The night grew deeper, and the lights within the Imperial Palace painted the sky with brilliant vermilion clouds.
As Lin Jinyu described how Su Bei treated those disabled disciples, a flicker passed through Ji Nanjue's eyes. Lin Jinyu failed to notice her tightly grasping the brush, the ink staining the palm of her hand black.
"Did he really do that?"
Ji Nanjue sighed softly, closing her eyes. The trembling candlelight cast a dim halo on her androgynous face.
Lin Jinyu's eyes narrowed slightly. She could distinctly feel a surge in Ji Nanjue's emotions at that moment and hummed softly in response.
Ji Nanjue put down the brush and suddenly felt a coldness growing within her, seeping into her bones.
Enduring the discomfort in her body, she addressed Queen Lin behind her with a faint voice, "I've grown tired, Empress. You should also rest early."
"Mhm, tomorrow, accompany me to the Sacred Land."
"It has been... a long time since I've last seen Master."
...
