Yuelan and her friends had a good time chatting and catching up on what had been happening lately. The Zhou and Zhao families were looking for good matches to be their daughter’s marriage partners, though neither Hanju nor Xiuya were very excited by the prospects. Yuelan offered encouragement and sympathy while her two friends complained about the young men their families were looking into.

When the tea was gone the girls stood up to leave. As they walked outside there was a loud clap of thunder and the skies that had been clear before they arrived at Red Orchid Pavilion turned overcast and a sudden downpour started.

“Run for the carriage!” Yuelan called out as she started running from the front door of her tea house to the carriage. Hanju and Xiuya followed right behind her and all three girls quickly climbed into Yuelan’s carriage with their servants right behind.

Byakko was the size of a house cat and he settled himself in Yuelan’s lap. I thought this might happen. The white tiger has a smug air about him. Though I wasn’t sure if those purple rocks on your head were actually what I thought they might be, so I didn’t say anything.

Yuelan stiffened and looked down at the smug cat in her la, her eyes narrowed. Explain, Byakko.

I’d heard there was a purple stone that the Dragon Priestess and a select few other individuals could use to predict the future. I think it might be the ones you’re wearing.

She rubbed her face and looked up as Hanju and Xiuya reached out to put their hands on her knees.

“Yuelan, what’s wrong?” Xiuya asked.

“It’s nothing.” She knocked on the carriage wall behind the driver. “Take us back to my Crystal Moon Residence. My friends and I will change clothes there.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.” The driver set the carriage in motion and the two carriages belonging to the Zhao and Zhou families followed behind.

Yuelan looked over at her friends and gave them a helpless smile. “It seems we’ll have to put shopping off for another day. We can’t walk around outside in this weather.”

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“That’s alright, Yuelan. It means we’ll get to plan another day to spend time together.” Xiuya smiled and Hanju nodded in agreement.

“That’s true. I can play the guzheng for you after we’ve changed into dry clothes if you want. We can set things up for you to paint and dance at the same time.” Yuelan smiled.

The other two young ladies laughed and nodded. “That sounds like fun!”

They chatted happily on the way to the residence and servants held up umbrellas to shield them from the rain as they headed inside to the courtyards where they could change and make themselves presentable.

“Camphor, please ask Seiryuu to come speak with me,” Yuelan requested as her maids finished helping her change her clothes. “It’s important, so I would appreciate it if he came quickly.”

The maid saluted and hurried out of Yuelan’s courtyard to find the azure dragon. She returned after just a couple of minutes sith Seiryuu following behind her.

“What is it, Yuelan?” Sieryuu asked. His forehead was lined and his brow creased with worry.

“I sensed the storm before it started,” Yuelan explained. “Byakko said it might have something to do with the stones in the circlet I’m wearing.”

Seiryuu studied the stones then nodded. “It does. You are wearing charoite. It helps with prophecy and foresight. Did that son of mine not teach you this already?”

She sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Long He has taught me a lot, but there’s still so much more to learn.”

A large hand patted Yuelan’s head and Seiryuu smiled down at her. “You will learn in time. For now, just be cautious when wearing charoite. The future is always changing and what could take place in the future may change.”

Yuelan nodded. “I understand. Is there anything I should be aware of?”

“Usually, charoite will warn you when danger is coming your way, but it can warn you of minor things as well. Just be cautious to not rely on it completely or you will miss many important things.”

“Thank you, Seiryuu.”

“Grandfather.” Seiryuu chuckled. “Call me grandfather instead. My name feels too distant for someone who carries my blood and you are my descendant. Call me by name.”

Yuelan nodded. “My friends are probably waiting for me. I should go to the conservatory so I can play the guzheng for them.”

“I would be pleased to hear you play, Yuelan. It has been some time since I heard anyone playing that instrument. I haven’t heard it since before my daughter was still alive.”

Yuelan smiled and curtsied. “I would love to play for you, grandfather, but I’m afraid that may not be possible. Hanju gets nervous dancing in front of anyone and I promised to play for her to dance.”

Seiryuu nodded. “Perhaps another time then.”

“It would be my pleasure, grandfather.” Yuelan looked up at Seiryuu. “Perhaps after Hanju and Xiuya go home.”