"Have you... prepared something for her?" Teacher asked me carefully.

"I... am working on it," I answered honestly.

"Ohh... that's good. It's better for siblings to be close and help each other out, Cu Xing," Teacher said with a smile. I nodded my head.

"Cu Xing understands... then, does Teacher have anything else for me?"

"No. Today is your birthday so take it easy. Teacher will be going now," he patted my head before turning around and leaving. After he left, I went back inside and set the peach basket back on the table. I picked up my embroidery tin and open it, revealing a handkerchief that had a couple of green threads through it. I sat down in my chair and started to continue sewing the fabric.

-

"Your Highness," Bai Yu's voice called out from behind me.

"Yes?"

"It's time for dinner."

"You can go ahead and eat. I'm going to continue working on this. Also, light up some candles and place them around the table for me," I rubbed my tired eyes.

"Yes," Bai Yu did as she was told and I continued working on the handkerchief.

-

"Your Highness."

"Yes?"

"It's time for your bath."

"I will take it tomorrow."

"Yes."

-

"Your Highness."

"Hm?"

"It's to go to sleep."

"You go ahead first."

"... yes..." Bai Yu quietly said as she left and went to her room located next to mine. I blinked the exhaustion from my eyes as I continued working.

-

"Your Highness."

"What?"

"It's time for breakfast. Your servant also brought a bucket of water for your highness to clean yourself."

"I will eat and wash later."

"... yes..."

-

"... Your Highness, how about just taking a quick break?" Bai Yu called out a while after she came back and told me about lunch.

"Later," I dismissed the idea immediately. If I wasn't diligent then I won't be able to finish the handkerchief in two weeks.

"... yes..."

"Oh! Bai Yu, if Wei Xing comes to look for me tell her that I'm busy. Please keep watch so that she doesn't come in. Also, tell Teacher that I want to focus on embroidery so I will be busy for the next couple of days so we can skip some lessons," I didn't want Wei Xing to look at it until I was done.

"... yes... your servant understand."

"Thank you."

-

"Your Highness."

"Hm?"

"Your Highness... it has already been eight days since you last washed or eaten anything. Please, take a break," her voice was filled with concern.

"Later," I ignored as I continued working. I was only two-thirds of the way done and more than half the time I had was already gone.

"Your Highness... please, this is not good for your highness's health," she pleaded. I paused my needlework for a moment before turning back to glance at her. Her eyebrows were furrowed as her sad purple eyes stared back at me. She bit onto her bottom lip and fumbled with her fingers. I was going to retaliate but seeing her state of concern I couldn't. I let out a small sigh I turned around and stuck the needle until it was halfway through the cloth. I folded it neatly and then stuffed it back into the embroidery tin before closing the cover.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"It's four hours until lunch," she replied.

"I see... wake me up in two hours for a bath and then after I will eat lunch," I ordered as I stood up. Her face brightened up immediately as she nodded her head and bowed.

"Yes, your servant understands."

"Good. You're dismissed for now."

"Yes," she answered as she closed the door to my room behind her. I stretched my arms out before yawning. I removed my outer and middle robes as I climbed into my bed. I barely tucked myself in as the moment I shut my eyes, sleep came and took me away.

-

I looked around to see myself surrounded by shelves of ingredients. Where was I? When did I get here? I saw a wooden barred window to my side and peeked out to see a big wooden sign that had strong black characters written onto it.

"Hei Ping Mountain?" I read the characters out loud. Where was I? Last time it was Cui Yun Mountain, and now it's Hei Ping Mountain?

Creaaak!

I heard the wooden door open and I hid behind one of the shelves.

"Damn you, Hei Ping Mountain! You won't accept me because I'm dirt poor and have no connections or skills?! Watch me drink your wine cellar dry and then you will see my skills!" a voice yelled and whispered at the same time. I peeked out to see a female's back searching through some wine jars not so far away from where I was. She was wearing a tattered blue robe with brown trousers and her hair was put up in a bun. Why did her voice so familiar? She picked up a bottle and pulled the cap away as she downed it. "Wah! This wine is so good!" she wiped her lips when she was done and nodded her head in approval, "hehe... coming here for wine wasn't such a bad cho-" she stopped midsentence as she froze. I furrowed my brows until I heard footsteps and watched as she scrambled to hide behind a shelf.

