic guards, suspecting him of ill intentions, and escorted before King Thủy Tề.
At that moment, the Water Palace was hosting a birthday celebration for the princess. Long Vương, upon seeing an intruder, grew displeased, expressing his anger:
- Where did this person come from, ruining the joy of both myself and the princess, it's intolerable!
Leading the escort, the foremost figure bowed:
- Your Majesty, while patrolling, we apprehended this individual acting suspiciously. Despite our inquiries, he claims ignorance on all accounts. Thus, we brought him here for your judgment, Your Majesty.
- Step aside, let the kneeling one raise his head for my inspection.
Trọng Thủy quietly lifted his head, facing King Long, when suddenly the sound of a broken cup echoed loudly. King Long turned to see the princess, her face flushed with anger, tears welling in her eyes, hands clenched tightly on her garment, trembling. This sight only fueled King Long's suspicions further, prompting him to inquire:
- Where do you come from? What are your intentions? If you wish to spare your life, quickly explain yourself.
Trọng Thủy calmly replied:
- Your Highness, I am a descendant of Triệu Đà, the king of Triệu kingdom. Due to certain reasons, after my demise, I sought to come here to find a young lady named Mị Châu to plead for forgiveness. I humbly request your mercy for my uninvited intrusion and disruption of the festivities.
Surprised, King Long turned to the princess and inquired:
- Does Mị Châu, her son, and he have any acquaintance? Why would he audaciously come here seeking her?
At this moment, the princess, with glistening eyes, having just wiped her tears, replied:
- Father King, he is someone from my past with whom I have a deep-seated grievance. I kindly request your permission to meet him privately to resolve the lingering grievances that still burden us. Then, I will fully explain everything to you!
- Very well, step aside, go down, take your time to talk, don't strain yourself, you've only recently recovered from illness. If he behaves disrespectfully towards you, I will ensure he faces the consequences he deserves.
Afterwards, King Long ordered Trọng Thủy to be untied and directed some servants to accompany him and Mị Châu to avoid any trouble. Mị Châu expressed her gratitude to King Long before quietly departing, her face filled with sorrow. Trọng Thủy followed suit, his demeanor no less troubled, his words choking in his throat, unable to be uttered. For no matter what he said, Trọng Thủy couldn't help but feel deeply ashamed. Upon reaching an empty pavilion, Mị Châu signaled for all servants to leave, leaving only her and Trọng Thủy. She stood with her back turned to Trọng Thủy, silent for a long while before speaking:
- Could it be that while alive, you tormented and tortured me, shattered my heart, is that not enough misery for you, that you seek me out here? Could it be that you desire to inflict further harm upon me before you find peace in your heart and mind?
Trọng Thủy shook his head repeatedly, then knelt down, bowing his head in utmost anguish:
- No, that's not it at all. You've misunderstood me. Since your death, I've been consumed with regret. I never imagined we would come to this day. Mị Châu, I refused Mạnh Bà's soup only to search for you, only to beg for your forgiveness, perhaps only by seeking you out can I find solace for the thousand-year regret that weighs heavy on my soul.
Mị Châu abruptly turned around, her brows furrowed tightly, eyes reddened, lips pressed together, each word piercing into the heart:
- Begging? Begging for my forgiveness? You deceived me, caused me to lose my homeland, incurred the wrath of the entire nation, led to my own father ruthlessly killing me, even in death my father did not deign to forgive me. In your eyes, I am just a pawn, a foolish woman easily manipulated by your family. Let me tell you, my only wish is to never encounter a heartless and treacherous person like you again, do you understand? I will never forgive you, don't delude yourself!
- Mị Châu, I acknowledge my mistakes, even if you were to stab me a hundred thousand times with a sword, it would not be enough for you to find solace, but the truth is, it's my own foolishness, my excessive pursuit of power that made me forget my feelings. It was I who brought you to this plight, I who caused you to suffer, the pains that I know you can never forget. Mị Châu, as long as you forgive me, I am willing to do anything to atone, even if it means serving you as a slave for a hundred lifetimes. I only need your forgiveness.
