I brought the girl back to the palace with me that day. Teacher was worried about whether or not this was going to be acceptable but he didn't argue against me. When we returned to the palace I snuck her into my room as I didn't want anyone else to know yet. She was shaking the whole time and I kept reassuring her that everything was going to be alright. When we were in my room I helped her change and bathe. There seemed to be a small layer of dirt stuck on her skin, and her hair took what seemed like years to untangle. Her pale skin also had old scars that resembled whip marks. I pretended not to notice them as I gave her a change of my old clothes as she was scarily thin and didn't fit any of my current ones.

"Bai Yu," I said as I tightened her sash.

"Yes?" she asked.

"How old are you?"

"Me? I... am 20,000 years old."

"Hmm... you are older than me," I put her hair up into a tight bun, "I'm only 14,999 years old."

"Prin... princess... should you really be doing this? I... I am just a lowly peasant... I don't think that you should be doing all this for me..." she looked up nervously at me. I tried to think of what Teacher did when I felt sad and then I patted her back.

"Don't worry... Bai Yu... I brought you here to stay with me. I am responsible for you. Tomorrow, we can go see my concubine mother together and ask if you can stay here with me. What do you think?" I asked. She nodded her head. I let out a small sigh of relief at her agreeing as I tilted her head up.

"Pr-pr-princess!" she tried to resist but I shook my head as I took a good look at the red mark on her face. I brushed the tips of my fingers on it and she froze.

"Bai Yu... how did you get this mark?" I turned her head to observe it.

"I... I got it from... a Da Yan flame..." her voice was quiet and it trembled.

"Da Yan flame?" I remembered Teacher talking about how the only flame in the world that can burn underwater is the Da Yan fire. It's the strongest fire in the world and can burn anywhere. Teacher also said that people who are burned by the Da Yan fire will have a scar on their body forever... the only way to get rid of the scar is through strong and rare healing medicine. Strong and rare healing medicine? I brought my hand back and stared at it. I could see the blue veins running underneath due to my pale skin. I looked at the table and then back at my hand.

"Pr-princess?" Bai Yu called out to me. I looked at her and I felt my heart sink. Due to this birthmark that barely took up half her face, she was called a curse and she believed it. Why must she be held back just because of this? It wasn't fair! I walked to my table and in between my books, I pulled out a shard of glass. I wasn't sure if my idea was going to work, but it was better than doing nothing. "Pr-princess?" Bai Yu called out again, but I ignored her. I pushed the sharp edge of the glass against my palm and drew a straight line. I clenched my teeth at the sharp pain as I watched the deep red blood slowly pour out. I set the glass shard on my desk and walked back to her.

"Don't worry. I'll help you," I brought my bloody hand to her face.

"Pr-princess!" she stopped me as she held onto my hand, "w-w-what are you doing?!" her eyes quivered.

"I'm taking this mark off your face," I replied. She wrinkled her eyebrows.

"B-b-but you are a princess... you only met me! You are royalty! You shouldn't use your body like this!"

"It's my body. I can use it however I want."

"Pr-princess! Why... are you so... kind towards me? Aren't you afraid... that I'm a bad person? That I might hurt you in the future?" I set my clean hand on her shoulder.

"Bai Yu..." I thought of what to say and bit my lip before opening my mouth again, "you... you are not a curse." Her eyes widened as she pressed her lips together.

"Princess..."

"And... if you do hurt me in the future... that's alright. I'm helping you because I wanted to. I don't ask for you to repay me," I nodded my head at her. She stared at me for a while but I feel her grip on my wrist loosened. I brought my hand to her cheek and rubbed my blood all around.

After a moment, I saw the burn marks beginning to disappear as her cheek was smooth just like her other one. I pulled my hand back. I dipped a cloth in a bowl of my water and wiped the blood off her face to see the burn mark disappear as if it was never there. Thank goodness! I wrapped the cloth around my hand as I went to my desk again. In between my books I pulled out a copper mirror. There was a deep crack down the middle of the copper mirror. I pressed my lips together before handing the copper mirror to Bai Yu.

