Poppy blinked. “Yes?”
Minghua suddenly looked shy, toeing the stone floor. “May I… call you jiejie(??)?” Her voice turned hopeful. “It means ‘older sister.’”
Poppy’s breath caught. “Yes,” she said softly. “I’d like that very much.”
Minghua beamed—sunburst bright.
“Good! Then you can call me xiaomèi(??). It means ‘little sister.’ Because…” She leaned in with deep seriousness. “I’ve decided you’re family now. And that’s final.”
Poppy laughed. Honest and light and startled. “Then… xiaomèi, it is.”
Minghua squealed and immediately thrust a small embroidered pouch into Poppy’s hands.
“This one is special! I made it myself.” She pointed proudly to the silver thread design—a nine-tailed fox, elegant and swirling against midnight blue silk. “See? This is Dà ge’s future form.”
She paused dramatically. “Someday. If he stops brooding.”
“Hey!” Mingxi objected.
“Onedramatic moment per day is allowed!” Minghua scolded him.
Mingjun snorted. “Please limit them. For all of our sakes.”
Xu Yunlian laughed softly as she approached. “That pouch carries protection charms. For luck. For safe passage. And for warmth when the nights grow cold.”
Poppy ran her fingers over the nine golden tails. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Minghua puffed up, proud enough to burst.
Lord Shen Mingzhao stepped forward then—solemn, armored, imposing, yet his eyes held profound respect.
“Lady Penelope,” he said, bowing deeply, “you go toward danger on behalf of all realms. You do so willingly. That honor marks you as one of our own.”
Poppy bowed back, graceful, sincere. “Thank you, Dà rén.”
He placed a hand on Mingxi’s shoulder.“????(shouhùhao ta),” he murmured. “Protect her well.”
“I will,” Mingxi said, and he meant it with every breath in him.
Minghua’s voice suddenly broke the solemn quiet. “Group hug!”
“Minghua! No,” Mingjun groaned.
Too late.
She flung herself at Poppy and Mingxi both, arms wide; Yunlian joined with warm laughter, Mingjun allowed himself to be dragged in, and even Lord Mingzhao rested a steady hand on the huddle.
Poppy froze, but then she breathed, melting into it just a little.
Minghua squeezed her tightly. “Come back soon, Jiejie.”
Xu Yunlian whispered, “You always have a home here.”
Mingjun added, “If Mingxi does anything foolish, I’ll retrieve you both myself.”
Mingxi exhaled through his nose and then said, “That won’t be necessary.”
Minghua cupped her hands around her mouth as they stepped away. “Bye, Poppy! Bye, Dà ge(??)! Don’t die! And tell me everything when you get back!”
