As dawn painted across the mountains, shades of gold blossomed in the morning sky. Bai Yue was making her way to Elder Chen’s hut. She walked as swiftly as she could.
The early morning air was crisp, and the dew sparkled on leaves like scattered tears. A feeling of uncertainty weighed on her heart, as her thoughts felt like tangled vines.
“Yu’er!” Elder Chen’s croaked, his voice sound older than usual. “I didn’t expect to see you so early.”
“I need to gather some herbs before it gets too hot,” Bai Yue said walking pass the elder, forgetting her manners.
“Stop,” he said.
Bai Yue stopped, realising she had forgotten her manners. Her faced turned red instantly and turned around to look Elder Chen. She smiled primly and bowed. “Apologies Elder Chen, I was in rush and forgot my manners.”
Elder Chen looked down at her, squinting. As Bai Yue rose from her bow and smiled nervously. “Somethings troubling you, little one…your unusually antsy.”
Bai Yue began fiddling her thumbs, she was worried her life was about to change for the worst. In her mind, she was meant to be a healer, well…she hoped to be one at least.
“Today’s the last day I’ll be visiting, I’ll be going away soon.”
“I’ve heard,” Elder Chen said calmly.
“You’ve heard?”
“Yes…your aunt visited me two days ago, told me you’re heading into the city.”
Surprise painted itself across her first, making her feel exposed. She twiddled her fingers again, then smiled. “That’s good,”
“How do you feel?” He asked.
“I don’t know.”
Elder Chen’s weathered face creased into a gentle smile. He gestured toward a wooden bench near his herb garden. “Sit with me, Yu’er,” he said, lowering himself onto the bench with a soft grunt. “Let me tell you something about life and calluses.”
Bai Yue sat beside him, and began wiping the sweat from her brows. The muds between her finger nails were evident, which made her try to whip her hands in her dress again.
Elder Chen opened his palms and gestured them to her “You see these hands?” he said, showing the rough callous palms to Bai Yue, they appeared to her as rough weathered ancient-like tree bark.
“When I was young, I thought I would be a scholar. My hands were soft then, from holding brushes and scrolls." He chuckled, tracing a particularly thick callus along his thumb. “But life had other plans. These calluses came from years of grinding herbs, tending gardens, and healing the sick.”
Bai Yue looked down at her own hands, still soft except for a small hardened patch where she held her mortar and pestle.
“Sometimes,” Elder Chen continued, “you grow calluses in places you least expect. Not just on your hands, but on your heart, your spirit.: He picked up a smooth stone from his garden path, turning it over in his palm. “Like this river stone, shaped by countless drops of water, we are shaped by our experiences. The city will change you, Yu’er, but not all change is bad.”
“But what if I don’t want to lose my way?” Bai Yue whispered, “What if I forget everything you’ve taught me?”
“Ah,” Elder Chen’s eyes twinkled. “That’s the beauty of calluses. They don’t form from single moments of pressure, but from repeated action, dedication. Your knowledge of healing isn't just in your mind – it’s in your hands, your heart. The city may give you new calluses, but it won’t erase the ones you’ve earned here.”
He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small cloth package. “Here. Open it.”
Bai Yue carefully unwrapped the package to find a worn mortar and pestle, smaller than the ones she usually used.
“This was my first set,” Elder Chen said softly. “Take it with you. Let it remind you that sometimes life’s unexpected turns lead us exactly where we need to be. Like a callus, what seems like hardship at first often becomes our greatest strength.”
Tears welled in Bai Yue’s eyes as she clutched the gift. The weight of it in her hands felt right, like an anchor in a stormy sea.
“Now,” Elder Chen said, rising from the bench, “I believe you mentioned something about gathering herbs before it gets too hot?” His eyes crinkled with warmth. “Shall we make your last lesson count?”
Bai Yue nodded, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. As she followed Elder Chen into his garden, she realized that perhaps some calluses were meant to be treasured – marks of love, learning, and the unexpected paths that shape us into who we're meant to become.
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Bai Yue thanked Elder Chen, though the words felt inadequate. As she walked from Elder Chen’s home, she felt as though she was being ripped apart, her little life had no meaning.
She would’ve done anything to say to say, but she knew better. Her aunt and uncle needed to survive, to live, and there was nothing else she could do but accept.
As she drew closer to home, she noticed they were people gathering around the front door. She stopped by the well and squinted, trying to get a better gauge of them. They were robes of white, emerald with gold trimmings, making them seem regal. The shortest person of the three people turned around Bai Yue seemed to recognise her, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She walked closer, she ensured not to draw suspicion to herself. “Sister…Xiao Yue!” The girl with the familiar face said.
