Elder Xiao burst into the closed-door chamber and found only men's clothing. Veyon was gone.
"Kidnapped already?" Elder Xiao's mind went blank. "This is bad."
Su Yan hurried after Yuan Rusi. The girl fluttered through the streets like a songbird freed from its cage, wanting every snack, every trinket, every strange sight.
"Veyon said his sister would keep me company. I think he meant I would keep her company."
Before long, both their arms were full of food, mouths stuffed like squirrels. Su Yan had no money except a thousand-jin gold ring. He chipped off flakes to pay, leaving shopkeepers stunned.
"I know a fun place!" Yuan Rusi grabbed his hand and pulled him forward.
They threaded through crowds, ducked beneath spirit-beasts, and soon reached the Divine Capital's inner ring. A dozen carriages clogged the road.
"Young Master Su of Lingling? I come at the Liu patriarch's command!"
"I'm from the Guo inner court, sent to welcome you!"
"Young Master Su, the Cui carriage!"
"The Pei carriage is fast and steady!"
Even a eunuch arrived in a prison cart, too embarrassed to speak among the jeweled palanquins.
Su Yan ignored them all. "I prefer walking."
The stewards leaped down and walked with him. Behind them, a train of carriages stretched for blocks.
He entered the Divine Capital unchallenged. The stewards pressed invitations, but Su Yan declined them all. "I have old friends here. I'll stay with the Yuan family. By the way—whose gourd is this?"
He showed the crimson gourd. A Wang steward examined it. "No markings. Hard to say which estate. Young Master, did you encounter soul-harvesters by the river?"
"A few strange men collecting souls."
"Probably refining spirit-pills for some elder's longevity. Common enough."
Su Yan frowned and handed the gourd to Yuan Qi. The serpent's head ballooned, swallowed it whole, then shrank back.
The stewards led him through streets where three colossal statues—the Three Sage Emperors—presided over streams of incense that formed floating highways and rainbow bridges across the Luo River. Even in death, these emperors commanded worship, their spirits inhabiting the idols at year's end.
Su Yan pointed at a towering willow wrapped in black qi. "What is that?"
"Lone Willow Hill. Where they execute criminals."
They passed it. A hundred men knelt in rows, golden guards supervising. A white banner stood nearby—to collect souls for elixirs.
"They're executing Zhou family members," a Cui steward said. "Days of it now. The women were sold to pleasure houses. Treason against the throne, you see. His Majesty was merciful—not nine generations exterminated."
Su Yan looked away.
At the Yuan estate, the gates opened to reveal Veyon himself—polite, refined, everything a young lord should be. Elder Xiao's face darkened, but Veyon intervened. "Serpent King Su travels far. If we turn him away before all these stewards, the Yuan name becomes a joke."
Elder Xiao reluctantly admitted them.
Inside, Veyon guided Su Yan to a quiet courtyard. "My apologies. My sister is willful. She's been punished—no dinner."
"Your sister did nothing wrong. I asked to stay out."
"Yuan family rules stand."
Then Guo Xiaodie's voice shattered the calm. "Su! You actually came to the capital! You have guts!"
She punched his chest hard enough to stagger him. "Your little snake bit my fourth uncle! My aunt had to cut off his arm! He's still complaining that bathroom breaks are inconvenient!"
Yuan Qi fled, hissing, "Your uncle tried to strangle A-Yan! Keep away or I'll poison your whole family!"
Su Yan rubbed his chest. "Tell Fourth Uncle to see me. I'll reattach the arm."
Guo Xiaodie brightened. "He was ordered to kill you, so I'll make him kowtel first. Where's Veyon?"
Veyon appeared, distant. "My cultivation enters a critical phase. I fear I cannot entertain you." He turned to Su Yan. "My household is small. I have only one sister, Yuan Rusi, my blood twin. She looks much like me. Since I cannot host you properly, she will show you the city."
Su Yan started to refuse, but Veyon pressed on. "It would be poor hospitality otherwise."
A young woman emerged through the garden—bright yellow dress, clear eyes, a smile that stopped hearts. She looked eight or nine parts like Veyon, but softer, more alive.
"You're Su Yan from Lingling?" She took his hand without hesitation. "The capital is huge, with so much to eat and see. Let's go play!"
Yuan Qi tried to follow. Yuan Rusi glanced back. The serpent froze, shivering. "A-A-Yan, I'm tired from the journey. You go."
She dragged Su Yan across rooftops, leaped onto the incense highway, and raced through imperial traffic with golden guards in pursuit. They dove beneath the highway, sword-qi carrying them along its underside until the guards lost them.
They landed on the crown of the Empress Who Stole the Nation's statue—a flat expanse with a thousand-li view. Yuan Rusi laughed, flushed with excitement, and produced a green grape.
"Su-gege, do you know what this tastes like?"
"I haven't tried it."
She popped it into her mouth, then pressed her lips to his.
Su Yan's mind went white. The grape was sweet. Her lips were softer.
She pulled back, cheeks pink. "I don't usually do this. We only met today. But looking at you... it feels like I've known you forever."
Su Yan's heart hammered. "I don't usually do this either. It's... sweet. Like cherry blossoms."
She laughed, eyes dancing. "I asked about the grape, not my lips. But you like them! I made the rouge from spring cherry blossoms."
* * *
The great bell drifted from Su Yan's head. "A-Yan. It's getting dark."
Su Yan jumped. "Lord Bell! How long have you been—"
"Always. I alternate days between you and Seven. Today is yours."
"Don't tell Veyon."
"I've hung in temples for three millennia. I've seen worse than kissing. But A-Yan—your spiritual sense was boiling. Next time, visualize me. One chime, and your heart becomes still water."
Su Yan thought about that. He rather liked the boiling feeling.