Not long after, they parted.
Meishan returned to the imperial library and Ningyan remained alone in Jun Haoxuan's chamber.
He sat cross-legged. The flute rested against his lips as his qi began to gather slowly at first, then steady, then deepening into something more structured.
A soft violet glow spread around him, wrapping his form like a quiet flame.
The melody that followed was gentle and controlled. It filled the chamber, spilling into the halls beyond like a drifting current, neither loud nor forceful, but impossible to ignore.
Time blurred. Breath slowed. Everything narrowed into sound.
Then light, approaching soft giggles filled his ears.
Ningyan's fingers stop.
The melody broke.
The door slid open without ceremony.
Two small figures stepped in, dressed in dark azure robes, their deep blue hair framing bright silver eyes that shimmered with curiosity.
They stopped when they saw him.
Their giggles faded into shy smiles.
