Chung‑Pu stepped forward, his voice firm but calm. "calm down. Give her a chance to speak."
He then looked down at Ya‑Ting. "Tell me, my child... where is Bai‑Xue?"
Ya‑Ting sobbed uncontrollably, repeating the same story she had told Min‑Sheng. "My younger sister... she is dead... she fell into a deep abyss..."
As soon as the words left her lips, Jing‑Yi's hand shot up, slapping her hard across the face. "You lie! Where is my daughter? Bring her to me this instant! If you cannot... then you, too, will perish!"
She fell to her knees, clutching Ya‑Ting tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Forgive me, my daughter... I cannot bear the grief of losing your sister. That is why I have treated you so harshly."
Ya‑Ting forced a faint, sorrowful smile. "Never mind, Mother... it is also my fault. I could not take proper care of my younger sister. That is why we have lost our dearest Bai‑Xue today."
Everyone present—family, servants, and onlookers—pretended to weep, creating an air of shared grief.
Min‑Sheng opened his mouth to speak, but a sharp, commanding voice cut through the tension:
"WHAT HAPPENED TO BAI‑XUE?!"
Ya‑Ting and her mother froze, eyes wide. Fear gripped her heart. She turned slowly, trembling.
"Grandfather..." Hai‑Rang whispered.
Ya‑Ting's voice quivered. "Grandfather Jia‑Hai... you're here..."
Jia‑Hai, the stern patriarch with white hair and a flowing beard, stepped forward. "So you think I wouldn't come? Concubine's daughter..." His gaze swept the assembly.
Chang‑Pu, his wife, and daughters bowed deeply to him, but Jia‑Hai did not even glance at them. Instead, he turned to Min‑Sheng and inclined his head. "I am glad to see you here, Prince."
Then, fixing Ya‑Ting with a piercing stare, he demanded, "What was she saying? What happened to Bai‑Xue?"
Ya‑Ting's knees shook violently. No words escaped her lips. Her mother opened her mouth to speak, but Jia‑Hai cut her off with a shout. "I did not ask you! Stand where you are!"
Shi‑Hui, a family attendant, stepped forward and revealed the full story: how Bai‑Xue had been kidnapped, thrown into a moat, and presumed dead.
Rage flashed across Jia‑Hai's face. In an instant, he drew his sword, the flames along its blade crackling with fury. He struck toward Ya‑Ting and her mother. They both stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding the fatal strike.
"Mother and daughter!" he roared. "What have you done to my granddaughter? Tell me! If she has a single scratch, it will be the last moment of your lives!"
Chang‑Pu rushed forward. "Father! This was not their fault. Bai‑Xue disappeared from here on her own. Who could have taken her and thrown her into that ditch, we do not know!"
But Jia‑Hai's fury only intensified. He struck Chang‑Pu repeatedly with his fists and feet. "You worthless son! I should have had no son like you! First, I lose my daughter-in-law, and now my granddaughter! You neither care for this family, nor your wife, nor your child. Useless! You don't even deserve to be born!"
His gaze turned back toward Ya‑Ting and Jing‑Yi, burning with rage. "And you, girl... I am giving you one last chance. Tell me what you have done to my granddaughter. Confess now... perhaps I might let you live a few more days..."
"She is also your granddaughter... my lord."
As soon as Ya‑Ting and her mother heard the voice, a sudden wave of relief washed over them. They exchanged glances, silently exhaling, feeling that the storm of fear and panic had been held at bay—at least for a moment.
All eyes instinctively turned to the source of the voice. There stood an elderly woman, her hair streaked with black and white, her presence commanding yet calm. She was Bon-Hwa, Chang-Pu's mother and the wife of Jia-Hai. A soft glow of authority seemed to surround her.
Stepping forward, she approached Ya‑Ting and Jing‑Yi. Her voice was gentle, yet carried immense weight. "Do not worry. I have come. Nothing will happen now."
Hai-Rang and the others immediately knelt, voices quivering with respect. "Grandmother! It is so good to see you! Please... explain to Grandfather that what he believes is wrong!"
Bon-Hwa turned her sharp gaze toward Jia-Hai. "My lord... why do you show such anger? What fault lies with them that Bai‑Xue disappeared? Could they have prevented it? Look at their condition... they are weak, trembling, broken from worry. Their hearts ache because of your granddaughter."
Jia-Hai's face darkened, his voice thunderous. "Of course... you would take their side! She is your niece, your granddaughter! You never liked my granddaughter or her mother!"
Bon-Hwa's eyes widened in disbelief. "What are you saying? I never wished them harm!"
Jia-Hai bellowed, "I know nothing but that these two—the mother and daughter—are responsible for her disappearance!"
