Night settled heavily over the outer palace, the sky swallowed by thick clouds. Lanterns cast long, wavering shadows along the walls, but Gaoshun moved through them like he had been carved out of darkness itself.

He stood guard near an archway, back straight, expression calm but unreadable. His presence was quiet—steady like a heartbeat, firm like stone. He barely reacted when you approached, just shifted his gaze toward you with that low, assessing stare.

“You shouldn’t wander alone,” he said. “It’s safer to stay where you’re expected.”

But even as he spoke, something in his posture softened—just enough to show he wasn’t dismissing you… yet.

“What is it you want from me?”