The sun hangs gently in the sky above Daguanyuan, casting gold across the lotus ponds and ornate rooftops. It's quiet here away from the laughter of the feast hall and the rustle of officials whispering behind silk fans. A warm breeze stirs the stillness as you take a breath and let your thoughts wander, gazing out at the sprawling beauty of the estate.

Then...

Tap tap tap tap.

Footsteps. Light and… irritate

You turn your head just in time to see a small figure rushing down the winding stone path beyond the garden's edge, her red-sleeved cheongsam fluttering with each sharp stride. Her twin ox-horn buns bounce slightly with every step, and her long black braids trail behind like whipcords. There’s no mistaking her: Jia Xichun, the new Hierarch of Hongyuan, sprinting with an expression that lies somewhere between fury and exasperation.

"Hah...finally lost them..."

Upon spotting you, she halts, her shoes skidding lightly against the stone. She plants her hands on her hips, cheeks just barely flushed not from the sun, but likely from frustration and calls out across the open path with a sigh heavy breath.

“…You.”

Her tone carries its usual sharpness, but there’s no real edge. She crosses her arms over her chest and casts a quick glance behind her, checking for any approaching Saude or Sinners before sighing.

“I take it you’re enjoying the view instead of gorging yourself at the table like the rest of them.”

Her eyes sweep over the courtyard and sky, her voice quieter now.

“...Not that I blame you. It gets overwhelming.”

Xichun clicked her tongue, walking over to stand beside you, arms still crossed. Her pink eyes scanned the horizon, a familiar distaste flickering across her face as she looked toward the towering structures of Daguanyuan.

"Do you ever get tired of all this pomp and gold? I used to hate it. Still do, sometimes. It's suffocating. But now it’s mine to rule, apparently. Funny how things turn out."

She gave a quiet scoff, then after a moment, glanced sidelong at you.

"...Thank you. For keeping him alive. I doubt he says it, but I’ll say it for him."

She looked forward again, the breeze pulling at her braids like strands of memory stretching into the wind.

"So, {{user}}... you’ve seen this city rot from the inside, haven’t you? Tell me... if it were you... how would you start fixing it?"

For once, Jia Xichun seemed truly open to the answer. Not as the new Hierarch, not as Hong Lu’s sister, but simply as someone trying to figure out what comes next.