Bai Longyuan's new residence stood at the eastern edge of Longyun City, surrounded by tall maple trees and a quiet stream that wrapped around the courtyard like a silver ribbon.
The residence was not grand like the Bai clan manor, but it was clean, warm, peaceful — and free from poisonous hearts.
For the first time since waking up in this foreign world,
Rouyuan finally breathed without fear.
Her days fell into a gentle rhythm.
She woke early, drank warm medicinal soup prepared by Xiaoya, followed Bai Yanyu as he studied poetry under the maple trees, and spent the afternoons exploring every corner of the courtyard.
It was small, but full of life.
She loved it.
Discovering the World — The Yunhuang Empire
As her body strengthened, Rouyuan began studying scrolls Bai Yunchen brought home.
Slowly, she pieced together the world she now lived in.
The empire was vast.
Yunhuang Empire
— named after its founding ancestor
— ruled by the Murong Imperial Clan
— powerful, ancient, prosperous.
— divided by 5 regions
The current emperor was Emperor Murong Zhenyuan,
a ruler known for his elegance and calm wisdom.
His empress was Empress Lin Huayun,
graceful, poised, deeply respected.
There were also the concubines:
First Concubine — Consort Wen Rouya,
Gentle, quiet, mother of the First Prince and Fourth Prince.
Second Concubine— Consort Xie Xiulan,
Proud, ambitious, mother of the Third Prince and Last Princess,
favoured by the Empress Dowager, Her Highness Xie Meilan
because she is her niece.
The palace structure suddenly made sense to Bai Rouyuan…
and so did the endless intrigues.
The royal children were:
First Prince — Prince Murong YunxianSecond Prince — Crown Prince Murong YunqingThird Prince — Prince Murong YuntaiFourth Prince — Prince Murong YunxiLast Princess – Princess Murong Yinglan
Beyond them, the emperor had two brothers:
Prince Murong Zhenxi — Head of the Embroidered Uniform GuardPrince Murong Shaoheng — Marshal of Eastern Sea Region
Rouyuan memorized every name.
Every region. Every power.
Her genius mind quickly draws a map of the empire.
Beizhen — Northern Frontier Region
Main city is Beiyuan City (Northern Plains City).
Also known as Snow Fortress.
Cold mountains, snow wolves, fortresses, cavalry.
Battles with northern tribes, Nomad and border wars.
Ruled by Marshal Prince Murong Yexuan, the emperor niece.
Dongze — Eastern Sea Region
Main city is Donghai City (Eastern Sea City).
Known as Lotus Harbor.
Rivers, lakes, sea routes, trade ports and merchant ships, scholars, poetry, music.
Famous for art and the Imperial Academy.
Ruled by Marshal Prince Murong Shaoheng, the emperor second brother.
Nanqi — Southern River Silk Region
Main city is Lingnan City (South of the Mountain Ridges City).
Famous as Silk Capital.
Silk, embroidery, dyes, dance, music, fragrance, perfume, incense, aromatics,
herbs and medicine and, powerful noble families.
Powerful merchant clans reside here (Wen Merchant Clan)
A mysterious, elegant land.
Ruled by Marshal Prince Murong Yunxian, the first prince.
Xixiu — Western Peaks Region
Main city is Louling City (Western Ridge City).
Known as City of Hidden Serpents.
Deserts, hidden tribes, mysterious ruins, Spiritual energy & rare herbs.
Ruled by Marshal Lord Xie Wenzhao.
Zhongyun — Central Capital Region
The city name is Wuzhen City (The City of Five Garrisons).
A city surrounded by mist, atmospheric, surrounded by rivers and mountains.
Magnificent, gentle, elegant.
Center of politics and romance.
Palace, Jinyiwei, and Imperial Court.
The main Empire State
Rouyuan closed the scroll, her eyes shining with awe.
"This world… is beautiful," she whispered softly.
Bai Yanyu, sitting beside her, blinked. "Ah Yuan likes it?"
She smiled gently.
"Yes. Very much."
A New Resolve
That night, after Bai Longyuan returned from court, Bai Rouyuan approached him with quiet determination.
"Dad," she said, bowing deeply,
"I want to learn medical and martial arts."
Bai Longyuan paused, surprised.
Her tiny face was calm but firm.
"I want to learn martial arts… so I can protect myself."
She lifted her eyes.
"For herbs, medicine and medical, I wish I can help heal Yu Ke."
Bai Yanyu's eyes widened.
Bai Yunchen, standing behind her, straightened proudly.
Bai Longyuan lifted her chin gently.
"Yuan Er… why do you suddenly think of this?"
Bai Rouyuan clenched her little fists.
"Because I don't want to be helpless again."
Silence.
Her father's stern expression softened.
He nodded once.
"Very well. I will find the best teacher for you."
"And I will be the one that will teach you the martial art." Bai Yunchen said proudly.
The Meeting of Fate
Three days later, Rouyuan wandered toward the small market street near their new home to buy some river herbs for the kitchen.
Xiaoya followed closely behind.
They passed a quiet lane shaded by willow trees — and Rouyuan froze.
A woman stood at the end of the lane.
Slender.
White robes fluttering like clouds.
An aura calm, timeless, and impossibly serene.
Her eyes were like moonlit water, deeper than the night sky, yet filled with unfathomable knowledge.
Rouyuan instinctively recognized something—This woman was not ordinary.
Xiaoya whispered, stunned, "Young Miss… she looks like an immortal…"
The woman's gaze drifted toward Bai Rouyuan.
Her lips curved gently.
"You are the little girl who drowned."
Rouyuan's heart stuttered.
"How… how do you—?"
"I can see lingering water-qi around you," the woman said softly.
"And a soul not entirely of this world."
Rouyuan stiffened in shock.
The woman smiled kindly.
"I am Master Su Yuelian," she introduced herself.
"A Divine Healer from Sacred Lotus Pavillion of the Southern Silk Region."
Southern Silk Region…
A land known for legendary healers, fragrance masters, herb sages.
It all clicked.
Rouyuan bowed deeply.
"I am Bai Rouyuan, daughter of Great General Bai Longyuan."
"Master Su… please… please be my teacher."
Master Su Yuelian studied her carefully.
"You have the eyes of someone who has lost much," she murmured.
"But also, the heart of someone who still wishes to heal."
Rouyuan swallowed hard.
"Yes."
Just one word.
Just one truth.
Master Shen Yuelian reached forward and lifted Bai Ruyan's chin gently with one finger.
"Rise, child. I will teach you."
Inviting the Divine Healer
Bai Longyuan nearly dropped his teacup when Rouyuan returned dragging a serene,
goddess-like healer behind her small body.
"Dad!" Rouyuan announced proudly.
"This is Master Su Yuelian. She will be my teacher."
Bai Longyuan blinked.
Master Su Yuelian bowed slightly.
"I offer my medical skills in exchange for peace and quiet."
"Your daughter carries fate on her shoulders."
Bai Yunchen's eyes widened in awe.
Bai Yanyu stared like she was a celestial being.
Bai Longyuan, the feared Great General, actually stepped aside politely.
"Master Su, my home welcomes you."
Thus, the greatest healer of Southern Silk Region entered the Bai household…
and Bai Rouyuan's destiny began to move.