I had a thought, regarding your last discussion about the problems threatening the peace we have.

We fought for our peace. We earned it with our sweat and blood. We now expect to maintain it without lifting a finger due to the reputation of our Titles alone.

And now we look at these people and think: Why are they fighting? Do they not enjoy the peace?

But what about us? What about what we did? Have you become indifferent to the thick stench of blood drenching our aura in order for the people to enjoy the peace we have today?

How can we think that we are somehow better than them simply because their actions threaten what we built? Would that not make us hypocrites?

We fought for our ideals.

They have a right to fight for theirs.

— Unsigned note, written in the Old Tongue. Archived in the Fallen Star Pavilion.

----------------------------------------

HuaLang Chamber's inner courtyard was divided into two by two square grids, with each of the four squares containing a dense garden of flowers. Rooms of various sizes could be found lining the edges of the gardens, with open hallways on the edges for people to pass through. Each of the upper floors were given ample vantage to look down, but the Chamber's design left each lower floor unable to view the floors above.

The stairs leading upwards were located at the end of the entrance hallway, and Primrose made her way in that direction.

The first floor of HuaLang Chamber was named the floor of Earthly Needs. Primrose walked past open rooms where people feasted and drank, tended to by Petals carrying trays of food, wine, and spirits. All manners of cuisine from Northern roasts to rare ales from the Formosan Islands could be found at HuaLang Chamber, provided one had the coin and appetite.

Chattering conversation and the occasional laughter echoed out the rooms on this floor. Primrose could even see several patrons socializing at the stone tables and benches in the flower gardens. She passed by several members of the Chamber dressed in unassuming colors; Leaves in dark green and Roots in brown, who did not work as Flowers or Petals. They nodded at each other as they passed by. Though taught to blend into the background, every Flower knew they could not do the work they did without these helpers.

She approached the stairs at the end and flashed her golden token to the Petals standing there, who nodded and granted her passage to the second floor.

Primrose walked up to the floor of Earthly Wants. Something about the architectural design meant that little of the first floor's raucous sound made it up here. Doors were rarely left ajar, and the scent of incense wafted through the open windows. Here, patrons satisfied with the needs of the body were looking for relaxing massages, therapeutic cupping or acupuncture sessions. Steam billowed out of an open window, a tell that someone was enjoying a hot bath. A strong hint of lavender and rose oil tickled Primrose's nose as she passed by that room; the patron must have much coin to spare.

Leaves and Roots walked by, nodding at Primrose. They carried buckets, towels, soap, and other niceties to help patrons relax their bodies. Several Petals followed them, and Primrose vividly remembered her own time doing this task as a Petal.

But she did not linger. Another flash of the token, and two Petals stepped aside to grant Primrose access to the third floor.

The floor, known as Heavenly Desires, had most doors fully closed. The raucous sounds from below had all but melded into a muted, breathy silence which seemed to seep out from behind closed doors. Primrose's steps became lighter than usual, her steady gait becoming a soft glide, taking care to not disturb the inhabitants within these rooms.

But even closed doors could not fully muffle the sensual moans and sighs emanating from within, as HuaLang Chamber provided for the desires of its patrons once their Earthly Needs and Wants were duly met. For Primrose, the dizzying scent of musk could only be a mixture of light of incense and body oil mingled with sweat.

No Petals could be seen on this floor, and the Leaves and Roots only appeared to clean and prepare a room. Only other Flowers glided softly down the hall, the women nodding to Primrose as they crossed paths, each recognizing the other's steps. Primrose saw the outline of thin blades pressed against the thin cloth covering their bodies as they stayed alert for any sound of commotion, well-prepared to protect and defend their sisters should any issues arise. Though HuaLang Chamber carefully screened the eligibility of its patrons, the combination of drink and stroked egos occasionally resulted in dangerous belligerence.

Primrose had fond memories doing her own rounds on this floor after she became a Flower of thorns, when she earned her first blade.

The two Leaves standing in front of the stairs to the fourth floor smiled expectantly at Primrose as she approached. At the sight of her gold token, the two stepped aside and allowed her passage to the final, fourth floor known as Heavenly Peace.

The faint notes of music tickled Primrose's ears before she even finished climbing the stairs. The zither, Madam Proprietress' preferred instrument. The fourth floor only provided one room for entertaining patrons, located in the cross-center of HuaLang Chamber's design, but even if Primrose didn't know the layout, she only needed to follow the enchanting music guiding her ears.

