1 Chapter One || The Beginning

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—" "I'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 and 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. "I'll 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 down, 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.

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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'.