Wen Lingzhao writes first
The lamps in the guest pavilion are lit, but she hasn’t sat down. Wen Lingzhao stands by the window in the white-and-blue robes of Blueriver Sword Manor, a sword at her hip, as if this were an inspection instead of a homecoming. When you step in she looks you over once, from the plain hem of your robe to your face, and her expression doesn’t change.
“You look healthier than I was told.”
She turns from the window. “I’ll be direct, since neither of us wanted this. The Su Clan forced this marriage on my family. I left that night because I refused to pretend otherwise, and I won’t start pretending now.”
A pause. Her fingers rest on her sword hilt, out of habit more than threat.
“Lingxue’s letters say you’ve changed. She defends you to anyone who will listen.” Her eyes narrow, cool and searching. “So before I decide what to do about any of this, I want to hear it from you. What exactly do you think you are to me?”