Before long, she stood at the edge of the center room, looking at two rows of relaxed patrons who lounged on soft cushions, arrayed in a semicircle around the scarlet-veiled woman strumming away at the zither in the middle.

The woman, wearing a multi-layered silk dress crossed between silver, blue, and trimmed with white, wore scarlet pimpernel flowers in her braided hair. The effect gave her onyx-black hair the look of midnight, with each flower acting as a red star against a backdrop of pure night. The woman's entrancing look could almost steal away one's whole attention, if not for her deft, precise movements over the zither.

Primrose recognized the piece: Prayer for Dawn, written for the flute, but Madam Proprietress had rearranged it for the zither. Each vibrating string sent a tingling sensation down Primrose's back; her very skin felt flushed at the notes, her soul resonated with the melody.

No sooner had she felt entranced did the piece come to an end. As the last note vibrated through the air, Madam Proprietress placed her fingers onto the string and stilled it into silence. A moment passed, then the gathered audience applauded, woken from their entranced stupor.

Primrose held down the urge to join her hands in the applause. Heavenly Peace indeed.

"Thank you, to all our valued patrons, for being willing to play the attentive audience for this display of clumsy fingers." The Madam Proprietress stood up and bowed elegantly, her thin veil fluttering just above her cherry-red lips. The musical voice, a gentle but firm caress upon the ears, seemed unchanged after all these years. "I hope you all have found these tranquil moments of unfettered peace reinvigorating for your mental state. It is my hope that each of you feel renewed as you return to the matters of life."

With a soft clap, some Leaves came in with warmed wash towels and cups of tea for the patrons while Roots toiled to rearrange the cushions and chairs. Certain members of the audience seemed startled as they became aware of the tear tracks staining their faces; Primrose spotted a female patron pulling out a small mirror to inspect her makeup.

"HuaLang Chamber provides fresh rooms for those that would like to linger until late morning." Madam Proprietress straightened and looked around at the audience members. Though the veil hid the direction of her eyes, Primrose felt the sharp gaze linger briefly on her. "Please tell our attendants what you would like and they will see to it that you are duly satisfied in all manners."

A soft clap that seemed to resonate throughout the air, followed by another bow. "I hope that I will have the opportunity to entertain our dear patrons again in the future. Please remember to give HuaLang Chamber another visit whenever the world wears you down."

The Madam Proprietress straightened up as the patrons began to take their leave, and the piercing gaze fell upon Primrose once again from behind that veil. A tiny gesture of the fingers bade Primrose to follow as the Madam turned and glided towards the Northern wing.

Primrose gathered her breath, then followed the veiled figure.

***

The door to the Madam's quarters lingered open, and Primrose spotted a candle being lit inside as she approached. Dusk fell, and the inhibited light of day seemed to strengthen the incense wafting upwards from the lower floors.

"So that was you walking like a Petal as early as the second floor," the Madam's voice echoed. If Primrose had closed her eyes, it would have felt as though the Madam whispered directly into her ears. "Your journey must have stiffened your legs, Primrose. Are you still disciplined in your stretching exercises?"

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

"I do normally, but a wagon gives little room for such activities, Madam Scarlette." Primrose stepped through the door, seeing the Madam inspecting a wall of colorful nameplates with her back turned towards her. The nameplates, written in elegant calligraphy, contained the names or Titles of various persons of interest. At the very top of the wall, the solitary red nameplate: Prince of the Empire. Written in the Founding Proprietress' calligraphy, untouched since the founding of HuaLang Chamber. "I've returned to collect my merit."

"Discipline is the currency of change, Primrose." Madam Scarlette reached for a brown nameplate — Agytha, City Lord of JiangXi — unhooked it from its place in the wall, then tossed it behind her shoulder. "Flowers should be supple enough to bend with the wind."

"And firm enough to withstand the storm." Primrose finished, catching the nameplate.

"Ah, your memory works." The Madam clapped her hands together. "Perhaps you'll be so kind as to recall the highlights of your time away from HuaLang Chamber for me?" The Madam turned, her light scarlet veil fluttering with the motion. "I have heard much, but I often find that secondary accounts rarely suffice." She pointed at her table, where a tea set lay waiting. "Sit. I would hear directly from you about what transpired in JiangXi City, and anything else you think is important for me to know. Silverleaf tea? A generous patron donated a crate to us recently."

