It was a rainy night, the sky shrouded in a thin mist, and the torrential rain fell accompanied by a howling wind.
A young girl walked into the courtyard, drenched from head to toe, with blood trailing beside her feet. She set down the candied haws she was holding, a profound sense of terror gripping her heart. At a loss, she murmured, "Father... Mother..."
Suddenly, she felt her body lifted into the air, and a second later, she found herself atop the roof. Her hands and feet were cold as she stared in horror toward the inner courtyard. It was littered with bodies lying in disarray; the gruesome sight left seven-year-old Su Mingyu’s mind completely blank with fright.
A crack of thunder jolted Su Mingyu awake from her dream. She gasped for air, the world around her making it difficult for a moment to distinguish dream from reality.
"Mingyu, a nightmare again?"
A gentle voice reached her ears. Su Mingyu wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked at the woman.
"Sanniang, I haven't had this dream in many years. The people in the dream..."
"Mingyu!" Zhao Sanniang patted her shoulder gently. "Dreams are just false things."
"Ten years ago, I found you on the street. You had a high fever and were delirious—perhaps that’s when this ailment started. Could it be that the idle gossip outside has been putting too much pressure on you?"
Su Mingyu shook her head and tied up her dark hair, her naturally heroic features appearing even more defined.
"I have never taken those foul words to heart. You may have come from a brothel, but that was just your misfortune, having been sold by your family to an incapable man. As for my adoptive father, he was just hot-blooded in his youth and injured himself during a martial arts duel, which is why he had no choice but to become a eunuch. In the end, everyone is just trying to find a way to survive; there is nothing shameful about that. Those who love to talk do so only because they fancy themselves from 'pure' families, but who knows what they are really like inside?"
Sanniang tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her heart aching for her. "But daughters from ordinary families are already receiving marriage proposals by the time they come of age. You, however, will be seventeen after the New Year, and there is still no sign of a match."
Su Mingyu shrugged indifferently. "I never intended to get married in the first place."
"Before my adoptive father entered the palace, he was a disciple of a major sect. Since I learned martial arts from him, I can say I come from a respected lineage. I don’t even have eyes for ordinary men! Besides, my ambition is to be a female knight-errant and roam the world. I don't want to be trapped in a house, unable to live freely and boldly for the rest of my life."
Sanniang helplessly tapped Su Mingyu on the forehead. "You girl, I don't know what you have in that head of yours—nothing but outrageous ideas."
Su Mingyu stuck out her tongue playfully. "Dear Sanniang, I've promised some friends I'd go hunting at the ranch today, so don't bother leaving lunch for me."
Sanniang sighed. "You tomboy. If your adoptive father finds out, he’s going to scold you again."
Su Mingyu shouldered her long sword and looked back with a smile. "Then please, Sanniang, keep it a secret for me!"
Once outside the gate, Su Mingyu led the white horse her adoptive father had gifted her and adjusted her clothes. She had known from a very young age that she was different from other families, raised as she was by a eunuch and a woman from a brothel. When Sanniang had taken her in, her adoptive father had told her that a girl raised in a home like theirs would inevitably have to endure much gossip. That was why she had been raised as a boy since childhood, though even then, she still had to endure many judgmental stares.
Her adoptive father was the top master in the Imperial Palace and a eunuch guard by Emperor Chen’s side, so ordinary people dared not trouble him. However, the backstabbing cliques were truly unavoidable. For instance, today, the second young master of the Minister of Rites’ household had invited people for archery and riding. He had only included her because her skills were exceptional, and she could help them win the top prize. But these "noble sons" looked down upon her background from the bottom of their hearts.
After the hunt, Su Mingyu couldn't be bothered to pretend with them. After catching a few small animals, she wandered off on her own. Without realizing it, she had reached the edge of the ranch. The Emperor of Daxia was currently recuperating in a villa right next to the grounds. Fearing she might disturb the imperial carriage, she was about to turn and leave when she heard movement in the garden.
On a large terrace, a group of people were gathered to spar. Su Mingyu had practiced martial arts since she was a child and was always fascinated by such contests. Assessing the situation, she climbed into a hidden, dense tree without a second thought.
"...That footwork! Good heavens! The vital point is at the Yangguan acupoint—are you blind?"
"Does this prince have a foot injury? Move, for heaven's sake!"
She was enjoying the show, completely unnoticed by those in the garden.
"For this final match, I invite the Imperial Palace’s top master, Eunuch Su, to favor us with his guidance."
Eunuch Su? That was her adoptive father! To her surprise, her father, who never liked to seek the spotlight, actually agreed to the challenge. Su Mingyu sat upright, watching intently. Her adoptive father’s performance remained steady; his momentum and footwork were far superior to the so-called "Superintendent" he faced.
But after five moves, Su Mingyu noticed that the effeminate man was actually using a hidden weapon from his sleeve to strike. Her father, caught off guard, was pierced by a silver needle.
"Wei Zongan, you cheated!" Su Le'an roared in anger.
The Eastern Depot Superintendent, Wei Zongan, wiped his sword with an affected air. "All is fair in war. As the Emperor's personal guard, do you think assassins care about whether they fight fairly?"
Fuming with injustice, Su Le'an grabbed his long sword and attacked Wei Zongan once more.
"Something's wrong!" Su Mingyu immediately sensed something off with her father.
Just as her mind wandered, Wei Zongan's sword plunged into her father's chest without warning.
*Ah—*
Su Mingyu felt everything come to a standstill, a buzzing sound filling her ears. Blood... so much blood... Father...
Everything went black before her eyes, and she tumbled from the tree.
When she awoke, she was back in her familiar room. "Father!" Su Mingyu stood up, searching everywhere for him.
Hearing the commotion, Sanniang rushed into the room, holding her and wiping away tears. "Mingyu, your father... he is gone."
Su Mingyu felt as if the sky had collapsed. She grabbed the sword by her bedside and charged out, brimming with fury. "I am going to take revenge on that eunuch!"
"Calm down!" Sanniang grabbed her, holding her back. "The Emperor has already issued an imperial decree: it was a sparring match, and accidental injuries are common. The Emperor docked Wei Zongan's monthly salary, and to appease our family, he even granted you an official post."
"I don't want any official post! Sanniang, you know my father could never have lost! I saw with my own eyes that the villain cheated!"
Sanniang covered her mouth, her voice trembling. "The Emperor has already made his final judgment on this matter. That Wei Zongan is the Emperor's right-hand man; we cannot afford to offend him!"
Su Mingyu clenched her fists, her chest tight with stifled rage. Sanniang took her hand, soothing her. "Mingyu, I only have you left. Please, I beg you, don't be impulsive. Let us plan for the long term, won't you?"