As the days slipped by, seven sunrises bathed Fénglín Town in gentle gold. Yu Xiao no longer wore rags.
The Duan brothers brought her soft bamboo-dyed hanfu robes the one with the wide sleeves collar with belt, simple canvas-hanfu shoes, and three meals a day without fail.
She still refused to be called "Your Majesty."
They still called her that anyway—just quieter now, almost shyly, as though the title itself had become too sacred to speak loudly.
"Your Majesty again!?" she huffed, cheeks rounding with fresh irritation, hands planted firmly on her hips. "Can you both stop calling me like that?" she firmly insisted, eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.
The Duan brothers instantly stiffened in front of her, mouths clamped shut, bodies rigid after the sudden scolding.
They kept stealing nervous glances at each other, shoulders twitching with every heartbeat.
Yu Xiao spent a long moment staring them down, her moody glare sharp enough to cut glass.
Finally she let out a long, dramatic breath, crossed her arms, and stepped close enough for them to feel the heat of her presence.
"Alright," she began, the corner of her mouth curling into a reluctant half-smile.
The twins lifted their heads together in perfect unison, hope flickering across their faces like candlelight in the wind.
Yu Xiao's expression softened, her gaze turning warm and almost teasing.
"Instead of addressing me as 'Your Majesty' every single time you open your mouths, I'd prefer something much, much better for both of us," she said calmly.
Duan Han-Yun's face lit up as though the sun had personally chosen him to shine on.
"Whatever it is, we won't object to you, Your Majesty," Han-Yun said with a slow, respectful bow.
Yu Xiao's smile grew gentler, carrying effortless grace even after scolding them half to death.
The twins pulled themselves together with flawless respect, facing the woman they believed—beyond all doubt—was their sovereign reborn.
"Since I'm just a nobody somehow linked to that famous 'Feng Xiaotian'," she continued, lifting one eyebrow in a faint challenge, "I'm reminding you again—I'm not your sovereign. I'm just a stranger." She paused, cheeks puffing in a tiny, exaggerated huff. "It is better if you address me as 'Lady Yu'. I think that's perfect, and I won't argue with you," she stated firmly.
At that moment, bright, unrestrained smiles broke across the Duan brothers' faces—like the sky clearing after a week of rain.
"On it, Lady Yu," Han-Yun greeted first.
"Still here to serve you in anything, Lady Yu," Han-Qing echoed, bowing gently.
Yu Xiao nodded once—calm, composed, almost regal despite herself.
"I—"
The twins instantly stepped closer, eyes locked on her with complete attention.
"I just like to—"
"What is it, my Lady?" Han-Qing asked, blinking rapidly.
"I've been locked here for a week. When would you make a plan to stroll me outside? I am completely bored, anyway," she repeated in an ill-tempered manner.
The Duan brothers fell deathly silent. They knew the real danger outside; explaining it felt impossible. Their faces showed clear hesitation and worry.
Han-Qing gathered his courage and spoke clearly.
"Lady Yu, I hope you don't mind," he said, pausing as a faint tremor ran through his shoulders. "We kept you here only to protect you from harm. The world outside looks peaceful, but danger can come at any moment."
Yu Xiao's expression shifted—realisation flickering across her face like cold water. She had almost forgotten she was in a hunting ground.
She stayed quiet for a long moment, arms folded tight again.
The twins watched her carefully, worry etched deep in their eyes.
"Lady Yu," Han-Qing said softly, "what are you thinking?"
Yu Xiao swallowed once, exhaled, and gave them a small nod.
"I understand you." Her voice was calm as morning mist. "But you can't keep me here forever!" Her eyebrows shot up, beauty sharp enough to stop hearts.
She turned, walked a few steps with arms still crossed, then spun back.
"So, tell me," she demanded, voice trembling slightly, "am I going to be imprisoned here?"
Han-Yun stepped forward at once.
"My Lady! Allow me to speak," he began, voice gentle yet resolute.
"Give me a word. I'm waiting," Yu Xiao replied, gazing at him idly.
"My brother and I are often away on important matters, as you know. But if you agree, we will take you with us whenever we go," Han-Yun said.
The words instantly changed the look on her face.
"Really?"
Delight burst across her face like a child handed the keys to the world. She clapped once, arms flapping happily at her sides.
"Then I won't hold back. When are we planning to go?" she added cheerfully with a single flap of her arms side by side.
The twins exchanged a glance—half terror, half helpless, hopeless adoration.
"On the day after today," Han-Yun answered slowly, a misgiving smile tugging at his lips.
Yu Xiao felt relief flood through her like warm sunlight.
