[Li Residence · Side Hall]
Incense curled lazily in the air, filling the room with the elegant scent of sandalwood. Hot tea and delicate pastries had already been laid out on the table.
Supported by Li Furong, Madam Li took her seat. Seeing Ling Dang standing there a little stiffly, she smiled warmly.
"Sit down, child. Don't be so nervous—treat this place like your own home."
Ling Dang blushed slightly. After hesitating, she carefully took a small wooden box from her cloth bag and lowered her head.
"I… I made some pastries myself. I brought them to thank you, Auntie, and Sister Furong, for taking care of me."
Madam Li and Li Furong exchanged glances, curious. When the lid was opened, neat rows of little rabbit-shaped pastries were revealed—round and white like snowballs, with tiny red eyes, lively and adorable.
"Oh my—these little bunny cakes are too cute! I almost can't bear to eat them!" Madam Li exclaimed with delight.
Li Furong picked one up, eyes bright.
"I've seen flower-shaped pastries before, but animal ones are rare. Look at these little ears—so finely made."
Ling Dang pressed her lips together shyly, a soft light flickering in her eyes.
"The rabbits are made with sugar, and the red eyes are colored with carrot juice… My mother taught me how to make them."
Her voice gradually faded. Her fingers tightened around her sleeve as her gaze drifted away.
The warmth of the room, the gentle smiles before her, overlapped with the memory of her mother patiently teaching her in the kitchen.
Her chest tightened. Her words stopped abruptly, lips trembling.
Li Furong and Madam Li exchanged a look, both hearts aching.
Li Furong gently placed her hand over Ling Dang's.
"Your mother must have loved you very much."
Madam Li sighed softly, eyes glistening.
"This poor child… she must be missing her family."
The hall fell quiet. Tea steam drifted, and beneath the sweetness of pastries lay a faint ache.
Ling Dang nodded, eyes reddening.
Madam Li's heart softened. She pulled Ling Dang close.
"Don't be afraid. If you miss your home, come here often. From today on, treat the Li Residence as your own, all right?"
Li Furong smiled brightly beside them.
"I've always wanted a little sister. If you're willing, I'll cherish you as one."
Ling Dang froze, then tears streamed down.
"Thank you, Auntie… Thank you, Sister Furong."
Madam Li wiped her tears gently.
"Good child. You won't be alone anymore."
Warmth filled the room, sweet and gentle, and for the first time, Ling Dang felt something like belonging.
[Li Furong's Chamber]
Autumn sunlight slanted through the window, bathing the room in warmth. The chamber was elegant and fragrant; books and music scores lay on the desk, while rows of jewelry filled the cabinet.
"Come, sit here." Li Furong pulled Ling Dang before the mirror, smiling.
"Such fair skin—prettier than I was at your age."
Ling Dang waved her hands in panic.
"I—I can't! These are your jewels, and I'm dressed as a boy…"
"Silly girl." Li Furong opened a jewelry box. "Girls should be pretty."
She chose a delicate hairpin and gently slid it into Ling Dang's hair.
"Look—now you look like a proper young lady."
Ling Dang's face burned as she stared into the mirror, surprised by the gentle beauty reflected there.
"Furong-jie…" she whispered shyly.
Li Furong laughed softly.
"If I didn't know your secret, who would believe you're a 'boy'?"
Ling Dang hurriedly covered her mouth. "Don't say that!"
They laughed together.
But as Ling Dang looked at her reflection, her heart tightened.
Once, she had been the daughter of the Lord of Xiling—surrounded by silks and jewels. Which girl didn't love to be adorned?
Yet since the fall of her city, she had lived disguised as a boy. Those girlish dreams had seemed forever lost.
Her fingers brushed the jewelry, eyes stinging.
"Furong-jie…"
Li Furong gently smoothed her hair.
"Being beautiful isn't wrong. No matter what you've been through, you're still a girl."
Ling Dang tried to remove the ornament.
"It's too precious…"
Li Furong stopped her and placed a silver tassel hairpin into her hair.
"This suits you best. I'm giving it to you."
Tears welled in Ling Dang's eyes.
"I thought… things like this would never belong to me again."
Li Furong hugged her.
"You deserve to be cherished."
In the mirror, their reflections were joined by a single shimmering hairpin—a secret of sisterhood.
[Yao Residence · At Sunset]
Luo Ye returned carrying a bag of freshly bought pastries.
The courtyard was dark and empty.
"Where's Ling Dang?" he asked sharply.
"He went out this afternoon and hasn't returned," a servant replied.
Luo Ye's grip tightened.
Just then, a carriage arrived. Li Furong stepped down—with Ling Dang beside her, smiling and close.
Luo Ye froze.
So this was the "sister" Ling Dang spoke of.
The pastries in his hand were already cold as he turned away, eyes dark with unspoken emotion.