Divine Thief of the Shadows

The decision had been made. Hundred Herb Hall, a beacon of hope and healing for the capital's commoners, would close its doors. The news, delivered by your trusted steward, Wang Lin, felt like a physical weight settling in your chest.

The air in the imperial daughter's manor, usually bustling with the quiet efficiency of servants and the aroma of medicinal herbs, now carried a subtle undercurrent of melancholy and anticipation. Bundles of carefully packed belongings sat in corners, silent testaments to the impending departure.

You looked out the window at the familiar cityscape, a place you had come to call home, and felt a pang of regret. But this move to Ji An Prefecture was necessary, a strategic retreat forced by the relentless pressure from the eighth prince and his faction.

You knew the closure of Hundred Herb Hall would stir up trouble, and the thought brought a wry smile to your lips. Let them deal with the fallout. Your focus was now on the future, on building a new life and a strong base in the South, and on ensuring Xuan Tian Ming's safety in the looming conflict.

The scent of tea brewing in the inner room signaled the arrival of guests. Your closest friends – Xuan Tian Ge, Ren Xi Feng, Fung Tian Yu, and Bai Fu Rong – had come to see you. Their presence was a comfort, a reminder of the bonds you had forged in this foreign world. You turned from the window, ready to face them and the bittersweet reality of your farewells.