Fate.

Some may argue that it describes a person’s predetermined path in life, since it has already been foreseen and carved by Heaven. As such, people are bound together by fate through love or hate.

However, on what ground? Does it justify whether one is marked by miracles or curses? How about both?

Such was one celestial fairy who was marked by miracles as well as curses.

Long, long ago—high up in the Heavenly Realm—there were once twelve beautiful celestial fairies who served the Flower Goddess. Each fairy of the Flower Goddess’ Court represents a month of the year. Of the twelve, the most mischievous one was the ninth fairy, a chrysanthemum fairy named Mei Ying.

The chrysanthemum was widely regarded as ancient medicine and an important symbol across the land. Because of this, though Mei Ying was naughty, everyone respected her…and was smitten by her beauty.

But Mei Ying was born unlucky.

She was the only child of the previous chrysanthemum fairy and the former Dragon King, two star-crossed lovers who were never supposed to meet. Then, the Dragon King led a conspiracy to overthrow the Heavenly Emperor. His wife planted a spy in the Jade Lotus Palace. In the end, the couple was caught and executed by the celestial Heavenly Sword of Light, leaving behind the unlucky princess.

However, the Medicine God took pity on Mei Ying, adopted the child, and raised her among his own in the Heavenly Realm, away from the dragons.

When Mei Ying learned to walk, the Heavenly Emperor said, ‘If this celestial child grows up and unlocks the power of a dragon, I shall have her executed. But if she instead shows the power of a chrysanthemum fairy, she can stay in the Flower Goddess’ Court and take her mother’s place, as one of us.’

The poor Medicine God wept, afraid of what would blossom from this. What miserable heartache and fear! The father could not imagine how unlucky his little flower would be!

Lo and behold, when Mei Ying sprouted her first magical display of chrysanthemums, the Heavenly Emperor was pleased and spared her life. She was lucky. And while the dragons hoped for her to transform, she never could.

Yes, Mei Ying was full of miracles; yet, at the same time she was marked by curses.

One day, Mei Ying snuck out to visit the Mortal Realm. There, she stumbled across an orphan, who was left out to die on Mount Xue Hua. Mei Ying had never seen a mortal before, nor had she ever seen death. So, imagine her shock when the weak boy reached out for her light!

To the beautiful maiden, the orphan cried, ‘Gōngzhǔ! If you save me, I shall swear my life unto you—’

“Oh, stop! This is absurd!” A voice startled the old storyteller and his companion. The curt insult caused the entertainers to freeze.

“Lǎorén, you call this a story?! This is nothing but blasphemy, tarnishing a maiden’s image!” the voice went on.

Beside the old storyteller, the companion paused her fingers on the pear-shaped lute. She pinched her brows together, thinking, It’s just some fairy tale about celestial Immortals. This young dìdì has some screw loose, ah…

The companion looked up at the storyteller. She murmured something to him, as he brushed down his long graying beard. The storyteller nodded.

Once more, the woman’s fingers fluttered over the strings of her instrument. Her thin cotton robe swayed with the breeze. She continued to play soft music while seated on the floor. The young companion and the old man had never been well off, but storytelling in a respected establishment of Chengxiu Village was decent work.

And so, the teahouse storyteller cleared his throat and continued, “The orphan child cried out to the beautiful maiden, ‘Gōngzhǔ! If you save me, I shall swear my life unto you…’

“Moved by his plea, Mei Ying blessed the young mortal with the biggest taboo of all, a heinous crime under Heavenly law—Immortality!”

(The listeners gasped.)

“The benevolent chrysanthemum fairy was as fearless as a dragon, her heart as soft as the billowing autumn, and her beauty as brilliant as the sun itself!”

(A man wiped a tear from his eye.)

“However, Heaven was unmoved by Mei Ying’s act! Instead , it declared it had witnessed a wicked, arrogant deed. It must teach a lesson to this impudent little fairy, who was not even a god! How dare she!

“For Mei Ying was also unlucky—and ungrateful! For she defied the Heavenly Realm’s law and order! For she brought chaos to the balance between The Three Realms!

