Chapter 1

Capital of the Xiang Empire, 1479

"Grandfather! Grandfather!" Sixteen-year-old Lihua

cried, a grin spreading across her face as

she quickly slid the door open and hastily stepped

inside. She was completely soaked from

head to toe, her long wet hair sticking to her flushed

cheeks. Her old clothes, which were made

specifically for men, clung to her slim body. Her face

was decorated with tiny scratches and

covered in little bits of mud. Her dirty boots stained

the precious straw carpet that her strict aunt

had worked her hands to the bone while making.

The Great Zhao Lin was sitting near the cracking fire

on a mat, peacefully sipping his green tea.

Well, not so peacefully now that the troublemaker

has arrived. The elderly man had a long,

straight white beard, and bushy eyebrows. His tired

eyes flickered to the drenched, panting girl

and he let out a heavy sigh.

"What did you do now? Threw eggs on the guards?

Smacked people on the heads and started

fights? Stole rotten meat and put it in some lady's

bag?" He grumbled with a small frown forming

on his wrinkled face.

But before Lihua could answer, Aunt Biyu walked

inside the room with a tray of food.

"Grandfather, dinner is ready. You must eat a lot, for

your health"Her eyes landed on her

niece and she gasped loudly, "aigoo!" She exclaimed,

placing a hand on her mouth in surprise.

Lihua flinched. She knew what was coming

"You crazy girl! How many times have I told you not

to go out in the rain?! My goodness! And

you're wearing men's clothes again!! You"

"T'll go bathe now." The girl interrupted with a

nervous chuckle, before rushing out of the warm

room.

Aunt Biyu's jaws dropped and she yelled, "yah!

Yah!! Come back here, you little"

"Leave her." Zhao Lin mumbled, taking another sip

of his tea.

"Gosh, that girl is utterly insane. She cannot be

tamed! She is disobedient, loud, and obnoxious!

She never acts like a proper lady. I pity the man who

marries the brat. She is ruining your

reputation, grandfather. You must discipline her."

The middle-aged woman spoke

disapprovingly, placing the wooden tray of food on

the carpeted floor and sitting down on a mat.

The old herbalist shook his head slightly but did not

answer. He grabbed the chopsticks and put

a steaming dumpling in his mouth, chewing silently.

Meanwhile, Lihua had finished heating water in

the medium-sized basin. She stripped and lowered

herself into the water, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

Her tense, aching muscles relaxed,

and she closed her eyes. She absolutely loved

bathing. She bathed every other day, or as often

as she could.

After she was done, she dried her body and hair andd

got dressed in plain linen robes. Although

her grandfather gained a decent amount of money

from being a skillful herbalist, her family still

wasn't able to afford rich silk clothing or incredible

food. But Lihua didn't mind, nor did she ever

complain. She loved her grandfather and aunt very

much, and enjoyed this quiet, pleasant life.

She made her way to the main room, and found her

family eating.

"You guys are eating without me?" She suddenly

said, startling them both. Zhao Lin remained

emotionless and quiet as always, while her aunt

gave her a firm look. "Goodness, don't do that.

You scared us."

She smiled and sat down, grabbing chopsticks and

grinning at the sight of dumplings and small

bowls of rice. She inhaled the amazing smell and

began eating.

"And no one even thanks me for my hard work."

Aunt Biyu muttered under her breath.

"I have something to tell you," Zhao Lin spoke up

after a few minutes of silence, making the two

ladies look up curiously. He stroked his long beard

for a moment before saying, "I have to go

early in the morning tomorrow to deliver some

herbs to the palace."

"Oh my goodness.. Are you sure you are able to go?"

Aunt Biyu questioned, raising a brow. "I

mean-"

"No, grandfather!" Lihua interrupted her once

again, looking at the old man. "You can't go.

You're ill! What of your health? What will happen to

you? I will not allow this"

"Wu Lihua!" Aunt Biyu suddenly snapped, her voice

raising. The girl flinched, biting her lower lip.

She slammed her hand onto the round table and

yelled, "do not interfere with your grandfather's

work. You must stay silent and let him do what he

needs to do. If he is needed in the palace,

then that is his business. Why can't you understand

that?"

"But"

"Lihua," the herbalist said softly, his wise voice

ringing in the small room. "I will be okay. Do not

worry. I will deliver the herbs to the palace, then I

will return immediately" He calmly drank his

tea.

"Let me go."

Zhao Lin and Aunt Biyu looked up at her in shock.

Tll go to the palace instead of you."

"Lihua..!" The middle-aged woman exclaimed.

"Please, grandfather," Lihua pleaded. "Your health is

not at its best, and you will not be able to

go to the palace. Let me go instead."

Heavy silence fell upon them. Zhao Lin looked deep

in thought. Aunt Biyu, clearly despaired,

looked at both of them. "Dear god!" She whispered,

"don't tell me you're actually considering it!"

"Alright." He finally said after what felt like hours.

Lihua grinned while her poor aunt's jaw dropped in

shock.

"G-Grandfather!! You can't possibly be serious..!"

Aunt Biyu cried, her eyes wide.

The girl only smiled, "I won't let you dowm,

grandfather. I'll behave myself and do my best, I

promise you that

Little did Lihua know, setting foot in the palace

would change her life forever.

And not in a good way.

Aigoo - it's a Korean term, used when you are in

shock, pain, suffering, or when you cannot

believe something. It can also be used to express

disapproval or disappointment. This type of

OMG is used towards a more negative oriented

situation, though it is sometimes used with a

comedic tone.

Aish- also a Korean term, can be used to express

frustration or anger.

Yah an expression used to call someone or get

someone's attention like the word 'hey'.

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