Growing Up: 6-8 years old

Huang Beiyue grew up within the walls of Princess Royal's Estate. Yes, that's the frigging address on the board on the estate gates.

For royal, noble and wealthy kids, their kids don't debut in society until one is twelve years old as by then, they're strong enough to defend themselves. Until then, they stay in the walls of their home, growing in safety.

She has the tutoring money can buy and trained by her own mother, plus her own crazy work ethic that she pushes herself...and Dongling.

'Miss, you're super strict on us all of a sudden!' Dongling gasped out as by end of 'shift', both were sweating buckets.

Morning classroom lessons aside, martial arts was where and when things were intense. On her lady's suggestion.

'Well, I believe in preparing for the Calm before the Storm.' said Beiyue. 'We've been through two wars now! If Xirong decides to start trouble then we got the whole set by now! Dongli before we were born! Beiyao while we grew up! Xirong is next and a matter of time now...' she said anxiously. 'And prime targets are always the kids in the royal family. I'm the youngest with no protection while mother is at war. The Palace will naturally prioritize more the children of the Palace. I'm an Imperial Princess by birth so yes, we need to be strong or get some ability while we still can while countries have a bit of a breathing room.' she emphasized. 'Because we won't have that luxury while we're on the run if...stuff happens.'

Dongling gulped. She didn't know her miss was thinking so deeply about this!

She actually felt threatened all this time.

Thus Dongling resolved to work hard too.

But still, in regards to cultivation, Beiyue's progress was a tad too fast.

She was ten times faster in absorbing qi when actively cultivating, but when passively during physical and skill training, half that. But still pretty fast.

Lessons the girls had in common is Hanzi, Arithmetic, Social Studies, Law, Manners and Etiquette(befitting their station), Palace Workings, Geography, Survival Skills. Field Medicine. Physical Training. Cultivation. In Dongling's case, cooking lessons.

Dongling has no element, unless she takes Marrow-Washing Pill to give her the ability to be a Summoner by awakening full-force a dormant elemental affinity. But such a thing is expensive even her mother won't go that far for Dongling. She can only be a Warrior or Enchanter.

But does such a limit really exist? With magic around...who the heck said that only Earth Element can only be Pharmacist, huh?

And when her mother was out on business in the Palace, she took her mother's Censer from her room and a fire crystal, with herbs needed for a simple Muscle-Growing Elixir she had Dongling purchase for her.

Why name it that for a pill that mends wounds?

Then again, Wizarding Britain called a Potion that heals wounds Wiggenweld, so...she's in no place to comment...

But still, a wound-mending pill is already so difficult as it tests a pharmacist's control, patience and focus, huh?

It required moderate heat, ingredients must be put in a certain order and it all required different heating degrees per ingredient! This is tougher than Potions!

So she began refining that got Dongling nervous watching her from behind.

The ingredients calcinated one by one. Then the fire split into four small fireballs as the calcinated herbs began merging to become pills...

Later...success.

'Miss...does that mean...' Dongling shook in disbelief, as her lady made four, perfectly good pills.

'Yeah. Whoever said only Earth Element can be Pharmacists is a load of crap.' Beiyue frowned. 'Liars! Mother who was also a Fire Element owns a Censer which means she also can which is proof!' her fox showed up and yipped something. 'I see! It makes sense!'

'What did he say?'

'He says that to prevent a power upheaval, it was an ancient agreement in the past, a tale passed down from Master to Successor when cultivation was researched upon. Mother must have met a Successor and taught her Pharmacy...considering Fire is an element of Life and Destruction, Fire is also compatible with Pharmacy, not just Earth. And Fire is a very common element...and to wage war, Pharmacy is needed.' said Beiyue grimly. 'You can't wage war without medical resources and the more Pharmacists you have, the higher chances of winning due to lesser Death Tolls!'

Her Black Fox is from Beiyao, having enough smarts and cunning and lived long enough, even if his cultivation progress was slowed down no thanks to power-hogging from so much pill-usage to speed up cultivation that qi gets sucked rapidly all over the place...thus her fox compensated with learning.

Shapeshifting to mingle with humans, learning from humans...unfortunately as a Rank 12 spirit fox, he can't talk.

Because to be a spirit beast capable of talking, one must become a Divine Class Spirit strong enough to do so.

'...let's put this back to how we found her Censer and crystal...and keep this quiet.'

In just one year, Huang Beiyue is a 2-Star Summoner...at just seven years old.

Nanyi exploded in whispers of pride, saying, 'As expected of Princess Royal's daughter!'

How that became known? Gossipy Palace Servants!

