"Grandpa!"
Before anyone could stop her, Xi Youran threw herself at her grandfather, clinging to him like a startled puppy. Her bright eyes pleaded silently — Please don't tell Mother I sneaked into the kitchen last night!
Grandfather Xi Jin looked away with a gruff snort. "Hmph. Then don't forget to call me again tonight."
Youran let out a small breath of relief and nodded furiously, pretending innocence before her mother could grow suspicious. By the time she looked up, Song Yi was already gone, slinking away in silence — and in her place came Father's trusted eunuch, bowing at the door.
"General Xi, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace."
Youran's heart tightened. A knot formed in her stomach, the old fear returning. She tried to sound casual. "Mother, why would the Emperor summon Father so suddenly?"
Xi Mei smiled faintly. "Your father is one of the Emperor's most trusted generals. It's normal for him to be called upon."
Youran returned a half-hearted smile, but her hands unconsciously clenched. She turned away to tidy the books and dishes she'd scattered since last night, forcing her thoughts to calm.
"Sister Youran, let's play outside!" Xi Yue's cheerful voice came from the courtyard.
Youran sighed. "I just recovered, little one. Maybe next time—"
Her sister's round eyes shimmered with that irresistible puppy-like stare.
"…Fine," she surrendered with a laugh. "But only for a short while."
Xi Yue cheered and pulled her by the hand toward the lotus garden, the air scented with morning dew. But the peace shattered the moment a sharp voice rang out.
"The cripple's here."
Youran's steps halted. She turned, her eyes glinting coldly.
"I never knew a maid could speak so rudely to her master," she said, her tone smooth but dangerous.
The girl flinched. Youran scooped Xi Yue into her arms. "You can insult me all you want, but never in front of her."
She turned to leave—until another mocking voice cut through the air.
"Little cripple! You're awake!"
A tall man with a wine flask swaggered toward them — Uncle Jiang Yun. His silken robes were disheveled, and two courtesans clung to his arms.
"Don't touch me with those filthy hands," Youran snapped.
The courtyard fell silent. Everyone knew Jiang Yun's reputation — talented, yes, but notorious for chasing women and drowning in wine.
He smirked. "Since when did my niece grow such a sharp tongue? I was only greeting you."
He reached toward her face, but Xi Yue slapped his hand away. "Don't touch my sister, you drunkard!"
Youran's heart squeezed at her sister's trembling courage.
Jiang Yun's drunken grin twisted. "I'm not into little girls, but you'll grow into a fine woman, just like your sister — cripple or not. Maybe I'll wait a few years. But for now—" His hand shot out, gripping Youran's wrist. "—I'll take your sister to my room instead."
The two women beside him grabbed Xi Yue by the shoulders.
"Let me go!" Youran struggled, but her weakened body refused to obey. She could barely circulate Qi at all. Panic surged.
"GRANDPA!"
Her voice cracked through the air like thunder.
A heartbeat later, the courtyard trembled — and a wave of spiritual energy burst forth.
"IMBECILE!"
Grandfather Xi Jin appeared in a flash, his palm flicking lightly — yet the force sent Jiang Yun sprawling across the tiles.
"She is like your own daughter, and you dare lay a hand on her?"
The old patriarch's eyes burned with fury. His Qi flared, pressure heavy as a storm. Jiang Yun collapsed, groveling. "F-Father! I was drunk! Please—please forgive me, I lost my senses!"
Xi Jin's expression was colder than steel. He didn't speak — only struck him again, once, hard enough to knock sense into him.
"Grandfather, please," Youran finally said softly. "It's enough."
He turned to her, saw her trembling, and his anger slowly ebbed.
"Sister!" Xi Yue ran to her, crying. Youran lifted her up, holding her tightly as Grandfather laid a hand on her shoulder. In an instant, the world blurred — and they were back inside her room.
"Grandpa…"
The word caught in her throat. She couldn't hold it anymore — tears spilled freely as she clung to Xi Yue, shaking.
Moments later, her mother burst through the door. "What happened?"
"Uncle Jiang Yun bullied Sister! Grandpa saved us!" Xi Yue said between sobs.
Xi Mei froze, color draining from her face. "Jiang Yun… laid a hand on you?"
Her legs gave way, and she sank to the floor, hands trembling. "Why… why can't he leave my daughter alone?"
Youran frowned. "Mother, what do you mean? You said—he nearly killed me before?"
Xi Mei covered her face, her voice cracking. "It's my fault that you almost died and lost your Qi veins."
"Mother, tell me everything."
The woman nodded slowly, as if surrendering to old ghosts. "Before I met your father… Jiang Yun and I were once—"
Youran held up a hand quickly. "Please skip the romantic tragedy part, Mother. I'm too young for that."
Xi Mei flushed faintly but continued. "After I met your father, Jiang Yun grew obsessed, jealous… He tried to take you away when you were a baby. A month ago, when you fell from the hill — it wasn't an accident."
Youran's blood ran cold.
"I see." She forced a thin smile. "So my dear uncle wanted to kill me twice. How nostalgic."
"Youran…"
But when she looked up, her grandfather was gone — and so was Xi Yue. Panic sparked in her chest. "Xi Yue! Where—"
"I'm here."
Grandfather's calm voice came from the doorway. He stood there with Xi Yue in his arms, his usual sternness softened by a faint, almost invisible warmth.
"I was too focused on cultivation," he said quietly. "I forgot that I'm still the head of this family."
Xi Yue hugged his leg, smiling innocently. "Then stay with us, Grandpa! If you're here, no one will dare hurt Sister again!"
For the first time, Xi Jin's lips twitched upward — the smallest ghost of a smile.
Youran covered her mouth, tears spilling once more. I had all this love around me… and yet I wasted my heart on the wrong man.
She stood, wiping her eyes. "Grandfather, Mother… I want to learn martial arts."
Xi Mei's face paled. "But, Youran, you can't cultivate Qi."
Youran looked down, voice firm. "Even so… I want to try."
Grandfather Xi Jin's eyes glinted with quiet pride. "She is not crippled."
Youran froze. "What?"
His usual dismissive hum followed. "Hmph. Her Qi is… complicated. Twisted, but not broken."
At that moment, her father stepped in — catching the end of the conversation and blinking rapidly. "Wait—what do you mean 'complicated'?"
Youran turned to him with a grin. "Father, apparently I'm not crippled after all."
Xi Cheng's eyes widened into perfect circles. "…What?"