Stunned, Bai Shuo glanced at Tao Hua, who quickly looked away, adding to her confusion.
“Oh, Mother, look at me—I’m full of life!” Bai Shuo jumped up and even gave a few energetic hops. “Strong enough to take down an ox!”
Madam Bai sighed in exasperation, pulling her back down onto the bed and tapping her forehead. “I wonder when you’ll finally grow up.”
“Mother, I’m sorry. I’ve caused trouble again,” Bai Shuo hung her head, guilt written across her face. “I’ve brought shame to you, Father, and A-Xi.”
Madam Bai’s eyes reddened again, and she held Bai Shuo close. “All I want is for you to be safe. If you don’t want to marry, you don’t have to.”
“Really?!” Bai Shuo’s eyes lit up, as she had no intention of marrying, her heart set solely on pursuing immortality. “Did the Chong family agree?”
Madam Bai’s expression faltered before she nodded absently. “With your willful nature, the Prime Minister’s residence agreed after your father himself intervened.”
Bai Shuo sighed in relief, nestling closer to her mother. “Mother, you’re the best.”
Madam Bai looked down at her daughter, a flicker of sorrow passing through her eyes, but she held back her words.
Only after Bai Shuo had drifted off to sleep did Madam Bai finally leave Shuluo Courtyard. Outside, General Bai was waiting, looking visibly aged with new streaks of gray at his temples.
Madam Bai, eyes red-rimmed, stumbled, and General Bai caught her, sighing. “My dear.”
He said nothing more, supporting her as they left the courtyard.
Night had fallen, and Bai Shuo hadn’t stirred. Tao Hua entered quietly, setting a lantern on the table and adjusting Bai Shuo’s blankets. Just then, a hand grabbed hers. She nearly gasped but quickly recognized Bai Shuo’s dark, unyielding gaze.
“Miss?”
Bai Shuo gestured for silence, then whispered, “Tao Hua, what’s really going on in this household?”
Tao Hua’s hands shook as she looked away. “What do you mean, Miss? Nothing’s wrong…”
“Tao Hua, we grew up together. I’m not an idiot. You can’t hide this forever. My engagement was a decree from the Emperor—how could it be broken just like that?” Bai Shuo’s voice grew rough, her eyes reddening. “Did something happen to Father or A-Xi because of me?”
“It wasn’t the master or Miss A-Xi… it was Young Master Chong…” Tao Hua, unable to hold back, let it slip before clamping her hands over her mouth in horror.
“What happened to A-Zhao?” Bai Shuo’s face went white as she jumped out of bed, grabbing Tao Hua by the shoulders.
Staring into Bai Shuo’s worried eyes, Tao Hua finally broke down. “Miss… the Chong family has fallen.”
Bai Shuo froze as Tao Hua’s tearful words filled the air.
“The day after you and Young Master Chong were brought back, the Emperor ordered the confiscation of the Prime Minister’s estate!”
Bai Shuo gasped in shock. “Impossible! Prime Minister Chong has always been honest and cautious. Why would the Emperor confiscate his home?”
“Raising private soldiers.” Tao Hua hung her head, whispering the words. “The Emperor sentenced the entire Chong family to death, to be carried out tomorrow.”
Bai Shuo collapsed to the ground. She quickly scrambled to her feet, not even bothering to put on shoes, and pushed open the door, dashing outside.
“Miss!” Tao Hua chased after her but could find no trace of Bai Shuo.
Bang! The door to the ancestral hall of the General’s residence swung open as Bai Shuo burst inside, finding her father Bai Xun alone, standing under the cold, flickering candlelight.
“Father!”
Bai Xun didn’t respond, remaining silent as Bai Shuo ran forward, kneeling before him with a broken voice. “Uncle Chong can’t possibly…”
“Ten thousand private soldiers hidden in Wei City. The evidence is irrefutable; there is no way to overturn the verdict.” Bai Xun sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Shuo’er, I have done everything in my power. You must understand that raising private soldiers is a crime of treason.”
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