At first she had listened with a tester''s caution, yet sentence by sentence that caution melted.


    Her eyes fixed on the radiant patterns, widening with surprise and then shining with unabashed delight.


    The breadth of Mr. Chance''s knowledge—and the angle of his insights-towered far above anything she had dared hope for.


    Concepts that had knotted her mind for months loosened at a single pointer from him, and theories she had never heard before clicked neatly into ce.


    Neither of them noticed when the morning sun climbed high; their conversation had carried them from the pearl-gray dawn well past third hour.


    Servants slipped in and out, refreshing the tea.


    On the table the glowing diagrams shifted, faded, and reformed as new ideas rose.


    Rania leaned forward,pletely absorbed, a soft flush coloring her cheeks with every fresh discovery.


    Across from her he spoke with confident ease, eyes bright, every gesture precise. Admiration, born earlier from looks alone, now grew richer, stronger.


    The emotion simmering inside her became a tangled blend of respect, appreciation, and a shy, quickening fondness she barely recognized.


    How long had it been since she met someone her own age who could speak to her like this—someone whose words did not force her to lower her standards?


    In the manor the touted young talents either fawned, prattled emptily, or cultivated power while ignoring books.


    And this Mr. Chance was — not incidentally — very pleasant to look at.


    Her heartbeat picked up.


    She caught herself noticing the slight part of his lips as he exined a point, the clean lines of his long fingers, the way hisshes dipped when he paused to listen.


    "Ms. Rania?" Jared''s gentle call cut through the haze.


    The sound snapped her back to herself.


    "Ah yes! Please continue, Mr. Chance. I''m listening."


    Heat rushed into her cheeks. She ducked her head, raised the teacup, and sipped


    to disguise the smile that threatened to escape.


    Across the table he watched her quietly.


    Something unreadable flickered behind hisposed eyes, gone before she could name it.


    He seemed wholly at ease, as though the discussion were unfolding even better than he had expected.


    He judged that Ms. Rania was bright, yet in some respects unexpectedly naive.


    He already had her full attention; she could deny that no longer, though she shoved the realization into a quiet corner of her mind.


    To Jared, it was the perfect opening.


    He had to mind the distance.


    Hold the attraction, yet never look rushed or slick.


    Stay the earnest schr, devoted to his studies, and let admiration for a bright


    woman surface only now and then-no further.


    "It''s gettingte..."


    Jared lifted his gaze to the paling sky and spoke with gentle care.


    "These scripture secrets won''t yield in a single sitting."


    "If Ms. Rania wishes, I can remain in the manor for several days, ready whenever


    you would like to explore them. I hope I''m not imposing?"


    "Not at all! Not at all!" Ms. Rania blurted.


    The words flew out before she could catch them, and a flush bloomed across her cheeks.


    Hershes dipped, voice shrinking to a murmur.


    "I mean... Mr. Chance, your learning is vast. Having your guidance is exactly what I wished for."


    "I''ll have someone see to your rooms right away. Stay as long as you like!"


    "Oh, and do you have any needs for the lodging? The Guest Reception Annex is quiet but perhaps too in. Maybe we could..."


    Jared noticed how easily she had begun thinking on his behalf.


    He answered with the same easy humility.


    "Thank you for the kindness, Ms. Rania. This courtyard suits me well, no need for further trouble. Only..."


    He paused, letting just a sliver of uncertainty show.


    "Grand Chambein Fay left so quickly that he never said when he would return."


    "I was invited rather abruptly. Aside from discussing scripture with you, I wonder if the manor needs any other assistance?"


    "If you have puzzles in the old texts, or require help sorting and verifying volumes, please say the word. I be happy to offer what small skill have."


    The phrasing struck the perfect bnce-guest yet willing, respectful yet probing for


    a path into Jade Immortal Manor''s deeper collections.


    Ms. Rania, already glowing with goodwill, answered at once. "Mr. Chance, you''re


    too modest! Staying to guide me is already a huge favor!"


    "The Library Pavilion holds many fragmented scrolls-some even Father hasn''t untangled. If you don''t mind the tedium, I could take you there another day. We might uncover more together!"


    Library Pavilion.


    The words sparked inside him like a struck flint.


    If he was lucky, that vault might hide clues about the celestials, the Soul-Refining


    Crystal, or the manor''s buried secrets.


    "In that case, I''ll gratefully ept, Ms. Rania."


    He folded his hands and offered a shallow bow. The faint smile he held brushed


    over her like warm spring wind.


    Her answering smile widened, bright enough to push any misgivings about Quentin far from her thoughts—at least that was how it looked to him.


    She lingered a heartbeat longer, gaze drifting as though already strolling among shelves with him.


    "Then... Mr. Chance, please rest. I''lle backter for more guidance."


    Reluctance flickered in her eyes, yet she rose and left the Bamboo-Listening Courtyard, ncing back three times before the gate closed behind her.


    Outside, she could not keep the smile from her face.


    evel


    She turned to her maid. "Go tell the overseer of the Guest Reception Annex that A Chance is my horrored guest serve him with the highest standard, spare no expense!"


    "And inform the Library Pavilion that I''ll be bringing Mr. Chance to consult texts in a


    few days. Have them prepare in advance."


    "Yes, Ms. Rania," the maid answered with a dutiful bow.


    Even so, a flicker of surprise crossed the girl''s eyes; her mistress rarely fussed over new guests.


    Rania walked back with a light step, already debating which knotty passage to bring up next—and which dress would best suit tomorrow''s meeting.


    Inside the courtyard, Jared watched her figure disappear down the path. The soft smile eased from his face, leaving calm stillness.


    Phase one-win her trust-had gone smoothly.


    Now he would use that trust to reach the manor''s core, draw near Julian, and sniff


    out the secrets of the Soul-Refining Crystal and the celestials.


    He returned to the stone table, lifted the cup of tea gone lukewarm, and took a slow


    sip.