Primrose sat, recounting much of what she knew for the Proprietress as Madam Scarlette brewed fresh tea for the two of them. The year she had spent studying at the Fallen Star Pavilion, then the three years she spent at JiangXi at the Oracle's behest, culminating in the Liberation of JiangXi. The people she encountered; Shurra, Kalle, Lyka, Master Ji, GloomSire, Nettie the Prodigy, Molam.

Madam Scarlette listened in contemplative silence as she measured out and ground some silverleaves for tea, speaking up only when asking Primrose to clarify certain events or subjects. When it came to the battle at the City Lord's Mansion, Primrose took extra care to mention how Lyka had been… unfortunate happenstance.

Madam Scarlette finished preparing the tea leaves and set the teapot on its warmer, then turned her attention to Primrose.

"Happenstance is a convenient excuse for the unprepared, Primrose." Her voice, though gentle still, chided with a firmness that made Primrose sit straight. "It is for those that forget a simple fact: things will happen — with or without their permission. Did you forget it is inherent to human nature to be duplicitous and self-contradicting? Why self-indulge with reasoning that only excuses one's lack of discipline? Or do you think there was truly nothing you could have done to see through Lyka's treachery?"

Primrose had no response.

"Though I have never met this Lyka, it is not her fault for being born to her circumstances, just as it is not your fault for being born to yours. But it is a fact that you allowed your affections for her to cloud your own vision, is it not?" The Madam continued. "You were a natural with training your Sight, but never forget it is the things we choose not to see that haunts us."

"I cannot be blamed for —" Primrose began, but the Madam's pressed lips silenced her.

"This is not blame, but a matter of accepting responsibility. That is the only impetus for you to learn, to grow, and to become better. To say that anything is out of your control cedes the one grip we have on life. You are either swept up by so-called happenstance and accept the results, or you toil away to affect chance so that the results land in your favor as much as you can. Those are the simple facts of life. Remember: discipline is the currency of change."

The teapot whistled and chirped, breaking the silence that followed.

"And this Molam, the one you made leader of the Dao?" Madam Scarlette asked, picking up the teapot from its warmer while setting out two cups. "Is he useful?"

Primrose blinked. "He has the Oracle's mark. Is the Oracle's vessel not someone we want?"

"The Frozen Saint also had the Oracle's mark. She failed to take down the Prince's nameplate." The Madam poured tea for the two of them, a steady stream from the pot without missing a drop. "I think you understand that results are what matters, Primrose."

"But he has provided results," she defended, accepting the cup handed to her. "A near-bloodless coup of JiangXi, at that."

"Past merits are no guarantees of future prospects. Where is Molam now?"

Primrose recounted what she knew: of following Molam to Sanctuary, of Molam walking into the Inner Sanctum first, and then when her group had followed — but her seeing no sign of him; only the whiff of leymint and sandalwood incense she burned in his room.

The Madam pondered in silence, then asked, "And you think his disappearance is because the Oracle is helping him recover his aura?"

"I didn't ask, but there's little reason for him to have disappeared in the Inner Sanctum." The question gave Primrose pause. "Unless the Oracle moved him out in a similar manner as what she did to me, there is no other exit."

"There is one." Madam Scarlette's voice contemplated softly.

"There is — you mean, the Stairs?" Primrose could not keep the incredulous tone out of her voice. "The Oracle hasn't opened the Stairs for anyone ever since the Red Emperor's trespassing."

"All things must be considered." The Madam seemed amused. "Or you may find yourself surprised yet again, the same way Lyka surprised you." She leaned her chin on a palm, gazing at Primrose from behind the veil as her voice dropped to a soft, dangerous tone. "For example: have you ever considered how everything you know would change — if this establishment was under the Empire's control?"

Primrose felt her grip tighten around her teacup. The question hung in the air, lingering between the two of them before she Saw Madam Scarlette's silver aura flare to life. She extended an arm, palming a dagger out of her sleeve — a quick flip of the hilt brought the blade down in a downward stab while her other hand splashed her tea forward in a distracting feint.

Ting, the Madam flicked the rim of her teacup with a finger. The chilling sound froze the tea splash mid-air, echoing through the bones of Primrose's arm; her grip slackened and the dagger fell, the blade burying itself in the wooden floor. The tea splattered onto the table, staining the red cloth; not a drop reached Scarlette.

