Chapter 3: The Frosted Blade
At dinner, she sat in awkward silence across from Murong Jing He in the grand dining hall.
He ate slowly, methodically, never once looking up. The air between them was so cold it could freeze tea.
"So… nice weather," Mei Xiao tried.
He raised a brow without responding.
"Or… uh, how's the martial world these days?" she added, attempting a grin.
Silence.
Finally, he spoke, voice deep and controlled. "You've been acting strange."
She nearly choked on her rice.
"What do you mean?"
"You flinched when I entered. You addressed me informally. You've forgotten your cultivation technique, your servant's name, and your sword stance."
She laughed nervously. "Haha… maybe I hit my head?"
He stood slowly, placing his cup down with a soft clink.
"Mei Lin," he said,