Somewhere on the outskirts of the capital, in the center of a cramped and smoky basement room, there is a small hall. There, people of not the highest ranks often spend their hard-earned money on a pitiful semblance of a carefree life. Acceptable food, good alcohol, and performances on stage—what more do these poor souls need to distract themselves from hard work and failed personal lives?
In the middle of the hall stands a small wooden stage, illuminated by soft lights and shrouded in an atmosphere of mystery. Pleasant music plays on the stage from time to time. The light sounds of the zither and the smell of tea lull people to sleep. They slowly finish their food, drink their alcohol or tea, and go home. This is how it happens on ordinary days. However, today is a special case. Today, she will perform on stage. People sit, finishing their second, or even third, cup of tea, waiting for the appointed hour. They all gathered today only for her performance.
Noon strikes. To the rapid sounds of a flute and drumbeats, a dancer steps onto the stage and immediately captures everyone's attention. In contrast to her fiery charm, her movements are smooth, like waves on a morning sea. Her graceful body and elegance in motion make the audience hold their breath, and her passionate eyes radiate light with delight and passion.
She is dressed in a bright red dress with elegant patterns and long silk ribbons that twist like sheets of flame during the dance. Her movements are filled with grace and plasticity.
When the dance comes to an end, the girl bows to the audience and disappears behind a screen. At this time, people in the hall continue to recover from the marvel they've witnessed and wonder when they can come to this place again and see this beautiful woman once more.
***
«You danced so beautifully today, Mommy!» a little girl shouted and ran to the dancer when she finally came down from the stage.
«I always dance beautifully, silly girl,» the woman winked cheerfully at the little one and hugged her.
Her hands, however, were shaking from fatigue. She immediately let go of the girl so as not to reveal herself. She had worked very hard this week. The dancer's job not only exhausted her physically but also brought almost no money. Because of this, the woman was forced to do ordinary manual labor in addition to dancing. However, it's worth noting one thing. After a hard week, on her days off, she danced on this stage not because she could earn more money that way, but because she loved dancing too much. She wasn't ready to give up these performances, even if it harmed her health and well-being.
And yet, sometimes, maybe once a month or two, she was overcome by a certain regret. Before going on stage, she asked herself: «Why am I still doing such foolish things? It's time to grow up. Dreams won't arrange my life.» But every time she returned to the hall, tired and upset, and saw the burning eyes of her daughter, who again and again praised her performance, all doubts instantly flew away.
«I heard from Uncle Zhang that some dancers are given flowers. Why don't they give you any?» the girl asked curiously.
«I don't accept gifts from guests.»
«I see... So you don't like that?» the girl's voice became sad.
«Why are you asking?»
«Just wondering.»
Seeing her daughter's face, the woman suddenly smiled slyly.
«You know, I don't like gifts from strangers. But if it were a gift from Uncle Zhang or from that other person I know well, I'd be so happy I'd be cheerful for a whole year.»
«Really, really?! Then wait here, I'll be right back!» the girl immediately perked up and ran off in an unknown direction. A couple of minutes later, she returned to her mother with a small bouquet of wildflowers and handed them to her.
«Are these for me?» the woman brought the flowers to her face. «They smell so nice. They're simply wonderful. Thank you so much, my joy.»
The girl hugged her mother around the neck again, and the mother took her hand.
«Let's go say goodbye to Uncle Zhang.»
Uncle Zhang was in the kitchen at that time, kneading dough. He was a good man and had known the mother and daughter for a long time. It was he who recommended this place to them as a side job. From time to time, he looked after the girl when the mother was busy at work.
«Uncle Zhang, we're going home. Mom said to say goodbye for now.»
Uncle Zhang turned to the pair and smiled. Wrinkles appeared on his face.
«I see. Are you finished for today?»
«Yes,» the woman replied. «I still have things to do at home, so I'll leave right away.»
«Is that so! Wait a second, dear. I have something for your journey.»
Uncle Zhang bustled about and wiped his hands on his apron. He took something out of a nearby cupboard and handed it to the woman.
«Here, take these. I baked them this morning. Completely fresh.»
«Oh my! Your famous steamed buns. But I can't accept them. You already do so much for us.»
«Nonsense! Take them and don't complain. I know things are tight for you with money right now. When you can, repay me with your chamomile tea. It's the best in all of Nan.»
The woman smiled humbly and took the package of food from her friend.
«Thank you.»
«By the way, dear, someone was looking for you here.»
«Another crazy fan?»
«Not just a fan. Someone very important.»
«Tell him I've already left. I don't wish to see him.»
