"What are you doing here, Lan Meishan?" Yan Wuhen asked as he approached.
The celebration still continued in the main hall of the manor but the atmosphere had long since turned tense. Eyes lingered on Lan Meishan, who sat quietly at a table laden with untouched dishes and wine. He neither ate nor drank, merely endured the weight of attention with composed indifference.
Lan Meishan lifted his gaze and regarded him with the same impassive calm.
"What do you mean?" he asked mildly.
Yan Wuhen stared at him, disbelief flickering openly across his face.
"The Phoenix Clan is currently under the control of serpent beasts," he said slowly. "Serpent beasts closely tied to your father. And you—" his eyes narrowed, "—are bound to Ningyan, who is wanted by—"
He stopped.
A quiet exhale followed.
"…Where is Ningyan?"
"Do not speak his name."
Lan Meishan's tone did not rise but it cut cleanly.
At that very moment, something shifted within his sleeve.
