Xishi’s Village

Xishi’s village at the start of the novel is a humble, rural community marked by simplicity and hardship. It embodies her poor roots and the ordinary life she is born into, grounded in tradition and close ties to family. The village’s quiet, earthy atmosphere contrasts sharply with the grandeur and political intrigue she later encounters, highlighting the vast personal and social journey she will undertake. This setting also establishes the emotional stakes of her mission, as the loss and trauma she experiences there, especially the death of her sister, fuel her motivations.

Riverside Cottage

Riverside Cottage serves as a crucial liminal space in the novel, a place of transformation where Xishi sheds her former self and is meticulously trained for her mission. It is both a sanctuary and a prison, isolating her from the outside world while shaping her into a disciplined agent of...