"How perceptive of you," Elder Sun smilingly shook her head as she rose abruptly. Her silk robes whispered like fallen leaves as she moved to a latticed window overlooking the view of the outer court from this office chamber.
For a moment, Xu Qi noticed raw emotion flickered across her features. A small hint of longing and regret which she swiftly locked behind her customary mask.
"We were... acquainted. Decades past, during my journey across the entire realm that could help me with enlightenment regarding my Spiritual Awakening."
Xu Qi joined her at the window, maintaining a respectful half-step distance but enough to reach for her if he deemed it necessary.
The afternoon sun gilded her features, revealing faint stress lines on her forehead no cultivation could erase.
"She saved your life," Xu Qi guessed just based on her expression and the way she spoke of it.
Hearing that, a bittersweet smile formed on her lips.
