By the time Lian Hua turned eighteen, her dreams had grown far beyond the quiet borders of Qingshui village.
She no longer wanted a life bound by whispers, traditions, and fear.
She wanted more.
More than the narrow paths.
More than the watching eyes.
More than a life that looked too much like her mother's.
But wanting more… meant making a choice.
And she was not alone in this body.
She sat quietly by the window, staring into the distance where the mountains met the sky. Then slowly, she lifted her hand and pressed it lightly against her temple.
It was their signal.
Their way of reaching each other.
"Lian Yue," she called softly within.
A pause.
Then—
A familiar voice answered.
"What now?"
Lian Hua smiled faintly.
"What do you think about leaving the village?"
Silence.
Then she continued, a little more excited now—
"Going to the city… living the kind of life we've only read about?"
Lian Yue scoffed lightly.
"I don't care what you do."
A pause.
"Anywhere is better than here."
Her tone darkened slightly.
"This place feels like a prison."
Lian Hua exhaled softly.
"Then agree with me when I speak to Mother," she said.
"If we go now, once we separate… you won't have to start from nothing."
She smiled to herself.
"You'll already be living a better life."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"You're only thinking about yourself."
Lian Hua blinked.
"What?"
"You didn't even ask what I want," Lian Yue continued, her voice sharper now.
"You just assumed."
A pause.
"Because it's your body."
Lian Hua softened.
"…Then tell me."
"What do you want?"
This time, Lian Yue didn't answer immediately.
When she did—
Her voice was different.
Quieter.
Certain.
"I want to marry the Emperor's son."
Lian Hua froze.
"What?"
"I saw him once," Lian Yue continued, almost dreamlike now.
"At the bridge, during the last festival."
A faint pause.
"And that was enough."
Lian Hua frowned slightly.
"He already has wives," she said carefully.
"And besides… there are many men in the city."
"I don't care."
The response came instantly.
Firm.
Unmoving.
"I want him."
Lian Hua sighed.
"…You're impossible."
Then, after a moment—
"Fine. After we separate, you can chase your prince."
A small smile tugged at her lips.
"I'll stay out of your way."
A pause.
Then a quiet hum.
"Hmm… not bad," Lian Yue replied.
"I'll think about it."
Before Lian Hua could respond—
A voice cut through the moment.
"What are you two arguing about?"
Xue Yan stood at the doorway, her eyes narrowing slightly. Years of watching had made her sensitive to even the smallest shift in her daughter's behavior.
She knew that look.
The pauses.
The silent conversations.
"Nothing, Mother," Lian Hua replied quickly, lowering her hand.
"We were just talking about… the future."
A small smile.
"Lian Yue thinks we should move to the city."
Liar.
The word snapped sharply inside her mind.
"You started it," Lian Yue added, irritation clear in her voice as she pushed forward, attempting to take control.
Lian Hua stiffened slightly.
"Lian Yue."
Xue Yan's voice cut in sharply.
"Stop fighting."
And just like that—
The tension dropped.
Silence returned.
Xue Yan stepped forward slowly, her expression softer now.
"I always intended for you both to leave someday," she said quietly.
"There is a better life beyond this village."
A pause.
"I only hoped… it would be after your separation."
Her gaze lingered on her daughter.
"But if you both insist… then I will not stop you."
Lian Hua's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Xue Yan nodded slowly.
"I can write to your uncle in the city."
"Uncle Zhang Wei."
"He may be willing to take you in."
"Oh, Mother!" Lian Hua beamed.
"If he agrees, we can leave immediately!"
Xue Yan shook her head gently.
"Not so fast."
Her tone turned serious.
"He does not know about… your situation."
A pause.
"You must be careful."
Lian Hua nodded quickly.
"I understand."
Then, unable to contain her excitement, she grabbed her shawl.
"I'll go to the market street and get a few things!"
Before Xue Yan could respond—
She was already gone.
And deep within—
Lian Yue watched quietly.
"City life…" she murmured to herself.
"…this might finally get interesting."
Xue Yan did not waste time.
The very next morning, she made her way to the village post station—a small wooden structure at the edge of Qingshui where messages were carried beyond the mountains.
Carefully, she handed over the letter.
"It will reach him in three days," the clerk said, barely looking up as he stamped the seal.
"Thank you," Xue Yan replied softly, placing a few copper coins into the payment tray.
For the first time in years—
She felt hope move faster than fear.
A week later, a reply came.
Xue Yan's hands trembled slightly as she opened the letter, her eyes scanning each line quickly.
Then—
Her face lit up.
"Lian Hua!" she called out immediately.
"Lian Hua!"
"Yes, Mother!"
Lian Hua's voice came from outside as she rushed in, slightly out of breath.
Xue Yan turned toward her, unable to hide her excitement.
"Your uncle has agreed."
She handed the letter over.
"He's willing to take you in."
Lian Hua froze.
"…Really?"
Xue Yan nodded, smiling.
"And he sent a list of things you'll need to bring."
For a moment, Lian Hua said nothing.
Then her eyes softened, tears gathering slowly.
"Mother…" she whispered.
Before she could stop herself, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around her.
"Thank you."
Inside—
A familiar voice stirred.
"Ask her if I can get a hug too."
Lian Hua let out a small breath.
"Mother… Lian Yue wants a hug too."
Xue Yan's expression softened immediately.
"Of course."
This time, the shift came quickly.
Almost eagerly.
Lian Yue stepped forward.
And without hesitation—
Xue Yan pulled her into a warm embrace.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Xue Yan gently pulled back, placing her hands on her daughter's shoulders—her gaze now more serious.
"Lian Yue… listen to me carefully."
Lian Yue raised a brow slightly but said nothing.
"I know you are strong," Xue Yan continued,
"And I know you do not like being hidden."
A pause.
"But the city is different."
Her tone lowered.
"There are limits to how you can show yourself."
Lian Yue's expression shifted slightly.
"You must not appear in public unless it is absolutely necessary," Xue Yan said firmly.
"And you must not fight your sister for control."
Her voice softened again.
"In time… you will have your own body."
A faint smile.
"And when that day comes… I want to see you standing as yourself."
For once—
Lian Yue did not argue.
"…Fine," she muttered quietly.
The shift came again.
Gentler.
Lian Hua returned.
"Mother," she said softly, holding the letter,
"did the Ancient Mother ever say… how it would happen?"
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"How will she just… give her a body?"
Xue Yan's gaze drifted slightly, as if recalling that night.
"She took your sister's body away," she said slowly.
"I believe… she has been keeping it for that moment."
A quiet silence followed.
Lian Hua nodded slowly.
Then her eyes dropped back to the letter.
"Mother… Uncle Zhang Wei also said something else."
Xue Yan looked at her.
"He said I shouldn't bring my hanfu," Lian Hua continued, slightly worried.
"He said people in the city dress differently now… simpler clothes. Modern ones."
A small pause.
"I don't have enough money to buy those."
Xue Yan smiled gently.
"I'll add more from my savings."
Lian Hua looked up immediately.
"Mother—"
"We'll get you enough for at least a few weeks," Xue Yan continued calmly.
"You won't go there unprepared."
Lian Hua's eyes softened again.
"Thank you, Mother…"
She stepped forward once more, hugging her tightly—this time not out of excitement…
But gratitude.
And deep inside—
Lian Yue remained quiet.
Watching.
Waiting.
The city was coming.