For the first time in her life—
Bai-Xue did not feel alone.
Jia-Hai's presence behind her was not loud, nor forceful... yet it was unwavering, like an ancient mountain that would never collapse. And in that quiet support, something within her finally settled.
A realization.
Perhaps... not every battle must be fought alone.
The weight she had carried for years seemed to loosen, even if only slightly.
Slowly, Bai-Xue lifted her chin.
The hesitation that once lingered in her eyes had completely vanished, replaced by a calm, unshakable confidence.
When she spoke—
her voice carried authority.
"Very well," she said, her tone clear and composed, echoing through the hall. "Since Father wishes to know my intentions..."
A brief pause.
"Then I shall make them known."
Every gaze locked onto her.
"From this day onward," Bai-Xue continued, "I will take full control of the Ning Family's household management and financial affairs."
The words landed like a decree.
No one dared to interrupt.
"And as for the stipends allocated to the concubines and their children..."
Her expression remained indifferent.
"I will have them reduced by half."
A ripple of shock passed through the room.
"From what I have observed," she added coldly, "such excessive allowances are... unnecessary."
Her gaze then shifted—
landing directly on Jing-Yi.
There was no warmth in her eyes now.
Only clarity.
"And one more thing."
Her voice sharpened slightly.
"All belongings that once belonged to my mother, Huang-Lin..."
She let the name linger in the air.
"...which are currently in the possession of Ya-Ting, Hai-Rang, and the First Concubine—"
Her tone left no room for argument.
"—are to be returned immediately."
Ya-Ting and Hai-Rang froze in place, their faces paling.
Bai-Xue took a single step forward.
Each word that followed carried the weight of judgment.
"As for the discrepancies in the accounts..."
She lifted her gaze toward Jia-Hai briefly, then back at the others.
"I will be submitting a formal report to the Royal Court for investigation."
A collective breath was drawn.
"But," Bai-Xue continued, her tone unwavering, "until the investigation is concluded—"
Her eyes swept across Jing-Yi, Ya-Ting, and Hai-Rang.
"—you will remain confined to your chambers."
The command fell like a final verdict.
"No one is to leave without permission."
Silence.
The moment Bai-Xue's decree settled over the hall—
panic erupted.
Ya-Ting and Hai-Rang's faces drained of color. Without a second thought, they hurried toward Chang-Pu, their movements hurried and ungraceful, a stark contrast to their usual composure.
"Father!" Ya-Ting cried, her voice trembling. "You must do something! Bai-Xue cannot issue orders like this!"
Hai-Rang clutched his sleeve tightly, her eyes filled with fear. "You are the head of the Ning Family... how can you allow this?"
Their voices overlapped, laced with desperation.
Because they understood—
far better than anyone else—
what this meant.
If an investigation truly began... there would be no telling when it would end.
And more importantly—
what it would uncover.
After all, the truth was something they knew all too well.
For years, Jing-Yi and her daughters had spent the family's wealth like flowing water—without restraint, without proper record.
If they were confined now—
they would lose all ability to maneuver, to scheme, to cover what had already been done.
And once the Royal Court intervened...
no one would be able to save them.
A chill ran through Jing-Yi's spine.
She stepped forward quickly, her earlier sorrow replaced by urgency.
"My Lord," she said, her voice trembling as she looked at Chang-Pu, "you must act. Bai-Xue is still just a child... she does not understand what consequences her actions will bring upon this family's reputation."
Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides.
"Please... you must stop her."
Yet beneath that outward plea—
her thoughts were in complete disarray.
No... this cannot happen.
Her teeth pressed lightly against her thumb as panic surged within her.
Bai-Xue cannot take control...
If an investigation begins... everything we have hidden for so long will be exposed.
Her heartbeat quickened.
And if we are confined...
A flash of fear crossed her mind.
We will miss the banquet... we will lose our chance to meet them...
Suddenly, she grasped Chang-Pu's arm tightly.
"My Lord, please," she urged again, her voice softer but more desperate, "you must persuade Bai-Xue."
Chang-Pu's expression darkened.
He stepped forward, his authority returning as he faced Jia-Hai.
"Father," he said firmly, "Bai-Xue is not yet capable of making such major decisions."
His tone carried restrained anger.
But Jia-Hai did not waver.
"I do not see it that way," he replied calmly.
His gaze shifted briefly toward Bai-Xue, filled with quiet approval.
"None of Bai-Xue's decisions seem wrong to me."
The hall fell still.
"It is her rightful claim to take back Huang-Lin's belongings," Jia-Hai continued, his voice steady and authoritative.
"And as for those holding those items—"
His eyes hardened slightly.
"Confinement is not an unreasonable measure."
The weight of his words crushed any lingering opposition.
But Ya-Ting was not willing to give up.
