The afternoon sun slanted across the sky, its golden light spilling softly over the roofs of Black Tortoise City. It was about three o'clock when Wei Geng finally put down his axe and wiped the sweat from his brow.

His new home—three bedrooms, one living room, a kitchen, and a small bathroom—was modest, but to him, it was perfect.

Though it was a little smaller than the house he once owned in the Moon Lake Tribe and lacked a courtyard, it was clean, bright, and warm. After the chaos of the past few months, that was more than enough.

At the moment, he was cutting wood into planks with his hunting knife, preparing to make a bed for his family.

Just as he was measuring the wood, a gentle voice called out from behind.

"Husband, I'm taking Xiaolan to the high ground to serve the Moon Lord."

Wei Geng turned around. His wife, Su'er, stood there with their daughter, Wei Youlan, a slender, quiet girl of thirteen. The girl clutched her mother's hand tightly, her big eyes calm yet cautious.

Wei Geng froze for a moment. "Serve… the Moon Lord?"

He looked down at his daughter—so small, so soft-spoken, still a child in his eyes. His brows furrowed. "Xiaolan is only thirteen. Isn't that too young to be a maid?"

Su'er smiled faintly. "Thirteen isn't young anymore. I was chosen as a maid when I was twelve."

She reached out and gently smoothed her daughter's hair, her tone soft but firm. "Besides, it's not like she'll be serving anyone directly right away. I just want her to follow me and learn—manners, discipline, how to behave around nobles. After a year or two, if she's ready, then she can serve the Moon Lord or Miss Yue Feiyan properly."

Wei Geng still hesitated, his grip tightening on the wooden board in his hands. "But…"

Su'er cut him off, her voice turning serious. "But what? Wei Geng, we're not in the Moon Lake Tribe anymore. This is Black Tortoise City. Things are different now."

She crossed her arms, her tone almost like a mother scolding a child. "The only person we can truly rely on here is the Moon Lord. Sending our daughter to serve her is the best path for Xiaolan's future—and for ours."

Wei Geng scratched his neck uneasily. "Then… let's at least wait until tomorrow. Let her rest for a day first."

Su'er shook her head firmly. "No. I can't delay. The Moon Lord is still injured, and there's no one around her to take care of her right now."

"Wait, aren't there already girls serving under the City Lord?" Wei Geng asked, frowning. "I saw some of them when we arrived."

Su'er glared at him, one hand resting on her hip. "Wei Geng, are you brain-addled from fighting beasts all these years?"

Her voice carried both irritation and amusement. "Those girls aren't servants—they're companions and trusted aides. The only person they serve is the City Lord himself. Their status is completely different from ours. You can't lump them together."

Wei Geng blinked, looking embarrassed. "I—I understand."

"No, you don't understand at all," Su'er said, sighing deeply. Her tone softened again as she tried to make him see reason. "Listen, those women aren't simple. You can't treat them as ordinary girls. Anyone who lives up on the high ground—especially close to the City Lord—has an identity and influence we can't afford to offend."

She knew her husband was a straightforward, honest man, but also too naive for court politics. The last thing she wanted was for him to blurt out something foolish in front of someone important.

Wei Geng nodded, realization dawning on his face. "Alright, I get it now."

"Good." Su'er exhaled lightly, then looked at the half-finished bed. "And don't worry about this. You can finish building furniture later. What matters now is that you report to the City Lord and get your assignments sorted out. There's no use lazing around."

"But the bed—" Wei Geng started to protest.

Su'er glared again. "It can wait till nightfall! A man should focus on the bigger matters first."

Before he could argue further, she grabbed her daughter's hand and turned toward the door.

Wei Geng could only sigh and set the planks aside. "Alright, alright."

As Su'er and Wei Youlan walked away, the woman muttered under her breath, "Honestly, your father's hopeless. Sometimes I think it takes a woman to get things done properly."

Wei Youlan looked up curiously, but her mother continued, half lecturing, half teaching:

"Remember this, Xiaolan—if you ever become a maid by the Moon Lord's side, you must always keep your eyes sharp, your lips sealed, and your mind alert. Watch everything, speak little, and think twice before you act."

"I understand," Wei Youlan said softly, though her tone was hesitant, unsure.

"It's fine if you don't understand now," Su'er said gently. "You'll learn soon enough once you see how the world really works."

