In the quiet stillness of the Liang estate's west garden, Lady Liang sat beneath a magnolia tree, her hands wrapped around a cup of warm chrysanthemum tea. The late afternoon sun cast golden light across the garden, dappling the stone paths and swaying flowers. Her face, though composed, was drawn with quiet worry.
The soft click of footsteps signaled Liang Mei's arrival.
"Mother," she greeted with a nod, holding a slim data tablet to her chest.
Lady Liang looked up and gave a small smile. "Come. Sit with me."
Liang Mei took the seat opposite her, placing the tablet carefully between them. For a moment, neither spoke. The chirping of birds and distant hum of training drills were the only sounds in the air.
"You've reviewed her latest scan?" Lady Liang finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I have." Mei tapped the tablet, bringing up a three-dimensional projection of swirling energy patterns. "There's an increase in resonance. Her power continues to evolve, faster than I anticipated."
Lady Liang stared at the projection, eyes narrowing. "Is she stable?"
"For now," Mei replied. "But the Fourth Bloodline doesn't grow quietly. The more it awakens, the more volatile the reactions. She's already showing signs of deeper manifestations. Night terrors. Emotional spikes. Increased physical resilience. Her aura alone is starting to pressure the younger ones."
Lady Liang sighed, setting her tea down with a soft clink. "She's just a child. She should be playing, not—"
"I know," Mei interrupted gently. "I know. But she's not like the others. None of us were. And Yue… she carries all of it."
There was a long silence.
"I still remember the day she was born," Lady Liang said at last, her voice softening. "The first time she cried, the lights in the delivery room flickered. The doctors said it was coincidence. I knew better."
Mei glanced down. "She doesn't complain. She tries to carry it all. Even when she's in pain."
"That's what worries me most," Lady Liang murmured. "She hides it too well. Like you did."
Mei's shoulders stiffened.
Lady Liang reached across the table and touched her daughter's hand. "You've done more than enough for this family, Mei. But let's not let Yue bear everything alone."
"I'll continue monitoring her," Mei said after a pause. "And I'll adjust her training schedule to reduce stress triggers. Maybe even isolate certain combat styles that won't risk instability."
"Good," Lady Liang nodded. "And I'll speak with Zhen. He's been pushing her hard."
"She doesn't want to disappoint him."
"She doesn't need to please anyone," Lady Liang said firmly. "She just needs to survive this power without breaking."
The magnolia petals drifted between them, carried by a soft breeze. For a moment, time seemed to pause, and all that remained was a mother and daughter—both strong, both burdened, both doing their best to protect the girl who might one day carry the weight of the world.
"Promise me," Lady Liang said, voice steady, "no matter what the Council wants… Yue's well-being comes first."
"I promise."