The old study was filled with the scent of aged sandalwood and ink.
Books lined the walls, and the warm glow of a desk lamp cast soft shadows over the mahogany furniture.
Old Master Feng sat in his armchair, wrapped in a fine robe, his eyes closed as he listened to the quiet tapping of rain against the window.
The door creaked open.
"Grandfather."
His eyes fluttered open.
And there she was.
Feng Xiao Xiao.
No longer the loud, reckless girl who once threw tantrums in this very room.
But a poised, calm woman—dressed simply, with her hands folded respectfully.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then he motioned for her to come closer.
"You look like your mother today," he said quietly.
Her heart clenched.
She sat on the cushion beside his chair, resting her head gently against his knee.
"I miss her," she whispered.
He reached out, trembling fingers brushing through her hair.
"She was the best thing I ever did right for this family. And your father… never deserved her."
"I know," she replied, eyes stinging. "That's why I'm going to make sure they never hurt Yichen. Or me. Ever again."
His hand paused.
"You've changed, Xiao Xiao. You see things now—things you once ignored."
She looked up, eyes steady.
"I died once, Grandfather. Even if no one knows it, I did."
His eyes widened a fraction—but then he simply nodded, as if somewhere deep in his bones, he believed her.
"I won't ask how," he said gruffly. "But I know your eyes have seen too much."
He reached into the drawer and handed her a sealed envelope.
"Keep this. It's a stake in the Feng shares. Enough to protect your brother, even if I'm no longer here."
She took it with trembling hands.
"Don't say that."
"Xiao Xiao…"
He looked at her, truly looked. "You must be ready. Lin Meilan and that poisonous girl Qian—they've been acting strange. I don't trust what they're planning."
"I do," she said softly. "They're planning to bury me at Yichen's banquet."
He looked alarmed.
But she only smiled—slow, sharp.
"They forgot I came back to bury them first."
—
As she left the room, his voice stopped her.
"Xiao Xiao."
She turned.
"I'm proud of you."
She didn't speak. Just smiled through the tears in her eyes.
And walked out into the night.
Tomorrow was the banquet.
And she was ready.