Tez’ Mu winced, tilting his head as if he could shake the sound loose. The ringing clung stubbornly to his skull, a dull, persistent hum that refused to die. He thumped his ear in frustration just as Sari approached.

“You know better than to get on the wrong side of the young lords,” he said, taking Tez’ Mu hand away from his ear and putting his own hand over it. His hand glowed for a moment before the light extinguished. Air immediately blew into Tez’ Mu’s ear, and he had to clamp his hand over it again.

“I thought they weren’t coming. Why didn’t they just stay away?”

Sari shrugged. He tapped Tez’ Mu and gestured to the driveway.

“Young miss Kel’ Ruan,” he said. Tez’ Mu turned around.

Kel’ Ruan strolled up the driveway, her arm linked with that of a tall, willowy woman whose violet hair spilled like silk over her shoulders. Their tailored wudan robes draped elegantly over them, the open collars revealing diamond and silver necklaces glinting against their throats. Kel’ Ruan’s hair was swept up by a delicate circlet, and her smile was wide—too wide.

Tez’ Mu blinked. He had never seen her dressed up like this before. Hadn’t even thought her capable of it.

“Do I have you spellbound, young lord?” Kel’ Ruan teased, flashing white teeth.

Heat crept up Tez’ Mu’s neck. He swallowed, flicking his gaze toward his tutor, Sal’ Ruan, whose lips were pressed into a thin, unimpressed line.

“I would say so.” Sal’ Ruan exhaled, shaking her head. “I guess the money spent on the clothes wasn’t a waste,” Sal’ Ruan muttered, “But it will be stiff competition for you, Kel’, against that Ru princess.”

“I don’t give up easily, elder sister,” Kel’ Ruan winked. Tez’ Mu nearly tripped. Ancestors above, she was shameless!

He hurried to regain his composure. “Welcome to the Mu Manor, Tutor Sal’ Ruan.”

Sal’ Ruan merely nodded. “Surely, you don’t expect me to bow to you, Tez’ Mu?”

“What—?! No, no!” He stammered.

“Good. Come, Kel’. The food will almost be devoured,” Sal’ Ruan tugged her sister’s arm.

“I’ll stay with Tez’. You go on, elder sister.”

Sal’ Ruan sighed and shook her head. “Don’t blame me if you starve later.” As she walked inside, Kel’ Ruan turned back from her and spun in place, letting her sleeves billow.

“You’re really pretty,” Tez’ Mu admitted.

Kel’ Ruan beamed. “I know! Elder Sis wasn’t too happy I made her cough up so much money for the dress, but it was worth it—just to see that look on your face.”

Tez’ Mu exhaled. “You really didn’t have to.” He found himself pitying Sal’ Ruan. Chan’ Mu was a pain, but he couldn’t imagine having Kel’ Ruan for a sister.

Kel’ Ruan suddenly stopped twirling. “Tez’,” she said, stepping closer, her voice quieter. “I mean it, though. I want to marry you. I want to be Third Young Lady Mu.”

Tez’ Mu rolled his eyes, groaning. “Come on, Kel’! Not this again! I’m betrothed for ancestors’ sakes.”

“But you don’t like her. Neither does she.”

“I—!”

“You like her?” Kel’ Ruan raised a skeptical eyebrow.

Tez’ Mu’s face heated. “Yes. Yes I do.”

Kel’ Ruan giggled. “Well, she doesn’t like you. I know it. I’ve overheard her telling her friends at the Academy. Besides, marrying Keiran’ Ru isn’t a great idea. She’s inheriting. You’d be the Ru’s son in law. A glorified consort-husband.”

She shuddered as if that was the worst fate imaginable.

Tez’ Mu pressed his lips together. That was his dream life.

“Enough about the marriage talk, Kel’ Ruan!” he snapped, flustered, “None of it is happening soon, anyway! We’re all not even of age!”

“That’s right, but it’s only a few years away.” She grinned. “Besides, today is a wedding day. On wedding days, people talk about other wedding days. The celebration must continue.”

Tez’ Mu pinched the bridge of his nose. “Go inside, Kel’ Ruan.”

“I will soon. I’m hungry.”

“I am starving,” he replied.

“You haven’t had anything to eat?”

“No.”

Sari glanced up at his master with an aggrieved expression. “I made you breakfast, ke.” he said, his tone cutting, “You wouldn’t drink the soup.”

“Why should I drink soup when there are fat, juicy pheasant thighs to be had?”

“You didn’t tell me that’s what you wanted.”

The sun had now climbed higher. Sari wiped the gathering sweat off Tez’ Mu’s brow.

“Shall we go in? I think everyone’s arrived,” Kel’ Ruan asked, gazing down the empty driveway. Tez’ Mu grunted an affirmative response, and turned his back.

“Wait, someone’s coming,” Kel’ Ruan whispered.

A brown horse rode up.

Raq’ Mu dismounted.

Sari rushed forward, taking the reins. “My lord general.”

Tez’ Mu’s back straightened. “Lord father.”

Kel’ Ruan curtsied. “My thorka.”

Raq’ Mu’s expression was terrible. His face was drawn into a tense furious glare, and around him cultivation energy rippled as if he was barely suppressing an outburst.

Tez’ Mu shivered. He had never seen his father this furious.

“Enter the manor!” Raq’ Mu barked, not sparing them a glance as he stalked up the steps, his footfalls loud and fast.

