The morning light crept slowly across the carved beams of the Duke's residence, turning the pale mist to a golden shimmer. Inside the inner chamber, the air was thick with the scent of herbs, candle wax, and unspoken prayers.
Lian An sat beside the bed, her eyes red from the night's vigil. Her mother, Duchess Xiu, held prayer beads tightly between her fingers, lips moving in a constant murmur to the heavens. Beside her, Lian Hua dozed lightly, her head resting against her sister's shoulder, exhaustion making her breaths uneven.
The Duke had not yet stirred. His bandaged chest rose and fell faintly, but the stillness of his face frightened them all.
The chamber doors creaked open. A palace eunuch entered first, bowing deeply. "By His Majesty's command, the Imperial Physician has arrived to tend to the Duke."
Lian An rose at once, straightening her robe and forcing calm into her voice. "Please—let him through."
