Fang Tian [2]

Fang Tian stepped out of the study, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

He wandered through the still courtyards of the Phoenix Soul Pavilion, letting his feet carry him aimlessly beneath the soft hush of swaying silk lanterns and the rustle of wind through peach blossoms.

Eventually, he came to a stop beside the koi pond.

Servants were finishing their morning task, tossing small pinches of spirit feed into the water.

The koi darted beneath the surface, flashes of orange, white, and gold rippling like sunlight through glass.

Fang Tian stood in silence, hands behind his back, gaze fixed on the fish.

Then, without warning, he turned and briskly walked to a shaded corner behind the pavilion.

There, he doubled over and vomited.

It wasn't graceful.

When it was done, he wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve, letting out a long exhale.