Chen Shuren by Katiebug1174 on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

On a snowy winter night, the world outside the walls of the General’s household lay shrouded in a beautiful, shimmering blanket of white. The lanterns hanging from the eaves cast a warm glow that barely pierced the cold air, their flickering flames dancing like tiny spirits. Inside, the household was eerily quiet, save for the gusts of wind that howled outside, whispering secrets of the world beyond.

Chen Shuren, a servant girl who had spent her entire life within the confines of the General’s household, paced the wooden floor of her small quarters, her heart heavy with worry. The General had left just days ago to lead his troops into battle, leaving behind whispers of valor and greatness. But for Shuren, the reality was stark and filled with dread. If he faltered, if his courage waned or the tides of war turned against him, her fate would hang in the balance like a single snowflake suspended mid-air.

Having been with the family since childhood, Shuren had grown to view the General as a father figure, and his wife as a mother. Yet her station as a servant girl had long since defined her existence—an existence tied not only to the well-being of the household but also to the success of the man who was now far away. Her dreams of a decent life, one that might someday include love and family, were bound to his success on the battlefield.

That night, Shuren's restless spirit felt a pull toward the temple just beyond the village. It was rumored that the monks possessed the power to commune with spirits, and thus the fervor of prayer could be wrought into something more tangible. She thought of the elderly monk, Master Shi, who had always offered her solace whenever she sought it, dispensing wisdom wrapped in kindness. Without hesitating, she dressed in her cloak, the eye of her small world bleak as the General’s absence settled deeper within her.

As she slipped out into the night, the air was biting cold, the snow crunching beneath her feet with every step. The village was quiet, its inhabitants sheltered indoors against the winter chill. Lanterns lit in intervals flickered softly, their glow barely penetrating the dense, velvety darkness. Chen Shuren’s heart thrummed violently in her chest as she recalled tales of spirits that roamed freely during nights such as these, but her fear was quickly overshadowed by urgency.

Arriving at the Buddhist temple, the sight before her was ethereal. Softly lit by lanterns that hung from ancient branches, the structure rose like a beacon against the white canvas of night. The air seemed sacred, vibrating with untold prayers. Shuren made her way cautiously toward the entrance, feeling as if she were stepping into another realm.

Inside, the temple was cloaked in stillness, broken only by the soft sound of wind rustling through the trees outside. She found Master Shi seated in a small room at the back, his frail figure illuminated by a halo of light cast by a flickering candle. His long, white beard and serene expression spoke of understanding and wisdom that had transcended the years.

“Shuren,” he acknowledged with a warm smile. “What brings you here on such a night?”

Bowling her head, she spoke in a whisper, the burden heavy upon her tongue. “Master, the General has gone to war, and I fear for his life. I have no control, and if he fails…so will my hopes. I came to pray for his safe return.”

Master Shi studied her for a moment, the depths of his gaze penetrating into her soul. “The heart of a servant is as noble as that of a lord. Your love and loyalty are admirable, but do you not see the larger pattern? The strands of fate intertwine in ways we cannot predict.”

Shuren raised her gaze, confusion flickering in her wide eyes. “But what of my life? What hope do I have if he does not return?”

The monk gestured for her to sit beside him, and she complied, the warmth of his presence easing the tightness in her chest. “Your strength does not solely depend on another. While you hope for your master’s safety, what do you hope for yourself? What do you seek in the echoes of the silent night?”

“I wish I could be more than a servant, Master. I want to be free to love and to live, even if the blood of my station wraps around me as chains.”

He nodded slowly, a contemplative smile spreading across his face. “The life of a servant, of anyone, is woven with choices. You have the power to shape your own destiny. Perhaps tonight, you can use your spirit, not just to pray for another’s return, but to ask for guidance on your own path."

Taking a deep breath, Shuren closed her eyes, the chill of the temple seeping into her bones. In the quiet of her mind, she envisioned the General, not merely as a soldier but as a man—one whose life had become entangled with hers. She prayed, not only for his safe return but also for the strength to chart her future with or without him.

As her silent vows filled the air, the wind outside sighed, twisting through the trees like a lover's caress. The lanterns flickered, and for a moment, she felt the essence of her desires swirling in the darkness, illuminating possibilities.

“Speak your truth out loud, Shuren,” Master Shi instructed gently, breaking her reverie. “Let the universe hear your heart.”

With newfound resolve, she stood, her voice firm as it echoed against the temple walls. “May the General return safely, but if his fate lies beyond, grant me the strength to forge my own path, to serve not just with obligation, but with the will to live boldly.”

The monk nodded, pride gleaming in his eyes. “Your prayer will find its way.”

As she stepped outside into the winter night once more, the snowflakes fell like whispers of fate around her. She felt lighter, emboldened by the knowledge that no matter the outcome, she held the key to her own life. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: she was ready to embrace it, come what may.