The lantern-lit courtyard gave way to a wide stone portico. Ahead, through tall double doors, Shen Miao could see the grand hall—jade pillars, silk banners, the glitter of candlelight on gold thread.
She stopped at the threshold.
The eyes inside had already found her.
She felt them like a weight—noble ladies turning in their seats, ministers pausing mid-conversation, servants in purple livery freezing with their trays. Whispers rippled through the air, too low to hear, too obvious to ignore.
Shen Miao took a half step back.
Behind her, Bai Yue and Bai Yin stood at a respectful distance, their faces composed but their eyes sharp. Xi Shu, who had been scanning the crowd for threats, paused and glanced down at her.
He opened his mouth to speak—
But Shen Miao clenched her fist. Her back straightened. She took a step forward.
I belong here.
"Shen Miao."
The voice came from the side. Familiar. Calm.
She turned. Her brother was standing a few paces away, half-hidden by a pillar, watching her.
"Brother," she breathed.
She walked toward him, the hem of her jade-green robe brushing the stone floor. As she drew closer, she caught a glimpse of the hall behind him—the raised dais where Princess Fei sat, the imperial women in their silk robes, the empty seat of honor to the princess's left.
Shen Yao's eyes moved over her face. His expression was unreadable—but then his brow furrowed, just slightly.
Shen Miao's heart clenched.
"Why?" she thought. "Why is he frowning? Is he still embarrassed to be seen with me? Did I do something wrong?"
Her hands curled at her sides.
"Brother, I—"
He stepped closer.
Before she could finish, he reached up and adjusted the hairpin in her hair—the light green one with dangling flowers. It wasn't crooked. He just wanted to touch it, to fix it, to show everyone watching that it mattered.
A soft gasp rippled through the onlookers.
Who in the capital hadn't heard of the eldest young master's coldness toward his adopted sister? And here he was, in front of half the nobility, settling a hairpin into her hair as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Shen Yao ignored the stares. He had faced boardrooms and assassins. A few gossiping nobles were nothing.
Shen Miao froze.
Then she lowered her head, her cheeks warm. "Thank you, Brother."
A small smile crept across her lips—brief, but real.
Behind her, Bai Yue and Bai Yin exchanged a glance of relief. Xi Shu allowed himself a quiet breath.
A cold breeze swept through the portico. Shen Miao shivered slightly.
"It's getting colder," Shen Yao said. "Go inside."
Shen Miao nodded. She turned toward the double doors, her attendants falling into step behind her.
But after a few paces, she paused and looked back.
"Brother? Aren't you coming?"
Shen Yao shook his head. "Go ahead. I'm waiting for someone."
She studied his face for a moment, then nodded and walked into the grand hall.
The doors closed behind her with a soft thud.
Shen Yao stood alone in the portico, watching the space where she had been.
"They really are alike," he thought. *Yanyan and Shen Miao....it was as if they were the same person"
He rubbed his forehead pushing those thoughts away "How could that be he saw her off himself"
He turned and looked out at the darkening sky.
Taking a deep breath
"Not the same," he told himself