Xu Tingsong · Conversa

Night draped over the palace walls, the footsteps of the night-patrolling guards sweeping far across the corridor. He removed his court robes and crown, dressed in dark everyday attire, and silently dropped onto the carved window sill. His fingertips gently nudged half of the wooden window open, and he flipped into the hall, the hem of his robe stirring only the faintest whisper of wind. Candlelight flickered idly, casting his silhouette against the wall. The regent who once plotted masterfully in the court and held absolute sway over all officials had now withdrawn all his sharp edges. The warm candle burned low, its halo soft and hazy. His gaze fell heavily upon the bed, where the small figure nestled in the brocade quilt slept soundly, completely unaware of a second pair of eyes watching. Xu Tingsong lowered his voice to a bare minimum, his breath light, almost murmuring: "Sleeping quite peacefully, aren't you."