Of course she did—no one dreamed of staying confined forever. From everything the twins and Tiáopi had told her, even "safety" in this world came laced with pain, fear, and the constant shadow of death.
In a place she never chose, where power defined everything, she—a mere mortal in their eyes—was nothing.
Surviving here meant luck, cunning, or strength she didn't yet possess.
The twins watched her closely, reading every flicker across her face. They knew the pressure weighing on her—lost in a world that wasn't hers, carrying a name she didn't recognise. It was a burden no one should bear alone.
Night fell.
Yu Xiao lay on the lounge beside the open window, quietly stargazing at the clear, bright night sky. She nibbled on a piece of nectarine to quiet her stomach.
After a while, the tiny spark hovered in front of her, spiralling dazzlingly through the air, scattering sparkling dust like it was begging for attention.
"How's my ill-tempered walking doll? We haven't talked these past days," Tiáopi began, darting from side to side.
Yu Xiao paused mid-bite and glanced at him.
"Did you miss me? I thought you didn't like my attributes," she replied, then resumed biting her nectarine.
"Are you rejecting me now? You're the only one who can see me—of course I want your company. Hfft!" he huffed, clearly annoyed. "You only think about yourself. You forgot me already!"
Yu Xiao instantly raised an eyebrow and tossed the nectarine core aside.
"What is it? Mad at me?" she asked with a mischievous smirk.
Tiáopi bobbed unexpectedly, then leaned toward her steadily.
"You really want to go with Han-Yun and Han-Qing tomorrow? Feng Xiaotian, didn't you think the danger lies ahead?" His voice was thick with worry.
Yu Xiao gazed at him for a moment, then turned back to the bright night sky, resting her cheek on her hand.
"As they said, this place is vast. You can't avoid danger just by wishing. When it comes, it really comes. Period," she stated firmly.
"Easy for you to say!" Tiáopi exclaimed. "You're just a weak foundation—how can you protect yourself? Come on, Feng Xiaotian! Think carefully."
Yu Xiao sat up abruptly, lips pouting, eyebrows scrunched together.
"You're looking down on me now!" she shot back, deadly glare activated.
Tiáopi swirled frantically in front of her.
"Haist!" he groaned, clearly exasperated. "This is the most difficult deal as always, Feng Xiaotian! Do you think you can handle cultivators with higher foundations? Without your spiritual power you're nothing but an ant to them. Stop being obstinate—it'll put you at risk!" He scolded her like a worried granny.
Silence stretched between them.
Yu Xiao stood, arms crossed, and walked to the open window. She rested her hands on the sill, inhaling the cold night air.
The town was quiet; only distant lanterns glimmered like scattered stars against the black.
Tiáopi zipped to her side and kept swaying around her.
He suddenly began reciting rhythmic poetry:
"Feng Xiaotian sings, beautiful, brooding storm.
The night itself seems to sulk when she begins:
Black clouds bruise the sky,
The moon glowers behind a veil of torn silk,
And every street-lamp flickers like it's afraid to watch."
Yu Xiao hissed through a reluctant smile, glancing at him several times.
"Shut up, what is this all about?"
"I'm just trying to lighten your temper. Who knows—I might actually cheer up the queen who seems offended by the very existence of joy."
A tiny smirk tugged at her lips; she shrugged one shoulder and rolled her eyes.
Then silence swallowed the moment again.
"Although…" she said quietly, pausing. "I'm not the kind of person who's easy to get close to. That doesn't mean I'm a bad person." She sighed, voice turning softer, heavier. "There are lots of reasons people change—trauma makes you guarded. And excessive trust… it can kill you."
Another silence, deeper this time.
Yu Xiao glanced back at Tiáopi.
"Tell me, am I wrong?"
Tiáopi drifted close until he hovered right in front of her face.
"Are you suffering because of those things? I never realised how sorrowful you are. Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he asked gently.
"I thought you already knew me," she answered, voice small. "You know who I am, right? Then why are you asking like this?"
Tiáopi swirled once more.
"Because that's not what I see! You're unpredictably firm. Of course I'll wonder about your actions."
A moment later, Yu Xiao's gaze turned playful again.
"You hate me, don't you?" she asked, tone flat but teasing.
Tiáopi instantly dropped into her waiting palm as she lifted her hand to catch him.
"No I don't! How could I hate my Master?"
Yu Xiao gave him a closed-lip smile, then turned her eyes back to the bright night sky.
"It's getting late," she said softly. She glanced at the spark cradled in her hand. "Come on. Let's rest, buddy. Save our strength—tomorrow we have a trip."
"Fine, my Master."
She closed the window with a quiet click, walked to her bedchamber, extinguished the lantern, and let gentle darkness envelop the room.