Xiao Pei swallowed hard, clutching Du Juan's arm like a drowning man clings to driftwood, his chest rising and falling in quick shallow breaths.
She gave him a soft squeeze, grounding him with that small touch of reassurance.
Lin Zhaoyue, meanwhile, stretched a little while arching her back, her arms unfurling.
A mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she declared, "Alright then. I'll take a short break… before I raid the capital later."
Her tone was lighthearted, almost casual, yet the elders froze as Lin Zhaoyue's casual words sank in.
Fang Chen nearly stumbled back a step, his face pale as paper.
"R–raid the capital…? As in… the Qin Capital?" His voice cracked, disbelief lacing each word.
Fang Jingyi pressed her lips together, her eyes flashing with alarm.
"Matriarch… the capital is not some border fortress. That is the seat of the Qin royal family. To march there openly—"
"—is suicide!" Fang Sun blurted out, forgetting all formality in his panic.