Bai Yue stopped; she tried to turn around but the woman appeared in front of her so fast it left her startled. “Xiao Yue…its me,” She said forcing a hug, “its your sister, Bai Hui.”
The resistance that Bai Yue held, dissipated instantly. “Jie-jie?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She returned the hug, burying her face into her sister’s chest, then caught her self. “I’m dirty…I’m sorry for dirtying your robes!”
Bai Hui caught her sister’s hands, “Silly girl,” she said softly, her eyes shining with unshed tears of her own. “Why would I care for robes when I get to hug you once more?”
Tears began to roll down Bai Yue’s cheeks, and a wave of relief washed over her. It had been three long years since her sister had been taken to the palace, disappearing from her life without a word. Now, of all days—the day she was preparing to leave—it felt like a gift to have her sister back, even if just for a moment.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
The other two figures, a man and woman, approached them, their robes swaying with each step. Bai Hui straightened, keeping a protective arm around Bai Yue’s shoulders. “Xiao Yue, this is my master, Master Yusheng.” she said respectfully, “Master, this is my little sister, Bai Yue.”
Bai Yue looked up nervously at the older gentleman, who gave her a warm nod. She offered him a polite bow, smiling shyly. “It’s an honour to meet you, little one,” he said kindly.
He turned to Bai Hui his smile dissipated and he grew serious. “Are you certain about this? If you bring her to the palace, you’ll be responsible for her well-being until she can manage on her own.”
Bai Hui nodded resolutely. “Master, I am sure. You know why I left home—I couldn’t bear the burden my family struggled under. And now, with the drought making things worse, I fear what desperation might lead my aunt and uncle to do.”
The younger woman beside the master sighed, shaking her head. “Junior sister, we can’t save everyone,” she said gently.
Bai Hui’s grip on her sister’s shoulders tightened. “No, but we can save as many as we’re able.”
Master Yusheng let out a soft laugh, nodding approvingly. “Ah, Bai Hui, your spirit is as strong as ever. Very well. We will arrange matters, then. Xiao Ting,” he turned to the younger woman, “please see that everything is prepared.”
Bai Yue looked up at her sister, heart pounding with a new kind of hope. The idea of going to the palace felt daunting, but with Bai Hui beside her, the path forward seemed a little brighter.
“Bai Hui!” A voice shouted from down the street, “is that really you?”
Bai Yue turned around to see her aunt and uncle returning from the city, empty sacks in their hand. They jogged into a run, happiness and surprise written across their face.
“Bai Hui!” Aunt Mei repeated, her voice trembling. “You’ve grown so beautiful.”
“Its been so long Xiao Hui,” their uncle said.
“It has, have you both been well?”
“As well as can be,” their uncle answered.
“Good good…I know this is short notice, but I’ve come to pick up Xiao Yue. I want to take her with me.”
“Take her with you…We... we’ve already made arrangements for Xiao Yue.”
“Arrangements?” Bai Hui asked confused, “with whom?”
“The Silent Lotus?”
“The Silent Lotus…that’s a brothel!”
“We know,” The uncle said stepping forward, his weathered face lined with shame. “The drought... we had no choice. Madam Liu has already given us a down payment.”
“Down payment…How much is it” Master Yusheng his tone gentle but firm.
“Five silver taels, with thirty-five more promised.”
Master Yusheng shook his head then turned to Bai Hui. “Hu’er, do you have that much coin, you’ve only completed the three missions thus far.”
Bai Hui’s confident demeanour faltered, she twiddled her thumbs and shook her head. “I don’t have enough coin, I only have ten silver taels.”
Bai Yue’s heart sink, but then she remembered something. Her hands flew to her herb pouch. She pulled the item she had gathered before heading to Elder Chen’s house, she slowly unwrapped it and ushered it to Master Yusheng. “Master Yusheng, would this help?” she asked, holding up the wild ginseng she’d forgotten to give Elder Chen.
The root was old, its shape resembling a small man with outstretched arms. Master Yusheng widened the moment his eyes met the wild ginseng. He took it from Bai Yue and began to examine it. A low chuckle escaped his lips. “Help?” He scoffed playfully. “Child, do you know not know what this is?”
A collective confusion painted itself across the eyes of everyone. Bai Yue felt as though she had picked up poison instead. “What is it, Master?” Bai Hui’s older martial sister asked.
“This is century-old wild ginseng. It’s worth more than fifty silver taels. To the right buyer this is one hundred taels!”
The sun was just cresting over the rooftops when a palanquin, draped in green and white silk, appeared at the edge of the village. Four bearers, dressed in pristine uniforms, moved in sync as they carried it forward.
The palanquin stopped at Bai Yue’s family house, the bearers gently lowering it. A servant moved forward, parting the silk curtains revealing Madam Liu. She stepped out, her robes catching the morning light, casting her in an ethereal glow. She took a moment to adjust her eyes, they swept over the villagers. “Good morning,” She said primly.
