Qiao Zhi grinned and obediently ate another spoonful. She loved this part of the morning more than she admitted. Training was satisfying, and leading the sect's younger generation made her feel useful, but there was something special about sitting between her mothers and being allowed to be nothing more than their daughter. In the training yard she was the Young Sect Leader, the one expected to know the answer and set the example. Here she could complain about breakfast, steal vegetables from Xan Min's bowl, and lean into Xiu Lan when she wanted affection. She never felt that she had to earn her place at this table.
