Past midnight, with hot-spring warmth still clinging like mist, Dreamsound walked me back after giving Xuanxiao a proper thrashing.

“Shengsheng, don’t you have anything you want to ask?” Her voice drifted soft, like a flute in the dark.

“What’s worth asking? I’m sleepy... =_=” My lids felt heavy, like rain-soaked leaves.

“Honestly. You glued yourself to Mom all day, then as soon as you hit the bed, you flip the quilt and pretend you don’t know me. Boohoo~” Her pout was a cherry petal, ridiculous and cute.

“zzz...” Drowsiness rolled over me like a tide.

“Hey... Little Shengsheng used to be a boy, right? Why can you accept yourself now so calmly?” Her words fell like light snow.

I sighed first, then spoke. “I got used to it. They never treated me like a boy anyway. Wrestling your own body is just dumb. If I complain, will I magically change back?”

“Better to... sleep early... zzz...” Sleep tugged like a quiet river.

She cracked up, laughter spilling like silver bells. “Pff—haha... Little Shengsheng back then... honestly... haha~”

I winced, heat prickling my cheeks like embers. I know, okay!

Tomorrow, get up early. It’s been a while since I touched a blade.

I burrowed into the quilt, a turtle retreating under a shell, trying to ignore Dreamsound’s laughter. She sensed my silence and let her voice fall, like snow settling.

Weird. With her personality, I thought she’d apologize... Whatever. I’m not even mad—wait, did she sniff that and skip the apology? Can she read me?

“Sorry, Little Shengsheng. I couldn’t help it... Mom didn’t mean it.” Her hand slid over my exposed head, a warm wind over grass. I couldn’t see her face.

“Hehe... so your little cowlick really moves.” Her amusement glinted like starlight.

?!

A spark zipped across my scalp, lightning licking the hill, then tingled through my head.

“U-ah—no, don’t—” I didn’t dare fight it. I let her fingers guide that stray strand, voice thin as silk.

If I tug too hard, it’ll snap!

“Uh... sorry, Shengsheng, I didn’t mean it!”

I poked my head out, shot her a look sharp as a needle, then hid again. This time I didn’t leave the cowlick out to play.

“Mmph... haha—don’t tickle—Little Shengsheng... haha it’s so itchy, I won’t, I won’t next time—haha...” Her laughter fluttered like sparrows.

Serves you right. I ignored her, floating into sleep like a leaf.

—

“Hello, Little Ling’er. Long time no see~” Xuanxiao’s smile curled like a crescent moon as a dragon girl in a maid dress slipped in through the window like a night breeze.

The girl’s hair was winter-white, paler than Xuanxiao’s, and her eyes held a washed-out blue, like thawing ice.

Xuanxiao poured tea, amber ripples in porcelain, set it across from the maid-dragon. Ling’er dipped in a small bow and sipped like a quiet reed by a pond.

“You’re here because of a mission again?” The question hung like mist.

“Mm. But it’s only a mission because I wanted to see you, my lady.” Her tone was steady, a blade in a sheath.

“Ah~ then I must thank you.” Xuanxiao’s tongue flicked quick, a ruby glint.

“Let’s talk business, my lady. Qingyu Mengyin’s child—what is she?” Ling’er’s gaze was clear as morning dew.

Xuanxiao clicked her tongue, playfully sharp. “How would I know? What do you expect me to read on a six-year-old’s face?”

“What do you think of her, then?” Ling’er’s question fell light as snow.

“Odd. She carries a faint aura, like a scent under rain, but it’s nothing like the legends.” Xuanxiao’s eyes narrowed, fox-bright.

“How to say it... her age matches her IQ~” Her teasing cut like paper.

“That’s not a flattering assessment.” Ling’er’s voice rippled, calm as still water.

“Should we take Dreamsound to the Ice Dragon clan’s territory?” Ling’er’s words were a north wind, clean and cold.

“Why? What changes if we go? I was clear. The little girl is just a child. Even if she is that, what can you do to her?” Xuanxiao’s temper flashed, a spark in dry grass.

“A bit hasty, my lady.” Ling’er sipped again, moonlight in a cup.

“Thank you for the reminder.” Xuanxiao shooed her with a flick, like scattering sparrows.

“You already have your own plan, I think. I won’t disturb your rest. Ling’er taking leave.” At the window, she paused, the frame a white edge against sky.

“By the way, my lady, you put too much sugar in your tea...” Her smile was a thin line, neat as embroidery.

“Tch! It’s not brewed for you. Out, out, out!” Xuanxiao waved her hand, a swaying fan.

“I’ll go then... One more thing, my lady. Your father wishes you to return in a few days.” The words drifted like a sealed letter.

“Alright, alright, I know. Go before the next thing pops up!” Her annoyance puffed like steam.

Ling’er watched the irritable Xuanxiao and gave a small laugh, then vanished like a swallow at the eaves.

Xuanxiao looked up at the ice moon, pale as frost, and sighed, breath a cloud.

“So troublesome. I just want to build a bond with little Tangxue, yet chaos keeps lining up at my door.” Her complaint fell like rain on stone.

“Tasks? Do your own tasks.” Her lips curved, peach-sour.

“I’m planning my lifelong romance, thank you very much. Who cares about your damned mission?” Pride flared like lacquered red.

As long as I get close to little Tangxue now, the future won’t be a mess. Whatever her identity—who cares! She’s Sister Qing’s daughter; their genes are always top-tier. Hehe—busty loli is the best!

Uh-oh, drool. No one saw, right?

Slurp~

—

“Mmm... morning already.” Sleep peeled off me like mist. I rubbed my eyes and saw Dreamsound, halfway dressed, turn with a smile bright as dawn.

“Eh? Little Shengsheng, you’re awake?”

“Mm... what time is it?” My voice was gravel-soft.

“Right about seven. What’s up? Not sleeping in?” She fastened a ribbon, neat as a swallow’s tail.

“No. I’ve slacked enough these days. I’m going to practice sword.” Determination rose, a blade catching light.

“...Alright. Mom will fetch your breakfast. I remember White Moon Pavilion has a morning training ground. Find Xuanxiao later and let her take you.” Her tone was warm, like a quilt.

“Mm...” I nodded, then turned away, cheeks hot, a peach under sun.

Dreamsound hid a laugh with her hand, a bell under silk. “Hehe~ Little Shengsheng, we’ve lived together for years. Still not used to it?”

I’m used to it—that’s one thing. Seeing it up close again is another.

“Xuanxiao-jiē, morning~” I pushed open her door. It wasn’t even locked; it swung like a lazy fan.

“Ah~ Little Tangxue. I did immortal cultivation last night—pulled an all-nighter. I’m so sleepy... You need something?” She rubbed her dark circles, bruised plums under her eyes.

No wonder she didn’t knock this morning. She was up all night. “Um, do you know where the morning training ground is?”

“The training ground? Shengsheng, go to the first-floor lobby and tell the staff. She’ll guide you... Ahh~ so tired. Yesterday... I’m dead. I need a nap...” Xuanxiao rolled over, the quilt a cloud swallowing her.

She gamed all day yesterday, didn’t she? Oh, right—then all night too. Makes sense. Pulling all-nighters is rough once you’re not that young.

Looks like I’ll find someone downstairs and ask... Feels like a quest in a game.

Everything after went smooth. The sister in charge led me to the morning training grounds. To be honest, they were grander than the royal ones—wide as a valley.

Weapons lined up like a forest of steel, and every type had its own ring. There were dedicated magic fields, circles glowing like ponds at dusk.

I started wondering how much Dreamsound paid for this. One day here might cost more than I made in years of missions.