«As you wish. I hope there won't be any trouble later.»
On the way home, the mother and daughter came across a small carnival celebrating the arrival of spring. The whole street was decorated with ornaments. Music was playing everywhere. The girl's gaze fell on a pair of wandering street performers. One was playing an instrument, and the other was dancing to amuse the crowd.
«My mom dances much better than them,» she mumbled, chewing on a bun.
«When I grow up, I want to be as good a dancer as Mom.»
***
Shin Zuzhou stood in an empty study, holding a strange letter in her hands. It was written on unusually fine, expensive paper.
Shin Zuzhou felt disgust even at the name signed at the bottom of the sheet. It was a letter from the Empress of Northern Bei—the legal wife of her biological father. This woman had hated little Shin Zuzhou from the day she entered the imperial palace. She was convinced the girl carried a curse. And when the entire imperial family fell victim to a terrible illness that killed almost all the descendants of the current emperor, she was only confirmed in her suspicions.
Shin Zuzhou was ready to tear the sheet to pieces when she saw its contents. A lump rose in her throat.
«...I merely wanted to inform you that the coffin and body of your wanton mother will be thrown out of the palace in the coming days. I hope you are not too angry. It wasn't my idea, in any case. The Emperor himself expressed the desire to get rid of this ill-omened corpse on the advice of a fortune-teller well-known in these lands. I just wanted to warn you so it wouldn't come as a surprise. I hope you are mature enough to realize that your mother was never a part of this place. Don't be angry in vain. I'm sure she won't mind lying somewhere in the mud outside the palace walls. That's exactly where she belongs.»
The letter was literally saturated with gloating, and Shin Zuzhou knew it for sure. Now, with the Empress having strengthened her power by giving birth to a child, she was uncontrollable. She took revenge on everyone she considered an obstacle and felt not a drop of remorse.
Shin Zuzhou's hands trembled as soon as she finished reading the letter. All these years, her mother had suffered in that hell, and now her deceased body would be thrown out like trash.
In a way, the Empress was right. Her mother had never been a part of that filthy palace, never been family to those cruel, two-faced people.
Shin Zuzhou's eyes filled with blood, and countless curses poured from her mouth.
Cursed be the day when the Emperor, hearing rumors of a beautiful dancer, decided to attend her performance. Cursed be the time when that very Emperor's henchman came to her mother and forced her to enter the palace and serve that dirty, perverted old man. Cursed be the Emperor, who, without even granting her mother the title of concubine, drove her to suicide. Cursed be the entire palace for what it did to their small, happy family.
Shin Zuzhou could no longer stand straight. Tears streamed from her eyes, and clots of black energy began to gather around her body. Damn it! She had done it again! She had lost control again and given free rein to the accumulated dark energy.
The walls and furniture began to shake as if in an earthquake. Objects flew around the room, and the air heated to critical temperatures. The situation was escalating with every second. An explosion was imminent.
***
Yang Yulan had been walking through the still rain-damp forest all morning, searching for her lost mask. She absolutely could not return to the palace without it. That would reveal her identity and, in turn, reduce her chances of escaping from the villainess in the future.
To avoid getting lost in the forest, Yang Yulan scratched marks on trees using stones. She guessed from which direction she had come to the cave the previous evening and searched for the mask in that direction for a long time. However, her attempts were still unsuccessful. And no wonder. Finding such a small thing in such a vast forest was simply impossible.
Yang Yulan returned to the cave with a gaze full of hopelessness and despair.
«Did something happen?» Mei Baijie inquired, noticing this.
«I can't find something I lost on the way here. I'm afraid I won't be able to return to the palace without it.»
«But don't worry. As I promised, I'll escort you to the search party.»
«Shall we look together? I can help you. And I don't want you to stay in this scary place all alone.»
«Absolutely not! I'm not so desperate as to make a wounded person look for my things. You need to rest while you can.»
«Everything is fine already,» Mei Baijie hurried to assure her. «I didn't hit myself hard. And I can walk on my own now. See?»
When the girl indeed rose from the ground and stood on her feet, Yang Yulan's jaw nearly dropped. Just last night, Mei Baijie had a wound bleeding the size of her entire shin, and now she's simply walking on her own two feet as if nothing happened? What is this? The heroine's special ability?
Yang Yulan regretted more and more with each passing moment that she had ended up in the body of a minor character.
«I can help you search. Together we'll find it faster. What exactly are you looking for?»
Yang Yulan was still recovering from the shock when she heard this question. She answered unconsciously:
«A fish-shaped mask.»
«What? A mask?»
«Ah! Yes. A mask. It's okay if we don't find it. I'll look for it myself later.»
