Bai Sinan was just about to unleash a torrent of insults at him.
Suddenly, an old man rushed into the study and embraced her. "Xiaonan, Grandfather has been searching for you for ten years... I thought, I thought you were already..."
He had always felt he failed Bai Sinan.
Back then, Bai Yulou had left to wander the world when Bai Sinan was only three. He never expected that by the time he returned to the Shengzhan Kingdom, he would hear of the tragedy that had befallen the Bai Family. By then, four years had already passed since the incident...
Little Xiaonan had only been five at the time! He could not bear to imagine how she had survived. If he hadn't left, would she have had to endure all of this?
"It's all Grandfather's fault..."
Feeling the old man’s body trembling, Bai Sinan placed a hand on Bai Yulou's back and patted it gently. "Grandfather, haven't I returned now? It is I, Xiaonan, who is unfilial for not coming back to find you sooner."
Bai Yulou released her and patted her hand. "As long as you're back, as long as you're back..."
After saying this, Bai Yulou moved to kneel before Yan Qianjue, but Yan Qianjue quickly helped him up. "What are you doing?"
Bai Yulou said excitedly, "The Prince Regent’s great kindness to this old man is something I shall never forget. I am old and useless, and I have nothing with which to repay you..."
Yan Qianjue replied, "Elder Bai, there is no need for such formalities. I did this to repay your past kindness."
Bai Sinan nodded in acknowledgement. "Since the Prince Regent has already said so, Grandfather and I will not stand on ceremony with you."
She gripped Bai Yulou’s arm. "Grandfather, let’s go. Let’s return to the Bai Family."
Bai Sinan and Bai Yulou departed.
Yan Qianjue watched the direction they left in, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the table. "Go and investigate where Bai Sinan has been for the past fourteen years."
"Yes," Xiaoying acknowledged and withdrew.
"Heh, returning to the scene of the tragedy after fourteen years to investigate your own origins... this is truly interesting."
***
At the entrance of the Bai residence.
Bai Sinan looked up at the main gate and sighed. *Sigh, what an unfamiliar place.* Why did she lack any memories from before the age of five? It was very strange.
"Ahem." Bai Sinan cleared her throat, then suddenly roared, "Bai Jiahua, you ungrateful wretch, get out here right now!"
The guards at the gate were startled, their spears pointing directly at Bai Sinan. "Who are you, to dare act so insolently at the Bai residence!"
Bai Sinan retorted, "I am your grandfather! Tell that dog Bai Jiahua to get out here!"
A crowd of onlookers had already gathered outside the gate. Bai Sinan and Bai Yulou stood calmly in front of it.
"Who dares to be so insolent!"
A low-level Spirit King’s pressure descended like a tidal wave. The bystanders outside could not bear it and were forced to their knees.
*It must be the Head of the Bai Family! He is furious!*
Yet, Bai Sinan and Bai Yulou did not even bow their heads. Bai Yulou was at the peak of the Spirit King realm; such pressure was nothing to him. Protected by her grandfather, Bai Sinan was naturally unaffected.
Bai Jiahua appeared at the entrance, expecting to see the troublemakers begging for mercy on their knees, but instead...
"Father?!"
Bai Jiahua was so shocked his eyes nearly popped out of his head. *This damn old man has been wandering the world—wasn't he supposed to be dead by now? How is he back?! And who is that little girl standing next to him?*
Bai Yulou flicked his long sleeves, looking furious. "So, you still remember you have a father?"
"Father, if I had known it was you, I would have come out to greet you personally! It was all because this person beside you was causing trouble. Men, seize them!"
"Let me see who dares!" Bai Yulou shielded her behind him.
"Grandfather, don't be angry. The Second Uncle just didn't recognize me, right, Second Uncle?" Bai Sinan stepped out from behind Bai Yulou, smiling brightly at Bai Jiahua.
*Second Uncle?* She was... Bai Sinan! Wasn't Bai Sinan already dead?! Bai Jiahua stared at her, stunned.
Bai Sinan smiled. "Why aren't you saying anything, Second Uncle? Do you feel... I shouldn't be here?"
He gave a dry laugh. "How could that be? I would be overjoyed at your return, Xiaonan. It’s just... why would you behave that way just now..." Bai Jiahua trailed off, looking at her with an inscrutable expression.
