When the siblings finally returned home, their parents were already waiting with dinner prepared.
"Perfect timing!" Her father smiled wide. "Did you bring back anything nice?"
The siblings shook their heads, pulling out the herbs they collected during the day onto the wooden dining table.
"Oh! Blue Azure flowers!" Her mother exclaimed as she came out of the kitchen with a few bowls of steaming rice. "This would be a nice addition to our garden."
Li Hua smiled and nodded, "Yes, it'll look beautiful with the spirit orchids you planted last season. The spiritual essence they release should complement each other." She carefully arranged the delicate blue petals, trying to keep her hands from trembling as she remembered the events in the cave. The familiar comfort of her family's courtyard helped steady her nerves, though her mind kept drifting back to honey-brown eyes and a predatory smile.
