Zi Xin offered a perfect, shallow bow. "Councilor Gu."
The old man's thin lips stretched. "No need for such formality, child. We are all… connected now, in a way." His gaze dropped pointedly to Zi Xin's throat, where the necklace lay hidden. "I trust you are finding our Tingyi's… attentions… beneficial?"
The question was a trap, laden with poison. To agree was to align himself publicly with the Gu heir's whims. To deny could be seen as an insult.
Before Zi Xin could formulate a response, a calm, youthful voice cut through from behind Councilor Gu.
"Grand-uncle. I see you've found the guest of honor."
Gu Tingyi materialized as if from the air itself. He stood beside his elder, not deferential, but parallel. At twelve, he was still shorter than the old man, but his presence made the councilor seem somehow faded, like a parchment next to sharp, new steel.
Councilor Gu's smile stiffened. "Tingyi. I was merely welcoming our young… friend."
