The echo of Princess Shen Ruòxuě's shoes against the polished jade-tiled floor rang out down the long, quiet hallway. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and her usually sharp, regal expression was now laced with visible confusion and unease. Her steps were graceful yet slow, as though the thoughts weighing down her heart were too heavy to allow her to walk any faster.
Her father's sudden shift in demeanor bothered her.
She could understand the emperor's coldness when she asked about her eldest brother — after all, her brother had disobeyed imperial command and left the empire years ago. But what she could not understand was why her father's expression had turned even colder, almost hateful, when she mentioned her newborn baby brother. It was as if she had accidentally opened a door that should never be touched.
"I hope everything is fine… and not as bad as I'm imagining it to be." Her voice came out in a low mumble to herself. She tried to reassure herself, but deep down she felt a thorn of dread twisting deeper into her chest.
When she reached her mother's residence, she didn't bother knocking. She pushed open the carved wooden door gently and stepped inside.
Lady Lan looked up from where she sat on her bed, knitting a soft-looking scarf of white and sky-blue silk thread. The moment her eyes met her daughter's, her face brightened with joy.
"Ruòxuě!" she said warmly, setting her knitting down and rising. "How was your reunion with your Lord Father?"
Ruòxuě gave a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "It was… fine."
Lady Lan's smile faded immediately. "What happened?" she asked softly, moving closer to her daughter with the practiced instinct of a mother who knew when something was wrong.
Ruòxuě hesitated, then met her mother's gaze directly. "Why did Father react so harshly when I mentioned the newborn? Has Aunt Qingcheng done something wrong?"
Lady Lan's eyes dimmed slightly, and she let out a long, quiet sigh. Her fingers twisted gently in the silk of her robes.
"…It's best you hear the truth from Lady Qingcheng herself," she said at last. "She's been wanting to see you very badly since your return."
That only made Ruòxuě more uneasy, but she nodded. The two women left together in silence
They entered Lady Qingcheng's residence without announcement.
Inside, the room was awash in gentle light from the open window, where Lady Qingcheng stood looking out at the imperial gardens. A soft breeze stirred the long silk curtains, and just beside her lay a small cradle where a baby — cheeks plump and breath soft — slept peacefully.
When Lady Qingcheng heard footsteps, she turned. Upon seeing Lady Lan and Ruòxuě, her eyes lit up, and she rushed over.
"My Ruòxuě!" she exclaimed, pulling her into a warm embrace. "Let me look at you! How have you been? How was your training? Did that old man Yōuxuán push you too hard?"
Ruòxuě laughed lightly, and for a moment, her troubled thoughts were brushed aside. "It was fine, Aunt. Master is still as eccentric as ever. But… I learned a lot."
As they sat, Ruòxuě turned to look at the baby resting quietly in the cradle. His little cheeks were like steamed buns, and his soft, jet-black hair curled slightly at the ends. His tiny hands twitched in sleep, and a small bubble of drool hung from his lip.
Ruòxuě grinned. "Aunt, are you sure you didn't give birth to a future playboy and charmer? Look at how handsome he is. He might be even better looking than Father was in his prime."
All three women laughed, and Lady Qingcheng's eyes sparkled with both amusement and motherly pride.
"You silly little girl," she said, ruffling Ruòxuě's hair. "And here I thought you'd return as a refined and noble lady."
"How could I act like some cool and mighty princess in front of you?" Ruòxuě teased. "I'm still — and will always be — your little girl, right?"
Lady Qingcheng cupped her cheek fondly. "Always, my little princess."
After a moment, Ruòxuě tilted her head toward the baby. "So… what's his name?"
Lady Qingcheng's smile paused ever so slightly, just a flicker, but Ruòxuě caught it.
"…His name is Fansheng," she said softly.
"Fansheng?" Ruòxuě repeated, confused. It didn't sound like a royal name. In fact, it sounded common — too common for a person of the Shen clan much more the child of the clan leader and the prince of the Shen Yao empire. A name without grandeur. A name with no ambition. "That's a strange name… Did Father really agree to that?"
But she knew the answer even before she finished the question. Her father would never allow such a name if he cared. He would have declared a name with thunder and ceremony.
She looked back at her aunt, who remained silent, her eyes now staring gently — painfully — at her child. Even Lady Lan was silent.
Seconds passed.
Then Lady Qingcheng gave a long sigh, like she was exhaling years of grief in a single breath. She looked at Fansheng with tears gathering in her eyes.
"…He was born without elemental affinity," she said, her voice trembling but clear. "The emperor… did not accept him. He said such a child is unworthy of being called his son. I named him 'Fansheng' — to wish for him a peaceful life as an ordinary mortal."
Everything snapped into place in Ruòxuě's mind.
Why her father had reacted so coldly.
Why Lady Qingcheng hadn't been there to greet her.
Why no official announcement had been made about the birth.
Why there was no celebration.
Her chest tightened with fury and heartbreak. She stood suddenly, her face pale and stormy. "I'll be back," she said coldly, and walked out of the room without waiting for a response.
Lady Qingcheng reached out after her. "Ruòxuě—!"
"Let her go," Lady Lan said with a soft sigh. "You know how she is."
"…But what if the emperor—"
"She's his favorite," Lady Lan said. "If anything, she'll scold him."
She stormed to the emperor's study, the marble halls blurring past her.
When she arrived, two golden-armored guards stepped forward.
"Your Highness, the emperor is still at the—"
"You dare block me?" Ruòxuě's voice was cold as frost. Her eyes were sharp and dangerous.
The guards paled. They bowed quickly and stepped aside. "Forgive us!"
She walked in, her anger barely contained.
For an hour, she paced the study, stewing in silence until at last, Emperor Shen Hóngtú arrived. He paused in the doorway when he saw her.
"…If you've come to speak to me about that trash of a child," he said with cold indifference, "you're wasting your breath. I will not accept a disgrace into the Shen clan. That boy is a stain on our name."
Ruòxuě's fists clenched at her side.
"How can a child born without affinity be a disgrace?" she snapped. "It wasn't his fault! Was he supposed to choose his fate before birth?"
The emperor's voice grew harsh. "Mind your tone, young girl! If he isn't to blame, then am I?"
Her voice cracked. "Then tell me, Father — if I were the one born without any affinity… would you have treated me the same way? Would I still be your daughter?"
There was silence.
He didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Ruòxuě turned and stormed out. Her heart was breaking.
Back in Lady Qingcheng's room, the mood was heavy. Lady Lan and Qingcheng sat quietly as Fansheng stirred awake with a soft cry.
When Ruòxuě returned, her face was pale and her eyes red. No one asked what had happened. They already knew.
Then Fansheng's cries grew louder.
Lady Qingcheng lifted him, trying to soothe him. "Ruòxuě," she said gently, "why don't you hold him? Say hello to your little brother."
Ruòxuě hesitated… then slowly walked forward and reached out. Fansheng nestled into her arms like he belonged there.
The moment she held him, he stopped crying.
Ruòxuě smiled — A genuine smile since her return to the palace. She kissed his tiny forehead.
"You don't have to worry, Fansheng," she whispered. "Everyone in here loves you. And we always will."
The candlelight flickered softly around them, as if sealing her vow.