Wheeling Gull Isle heaven helps those who help themselves

the shàngjiàng, leader of the jūnshí— atausiq's promotion had not been in vain. their borders were well-kept, and to her knowledge, there hadn't been any major disturbances. during the evening, ying would emerge from her makeshift den beside the border, using the quiet hours to perform her own patrol. a small bump had begun to grow along her belly; knowing what this meant, she didn't want to take any unnecessary risks.

she hadn't visited anyone since her promotion. conversations were kept to a minimum, typically short and held only in passing. there were too many thoughts rolling through her mind, none of which translated to words. where had fengmian gone, and why had he left her? he'd damned her to an untouchable woman's existence, now known to the world as an unwed mother.

what was she to do? ying's brow furrowed with the thought, her body moving mechanically along her path.