The afternoon sun rested gently over the Empress's courtyard, warming the quiet chamber with soft golden light. Outside, the palace seemed peaceful for once. The winter wind rustled faintly through the trees, and distant palace servants moved quietly through the corridors.
Inside the chamber, however, the atmosphere was lively.
Lian An sat comfortably near the low table, a cup of herbal tea resting between her hands. Her health had improved significantly over the past few days. The healer had finally allowed her to sit and walk around the courtyard for short periods.
Across from her floated the three familiar troublemakers who had refused to leave her alone since she woke up.
Fen Yu hovered lazily near the window, swinging her feet back and forth in the air.
Wei Rong leaned against one of the wooden pillars like a general supervising soldiers.
And Li Shen sat cross-legged midair beside the bookcase, examining a scroll he clearly wasn't reading.
