Ju Xian remained kneeling beside the cage, unable to tear her gaze from
Sky. His eyes hadn't left her. Every inch of his feathered body leaned closer,
drawn not just by scent or sound — but by recognition far older than
memory.
The stillness shattered.
Bootsteps on stone. Heavy, measured.
Ju Xian turned slowly to see two men approaching through the garden
archway.
A tall man in deep navy robes with a silver dragon embroidered across the
chest. His features were sharp — a high brow, proud eyes, and a gaze that
pierced like a blade. This was no courtier. This was a man raised by politics
and war.
The older Crown Prince of the East Wing.
> "You," he said, voice cutting through the hush. "This garden is not open to
commoners. You've trespassed into private grounds during an imperial
event."
Ju Xian opened her mouth, but no words came.
> "Guards—" he raised a hand.
> "Your Highness," another voice interrupted — General Lian, stepping
forward. "Allow me to speak."
The prince narrowed his eyes. "You know her?"
> "I recognize the look," Lian said quietly. "And the bird's reaction."
The prince hesitated. For a moment, tension hung thick in the plum-scented
air.
> "If she is your responsibility," the prince said at last, "then so be it. But I
will report this breach."
He turned on his heel and vanished into the lantern-lit path, robes trailing
like stormclouds behind him.
Lian exhaled and approached Ju Xian.
> "You shouldn't be here," he said, his voice softer now. "But… somehow, it
feels like you were always meant to be."
Ju Xian looked at him, eyes shimmering.
> "Why does this bird know me?"
> "That," Lian replied, glancing at Sky, "is a question I've asked myself for
twenty years."
—
Elsewhere in the palace, Taotao was still navigating trays of wine and flutes
of gossip. The princess stood beside him, smiling politely at suitors and
courtiers but subtly keeping her eyes on him.
> "You don't belong here," she whispered.
> "Neither do half these people," Taotao replied, snatching a honey
dumpling from a passing tray.
> "But you wear your defiance openly."
> "It matches the robe."
The princess laughed, but her gaze drifted toward the edge of the crowd.
> "Something's happening," she said.
Taotao's fingers tightened around his cup.
He didn't know what had changed — but he felt the pull.
And in the garden, a caged bird stirred again.