Bai-Xue's eyes glimmered with a mixture of hurt and disbelief as she spoke, her voice trembling slightly. "You... you're not happy to see me, Aunt Jing-Yi? I thought... I thought you loved me the most..."
A cold, unreadable smile curved Jing-Yi's lips. She didn't answer. Silence fell like a heavy curtain over the room.
Ya-Ting, her mother and her sister Hai-Rang, and her sister shrank back, fear written plainly on their faces. Each of them knew—if Bai-Xue revealed even a fragment of that night's horrors, their lives would be at risk.
Finally, Jia-Hai broke the tension, stepping forward with a gentle but firm tone. "Bai-Xue... tell us what happened that night. Who were the people who kidnapped you? You don't need to be afraid. I am here with you. Just tell me... who did this?"
Ya-Ting's hands trembled as she clutched her mother's sleeve. "Mother... if she mentions our names... what will we do?" she whispered.
Jing-Yi's sharp gaze silenced them instantly. "Shut up. Don't say a word."
Min-Sheng, stepping closer to Bai-Xue, his voice calm yet resolute, added, "You don't need to be afraid. I am here. Tell us what happened. We will make them pay for what they did to you."
Bai-Xue's eyes shifted slowly, first meeting Min-Sheng's gaze with a cold, blank stare. Then she turned to Ya-Ting and Hai-Rang. The moment her eyes met theirs, their bodies trembled with uncontrollable fear.
A soft, chilling smile spread across Bai-Xue's lips as she murmured to herself, "Haaa... I love these expressions."
Then, in a voice low and deliberate, she spoke, her words slicing through the air. "That night..." She looked directly at Ya-Ting, her eyes piercing. "...I... I don't remember what happened. Nothing. Maybe it was shock... I tried to recall, but... it's all blank."
Ya-Ting let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She exchanged a glance with her mother, relief washing over her.
Bai-Xue's gaze lingered on Ya-Ting. "But... the only thing I remember..." Her voice grew softer, almost fragile. Ya-Ting's body trembled again as she whispered, "W-What... what do you remember, Third Sister?"
Bai-Xue's eyes glistened with tears. "I remember crying for my first sister... in that time of grief... You didn't come. Why... why didn't you come to save me?"
Ya-Ting, her own fear battling with guilt, reached out desperately. "Oh, my dear sister... please forgive me. I couldn't save you... if I had known... I would have done anything to prevent this from happening."
Bai-Xue touched her own cheeks, her voice tinged with accusation and longing. "I felt as if... you didn't even remember me after I was gone. As if... you wanted to get rid of me."
A heavy silence fell over the room. The three of them froze, their faces pale and stricken. Then, with a rush of warmth, Jing-Yi stepped forward and embraced Bai-Xue tightly. "Oh, my precious baby girl... how could you even think that? It would have been impossible for me to live without you."
Bai-Xue's lips curved into a small, genuine smile.
Bon-Hwa scoffed, half in exasperation, half in jest. "Hah... all this fuss over you, and yet you take everything as a joke."
Before Bai-Xue could respond, her father's booming voice filled the room, sharp and full of scorn. "Ever since you were born, have you ever done anything good for this family? You've brought nothing but shame!"
Jing-Yi's voice wavered, a desperate plea. "Mother... My Lord... please... she's just a child..."
Bon-Hwa's tone was harsh. "You are far too soft-hearted with her."
Jia-Hai's voice cut through the tension, anger simmering. "Shameless son! Your daughter has just returned, and you speak to her this way?"
Ya-Ting added softly but firmly, "Grandfather is right, Father... you should not speak to Bai-Xue in this manner. We should be grateful she has returned safely."
Bai-Xue's eyes darkened, her tone icy. "Then... why didn't you come, Sister?"
Her voice shifted suddenly, adopting a childlike lilt. "...I mean... aren't you supposed to be my guard? Always saying you work hard to protect me... and yet... you didn't come. I kept hoping... thinking my sister would come and save me... I thought you were my superhero... but maybe... you're useless."
Chang-Pu's face turned crimson with anger. "Bai-Xue... how dare you speak to your sister like that!"
Bai-Xue darted behind Jing-Yi as if seeking refuge, peeking out just slightly. "Aunt Jing-Yi... did I say something wrong?"
Jing-Yi gritted her teeth in irritation but forced a smile. "Of course not, my child." She turned to Chang-Pu, voice firm. "My lord... don't be angry. She's just a child."
Ya-Ting's voice trembled as she tried to explain. "Sister... I tried so hard to find you. If you don't believe me, ask Third Prince." She took Min-Sheng's hand, her eyes pleading. "Third Prince... please tell my sister how much I searched... how could I not try? I became a Third-Level Summoner... all for you, to protect you."
Bai-Xue's expression turned cold, her words sharp. "Of course... otherwise, the daughter of a concubine wouldn't have the right to stand with a royal prince, hand in hand... right, Sister?"
Shock rippled across the room. Hands flew to faces, mouths agape. Bai-Xue's lips curled into a mischievous, childlike smile. "Did I say something wrong, Aunt Jing-Yi?"
Jing-Yi could only stare at her in stunned silence. Bon-Hwa opened his mouth, but Min-Sheng quickly withdrew his hand. "It's not like that, Princess Bai-Xue... you misunderstood."
Bai-Xue tapped her finger against her cheek, pouting like a child. "Oh? Then what is it? You didn't come to find me, hmm? Let me see... ohhh... were you too busy... with my big sister? Hehe."
Everyone froze, wide-eyed, horrified at her audacity.
Chang-Pu roared, "You useless girl! Have you lost your mind? Go to your room this instant, and don't come out!"
Bai-Xue's voice trembled, half in defiance, half in mock hurt. "Father... are you imprisoning me again?"
"Imprisoning?" Min-Sheng echoed, confused.
Jing-Yi quickly intervened. "Nothing... nothing. Take the princess to her room." One of the maids stepped forward, gently guiding Bai-Xue away.
Ya-Ting, tears welling in her eyes, whispered, "Why did Sister say such things..."
Jing-Yi patted her shoulder gently. "Don't mind her, little one. She's just a child... and she's been through an unimaginable shock. Please forgive her."
Min-Sheng's voice was steady, determined. "Of course. I understand her frustration—she's upset I couldn't save her. But I will find those responsible... and I will make them pay."
With that, he bowed slightly and turned to leave, his resolve unshakable.