Abbess Lian Qian~
The temple reverberated with the sound of clapping thunder, while the scent of petrichor wafted from the damp earth. Lightning crackled in the night as storm clouds enveloped the sky in darkness, releasing a deluge of rain. The atmosphere hummed with an uncommon energy.
Between 3 and 5 am, known as the Yin Shi or the hour of the tiger, while others were fast asleep, the temple’s most senior nun found herself awake following a divine visit. She was gifted a smooth white luminous pearl bracelet by an exquisite deity dressed in all white. This immortal had informed Abbess Lian Qian of a great coming and that she was being entrusted with something more precious than mountains of gold. Without the bracelet on her wrist, the nun would have assumed it was all just a dream.
The smooth, cold, perfectly shaped pearls glowed with a luster like moonlight and were pure white as winter’s first snow. She marveled at the ethereal artistry they possessed. Was it possible for such a treasure to be found elsewhere on earth? She thought not, though Lian Qian would have never known. Being abandoned as an infant at the convent’s doors, she had never explored beyond its sheltered boundaries. Her interactions with the outside world were limited to only two people. Zhiming, the sole man at the convent seeking karmic redemption from his past as an imperial guard, had recently joined. The other man, whose name was now forbidden, had stirred up great controversy by taking away the most innocent and beautiful nun before leaving.
The heavy, hurried footsteps echoed down the hall as the door flew open without warning, emitting a loud creak that shattered the peaceful silence. The flickering candles cast dancing shadows on the walls, their gentle glow extinguished by a sudden crosswind that swept through the room with the opening of the door.
“Abbess, forgive us for the interruption at this hour, but there is someone here… it’s her. She has returned heavy with child,” Rou Sang’s voice was urgent and filled with emotion.
Another Senior member, Cai Wei’s long face twisted in disapproval, her thick brows furrowed in a deep frown as she argued against allowing her entry. “The Abbess must not allow her inside and send her away immediately. She broke her sacred vows and left with a man. Now she returns to our temple as a tainted woman.”
“We ate, slept, bathed, and grew up with her. She was our sister! How can you shut her out when she is in labor?” Rou Sang demanded. Her love for their fallen sister was evident and had not diminished. “If we don’t help her, she and her child will die!”
Was this the great coming the Goddess had spoken of? Was this child the thing more precious than mountains of gold? Abbess Lian Qian remained composed, her soft yet commanding voice cutting through the chaos with authority. “Take her to the west wing, boil water and gather clean bedding. Let no one near while she is here. After she recovers, we will send her away,” she commanded, bringing a sense of order to the tumultuous scene.
Fifteen Years Later
Yi Nuo~
“If there is anyone who would benefit from soaking in water, it’s you Yi Nuo!” Ya Qi sneers, throwing her wash on top of mine, with her cronies following their dreadful leader until my pile of wash reaches my waist. “But I don’t think there’s enough water in the world to wash you of the sin of being born from a sinner. If she had lived after giving birth to you, you’d probably be a concubine somewhere, giving yourself to a man like your mother did.”
When I was younger, such unpleasant remarks used to hurt me, but after years of hearing the same thing, I’ve grown desensitized to them. I bend down, gathering the scattered clothes into my pile, and pick up a small stone no bigger than a hummingbird egg. Hiding my hand under the bedding, I flick it at Ya Qi using just enough force to shut her up, but I accidentally hit her harder than intended square in the calf, causing her to fall over and scream. I groan to myself, knowing she will run off to tell the Abbess, who will discover that Master Zhiming has been teaching me more martial arts than she allowed.
“You witch! I know that was you!” Ya Qi screams, her round chubby face turning as red as an apple, shaking her fist at me in anger because the others are laughing at her.
Feng Jun Hie, my best friend, is the loudest to laugh, folding over in half and bellowing, “Aya, Ya Qi, it was your big rear. Your legs can’t support your big rear anymore, fat ass!”
As Ya Qi gets up in a huff, her white hood slips off her head onto her shoulder. She glares around angrily before pointing at me. “I’m telling Abbess!” she screams and storms off furiously with clenched fists and stiff arms.
“You shouldn’t antagonize her since it will be me who gets punished,” I tell Feng Jun Hie, pushing up my dress sleeve as I wash the dirty clothes.
Standing by the babbling creek, I hear the rushing water and birds chirping in the nearby trees, which brings a smile to my face as I tackle my most detested chore. Each scrub releases a mixture of plant ash and seashells, blending with the earthy scent of the creek to create a unique fragrance. Feeling the rough texture of the fabric and crushed seashells against my skin, I wash the clothes with the cool and refreshing water on my hands. Despite the peaceful surroundings, a sense of depression lingers as I glance at the never-ending pile of dirty laundry, a daunting task that seems to tower over me, reaching heights like Kunlun Mountain.
I was born in this convent and have never experienced the outside world, unlike some of my sisters who joined later in life. My birth mother, a nun who passed away after my birth, lost her path and fell in love with a man who later abandoned her. Her shameful tale is whispered in the halls still. The Abbess, my adopted mother, treats me more like the least favorite child in the convent rather than her chosen daughter, as she tends to restrict me the most.
She grants me no freedom. While the other girls readily venture into the forests to gather herbs with Master Zhiming, I must focus on meditation for enlightenment, which seems to be a struggle. At fifteen, I am still just an apprentice, a fact that seems ironic considering my mother is the Abbess. My only true enjoyment is when Master Zhiming teaches me martial arts when the others are sleeping. He tells me I’m more skilled at my age than most of the soldiers that once served under him.
