Shang Zhao sat behind his desk, his hands resting lightly against the polished wood. His expression was as unreadable as ever.
Across from him, Shang Jun stood firm, his posture relaxed, but his gaze unwavering.
"You found her by Elisie's fountain?" Shang Zhao finally asked, breaking the silence.
Shang Jun gave a small nod. "Yes."
"She wasn't trying to run," he added, as if anticipating the next question. "She was simply… there. I believe she hesitated to return because of Xiu Lin."
Shang Zhao's gaze sharpened slightly. "Xiu Lin?"
Shang Jun nodded. "She's her caretaker now."
A long pause followed. Shang Zhao's fingers tapped idly against the desk—a slow, deliberate rhythm. He said nothing, but his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
Shang Jun took the opportunity to speak.
"Father, I wish to bring Yao Yao to the Summoning Ceremony."
Shang Zhao's fingers paused.
"No." His response was immediate and firm.
Shang Jun exhaled, expecting the response but not accepting it.
"She needs to observe and start learning magic," he pressed. "If she doesn't, when the time comes for her to summon her own spirit, she'll be unprepared. If you keep her hidden away—"
"She is well protected." Shang Zhao's voice was calm, but the weight behind it was absolute. "No harm will come to her as long as she stays here."
Shang Jun shook his head. "Keeping her hidden inside isn't protection. It's caging her."
Shang Zhao's fingers pressed together slightly tighter. He finally lifted his gaze, his sharp eyes meeting Shang Jun's.
"And sending her into the public eye, to a ceremony where nobles, and temple envoys gather? That is your idea of protection?"
"You fear she'll be noticed," Shang Jun murmured, his voice quieter now, more searching. "Not just by the nobles, not just by other families—"
Shang Zhao's jaw tensed.
"…But by the Holy Temple."
"The Holy Temple has no reason to take interest in her," Shang Zhao said evenly. "If she remains where she is, there will be no reason at all."
"You know what the Holy Temple is capable of." Shang Jun's fists curled at his sides. "You saw what happened to Yao Yao's mother."
Silence thickened between them.
Shang Zhao's gaze drifted, just for a second, to the jade pendant resting on his desk. A faint pulse of spirit light flickered within its depths, barely perceptible in the dim room.
"You presume to understand things beyond your reach," Shang Zhao said, his tone slower now. "This is not just about summoning spirits. You want her to learn magic? To grow stronger? Do you understand what that means? Do you understand what eyes will fall upon her if she does?"
Shang Jun's gaze rested on the jade pendant, "I don't want the Holy Temple to notice her," he admitted. "I don't want them to even look her way."
"But I want her to have the power to fight," he continued. "If the day ever comes when she's forced to."
Shang Jun took a step forward, his voice firm. "Yao Yao is nearly six, Father. At this age, most children have already begun their magical training. And yet, she hasn't even taken the first step."
"You say you're keeping her safe. But what happens when she's alone? When no one is there to shield her? Will she still be safe then?"
Shang Zhao glanced toward the window, his expression unreadable, but something in his posture shifted slightly.
Then, he looked back at Shang Jun.
"She has already drawn attention," he finally said. His voice remained composed, but there was something heavier in the way he spoke. "After the incident in the city that day, several noble families have taken an interest."
Shang Jun's brow furrowed.
Shang Zhao continued, "For now, she needs to remain hidden. The rumors need time to die down, and the nobles will eventually lose interest, shifting their focus elsewhere."
"And until then, you'll just keep her locked away?" Shang Jun asked, his voice low. "Or will you send her away again?"
"If necessary," Shang Zhao replied coldly.
Shang Jun's jaw tightened, there is quiet anger beneath his calm demeanour. "She won't accept being caged forever," he said, his voice controlled, yet the tension was clear. "And if we don't teach her to control her power then one day, she'll use it recklessly. Just like she did that day."
Shang Zhao's fingers twitched.
"The more you cage her, the more she will escape."
Shang Zhao's gaze darkened, his lips pressing into a thin line.
"She will not understand," Shang Jun muttered, his voice dropping with an edge of frustration. "Not if you don't explain. Not if you don't talk to her. All she will feel is your indifference, and all she'll see is the cage you've built around her."
"She doesn't need to understand," Shang Zhao said. "She only needs to be safe."
Shang Jun's eyes narrowed, but this time, he did not argue.
"You won't always be here to protect her," he said at last.
Shang Zhao's lips parted slightly, as if to speak, then he shut them. He turned away, his face once again unreadable.
"Leave," he said.
Shang Jun exhaled slowly, then bowed slightly before walking out. As the door shut behind Shang Jun, silence settled over the study once more.
Shang Zhao's gaze drifted to the jade pendant now resting in his hand. A faint, flickering pulse of spirit light shimmered weakly within, flickering like a dying ember. His fingers curled around the smooth surface, hiding the glow completely.
For a long moment, he simply sat there, staring at the door.
Then, slowly, his fingers curled tighter around the pendant, as if grasping onto a past that was slipping further from his reach.
____________________________________________________________________
The Next Morning
A soft beam of morning light peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the west wing.
Yao Yao stirred beneath the blankets, her pink eyes fluttering open as she stretched lazily. Her small hand rubbed at her face, still heavy with sleep. As she blinked a few times to clear the haze of slumber, she noticed something felt… different.
She frowned.
The towering maid, Xiu Lin, wasn't there. She always woke up to see Xiu Lin by the door, waiting as usual. But today, the room was quiet.
"Where's Xiu Lin?" Yao Yao asked, her voice still thick with sleep as she sat up.
Lily, already tidying the room, glanced over at her with a casual smile. "The Master summoned her early this morning, Miss Yao Yao."
Yao Yao tilted her head in confusion. "Summoned her? To do what?"
Lily paused for a moment, then looked thoughtful. "Hmm… I'm not sure. Perhaps to instruct her on household matters in their absence?"
Yao Yao blinked, her thoughts racing. "What absence?"
Lily glanced over and answered, almost casually, "The Master and the family are preparing to depart for the Summoning Ceremony today."
Yao Yao froze, her heart skipping a beat.
The Grand Summoning Ceremony...
Her eyes widened as she suddenly jolted upright.
"Is it today?!" she blurted out.
Lily blinked at her reaction in slight confusion. "Yes, Young Miss. It has always been today."
Yao Yao's tiny hands clenched the blanket.
So soon?!
I...I forgot to ask when it was!
She had been so busy figuring out how to attend the ceremony that she never once stopped to ask…when is it happening?
She had assumed there would be more time. A few days, at least. A week, maybe!
But no. She hadn't expected it to be today?! She hadn't expected the both of them to arrive right on time for the ceremony.
Her little mind spun wildly as she clutched the blanket tighter. She needed a plan, fast.
Trying to steady herself, she looked at Lily. "Where is everyone? Are they—?"
"They are already preparing in the household," Lily answered simply. "They'll be leaving soon."
Yao Yao's breath hitched.
Oh no.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She needed to think. Fast.
Her pink eyes darted toward the window, then toward the door.
There was still time.
Her tiny fingers clutched the edge of the blanket as a single thought formed in her head.
I have to sneak out before Xiu Lin gets here.