“Enraged by the chrysanthemum fairy’s arrogance, Heaven snatched her back up with lightning—stripped off her Immortality—and shattered her soul! Then, Mei Ying was banished to the Mortal Realm as a—”

A piercing scream jerked the storyteller into silence. The companion’s lute clattered against the floor.

“Lǎorén!” that same voice shouted from the crowd.

Suddenly, a glint whipped through the air and toward the old man. His eyes contracted as the dagger twirled closer. The hair on the storyteller’s neck rose. However, his cheek was brushed not by a blade, but against a soft white sleeve.

Like in a fairy tale, a gust of red maple leaves scattered everywhere. A white robe arose before the old man. The white-clad stranger had caught the blade between two fingers, saving the old man’s life.

“I live upstream…” the stranger recited. Slowly, they raised their head with a smile. “...and you live downstream. From night to night of you—I dream…”

The stranger’s wide bamboo hat had a long veil that swayed back and forth. Though the cloth slightly muffled their voice, their gaze dazzled through it. Their dark eyes shone brightly, like polished jade, curving into crescents.

They continued, “Unlike the stream, you are not in view. Though we both drink from the River Blue…”

There was a moment of amazement among the crowd. The audience members and even those from up in the balconies rushed to their feet. What a heroic act by this stranger!

Normally, teahouses are made to serve decent tea, to cook delicious food, and to entertain the tired, hardworking men of the Mortal Realm. The teahouse is a sacred place for them to forget their busy lives. It’s also to enjoy themselves with gossip, political talks, and—of course—stories from storytellers and companions who can play music to immerse them into that imaginary world.

Now, all of that was ripped from beneath their soles by a hot-headed troublemaker. Now, in comes the righteous hero to make things right at the Chuánqí Teahouse! To fight for the average man!

Obviously, the troublemaker was a good-for-nothing. Look at him, wearing such a dark, blood-thirsty expression! He even threw a fatal dagger! Look at the white-clad person who defended the pitiful old man! Spotless. They even have a soft, smooth voice and a gentle smile. It’s easy to tell evil and good apart!

“No need to be so noisy,” said the stranger to the crowd. “I finally took the day off, came all the way here to listen to good tales. Now, you’re going to scare the storyteller away.”

Meanwhile, the storyteller’s companion gasped, covering her mouth. What a cool and mysterious person!

“Ah, are you all right, Bao-er?” Though trembling, the old man left the stranger’s side and went over to his pale-faced companion, kneeling down beside her “Bao-er, were you hurt anywhere?”

“No, I wasn’t but, Yéye—” The young woman cried into her grandfather’s chest. “Yéye, I was so scared! You won’t believe tha—”

Suddenly, a high chair slammed onto its side. The seat broke off.

“Shut.” Setting his boot against the furniture, the young man bent his knee, rested an elbow on it, and leaned toward the two entertainers. “Up.”

He had his burning eyes set on the people who had ignored him.

“Dìdì.” Once again, a broad white sleeve shielded the old storyteller and his granddaughter from the young man's wrath. The stranger said, “If you are looking for a fight, it’s better to search elsewhere.”

Immediately, the young man’s sinister sneer stiffened. His lashes trembled. Well, the other person’s presence lacked resentment and killing intent. On the contrary, they displayed gentleness. The young man inhaled sharply as a brittle leaf crunched under his boot. He glanced to see what it was. Red maple…

Wait. This person before him… They were rather short and petite. Yet, they traveled with a sheathed sword.

“Don’t trouble this establishment and their people,” said the stranger calmly. “I really can’t afford to take another day off. Perhaps it’s best for you to go.”

“Don’t tell me—” The young man’s face twisted in anguish.

Red trailed from the corner of his lips. He staggered back. He cupped a hand against his stomach. A dagger toppled to the floor.

What power…from such a small hand! Who was this person?

As the other guests buzzed throughout the establishment, there was a light laugh from the veiled stranger. They opened a fan and glanced at the young man in amusement.

“Wow.” The fan caused their veil to waver back and forth. “The butt of a dagger is useful!”