Human Realm, Zuifang Pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, urgent flutes and complex strings filled the air with deafening song and music. Wealthy young scions throughout the hall were either embracing beauties while playing drinking games and laughing, or shouting and clinking cups with fellow guests in a chaotic mix of merriment and coarse banter.
“What a day, folks! Our Zuifang Pavilion’s top courtesan, Xianglan, will perform a pipa melody for all you fine gentlemen. Feast your eyes!” The madam called out from the second-floor balcony, nudging forward a pretty young woman adorned with a red flower in her hair and a bead curtain veiling her face.
Instantly, even the boisterous crowd hushed for a moment at the sound of the pipa. Within seconds, human voices blended with the music, sending the pleasure house into a lively uproar.
“What special occasion is this? The madam actually let Xianglan come out to perform,” Shi Xuan remarked, cracking melon seeds while keeping her eyes on the delicate beauty plucking the pipa strings.
“Sounds like you haven’t been here in a while. Recently, our Zuifang Pavilion master is celebrating a birthday. Good mood, you see—so Xianglan was sent out to add to the fun. Usually, common folk like us wouldn’t catch a glimpse of the top courtesan’s face!” A young nobleman nearby drained his cup and explained.
“Boring.” Shi Xuan spat out a melon seed shell, turned, and headed up the wooden stairs toward the second-floor private rooms. Just three steps up, she ran straight into the beaming madam coming downstairs.
“Oh, Master Yu! You arrived without a word—let me make the arrangements!” The madam reached out to support Shi Xuan.
“Hold on, don’t touch me,” Shi Xuan frowned, using her folding fan to block the madam’s hands, which were laden with gold and jade rings.
“The usual place. A private room suite, reserve the floor.” Shi Xuan did not look at the madam and kept walking forward.
“Master Yu, Lady Xianglan is meant to entertain guests today.” The madam put on a troubled look that gave Shi Xuan a headache.
“Money is not an issue.” She tossed a heavy bag of silver into the madam’s arms without turning back. “As soon as this pipa piece finishes, have Xianglan come see me immediately.”
“Yes! Right away! I’ll go arrange it at once! Master Yu, please rest comfortably in the private room!” The madam’s eyes sparkled at the sight of silver. Unable to hide her flattering smile, she hurried downstairs to attend to it.
The private room was the one Shi Xuan frequented most. Behind the blue gauze curtains lay her familiar ancient zither, jade zither, and blackwood beauty couch, alongside a carved round table loaded with wine cups and fruit platters.
She sat on the couch for a moment and popped a few fruits into her mouth. Seeing a slanted shadow running toward the private room, the corners of her lips curled upward.
Shi Xuan opened the door full of anticipation, only to find a child who did not even reach her thighs.
“Wait, did I open the door wrong? Kid, step back a bit, I need to close it and try again.” Shi Xuan found it hard to believe.
The child was obedient, quietly taking a step back and watching wide-eyed as Shi Xuan shut and opened the door four times in a row.
“Has Zuifang Pavilion gone mad? Besides, I don’t have that kind of preference.” Saying this, Shi Xuan looked down again at the child. She was about four or five years old with neatly tied twin braids adorned with precious jewels. Aside from her slightly messy hair and dirty, luxurious dress, she clearly looked like a daughter from a wealthy family.
“Master Yu, what is this?” Xianglan, having just finished her pipa piece, held up her skirt as she walked over, spotting the child immediately.
“Ah, Xianglan, you’re here. Come on in.” Shi Xuan entered the inner room, leaning casually on the couch as she watched Xianglan gently light the incense burner in the corner. The room instantly filled with fragrance, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
“Xianglan, why did Zuifang Pavilion bring such a young child here?” She gestured for the child to come closer, carefully examining the delicate small face.
“She does look good—regal and endearing. But her demeanor is too quiet; I don’t think she suits a place like Zuifang Pavilion.” She suddenly sat up from the couch. “How about I give you some silver to have the madam redeem her freedom?”
