Qing Yuan~
The power of even the smallest variation is remarkable. It can change everything.
Meili joined us less than two weeks ago. Since then, our cozy, harmonious home has become chaotic. She constantly expects things from A-li, who always gives in because that’s just who A-li is. The other night, she sent her sister to buy a black-skinned chicken to roast for dinner, even though the food was already planned.
Meili isn’t just demanding with her wants, but she needs to be the center of attention. She loves to go shopping even though she now has more clothes than her sister. She changes outfits and hairstyle multiple times a day, seeking recognition and compliments for the clothes A-li bought her.
A-li wants us to be patient with Meili, especially because we’re older. She enjoys spoiling Meili and finds her obnoxious behavior endearing. A-li believes Meili will eventually calm down. We should be kind to Meili because everything is new to her, and she’s not accustomed to the finer things in life, like us. However, it’s important to note that Meili is not obsessed with her sister.
She is infatuated with Jinghua.
Meili can’t bear to be away from him and always follows him around like a shadow. Unfortunately for Meili, Jinghua doesn’t pay attention to her. He rarely speaks to her, and when he does, it’s unpleasant. If I didn’t find this situation as disagreeable as I do, I would have given her due credit. She might be more child than she is a woman, but she’s a tough nut to crack.
Jinghua’s coldness has left many noblewomen in tears, but she is unlike the others. She is outrageously thick-skinned. I would go as far to call her shameless, and she is impervious to his unwelcoming temperament. I think for Meili, even negative attention from Jinghua is still attention. I feel sorry for the man. Though he’s never been the liveliest person, he’s been particularly somber since she appeared. Like a parasite, she comes around and devours his peace of mind, leaving him with a permanently bitter and gloomy expression.
He’s complained to A-li. He doesn’t want Meili in the house because the girl has crossed the boundaries of decency. He was outraged because she walked in on him during his bath and offered to scrub his back along with some other services he refused to repeat. He said he was tired of being spied on as he’s caught Meili watching A-li and he making love. He finds Meili’s overtly sexual behavior disgusting. Jinghua can’t stand her audacity, but above all, it’s A-li’s mannerisms in Meili’s presence that is the true source of his bitter resentment.
This family meal is anything but relaxing. Every single second is leading up to indigestion. He can’t hide his feelings. The tension from Jinghua towards Meili is palpable, as conspicuous by his body language that clearly conveys his disdain for her.
The atmosphere around the dinner table is thick, much like the congee I had for breakfast, and Jinghua’s patience is wearing thin, mirroring the thinly sliced lamb and beef on tonight’s menu. Just as A-li reaches for the raw meat to put in the hot pot, Jinghua intervenes, gently placing his fingertips on her slender wrists. She hasn’t shown her discomfort, but he is keenly aware they have been bothering her. Their sensitivity might be heightened from the increasing humidity that signals the approaching rainy season.
“Here, I’ll do that for you.” He leans in closer to the edge to submerge the glistening meat into the savory broth inside the copper pot placed at the center of the table and cautions her against taking too much pain medication. “I know the tonic helps with the pain, but constant daily use can cause your body to build up immunity, rendering it ineffective.”
“Jinghua is correct. Even the best medicines must be used in moderation. I don’t know how someone your age has severe arthritis in their wrists already.” I add while carefully holding back the long sleeve of my coat, making sure to prevent any stains as I soak dried tofu skins in the tasty broth.
The conversation comes to a standstill. Jinghua prepares the lamb slices and places them in A-Li’s rice bowl, but to his dismay, A-Li gives the meat to Meili instead. Meili enthusiastically accepts it and gobbles it up, along with a spoonful of rice. Afterwards, she demands A-li to cook her a shrimp. This entitled behavior from Meili angers Jinghua. His frustration is mounting because A-Li herself hasn’t had a moment to eat. She’s been completely preoccupied with cooking and attending to her younger sister.
During this dinner and all the meals since Meili turned up, it has become a common occurrence to watch the best cuts of foods moved from one plate to another before always ending up in front of Meili. My friend Jinghua has been fuming in silence. It’s taken all his patience to control his temper witnessing this happen again and again. It doesn’t take a scholar to figure out what is going on in his mind. He can’t tolerate the sight of his beloved wife ignoring her needs while sitting up tensely, stiff backed like a nervous palace attendant as she tends to the Wang daughter like a servant.