Master Yusheng returned the greeting with a nod. Bai Yue hid behind her sister whilst Aunt Mei and her husband stepped forward bowing to Madam Liu. “Lady Mei, it is good to see you. I see you have some guests.”
“Yes, my niece has returned from far. We were just discussing her interest in taking Xiao Yue with her.”
“Taking? That can’t happen, we already have deal…do we not?”
“We do…but her sister is insistent on her leaving with her, I already explained to her that you’ve made a down payment.”
“A down payment you’ve already used,” She scoffed, looking at the new equipment they had purchased for farming.
Bai Yue watched as her aunt and uncle’s shoulder slumped. She grew anxious, and began to squeeze her sister’s arm. Her sister turned and looked down on her. “Don’t worry,” she said patting her head, “you’re going to be OK.”
Madam Liu turned to Master Yusheng and eyed him up and down, she sighed heavily and began pacing back and forth. “May I know your name?” She asked Master Yusheng.
“You can call me Yusheng, Madam Liu, it is, yes?”
“It is…what brings you here?”
“My disciples plan to take her sister with us back to our sect.”
“…and your sect is?”
“Not your concern,” The elder martial sister of Bai Hui interjected,
Madam Liu’s eyes flickered, clearly flustered by the disrespect, but she didn’t say anything. It was clear that the sect they came from was not one to mess with, but Madam Liu had already spent the coin and no doubt, she wanted funds back…well, that’s what her eyes said anyway.
“True…I’m sorry to say this Master Yusheng, but Young Bai Yue’s future has been resolved. I’ve arranged for her to join the Silent Lotus, where she will flourish.” Her gaze swept over Master Yusheng disciples, then onto the cowering Bai Yue. “I assure you; my intentions are nothing less than honourable.”
Master Yusheng took a deep breath and stared at Madam Liu whose determination wouldn’t be suppressed either. “Madam Liu,” Master Yusheng said calmly. “I understand you’ve made arrangements and contributions to the family’s well-being. However, my disciple has come a long way to offer her a different path. A path I’m sure her family would prefer.”
Madam Liu’s expression didn’t change, though her fingers tapped lightly on her fan. “With all due respect, Master Yusheng, agreements are binding. One cannot simply change the course of things without consequences. It would set a poor precedent, and I am not one to back down so easily.” She gestured to Bai Yue’s aunt and uncle. “They have accepted my coin, and Xiao Yue will benefit from the opportunities I can provide.”
“…and I am offering a fair exchange to release her from this agreement. We’re prepared to return the five silver taels you’ve advanced, and I’ll add another thirty-five to match your full payment.” Master Yusheng insisted as he folded his arms.
Madam Liu raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering across her face. “A noble offer, but insufficient. I paid those coins in advance because I saw potential in young Bai Yue. That kind of vision deserves a premium.”
Bai Hui clenched her fists, but Master Yusheng placed a calming hand on her shoulder. He took a step forward, his voice steady. “Fifty silver taels, Madam Liu. Enough to more than cover your initial investment and the time you spent here today.”
Madam Liu considered the offer, looking from the ginseng in Master Yusheng’s hand to Bai Yue, who stood huddled close to her sister. Her gaze softened, but only for a moment. “Master Yusheng, Bai Yue is a rare find. I see the spark of a future courtesan—graceful, poised, and unique. For me to part with her, it must be worth my while.”
As Bai Yue stared up at Master Yusheng, she watched him narrow his eyes, clearly contemplating his next step. She could only hope he had no desire to prolong the exchange. “Sixty silver taels,” he countered, “more than enough your compensation.”
Madam Liu studied him, her face an impassive mask as she weighed his offer. The silence stretched, and Bai Yue clung tightly to her sister’s hand, her heart pounding. “Sixty-five,” Madam Liu said finally. “Sixty-five silver taels, and I will consider this matter closed.”
Master Yusheng reached into his robe, withdrawing the final amount. The glint of silver coins piled into Madam Liu’s waiting hand as her smile returned.
“Thank You, Master Yusheng,” she said, tucking the pouch into her sleeve. “May the Silent Lotus flourish elsewhere.”
Madam Liu inclined her head respectfully and returned to her palanquin, departing as swiftly as she had come. The weight lifted from Bai Yue’s heart, her eyes shining with gratitude as she turned to Master Yusheng.
“Thank you, Master Yusheng,” Bai Yue said quietly.
Master Yusheng’s stern expression softened as he nodded at Bai Yue. “The path ahead will not be easy, child, but it will be yours to walk freely. Now, let us make our way to the Emerald Star Palace, where your new journey awaits.”