Phoenix Hall was bathed in warm afternoon light, the kind that softened even the coldest jade pillars. Golden phoenix carvings stretched their wings along the beams, watching silently as laughter echoed through the hall—an uncommon sound in the imperial palace.
At the center sat the emperor, relaxed, his formal robes loosened slightly. Beside him, the empress smiled gently, her eyes never leaving the small figure running across the carpet.
"Slow down," the empress said softly. "Xu Yue, you will trip."
"I won't!" the little girl laughed, clutching a silk ribbon in her hand as she ran straight toward her eldest brother.
Xu Chen caught her easily, lifting her into his arms.
"Careful," he said, though his tone was indulgent. "If you fall, second brother will cry louder than you."
Xu Zeyan scoffed.
"Eldest brother, don't accuse me. Third brother is the one who panics."
Xu Zelin crossed his arms.
"That is slander. I only panic because she is reckless."
Xu Yue giggled, wrapping her arms around Xu Chen's neck.
"Eldest brother, they are bullying each other again."
Xu Chen smiled faintly.
"Then I suppose I must protect you."
The emperor chuckled.
"Look at them. Three princes arguing like children, all because of one little girl."
The empress shook her head fondly.
"They are not arguing. They are competing for her attention."
Xu Yue leaned over Xu Chen's shoulder and stuck her tongue out at her other brothers.
"I like eldest brother the most."
Xu Zeyan immediately protested.
"That is unfair. I brought you candied plums this morning."
Xu Zelin added,
"And I carried you all the way from the garden."
Xu Yue tilted her head, pretending to think.
"Then I like all of you the most."
The hall erupted in laughter.
The emperor leaned back.
"Chen'er, you hold her too often. She will grow dependent."
Xu Chen answered calmly,
"She is allowed to."
The empress glanced at him.
"You sound very certain."
Xu Chen looked down at Xu Yue, who was now playing with the clasp of his robe.
"She is our only sister."
Xu Zeyan nodded seriously.
"No one else in the world is allowed to bully her except us."
Xu Zelin added,
"And even we must be careful."
Xu Yue clapped her hands.
"That means I am very important!"
"Yes," the empress said warmly. "You are."
Servants entered quietly with tea and pastries. Xu Yue's eyes lit up.
"Sweet cakes!"
Xu Zeyan pushed the plate toward her first.
"Eat slowly."
Xu Zelin poured her tea, testing the temperature before handing it to her.
"Not too hot."
Xu Yue accepted both proudly, sitting between her brothers like a tiny empress herself.
The emperor watched the scene, then looked at Xu Chen.
"You have been quieter lately."
Xu Chen paused.
"Have I?"
"Yes," the emperor said. "You used to speak more during family meals."
Xu Zeyan glanced at him.
"Eldest brother, are you tired?"
Xu Zelin frowned slightly.
"You have been distracted since returning from the city."
Xu Chen did not answer immediately.
In his mind, a calm voice surfaced.
A girl reading by a window. Tea balanced beyond mortal means. Eyes that saw without pressing.
Yue Ning.
Xu Chen lowered his gaze.
"I met someone."
Xu Zeyan leaned forward instantly.
"Someone?"
Xu Zelin's eyes sharpened.
"A woman?"
Xu Yue blinked.
"Future sister-in-law?"
Xu Chen nearly choked on his tea.
The empress smiled knowingly.
"Chen'er?"
Xu Chen composed himself.
"It was only a conversation."
The emperor raised an eyebrow.
"And yet you remember it."
Xu Chen nodded slightly.
"She was… unusual."
Xu Zeyan grinned.
"Unusual how?"
Xu Chen searched for words.
"Like still water. You do not notice it move, yet it reflects the entire sky."
The hall grew quiet.
The empress studied her eldest son carefully.
"You rarely speak like that."
Xu Zelin crossed his arms.
"Did she recognize you?"
Xu Chen shook his head.
"I do not think so."
In truth, he was not certain.
Xu Yue tugged at his sleeve.
"Eldest brother, will she take you away?"
Xu Chen looked down at her, surprised.
"No," he said gently. "I will always come back."
Xu Yue smiled, satisfied, and leaned against him.
The emperor watched his son closely.
"Chen'er, the world is vast. Meeting someone who leaves an impression is not a weakness."
Xu Chen replied quietly,
"I know."
But inwardly, he thought, She is not merely someone.
Xu Zeyan laughed, breaking the tension.
"Enough seriousness. Sister, tell us who is the best brother."
Xu Yue thought very hard, crumbs on her lips.
"All of you."
Xu Zelin sighed dramatically.
"She is wise."
The empress laughed softly.
"She knows how to survive."
As the laughter continued, Xu Chen's gaze drifted toward the open doors of Phoenix Hall, where sunlight spilled onto the stone floor.
Somewhere beyond the palace walls, Yue Ning was living her quiet life, hidden yet unshaken.
Do you know who I am? he wondered.
And do you know that I know who you are?
Xu Chen tightened his arm slightly around his sister.
For now, Phoenix Hall was warm, filled with laughter, untouched by heaven or fate.