- Uttering the words 'forgive me' may seem easy, but how can I forgive? The pain of losing my country, the pain of injustice, the pain of being deceived, every day and every night feels like thousands of arrows piercing into my heart, tormenting me, making it impossible for me to sleep. Though I am fortunate to be accepted by the king and queen as their foster daughter, they have shown me immense kindness, yet I still cannot forget. When I laid to rest by the seaside, on my way to the royal palace, I encountered Mạnh Bà with a precious soup, rumored to make one forget everything, to be reborn. But how can I easily forget everything, I refuse that soup, it is the only punishment I reserve for myself, to punish my own foolishness and folly.
Trọng Thủy quietly grasped Mị Châu's trembling hand:
- Why must you torment yourself like this, it's because of me, all because of me, the pain should rightfully be borne by me instead of you. Why was I so reckless back then, is power truly that important? Regardless of who needs me or not, I only need you. Will you forgive me? Even if you demand that I wander in eternal exile without reincarnation, I won't utter a word of complaint.
Trọng Thủy spoke, raising his hand to dissolve his own existence, Mị Châu panicked, clutching Trọng Thủy's hand tightly, tears streaming down like rain.
- Must you do this? What can we revive from this? It's impossible anymore. For a hundred years, I've thought of my father every day, not knowing where he is, not knowing if he still harbors hatred towards me, and then I think of you, I am torn between hatred and agony because of my love for you. I never expected to one day see your remorse, to see you beg for my forgiveness, though it doesn't bring me joy. Trọng Thủy, it's been so long since I've called your name like this, I cannot forgive you, my conscience doesn't allow me to do so, so why don't we both forget, perhaps you and I have both endured enough torment, enough suffering for a hundred years. Let's forget.
Trọng Thủy stepped back, stunned. He never expected that in the end, Mị Châu would still refuse to forgive him. For a hundred years, he had diligently searched, hoping for her forgiveness, yet it seemed unattainable, perhaps deservedly so. How could someone like him forgive, when he dared not even forgive himself? And if he couldn't, then how could Mị Châu? Trọng Thủy chuckled bitterly.
- It's inevitable, our fate is destined to be eternal adversaries, I accept that. But please, don't torment yourself anymore. I beg only this of you, please forget it all. Let's go together to meet Mạnh Bà, let's ask for her soup, and in the next life, let's hope we don't have to endure such strife. Will you agree, Mị Châu?
- Very well, let's forget it all. Forget all the pain of this life, forget all the old grudges. I wish not to meet again in the next life, even through countless reincarnations. That's the only punishment I desire, to punish both you and me.
- Agreed, I accept.
Trọng Thủy clenched tightly onto her hands, his throat dry and harsh, only able to utter those words. They both went to meet Mạnh Bà. Along the way, the Bỉ Ngạn flowers bloomed brilliantly, a flower without leaves, perhaps destined to never meet again, like the tragic love of Mị Châu and Trọng Thủy.
Yet, Trọng Thủy once again deceived Mị Châu, secretly asking Mạnh Bà to reincarnate without drinking the forgetfulness soup. Mạnh Bà agreed, understanding his heart. Thus, Trọng Thủy carried the remorse and suffering into each new life, silently watching over Mị Châu, silently witnessing her happiness with others, while he bore the burden of regret for eternity.
The legend of An Dương Vương and Mị Châu - Trọng Thủy tells the story of nation-building and love filled with injustice. Explore more about this legend, alongside imagining what happens when Trọng Thủy meets Mị Châu again under the sea palace. Check out: Analysis of the An Dương Vương and Mị Châu - Trọng Thủy legend, Character analysis of An Dương Vương, Your thoughts on the legend of An Dương Vương and Mị Châu - Trọng Thủy, The attitude and feelings of the people towards Mị Châu in the Legend of An Dương Vương and Mị Châu - Trọng Thủy.
