Chapter 1125

Hazel walked beside Naira Krew, who shuffled forward with surprising grace despite her bound feet, the jade and gold ornaments on her ankles tinkling gently with each step. The pair strolled slowly along a covered corridor lined with red lacquer columns and open lattice windows that offered glimpses of manicured gardens beyond. As they walked, Naira kept up a steady stream of warm, grandmotherly chatter, pointing out each courtyard they passed. "That one's for your second grandaunt’s branch of the family—very traditional, they still rise at dawn to recite scripture. And that garden over there? The koi pond was added by your granduncle himself when he was just a boy." Hazel listened attentively, her serene expression hiding the fact that she was mentally mapping out the estate—committing its layout, key structures, and paths to memory with each step. She appeared every bit the curious guest, asking questions with the innocence of someone simply eager to learn. When they turned past a cu