"I'm awake," Chen Yan said, reaching for the blanket. "Good," Song Ruanan answered. He moved a hand to tuck the blanket back around her. "Stay under for another hour." "You said that an hour ago," Chen Yan murmured, but her voice had warmth in it. The silk at her shoulder was wet with sleep. "The midwife said the baby needs quiet. Yu Ci said the same." "Yu Ci speaks with fists more than words," Ruanan said. He smiled and touched her hair once, the motion casual and full of possession. "I prefer arguments that end with tea." Chen Yan laughed. "Are you arguing with me to cover the fact you have court at dawn?" Ruanan sat up. The sleep on him didn't unmake the soldier: shoulders held like fired metal, hands quick and plain. "Court is always at dawn. That is not news." "Then why don't you go and lose face properly," Chen Yan teased. "I can supply incompetence for everyone." She raised her chin. "Show them your sword-minted charm." "Do not devalue charm," he said. "It is useless in a skirmish but excellent at making the men who need reminding hold their tongues." Yu Ci's heavy boots echoed in the corridor outside, slow and certain. "Captain is up," Chen Yan said. "He's been watching the courtyard since night. He worries." "Good." Ruanan looked toward the door. "Bring him in." Yu Ci entered without knocking. He stood like a gate—broad, blunt, always two