"Relax, Primrose." Madam Scarlette made no other movement, merely observing Primrose, who had leapt backwards to the corner of the room, her other hand already equipped. "It is heartening that you did not forget to take initiative when subduing a potential problem, but I merely gave you an example of extreme situations to consider. We wouldn't be sharing this journey with the Oracle to kill the Prince if we had any conflicting motives, so put away your blades. More tea?"

The sensation of the cup's ringing left a remnant twinging in her jaw, worsened by the headache of Sight. After a moment, Primrose bent down for her blade, the adrenaline still rushing in her body. Her eyes strained from sustained Sight, but her gaze never moved from Madam Scarlette. The silver aura surrounding the woman's frame had settled into a calm flow.

Madam Scarlette refilled tea for the two of them. "My point stands. If it comes to it, who will replace Molam?"

The question seemed out of place. "Why would we replace him?"

"Once a blade is broken, you obtain a new one." Madam Scarlette sprinkled a pinch of plum powder into her tea. She fell silent as she soaked in her tea's vapors, then sipped quietly. "You say it was his encounter with the Tempest which left him unable to use aura."

"Yes." Primrose swallowed. She didn't like where the Proprietress was leading the conversation. "But what if the blade isn't broken, just dulled? It can be sharpened again."

"Not all blades are meant to be reforged." A penetrating gaze. "You said that you couldn't See his natural aura color because of the Oracle's mark. Did you confirm with your own eyes his abilities before?"

"I did," Primrose recounted. "When I first met him, I tested his ability myself, though he does not make a wanton display of his skills. He can resist my Charm without a jade talisman, and I believe he's a red-oriented auramaster. I saw him defend against the Tempest with a small Domain. Not large enough to be a Titled One's, but large enough to cover a group of people in his protection. The Tempest even referred to it as one — there's no doubt about it."

"Hmm." Madam Scarlette refilled both of their cups as she pondered Primrose's words. "But the Tempest's chest strike happened before or after his display of a small Domain?"

After a moment of thinking, Primrose answered slowly. "It was before."

The Madam blew gently at her tea, then sipped again. The silence stretched out before she spoke. "Perhaps a delayed reaction, though we don't know what the Tempest is fully capable of under the Prince's guidance."

"Is it even possible?" Primrose asked. "Without drowsiflora, to inhibit a person's ability to use aura merely with a strike…"

Shaking her head, Madam Scarlette placed a hand over her breast. "We do know the heart acts as the source of aura. And you may remember how needles can be used on pressure points to temporarily inhibit a person's ability to channel their aura. But," she added, "you said the healer found no needles in his body? How curious — I would like to learn the manner in which the Tempest accomplished this. If she even is the cause."

Silence. Primrose nursed at her teacup, waiting patiently for Madam Scarlette to finish her thoughts. The Madam's index finger slowly traced the rim of her teacup, bringing out a low hum before she finally spoke again.

"Has the Oracle given you further instruction?"

"Not yet," Primrose admitted, "She instructed me to return here and wait for her summons. And with Molam gone for now, it would be a good time to rest. I've been working nonstop in JiangXi for several years."

"Rest, but with an eye towards what you should consider next, Primrose." Scarlette leaned forward, her tone serious. "You are no longer just a Flower of HuaLang Chamber. You were the original leader of what is now known as the Dao. If Molam does not return or the Oracle cannot heal him, you know what you must do."

Primrose pressed her lips together. "I will give it some thought. There is no need for you to remind me, Scarlette. I believe you trust my judgment."

"I do." Scarlette's voice became soft, gentle — wistful. "As your elder sister, I should remind you to enjoy your own leisure time too. Perhaps the Festival of the Hero? I hear your friend Shurra has put her name forward."

"I might attend the audience, for her sake," Primrose drained her cup and set it down politely, standing up. Scarlette's tone indicated an end to their time without explicitly stating so. She held up Agytha’s nameplate. "Is Dahlia still tallying merits?"

"She is. You should be able to find Dahlia relaxing an esteemed patron right now on the second floor." Madam Scarlette's head tilted slightly in silence. "Yes, I believe she is still with him. If you go now, you may observe Dahlia at work."

Primrose raised an eyebrow. For Scarlette to explicitly give permission to observe meant that she believed this to be worth her while. Before she exited the door, she pointed to the mark in the floor left by her dagger. "Is that going to be a demerit for me?"

"Oh, that's not much of an issue. I am to blame for that, in a way." Scarlette's lips smiled from beneath the veil. "However, do make sure you stretch rigorously, will you, Primrose? Your blade should have at least made it to the table."