Liu Mei awoke to the soft light of daybreak streaming through the silk curtains that encircled her bed. Her long, blue hair cascaded down her back in swirls as she slowly sat up.
Xiaolian, Liu Mei's personal maid, was bustling about the room, getting Liu Mei's attire ready for the day. The room was filled with the sound of Liu Mei's hair being brushed and knotted as Xiao Lian worked on it while Liu Mei sat at the vanity. After some time, Liu Mei's thoughts shifted to the discussion she and her mother had the day before. In return for her secret participation in the cultivation guild, they considered the idea of her enrolling in the prestigious Four Arts Academy. That day, her mother had grinned at her in a way that was both enigmatic and encouraging. She did, however, warn her to keep this secret from her father and any other elders in her family.
As Liu Mei chuckled foolishly, she wondered, "I wonder how my father will react knowing that I am defying his wishes?" Xiao Lian's intervention shook Liu Mei. As she was lost in thought. Liu Mei groaned as she was told, "I'm sorry to bother you, Miss, but the family leader has requested your presence at the ancestor hall for a meeting." Her father had asked for her attendance at the Ancestor Hall for a gathering.
She knew this was just another of her father's many efforts to find her a partner. She put aside her worries and rose up from her vanity chair, letting Xiao Lian help her dress in a flowing silk gown embellished with beautiful blossoms. On her journey to the Ancestor Hall, where Liu Mei tried to settle her nerves She mentally prepared for the upcoming discussion. Her father was very traditional, and he had high expectations for his only daughter, but she was set on living her life independently.
As the sun set behind the distant mountain range, long shadows were cast across the halls of the Liu Family's estate as Liu Mei and Xiao Lian made their way to the Ancestor Hall.
Xiao Lian, a notorious gossip, was relating stories she had heard while out doing her morning shopping. But Liu Mei's mind was on other things. Liu Mei said, "Could you please be quiet for a moment, Xiao Lian?"
Xiao Lian asked, in a concerned tone of voice, "Is there something bothering you?" "I'm just worried about this meeting," Liu Mei sighed, "because I don't know what the elders want to talk about, and my brother is away for training, so I don't have his support."
As they approached the Ancestor Hall, Liu Mei was awestruck by the breath taking landscape. "I don't know what the elders want to talk about," she said.
The garden's trees were towering and created a complicated shade that looked like the phoenix's feathers against the brightly coloured blossoms. The air was heavy with the sweet scent of lotus flowers, and a nearby fountain's gentle tinkling could be heard in the background.
She had always been drawn to the Ancestor Hall, a majestic structure that housed the souls of her ancestors. They would supposedly keep tabs on the household and provide advice as needed.
Ancestor Hall
When Liu Mei arrived at the ancestral hall, her parents and the elders of her clan were already assembled there to talk about her future. Liu Mei could tell they were having a serious conversation because of the tension in the room. She drew a deep breath and bowed her way over to them. "Greetings, elders," she said politely.
The family's patriarch, her father, spoke, '' Come in, daughter! After the patriarch left, elder Huang, the family's vice patriarch, said, "Ah, Liu Mei. Please join us." He had a bushy moustache and penetrating eyes, and he looked like he meant business. He struck Liu Mei as a straightforward individual.
Elder Zhang, a rotund man with a cheerful demeanour, was beaming at her as she took her place. He welcomed Liu Mei, saying, "It's nice to see you, Liu Mei. Your parents have informed us that you desire to join the Four Arts Academy. Elder Huang's face darkened as he said, "Yes, indeed. But before we discuss that, there is another matter we need to address."
Liu Mei's stomach dropped as she anticipated the next words. She anticipated the worst and asked anyway. "What concerns you, Elder Huang? Simply put, "it's about your marriage," he said. After hearing rumours that the elders planned to arrange a marriage for her, Liu Mei felt a surge of fear sweep over her. "I'm not sure I understand," she stammered.
Elder Huang's bothered tone accompanied her statement: "We have received several proposals from eligible suitors, and we believe it is time for you to settle down and start a family."
Liu Mei stood there with dilated pupils. She was lost in thought, thinking of what to say next.
Liu Mei's mother broke the silence, saying, "We have considered your opinions as well, dear, but the elders have made their decision, and it's for your own good." The idea of being coerced into a marriage Liu Mei didn't want was too much for her, so her thoughts raced as she attempted to come up with an escape plan.
She then attempted to shift the topic by saying, "Elder Huang, with all due respect, I have my heart set on attending the Four Arts Academy."
Elder Zhang curled up his moustache in a circle, pleased with the confidence of Liu Mei, and said, "Ah, yes, the academy's a wonderful establishment, and we think you'll profit tremendously from your time there." But we can't disregard your responsibilities to your loved ones and the empire.
However, what about my own joy? Frustrated, Liu Mei cried, "I can't just marry someone I don't like!"
Liu Mei's outburst had taken her father by surprise, but he remained calm and composed. He knew that his daughter was headstrong and independent. "My dear daughter," he said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I understand your frustration, but you must remember that as a member of our family, your actions reflect not only upon yourself but upon us all."
Liu Mei lowered her head, knowing that her father was right. She had always been taught to put her family's honour and reputation above her own desires.
"But Father," she said, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Surely there must be some way for me to find happiness while still upholding our family's honour?"