"You dirty kitchen boy!" a rough voice yelled out as a slim body flew into the room and landed on the ground, "you dare try to get cocky just because Master thinks you make good wine?! Now you think you are good enough to become a disciple when you're just a piece of trash?! I will kill you and make your innards into wine to serve to Master!" a muscular male walked into the room with two males on either side of him. The slim man on the ground had watery purple eyes but he didn't cry as blood trailed down one side of his lip. His messy pink hair had pieces coming out of his top bun as they waterfalled down his bruised face. I felt my heart ache for the man as I balled my hand. I squinted my eyes at the muscular man as I prepared to fight just in case he took it too far. I didn't want to reveal myself right now if the situation didn't call for it... or else mother...

"I... I never thought to become a disciple. I am already very grateful to His Lord's kindness for bringing me in," the man replied to them. The muscular male's eyebrow twitched as he kicked the frail man in the chest. The frail man coughed up blood as flew back and hit the wall. The muscular male and his two men were laughing hysterically at him.

"Good. It's very good that you think that way, kitchen boy," the muscular man said as he walked up to the frail man and clasped his pale chin, "a piece of trash like you... will never amount to anything," he hissed. The frail man looked up at him with hate in his eyes but didn't say anything. The muscular man smiled at this sight as he brought his other hand and set it on the frail man's chest. "Looking at you right now... you look quite pretty. Hehe... how about you become one of my bedchamber maids instead? I will treat you very gently," the muscular man licked his lips. I couldn't take it anymore as I moved forward to rush out but before I could do anything I saw the female figure fly out. She kicked the muscular man and he went flying to the other wall.

"Wha-" the other two men didn't get to say anything as she punched them in the chin and they fainted immediately.

"Who was it?!" the muscular male yelled out as he turned his head. When he looked up and saw the female his eyes widened in fear. "Y-y-you!"

"Didn't I tell you that if I see you bullying another one of my people I won't let you off?" her voice was sharp yet filled with a tinge of humor.

"Wh-what?" the muscular male looked at the frail man before looking back at the female, "when did he become one of your people?"

"Is that question important?" she took a step closer. The muscular male trembled as a sweat droplet rolled down his face.

"Your great goddess, this one apologizes! If this one knew that he was one of your great goddess's men, then this one would have never dared to touch him! Please forgive this one!" he begged as he tried to scoot back but it was useless with the wall behind him.

"Too late," the female only said as she rushed in and punched him. I watched as she landed punch after punch onto his face and felt shocked at how brutal she was. The man continued to whimper and beg but she didn't stop. The man then tried to fight back to no avail as she ended up breaking his leg and arm that came at her. After the man succumbed to his fate and fainted, she finally stopped. She brushed the dirt off her fists as she cursed under her breath and backed away from the male. She turned around and looked at the frail male. She frowned as she saw him looking at her and walked up to him. She bent down to see him eye to eye and cocked her head to one side.

"Hey! You alright there?" she asked. He nodded. She smiled as she brought out a handkerchief from inside the sleeve of her robe and wiped the trail of blood off his chin. "If they ever bother you again, just let me know. I will beat them to death and see how they dare to mess with you again," she declared. The frail man couldn't hold back his tears anymore as they trailed down his face.

"Ahhh!" he cried out. The female seemed to panic as she grabbed onto his shoulders.

"Hey! What's wrong? Where does it hurt?" she looked him up and down. He only continued to cry and the female wrapped her arms around him. "Alright, alright! Don't cry anymore! They won't hurt you anymore so don't cry!" she tried to comfort him as she rubbed his back. After a while, he finally quieted down to only a sniffle. She let go of him and backed away. "Are you alright now?" she asked softly and he nodded his head. She let out a relieved sigh as she wiped his tears away.

"This one thanks your great goddess for your kindness. This one can never repay your great goddess for your kindness in this lifetime. If your great goddess ever needs anything then just let this one know and this one will try his best to serve your great goddess," the man promised. The female paused for a second before letting go of him.

"Tell me, did you make the wine over there?" she pointed to the stash of wine she was drinking earlier. The frail man nodded his head.

"Yes."

"Ooohh... tell me, do you want to leave Hei Ping Mountain and come with me?"

