The afternoon sun spread a soft golden glow across the Empress's chamber. Outside the courtyard, winter wind rustled through the bare branches, but inside the room the atmosphere was warm and lively.
Lian An sat comfortably on a cushioned chair near the window. A blanket covered her legs, and the herbal medicine the healer had ordered rested on the small table beside her.
Across from her floated the three familiar figures who had refused to leave her side since she woke up.
Wei Rong leaned lazily against one of the pillars, arms crossed like a bored general watching soldiers drill.
Li Shen hovered beside the bookcase, pretending to read one of the scrolls but clearly listening to every word.
Fen Yu floated upside down from the ceiling beam, swinging her ghostly legs back and forth.
Lian An rubbed her temples.
"Why are you upside down?"
Fen Yu blinked innocently.
"It helps my blood flow."
"You don't even have blood."
Fen Yu paused.
"…That's not the point."
