Chapter One: Father's Disappearance

A month ago, a great upheaval shook the Empire of Neon Garments. In a single night, the heads of three of the realm’s most illustrious families—the Yue, the Yuwen, and the Zhou—together with one lord, vanished without a trace after venturing into Phoenix Ridge, the foremost of the four forbidden grounds. Three days later, the young masters, Yue Lingjun, Yuwen Lingxi, and Zhou Qian, temporarily took over as heads of their respective houses, assuming command of their households.

When Yue Lianyue first heard of her father’s disappearance, she had just awoken, her small hands still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She pouted at her elder brother, Yue Lingjun, who stood at her bedside. “Big Brother, don’t tease me. How could Father possibly be missing? I saw him last night, didn’t I? He was instructing you in martial arts.”

Yue Lingjun stepped forward and tucked the quilt around her. “Lian’er, I’m not lying to you. Father truly is missing. Uncle Yuwen and Uncle Zhou are gone as well. Rumor outside is that they all entered Phoenix Ridge together. I think…”

“Young Master,” came the voice of Qingfeng, Yue Lingjun’s attendant, through the door, “Steward Yue has sent someone to invite you. The guest has arrived in the main hall and requests your presence.”

“I understand. Tell Steward Yue to show our distinguished guest to the Council Pavilion. I’ll be there shortly.”

He turned back to his sister. “The household will be in turmoil these next few days. Stay in your room and be good. I have many matters to attend to. Listen to Lanshui—she’ll keep you safe.” He gazed at his dazed little sister, affectionately ruffling her hair before turning and leaving.

“How could it be? How could Father… He doted on me so much. Has he abandoned me? Has Father abandoned me… Big Brother…”

Yue Lianyue blinked in confusion, only to realize her brother had already gone. Through the gauzy curtains by her bed, she could faintly see a blue-clad figure. She knew it was Lanshui—the only person she could rely on in this household, aside from her father, elder sister Lianyu, and elder brother Lingjun.

“Lanshui…” she murmured.

The figure in blue drew aside the curtain and came to her bedside, heart aching at the sight of her young mistress’s helplessness. “Miss, Lanshui is here. Why not lie down a while longer? The young master has instructed the kitchen to bring your breakfast here today. There’s no need to go to the hall.”

“Lanshui, my brother said Father is missing. Rumor is he and Uncle Yuwen and Uncle Zhou went into Phoenix Ridge together. Could he be looking for…”

Before she could finish, Lanshui pressed a hand gently over her lips. “Miss, some things are best kept in your heart. Not even to Lanshui may you speak of them!”

Seeing the panic on Lanshui’s face, Yue Lianyue playfully stuck out her tongue, trying to trace a circle on the palm over her lips. But Lanshui noticed at once and quickly withdrew her delicate hand, leaving Yue Lianyue to stick her tongue out in embarrassment.

Taking a step back in relief, Lanshui smiled as her young mistress regained her spark of mischief. “If you’re like this, I’m relieved, Miss.”

“I was just caught off guard by the news,” Yue Lianyue replied, masking her worry and disappointment. “Father is a master of martial arts, unmatched in the world. Now that I know he’s gone to Phoenix Ridge, I can only hope for his success. I wish…” She paused, her eyes betraying her concern before she forced herself to smile. “Besides, my brother said the household will be unsettled for the next few days. I can’t distract him with my troubles.”

Lanshui looked at the girl before her, feigning strength, and for a moment, seemed to see another pair of eyes overlapping hers…

Yue Lianyue reached out, tugging at Lanshui’s sleeve. “Lanshui, I’m hungry…”

“Just a little longer, Miss. Xiangling is in the kitchen keeping an eye on things. I’ll go hurry them along.”

After Lanshui’s figure disappeared behind the curtains, the worry and disappointment that Yue Lianyue had managed to hide surged back into her eyes. With her father missing, all those petty figures who had once lain low under his authority would surely resurface. Would the calamities of seven years ago repeat themselves?

She pulled the quilt over her head, shutting herself into that small space. Back then, everyone had believed the five-year-old Yue Lianyue was sound asleep in her room. Who would have guessed that she had been startled awake by a nightmare, and in her confusion had wandered to her brother’s door, only to have Lanshui—who had followed her—tap her mute point and hold her tightly in her arms, forcing her to watch, tearfully, through the crack in the door, everything that transpired. If her father hadn’t returned just in time, what would have become of her brother… Lianyue dared not let her thoughts go further…