"Huh?" the frail man looked at her in surprise for a moment before frowning, "I... I... I have to still repay His Lord Hei Ping's kindness for helping me all these years..."

"Forget that old man!" the female blurted out, "if he was truly kind then he wouldn't let you be hurt like this and control his students!"

"B-but..."

"Tell me, how old are you?"

"I'm... 30,000 years old."

"Hah?! You're 30,000 years old?" the female exclaimed. Hmm? The frail man was 30,000 years old but he already looked like a mortal adult? But Teacher said that only after 50,000 years will our bodies still to resemble a young mortal adult. I was already 15,000 years old and I only resembled that of a young mortal child. The frail man nodded his head and she let out a small cough. "Anyways, tell me, how long have you been serving as a kitchen boy here?"

"For... 25,000 years."

"Then, you have already served your time for helping that old man. No need to repay his kindness anymore!" the female explained. I didn't seem convinced at all by her weak argument but the frail man seemed to be contemplating about it deeply.

"But..."

"No buts! Just follow me from now on, I will take care of you! Didn't I say earlier that to that ugly piece of trash over there that you are one of my people? I don't go back on my word! From now on we are connected and will always be. Also, didn't you say that since I've saved you then you will do your best to serve me? Then follow me and make the best alcohol for me to drink! This is how you will be able to repay your debt!" she giggled as she held her hand out to him, "how about it? Want to come?"

The frail man looked at her hand for a long time before he reached out and grabbed it. The girl let out a satisfied laugh as she stood up and pulled him up with her.

"Good choice!" she praised as she let go of him, "now that we are companions, you can call me Magpie. What is your name?"

"My name? I... don't have one. I've just always been call kitchen boy," the frail man replied.

"Huh? No name? Hmm... that's fine. Then from today on you will be called... hmm... Hua Mi. How does it sound? Do you like it?"

"Hua. Mi... I like it... thank you," the frail man let out a smile.

"Good!" the female cheered as she grabbed back onto his hand, "let's go!" she said as she pulled them out the door.

"Wait!" I called out as I tried to run after them however my body suddenly felt super heavy as I couldn't move at all. I held my hand out and looked back up only to see the three fainted men. "Wait!" I called out again.

-

"Your Highness," I heard a soft voice call out as a hand gently shook my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see Bai Yu looking down at me. I rubbed my tired eyes as I sat up from my bed. I saw the steam rising from the bathtub and Bai Yu handed me a cup of tea. I took the cup and downed the warm liquid in one go as my throat felt parched. I handed the empty cup back to her and she set it on the drawer.

"I can bathe myself. Just wait for me outside."

"Yes," she bowed before closing the door. I pulled off my robes when she was gone and stepped into the warm bath. My aching body relaxed and I let out a small sigh as I closed my eyes and leaned my head on the bathtub. That dream... was interesting. Who was that frail man, Hua Mi? Did he really exist? I remembered the last time I woke up from a dream and all I could remember was Cui Yun Mountain. This time I remembered seeing Hei Ping Mountain and that man, Hua Mi. Strange... why am I having these dreams? And why... do I feel like I am always forgetting something important about them?

"Whatever," I shook my head before dunking myself in the water. I only had six days left until Wei Xing's birthday. I still need to finish that handkerchief.

-

After my bath, I pulled on the change of clothes that Bai Yu left me. I was going to open the door when I heard two cheerful waves of laughter and paused for a second. I could tell one belonged to Wei Xing, but who did the other belong to?

I pushed the door open to see Bai Yu laughing as she played with Wei Xing. My back suddenly felt cold as I swallowed my saliva. I've never seen Bai Yu smiled like that around me. My heart suddenly felt unbearably heavy. I took in a deep breath before I walked into the small area that was only double the size of my room.

"Bai Yu," I called out. She stopped moving as she looked up at me. The smile disappeared from her face as she gave me a bow.

"Your Highness," she responded.

"Older Sister!" Wei Xing called out as she ran to me with her arms open wide. I didn't know why but I bent down to catch her as she wrapped her arms around my neck. She pressed her lips against my cheek before backing away.

"Why have Older Sister been so busy lately? I miss Older Sister very much!" she complained as she pouted. I felt a sense of comfort inside as I poked her soft cheek.

"Sorry. I've been... um..."