'Yue'er's rise is totally an absurd miracle!' the Emperor gushed out as they were in the Palace. 'Children her age are still building spirit foundations!'

'Even I don't know how she does it.' said Huiwen wearily. 'She won't say her technique...because she was paranoid.'

'Paranoid?'

'Royal brother let's face it...we've been in wars since we were Jing'er's age.' said Huiwen with a somber smile. 'With Dongli while we barely graduated from Lingyang for three years, a horrible era when Lingyang College started at nine years old out of necessity. With Beiyao, that took ten years and Yue'er grew up without me, aware I'm in the front lines with an uncertain future because I absolutely cannot be absent.' she said glumly.

'She fears there will be a next one before she's even ten so she wants to prepare herself while its still peaceful. She forced and pushed herself, and constantly asks me for pills for herself and Dongling, and forces herself to be better in techniques, mastering them as quickly as she can so I can teach the next one before my next job so when the worst happens, I can go without worrying about the kids as I know my daughter and her maid will survive.'

'Such a mindset already...' the Emperor shook in dismay. 'But this is what we let our country's children see. Grow up knowing their home is at war with neighbors. We totally failed as adults and that also means I failed our country's children as Emperor.' he said regretfully. 'We have to do better.'

Hence, gossip spreading around of Princess Huang Beiyue's rise...and why!

The first to hear, being the Royal Family themselves. From Empress and her children, to Consorts and their sons.

Shock was understandably there, before a competitive spirit ensued as well as mortification that they're left behind by a frigging seven year old!

Prince Jing and his cousin Xue Che who are of the same age who were fifteen years old were in shock. Prince Jing is a 4-star now, while Xue Che was half that.

At seven, they were working on their Dantian's maturity in both spirit and element! And she does it so quick she'll overtake them in no time flat!

'At least I'm marrying that genius one day,' Xue Che consoled himself. He would have genius children!

Crown Prince Zhanye was also a young genius. Combine that with strict tutoring from Principal Cang He, he was a 1-star at nine years old as Princess Royal did for him what she did for her daughter. But not even he was as fast as his younger cousin. His sister on the other hand, still also forging her foundations.

But as one beyond his years, he understood his cousin's reasoning. And as Crown Prince, his position is precarious. How many poisoning attempts sent his way by his older brother's supporters huh? Or attack Yingye to get to him? He was lucky third brother whose mother was a Merchant's daughter didn't dare as they have no political backing nor support, and simply content in his place than get in trouble. He got a Spirit Fire Beast as soon as he forged his foundations on his father's request to Royal Aunt!

But still, his mother sure looked stormy and he knew.

He was aware long ago that his mother resented Royal Aunt. The why, he was never told. He was simply told he was too young to know.

But that's his obligation to know as future emperor. So he'll dig and eavesdrop however he can.

xxx

And another year passed by...

Huang Beiyue is now a 4-star Summoner, but in effect, her Black Fox also rose in rank as Summoner and Partner Beast benefit off each other in growth, like a Bouncing Effect. If one is stronger than the other, the other will grow faster in turn and upon reaching peak, the weaker one will grow!

Thus Black Fox increased in Rank, but even he was baffled with his Summoner's ability to rapidly increase ki for crying out loud...

He is now Rank 28 thanks to her. And still going up that as long as he is her partner, he will rise for sure!

He requested she go to the forest for quicker progress as she is strong enough to.

She did just that, taking supplies and Dongling with her and shadow-traveled so she is very safe. To Floating Light Forest. Thus nobody can follow and harm her, so Princess Royal is OK with it.

But?

'Ooooaaaahhhhnnnn~' that moan of pleasure she made upon coming out, make Black Fox choke while Dongling felt weirded out even if she didn't understand the implications. 'This feels too good! We'll cultivate here every night from now on after dinner! This feels so good! This is awesome!'

'But anyways, report.'

Other than being her mentor in Darkness Element, he was also her spy in the Concubines' Residences to keep an eye on the Concubines and her father.

Concubine Xue has been foul-moody lately, due to being rendered a cripple! Someone clearly poisoned her that she lost mobility, who is unknown! She even had to deal with the indignity of having to be cleaned like an infant when she needs the privy, or when it's her period! And cursing her useless husband. But forced to curry his favor despite being useless in getting her, her legs back as they need Senior Master for Yun's sake as a Summoner. However, nary a thought for Zhonglei who was boiling in resentment at his mother and sister.

Zhonglei goes to his father for his needs as out of revenge for neglecting him, he said what's going on at home which is why he is counting on his father's paternal affection as his mother clearly had none for him, her heart only for Yun for ambition. Stunned by what his third wife is really like and spied on her to be sure, he was furious with even his favorite daughter who clearly learns from her good mother!

