Tian Shang quickly dropped the young boy on the stairs and went back to pick up Ai.
Capital City was in high alert for children kidnapping. However, when the morning came, they learnt the little boys actually left on their own and they were all punished, all except the son of the Jianghu Alliance Leader.
Cold and unfeeling towards this family, he grew up without his father for the majority of his short life. Only when his mother died was he brought back. But as soon he had arrived, he had been bullied by his father's second wife and their children. Nothing too extreme as he was the first legitimate son and thus the heir, just sand in his food, servants ignoring him...He did not say a word but his heart grew colder. This 2nd wife, she was initially just one of the favoured concubine but then his mother died and she was promoted to wife. Putting a virtuous front, she had desperately tried to curry favor and successfully managed to turn the whole household against him. Only his dad and grandfather were not affected. His Dad was either unaware, or pretending not to see.
His grandfather was his true ally. Always taking his side in spite of everything.
In the second wife boudoir, the bully was complaining to his mother. His small body hurted a lot since he had been given the board 5 times. Luckily, the hands who punished him went with light hands so he only got some bruises. Some of the other kids weren't as lucky. Being servants, they were not spared thus some of them became crippled and some others developed a fever and died.
"Mother, why was that bastard not punished?"
The woman immediately slapped her son and looked around to see if anyone had heard him.
"You hit me?" The boy looked at his mom with incredulous eyes. She had never slapped him before. But because of that bastard she laid her hands on him. He would make that son of a whore pay a thousand folds. The hate in him just kept on building. This debt he would definitely repay it.
"Your father and grandfathers' spies are everywhere. He is the legitimate heir, if anyone reported your words to them. Do you think you could escape unscathed?" She said coldly.
Then she took him in her arms and cuddled him a bit. Being coaxed by his mother lowered his anger.
"Remember Mother does everything with your sake in mind. You are the true heir. Mother will make sure you receive the inheritance. Let Mother take care of your grievances. For now, do not bother with him..."
"...and control your mouth!" The last words were said devoid of any affection, on a threatening tone.
The son understood his mother would punish him severely was he ever going to make another mistake. His mother, when angry, was scary.
She coaxed him some more and let him go back to his studies.
Then a small toddler entered the room in her wet nurse's arms.
"Mommy....mommmy.... take... take..." The baby girl was adorable. The mother's heart melted and took her in her arms and started kissing her all over.
"In this world, Mommy loves you the most!"
The toddler was giggling happily showered under all this love.
Few days later, in the ancestral hall, Ai was also being showered in love. She was turning 4. She was now a big girl.
"Mother, why Ai don't have friends?"
Yue Shang's heart broke up when she heard that. Her baby was growing up but she was growing up lonely. Yue Shang's eyes dimmed down and she looked so sad it was unbearable for Ai. She ran to her mother and circled her with her small feeble arms.
"Ai does not need friends. Uncle said Ai needs to become strong to protect Mother and to revenge Father!"
Yue Shang was startled. All those years, she had avoided talking about her husband and her husband's death. She only wanted Ai to live happily and at peace. Even though her husband died unjustly, she never intended for Ai to take revenge.
"Ai, what do you know about your father's death?!"
"Father was an honest bright and loyal official. People were jealous and conspired against him. He was framed then assassinated. Ai will definitely repay this blood debt!" The last words were said with a lot of determination.
Yue Shang knew it was too late now. Ai had inherited the stubborness trait of her father. Once she decided on something, it was useless to argue. When Ai wanted to learn sword play and martial art, Yue Shang was initially against but the young girl starved herself for a full day. Yue Shang's heart could not bear with it and let her learn sword play with her uncle.
"Mother, Ai will go outside to practice martial art."
"Ai, do not go too far, if you meet strangers do not let yourself seen but come back her immediately."
"Ai will listen to Mother." Yue Shang hugged her daughter tightly and let her go.
Once Ai was no longer in view, the mother confronted her cousin right away."
"Cousin, leading Ai to the path of revenge will never let her be happy. I never intended for take such a difficult road in life." Yue Shang's voice was full of reproaches.
Tian Shang's eyes flickered with anger.
"I promised to keep Ai and you safe. Don't Cousin no longer trust me?" Tian Shang's questioned Yue Shang on a scolding tone.
" Even, if you let go, do you think your ennemy will? That snake will never let go until all roots have been eliminated.Teaching Ai about martial arts and letting her know the truth is all so she can protect herself better. You should know once we leave the ancestral hall, anything can happen. Even staying here can't guarantee our safety forever!"
At those words, pearl of water gathered at Yue Shang's eyes.
"I understand Cousin. I will not question you in the future."
Tian Shang left the hall in fury. He sacrificed alot those past 3 years and would never give up on this revenge. Ai was talented with martial art and swordplay, even more than her father, at a level of genius never seen yet, he was sure she would become a master before she even reached 15 and then they would be able to easily kill those traitors. Only then would his heart be satisfied.
Ai was practicing quietly when she heard the voices of young boys again.
"Huh? They are back?" She quickly jumped in the branch of a tree to hide and observe as taught per her uncle.
The bully was again mistreating the young boy Ai's uncled saved earlier.