"Look," I instructed. I watched as she held the copper mirror up to her face and her jaw dropped. She touched her cheek and then tears began to form.

"Thi... thi... this is me?" she covered her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks. I tapped my thigh as I watched her. It was a good thing that I could help another being. Teacher's teachings were correct.

"Older sister!" a child's voice cried out cheerfully. I turned to see Wei Xing standing at the doorway with a big smile on her face.

"Older sister? Is this... Princess Wei Xing?" Bai Yu asked.

"That's right," I answered Bai Yu as I watched Wei Xing run inside.

"Older sister!" she wrapped her arms around my legs as she giggled. I flinch, surprised for a moment, before I looked down at her unsure of what to do. She turned her head up to peek at me and then had this idiotic smile on her face. After a moment of contemplating, I just put my hand on top of her head.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned as I stroked her soft hair that was put up into two buns.

"I came to see older sister!" she held her arms up, "Older sister pick me up!" she requested. Pick her up? I took a step back and put my hands behind my back.

"I know how a Bai Yu flower looks like now. I'll embroider a handkerchief for you soon," I only replied. Her brows furrowed down as she looked at me with big eyes. Her arms slowly fell to her side.

"Older sister... you don't want to pick me up?" she whined.

"You are a big girl now," I explained, "you shouldn't ask for anyone to pick you up anymore." Her chin fell into her neck as she nodded her head.

"Okay... I will listen to older sister," she nodded her head. She turned her head and her jaw dropped as she finally realized Bai Yu was in the room. "Wah! Who's this?" she exclaimed. Bai Yu gave her a small smile.

"She is... going to my servant soon. Her name is Jiao Bai Yu," I answered.

"Bai Yu?" Wei Xing smiled as she waddled up to her, "Bai Yu... you really look like a Bai Yu! You are very pretty!"

"Hehe... this one thanks Princess for your compliment," Bai Yu bowed her head.

"You should return. I need to study," I interjected as I feared that mother might come looking for her. Wei Xing turned and looked at me for a long time.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Older sister," she gestured her stubby fingers for me to get closer to her. I didn't understand what she was doing so I bent down and before I knew it she wrapped her arms around my neck. I stood up by instinct and noticing that she might fall I wrapped my arms around her. I heard her laugh as she pulled back and smiled at me. "I got you!" she smiled victoriously.

"Are you playing tricks on me?" I couldn't help narrow my eyes at her and she nodded like it was nothing, "Insolence," I scolded and she just shrugged her shoulders before she suddenly leaned closer to my face. I felt her lips touch my cheek as she moved back.

"Older sister, I love you!" she declared with a smile. I looked at her with disbelief, unsure of what to do before I set her on the ground.

"Hurry, leave," I rushed her and she just giggled before walking out. I bit my lip as I felt her warmth lingering behind. I tapped my thigh before turning my head to see Bai Yu looking at me with a gentle expression.

"Your Highness..." she whispered.

"What's wrong?" I asked. She gave me a small smile and shook her head.

"Nothing... nothing at all..." she shook her head.

"Alright then... umm... do you know how to do embroidery?" I asked. She nodded her head. "Then... show me one of your work," I handed her the embroidery tin and she picked it up.

"What does Your Highness want this one to embroider?" she held up a small piece of embroidery cloth.

"Whatever you want," I replied. She nodded her head as she picked out some red thread and poked it into the needle. I watched her for a moment before returning to my desk. I picked up the glass shard and wiped the blood off with the cloth wrapped around my hand. Afterward, I put it back in place. I removed the cloth from my hand and look down to see the wound had already closed. I glanced back at Bai Yu to see her still working before I sat down on my desk. I picked up my unfinished embroidery as I continued to work on it.

