Gu-Yang-Gong was the First Lady of the Gu Family.
The Ning Family and the Gu Family held equal status within the city, yet because the Empress favored the Gu Family, their influence stood slightly higher. That was precisely why Ning Ya-Ting treated Gu-Yang-Gong with such respect.
Ya-Ting stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Lady Yang-Gong, please forgive her insolence," she said gently. "She is still somewhat naïve and ignorant. After all, she is my younger sister. It is my duty to take care of her."
Gu-Yang-Gong let out a long, exaggerated sigh.
"Lady Ya-Ting, you are far too kind. This girl is arrogant, ignorant, and utterly worthless—yet you still protect her simply because she shares your blood."Her gaze turned sharp as it landed on Bai-Xue.
"And you, Bai-Xue," Gu-Yang-Gong sneered, "you don't even know how to greet others. How insolent."
Bai-Xue slowly lifted her head.
Her lips curved into a cold smile.
"YOU REALLY TALK TOO MUCH, LADY YANG-GONG."
The surrounding girls froze.
Bai-Xue's voice remained calm, yet every word struck like a blade.
"Since you speak so confidently, you must know very well who truly holds the highest position here. I've heard that your mother once used a seduction potion on your father just to become his first wife."
She sighed softly, mockery dripping from her tone.
"And yet you still have the face to act proud? You really are too much, Lady Yang-Gong."
The girls standing beside Gu-Yang-Gong slowly began to laugh, unable to hold themselves back.
Gu-Yang-Gong's face flushed with humiliation.
She shot them a furious glare, signaling them to be silent, then turned sharply toward Bai-Xue.
"What do you mean by that?" she demanded.
Bai-Xue's eyes turned icy.
"I mean this," she said coldly. "Kneel down. Apologize for your insolent words. And bow your head before me."
Ya-Ting's face changed instantly.
"Bai-Xue! What nonsense are you talking about? Shut up!"
Bai-Xue glanced at her lazily.
"Ya-Ting," she said calmly, "you are the daughter of a concubine. You should bow before her—not me."
Her gaze swept over everyone present.
"I am the daughter of Princess Huang-Ling. To people like you, I am someone far beyond reach. And yet none of you have bowed your heads."
She shook her head slightly.
"Looks like all of you are truly thick-headed."
Gu-Yang-Gong exploded in rage.
"You bitch! How dare you insult me like this?! I am the First Lady of the Gu Family—a Gold-Rank cultivator! You are nothing but useless trash!"
Bai-Xue raised her eyes.
"I'll give you five seconds," she said quietly. "Bow."
Gu-Yang-Gong laughed harshly.
"Hah! In your dreams! I will never bow to you, you bi—"
"AH—!"
Her scream echoed through the courtyard.
"Aahhh! What—what is this?! Why—why can't I move?!"
Bai-Xue stared at her coldly.
At that very moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped.
Gu-Yang-Gong didn't even realize how her body moved on its own—only that the next instant, she was on her knees, her head bowed deeply toward Bai-Xue.
Her mind screamed in panic.
What happened to me? Why am I kneeling?
The girls beside her stared in shock.
"How—how did Lady Yang-Gong kneel in front of Bai-Xue?!"
Bai-Xue's gaze slowly shifted toward them.
An unbearably cold pressure swept through the air.
The girls trembled violently, fear gripping their hearts, and one by one—
They collapsed to their knees, heads bowed, unable to resist.
Ya-Ting gasped.
She stared at Bai-Xue in disbelief.
"What... what did you do?" she whispered. "How did you do this?"
Bai-Xue looked at her and smiled faintly.
"What are you talking about, First Sister?" she said innocently. "What could I possibly do?"
She tilted her head.
"I think Lady Yang-Gong has simply learned her place. Isn't that right, Lady Yang-Gong?"
Despite desperately resisting, Gu-Yang-Gong's body nodded on its own.
Bai-Xue walked closer and crouched before her.
She gently placed a hand on Gu-Yang-Gong's face and whispered into her ear:
"You should always remember your position. Never forget it."
Her voice grew colder.
"And if you ever forget... it's fine. I'll be here—to remind you."
Gu-Yang-Gong's body trembled violently, sweat soaking her robes.
"When you don't truly know someone," Bai-Xue continued softly, "you should never dare to provoke them. That can be very dangerous."
Her lips curved upward.
"It can kill someone. It can kill you."
Gu-Yang-Gong was completely drenched in cold sweat.
Bai-Xue suddenly grabbed her shoulder tightly.
"No, no," she murmured. "You won't be able to move unless I allow it."
She chuckled quietly.
"Feeling scared? Embarrassed? Humiliated?"
She smiled.
"Good. You should be."
Then she straightened.
"Today is your lucky day. It's my first day at the academy, and I don't want blood spilled here."
Her eyes darkened.
"Stay within your limits, and you'll be safe. If not—"
Her smile vanished.
"I'll make your life a living hell."
Suddenly, she laughed lightly.
"Oh my, please stand up, Lady Yang-Gong. You're being far too humble. My First Sister might think I'm bullying you."
She glanced toward Ya-Ting.
"Isn't that right, First Sister?"
Ya-Ting hurried forward, grabbing Gu-Yang-Gong's trembling hand.
"Lady Yang-Gong! Why did you kneel before her? You didn't need to do that! Please tell me—what happened?"
Gu-Yang-Gong glanced at Bai-Xue.
Bai-Xue was smiling at her—a terrifying, sarcastic smile.
Gu-Yang-Gong swallowed hard and spoke shakily.
"Lady Ya-Ting... there's no need to worry. I knelt because Princess Bai-Xue's position is higher than mine. It was only right that I showed respect."
Ya-Ting froze.
She looked between Gu-Yang-Gong and Bai-Xue, completely confused.
Bai-Xue chuckled softly.
"See? I told you, First Sister."
She stepped back.
"Alright, I'll take my leave."
She turned and walked away.
On the path ahead, she saw Cai-Hang approaching quickly.
"Princess Bai-Xue!" Cai-Hang called out. "Where have you been? Do you know how long I've been waiting? Did something happen? Did anyone say anything bad to you?"
Her eyes flashed with anger.
"Just tell me. I'll punish them all so they'll never dare bully anyone again!"
Bai-Xue laughed lightly.
"First Princess Cai-Hang, you don't need to worry. Nothing happened. Let's go."
Cai-Hang frowned.
"Don't call me that. Just call me Cai, like my family does. After all—we're family."
Bai-Xue smiled.
"Alright then. You can call me Bai."
"Yay! Okay!" Cai-Hang laughed. "Let's go!"
Elsewhere—
Jiang-Lin was wandering through the academy, searching.
Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure standing in the corridor of the second building.
It was Bai-Xue.
Yet once again, her face was hidden behind a stone pillar. He could only see her from behind.
His heart tightened.
He started walking toward her—
"Your Majesty."
A voice stopped him.
Se-Yong stood behind him.
"The Chief Headmasters are waiting. You summoned them for an important meeting."
Jiang-Lin turned back toward the corridor—
But it was empty.
She was gone.
"Damn it..." Jiang-Lin muttered darkly.
"I missed her again."