In these revealing moments, the truth becomes painfully clear. A-li spent her missing years prioritizing others’ well-being while neglecting her own. Despite being born an aristocrat into privilege as a member of the royal family, her life has been a mess of calamities. She never speaks of her ordeal, but her attentive treatment of Meili gives us a glimpse into her past. It’s easy to imagine her time with the Wang family, who groomed and trained a princess to be their unpaid maid. She may not even realize the extent of her activities, as she unconsciously slips back into old practised patterns.
Meili seems to be the reason for this regression and Jinghua, with his insight, has likely already figured out the whole situation. It has not been easy for him to remain restrained. He’s been deeply troubled by keeping A-li’s true identity and her dreadful ties to the Wang family hidden from Meili. The tension finally snaps when he slams his chopsticks down, startling everyone except me. I’m not surprised. I predicted for him to lose his temper sooner. I respect his will power that has matured because the younger Jinghua I know might have overturned the entire table. What astonished me was that his chopsticks held up—I expected them to break and fly across the room.
He turns his body in his seat, facing A-li and turning his back to me and Meili. Some might see this as bad table manners, but I understand why he’s upset. He has every right to be. Speaking softly, yet with a sense of importance, he admonishes A-li with a firm yet gentleness that comes from sincerity and love, “Please feed yourself and don’t worry about others. You haven’t gained all the weight you promised you would. It is crucial for you to regain health before winter arrives, otherwise you will suffer from the cold and be prone to coughing diseases. When you soon become pregnant, labor will be difficult, especially without all your strength.”
I think there’s a chance that A-li might achieve immortality in her next life, possessing this much benevolence. She is generous as ever. She responds without hesitation, flexing her nonexistent bicep muscles and states confidently, “Lǎo gōng, (hubby) I’m as strong as an ox. I have more energy than a five-year-old child hyped up on hawthorn candy. However, poor Meili has suffered during those weeks on the road. It must have taken a toll on her woman’s body to travel under such appalling conditions. Please don’t worry about me. I’m strong enough to carry and give birth to as many future children as you desire.”
“You’re stressing over nothing. I’m not a fragile porcelain doll. I’m not so easily broken.” A-li, not realising how angry he is, brushes Jinghua’s worries away, but he isn’t backing down. He doesn’t refer to Meili by her name or A-li’s sister, but the Wang daughter, adding another level of insensitivity to Jinghua’s brisk tone that’s sharp and rude as he speaks about her as if she’s not sitting next to him. “The Wang daughter doesn’t appear to have suffered. She looks healthy. Too healthy in my eyes.”
Even though she wasn’t meant to answer him, Meili brazenly responds to Jinghua. “Is my considerate brother-in-law saying Meili looks healthy? You act like you don’t notice me, but now I know you do.” She chirps and positions herself between Jinghua and A-li, radiating delight from her delusion, thinking he cares for her because Jinghua mentioned her in their conversation.
While seeming to be naïve, she’s surprisingly cunning with getting Jinghua’s attention, even resorting to dirty and forceful methods. She stands up, positions herself in front of him, bows with rounded arms, and expresses her gratitude with a cheerful tone. She thanks him for his attention and tells him how she considers herself lucky to have such a generous and thoughtful brother-in-law like him.
“Thank you, brother-in-law, for paying attention to Meili. I may not be worthy of you, but I will do my best not to disappoint you ever. I believe Brother-in-law is a virtuous and honorable man who will take responsibility for what happened the other day and accept Meili as your concubine.” She speaks, then gives him a polite curtsy.
“You’re fucking mad.” Jinghua replies.
My jaw drops and slacks open. Meili’s audacity shocks me and leaves everyone speechless. Even A-li, who has been kind to her, is taken aback as her expression changes and darkens. Jinghua is stunned. Meili’s boldness is comparable to the women in the emperor’s harem. My face burns as I feel humiliated for her and can’t bear to watch, but I can’t look away either. It seems Jinghua has met his match. I’ll tease him about this later, but not today. I just wanted a peaceful dinner, but Meili has other plans as chaos follows.