-

Night soon came as we put our embroidery away. I grabbed an extra pillow from my small storage box and set it on the bed. I was starting to feel dizzy. It must've been a side effect from giving away my blood.

"My room may be small but the bed is big enough to fit two people. We can sleep together," I said as I scooted to the inside of the bed.

"No!" Bai Yu rejected, "this one is just a lowly peasant. How can this one share a bed with your royal highness?" she shook her head.

"The floor is too hard and cold for you to sleep on it. It will only be for tonight because you will be getting your own room tomorrow."

"No. This one doesn't dare," she got on her knees.

"Get up!" I said sternly as I remembered the bruises on her legs. Her eyes darted around the ground as she had a conflicted expression on her face but she stayed kneeling. I pressed my lips together before letting out a small sigh. "Bai Yu," I called out, "I already told you that I would take care of you."

"But... this one..."

"Are you... thinking that I'm dirty so you can't share a bed with me?"

"Huh? No! This one doesn't think like that at all!"

"Then hurry up and get up here already," I was growing impatient. The world started to spin even faster.

"But..."

"It's an order!" I slammed my hand on the bed. She bit her lip for a second before she stood up.

"Then... this one thanks your royal highness for your kindness," she gave me a deep bow before sliding in next to me. I nodded my head before laying down. As she laid down next to me I fixed the blanket so that it covered her thin body, leaving half of mine exposed. I didn't mind it as I could keep myself heated using my chi energy. I turned to see Bai Yu's trembling as sweat trickled down her face.

"What's wrong? Are you still cold? Do you need another blanket?" I asked. She shook her head.

"No... this one is fine... this one is just..." her voice disappeared as she had a distant look in her eyes.

"Bai Yu?" I said after a while.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Are you... curious about why I'm living like this even though I'm a princess?"

"Huh? This one doesn't dare to!"

"Be honest... I won't be angry."

"Then... yes..."

"I thought as much... when I was born... the palace was in chaos. My Imperial Father's brother and sister-in-law passed away from mysterious circumstances. Our palace was attacked by a stingray demon and the crown prince passed away subduing the demon... so... I was thought of as a cursed child... did you know this already?" I knew about the gossip within the kingdom.

"Yes..."

"I see... did you know that my concubine mother didn't take care of me?"

"Huh?"

"I was raised by her servant, Zhang Bing, and no nanny was hired to take care of me. When I reached the age where I could talk and walk I was transferred from her hall into this shed... but I don't blame her... it's all my fault that..." that she's suffering when she could've been living a good life here. I bit my lip as I turned my body so that I was lying flat on my back.

"Princess," Bai Yu's soft voice rang out.

"Yes?"

"This one... may seem selfish but..." she didn't finish her sentence as she just shook her head, "just... this one just wants to thank Your Highness again."

"Un," I just mumbled as the dizziness took over and I fell asleep.

-

We woke up early the next day and after making sure we looked proper, we headed to my mother's room. The doors were open and I could hear Wei Xing giggling in the inside. My mother was also laughing but when she saw us she stopped.

"What are you doing here?" she asked sharply. I got on my knees and kowtowed to her.

"Good morning, concubine mother... today... I have come to ask for a favor," I mustered up my courage and said.

"Favor? Hahaha.... you want to ask for a favor? Was yesterday not enough? I let you crawl, and now you want to run?!" her words stung.

"N-no! Just... I just want to ask for one more thing... afterward I won't ask for any more," I tried not to let my voice falter. There was a moment of silence before she replied.

"Alright... what do you want to ask for?"

I stood up from the ground and turned behind me to help Bai Yu up. I then turned back around to face mother but I kept my eyes on the ground. She didn't like it when I looked at her.

"This girl's name is Jiao Bai Yu. I stumbled across her yesterday when I went out and brought her back. I want to ask concubine mother... if she can become my servant."

"Servant?"

"Yes."

