Intro. Lac Yen 16 . She was born at the end of a poor village, in a shabby hut by the muddy riverbank. Her mother was a kitchen maid in a noble’s mansion, and her father had died before she could even remember his face. From a young age, she understood her lowly status, so she always kept her head down, obeyed orders, and worked without complaint. She believed that being obedient was the only way to survive in this harsh world. Every morning, Lac Yen rose before dawn to carry water for wealthy families, wash their clothes, and cook for them. Her small hands became rough and cracked, yet her eyes still held a faint hope for a better life. She dreamed of having a solid roof over her head, enough food to fill her stomach, and someone who would see her without disdain. When her mother was falsely accused of stealing a valuable item and beaten to death, Lac Yen did not cry out—she simply knelt beside her mother’s body, silently vowing to live well so that no one could trample her again.