"Grandfather!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp with anxiety. "What about our reputation?"
Her nails dug into her palms.
Inside her mind, her thoughts raced wildly—
No... I must attend the banquet.
Her jaw clenched.
If I appear there... perhaps Prince Min-Sheng will notice me...
A flicker of determination replaced her fear.
Perhaps he will even break his engagement with Bai-Xue...
Her eyes darkened.
No matter what... I must go.
Meanwhile—
Chang-Pu turned toward Bai-Xue, his patience finally snapping.
"You should be ashamed!" he snapped. "Look at your sisters—look at how you have pushed them into the position of criminals!"
His voice grew harsher.
"And your mother—"
He gestured toward Jing-Yi.
"Enough of this nonsense about investigations! Dismiss this idea immediately, do you understand?"
The command echoed.
But Bai-Xue did not respond immediately.
Instead—
she turned her gaze toward Jia-Hai.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Jia-Hai did not speak.
He did not interfere.
He simply smiled.
A calm, steady smile—
as if to say:
I trust you.
Whatever decision you make... will be the right one.
And in that silent exchange—
Bai-Xue found all the answer she needed.
For a brief moment, the tension in the hall lingered—
thick, suffocating, unmoving.
Bai-Xue fell silent.
Her lashes lowered slightly as if she were weighing something far more complex than mere orders. The authority she had just claimed did not make her reckless—it made her precise.
After a short pause, she spoke again.
"Very well... Father."
Her voice had softened, but it did not lose its clarity.
"I respect you deeply."
Those words alone caused a flicker of surprise to pass through the hall.
"And it is for that reason," she continued calmly, "that I will withdraw the order of confinement."
A collective breath was released.
"But—"
The single word fell sharply.
"The rest of my orders will remain unchanged."
The relief that had just begun to form instantly froze.
Chang-Pu's expression twisted with anger.
"Bai-Xue, you—!"
Before he could finish—
"Chang-Pu."
Jia-Hai's voice cut through the air like a blade.
Cold. Firm. Absolute.
"How many times must I remind you?" he said, his gaze heavy with disapproval. "You are raising your voice at Bai-Xue again."
Chang-Pu stiffened.
"You should be thanking her," Jia-Hai continued, his tone steady yet carrying undeniable authority. "Do you not see how much respect she holds for you? She has already shown mercy by yielding to your words."
Each sentence pressed down on Chang-Pu's anger, forcing it back.
For a moment, he stood there—
his jaw clenched tightly, his tongue pressed beneath his teeth, swallowing every word he wished to say.
In the end—
he said nothing.
Turning sharply, he left the hall without another glance.
Silence followed his departure.
Then—
the sound of footsteps approached.
Jian-Mei entered, leading a group of maids behind her. They moved in an orderly line, their heads lowered respectfully as they awaited instruction.
"My Princess," Jian-Mei said softly.
Bai-Xue looked at them, her expression once again composed and resolute.
"You will accompany Concubine Jing-Yi and her daughters," she instructed. "Search their chambers thoroughly and retrieve every item that once belonged to Princess Huang-Lin."
Her voice held no hesitation.
"Not a single piece is to be left behind."
The maids bowed in unison.
"And one more thing," Bai-Xue added, her gaze shifting toward Jing-Yi.
"Concubine Jing-Yi has resided in the Lotus Pond Chamber for far too long."
A pause.
"That residence belonged to my mother."
Her tone turned final.
"From today onward, she will be moved to the quarters designated for concubines."
A ripple of shock passed through the room.
"And I—"
Bai-Xue lifted her chin slightly.
"—will reside in the Lotus Pond Chamber."
For the first time—
Jing-Yi's composure cracked completely.
Her eyes turned red with fury, her fingers trembling at her sides.
Yet she said nothing.
Not a single word.
Turning abruptly, she left, her steps sharp and unsteady.
The maids followed behind her, moving swiftly to carry out the orders.
Soon—
the hall began to empty.
Time passed.
And with it—
everything changed.
Jing-Yi's belongings were moved out of the Lotus Pond Chamber, piece by piece, until nothing remained of her presence there.
Though the concubine quarters were still grand—
they could not compare.
The Lotus Pond Chamber was something else entirely—
a residence of elegance, history, and unmatched refinement.
A place that had once belonged to Huang-Lin alone.
And now—
it returned to its rightful heir.
At the same time—
in Ya-Ting and Hai-Rang's chambers—
the atmosphere turned chaotic.
Maids moved in and out, carrying away silks, jewelry, ornaments, treasures—
everything that had once belonged to Huang-Lin.
Piece by piece—
their rooms were stripped bare.
What once gleamed with luxury slowly revealed its truth—
emptiness.
When it was finally over—
the rooms felt hollow.
Lifeless.