Kel’ Ruan glanced at Tez’ Mu. “What’s happening? Why is your father so angry?”

Tez’ Mu swallowed, his face pale. “I don’t know.”

He turned to the manor’s entrance.

“Let’s go in.”

Several tables had been set up for the guests in the main courtyard, and most of them were full with low conversations and polite laughter ringing out frequently from each. The higher-ranked nobles were dining in more private pavilions or in gazebos, while others were cloistered in Raq’ Mu’s main hall, its doors wide open. A few dancers performed for these nobles in the hall, accompanied by soft music from pipes and flutes. The party would not proceed beyond this point until the couple were wed and the bride escorted to her new home. Only then would the real festivities begin. Wine had not even been served yet.

Raq’ Mu burst into the main hall, startling everyone. Behind him trailed a bewildered Tez’ Mu, Kel’ Ruan and Sari. The guests rose and began congratulating the bride’s father, approaching him one by one to offer their well-wishes. But Raq’ Mu did not stop moving.

“Heng!” He called the butler loudly, “Get Essa-kest’ Mu, now!” He strode across the room and through the archway that led to his study. Heng took off. The guests were stunned, and promptly fell to whispering among themselves. Riel’ Mu and his brother rose from a table on the far left and quickly followed their father into the study. Tez’ Mu hesitated, but his curiosity got the better of him.

“Stay here,” he said to Sari.

“Yes, ke,” Sari responded, equally concerned about the lord general’s abrupt behavior.

Essa-kest’ Mu swept into the main hall, nodding to a few greetings before quickly made for the arch. Tez’ Mu followed her.

Inside the study, a fuming Raq’ Mu paced the floor. Tez’ Mu’s eyes grew wide. He had never seen his father lose his composure like this before—Raq’ Mu was the epitome of calm even in the fiercest of circumstances.

“Riel’! Rian’!” Essa-kest’ Mu exclaimed, surprised to see her older sons, “You came, after all!”

“Yes, mother,” Riel’ Mu inclined his head.

“We couldn’t have missed Royan’s big day,” Rian’ Mu added. His brother sniggered.

“She wouldn’t let us hear the end of it,” he then turned to his father, “What’s the matter, lord father?”

“Close the door,” Raq’ Mu said. Tez’ Mu being closest, shut it.

“He’s dead!” Raq’ Mu exclaimed, startling all of them. His wife was the first to react.

“Who? Who is dead?”

“Dor’ Yan!” Raq’ Mu hissed the name. The shock was immediate. Essa-kest’ Mu cried out, a sharp short sound. Her sons froze.

Raq’ Mu’s face was grim. “Kan’ Un sent news that there was no activity at the Yan manor early this morning. Nothing at all. So I hurried over to check if there was any problem. And I found them—” Raq’ Mu clapped his hand to his mouth, “Everyone in the manor, Essa’! Slaughtered!”

“What—!” Essa-kest’ Mu reeled. “How—?!” She seemed unable to form a complete sentence.

Riel’ Mu and Rian’ Mu gripped the weapons at their waists involuntarily, their faces ashen.

“Who did this, lord father?” Rian’ Mu asked, his voice raw with rage, “Is this an attack on our family targeting the Yans because of our alliance with them?”

“I—I have no idea,” Raq’ Mu admitted, placing both hands on his long table. His chest heaved as he sighed. “I found Dor’ Yan in the front courtyard, savaged. We must act quickly. I shall send someone to—” he paused, his face hardening, “—clean up the place.”

Essa-kest’ Mu’s hands flew to her face, “What shall happen to Royan’?” she murmured, her voice shaking, her body cold all over “What shall we tell Royan’?! Why today, of all days? Why Dor’ Yan?”

“I do not know, I do not know, Essa’!” Raq’ Mu shook his head, his jaw tense. He turned to his eldest son, “Riel’, I will depend on you now. Take some men and head quickly to the Yan Manor. Clear up the place and prepare Dor’ Yan’s body for burial.”

“Burial?” Essa-kest’ Mu cut in, aghast, “Shall today become a burial then, my lord?”

“Peace,” Raq’ Mu raised his hand, “Riel’, you have you orders.”

“Yes, lord father,” Riel’ Mu nodded grimly and exited the room immediately.

“Rian’, order Heng to take down the hangings.”

“My lord!” Essa-kest’ Mu lurched forward, “We cannot! We cannot do that!”

“So what do we do, Essa-kest’ Mu?” Raq’ Mu shouted. Tez’ Mu flinched. “He is dead, Essa’!” Raq’ Mu said, raising his hands, “They are all dead—servants, squires, stable boys, guards, Dor’ Yan! Everyone in the Yan Manor has been slaughtered!”

Essa-kest’ Mu heaved, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to process the news. Suddenly, she turned around and rushed out of the room.

“She will bring the news to Royan’,” Raq’ Mu said grimly, “Rian’, you have received my order. There shall be no wedding today no more. The groom is dead. I shall address the guests.” He walked out from behind the table, heading towards the door. Rian’ Mu followed him.

Tez’ Mu, still in shock, trailed behind them like a puppet, his mind numb. He did not know what to think. He did not want to think. Unconsciously, he found himself rushing towards the west side of the manor, where his mother and sisters’ chambers were. He wove through the crowd of chattering ladies and servants, finally reaching the Royan’s door.

Without hesitating, he pushed it open.