At that moment, Elder Xuang-Ji-Zong finally spoke.
"Hm," he said thoughtfully. "The past two days have weighed heavily on all of us. Everyone must be exhausted by now. I believe we should rest for the time being."
He then turned slightly toward the throne.
"If it pleases Your Majesty and Crown Prince Wang-Wei."
Crown Prince Wang-Wei nodded in agreement at once.
"Yes, Elder. I feel the same. I will order all royal guards to return."
With that, the tension in the hall slowly eased. Everyone waited respectfully for Crown Prince Wang-Wei and King Jiang-Lin to depart first. Only after the two had left did the remaining elders and officials begin to disperse, one after another.
Outside, Jia-Hai gently took Bai-Xu's hand and guided her into his carriage.
Just then, Ning-Ya-Ting moved to follow them inside.
"Take another carriage," Jia-Hai said coldly. "Bai-Xu is exhausted. She needs to rest."
In truth, the carriage was a special royal carriage of the Ning family.
Hearing this, Ning-Ya-Ting hurriedly spoke,
"But Grandpa, this carriage will get us back to the mansion faster—"
Jia-Hai's expression darkened instantly.
"Why do you never listen to what others say?" he snapped. "All you know how to do is speak without thinking."
His voice grew colder with every word.
"And what you did back there—I haven't forgotten it. Right now, I don't even want to see your face."
He turned away sharply.
"Leave."
With that, Jia-Hai stepped into the carriage, gave the order to depart, and the carriage began moving.
Standing where she was, Ning-Ya-Ting watched the carriage disappear into the distance.
Her teeth clenched tightly as anger consumed her. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over despite her efforts to hold them back.
Fury, humiliation, and resentment twisted together in her chest—burning, yet powerless.
Inside the moving carriage, Bai-Xu finally broke the silence.
"Grandpa," she asked softly, "why don't you like Elder Sister? We are both Father's daughters... we both carry your blood."
Jia-Hai let out a low sigh.
"Hah," he said. "Because I know the temperament of that mother-daughter pair all too well. Their personalities are... twisted."
He then turned to her, his gaze sharpening.
"Tell me," Jia-Hai said, his voice steady but serious. "What exactly happened in the forest?"
Hearing this, Bai-Xu recounted everything that had occurred in the forest—every detail, every strange encounter—except the part about meeting her mother.
She deliberately left that truth unspoken.
When she finished, Jia-Hai fell into deep thought. The carriage rumbled forward as silence stretched between them.
"So," he finally said slowly, "you're telling me that someone was following you... and that everything that happened at the academy—along with the creature you encountered—was all connected to you?"
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Hmmm..."
The sound carried a weight of suspicion and unease, as if unseen shadows had begun to move once more.
Bai-Xu looked up and asked softly,
"Grandpa... do you know of anyone who might be my enemy? Or perhaps one of Mother's enemies—someone who could be targeting me because of her?"
Jia-Hai fell silent for a moment, his expression turning distant.
"Child," he said slowly, "your mother had countless enemies. She was the number one warrior of our country, a Gold-Rank cultivator whose name shook entire battlefields."
A trace of pride and sorrow flickered in his eyes.
"But I do not believe your mother's enemies would come after you."
Bai-Xu frowned slightly.
"Why not, Grandpa?"
Jia-Hai exhaled quietly.
"Because although Huang-Lin had many foes, even those enemies respected her deeply."
He looked straight ahead, his voice firm yet heavy.
"You may not remember this, but when Princess Huang-Lin died, even her enemies came to mourn her passing."
His gaze softened.
"She was a woman worthy of respect—even in the eyes of those who stood against her."
The carriage fell silent once more, filled with the weight of an untouchable legacy and questions that had yet to find their answers.
"And Elder Nu Shi-Jie," Bai-Xu added quietly. "She never liked my mother much. Even today, she kept targeting me."
Jia-Hai let out a long sigh.
"Child," he said gently, "Nu Shi-Jie is a great Gold-Rank cultivator. She has devoted her entire life to our country."
His tone remained calm, measured.
"She is sharp-tongued and quick to anger, yes—but she is also an extremely judgmental person. What she says is what she truly believes."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"She may have been jealous of Huang-Lin... but she was never her enemy."
Jia-Hai turned to look at Bai-Xu, his gaze steady.
"If she spoke harshly, it was because she believed she was right. I do not think she harbors any malice toward you."
The carriage rolled onward, but Bai-Xu's thoughts grew heavier.
If Nu Shi-Jie was not the enemy... then the shadow behind her was far more dangerous than she had imagined.
"Bai-Xu," Jia-Hai said gently, "don't worry. As long as I am able, I will protect you and help you in every way I can. But this incident has made one thing clear—someone is after your life."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"From now on, you must be even more cautious."
"Yes, Grandpa," Bai-Xu replied obediently. "I will take care of myself."
When they arrived at the Ning Mansion, Jia-Hai personally escorted Bai-Xu all the way to her courtyard. He paused at the entrance and asked,
"How long do you plan to stay here? I think it would be better for you to move to your mother's yard."
Bai-Xu smiled softly and shook her head.
"No, Grandpa. This place is tucked away at the back of the Ning Mansion. Hardly anyone comes here. If I need to leave at any time, no one will disturb me. For now... this is the best place for me."
Jia-Hai stepped into the room and glanced around.
Inside, there was only a broken bed and an old wooden chair.
His chest tightened.
Turning back to Bai-Xu, he said in a low voice,
"I will have new furniture sent over. Clothes as well... and proper bedding."
His voice softened, filled with regret.
"This is my fault. I should have paid more attention. I truly should have come sooner."
He lowered his head slightly.
"I'm sorry, my child. Please forgive your grandfather."
The room fell silent—heavy not with fear, but with unspoken love and long-overdue remorse.
"You don't need to apologize, Grandpa," Bai-Xu said softly. "Truly... you arrived at exactly the right time."
She looked up at him, her eyes clear and sincere.
"You appeared when you should have—when I truly believed I was alone in this world. Grandpa... I am genuinely grateful to you."
Jia-Hai smiled.
He reached out and gently rested his hand on Bai-Xu's head, his touch warm and reassuring. Without another word, he turned and left.
Not long after, footsteps echoed through the courtyard.
Groups of servants arrived, carrying large bundles and boxes. One by one, they unloaded the items, arranged everything neatly, and then quietly withdrew.
When Bai-Xu stepped inside the room, she froze.
The once-bare space had been completely transformed.
A luxurious bed stood at the center, accompanied by a finely carved table and chair. Elegant paintings adorned the walls, and exquisite furnishings filled every corner, turning the room into something worthy of a noble residence.
Bai-Xu stared at the scene in stunned silence.
"...Grandpa really went overboard," she murmured softly.
Yet despite her words, a warmth spread through her chest—slow and undeniable.