"You... you dare wish for a servant?!" mother's voice grew and pierced through my head as I dropped to my knees.

"Concubine mother... I... I..." what should I say? What was right to say?

"Concubine mother!" Wei Xing's innocent voice broke the tense atmosphere.

"Huh? Oh... what's wrong Wei Wei?" my mother called out to her sweetly... she had never used that tone to speak to me...

"Why can't Older Sister have any servants? Wei Wei already has umm... twenty! Wei Xing has twenty servants already so why can't Older Sister have any?" she asked.

"That... uh... Wei Wei... your older sister is different."

"Different? How is Older Sister different?"

"Your older sister... umm... listen to mother, your older sister shouldn't have any servants."

"Why?"

"Because... because I said so. Now stop asking!"

"This isn't fair! If Older Sister can't have any servants then Wei Xing doesn't want any servants either! This isn't fair!" Wei Xing cried out.

"Wei Wei!" I heard mother trying to calm her down.

"No! It isn't' fair!" Wei Xing just continued to cry.

"Uh... alright! Alright! Mother will allow her to keep that girl as a servant."

"Really?"

"Really! Now, stop crying!" I heard mother patting Wei Xing's back.

"That's great!" Wei Xing cheered, "can she move in right away?"

"Of course! Zhang Bing, bring the girl to the servants' headquarters. Get her papers done and all the necessary arrangements," mother ordered.

"Yes, Your Highness," I looked to my side to see Zhang Bing bringing Bai Yu away. I let out a small sigh of relief before kowtowing.

"I thank concubine mother... and Wei Xing for your kindness," my lips felt dry.

"Alright... leave... I still have to get Wei Wei ready for the day," mother ordered. I bit my lip before nodding my head. I glanced up for a moment to see Wei Xing surrounded in beautiful extravagances as she sat next to mother. Everyone around her looked at her with loving eyes, as if she was the most precious child in the world. I looked away.

"Yes," I could only answer as I walked back to my room. I sat down on my hard bed as I clutched my trousers. To get just a servant I had to get on my knees... but Wei Xing just said a couple words and shed a few tears and mother agreed to everything... this... was this fair? Why did she get whatever she wanted but I had to suffer like this? Why?! I balled my fists and dug my heel into the ground.

"Cu Xing," I looked up to see Teacher standing at the door. His light blue hair was tied up in a high bun which indicated that we were probably going to do some physical exercises as part of today's lessons. I released my fists as my heart started to beat.

"Teacher, are we training on martial arts today?" I jumped off my bed. Teacher gave me a smile.

"That depends... let me see your embroidery work," he stepped inside my room. I ran to the embroidery tin and handed it to him. He took a seat on the bed before taking off the top and looked inside. His eyes widened as he pulled out a piece of embroidery. "Wah... this is certainly well enough for me to allow you to start practicing martial arts again!" he exclaimed, "These tulips look so full of life!" he nodded his head in approval. Tulips? I didn't embroider any tulips. I walked up to him and looked down to see Bai Yu's embroidery. It gave me a warm feeling as the red and white thread seemed to dance in harmony across the fabric.

"This... isn't mine."

"Huh? This isn't yours? Then whose is it?"

"It's Bai Yu's."

"Bai Yu... who is that?"

"The girl that I took in yesterday. I took her to meet concubine mother and concubine mother allowed her to be my servant," I recalled the event and a bitter taste enter my mouth.

"Ohh... that's nice... so... where's your embroidery?" he tilted his head and asked. I pulled out the other piece of fabric from within the tin and handed it to him. He held it up in the air and knitted his eyebrows together. "Daisies this time... hmm... your work is getting better. Continue to work hard, alright?" he encouraged.

"Yes," I bowed my head. I looked up to see Teacher furrowing his eyebrows. He gave me a long stare and I started to feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Cu Xing," he called out to me gently, "what's wrong? Why do you seem so down today?"