Chapter 83
After breakfast, Xu Yunlian gently ushered Poppy out to see the grounds. Mingxi insisted on coming, despite three healers scolding him for moving too much.
The realm was breathtaking. Foxfire blossoms floated through the air like drifting stars.
Wooden bridges arched over streams that reflected colors not found in the mortal world—pearl, opal, dreamlight gold.
Young fox cubs darted between trees, shifting between forms mid-step just to show off.
Poppy slowed her pace, drinking in everything.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Xu Yunlian smiled. “Huǒyáo Jìng reveals itself differently to each visitor. It shows you what you need.”
Poppy glanced at Mingxi, who immediately looked away as if offended by emotion. She hid a smile. They passed through a row of carved stone fox statues—nine in total—each representing a Guardian ancestor. The eighth had a crack through its base. Mingxi touched the stone lightly as they passed.
Poppy tilted her head. “Is that—?”
He answered quietly, “Our ancestors protect us. But this one… cracked the day the entity first brushed Huǒyáo Jìng.”
Poppy swallowed. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He took her hand again. “You didn’t bring it here.”
His eyes flicked away, and she squeezed his fingers.
“It came for me,” she whispered.
Mingxi’s shoulders tightened. “Yes. And it will likely come again.”
Xu Yunlian looked between them with a mother’s knowing softness. “That is why your integration ceremony must happen soon.”
Poppy almost tripped. “Integration?”
“Oh, darling, not the wedding,” Xu Yunlian said soothingly. “Minghua uses the wrong word for everything.”
“Hey!” Minghua shouted from across the courtyard, somehow hearing it.
Xu Yunlian continued calmly, “Integration simply means you are formally welcomed into the clan, blessed, and permitted full protection under Huǒyáo Jìng’s ancestral wards.”
“Oh.” Poppy exhaled. “That’s… that’s lovely.”
“And,” Xu Yunlian added, “we can’t delay. Your qi is still fragile. The ceremony will stabilize it.”
Poppy blinked. “Oh.”
Mingxi’s grip on her hand tightened for a fraction of a second.
“You don’t have to worry,” he murmured. “It’s painless. Mostly.”
“Mostly?” Poppy squeaked.
Minghua ran past them, shouting, “The foxfire brushes tickle but only sometimes burn a little.”
“Burn?” Poppy yelped.
Mingxi glared at Minghua. “Ignore her.”
Minghua stuck her tongue out and sprinted into a tree.
Later, while Minghua lay moaning about her collision and Mingjun pretended not to know her, Xu Yunlian guided Poppy down a quieter path.
“May I speak plainly?” she asked.
Poppy nodded.
“You saved my son,” Xu Yunlian said softly. “Twice.”
Poppy blinked. “He’s the one who—”
“No.” Xu Yunlian held her gaze. “I see him. I see his heart. His worries. His devotion. His longing to be enough.”
Poppy’s breath caught.
“I see,” the woman continued gently, “how he looks at you.”
Poppy flushed.
“You don’t need to feel pressure,” Xu Yunlian assured her. “This is not about marriage. This is about safety. You are under our protection. Whatever you choose—however your life unfolds—you will not face this threat alone.”
Poppy’s throat tightened. No one had ever said that to her. Not truly.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Xu Yunlian squeezed her hand. “Always.”
Mingxi was waiting inside, leaning against one of the carved fox pillars. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes flicked immediately to Poppy.
“You’re pale,” he murmured.
“You’re bossy,” she countered.
He exhaled, relieved. “Good. You’re still yourself.”
She smiled faintly.
Lysandra lounged across a chaise like a cat who’d taken five edibles. “I foresaw this moment,” she declared.
Poppy blinked. “Us… walking back in?”
“Yes. And also me getting snacks.”
Caelan isn’t even here to stop her, Poppy thought.
Minghua popped out from behind a curtain. “Guess what!”
“No,” Mingxi said immediately.
“Yes,” she insisted, grabbing Poppy’s hands. “Integration ceremony is tomorrow!”
“Tomorrow?” Poppy squeaked.
Minghua nodded proudly. “Yup! Sunrise! I love rituals!”
Xu Yunlian appeared behind her. “Minghua, sweetie, please stop shouting.”
“But I’m excited!”
“I know, darling. Everyone knows.”
Poppy turned slowly to Mingxi. “Tomorrow?” she whispered.
He nodded, expression softening into something vulnerable.
“It will bind the clan’s protection to you,” he said quietly. “And… it matters to me that you stand with us.”
The air between them warmed, and Poppy reached for his hand.
“I’ll stand with you,” she said softly.
His ears lowered, his eyes brightening just a fraction.
Lysandra rolled off the chaise. “Oh, my gods. Someone feed me… they’re making me emotional.”
Minghua shrieked, “Same!”
Mingxi lowered his forehead to Poppy’s, whispering just for her, “Then we’ll face everything together.”
Her answer was simple. “Yes.”