A week passed by quietly with no signs of disturbances.
The second branch stayed behind its own walls. The household found its rhythm again a kind of peace and tranquility of nothing in particular happening, a peace so nice it hard not to appreciate
Shen Miao noticed it of course but chose to say anything feeling that this sort of relaxation was the calm before the storm knowing Shen Yiyi for a long time that was bound to happen but for now, she took a deep breath and got out of bed
She woke early today knowing she had something important to do that was going to the school. Due to the frequent attacks and accidents at home she had completely forgotten about it but now that everything was settled, she couldn't avoid it anymore. The maids came with warm water, and the Bai twins combed her long black hair with the unhurriedly looking like had been doing this for years.
She sat in front of her copper mirror a sort of emotion close to joy occupying her chest since that garden incident she felt light like a sort of heaviness, she had been carrying for years had been lightened.
"A week, "she thought, as Bai Yue finished the last section of her hair. "Just a week. Am still not used to it."
At that moment though her brother didn't say anything overtop his actions were enough she smiled. Bai Yin walked in reminding her that she had already instructed the kitchen to prepare snacks the night before.
After preparing she stood up and Bai Yin handed her one basket as she kept another, she had kept for her young miss during her trip. Shen Miao moved through the corridors her movements enough to show the owners mood and quickly arrived in front of her brother's courtyard
Xi Shu was standing outside her brother's courtyard when she arrived — maybe sent out by her brother or just by coincidence. She smiled handing him the basket. with no ceremony.
" My brother is already training," she said. Not a question.
"Since before sunrise, Fourth Miss."
She nodded. Looked at the courtyard gate for a moment — the sounds of movement beyond it, of someone working through their forms something that had become a habit.
"Miss... if you want to see the young master you can_" Xi Shu said making a please gesture
She shook her head " No....not this time " she turned to Xi Shu "I have to attend classes today"
Xi Shu nodded meaning he understood and watched her turn around after one look at the courtyard wall and go
Xi Shu sighed and carried the basket in with the care setting it on the stone bench near the training space and stepping back.
His young master was still moving through the forms — precise, unhurried, his body quickly responding from days of continuous work. Xi Shu watched from the sidelines having developed the habit of accepting whatever his young master said without commenting.
Soon his training was finished, and Shen Yao came toward the bench. Reached for the cold tea that had been waiting in the open air and downed it in one go then he sat down tired.
His eyes immediately drawn to the beautifully decorated basket that he had been seeing Shen Maio bring for a long time now but today he didn't see the person who normally brought it herself.
Xi Shu watched but didn't dare comment
"The Third Miss had classes to attend today," Xi Shu said "She dropped it off before leaving."
Shen Yao paused for a while then nodded.
He set down the empty cup of tea. And turned back toward the open training space with the expression of someone neutral but his thoughts roaming around in his silence.
Xi Shu didn't voice his doubts and stayed as he was. Over these past few weeks, he had observed that his master liked to deal with his problems alone in the silence of his own mind and so he waited.
Eventually Shen Yao moved.
The training continued.
The basket sat on the bench in the morning light a bit of the snacks in it already eaten.