«It's too early to give up. Let's try first. I'm good at finding things. Where did you see it last?»
«I don't remember anymore. It was last night. And I could hardly see anything because of the rain.»
«It's alright,» Mei Baijie bestowed a soft smile upon Yang Yulan. «Let's go to the forest. I'm sure we'll find it quickly.»
And the girl did not lie. It didn't even take an hour of searching to find the lost mask. This fact puzzled Yang Yulan even more. Had all the luck in this world transferred into Mei Baijie's hands?
«Here! Is this it?»
«Yes... You're simply amazing,» Yang Yulan blurted out without a second thought. Mei Baijie was embarrassed by the sudden compliment.
«Oh, come on. I'm sure we just got lucky.»
«Of course.»
Yang Yulan wasn't listening to Mei Baijie's words and just looked at her roughly bandaged leg. Bloodstains were still visible on the fabric. And despite Mei Baijie's words, the girl was still limping a little.
«Are you sure you can walk on your own? I can carry you.»
«What are you talking about?» Mei Baijie asked, then noticed where Yang Yulan's gaze was directed.
«No, no. I can walk on my own. See? I'm walking fine now. The wound has completely healed.»
Yang Yulan couldn't bear to see Mei Baijie suffering, so she stood her ground. In the end, the poor girl had no choice but to give in.
«I can carry you on my back if that's more comfortable for you.»
«I don't know... Are you sure it won't be too heavy?»
«No. Just get on already.»
Yang Yulan stepped closer and crouched next to Mei Baijie. The latter awkwardly wrapped her arms around Yang Yulan's neck. Yang Yulan hooked her hands under Mei Baijie's knees and stood up from the ground.
«Like this!»
The way back was much calmer than Yang Yulan had expected. The rain had stopped, and although a light wind blew, it wasn't as cold as the previous evening. Perhaps it was because they were wearing dry, warm clothes.
«When we get to people, I'd like to invite you to my place. We could have some tea and change clothes.»
«I don't think that's possible. I told you. I'm hiding the fact that I hunt here.»
«That's right! I already forgot. Maybe later then? I'll come to your pavilion.»
«No!» Yang Yulan interrupted her sharply. «I-I'll be busy.»
Serving a certain cruel lady.
Mei Baijie's face grew sadder and sadder. Yang Yulan sighed wearily.
«I'll drop by your place sometime. If I have time. That's the only promise I can make.»
The heroine's face brightened. For the rest of the journey, she cheerfully swung her legs back and forth and occasionally played with Yang Yulan's hair. The latter, in turn, merely endured it humbly.
When they had covered what seemed to Yang Yulan to be half the distance to the palace, they heard voices.
«That's His Highness speaking!» Mei Baijie lit up. «He's very close.»
Yang Yulan immediately became alert and, with some effort, put on her mask. The girls went towards the sound and hid in some nearby bushes. There, at a short distance, stood Yang Jinlong and several members of his personal guard.
The Prince looked terribly tired; bruises lay under his eyes, and his clothes were stained and torn in places.
«Your Highness! I beg you. It's time for you to rest,» someone's anxious voice was heard.
«You should return. You haven't slept or eaten anything since yesterday.»
«Exactly. We will continue the search ourselves. And we will do everything in our power to find the young lady.»
«No,» Yang Jinlong rubbed his eyes wearily. «I won't be able to sleep until we find her. He won't let me sleep.»
The guards were completely taken aback by these words. They didn't know who this "he" was or why this person would dare disturb the future Emperor's sleep. However, they continued their attempts to persuade the Prince.
«Call him,» Yang Yulan whispered, lowering Mei Baijie to the ground.
«What about you?»
«I'll have time to run. Don't worry. I'll be fine. Just take care of yourself.»
Mei Baijie nodded and, after casting one last glance at her companion, stepped out from behind the bushes and limped towards her beloved.
«Your Highness!»
Yang Jinlong turned at the sound and couldn't believe his eyes. Spotting the girl, he immediately ran towards her and, picking her up in his arms, held her for a long time without letting go.
Yang Yulan didn't get to witness this touching scene. Fearing the Prince's sharpened instincts, she immediately summoned the system and returned to the pavilion.
From there, she went straight to Shin Zuzhou's palace to report on what had happened. She hadn't yet come up with an excuse for herself, and she was generally afraid to show her face to the villainess, but after the failed mission, she had no other choice. Her identity could be revealed by two people at once. With such a turn of events, she would be caught anyway. All that remained was to hope that the villainess wouldn't decide to burn her on the spot if she came up with a good story.