The Enchanted Stool: The Princess's Magic Test

In the ancient kingdom of Liang, nestled between the towering mountains and the serene rivers, there lay a legend of an enchanted stool that held the power to reveal the true worth of its user. It was said that the stool could only be activated by a princess of great courage and wisdom, and the one who sat upon it would be granted the right to rule the kingdom with fairness and compassion.

Princess Yulan, the daughter of King Liang, had always been a figure of curiosity and speculation among her people. Her beauty was matched only by her intelligence, and her kindness had won the hearts of the common folk. But the kingdom was on the brink of war, and the king was in dire need of an heir who could unite the people and protect the realm.

One fateful day, as the sun rose over the mountains, a mysterious figure appeared before the throne. It was an old sage, known for his wisdom and his connection to the ancient forces of the land. He presented the enchanted stool to the king and declared that only a princess who passed the stool's magic test could claim the throne.

The king, seeing the kingdom's future hanging in the balance, called for Princess Yulan. With a heavy heart, she accepted the stool and was led to a secluded chamber, where the test would take place.

The sage instructed her to sit upon the stool and close her eyes. As she did, the chamber filled with a soft, golden light. Yulan felt a surge of energy course through her, and she knew that the test had begun.

The first challenge came as a riddle, whispered into her ear by the sage. "In the garden of my heart, where the flowers bloom, what is the one that does not grow?" Yulan pondered the riddle, knowing that the answer was not to be found in the garden, but within her own soul. She realized that the one that does not grow is the ego, for it is the ego that withers away when one serves others selflessly.

The second challenge was a test of her courage. A fearsome dragon appeared before her, its eyes glowing with a malevolent light. The sage whispered, "You must face the dragon without fear, and it will reveal your true nature." Yulan stepped forward, her heart pounding, and with a voice filled with determination, she declared, "I am not afraid, for I know my heart is pure."

The dragon, surprised by her courage, transformed into a wise old man. He told her, "The true strength of a leader is not in their power, but in their ability to inspire others to greatness."

The final challenge was a test of her wisdom. A storm arose, and the sage whispered, "The kingdom is in turmoil, and you must find a way to calm the storm." Yulan thought for a moment and then spoke, "I will gather the people and share the wisdom of the dragon. Together, we will rebuild our kingdom and bring peace."

As she spoke, the storm subsided, and the kingdom was filled with a sense of hope and unity. The sage nodded, and the enchanted stool began to glow with a soft, golden light. The test was complete, and Yulan had proven herself worthy.

The king, moved by her courage, wisdom, and compassion, declared her the next ruler of Liang. And so, Princess Yulan ascended the throne, promising to govern with fairness and love, and to always remember the lessons of the enchanted stool.

The kingdom flourished under her rule, and the legend of the enchanted stool became a symbol of courage and wisdom, passed down through generations. Princess Yulan's reign was one of peace and prosperity, and her name was etched in the annals of history as a great leader, whose heart and mind were guided by the magic of the enchanted stool.