Meili~
I can’t stand Meihua anymore. Her pretending to be kind and thoughtful makes me sick. Who does she think she is? The Buddha?
She and I come from the same place of poverty, but everyone respects her like she’s a noble while I get low born treatment.
“Brother-in-law touched me the other day,” I tell Meihua, who’s glaring at me with a mix of jealousy and contempt. It seems like she can’t stand that I took something else from her. “I was going to keep it a secret,” I continue, my voice trembling as I act afraid and vulnerable. I lower my gaze, sheepishly, and draw my bottom lip between my teeth, pausing for effect.
As I whisper, “Jiejie, it wasn’t my fault. I might be pregnant from the other day.” I feel everyone’s attention in the room on me. My brother-in-law’s anger grows in his eyes, but Meihua steps in and holds him back. She smirks and sneers at me with condescension, finally revealing the self righteous bitch she is.
“Yes, Jinghua already told me. Meili, a woman, doesn’t become pregnant from being tickled in the ribs. You preposterously silly little girl,” she scoffs, shaking her head dismissively. She chuckles at me. Her laughter stings, and I can’t help but feel belittled by her words. Then, she reveals a surprising piece of information to tear me away from the one I crave, her husband. “Jinghua’s right. You need to leave. I thought I could save you from yourself, but you’re too far gone. You’re damaged goods and unfixable. I’ll find a merchant heading to the capital so you can return to your brother, and we won’t ever see each other again.”
Who does she think she is? What right does she have to send me away just because she can’t handle the competition? Insecure and ugly Meihua hasn’t changed one bit. She still likes to act high and mighty when she’s nothing. She believes that if she can’t see me, I’ll disappear from her life. But little does she know, she’ll never be able to rid herself of me. And her husband, who pretends to be a respectable man in her presence, is actually a passionate man who finds me attractive. I recognize his desire for me in his eyes.
All I need is a few moments alone with him to show him just how much better I am than her. In the end, he will leave Meihua for me, and she will regret ever underestimating me.
“Jiejie and brother-in-law want me to leave. I have no choice.” This is my last chance, so I decide to use my last opportunity. I lie and tell them that the men they were looking for are no longer around. “I should have told you earlier, but I was scared they would come after me.” I whimper and bite the inside of my mouth until it bleeds. The intense pain makes my eyes water profusely. I know crying works on Meihua because she can’t resist my tears.
My words are gentle with a false regret for the mistakes she believes I’ve made, and I offer my deepest apologies for the inconvenience I’ve caused. I mention to them I now realize I was wrong and want to settle my debts. I reveal the location of a hidden safe in the abandoned fireworks factory that doesn’t exist. I pretend there is a ledger with the names of the stolen children that was left behind by the men who fled in a hurry. As compensation for her generosity, I offer to show brother-in-law where it is and I apologize once again to jiejie.
The room falls silent, and Meihua’s husband agrees to take me to the factory and then dump me off at an inn in town as if I’m nobody to him. He doesn’t want me near Meihua any longer, so he says, but I know he’s too tempted to keep me around. Meihua calls me a deceitful and chronic liar, and advises him not to bother taking me anywhere, but away from them. They argue in whispers in their bedroom until brother-in-law wins and he and Qing Yuan escort me to the sedan.
As I walk away, Meihua and I briefly lock eyes, and I can read her mind.
She believes being kind is a virtue, but it’s a sign of her weakness. She invites misfortune on herself because she trusts foolishly. Her money bought her things like clothes, jewelry, and a fancy house, but it didn’t make her smarter. I have all her money and jewelry in my coat pockets. She thinks our separation is the end. Even after tonight’s fiasco, there’s a glimmer of melancholy in her gaze. She’s livid but also a little unhappy to see me go, but doesn’t know that this is just the beginning for us.
There’s still an outstanding debt between us. She needs to settle with me.
Second Princess Changying~
“Thank you, Saintess, for saving my wife. I have no money or valuables, but please accept this.” The gray-haired man with fat earlobes smiles and offers me a quacking white duck, holding it upside down by its webbed feet.
