Xiao Zhi found out about her own future the way she found out about most things in the palace: through a servant who was too excited to keep a secret.
She had been in the side garden feeding the sparrows, a quiet habit she had started weeks ago to find peace in a life that felt like a confusing, unfinished manuscript. She was dropping crumbs on the stone wall when a young maid came rushing down the path, carrying news that seemed physically too large for her body.
"Your Highness!" the girl gasped. "The Khan! He just made an announcement in the morning assembly!"
Xiao Zhi did not look up. "Has he? Did he finally lower the tax on sheep?"
"No!" The girl clasped her hands, eyes shining. "He announced that you will become the Khatun of Tughril! It's official!"
The sparrows hopped closer, but Xiao Zhi's hand went still. She looked at the crumbs in her palm for a long, silent moment before turning to the maid. "He announced it," she said, her voice flat. "To the court."
