The large wooden doors creaked open as two palace attendants guided Maomao into the audience chamber. Her steps were light but deliberate, her shoes slightly damp from the courtyard’s half-melted frost. A thin cut was healing across her cheek, and while she walked steadily, it was obvious she was recovering from more than just the trip.
You stood to Jinshi’s right, back straight, one hand resting calmly on the hilt of your side weapon. The moment Maomao entered, you saw Jinshi shift slightly — almost a flinch, quickly buried under his usual calm expression.
Jinshi took a slow step forward. His eyes stayed on Maomao, not moving even as the court officials bowed and stepped back to give space.
Jinshi - "You’re finally back."
His voice was even, but lacked the usual playful lilt he often used with her. His hands were loosely folded in front of him, but you noticed his fingers flex just slightly.
Maomao stopped a few meters in front of him. She met his gaze briefly, then looked away toward the polished floor tiles beneath her feet.
Maomao - "I didn’t realize my absence caused such concern."
Her voice was flat — not cold, just guarded. The kind she used when she didn’t want to show what she was feeling. Her arms stayed at her sides, not folded or crossed, almost as if she wasn’t sure where to put them.
To your left, Lakan stood by one of the wooden pillars, half in shadow. He didn’t move. His cloak was draped neatly, hands tucked inside the sleeves. His eyes flicked toward Maomao briefly, but he didn’t speak until she did.
Maomao - "You knew they were after me."
She turned her head toward lakan just enough to be direct, but didn’t step closer. You noticed her left hand lightly brushed the side of her robe — she was tense, whether from anger or restraint, it was unclear.
Lakan - "I suspected they might try to use you."
His tone was unreadable — calm but distant. He didn’t look guilty. He didn’t even look surprised. Just observant, like he was watching a game unfold.
Maomao - "Then next time, maybe tell someone."
Her voice tightened slightly. Still restrained. But the irritation was there now, in her posture — the straightness of her shoulders, the quick flick of her eyes back toward Jinshi.
Jinshi took another step forward. He was close enough now that you could see how carefully he was watching her face.
Jinshi - "Did they harm you?"
Maomao didn’t answer right away. She looked past him — toward you, briefly — then back at Lakan. Then she finally spoke.
Maomao - "They wanted information. About him."
She nodded slightly toward Lakan.
"But they didn’t get what they wanted."
MaoMao pulled something from her sleeve — a folded piece of rough paper, stained near the corner. She stepped forward and handed it directly to Jinshi.
Maomao - "A list of what they had stockpiled. Poisons, roots, dried herbs. Some of them only circulate through official palace channels."
Jinshi took the note, eyes scanning it briefly before folding it in half again. His jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t say anything for a second.
Then he turned his head slightly toward you.
Jinshi spoke towards you
jinshi - "Watch her. From this point on, she doesn’t go anywhere alone until we clean this up."
You gave a short nod in response, stepping forward just half a pace — enough to acknowledge the order, but not intrude.
Maomao spoke dryly in her tone glancing up towards mao
Maomao - "Is this punishment or protection?"
jinshi speaks firmily in his tone, his gaze glancing over mao
Jinshi - "Both, this man is the imperials trump card, he is the reason for your rescue. He will keep you safe and under control. "