Chapter 1

"I cannot wait to go" a girl told her cousin who was combing her hair as they were getting ready for bed. "Well, you will defiantly like it there. It is better than living in the city I tell you and more peaceful " Her cousin replied to her.

Lu Wei Lian was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. The bastard daughter of a merchant. Unlike her brothers and sisters who lived with her father, her mother left the manor when she found out she was pregnant. She went back to her maternal home and never returned. She has never met her father nor will she ever want to meet him. She enjoyed the feeling of not being constantly breathed down on her neck and insulted by insulant people.

"Well let us not get too excited about it and get ready for bed then" she replied as she smiled at her cousin. Her mothers paternal home was small but cozy. They lived with their grandfather. They were commoners and usually weren't special. They usual woke up early to go and help their grandfather at his fruit store.

She decided that she would go to the country side with her Elder Cousin. Her mother although not happy, nodded in approval. Even if it will be for only three years it was still too long.

They were to go within three days and they would arrive in a weeks time. The next day she went to the temple instead of her grandfathers store. She wanted Buddhas protection and wisdom.

She covered her face with a hat that had a white veil. Reasons being is because her mother told her to. Her mother didnt want her only daughter becoming a concubine of some wealthy man who would only marry her for her beauty. She wanted her to find a man who was worth of her daughters love and respect. Hence the white veil.

She was dressed in a white robe and silently rod on her horse towards the temple. She finally got to the temple and put the offerings and lit the incense. She put her hands together and closed her eyes. She asked for peace love and prosperity.

When she was done she walked towards a small bucket that had sticks. She shook it and throw them all on the table. She picked the middle one and looked at it. She was confused. She went towards one of the monks and asked him to read it for her.

"It seems you have a rare one. This sign means the one destined for glory. A Phoenix in disguise more per say" he said to her with a smile. She thanked the monk and returned the sticks into the bucket. She finally left the temple and went towards her grandfathers store. She took off her veiled hat and put a smaller veil over her nose and mouth as she went to help her grandfather at front.

"You have come back?" He asked her as she rolled up the sleeves of the brown robe she was wearing. "Yes grandfather" she said as she carried the big box that contained all the fresh fruit. She stacked them and went to sit next to her grandfather as they waited for people to come buy.

The day was slow but at least they made a good amount of profit. Her grandfather gave her a few coins. "Grandfather you dont have to-" "but I want to. I know you have been saving the money your mother and I have given you. Its a good thing you do not choose to waste it like others would have" he said with a smile. She nodded and bowed towards and gave thanks before the both climbed their horses and went home.

They soon got to their small home and found her mother had already cooked. Her cousin was also helping her mother finish off the cooking. They soon sat and eat with each other while conversing.

"Grandfather are you going to train me?" Wei Lian asked as she and her grandfather walked towards the front court. "Yes" he said.

It was no secret that her grandfather was training her in the art of war and strategy. He was once an army lieutenant, so his knowledge was vast. He decided that he would retire and become an ordinary man. Most people didnt know that he was the legendary lieutenant and he liked it that way. When he married her grandmother they had decided the life of a noble was a waste of freedom and forfeited that life. They raised their two children as commoners and succeeded. When their daughter came back pregnant it broke her grandmother's heart and she soon left the world.

He grandfather was also disappointed but nonetheless accepted the child. They soon got to the sparing grounds and began. Their movements were quick, showing the experience and practise that was put into every step and defence.

The swords clashed as her mother watched her daughter and father spar. She had wanted something different for her daughter yet this is the best she could give her. At the age of 14, she had the experience of a man at the rank of general. She always thought her child would learn the arts a lady should know but instead she had to find a way to survive.

Wei Lian's mother, Xiao Luo was a beautiful maid. She was so beautiful that the merchant decided to make her his bed warmer even after having countless concubines. They hated her and wanted to rid her but she prevailed. When she got pregnant she decided to leave the place. She gave birth and soon returned.

The merchant was not happy when she left but accepted her back after she used her crocodile tears on him. She had started to eat red yeast rice everyday to prevent herself from getting pregnant. Even if she wanted another child she would rather it be in her next lifetime.

"Your elder cousin, Yue Li's elder brother will take my place and train you in my place" he replied as they walked back into the hall. She nodded and smiled. Her cousin was a solider for the emperor. He was posted in the small town that she was going to so it would be easy to spar with him as he knows a lot of things as well.

The day soon came. Wei Lian's mother was in tears but still smiled as she waved goodbye to her child. They decided to go on horse instead of riding a carriage so they would not get noticed. They had veiled hats which covered their faces as they rode towards their destination. With determination in her heart, she smiled as she embraced the new that was to come.