I sense no magic in the duck. It’s simply a bird, with no special powers. It will live to lay eggs until it’s eventually eaten, serving no purpose for me. I cross my arms over my chest, inwardly wondering why humans are compelled to pay for my services when I’ve not asked for restitution. Their worship, prayers, and incense are sufficient. They don’t need to praise me at temples alters. I can hear them wherever I go.
“Keep your duck. Why not put her in a stew for your wife?” I suggest when the man frowns at my veiled face. Xinlan lightly clears her throat, getting my attention, then whispers in my ear, “Saintess, it’s considered rude not to accept his payment. Perhaps you could take it, then later release it on a nearby lake.”
This young immortal, Xinlan was the last addition to Heavenly Lord’s harem, joining during Consort Dongmei’s reign. She had not yet accepted his grace before his trial and remains a virgin. She has been patiently awaiting mother’s return. Her intention is to dedicate herself and her virginity to serving mother, high goddess Bai Qian, Gugu. Meanwhile, she has been assisting me during my weekly visits to the mortal world. Being a former mortal herself, she is better at interacting with humans than me, who started as an immortal fetus.
Xinlan said people like to chatter and I should do the same to appear human. Mortals chat to feel connected. I’ve tried, but I still struggle to relate with them. Xinlan tends to the duck and makes small talk with the human while I gather my supplies. I pack up the herbs, gauzes, and elixirs from the shelves of my makeshift clinic when the wind brings me a prayer. A haunting prayer fills my ears, drowning out Xinlan’s voice and mundane chatter.
This plea is distinct and stands out from the others I’ve heard, both recently and in the past. It is desperate and saturated with an excruciating pain that sends shivers down my spine.
I cast off my veiled hat, letting my dragon senses flow into the mortal world.
I’m experiencing. The thick humidity is suffocating, making even my concealed scales feel uncomfortable.
I see. The sky that had been clear moments ago dims as a dark cloud appears and hangs ominously overhead, casting a shadow over the forest.
Above, a cloud deity lowers her white fan, using it to dry her tear-streaked face. Each tear, like a crystalline droplet, falls to the earth as rain. The heavens are moved to tears by whomever is coming my way.
I breathe in the surrounding air. The pungent smell of burnt flesh is unmistakable.
I have a sense of taste. The taste of rot fills my mouth, a foulness like decay.
I recognize all the signs. Death is coming my way.
Feeling the weight of the impending challenge, I pause in my packing and empty my medical bags, rearranging the various bottles of medicine on the worn table in the cottage. This humble abode has served as my sanctuary for the week, providing a hospital for those who live far from the reach of doctors and medicine, and it seems my work isn’t finished.
Xinlan notices me unpacking my bags and approaches me, cradling the now calm duck under her arm. With a mix of concern and confusion in her voice, she inquires politely, “Saintess Princess, are we not finished for the day?”
“No, Xinlan,” I respond. My head shakes and my voice lacks warmth. It’s not my intention to come off cold, but I don’t possess my twin sister Changchang’s cheerfulness. “Someone desperately needs our help. They’re being chased by death itself. I fear there’s little we can do, but we must try. It’s our duty as cultivated immortals to show compassion.”
Xinlan’s eyes widen in disbelief. Her furrowed brow reflects her confusion as she seeks clarification. “Does Death follow them, Saintess Princess?” she asks, her voice filled with both apprehension and concern. “You are the most gifted, the sole pupil of the Medicine God’s High God Zhe Yan, but you are not a necromancer, Saintess.”
She’s correct. Without magic, I can’t prevent death or bring back the dead. It’s not allowed to interfere with a mortal’s fate, and I’m unsure of the karmic repercussions. So, it’s better to depend on conventional medicine. Nonetheless, I believe my immortal life force can offer solace and ease the suffering of the dying better than human doctors. I can help guide their spirits into the afterlife, easing their transition and making reincarnation less daunting.
I respectfully kowtow three times towards my Shifu Zhe Yan’s orchard, seeking guidance and wisdom as I always do before treating the terminally ill. I believe now would be a good time for Xinlan to start a fire to guide those destined to cross my path.
The End of Part I.
To Be Continued with Part II