"Princess Wei Xing please don't blame Her Highness. Her Highness has just been studying very hard lately to understand the materials that His Lord Zhuang Hu has been teaching," Bai Yu interjected.

"That's right. I've just been studying really hard. You have to study hard too, alright?" I nodded my head. Wei Xing pouted even more as she frowned.

"I don't want to! Wei Xing hates studying!" she complained. I tapped the tip of her nose.

"Don't act like that. You have to grow up and study well or else concubine mother will be sad."

"Mmmm!" she whined, "but, concubine mother said that she will love me even if I don't study well!" she retorted. I stared at her in shock for a second as the ends of my hair stood up.

"You're stupid! You're useless! I will never love someone whose stupid and useless!" mother's voice echoed in my head. My hands trembled and I almost lost it strength as I almost dropped Wei Xing.

"Ah!" she yelped and my strength came back as I held onto her, "Older Sister!" she cried out.

"Sorry. Older Sister is just a bit tired," I apologized as I set her down on the ground gently. She looked at me with concern and I reached out to pat her head.

"Be good... Older Sister still has to study so you should go back first. When Older Sister has time then Older Sister will play with you more," I tried to smile, but like always the ends of my lips wouldn't move up one bit and the sides of my cheeks would just start feeling tingly.

She looked at me with big innocent eyes before nodding. She moved closer to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek she didn't kiss earlier before moving back.

"Then Wei Xing will listen to Older Sister," she smiled before skipping away. I stood up and raise my hand to touch the cheek she just gave. It felt warm.

"Your Highness... it's still an hour before lunch is served. Please rest and eat lunch before you start again," Bai Yu suggested.

"Un. Thanks for helping me out earlier, Bai Yu," I gave her a nod.

"No need to thank your servant at all," she bowed back. Her face was gentle and calm, yet there was not a trace of a smile on there.

"Bai Yu."

"Yes?"

"Do you-" want to become one of Wei Xing's servants instead? I almost asked but stopped myself. What if she told me she wanted to? How... how could I stop her? She looked so much happier with Wei Xing then she did with me... but she was all I had.

"Your Highness?"

"Uh... nothing," I could only say.

"Cu Xing," I heard Teacher's voice and looked behind Bai Yu to see Teacher walking toward us. My heart felt much lighter when I saw him.

"Teacher," I greeted.

"Lord Zhuang Hu," Bai Yu bowed. Teacher smiled and I could feel the gentleness flowing out of his eyes light blue eyes.

"Bai Yu, go prepare some tea for us," I ordered.

"Yes," Bai Yu left as I led Teacher to the only table in the small area.

"Why has Teacher come here today?" I asked. He patted my head.

"Because Teacher misses you so Teacher has come to see how you are doing," he brought his hand back and smiled. I tapped my hand on my thigh.

"Oh... Cu Xing is doing well. Sorry for worrying Teacher."

"Haha! No need to apologize... tell me, what have you been up to? You've never asked for days off before to do embroidery work."

"Uh," I didn't know how to reply, "I... I have been preparing Wei Xing's present," I could only answer honestly. His eyes grew as he looked at me. His lips curled up into a gentle smile.

"Good. You are opening up to your younger sibling now. That's very good. Teacher is proud of you," he rubbed my head again. The tapping on my thigh continued as I felt at ease. "Now Teacher won't have to worry about you becoming an adult," he commented. I furrowed my brows as I looked up at him. I just remembered that kitchen boy named Hua Mi.

"Teacher... are there any existences that have an adult mortal form even though they are only 30,000 years old?" I asked. Teacher looked at me a bit surprised before he let out a laugh.

"Yes. There are."

"There is?"

"Yes. Those are called Immortals."

"Immortals? How come I have never heard of them before?"

"Because Teacher is still busy teaching you about the Celestial Realm and Mortal Realm. We haven't reached the Immortal Realm part yet."

"Oh... what are Immortals? Why do they grow up so fast?"

"Immortals are beings that are born as animals. After that, they have the ability to be able to cultivate for a hundred years before gaining an adult mortal form. Some Immortals are also mortals who have cultivated and broken through into the Immortal realm."

"Then how are they different from Celestial Beings?"