Xianglan smiled and shook her head, thoughtfully tucking a stray lock of hair behind Shi Xuan’s ear. She said softly, “Master Yu, this child doesn’t belong to Zuifang Pavilion. She probably belongs to a guest and wandered in by mistake.”
“I see. Well, since she’s here, I won’t spoil the mood by chasing her out. Let her sit quietly to the side and eat some fruit; she won’t bother us.”
“Alright. What tune would Master Yu like to hear today? You haven’t visited in so long, I’ve missed you dearly. I have several wonderful pieces that no one has heard, and I was getting quite anxious…” Xianglan leaned close to Shi Xuan’s ear, her soft words accompanied by a fresh, subtle fragrance that left Shi Xuan feeling slightly tipsy.
Shi Xuan wrapped an arm around Xianglan’s shoulder and whispered, “I like whatever Xianglan sings.” After a brief pause, she released her and kept a little distance. “Let’s begin. Let the child sit beside me and listen together.”
Xianglan had just tuned her instrument. Before a single note was struck, a man drenched in the smell of blood burst in. Out of breath, he slammed the door shut, looking like a survivor of a narrow escape. Terrified, Xianglan instantly buried herself in Shi Xuan’s arms.
“Who goes there? Barging into my private room like this—do you have a death wish?” Shi Xuan shielded Xianglan and the child behind her, her face filled with hostility.
Her gaze swept over the man’s bloody right hand, noticing he was still clutching a dagger.
“Lady, do not fear. I am Xie Ying, an attendant to the current Emperor of Zhao’ning Kingdom. A palace coup suddenly erupted, and I fled here frantically with the Twenty-First Princess. If I have offended you, please forgive me.” As he spoke, he placed a valuable jade pendant on the carved round table nearby.
Only then did Shi Xuan look back at the child she was protecting. Surprisingly, the child showed no fear at all. Seeing the situation, she gently pried Shi Xuan’s hand open, trotted over to Xie Ying, and tightly grasped his fingers.
“A palace coup in Zhao’ning Kingdom?” Shi Xuan frowned.
If she remembered correctly, when Princess Miaohua went down to the mortal realm to undergo her trial, it was as the Twentieth Princess of Zhao’ning Kingdom. Calculating the time, her trial for ascension shouldn’t be running into trouble so soon.
“Yes. This matter is of grave importance, so I ask you both not to speak of it outside to avoid causing a stir. As for the Princess, I will take her away now so as not to cause you trouble.” Xie Ying turned to leave, but the Twenty-First Princess refused, tugging tightly at his sleeve.
“Your Highness, be good,” Xie Ying bent down, patiently trying to untangle her grip.
The child’s grip did not loosen in the slightest. Xie Ying’s voice, previously gentle, suddenly turned somewhat grim: “Chu Ling, will you not listen to me either?”
“Since it’s a palace coup, taking such a small princess with you means certain death. If you can trust us, leave her here for now. Wait until you’ve settled the palace affairs before coming back for her. I’ll be staying here for the next few days anyway.” Shi Xuan sat on the couch with Xianglan, staring at this so-called “servant” with a scrutinizing eye.
Xie Ying stood in place and pondered for a long moment. Finally, he gave a formal bow, expressed his gratitude, and departed Zuifang Pavilion.
Xianglan readjusted her instrument and began to play. Shi Xuan, however, had lost interest in listening. She rested her head on her hand, lying on the beauty couch while playing with the jade pendant Xie Ying had left behind.
The jade was top quality—warm, lustrous, yet clear despite its misty hue.
“Is your name Chu Ling?” Shi Xuan asked casually.
“Yes.” The child was not timid, yet not lively either, making Shi Xuan feel rather bored.
“Do you have an older sister? What is her name?” Shi Xuan tried to keep the conversation going.
But Chu Ling refused to speak.
“Quite the personality,” Shi Xuan remarked, glancing at Chu Ling again. Only then did she notice the child was holding a clay doll in her left hand the entire time.
The doll was crudely made—features barely recognizable—yet she treated it like a treasure, holding it tight even while fleeing for her life.
“Can I see your doll? I promise I won’t break it,” Shi Xuan smiled pleasantly. “How about I trade this pear just for a look?”
