The House of Xuan stood tall as one of the Five Great Houses of the empire—an emblem of power, honor, and ancient bloodlines.
But power breeds competition.
And competition breeds poison.
Within its golden halls, three wives ruled three separate wings. The first wife, Lady Hong, held the highest status and greatest influence. The third wife, Lady Shen, was soft-spoken and graceful, rarely stepping into conflict. And in the middle stood Lady Xuan Mei, mother of Li Tian, quiet and overlooked.
But after the boy spoke, everything changed.
Now, even the walls had ears.
"Did you hear? The second lady's child spoke at one year old!"
"They say he looks at people like an old man judging their lives!"
"The duke's favor might shift…"
Li Tian could sense the shifting auras. His father, Duke Xuan, rarely visited their wing, but recently, his shadow passed more frequently across their threshold. He never said much, simply stared at Li Tian as if trying to solve a puzzle.
Li Tian didn't care. Power games were the same in heaven and earth.
But Lady Mei noticed.
She became more cautious, holding him closer when servants passed, refusing to speak freely even in her own chamber.
One afternoon, as Li Tian played with a carved wooden dragon, a shadow loomed over him.
It was Lady Hong.
She knelt, smiling with lips but not eyes.
"You're quite special, little one," she said sweetly. "Your mother must be very proud."
Li Tian met her gaze. "Are you… family?"
Her expression froze. "Why, yes, child. I am your father's wife."
He tilted his head. "Then… why do you smell like jealousy?"
> [System Update: Emotional Observation Unlocked - Tier 1]
Can sense emotional state within 2-meter radius.
Lady Hong's smile cracked. She rose quickly and left without another word.
Lady Mei entered moments later and looked at her son. "Did she say anything strange?"
Li Tian simply said, "She lied."
Later that night, in the garden, Ru'er tugged at his sleeve. "Tiantian, Tiantian! Let's make flower crowns!"
He followed silently, sitting beside her under the lantern-lit plum tree.
Lady Shen watched from a distance, heart warmed. "Ru'er's never liked anyone this much."
> [System Notice: Soul Thread Sync with Ru'er - 3%]
Ru'er leaned close and whispered, "You feel like family."
He looked at her quietly. "You too… little sister."
> [Quest Complete: Speak Full Sentence to Family]
+7% Unlock Progress
Bonus Emotion Trigger: +3%
Total Unlock: 19.3%
When Lady Mei tucked him into bed that night, she whispered, "You're growing so fast, Tiantian. Faster than you should."
Li Tian looked into her eyes and finally spoke clearly.
"Because I don't have time to be slow."
She froze. Her heart raced.
> Bonus Emotion Resonance Detected: +1%
Outside, beneath the moonlight, Lady Hong watched their window.
And clenched her fist.
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