Chapter 12 Winds of Change

[Doctor Zhen Jian]

After the meal at the shop owner's home, I felt a pang of loneliness. It had been a wonderful evening, watching the couple and their son interact. The boy, Qin Lee was mischievous yet considerate, always finding ways to bring a smile to his mother's face. His mother Qin Lan, she was loving and caring, her every gesture a testament to her affection. The father, Qin Ming was responsible and dependable, nevertheless he couldn't help but spoil the little boy. Remembering the warmth of their family made me chuckle softly.

I glanced up at the moon hanging in the cloudless night sky. It was full and radiant, yet it seemed as lonely as I felt. Memories flooded my mind: my master, the little girl I met in my childhood, my father, and finally, my mother—the woman who gave her life to bring me into this world. I sighed deeply. I never understood a mother's love, but my mother clearly loved me more than her own life. I wished I could have experienced such love again at least once.

A chuckle escaped me as I thought about my father. He wasn't great at cooking or cleaning or much else, really. He was a bit of a mess, but he tried his best for me. Now, I am all alone, I thought, a tear slipping down my cheek even as I smiled. My hand instinctively went to the sword hanging at my waist. It seemed I would need my grandfather's help to mend my heart tonight.

Back at the clinic where I lived, I placed my satchel on its usual spot atop the counter and walked to the front. I grasped my sword firmly, closed my eyes, and tears began to flow. I didn’t care to wipe them, there was no one here to hide them from. I raised the sword and slashed down with all my might. The aroma that accompanied the swing enveloped me, lingering longer than usual. I took deep, hungry breaths of the scent, each exhale a little release of my pent-up sorrow.

I kept swinging, my strength increasing with every slash, my speed accelerating, and the glow on the sword growing brighter. Every movement released more tears and more fragrance. I lost myself in the rhythm, much like the first time I practiced with the sword. The magical effects meant nothing to me. The act of slashing was my only solace.

I swung the sword not just for the addictive aroma, but because the sword felt like my last remaining family member. I wanted to be closer to it. By the time my eyes had dried, the beauty of dawn was breaking, leaving behind the misery of the night and bringing the hope of a new day.

[Chief Huo Lian]

I spent the night in my military camp, far from the familiar confines of my palace chamber. Surprisingly, I slept better than I ever had in my life. When I woke, I felt more refreshed and rejuvenated than I could ever remember. As I stretched, savoring the unfamiliar sensation of true rest, I heard a tentative voice at the entrance of my tent.

"My lord, may I come in?" It was my head maid’s voice, gentle yet firm.

The maid from last night, Li Na, entered, carrying towels, with two guards following her, lugging a large wooden tub. The mingled scents of pine and fresh linen filled the air. "You can place the tub there," she instructed the guards.

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I blinked in confusion. "What is this for?" I asked, my voice still groggy from sleep.

"My lord, I would like to help you bathe and get ready before you go to train," she replied, her tone respectful but insistent.

"Why do I have to get ready to train? I'm going to get sweaty anyway," I protested, still baffled by the notion.

The maid shook her head gently. "My lord, you need to appear fully ready before your army."

I sighed, feeling a strange fatigue. I studying her closely. Her face was lined with years of hard work, yet there was a spark of kindness in her eyes.

"Li Na, I don't understand why you want to do this so badly, but if you're doing this for me, know that I don't truly care about getting ready. Nor do I care about my army's impression. The soldiers should follow my orders or greet the gods."

My words were not loud, but I saw the guards outside shiver uncontrollably. Li Na took a step forward and bowed. "Yes, my lord, this is for my own selfishness. Please, allow me to do so."

I sighed again, resigned. "Guards, bring buckets of hot water."

Li Na's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you, my lord."

I pondered for a moment, watching her. She was as old as my mother and had likely endured a life of abuse. Yet, the first thing she wanted to do was care for me. Some people are just too good.

I did not know then that Li Na wanted to prepare me as a princess should. Unlike my usual routine of a quick splash of water, Li Na made me soak in the tub filled with fragrant herbs. She carefully washed my hair and combed it repeatedly, then dressed me meticulously. The whole process took an hour. Despite my silence, I could see she sensed my irritation.

She must have just realized that she has gone too far.

When we were done, I looked in the mirror. I looked more beautiful than I ever had, even the black armor I wore seemed was shining like an ebony jew. It was a great contrast to my skin. I hardly believed that my skin glow like this. Yet I was still irritated.

Li Na stammered, "M-my lord, I am sorry."

I took a deep breath, trying to quell my rising irritation. "It was out of good will," I repeated to myself. After what felt like an eternity, I sighed and said through gritted teeth, "Li Na, you will help me bathe only at night before bed, not in the morning before training."

Li Na's face lit up with a full smile. "Yes, my lord."

I was about to start my training immediately by running around the capital, but I paused, thinking of Li Na’s hard work. I decided I would focus on cultivation today instead. I walked back to my bed and instructed, "I will be focusing on cultivation today. You are welcome to stay, just do not disturb me."

Li Na hesitated, then sighed. "Sorry, my lord, I have much to do at the estate. My goal is for you to sleep comfortably there tonight instead of in this horrid tent."

I laughed softly. "No problem. Go ahead. I am counting on you, Li Na."

Li Na bowed and walked out. As I watched her leave, I realized I had never spoken those words to anyone else before. Amazing. She helped me take one bath and she has become one of the closest people to me. Am I that hungry for attention? I mocked myself with a quiet laugh.

I sat atop my bed and began to meditate, focusing on the teachings from the palace archives. Core formation stage is much more straightforward than the formation establishment stage, albeit more tedious. Ten cores are needed to advance. I have to accumulate enough qi to fill my body, then refine it into a core. I had already made one, but how long would it take to make all ten? The higher one cultivates the faster they accumulate qi, however they also have more qi to accumulate.

My eyes turned cold as I thought about the future. How long until I become empress and end the suffering throughout the kingdom? I thought of Li Na and her hardships, and my resolve to become empress grew even stronger. I immersed myself fully in cultivation.