As a result, he no longer cares and gives attention to Zhonglei who wanted a parent to care for him.

'Had I known she was really like this, I should never have even looked at her. Or even better, Princess Royal should have never saved her.' he said regretfully 'At least you are truly my son, Zhonglei.'

Thus Zhonglei got the paternal care he wanted.

In Concubine Fang's Residence...

Xiao Ling was undergoing strict disciplining under a governess because Concubine Fang was at her wits' end and appealed to Princess Royal for help.

Concubine Fang was also learning skills not taught to her as a proper wife of a household as well as other than tending to her husband's needs and her daughters, Fang has nothing else, being a former slave. So she was having Madam Lessons on Princess Royal's grace.

In Concubine Qin's Residence, Concubine Qin was teaching her kids political skills and how to walk the talk. In regards to social status, they are higher than Xue and Fang and they must 'own it'! She was stricter on Zhongqi as in a few months, he would go to Lingyang.

'I see...at least Yuancheng wised up to Concubine Xue.' Beiyue looked thoughtful. 'I'll report to mother when we get home.'

And when they did, her mother has a dark look on her face.

'Hmm, an improvement.' she said coolly. 'However, if he still hasn't changed things in this residence, its up to you.'

'Yes, mother.'

Unlike Dumbledore, she's not taking chances. What stayed Harry Potter's hand before, was Dumbledore himself and the Sheeple Mentality of Wizarding Britain when he got a taste of being the Pariah just for House Points in his first year in Hogwarts alone, and it got worse in his Fourth and Fifth Year that he spent time proving his innocence and forced his bitterness down all those times. Now as Beiyue who has resources, backing and power and the fact she can get away with it, she made Xue Lin pay for killing a five years old little girl just so she won't upstage her daughter.

Without remorse. She probably betrayed a lot of people in her life, before war happened and meeting her mother. And teaches her daughter her evil trade. Deceive, use, exploit, then discard. Too bad Xiao Yun could have grown up a good girl. Her misfortune, was her mother who was also using her to rise in ambition. That's the difference between them. Xue was forever the one who uses. Xiao Yun was the one being used as her mother's key to richdom by marrying her to a wealthy man and live the high life with her.

Thus, she killed Xiao Yun and prayed to her old friend Death to give her soul to a good pair of parents who would do and teach her right, and crucified her corpse to the wall with large wooden stakes in front of Concubine Xue's residence to destroy her and her ambition utterly, that servants who woke up early to their chores, screamed bloody murder.

The entire family was awoken by frantic servants banging at the gates of their residences.

'Princess Royal! Trouble! Second Miss! Second Miss is found dead!'

The whole family hurried to the scene of the crime to find Concubine Xue sobbing over her daughter whose body was pinned to the wall.

Yuancheng who was smarting over even his second daughter's opinion of him, was still horrified as he had loved and doted on her since she had Summoner Talent. 'Yun'er! Oh my god, Yun'er!' he exclaimed in horror.

'Concubine Xue, who on earth did you offend?!' Concubine Qin cried, holding her children close to her in fear as did Fang to her daughter Ling who threw up at the gruesome crime scene. Zhongqi and Zhonglei were as white as ghosts. Rou, the youngest, outright fainted.

'...let poor second miss down now.' said Princess Royal to the slaves. 'Gently. No child deserves being murdered and we should look into this.' the manservants had to take down Xiao Yun whose arms were pinned with wooden stakes, and there are two stakes on her torso. One on her heart, and a bigger one in her belly, clearly meant to pin her in place.

Because a scream came from Princess Royal's Residence of all places, it disturbed nearby residences and before sunrise, people know about the murder of Xiao Yun, the second miss of Princess Royal's Estate.

Come to think of it, there was this party the whole family was present to last year. Nobody's gonna admit it, but Concubine Xue clearly offended someone, and waited for the right time for revenge. That was popular opinion right now among higher society. How else to explain the murder of a nine year old in such a gruesome manner?

Princess Royal's Estate held a funeral.

It was somber, private affair and Senior Master Xiao Qiyuan had to leave seclusion to come home. Grim, and angry. He called the entire family over.

'I have heard what happened.' he said. 'Fourth Daughter-In-Law.' he spoke sternly to Concubine Xue who was in a wheelchair for some reason he has yet to hear as last he checked, she could stand and walk. But now she's a cripple and later her daughter dead?

'I didn't offend anyone! I don't dare!' Concubine Xue swore as she cried, her eyes red and puffy.

