Before formally absorbing the Soul Ring, Qian Renxue slept through the night.
When she woke, Bai Jin was sitting by the window, slowly leafing through a thick booklet. Only when she came closer did she notice a price list from a pastry shop tucked between its pages.
"What are you looking at?"
"The New Sect's garrison arrangements."
"Does Osmanthus Cake need a garrison too?"
Bai Jin looked up and pulled out the price list as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Checking supplies."
Her breakfast sat on the table: two bowls of warm porridge, a plate of sliced meat, and eggs already peeled.
Qian Renxue sat down and picked up her spoon. She had expected to be nervous, but when Bai Jin pushed an egg toward her, decided another had been peeled too messily, and took it back to eat himself, the tension slowly eased.
"Eat first, then go," he said.
"You worry more than Grandpa does."
"Your grandpa will watch the Soul Ring. I'm in charge of this meal."
Morning light caught in his eyes, softening their usual Azure Blue.
Qian Renxue lowered her head to drink her porridge, a smile tugging at her lips.
The temple's side chamber was ready.
Outside the heavy stone Gate, Yue Guan brought several medicine boxes and explained how to use each one. The medicines could not absorb a Soul Ring for her, but afterward, they could help her recover and spare her some suffering.
Qian Renxue noticed the Pope Token in his hand and paused.
"She sent you?"
Yue Guan set down the boxes, his tone careful.
"His Holiness the Pope ordered me to prepare anything you might need."
Qian Renxue nodded and asked no more.
Bai Jin did not joke at a time like this either. He