Chapter 11: The Phoenix Bites Back
Mei Xiao stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror, wincing as she rubbed the bruises on her arms.
"Martial training," she mumbled, "or domestic abuse?"
A maid tried not to snort. "Young Madam, today you're to attend the clan's council meeting."
"Great. Do I smile like a graceful lady or a kidnapped hostage?"
She marched into the council hall like a soldier reporting for punishment. Dozens of elders turned to look at her—judgmental, suspicious. One even scoffed.
"This is the new Madam of the Murong Clan?" muttered Elder Han, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Barely walks straight, let alone leads."
Mei Xiao blinked. Then smiled. "I heard old people become wise with age. Guess you missed the deadline."
Gasps echoed through the chamber. Murong Jing He, seated at the head, looked up sharply—but didn't intervene. A muscle in his jaw twitched, barely.
"You dare—!"
"I do," Mei said sweetly. "Please, do go on. I love bedtime stories from bitter men."
The room fell silent. Then, an unexpected sound—Murong Jing He chuckling under his breath. Just once. But it echoed louder than her insult.
Later, as they left the hall, he stopped her by the steps.
"You enjoy stirring chaos."
She grinned. "Only when I'm surrounded by fossils with opinions."
"You humiliated a clan elder."
"Oh no," she said dramatically, "will the heavens punish me with another stiff-necked sword lesson?"
He stared at her, unreadable. Then said, almost too softly, "You're different from before."
Her smile faltered. "You mean Mei Lin."
He nodded. "She was obedient. Silent. You are... not."
"Gee, thanks," she muttered, heart tightening.
Before he could say more, a servant rushed up with a message.
"Someone broke through the eastern perimeter. Left behind a burnt sigil with the character for 'Phoenix.'"
They both froze.
Mei Xiao turned to him. "Is that bad?"
His eyes darkened. "It means… someone knows."