This is what Minglan remembers from her childhood: flaunting her skills — pride, her mother’s death — sadness, Lin Qinshuang’s manipulations — anger, but above all else — fear.

Rong-jie’er is older than she was when her mother died, but still Minglan aches to gather her up in her arms and let her mourn her mother; no matter Manniang’s behavior, Rong-jie’er loves — loved — her.

Her son is too young to remember that night, but Minglan prays to every god she knows, please, please, O Merciful Ones, let Rong-jie’er’s memories be not stained with the memories of steel and fire and blood and death — do not let them be stained by fear.