Almost unrecognizable.
Ya-Ting and Hai-Rang stood frozen at the entrance.
Their eyes widened in disbelief.
The chambers that once sparkled with wealth now looked dull, plain—
almost ugly.
Because the truth had been exposed—
those rooms had never truly been theirs.
A moment later—
rage erupted.
"BAI-XUE!!!"
Their voices rang out together, filled with fury, humiliation, and helplessness.
Meanwhile—
back in the quiet of the courtyard—
Jia-Hai stepped closer to Bai-Xue.
His presence was calm, unhurried.
He raised his hand and gently placed it upon her head.
"Hm..."
A faint, nostalgic smile touched his lips.
"For a moment just now..."
His voice softened.
"It felt as though Huang-Lin was standing before me once again."
Bai-Xue blinked—
then smiled.
One by one—
the maids carried everything into the treasury hall.
Silk-wrapped bundles, carved jade boxes, lacquered chests inlaid with gold... each item was placed down with the utmost care, as though they were handling relics rather than mere possessions.
When the last piece was set in place, the maids bowed deeply.
"Princess, all items have been returned."
With her permission, they quietly withdrew, leaving the vast chamber behind them in complete stillness.
And what remained—
was overwhelming.
Bai-Xue stood at the entrance, momentarily stunned.
Her eyes slowly swept across the room.
Treasures filled every corner.
Exquisite robes embroidered with phoenix patterns, jewels that shimmered like captured starlight, rare ornaments crafted with such precision that each piece seemed alive...
Every single item was extraordinary.
Not one was ordinary.
She stepped forward unconsciously, her fingers brushing lightly over a finely crafted hairpin.
"...Grandfather," she asked softly, genuine confusion in her voice, "why did Mother bring so many things with her?"
Jia-Hai let out a quiet chuckle.
"Hm... your mother was a princess," he said, his tone carrying a trace of fondness. "The Emperor gave whatever he could... and more."
His eyes softened as he looked at the treasures.
"It was less a dowry... and more a display of how deeply she was cherished."
Bai-Xue fell silent.
For a moment—
she could almost feel it.
The weight of a love she had never truly witnessed, yet was now surrounded by its remnants.
But before the moment could settle—
Jia-Hai suddenly clapped his hands lightly.
"Enough of this," he said, a playful glint appearing in his eyes. "There has been far too much drama since morning."
He stepped closer, placing a hand behind his back like an excited elder planning something.
"Come, come—let us choose a beautiful dress for you."
Bai-Xue blinked.
"Grandfather, I can wear anything—"
Before she could finish—
"Princess!"
Jian-Mei's cheerful voice echoed as she rushed in.
In her hands—
were layers upon layers of clothing and jewelry.
And right behind her—
Jia-Hai himself was already holding a few pieces, looking unusually enthusiastic.
Both of them turned toward Bai-Xue at the same time—
their eyes shining with expectation.
Like children eager to dress up their favorite doll.
Bai-Xue froze.
A faint sense of danger crept up her spine.
Because she knew—
this would not end quickly.
Time lost all meaning after that.
Robes were brought in endlessly.
One after another—
Jian-Mei insisted she try them all.
"This one, Princess!"
"No, no, this one suits you better!"
"Ah! Wait, try this with this hairpin!"
Meanwhile, Jia-Hai stood nearby, nodding seriously as if evaluating a matter of great importance.
"Yes, yes... this one is elegant."
"Hm... but that one has better embroidery."
"No, change again!"
Bai-Xue—
changed.
And changed.
And changed again.
Silks of every shade brushed against her skin, jewels adorned her hair, then were replaced, then added again—
She had long lost count of how many outfits she had worn.
If someone had seen her then—
they would have thought she was nothing more than a beautifully dressed doll being endlessly styled.
And yet—
she did not grow angry.
Instead—
somewhere along the way—
she began to smile.
A soft, genuine smile.
Because for once—
this moment was not filled with schemes or hidden daggers.
It was simple.
Light.
Almost... warm.
Much later—
Bai-Xue finally escaped.
She stepped into the courtyard, letting out a long breath as if she had just survived a great battle.
"Today... I barely made it out alive," she muttered under her breath.
A small laugh followed.
"Grandfather and Jian-Mei..."
She shook her head slightly.
"They truly share the same spirit."
Her mind replayed the scene—
Jia-Hai seriously selecting dresses, Jian-Mei enthusiastically making her try each one...
Outfit after outfit.
Jewelry after jewelry.
She had changed so many times that even she could not remember the number.
And yet—
instead of exhaustion—
what lingered was something else.
A quiet happiness.
Standing there under the open sky, Bai-Xue allowed herself a small, peaceful smile.
Because for the first time in a long while—
she had not only fought...
she had also lived.