The morning sun filtered through the latticed windows of the medical hall, casting shadows across the eager faces of Soyeon's students. She stood before them, chalk in hand, sketching a diagram of the human digestive system on a wooden board.
"When poison enters the body," she explained, her voice carrying the confidence she gad gained over the past weeks, "it follows a specific path. Understanding this path allows us to—"
A deep, gravel-roughened voice broke the harmony of the hall.
All eyes turned. In the doorway stood General Wei, his graying hair caught the morning light like frost upon a blade.
"General Wei." Soyeon's heart quickened. He never came to the medical hall unless something was wrong. She set down the chalk carefully. "Students, practice the herbal identification exercises. I'll return shortly."
As she moved toward the door, Lady Xia rose from her seat in the front row, her jade hairpins catching the light. "Su Yan, I will accompany you."
