In the western district of Glory City, the Winged Dragon Family's council hall blazed with light.
The hall was not particularly large. A long rosewood table stood in the center, covered in dark velvet. A celadon vase sat at one corner, holding two sprigs of osmanthus in full bloom.
Several oil lamps hung from brackets on the walls. Their shades gathered the light onto the tabletop, casting each face into sharp contrasts of light and shadow.
When Xiao Ning'er walked in, both sides of the long table were already full. Her father, Xiao Yunfeng, sat at its head with a composed expression, holding a cup of tea and looking down as he blew the foam from its surface.
The First Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder sat in order to his left, each holding a teacup. As she entered, all three turned their gazes toward her.
On the right sat several elders from collateral branches who managed the family's trade routes and accounts. At the moment, they all kept their eyes lowered, as though they were only there to listen.
Xiao Ning'er sat down in the chair at the far end.
She wore a plain, fitted martial outfit that day, her hair loosely pinned up with a wooden hairpin, giving her a neat, practical appearance. Once seated, she said nothing, merely resting her hands on her knees and waiting for the elders to speak.
The Second Elder set down his teacup, cleared his throat, and spoke first.
"Ning'er, you're no little girl anymore. You'll be eighteen in a few months, won't you?"
He stroked his beard, his tone sounding kindly, though he drew out the ends of his words as if deliberately slowing his speech to lend it gravity. "Watching you grow day by day over these past two years