Chapter One: The Cry

Han Kingdom. The wealthiest and most bustling town in the southern region—Wu City.

It was the season of radiant sunshine and blossoming spring; bare branches sprouted new green, crops quietly grew on lands once desolate, as if the earth had shed its heavy, ochre winter coat and now revealed the freshness and vitality of new life. Smiles adorned most faces—farmers rejoiced, for the first snow of the previous year foretold a bountiful harvest; merchants brimmed with cheer, as travelers increased and business thrived; scholars, inspired by the splendid spring, were moved to compose verse; even the constables and petty officials seemed more amiable than usual.

Wu City’s streets were especially lively. At early dawn, shops on both sides of the avenue opened in succession, the air filled with the calls of peddlers and the shouts of hawkers. Merchants came and went from the north and south, entering and leaving the city, all of it proclaiming a world of peace and prosperity.

But from the rear courtyard of Wu City’s grandest residence—the home of Lord Liu, the highest official in Wu City—came the discordant sound of a child’s wailing.

“Oh, my little ancestor, you mustn’t make a fuss any longer. The Old Madam is waiting,” pleaded a round-faced maid, half-squatting before a four- or five-year-old girl, her expression helpless as she tried to soothe her.

“Cuiyu, what’s going on? Has the young lady not yet washed and dressed?” Lifting the door curtain, another maid entered—a young woman of seventeen or eighteen, with an oval face, looking neat and composed.

“Cuiliu, I followed your instructions and brought several sets of clothes for the young lady, but she likes none of them. Please, speak to her,” Cuiyu said, spreading her hands in defeat.

Cuiliu glanced at the little mistress standing in the room, still covering her face and pretending to sob, though her cries were growing faint and her large eyes sparkled mischievously between her fingers. Amused, Cuiliu quickly went over, lifted the child, and set her on a nearby couch.

“Miss, though it’s already spring, the mornings are still chilly. How can you stand on the floor in just your underclothes? If you fall ill, you won’t be able to go out and play,” Cuiliu coaxed gently, always knowing just what to say. At the mention of not being allowed out, the little girl quickly dropped her hands, sat obediently as she was settled on the couch, and let Cuiliu tuck a light quilt around her.

Cuiliu produced a handkerchief and dabbed the imaginary tears from the little girl’s face, continuing in her soft, persuasive tone: “Miss, have you forgotten? The Old Madam is taking you to Guiyuan Temple on Mount Qixia today. Haven’t you always wanted to visit? Why not let Cuiyu help you change? If the Old Madam grows impatient and doesn’t take you, what then?”

The little girl blinked and pouted. “I don’t like them.”

“You don’t like these clothes? But they’re all newly made for this spring.” Cuiliu picked up a light pink dress. “This one is beautiful. If you wear it, you’ll look just like a fairy from a painting.” Seeing her shake her head, Cuiliu tried a pale green dress. “What about this one? Still not satisfied? And this one…”

Still, the little girl kept shaking her head. Cuiliu, discouraged, recalled her mistress’s usual preferences and hurried to explain, “Is it because these colors aren’t bright enough? We’re going to a temple today; it’s proper to dress simply. I’ll have a few brighter ones made for you later, but for today, could you make do?”

“No,” the little girl refused flatly.

Cuiliu was at her wit’s end and growing anxious when Cuiyu entered, carrying a basin of freshly warmed water. As she wrung out a cloth and wiped the child’s hands and face, she grumbled, “Little ancestor, what is it you want, then?” Her rural accent slipped through in her exasperation, always provoking laughter from those around.

The little girl nearly burst out laughing but caught herself, pressed her mouth shut, and with a solemn face, pointed. “I want that one.”

Following her finger, Cuiliu saw, beside the pile of clothes, a little boy’s robe. She remembered at once that yesterday, the girl had seen the new clothes brought to Young Master Hai’s room and insisted on dressing like him, even parading before the Old Madam, to everyone’s amusement. She had been so pleased with herself, she refused to take it off. So today, it seemed, she insisted on wearing it again.

“That won’t do. We’re going out today. How can a girl wear this?” Cuiyu protested, shaking her head. Cuiliu added, “Exactly, miss. You’re a girl—how can you wear boys’ clothes? Besides, that robe isn’t even pretty, is it?”

At this, the little girl erupted into loud, dramatic crying, flailing her arms and legs until the quilt fell to the floor.

In the main room, Old Madam Liu was chatting idly with her eldest daughter-in-law. The Old Madam, in her forties, possessed gentle features and had clearly been a beauty in her youth; the daughter-in-law, Cai Xinlan, was just over twenty, dressed in a pale white gauze blouse and a light purple skirt, her hair adorned with a single colorful hairpin, pearl earrings in her ears, and only a simple jade bangle on her wrist. Her understated attire, paired with her gentle smile, gave her an air of elegance and warmth.

Hearing the commotion from the side courtyard, the Old Madam looked toward the door, frowning slightly. “That sounds like Qin’er. What is that girl up to, making a fuss so early?”

Before Cai Xinlan could reply, the door curtain lifted and a maid in a red jacket appeared, grinning as she stood at the threshold. “It’s the young lady, indeed. She was still crying when I left—insisting on wearing Young Master Hai’s clothes. Cuiliu and Cuiyu couldn’t manage her, so they’re bringing her here.”

As she finished, a tiny figure darted in—clad in a brand-new blue silk robe, with a jade belt at her waist and a jade coronet on her head, looking like a porcelain doll, her delicate features as if painted.

The maids bustling in and out with breakfast burst into laughter. One nudged Nurse Liu and, imitating her, joked, “Young Master Hai is here—but something’s off. Oh dear, my old eyes must be failing me. Whose little gentleman is this, so handsome? Old Madam, could this be a fairy child from a painting come to life?”

Before she finished, laughter rippled through the room. The Old Madam, laughing herself, pointed at the maid. “Nurse, would you tear that rascal Caixia’s mouth for me? She still remembers yesterday’s joke.”

Nurse Liu, the Old Madam’s dowry maid, had poor eyesight from an old injury. Teased for it, she took no offense, smiling broadly. “Who could blame us, when our young lady’s so beautiful? Dressed any way, she’s more handsome than a fairy from a painting.” Laughter broke out once more.

“Mother,” the little girl called, recognizing the praise and, head held high, dove into the Old Madam’s arms.

“My child,” the Old Madam embraced her, showering her with affection before tapping her forehead. “But you’re growing naughtier by the day. Didn’t you see your sister-in-law here?” Though her words chided, her eyes brimmed with indulgence.

“Sister-in-law,” the child called, rolling from her mother’s embrace into Cai Xinlan’s arms.

“Qin, are you being mischievous again today?”

Caixia handed over a cup of tea, and as the Old Madam sipped, she cast a sidelong glance at the little one and asked pointedly.

Sensing her mother was about to lecture her, the child quickly raised her head from her sister-in-law’s embrace, her large dark eyes darting between the Old Madam and Cai Xinlan. She tugged secretly at Cai Xinlan’s sleeve, but as the Old Madam glared, she buried her head once more.

Cai Xinlan, amused, patted her young sister-in-law’s head and tried to smooth things over. “Mother, let’s eat first. The little one is still young; there’s plenty of time to teach her. Qin, are you hungry? I made your favorite peach blossom rolls—hurry, or Brother Chao will come and snatch them from you.”

Supported by Caixia, the Old Madam made her way to the table, shaking her head with a sigh. “Xinlan, you spoil her too much. She’s grown utterly unruly.”

“Mother, you wrong me! If anyone spoils her most in this house, it’s you.”