Chu Ling thought it over and finally nodded. She held out the clay doll with both hands to Shi Xuan, her eyes brimming with clear water and full of anticipation.
However, Shi Xuan did not take it. Frowning slightly, she waved her hand to disperse the air around her.
“This doll… is so ugly. And it smells awful.”
Chu Ling’s expression changed instantly. Her small mouth pouted as she set the pear on the table, let out a “Hmph!”, snatched the doll back, and glared fiercely at Shi Xuan.
“Fine, fine. Your clay doll is the best in the world, okay?” Shi Xuan narrowed her eyes and turned over on her side. “I’m sleepy. Do you want to sleep? If so, sleep on the inside.”
Chu Ling nodded.
“Why aren’t you getting on the couch? Are you sleeping or not?” Shi Xuan asked with her back to her. Hearing no response, she felt helpless.
She turned around properly, softened her tone, and gently asked Chu Ling, “If you want to sleep, why aren’t you getting on the couch?”
“I’m dirty.”
Shi Xuan froze. She suddenly realized her joke had gone a bit too far. The child was only four or five years old; she shouldn’t have to endure such hardships.
Shi Xuan gave Chu Ling a soft hug and comforted her quietly, “It’s alright, you’re not dirty. You’re the best girl. Let’s sleep; when you wake up, someone will come pick you up, alright?”
Chu Ling still remained silent, clutching her clay doll and blinking at Shi Xuan.
“I don’t mind at all,” Shi Xuan said, stroking Chu Ling’s cheek.
After a long pause, Chu Ling walked over to the side, neatly placed her clay doll in the corner, and then climbed onto the couch, lying down properly next to Shi Xuan.
Shi Xuan gently patted Chu Ling to sleep. Outside, the delicate string music wove through the soft clouds, trailing into her dreams.
Upon waking, she did not find Xie Ying, but rather an infuriated yet suppressed Xue Shen.
“Oh, why are you here?” Shi Xuan rubbed her sleepy eyes. The other party’s face was extremely pale, looking as though Shi Xuan owed her something she refused to return.
“Alright, you found me.” Shi Xuan glanced at Chu Ling to make sure she hadn’t been woken up, then waved at Xue Shen. “Let’s talk out in the hallway so we don’t disturb the child.”
“What’s wrong?” Shi Xuan watched the dancers downstairs moving gracefully, their harp music echoing melodiously.
“Princess Miaohua descended to the mortal realm to undergo her trial to become a High Goddess. Today marks barely fourteen years, yet she met with an unexpected disaster during a sudden palace coup.” Xue Shen’s breathing grew heavy.
“Has her original spirit returned? How is her condition now? Failing a trial like this… wouldn’t her vital energy be severely damaged?” Shi Xuan suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
“The immortal physician has already examined her. The situation is not optimistic.” Xue Shen shook her head, her expression ash-gray.
“This was my negligence. I didn’t organize Princess Miaohua’s Book of Fate properly… I will go to the Heavenly Emperor to receive my punishment. But before that—” She turned her head to glance at the wooden door of the private room behind them.
“The one inside is about to join the ranks of the immortals. If you can help, lend a hand. But unless necessary, do not use immortal magic to avoid backlash. You know immortals cannot casually interfere in mortal affairs.”
“Xue Shen, are you saying both the Book of Fate and the official documents had errors?” Shi Xuan’s hand tightened around the railing, veins faintly bulging on the back of her hand.
“Is it because of the fruit wine incident? Then I understand. My share belongs in that punishment too.” Shi Xuan patted Xue Shen’s shoulder. “The fault is mine this time. Go ahead and accept the punishment; I will take it for you.”
“It’s not entirely your fault.” Xue Shen pushed Shi Xuan’s hand away and turned to leave.
“Your current constitution isn’t what it used to be. A punishment means at least three heavenly lightning strikes—I’m afraid you won’t survive it.” Shi Xuan’s words made Xue Shen’s steps pause.
“There’s no need to mention past matters anymore.” Without looking back, Xue Shen rode the clouds directly back to the Nine Heavens.