"Celestial Beings are born containing both a mortal form and an animal form. Not only that but Celestial Beings are also born with much more cultivation than an average Immortal. For example, even though you are only 15,000 years old right now, you are stronger than most 20,000 years old Immortal. There are three classes of Immortals which include a Low Immortals, Mid Immortals, who are just usually referred to as an Immortal because these are the most that exist, and High Immortals which only two Immortals have managed to reach the class of."

"I see."

"Yes. Also, Immortals are unique so Teacher has much more to teach you about them. We will learn more when the time comes, alright?"

"Yes. Cu Xing thanks Teacher for the knowledge."

"Your welcome... also, why did you suddenly ask about this question?"

"Huh? Uh..." I didn't really want to tell him it was because of a dream I had. What if Teacher thought I was weird... or even something worse?

"Is it because you still want to grow up faster?" he asked. I nodded my head and he let out a gentle laugh. "Don't worry about it. Take your time growing up. Teacher still has a lot to teach you," he rubbed my head again. I nodded my head again and then tapped my thigh.

"Your Highness and Lord Zhuang Hu," Bai Yu returned and she set a cup of tea down for each of us.

"Thank you, Bai Yu. You are dismissed for now," I said as I picked up the cup of tea.

"Yes," she bowed her head and then left. After I set the tea down, I licked my lips and looked up at Master. The teacup looked small in his slender fingers compared to my small hand.

"Teacher, what do you think about wine?" I blurted the question out before I could stop myself. Teacher suddenly choked on his tea as he set down the cup of tea. "Teacher!" I ran over to his side and started to pat his back. I pulled out my handkerchief and handed it to him. He wiped his mouth before looking at me with confused eyes.

"Who told you about wine?" he questioned.

"I... I read about it in a mortal story," I made up. He frowned before shaking his head.

"Don't drink wine. It doesn't do anyone any good. If you want to find something good to drink then just drink tea. There are varieties of teas that you haven't tasted... hmm... Teacher will start teaching you how to brew good tea to drink so don't ever drink wine unless you have to, understand?" Teacher said with a stern face.

"Yes. Cu Xing understands," I complied. I really liked drinking tea anyways and I didn't know there were more varieties of tea than the one I always drank.

"Good... oh, Teacher almost forgot! Here," he waved his arm over the table and a big wooden box appeared, "it will be Wei Xing's birthday banquet in six days... she wanted you to appear so she begged her highness and her highness agreed for you to appear so Teacher prepared robes for you," he opened the lid of the wooden box and I saw light blue robes laying inside there. I ran my fingers over the soft robes. The color was nice and the fabric felt comfortable, unlike my coarse robes. I saw a strange item and picked it up. It was a hat that had a veil connected around it.

"This is..."

"Oh... one of her highness's request in order for you to be able to come was for you to wear this to cover your face. Cu Xing, don't think much of it. Alright?" Teacher smiled at me.

"... yes... Cu Xing thanks Teacher for the wonderful gift," I bowed, "then Cu Xing will go back now," I picked up the wooden box.

"Un. Take care of yourself," Teacher stood up and rubbed my head. I nodded my head and then turned around to head into my room. I set the wooden box against the wall at an angle so the lid wouldn't come off as I clenched my teeth and balled my hand.

"Why were you born with that birthmark?! You are a curse! A curse!" mother's voice echoed in my head.

"Look at that birthmark!"

"It's an ominous mark!"

"Why is she still alive?"

"What if she brings doom to us all?"

"Why isn't she dead yet?"

"You curse!" other voices started to blend together with mother's voice. I started to pant as it felt harder to breathe and I grabbed onto my chest.

"Forgive people. Give them chances. Don't hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself. Forgive people. Give them chances. Don't hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself, " I mumbled to myself. I looked up at the embroidery tin sitting on my desk. My panting came to a stop as Wei Xing's face appeared in my head. My cheeks felt warm and I calmed down.

I opened the tin and pulled out the embroidery I've been making for her. The only thing left to embroider was the actual Bai Yu flowers themselves as the stems, leaves, and other extra details were already embroidered. I ran my fingers over the stitches and Wei Xing's smiling face appeared in my head. I ran my fingers over the characters I stitched on the handkerchief.

"A rare star whose light can never dim and warmth never fade. Wei Xing," I read the poem. I felt much better after reading it. I hope... that she will like it... that is all I ask for.