[Nihuang flexes her wrist, hiding a smile at the surprise in Firo's voice. She's proud of her people and the role her family plays in keeping the nation safe, but the reminder of her neglected responsibilities is a finely cast needle of guilt, sometimes ignorable but never for long.]

The Mu family has always been a martial one. Yunnan is a large province of Da Liang and we are often at war. If I were not here now, I would likely be in the thick of it.