With my hair concealed under my veil, I adjust my white shirt and skirt, draping my scarf over my shoulder. I quietly announce my return to the Mother Abbess, whose narrowed eyes peek above her sutras. “Abbess mother, I have returned.” I bow respectfully and patiently wait, aware that Ya Qi has likely visited with the Abbess, shedding tears like I broke her leg versus hitting her with a tiny stone.
Without saying a word, the Mother Abbess points to the wooden tag hanging off the stand holding her many brushes. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t start it,” I defend myself. “I didn’t say a word to her, so why must I…” Arguing with the Abbess is pointless. Resisting the urge to stomp, I walk over to Mother’s desk and solemnly place the wooden tag around my neck. This wooden tag telling everyone that I am currently observing silence and can’t speak.
Master Zhiming~
Master Zhiming’s sweeping abruptly ceased. Leaning on his broom, a chuckle escaped his lips as he observed Yi Nuo’s irritated expression and the wooden tag around her neck indicating her speechlessness.
He had watched the girl grow up from infancy, always bringing him joy and entertainment. Although he had planned to seek redemption at the temple, fate had bestowed upon him a new responsibility – safeguarding the Emperor’s secret child, Princess Yi Nuo.
Prince Ruilin~
“Why are we in the mortal realm again?” My younger brother Feng Ming asks, casually swinging the jade pendant on his belt as he speaks. He winks at every pretty woman we pass, their giggles filling the surrounding air. His playful antics only serve to increase my irritation, making me question why I even brought him along.
I have lost the ability to sleep, think, and my appetite ever since Princess Changying left fifteen days ago. Worry has consumed my mind as I keep thinking about the love story of the Skylord meeting and marrying and impregnating High Goddess Bai Qian during her mortal trial. This thought leads me to fear that Princess Changying might meet someone charming and forget about me, which would be like a near-death experience for me since I have already bonded with her.
It’s unfortunate I couldn’t sweet talk Star Lord Si Ming to reveal where she is. Nervously scanning the surrounding faces, I search for anyone resembling my princess.
“I’m on the lookout for Princess Changying, hoping she’ll fall in love with me in this life too, and before encountering someone as handsome as the Skylord,” I explain, my eyes darting from side to side.
Feng Ming interrupts with a teasing tone that gets under my skin so much the tips of my ears burn. “Dege, how do you intend to find her? The princess might not resemble her true self, but I understand your perspective. It’s said that all girls want to marry someone like their fathers. If she encounters someone even slightly resembling the Skylord, you’ll seem unimportant, like a weak quail compared to such a man.”
My brother’s observation is spot on. Identifying the princess in the sea of humans would be akin to finding a specific grain of sand on the beach, but I despise him for pointing this out to me, and a surge of anger overcomes me as he crushes my hopes of finding her. Shooting Feng Ming a hostile glare, I convey my frustration; If looks could kill, my brother would surely be in for a fiery fate, such as being on a spit and roasted.
“You are so immature and senseless. You act as if the world is filled with men like the Skylord. It is not! He’s one of a kind and there is only one of him,” I scoff at Feng Ming while trying to convince myself. However, when he points out that there are actually two men like the Skylord – High God Mo Yuan, it takes everything within me not to pluck out all his feathers.
Bai Qian~
When Migu takes my cloak from my arms, I roll my shoulder, feeling the day’s stress settling so deeply into my body that it seems to reach my bones. Grumbling, I complain with a tired groan, remembering why I always avoided events like the Peach Festival. They are so draining.
My fourth brother sets down his book and says, looking smug, “Xiao Wu, I know that smell. You were in the mortal realm. You couldn’t help yourself, could you?”
I reply, taking a seat opposite him. “I really couldn’t. I just wanted to see where she’ll be and leave her in good hands.”
I fill his half-empty teacup and then mine, secretly wishing it was wine. I had more than I should have with Li Peng the night before, and I wish I were drunk tonight as well. Smiling and carrying on as if everything was alright had not been easy while Bai Lianhua intentionally fanned and directed the distinct scent of sex towards me. Despite the disagreeable experience of smelling Ye Hua on her skin and clothes, I nearly complimented her level of pettiness and for being a royal bitch. That about her I can respect.
“You don’t have to constantly cater to her whims and walk on eggshells around her while she treats you as a target for her hostilities. It’s unfair to you.” Bai Zhen advises, echoing a sentiment shared by others. Yingpei has also suggested… no, demanded that I refrain from visiting Bai Lianhua, but how can they possibly grasp the strong connection I feel towards her and the strange sensation of sharing a soul with someone else? “You’re not obligated to her, Xiao Wu. I’m close to telling Ye Hua what’s been going on.”
My exhausted body slumps forward, aching and weary. “Fourth brother, please stay silent. Ye Hua’s knowledge will only add to the complexity,” I whisper as I collapse, pressing my face into my hands. “It’s simple for you to not care about her feelings when you’re not the one causing her to die just by existing.”
“Perhaps White Lotus’s purpose has been fulfilled, and her passing has paved the way for your existence,” a familiar voice resonates from the entrance of the Fox Den. I recognize it without needing to look – it’s Mo Yuan. He has emerged from seclusion.