Bai Sinan replied, "Naturally, there are some matters I need to discuss with you, Second Uncle. After all, there are certain things from the past that you really need to explain..."
Bai Jiahua’s heart skipped a beat. *She knows everything?!*
Bai Sinan added, "You wouldn't want to keep me and Grandfather standing out here at the gate, would you?"
*She didn't have evidence yet; she couldn't expose these matters now!*
Bai Jiahua quickly said, "Quickly, invite Father and Xiaonan into the manor."
The Bai residence was massive, the entire estate decorated in a gaudy, opulent fashion that reeked of wealth. It seemed Bai Jiahua had squandered quite a bit of the Bai family fortune over the years! The residence was so tastelessly extravagant, as if he were terrified people wouldn't know he was rich.
Bai Jiahua led them into the main hall and shot a glance at a maid, who retreated to carry out his orders.
Bai Jiahua smiled brightly. "How long do you and Xiaonan plan to stay this time?"
Bai Sinan and Bai Yulou took their seats.
Bai Sinan remarked, "Not even a pot of tea? Second Uncle, I’m afraid I cannot compliment your hospitality..."
The smile on Bai Jiahua’s face stiffened. He sat in the head seat and barked, "Someone, bring tea!" *This damn brat, she really doesn't know her place!*
After the tea was served, Liu Zhiying arrived with Bai Jiaojiao.
As soon as she entered, Liu Zhiying smiled. "I heard that Father and Xiaonan have returned?"
Bai Sinan looked at the woman. Liu Zhiying had a seductive face, dressed in a pink silk gown adorned with gold thread, her hair bedecked with various pearls and jewels. She looked wealthy and haughty, but in reality, she was incredibly tacky.
Beside her, Bai Jiaojiao was less gaudy, wearing a plain white dress with only a single hairpin, looking elegant, yet sporting meticulously applied makeup.
*Tsk tsk, a textbook white lotus.* This must be Bai Jiaojiao, her third sister. As for why she hadn't mistaken Bai Jiaojiao for her second aunt? Simple—Bai Jiaojiao looked exactly like Bai Jiahua.
Bai Sinan continued to study the two women, ignoring whatever Liu Zhiying had said.
When she didn't get a response, the smile on Liu Zhiying's face froze. She awkwardly added, "I wonder how long you and Xiaonan plan to stay at the Bai residence this time?"
Bai Sinan raised an eyebrow. *As expected of a pair of adulterers—they say the exact same thing.*
Bai Sinan chuckled. "My, Second Aunt, the way you say that, it’s almost as if you were the master of this house."
Bai Jiahua could no longer contain himself. Her words sounded like a reminder of his true status, and he roared, "Insolent! Is that any way to speak to your Second Aunt? Your Second Aunt is the lady of the house now; naturally, she is the master!"
Bai Sinan laughed. "Oh, the Second Uncle is getting agitated. Grandfather is still right here—how did the Second Aunt become the lady of the house? Second Uncle, that is quite treacherous..." She picked up her teacup and took a sip. *It tastes terrible, nowhere near as good as the tea at the Prince Regent's manor.* Wait, why was she thinking about that dog of a man?
Bai Jiahua said, "Father hasn't been home for over a decade. A household cannot be without a master. As his son, I naturally have to manage this home!"
Bai Sinan replied, "Listen to you. Grandfather just hasn't returned for a while, yet Second Uncle is so eager to take charge... you wouldn't be thinking that Grandfather wouldn't return, would you?"
"You! You're spouting nonsense!"
Bai Jiahua was about to explode with rage. *This sharp-tongued brat, why didn't she just die out there!*
Bai Sinan quickly added, "Oh my, Second Uncle, look at you getting so angry. Your tea has gone lukewarm, hasn't it? Calm down. It's so hot these days, you might get heatstroke from your anger. That would be quite embarrassing if word got out that a Spirit King was sent into heatstroke by his own temper."
"Oh, right, Second Uncle. Grandfather and I are staying for good this time. I hope you can help us tidy up our old courtyard. If you make us do it ourselves and we end up breaking anything, that wouldn't be good, would it? I hope you won't make us wait too long~"
Bai Sinan smiled as she took another sip of tea. *Pfft! This is truly disgusting!*