They climbed the stone steps leading up the high ground. Su'er's face grew solemn. "There's no place for idlers here, child. Everyone must work, even if it's something small. If you have nothing to do, you'll be left behind."

"Yes, Mother," Wei Youlan replied obediently, her voice quiet but firm.

"Once we reach the top, stay close to me and don't wander off," Su'er reminded as they neared the summit.

"Okay."

When they finally arrived at the high ground, they saw a white-haired girl standing guard near the entrance, a bow slung across her shoulder and a mask concealing half her face.

The sight made Su'er's heart tighten slightly. She recognized her instantly—Liyue, one of the City Lord's closest companions. Even without words, her aura was sharp and commanding.

"Miss, we're here to see the Moon Lord," Su'er said respectfully.

Wei Youlan noticed that her mother's hands trembled ever so slightly, though her tone remained calm.

Liyue's pale eyes studied them quietly before she finally pointed toward a nearby house. "Over there. The one on the left. Don't wander around, or you'll regret it."

Her voice was cool and even, but it carried an edge that made the air grow heavy.

"Yes," Su'er replied quickly, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Miss."

She took her daughter by the hand and led her toward the house. As they walked, she muttered softly, "Your father really doesn't understand… how could such a girl serve anyone? She looks more like someone who kills than someone who pours tea."

Then, glancing at her daughter, she whispered, "If you ever work here, don't get jealous of others or try to compete. Remember who you are and where you stand."

"I won't," Wei Youlan said timidly.

"You're too soft-hearted," Su'er sighed, reaching out to caress her daughter's cheek with affection. "That's not always bad… but it can make life harder."

Wei Youlan blushed faintly, lowering her head.

As they reached the door, Su'er warned once more, "When we go inside, don't speak unless spoken to."

"Yes, Mother."

Su'er knocked softly on the wooden door. "Moon Lord, it's Su'er."

A gentle, slightly lazy voice came from within. "Come in."

Su'er pushed open the door and entered, with Wei Youlan following quietly behind.

Inside, Yue Qinlan—once the proud Moon Lord—was half-lying on her bed, her long silver hair spilling loosely over the pillow. In her hand, she held a piece of tanned beast hide and a charcoal stick, scribbling something down in elegant strokes.

"Moon Lord, you're injured," Su'er said anxiously, hurrying forward. "You should be resting, not working."

Yue Qinlan smiled faintly without looking up. "Lying around all day makes me restless. Doing a little something helps pass the time."

She lifted the piece of hide slightly for Su'er to check the wound, then turned her gaze toward the shy girl standing behind her.

"Su'er, is this your daughter?" she asked softly.

"Yes," Su'er replied with a respectful nod. "I brought her so she can learn how to serve properly. Once she's trained, I hope she can serve you or Miss Yue Feiyan in the future."

Yue Qinlan gently shook her head. "Don't call me 'Moon Lord' anymore. I'm no longer the leader of the Moon Lake Tribe."

Her tone was calm but resolute. "And besides, I don't need anyone to serve me. You should take your daughter to the City Lord instead."

Su'er blinked in confusion. "But, Yue Miss, your injuries haven't fully healed—surely someone should care for you…"

"Su'er," Yue Qinlan interrupted gently but firmly. "You must understand—I am not the master of this city. The City Lord has no one attending to him yet. How could I, a guest, accept personal service?"

Her reasoning was sound, and Su'er understood the deeper meaning behind it.

If news spread that Yue Qinlan, a guest and former leader, had servants while the actual City Lord did not, it could damage Luciel's reputation. It would make him appear weak or overshadowed by her—and that could divide the people's loyalty.

That was something Yue Qinlan refused to allow.

Su'er bowed her head, her voice subdued. "I… understand."

"Good," Yue Qinlan said with a graceful wave of her hand. "Go ahead. Don't worry about me. I'm well enough."

"Yes." Su'er hesitated briefly, her gaze drifting to the sleeping young woman beside the bed—Yue Feiyan—before she turned and gently guided her daughter back outside.

As they stepped into the corridor, Su'er sighed quietly. "Let's go, Xiaolan. We'll find the City Lord next."

Wei Youlan nodded silently, clutching her mother's sleeve as they walked toward the middle house—the place where Luciel, the lord of Black Tortoise City, resided.

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