The valley had changed.
Not dramatically.
Not in ways strangers would notice.
The mountains remained where they had always been, ancient guardians wrapped in pine forests and drifting mist. The stream still wound its silver path through the valley floor. Old Master Wei's estate still stood nestled amongst plum trees and bamboo groves, hidden from the wider world by geography and careful design.
Yet time had touched everything.
The wall broken during the shadow attack years ago had long since been rebuilt.
The plum tree Su Su had healed continued to bloom each spring, though one branch remained slightly crooked—a permanent reminder of the day a frightened child had unknowingly commanded the world to listen.
The training yard had expanded.
What had once been a simple patch of packed earth was now surrounded by wooden posts, practice dummies, hanging targets, and wind chimes suspended from the eaves.
Zhe Yan's influence lingered everywhere.
Even though the phoenix himself had departed.
Most of all, time had changed Su Su.
At eleven years old, Tang Su Su Yuyan was no longer the frightened child who hid behind Nainai's skirts.
Nor was she entirely grown.
She existed in that peculiar place between childhood and adolescence where curiosity still outweighed caution.
Which was precisely why she was currently sitting halfway up the estate's oldest plum tree.
Again.
"Get down."
"No."
Mojing looked up.
His expression suggested he regretted every life choice that had brought him to this moment.
"Su Su."
"I am gathering blossoms."
"You are stuck."
"I am not stuck."
A shower of petals fell from the branches.
A moment later, a shoe followed.
Mojing closed his eyes.
"You dropped your shoe."
"I know where it is."
"On the ground."
"Exactly."
From the covered walkway, Nainai laughed.
Old Master Wei pretended not to.
Mojing pointed toward the branch.
"Down."
"No."
"You are impossible."
"That's what Master Zhe used to say."
"Master Zhe was correct."
"That isn't very supportive."
Their argument continued for another ten minutes.
Neither won.
Both believed they had.
It was a typical morning at the estate.
Which was why nobody immediately noticed the woman approaching along the eastern path.
YOU ARE READING
Choices and Consequences
FanfictionThis story has been swirling around my head for quite some time but I couldn't find the courage to write it because I am no writer. Nevertheless, I have decided to take the plunge to just get it out of my head. This story is based on my favourite...
