Not long after seeing Dai Youheng off, Xu Jiujiu prepared to return to the Princess's Mansion.
Just then, someone arrived from the palace. Her imperial brother had urgently summoned her to the Star-Gazing Platform to discuss an important matter.
The Star-Gazing Platform stood on elevated ground within the Imperial Palace. It was where the emperor usually cultivated his star crown martial soul.
Xu Jiujiu dared not delay her brother's summons. She immediately made her way to the Star-Gazing Platform, lifting her skirts as she slowly climbed the steps leading up to it. Her brother had summoned her urgently late at night, and to a place only the imperial family's core members ever visited. Her heart could not help tightening slightly, an inexplicable premonition lingering within her.
Two personal maids followed silently behind her, keeping just the right distance.
As she stepped onto the final white marble stair, the Star-Gazing Platform opened out before her. Its domed structure faced the night sky. The wind grew somewhat stronger here, stirring the hair at her temples and her thin palace robes.
Her elder brother, Xu Jiawei, emperor of the Star Luo Empire, was not wearing his dragon robes. Dressed only in a black everyday robe, he stood in the middle of the platform with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the boundless stars. Beneath that vast starry expanse, his figure seemed both aloof and burdened.
"Imperial Brother." Xu Jiujiu stopped, her voice sounding especially clear on the empty platform.
Xu Jiawei did not turn around at once, as though immersed in his own thoughts.
Only after a brief silence did he slowly turn, his gaze settling on her face with an almost tangible weight. The warmth he usually displayed at court was gone, replaced by the unfathomable caution of an emperor.