Back to the Mountain's Ink

Xing Hou's face changed in an instant, becoming apologetic. 

"I'm... I'm sorry I didn't know."

She lowered her head with a shameful look but Ming Yue stopped her. She looked at the young girl with a melancholic smile.

Not quite happy but not very sad either. 

"It's fine", she said to her, "It happened a long time ago when I was young, about thirteen or fourteen years old. There's no need to apologize."

The princess raised her head, still with a sorry look. 

"Although I've heard many stories, I truly did not know about this", she said. 

Ming Yue just looked at her before turning away. 

"Not many know, a beginning such as mine is a sorrowful one."

The young cultivator turned back to Xing Hou, looking straight into her eyes. 

"Even if you'll be gone for ten years, always cherish your home but at the same time, learn to find a place of your own."

She stood up, placing a hand on the princess's shoulder.