Chapter 001: Returning Home

In the second year of the Tian Shou era, in April, the peonies bloomed fiercely throughout Luoyang, their blossoms ablaze like fire.

At the break of dawn, while a mist still enveloped the divine capital, the shouts of vendors selling steamed buns already echoed through the bustling southern marketplace of Luoyang.

An unremarkable green silk-covered carriage moved slowly eastward past the Ding Gate, entering this mysterious and prosperous capital.

Suddenly, a pale hand lifted the curtain, revealing a radiant and charming young face.

“Ah Huan, is that a steamed bun? It smells so delicious. I haven’t eaten a meat bun in so long. You haven’t either, have you?”

The speaker was a girl of about fourteen or fifteen. Her eyes brightened as she caught sight of the steaming meat buns fresh from the basket at a street corner stall.

A boy at the end of the line chuckled, “Which rustic village are you from that you’ve never even seen a steamed bun before?”

“So what if I haven’t? The wild vegetables I’ve eaten in the mountains taste better than these meat buns!” the girl retorted, her tone sharp. She quickly lowered the curtain and turned to another girl of similar age beside her. “Ah Huan, once we return to the Su family, we can eat as many meat buns as we want. I’ll line up here to buy them for you every time!”

“The Su family?”

“Yes, the Su family—that’s my home. Ah Huan’s grandfather, Duke Xing, was once a mighty general who quelled the realms for the late emperor. The master said he once led a hundred thousand Tang troops to conquer Baekje, capturing the Baekje king alive. Later, he pacified Goguryeo and subdued the Turks, winning numerous battles. Unfortunately, he died from illness at the frontier; otherwise, the old duke surely would have brought Ah Huan back home!”

“That’s not true. They’re afraid of me because I’m sick, that’s why they won’t let me go home.”

“Nonsense! Even the master said it’s not sickness but a curse from evil men. The master cast a spell on you; if you stay in the mountains until you turn fifteen, the curse will naturally lift!”

“Ah Huan, look at you—you’re so handsome and beautiful. Wearing these boy’s clothes, you look more dashing than any young nobleman. How could you be sick?”

Ah Shu spoke as she produced a bronze mirror.

Through the mirror, Murong Huan saw a face strikingly refined and delicate—not the gentle softness of a typical young lady, but one radiating a resolute and captivating heroism. Every feature, every contour seemed sculpted with depth and clarity.

At this moment, Murong Huan was dressed in a white robe of male attire, and without close inspection, one could hardly tell she was a girl.

In truth, she knew her appearance well, yet often felt a strange unfamiliarity with herself.

Eight years of seclusion in Peach Blossom Village had left her alienated from the world.

“Ah Huan, now the realm is ruled by the Empress. I heard that a year ago, auspicious signs appeared: countless red birds descended from the heavens, and the clouds turned a crimson hue. A revered monk said he read in a scripture that a celestial being would take female form and descend to become the sovereign of all under heaven. Later, a white stone appeared in the Luo River inscribed with: ‘Holy Mother descends among mortals, eternal prosperity for the empire.’”

“Thus, all officials, monks, Daoists, even the young emperor himself, believed the throne rightfully belonged to Her Majesty. They even suggested the dynasty’s name change from Tang to Zhou. Hence, this is now the Great Zhou Empire.”

Ah Shu spoke eagerly, only to be cut off sharply by Murong Huan’s cold voice:

“Ah Shu, stop!”

“Ah Huan, what’s wrong?”

Murong Huan clutched her chest, her eyes flashing with a fierce, piercing light.

In the past, whenever Ah Shu saw such a look, she would keep her distance. This time, however, she stayed close, nervously reminding, “Ah Huan, you mustn’t change again! You promised that if I warned you, you’d regain your senses!”

Murong Huan closed her eyes, then slowly opened them and whispered, “Empress?”

Her right hand unconsciously caressed a wooden puppet she had carved herself.

The puppet was lifelike, shaped as a young woman, though Ah Shu couldn’t tell who it was meant to represent—neither herself nor anyone she knew.

“Yes! The Empress now governs the realm, and Luoyang is the divine capital she personally designated.”

“I told Ah Huan this before, and so did the master.”

The master was Murong Huan’s teacher. After her parents passed away, the master came to Peach Blossom Village, claiming to be guided by heaven to enlighten the girl. During their time together, the master taught Ah Huan many things and made puppets to entertain her by performing puppet shows.

Ah Shu knew the stories told in those shows were accounts of the outside world.