Liu Mei's father listened to her words, but he couldn't help feeling disappointed. He had always hoped that his daughter would embrace her role as a dutiful daughter and fulfil her obligations to their family.
"Liu Mei, I understand your desire for happiness," he said, his tone stern. "But our family's honour and reputation are not negotiable. You must put them above your own desires."
Liu Mei's heart sank at her father's response. She had hoped he would understand her perspective, but it seemed that he was unwilling to compromise.
"Father, please," she pleaded. "I don't want to disappoint you, but I can't just marry someone I don't love. It's not fair to either of us."
She felt trapped, as if she had no say in her own life. She wanted to scream and run away, but she knew it wouldn't solve anything. She had to find a way to convince the elders and her father to let her attend the academy first.
"I understand, Elder Huang. But can't we at least discuss the possibility of my attending the Four Arts Academy first?" She asked, her voice pleading.
The patriarch and elders exchanged looks, and Liu Mei could see the hesitation in their eyes. Perhaps there was a chance after all.
"We will consider it, Liu Mei." "But you must understand that your duty to the family and to society comes first," she said.
As the elders suggested various potential suitors, she knew that she had the potential to become one of the most powerful beings in the world, and the thought of settling down before she had even begun to explore that potential was suffocating.
She knew it was expected of her to agree to an arranged marriage, but the thought of being tied down to someone she didn't love filled her with dread.
After awhile, Elder Zhang spoke up: "The 7th Prince is a good match for Liu Mei. He is young and handsome, and his cultivation is already at the mid stage of the Core Formation Realm. He is even considered a contender for the crown prince position."
Liu Mei's mother nodded in agreement: "Yes, he is a fine young man." "And his family's status and power are not to be underestimated."
Liu Mei sat quietly as the elders and her parents discussed potential suitors for her. She felt a mix of happiness and frustration as they brought up the 7th Prince of the royal family, Fan Ling, as a possible match for her.
Elder Chen interjected, "But should Liu Mei's future be determined solely by political considerations?" "What about her own happiness and aspirations?"
Liu Mei's heart swelled with gratitude towards Elder Chen. She knew that he had always been a strong advocate for individual choice and autonomy.
Elder Zhang replied, "Of course we want Liu Mei to be happy. But the 7th Prince is a rare opportunity for our family. It would be unwise to pass up such a chance."
Liu Mei's uncle, Liu Zheng, spoke up in support of the match. "I agree with Elder Zhang. The marriage between Liu Mei and the 7th Prince would be a wise decision. Not only would it strengthen the bond between our two families, but it would also bring great benefits to Liu Mei. The 7th Prince is a highly talented cultivator and is considered to be the next Crown Prince. His cultivation is already in the mid-stage core formation realm, which is a rare achievement for someone his age. Marrying him would give Liu Mei access to resources and opportunities that she would not have otherwise."
As the discussion continued, Liu Mei's mind drifted back to the time when she was 14 and attended a royal banquet with her parents. She remembered seeing the seventh prince, who was about her age.
At the royal banquet, Liu Mei caught a glimpse of the 7th prince. She noticed how his body language was timid, and he seemed uneasy. She watched as his brother and his friends gathered around him, taunting him with cruel words and pushing him around. Liu Mei couldn't bear to see him suffer and decided to intervene.
Quietly, she walked over to the prince, who had deep gashes on his cheeks. "Your Highness," she said softly, "may I assist you with your injuries?"
Liu Mei's heart ached as she worked on the prince's injuries, cleaning them with her healing array formation talisman. The prince winced in pain, but he did not move or protest as she tended to him.
"It's alright," she said softly. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But know that I am here for you if you ever need someone to talk to."
The seventh prince looked up at her, surprised to see such kindness from a stranger. He nodded, and Liu Mei immediately began cleaning his wounds with her healing array formation talisman. The prince winced at the pain, but Liu Mei was gentle, and he felt a warmth spreading through his body.
He could not believe that someone so beautiful and talented could be so kind to him, especially since he had been bullied and mistreated by his own family for so long.
Cleaning his injuries, Liu Mei looked at the prince, her eyes filled with empathy. "I am sorry for what happened," she said softly. "No one should ever be treated that way, especially not someone of your stature."
He whispered his thanks to her. promising to himself that he would remember her kindness for the rest of his life. Liu Mei smiled warmly.
As she worked, she could hear the prince's self-talk, questioning whether this strange, painful, but good feeling was radiating from her kindness. She could feel his confusion and pain, and she knew that he needed someone to talk to. She listened to his self-talk carefully, and when she finished cleaning his injuries, she looked up at him with a gentle smile.
Liu Mei smiled warmly, and the prince couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart. He had never met someone as kind and genuine as Liu Mei before. From that moment on, he couldn't stop thinking about her, and he whispered his thanks to her and promised that he would remember her kindness for the rest of his life. Liu Mei smiled and wished him a speedy recovery, and as she left the room, she could feel his eyes following her.
As Liu Mei walked away from the prince, she couldn't help but feel a connection to him. She knew he was different from the other princes, and she felt a sense of empathy for his struggles. However, she also knew that their paths may never cross again, as they were from different worlds.
Little did she know that years later, their paths would cross once again, and this time, it would be a decision that would change the course of her life.