The Weeping Moon: The Moon That Sheds Vermilion Tears

Inside the quiet study of Master Tian Mo, a faint trace of incense curled through the air. The Master reclined lazily on a cushioned chair, sipping tea like he had no plans of moving for the next hundred years.

That is, until they arrived.

"Master~!" Song Meiyu sang as she burst through the door with the kind of enthusiasm that made scrolls tremble on the shelves. She presented a plate of sticky rice cakes. "Fresh from the market!"

Master Tian Mo peeked one eye open. "Hmm. You want something."

"How could you say that?" she gasped, theatrically wounded. "I merely came to show respect to the wise and devastatingly handsome master—"

"Spit it out," he grunted, already reaching for a rice cake.

Shen Zhenyu stepped in, hands neatly behind his back, the picture of calm. "We would like permission to accompany Junior Sister Linyue on her journey to the south."

Master Tian Mo raised a brow. "And why would I let the three of you drag chaos across the countryside?"

He Yuying leaned in, eyes sparkling. "Master, did you know the south is rumored to have wild phoenix mushrooms? Extremely rare. Probably useful for… back pain."

Master Tian Mo paused mid-bite. "…Back pain?"

"Very good for circulation too," Shen Zhenyu added smoothly. "And liver meridians. Possibly eternal youth."

Song Meiyu clapped her hands. "And think of it, Master! A quiet house. No shouting, no fires, no mysterious booms from the training yard. Just peace and tea. Doesn't that sound nice?"

Master Tian Mo squinted at them suspiciously. "You're telling me if I say yes, you'll all leave?"

"Immediately," Shen Zhenyu nodded.

"And I get peace?"

"Total silence," Song Meiyu vowed.

"… And no one will use my tea leaves to make medicinal soup again?"

He Yuying winced. "That was one time…"

There was a long pause.

Then Master Tian Mo leaned back with a sigh, lifting his teacup like a toast. "Fine. Take your chaos and your phoenix mushrooms. But if the south sends a messenger demanding reparations, I'm changing my name."

The three of them exchanged a victorious look. With one final dramatic pause, Master Tian Mo shrugged lazily. "Go. But don't make it too exciting, or I might change my mind."

"Deal!" the three chorused before bolting out like a pack of gleeful bandits.

As they filed out of the study, Shen Zhenyu shot a glance over his shoulder, "Don't worry, Master. We'll make sure it's perfectly boring."

Master Tian Mo's chuckle followed them as they left, knowing full well that nothing about this trip was going to be quiet or boring. And that was exactly how he liked it.

As the door swung shut behind them, Master Tian Mo glanced down at the now-empty rice cake plate.

"…They didn't even leave me a second one."