Murim's Weakest Princess-Chapter 236: Godmother

Unknown to Hong Nian Niang, Anji’s silence was not an act of psychological warfare. The young successor secretly sent out energy threads into the air and into the patient’s body to check her meridians. Thanks to her improved level of energy control, she was able to probe without alerting others to her presence when she focused.

Even with Senior Researcher Mo’s diagnosis about Hong Nian Niang’s constitution, Anji had to personally confirm. There did not seem to be any issues with Hong Nian Niang’s physical recovery. However, the blossoming of a heart demon was something more difficult to predict. Anji had only recently mastered the art of reading the nature of energy flows. However, none of the medical journals taught her how to cure the ailments of the heart.

Whenever faced with an existential crisis, many people sought the wisdom of sages and gods. However, cultivators were different. Every cultivator’s path was unique to them. They were the sages commonfolk looked up to, just beneath the level of deities. When one was still a disciple, they had masters and teachers to seek direction. However, when a cultivator becomes one of the key figures in the murim world, like Hong Nian Niang, to whom can she confide?

After determining that there was severe qi blockage in both Hong Nian Niang’s conception vessel containing the sea of yin and her penetrating vessel containing her sea of blood, the answer became glaringly obvious.

A wife who loses her husband is a widow. Children who lose their parents are called orphans. But never in history has there been a word for parents who lose their children because that was not the way of life. Yet, when it happens, it becomes a tragedy that cannot be expressed in words.

"The whispers from the grapevine hold no account for truth that matters," Anji finally replied after confirming what she needed to know. "Unless it is something that Sect Leader Hong wishes for me to know, Anji is only here to spend some time with my murim godmother before I have to undergo a gruelling successor training. Yesterday, I contacted my parents to let them know that I might not be able to speak to them for a long time. If I could, I would let everyone know about it. However, it is a busy and trying time for everyone."

Godmother!

Although not official, Hong Nian Niang’s heart skipped a beat. From the first time she was introduced to the Celestial Dragon Sect’s youngest daughter, she had already considered Anji her own. However, the child did not seem to be attached to strangers, so she never brought the topic up. Besides, Zhao Wanting was a great mother. Anji did not lack maternal warmth to need a second mother.

Yet, hearing what Anji thought about her brought tears back to Hong Nian Niang’s eyes. She had just lost a child. However, just as suddenly as she had lost it, she had gained a new bundle of joy. Life was often full of unpredictability.

As the tears fell freely, one drop at a time, until they turned into two small streams down Hong Nian Niang’s pale cheeks. Anji quickly hopped down from her stool and rushed into her arms. As naturally as breathing, Hong Nian Niang opened her arms where Anji fitted perfectly in her lap. They remained in the tight cocoon, neither wanting to move as Hong Nian Niang sobbed bitterly, clinging to the warmth of a living child that would have resembled her lost one.

Anji remained still as Hong Nian Niang hugged her. After a while, she hugged back and leaned her head on Hong Nian Niang’s collarbone. Her free hand sneakily reached up to the lady’s neck to take her pulse and send her own comforting energy to stabilise the erratic energy flow.

Slowly but surely, the tears slowed.

"Li Lang was in danger when it happened. Even though he was badly shaken, he rode on horseback without rest until I was safely admitted. Yet, all I can think of is the unborn child whom I don’t even know about, instead of Li Lang, who almost died. It must be karma for being such a horrible wife and mother..."

(Author Explanation note: "Lang" is an attachment term in Chinese to a surname as a term of affection for a lover. It often refers to a gentleman.)

Anji listened from Hong Nian Niang’s embrace without replying. There was no need to affirm or berate what happened. Although it was nobody’s fault that it happened, tragedy and grief often needed a reason.

"Is Master Li hurt?" she asked after the sobbing subsided into sniffles.

Nodding, Hong Nian Niang did not trust herself enough to speak. Anji did not pressure further. Fortunately, nobody else was hurt.

While looking on the bright side helped some people to process their grief, Anji had a feeling Hong Nian Niang’s guilt was strongly tied to her sense of duty. She would continue to blame herself for a tragedy not of her own doing, the same way many kind people often did.

"Did he* have a name?"

(Author note: In Chinese "ta" is neutral sounding for both he and she. To not complicate, I’m using he for the unborn child.)

Hong Nian Niang thought about it and shook her head.

"I did not know I was pregnant until I reached the Mystical Qilin Sect. They told me he was about two months old, so I did not have a chance to think of a name."

Nodding in understanding, Anji wondered if it would be better to name the unborn child. However, that decision was Hong Nian Niang’s to make.

"It’s a relief then," she looked up at the crying lady. "Children under five months do not have souls. Their bodies are too underdeveloped to contain a soul, and most of it is just an extended development from the mother’s flesh and blood. I read that in Doctor He’s books. Unborn children before five months cannot react for themselves. I’m sure the soul awaiting this body would have been reincarnated in a different vessel. The heavens are fair, especially to people with good karma."

Good karma? The idea of an unborn child not having a soul before five months old was bizarre. Yet, Anji’s strange conviction gave Hong Nian Niang a new ray of hope.

"How do you know they have reincarnated in a different body?" she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and scepticism.

Anji shrugged.

"I don’t. However, I can’t see any strange spirits or energy hovering around you. If the unborn child truly had resentment, it would manifest around you already. If you don’t believe that it has moved on, you can take the tonic to help strengthen your womb and body in case the soul of the unborn child is still waiting for another chance."

The idea was so ridiculous that Hong Nian Niang huffed in a confused laugh. Her tears and sorrow were quickly forgotten. They did tell her that those who were accepted into the Mystical Qilin Sect were not truly sane. Anji did not seem to be an exception after living here for a while. However, those sincere eyes made Hong Nian Niang want to believe that Anji was right.

"In the meantime, we can host a funeral here in the Mystical Qilin Sect if you want to, Godmother. I will help you watch over him."

Wiping her tears, Hong Nian Niang looked at the tonic Anji delivered and reached for it. In one gulp, she finished the bitter liquid without flinching once.

"You’re right," she admitted. "We should host a funeral for the unfortunate soul that had to find a new body. There’s no need to watch over an empty grave with no soul or body, but it would be nice to remember him even if he has no name."

Smiling, Anji readily agreed. With the shadow in Hong Nian Niang’s heart dispelled, the fierce Vermillion Bird will rise once more with a fire stronger than before. Whatever heart demon that might plague her, Anji had a feeling Hong Nian Niang would be able to overcome it without fail.

With this, she could finally begin her successor training with a peace of mind that she will not lose anyone precious to the war while she worked on becoming stronger.