The First Sister#

The path home is covered in green moss, Peach blossoms begin to bloom across. How tender and gentle, her caring affection, Among sisters, a loving connection.

The eldest sister of the Zhu family was gentle and serene, caring for her younger sisters like a mother. She meticulously managed every aspect of their daily lives. Even the straightforward second sister and the independent fourth sister behaved obediently and showed a touch of girlish charm in her presence. Each day, she oversaw the cave's catering, everyone's clothing, and was the go-to for disputes, illnesses, joys, and sorrows, keeping her busy from dawn till dusk.

There was always a steady stream of courier lesser yaoguais coming to her with messages: "My lady, the second and fourth ladies are arguing." "My lady, the fifth lady scolded a weaver, and now they need an extra hand. Can someone be sent?" "My lady, the sixth lady injured herself while practicing and asks for you to come and have a look."

One day, the lady of the house, her mother, called her to her side. As soon as she stepped into the hut, the tranquil scene of her mother admiring the flowers under a tree caught her eyes. Her mother waved her over, saying, "The flowers in our abode are more beautiful than those in the upper realm." Meanwhile, outside the hut, the lesser yaoguai in charge of catering was waiting for her to decide the menu, and the steward overseeing the cocoons was waiting to report matters...

The eldest sister asked, "Mother, is there something you wish to instruct me on?"

Her mother gently took her hand and said, "I just want you to accompany me in admiring these flowers." She smiled warmly, adding, "I worry they will wear you out." The eldest sister looked at her mother and was suddenly transported back to many years ago, when her mother had held her hand in the same way as they admired the peach blossoms together. The flowers were beautiful then, and so was her mother.