'Think hard. Because my family is on the line.' said Qiyuan. 'Nobody will dare lay a hand on Princess Royal and Princess Beiyue so I'm worried about everyone else. Think hard on that party. I will command a lockdown at home for the safety of the children. His majesty will not be happy about this. Princess Royal and I will have to go to the Palace soon.'

At the Palace...

'Hmmm...' the Emperor thought of the matter. 'Sister, what was her behavior during that last party you're all in?'

'She was proud. Too proud and bragged to anyone she can.' said Huiwen. 'Summoners are rare that in Cultivators, they're the second rarest next to Pharmacists, who are the rarest types of all, but Summoners are the most powerful in terms of qi level that just one of us can wreck an undefended city. Well-respected with well-earning jobs. She was looking for a classy marriage. That was what Concubine Fang told me.'

'Like heck that'll happen now, hardly any noble considers marrying a shu daughter into the family unless they're something special or if the mother is from a notable background beneficial to the other party. Even I wouldn't consider Xue Lin as her background is unknown other than a commoner war survivor! We don't even know her parents, occupations, and reputation! What she told us is clearly hogwash.' Qiyuan scoffed. 'I acknowledged Fang Rong as I knew that girl since she was a child serving my family! A virtuous daughter-in-law wasted on my idiot of a son and then there's you. Only he has the nerve to offend a royal with his antics I'm surprised he's still alive.' he grumbled as the royal siblings frowned at his words that were triggers to reminders of Xiao Yuancheng's past deeds.

'She was once your maid, only survivor of a wrecked village you took in during war. In marriages, backgrounds are more important than a person themselves and that's the cruel reality she's naive to. By what you and First Daughter-In-Law state, she showed herself as a shameless eager social climber when she's nothing special while eager to advertise her daughter before she even accomplished anything! Stupid of all stupid move! Someone was no doubt offended!' Qiyuan grunted. The mere idea of a peasant lowborn concubine trying to go beyond her status just because her daughter has talent? Hah!

'Nobody's going to admit and we have no proof even if through your aid we have the Black Cavalry, they won't get anything either!'

'Senior Master Xiao is right, sister. Background is everything. That can only be surpassed by accomplishment and Xiao Yun has neither...and Xue Lin's crude manners invited death upon the poor girl in retaliation. A child paid the price and this is horrible.' said the Emperor, shaking his head. 'Cut that woman loose, to stop our mysterious killer. There's eldest miss, my niece and fourth miss left as potential targets. That's the only way to spare the Xiao Children from the foolishness of one social climber.'

'Yes, your majesty.'

That verdict was given that upon coming home, Yuancheng and the other wives bar Xue are called, and delivered the ultimatum. By sundown, the whole palace knows and naturally, families of palace employees and court would know by dinnertime! They can only shake their heads at the tale of a foolish, ignorant woman.

That day, Concubine Xue was killed and her corpse disposed of, citing it as another 'unknown murder case'.

And through Dishu Laws, Zhonglei now answers to Princess Royal and the truth kept in-house.

Yuancheng told Huiwen and his father what Zhonglei told them, leading to family decision.

Thus Zhonglei moved into Princess Royal Residence though he was nervous.

'How are you since that day, Zhonglei?' Huiwen asked her ward.

'...to be honest, I don't feel a thing.' said Zhonglei hollowly. 'I may be her son and Yun's brother by blood, but I was irrelevant as I'm just yet another Warrior as a Cultivator. Useless, she called me.' he said glumly that made Huiwen upset on his behalf. 'My life changed at six years old that I felt my memories up to five years were a lie.' he said softly. 'And as I listened to them growing up, I understand how her mind works...that she really should die or invite Unto Third Generation punishment on us all.'

'What do you mean by that, Zhonglei?' Huiwen frowned. 'What, did Xue Lin do that you stumbled upon?'

'...she tried to poison third sister at five years old, while you're out at the front lines, feeling threatened with her potential because Princess Royal is a genius.' the two princesses and the maids looked furious. Beiyue long since knew, but she was a good actor. 'I couldn't say anything back then as she'll know if her plan was foiled and I'll be top suspect I just banked on royal resource if something bad happened and she won't hesitate to kill me. Third sister, I see that you're still well?'

'Princess was well that year...' another maid stammered out. 'She was never sick!'

The REAL Huang Beiyue died from said poison, that Death used that sad fact to reincarnate Harry into her body.

'Oh, I didn't eat the cakes she gave me.' said Beiyue. 'I don't know her and she's a stranger to me even if she was father's wife, but that's all I know. Good kids shouldn't take things from strangers. That's basic common sense.'

All of them sighed in relief.

'I'm still getting you checked.' said Huiwen grimly. 'I'm exploring Xue Lin's home and find that poison if she has leftovers!'