Over time, Ah Huan even learned to craft beautiful puppets and perform puppet plays for herself.

“I know,” Murong Huan said, her expression softening at last. Ah Shu, still shaken, approached and asked, “Ah Huan, are you alright? You frightened me—I thought you…”

“Don’t worry. I can control my emotions now. She won’t appear again.”

Ah Shu nodded firmly, clenching her fists. “I believe in you, Ah Huan!”

Murong Huan gazed at Ah Shu in a daze. Over eight years of solitude, aside from the master, only Ah Shu had kept her company. Even the master was often absent, traveling far and returning after long intervals.

Everyone feared her, but Ah Shu seemed carefree and loyal, always by her side, cooking for her and cheering her up.

“Ah Shu, aren’t you afraid of me?” she suddenly asked.

Ah Shu shook her head vigorously. “Of course not. My life was given by your parents, and you’ve treated me well—even when you were ill, you never hurt me. So how could I be afraid of you?”

Is that so?

Murong Huan felt a twinge of doubt but said no more.

At that moment, a troop of mounted riders thundered through the street, their hooves shattering the morning stillness. The sparse crowd scattered in fear.

Leading them was a figure dressed in a narrow-sleeved black robe embroidered with mysterious patterns, hair tied in a high bun with black silk. Though disguised as a man, her graceful figure, fair complexion, and delicate features betrayed her true identity as a young woman.

“Ah Huan, look! Women can hold office too. That woman is so imposing!”

Ah Shu pointed to the swiftly departing figure in awe.

A boy nearby scoffed and jeered, “Foolish girl, you’re courting death! That’s Wu Lingyue, Deputy Commander of the Internal Guard, known as the Moonshade Lord. Whenever she appears, nothing good follows!”

“Deputy Commander of the Internal Guard? What kind of official is that? Is she powerful?”

Ah Shu asked, but the boy only snorted and ran off.

Murong Huan, surprisingly, answered, “The Internal Guard is the Empress’s eyes and ears, secretly investigating court ministers’ secrets, punishing corrupt officials and traitors, and eliminating dissenters when necessary.”

Ah Shu was stunned. “Ah Huan, how do you know that?”

Murong Huan did not respond, her mind clouded with doubt: Why do I know this? The master never told me.

“I don’t know either,” she finally said.

Ah Shu wasn’t surprised but found an explanation: “You must have been enlightened by immortals. Your wisdom has blossomed, Ah Huan, you’re amazing.”

Amazing, indeed?

Murong Huan smiled but remained silent. Yet she could foresee strange occurrences, such as now...

Luoyang comprised one hundred and three wards: twenty-nine in the north and seventy-four in the south. Between the wards ran roads intersecting with the main streets connecting the city gates, with watchtowers standing tall.

From these towers, military commanders could observe all activity below.

Under the Empress’s reign, laws were strict and the people lived in peace.

The Su family resided in the southern ward.

After traveling some distance, the carriage finally reached the southern ward. The cool breeze blew, and the scenery shifted from bustling streets to tranquil, elegant neighborhoods.

Spring was in full bloom. Although the peach blossoms had faded, wildflowers dotted the roadside like stars. A gentle breeze stirred them like fluttering butterflies.

A river wound through the area like a jade ribbon, dividing houses and fields on either side. In the distance, children played while women washed clothes.

“Ah Huan, look, that’s the Su family estate! Our home!” Ah Shu pointed to a grand mansion with dark-tiled roofs and clear, elegant architecture, her voice full of joy.

“After eight years, we can finally return home.”

Home?

A bitter smile tugged at Murong Huan’s lips. Just as Ah Shu prepared to knock on the gate, Murong Huan suddenly called out, “Wait, Ah Shu, today is not a good day to return home!”

“Not a good day? But Ah Huan, it’s already late. If we don’t go back to the Su family, where else can we go? We’ve already spent all the silver left by the master.”

Ah Shu looked disheartened. In Peach Blossom Village, there were fields and forests where they could forage for wild vegetables and sweet potatoes when hungry. Some kind-hearted old women occasionally brought meat from their hunts, and Ah Shu kept chickens, sometimes cooking steamed eggs or fried eggs for Murong Huan. But they had slaughtered the chickens before leaving, as a birthday feast for her.

Now, they were penniless.

Just as Ah Shu regretted not bringing more pancakes, Murong Huan said, “Go to Sigong Ward!”

“Sigong Ward? Why?”

“To save someone!”