Mistshade Village (Wù Yīn Cūn)
Hidden in a valley covered in perpetual mist, this village is rumored to harbor secretive martial clans.
Zhang Mei lived a simple life with no expectations. She helped her mother run their small rice shed, using the little rice they gathered from their modest farm.
They were poor, but a big, happy family—Mei, her twin baby brothers, her mother, and her father.
She smiled as she worked beside her mother in their rice field.
"Mei, hurry up so we can finish early. I don't want us to stay too late on the farm."
"Yes, Ma," Mei replied, filling her basket and lifting it onto her head.
She held her mother's outstretched hand as they walked out of the serene rice field.
From across the field, her father waved to them, one of her brothers in his arms while the other was secured to her mother's back.
"Mama, will someone ever love me the way Daddy loves you?" Mei asked as the sun dipped slowly behind the quiet clouds.
Her mother smiled softly. "Mei, of course. Do you know there's a belief that a red string ties you to your destined lover? It doesn't matter how far apart you are or how long they're away—fate will always lead that string back to them."
Mei grinned and twirled. "Really? I love our village. I love you and Papa. I hope I never have to leave. I want to get married and have a farm just like you, Mama."
Her mother chuckled, though her eyes held a faint sadness. "Mei, don't you desire more? Wouldn't you like a mansion? A rich man? Perhaps an easier life?"
Mei's eyes widened with intrigue, but she shook her head firmly. "No, this is all I need."
Her mother beamed as they neared her father. "Well, Mei, some people are destined for greatness. I ran away from my destiny. I was only lucky to escape with my life and be blessed with such a happy family. I pray Heaven bestows you such blessings, too."
Mei smiled a toothy grin and ran to her father, who picked her up and spun her around. "Oh, Mei Mei, let's go eat dinner. I brought lots of meat—your favorite!"
"Yay! Baba is the best in the whole world!" she laughed as he carried her home on his hip.
That evening, they sat in their modest house at a worn table, enjoying their small meal of rice and meat, which felt like a rare delicacy. Mei's heart brimmed with contentment.
As they ate, her father asked, "Mei, you're growing into a beautiful young woman. Is there any man who has caught your interest?"
Mei shook her head, stuffing her mouth with food. "No. I want to get married, but I still want to be with you and Mama for a while—and my little babies," she said, pinching Zhang Cai's cheek.
The little boy whined, "Sister, that hurts!"
Mei ruffled his hair. "Really?"
"Stop!" he protested as she laughed.
After dinner, they spread their mats on the floor to sleep, each of them side by side. Mei lay next to her mother.
"Mei?" her mother called softly, staring at the ceiling.
"Yes, Mama?"
"You have a good heart, Mei. Don't let it be filled with anger or sadness. Life can be cruel, but never let it steal your smile or fill your heart with hatred."
Mei turned to her mother, her brow furrowed. "Mama, why are you saying these things? I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be here with you. Even when I marry, I'll live next to you because I love you, Mama."
Her mother's eyes brimmed with tears. "I have to tell you something, Mei Mei."
Mei shook her head with a smile. She whispered, "Tomorrow. We still have tomorrow."
Her mother smiled faintly. "Okay then, tomorrow."
A soft knock stirred Mei awake. She stood and went to the door, finding Xing Han, a man from the Flower Valley Sect who had been courting her.
"Xing Han, it's midnight," she said.
He grinned, his eyes twinkling. "I know, my lady," he said, revealing a single rose from behind his back. "A token of my love—as beautiful as you are. I wish I could give you an entire garden to show my appreciation."
Mei blushed shyly. "Where did you get this?" she asked, taking the rose.
He cleared his throat. "I may have jumped a certain fence for my lady..."
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
"Careful, my lady. It has—"
"Ssssh!" she hissed as a thorn pierced her finger, drawing blood.
"—thorns," he finished, taking her hand. He wiped the blood with his handkerchief and kissed her knuckles. "Forgive me."
She smiled, pulling her hand back. "Goodnight, Xing Han."
"Goodnight, my fair maiden," he replied as she closed the door.
Mei placed the rose in a jar and returned to her mat, falling into a deep, peaceful sleep.
----
A loud crash jolted Mei awake. Screams came from all directions.
The roof was on fire. Her eyes widened as she shook her mother awake.
"Mama! Baba! Fire!" she screamed, running to grab a jar of water as her parents stirred awake.
Her brothers' cries joined the echoes of terror around them.
"We have to get out of here now!" her mother yelled as Mei splashed water at the spreading flames.
Her father grabbed the two boys and headed for the door. "Mei! We have to go now!"
Mei was so preoccupied with the fire and her crying brothers that she didn't notice her mother's hand grasp her wrist.
"Mei, let's go!" Her mother's voice was filled with urgency, her eyes brimming with worry.
Tears spilled down Mei's face as they stumbled out of the burning house. The moment they reached the outside, an explosion tore through the structure, sending them flying to the ground.
Mei struggled to her feet, her heart sinking at the sight before her. The entire Mistshade Village was ablaze. Flames devoured homes, and panicked villagers ran in every direction.
Above them, fire-tipped arrows rained from the sky, their trajectory cutting through the smoke-filled air. Mei's breath hitched.
Who could they pray to now, when it was Heaven itself that had cast judgment?
"Mei, get up and run!" her father's voice rang out amidst the chaos.
Through the thick smoke, she saw him standing, clutching her brothers close. Relief coursed through her.
But then she saw it.
The blade, flashing in the moonlight, was faster than her scream. It cut through her father and her brothers in one swift motion.
"Baba! No!" Mei screamed, her voice raw and breaking as she tried to run to him.
Time seemed to slow. Standing over their lifeless bodies was a figure of otherworldly beauty—a woman with hair like the summer sun and skin that shimmered like the stars. Her crimson lips curved into a cold, merciless smile as she raised her wicked blade.
"Princess Xu Lianhua ," the woman intoned, her voice like a deadly melody. "You have defied the Heavens and tried to escape your fate. This is your judgment."
Mei froze, her mind reeling.
Xu Lianhua.
That was her mother's name.
Princess?
What was this ethereal being talking about?
Before she could comprehend, soldiers stormed toward her, their swords drawn.
Her mother appeared out of nowhere, her eyes blazing with desperation. She shoved Mei behind her.
"Run!" her mother screamed, stepping into the path of an oncoming arrow.
Mei's world shattered as she watched the arrow pierce her mother's chest.
"Mama!" she screamed, her legs moving instinctively toward her.
Her mother spat blood, raising a trembling hand to stop her. "No! Don't come closer! Run, Mei! Run and don't look back!"
Another soldier thrust his sword through her mother's chest, and Mei felt something inside her break irreparably.
Sobbing and screaming, she turned and fled blindly into the night. Her legs carried her through the burning rice fields, her cries lost in the roar of the flames.
The ground beneath her feet gave way as she tripped, tumbling and rolling down a slope. She landed hard in the middle of the scorched rice field, surrounded by burning stalks.
Smoke filled her lungs as she lay there, her vision swimming with memories.
Her family's laughter around the dinner table.
Her mother's warm hand brushing her cheek. "There's still tomorrow..."