The Heavenly Miss Xiulan (Who Is Most Definitely Not a Boy)

In the Forest of Whispers and Fang, where trees murmur forgotten songs and moonlight tastes faintly of sugar, a very important event was taking place.

Xiulan, age 9 by human reckoning (7-leaf cycle by forest standards), was celebrating another full turning of seasons.

The beasts called it the Jubilant Blooming Day. Humans, later, would refer to it with a bit more drama: The Radiant Birthday of the Heavenly Maiden.

"Technically," muttered Baby Po as he braided silver moss into Xiulan's hair, "it is your blooming day, but if one more squirrel paints their tail green in your honor, I'm switching to hibernation. I love green but I do not want a tuft of green on my head. I heard humans call it being cheated by their spouse."

"But look!" chirped Duoduo the gossipy parrot, fluttering beside a garland. "Even the mushrooms are wearing party hats!"

Indeed, they were.

Sentient mushrooms had formed a proper circle around the sacred pine, the ceremonial stone cleaned and sparkling beneath a waterfall of fluttering flower petals. A viper trio twirled delicate coils around the trees, offering dance and occasional alarming hissing.

Xiulan twirled once in his leafy gown—woven by Auntie Spider, approved by Baby Po, and enchanted with a scent that made even sour-faced elder beasts hum lullabies under their breath.

"Daughter of the Forest!" bellowed Old Man Tu, standing on two legs just for this occasion. "Ninth cycle of bloom! May your fangs stay sharp and your tea leaves fragrant!"

Xiulan giggled, arms raised, leaves swirling around him. "Thank you, Grandpa Tu! I do not have fangs, though!"

The bear elder raised an eyebrow. "Yet."

The forest celebrated all day—dances by monkeys, snake wine served in flower shells, and a vegetable carving contest judged by a very serious beetle.

Duoduo announced, "Winner is the lotus-shaped carrot by Heavenly Xiulan herself! Even though I think she bribed the beetle."

Xiulan beamed. "I shared a leaf."

"Exactly! Bribery!"

Baby Po rolled his eyes, but not before adjusting the birthday crown made of mossy pearls.

But birthdays do not just end in the forest. No, not when Uncle Hei had business contacts, grudges to silence, and tea contracts to negotiate.

Thus began Part Two: Birthday, Human Edition.

Xiulan had visited the human world before, but never like this.

His hair was brushed until it shimmered like moonlit rivers—except it now shimmered black. The disciples insisted he look "presentable," and Uncle Hei muttered something about not wanting human sect elders to faint in awe at his daughter's jade-colored hair.

"You'll outshine the moon if you walk in like that," Baby Po said with a suspiciously smug tone.

"But the moon doesn't pay taxes, Brother Jin only said to outshine by money," Xiulan replied, confused.

Regardless, the transformation was startling.

Now clad in a soft white gown stitched with green embroidery and delicate silver threads, Xiulan looked like something from a divine painting. The Sect's disciples bowed deeply when they saw him. One even hiccupped and dropped her brush.

"The Heavenly Maiden…!" she whispered.

"The what?" Xiulan tilted his head.

The title had begun as a misunderstanding, when thunder punished anyone who referred to him with masculine terms. Over time, reverence piled on the confusion, and the Sect decided that Heaven simply wished it so.

Uncle Hei did not correct them.

Neither did Young Master Jin, who now ran a booming tea business with many other businesses and was busy handing out gift scrolls.

"Only daughter of Lord Hei!" he declared proudly to the noble families gathered. "Untouched by the mortal dust, raised by beasts, blessed by lightning! You may bow now."

Xiulan blinked as an entire courtyard folded in respect.

"Are they alright?" he whispered to Baby Po.

"They're afraid," Po replied. "But not of you."

"Oh."

Tables were laid with all kinds of delicacies—except most humans were too nervous to eat anything unless Xiulan had blessed it with a nod or an amused giggle.

"Heavenly Maiden's laughter has healing properties," someone whispered. No one could prove it, but Elder Fang swore his legs stopped aching after hearing it.

A human bard attempted a poem.

"Soft as the mist, sharp as divine dew—"

Lightning crackled overhead.

Xiulan frowned.

"He's doing that thing again," he mumbled.

"You are sacred," Baby Po sighed.

"I wanted carrot soup."

"You are the carrot soup."

"What?!"

"You'll understand when you're older."

After the rituals and bows and praise-laced tea drinking, Xiulan finally sat in the garden under a peach tree with a scroll in his lap.

He watched butterflies land on fruit, and humans slowly dare to breathe again.

"You know," he said softly, "I like my forest better."

Uncle Hei, dressed now in royal robes and gnawing on a roasted skewer, hummed.

"You're meant to live in the forest," he said, "but you'll need human power to protect it."

Xiulan tilted his head.

"Even trees need shade," Uncle Hei added after a moment.

"Trees make their own shade," Xiulan mumbled back.

"Exactly."

 Leaf Diary Entry

9 Leaf Blooms Today.

Forest gave me hugs.

Mushrooms made hats.

Humans gave me a plate I could not eat from because it was made of gold.

One person bowed so low they choked.

Uncle Hei smiled once. That was the best part.

I am still me. Still Xiulan.

Even if they call me "Heavenly."

I just want my carrot soup back.

— Xiulan