Celeste stepped into the elegant wooden pavilion, the door clicking shut behind her with a soft, final sound. Through the intricate lattice of the window, she caught a fleeting glimpse of Caelum standing by the pond before she turned and ascended the stairs to the second floor. Her movements were as silent as a shadow, a testament to her high-ranking martial cultivation. However, as she reached the landing, her ears twitched. Her heightened senses picked up the faint, rapid thrumming of a heart beating in an irregular rhythm, coming from behind one of the side doors.She glanced down at the empty hall for a moment, contemplating the presence. With a swift, decisive motion, she pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside. She didn't search the room; instead, she stood perfectly still, waiting for the hidden occupant to reveal themselves.Inside the study, Beatrice—the fierce and spirited girl who had been hiding there—felt a wave of relief wash over her as she heard the footsteps st

Evangeline and Celeste entered the 'House of Serenity' together to pay their respects to the Grandfather, the Old Marquis. Immediately upon their entry, a strict security perimeter was established, ensuring no one could approach within ten meters. Even high-ranking figures like Duke Terence and the retired official Solomon were politely asked to wait outside. The maids, Butterfly and Eric, placed the gifts brought by the sisters inside the residence before taking their positions as sentries at the gate.Outside, Duke Terence sat by a pond in the central courtyard, engaged in a game of chess with Solomon. The board was only in its opening stages. Terence glanced toward the closed doors of the residence and sighed, "I would be lying if I said I didn't envy Old Xiao." Solomon spared him a glance and chuckled, "Your Ducal estate is teeming with heirs; why on earth would you envy him?"Terence retorted, "A large number doesn't mean high quality. My son, Edward, has courage in spades but la

The following morning, before the first sliver of dawn could pierce the horizon, the sky was already choked with heavy, obsidian clouds. The stars and the moon were swallowed whole by the gloom, replaced by a relentless, driving rain that turned the 'Spring Lotus Pavilion' into a theater of rhythmic splashing against the leaves and tiled roofs. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of wet earth and ancient stone.Celeste rose with the disciplined punctuality of a general. After washing her face with ice-cold water, she sat briefly before her bronze mirror. Her eyes swept over the array of delicate rouge, fine powders, and feminine trinkets that sat untouched and gathering dust. Without a second thought, she reached for her silver half-mask, fastening it securely. The cold metal against her skin felt far more natural than any silk or cosmetic.Her loyal attendant, Pelagia, dressed in a matching armored surcoat and mask, stood by with a set of fresh official robes. "What is our itinerar

 Despite Alaric’s persistent and increasingly desperate attempts to persuade him, Caelum remained as immovable as a mountain. His refusal was not born of spite, but of a profound indifference to the vanity that fueled the scholarly world. Dejected and carrying a heavy heart, Alaric was forced to lead Claire out of the sprawling Xiao estate. The weight of his failure to secure the guest of honor hung visibly on his shoulders as they walked toward their waiting carriage.As the carriage began to rattle through the rain-slicked, cobblestone streets of the city, the rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves against the wet ground filled the silence. Claire, observant as ever, noticed that Alaric was miles away, his gaze fixed vacantly on the passing scenery obscured by the mist. She reached out, her fingers touching his hand with a soothing warmth. "Alaric," she began softly, her voice barely a whisper against the drumming rain, "are you truly that worried about how

Perhaps because of the consecutive days of torrential rain, the interior of Shu City felt significantly fresher today. On Kangning Street in the north of the city, the bluestone pavement had been washed so clean that one could clearly discern the lotus patterns carved into each stone. These carvings symbolized "Lotus born with every step," a favorable omen that scholars adored, whether they were seeking success in the Imperial Examinations or chasing fame and fortune in their official careers.Kangning Street was the most refined and elegant area in the entire city. It stood in stark contrast to the red-light districts in the south, where the stone carvings were far less subtle, as if the city planners were afraid people wouldn't know exactly what kind of business was being conducted behind those doors. Caelum, however, paid little attention to these details. No matter how exquisite the decorations were, in his eyes, they only earned a rating of "quaint and ancient."Lately, though, h