Ya‑Ting's heart raced, panic rising in her chest. She dashed toward Min-Sheng, grasping his hand tightly. "Your Highness, Third Prince... please! Tell him! This is not true! Grandpa is misunderstanding everything. Tell him how long I wandered through the forest to find my sister!"
Min-Sheng's voice was steady, authoritative. "Master Jia-Hai, First Lady Ya‑Ting speaks the truth. She spent countless days wandering the forest, searching for Princess Bai-Xue. And Concubine Jing-Yi loves Bai-Xue dearly. To her, Bai-Xue is as her own daughter."
Bon-Hwa nodded, her voice softening, tinged with admiration. "You are right, Third Prince. My daughter-in-law truly has a noble heart... far too good for this world to harm anyone."
Jia-Hai scowled. "Hah... a soft-hearted, loving mother? A mere show! These crocodile tears—they are false. I've kept snakes in the house ready to strike, yet they pretend innocence!"
Before anyone could respond, the thunder of carriage wheels echoed behind them. All heads turned in unison. A carriage had arrived, and a man stepped out, bowing deeply to the crowd.
Min-Sheng stepped forward cautiously. "Who are you?"
"I am Shin-Fu, the elder brother of White Mask," the man replied, his voice calm yet commanding.
Everyone bowed deeply, voices trembling with respect. "Forgive us, Master Shin-Fu. We did not know you were White Mask's elder brother. It is an honor. Please... tell us how we may serve you."
Shin-Fu smiled faintly. "You cannot help me. I have come to help you. And I bring something that belongs to you."
He gestured toward the carriage, and a hush fell over the crowd.
A girl stepped out, her dress exquisite, flowing like silk, an elegant umbrella in her hand. Her presence was radiant, serene, and yet commanding.
Ya-Ting froze, her lips trembling. "Bai-Xue..."
Bai-Xue's smile was delicate, yet precise, like a jewel catching the sun. "Hello... sisters," she said softly, her voice like crystal.
A collective gasp swept through the courtyard. Ya-Ting, Hai-Rang, and Jing-Yi sank to the ground, trembling from head to toe. Fear, guilt, and awe collided within them, leaving them paralyzed.
Min-Sheng's eyes widened. "Bai..." His voice was husky, choking with emotion. His entire being seemed to light up, as if the world had been dark until this moment. For him, she was life itself returning.
Bai-Xue's gaze was sharp, composed, and cold. She bowed with elegance. "It is good to see you, Your Highness, Third Prince."
Jia-Hai rushed forward, tears streaking his face. "My precious granddaughter! Where have you been? How could you let your old grandfather worry so?" He scooped her into his arms, hugging her tightly. "Where have you been all this time, my sweet child?"
Bon-Hwa approached, her voice shaking with a mixture of scolding and relief. "Where have you been... Haaa! Do you know how worried we were? Even the Third Prince... Haa! You just went off... without a care for anyone, didn't you?"
Shin-Fu stepped forward, his eyes blazing. "Lady... how can you speak so?" His tone was protective, filled with quiet fury.
Bai-Xue shot him a cold glare, her posture unyielding. Shin-Fu continued, unwavering, "I mean, how can you scold the princess? White Mask found her in the Nine Vault Forest, unconscious and badly injured, sixteen days ago. Since then, he has cared for her every moment. When she regained consciousness, she revealed she was the Princess of the Ning family. That is why we have brought her here safely."
Jia-Hai bowed deeply, gratitude overcoming his anger. "Master Shin-Fu, we cannot thank you enough. You have returned our sweetest daughter to us. Please... tell us how we can repay you."
Shin-Fu shook his head. "There is no need. If we require your help in the future, we will ask. For now... my duty is complete."
He bowed to Bai-Xue. She nodded gracefully, and Shin-Fu departed, leaving the family stunned, breathless, and awash with joy.
Bai-Xue turned to her family, her smile mischievous, yet radiating warmth. "Aunt Jing-Yi... aren't you happy to see me? I thought you loved me the most, right, Aunt Jing-Yi?"
Jing-Yi's face flushed, tears brimming in her eyes. She could hardly speak, her heart swelling with relief, affection, and awe.
Hai-Rang clapped her hands softly, her voice trembling with excitement. "Bai-Xue... you're really back! I... I can't believe it!"
Min-Sheng stood silently, watching her, every ounce of worry and longing dissolving. She was safe. Alive. And the world felt right again.
Bai-Xue's eyes glimmered with subtle triumph. The power had shifted—the lies, the fear, the anger—all dissolved in the presence of truth. She had returned, and the house of Ning could not deny it.
The princess was home.