the cursed ring

The streets of the capital city trembled with the thundering hooves of the Black Armor Battalion as they made their triumphant return. Crowds pressed against the barriers lining the streets. Flowers rained down from balconies, petals dancing in the wind before being crushed under war horses' hooves. At their helm rode General Bai Zhenhai, his face a mask of stoic indifference. The crowd roared his name, trying to get his attention. Nestled between the rows of black-armored soldiers rode a plain wooden carriage. Hearing the festive voices outside, Bai Xue Ran lifted the curtain with slender fingers, her gaze sweeping over the celebrating masses.The scene was familiar.  She had once ridden through such crowds too. But their cheers had been edged with fear. Their smiles had faltered when her silver gaze swept over them. They praised her victories but whispered her name like a curse. Goddess of War. Harbinger of Death.But these people... they looked at General Bai with genuine admiration in their eyes. "It's an amazing sight, isn't it?"Bai Yi Xuan rode beside the carriage, his mare keeping pace. His face, still soft with youth, glowed with exhilaration.He still had a hard time accepting he now had a younger sister, even though two weeks had passed since then, but that did not mean he didn't accept her. He had seen his father pull her out from the pile of corpses in a village, barely alive. He had watched her heal from wounds that should have killed her, never once crying out in pain. He had seen her eat the coarse soldier's meal without complaint, sitting straight-backed and dignified as any noble lady despite wearing cheap clothes.In these few days, he had somehow developed a level of protectiveness over her, though he had yet to realize it was the same protectiveness a brother felt for his sister.Bai Xue Ran did not answer but Bai Yi Xuan did not mind it. He had found out this little girl did not like to talk much. "This is my first time riding in the procession. Before this, I'd watch from the sidelines." he continued, his gaze on his father at the front. Admiration appeared in his eyes with a hint of longing. "One day, I'll stand where he stands. I'll make them cheer my name too." Bai Xue Ran's fingers tightened on the curtain. She studied the youth beside her. His jaw was set, eyes bright with hunger. A boy playing soldier. A cub trying to roar."They don't see him," she murmured."What?""They see the armor. The victory. Not the man."Bau Yi Xuan frowned. "So? That's what matters.""Is it?"He opened his mouth, then shut it. Bai Yi Xuan did not understand her. This girl clearly looked like she was a child so why did she sound like someone who had lived long enough to see the world before her? *****When they reached the Bai estate, Bai Zhenhai felt a rare flicker of unease settle in his chest. This wasn't the first time he had come back after being away so long, but it was the first time he returned with a child and given her the title of his daughter, without so much as sending a letter ahead to warn his family.Bai Yi Xuan quickly dismounted and rushed to help Bai Xue Ran down. "Be careful," he muttered, his hand hovering nervously near her arm as if she might shatter with a single misstep. "You're still not fully healed."Bai Xue Ran gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing. Her white robe, edged in red, fluttered in the breeze. The material of her robe was cheap but somehow, she was still able to look elegant in it. Butler Lan stood at the entrance flanked by a row of servants. His eyes flickered to Xue Ran, lingering for a moment too long, but he said nothing."Welcome home, Master. Eldest Young Master," He greeted. "Finally!" Bai Yi Xuan exclaimed, stretching his arms wide and taking in the familiar surroundings. "It's good to be back!"Bai Zhenhai nodded curtly. "Where are they?"Butler Lan hesitated, his gaze dropping. "They were waiting for your arrival, Master. However..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Earlier today, the Second Young Master had an accident.""Zhenfeng?" Bai Yi Xuan's smile vanished. "What happened to him?""The Second Young Master..." Butler Lan started carefully, delivering the unwelcome news, "he had sneaked out to the city walls this morning, wanting to be the first to welcome your return. A few hours ago, he was brought back unconscious. We've summoned several physicians, but none can determine the cause of his condition."The words barely left Butler Lan's mouth before Bai Zhenhai's expression darkened. "Take me to them. Now."Butler Lan bowed and turned on his heel, leading the way into the estate. Xue Ran trailed behind, her steps silent, her expression unreadable. Her empty eyes took in everything—the carefully maintained gardens, the intricate architectural details that spoke of old money and older pride. The servants bowed deeply as they passed but couldn't quite hide their curious glances as they stared at her.They were led inside, and the first sound that greeted them was a man's voice, apologetic and heavy with defeat. "I'm sorry, Madam Bai. There is nothing I can do."Bai Zhenhai's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"The physician quivered, feeling the murderous gaze of Bai Zhenhai as a burst of power rolled from his body. Immediately, he got on his knees, "Gen-general Bai. It's not that I have not done anything. Against second young master's condition, I am helpless." Mu Yueli looked at her husband. A choked sob escaped her lips and she rushed forward, collapsing into his arms.Old Madam Bai sat stiffly in her carved ebony chair, her knuckles bone-white against the armrests. Today was meant for celebration—her son's victorious return, her grandson's first procession. How had it transformed into this nightmare? Her eyes drifted to her eldest grandson, Bai Yi Xuan, who stood frozen, his eyes fixed on the closed door of his younger brother's chamber. The color had drained from his face, leaving him almost as pale as the sick child beyond that door. Finally, Old Madam Bai's eyes fell on the unfamiliar figure of the young girl in white. Bai Xue Ran stood apart from the family, her black eyes fixed on the door. A slight frown creased her brow. She could feel a dark, oppressive energy seeping through the cracks around the doorframe. As if to confirm what she was feeling, she walked past the physician and opened the door.Inside, on the bed lay a boy younger than this body she now owned, his small frame swallowed by silk blankets. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, though his body shivered violently. A black mist coiled around the child, tendrils seeping into his nostrils, his ears, the spaces between his fingers.In her past life, she had been told she was born with Spirit Eyes—a rare gift that allowed her to see into the spirit world, glimpsing what others could not. And what she saw now chilled her to the bone.This boy was cursed.Before anyone could react, Bai Xue Ran's small hand shot out, snatching the wooden box from the physician's grasp. She knew that inside she would find a pouch of acupuncture needles."What are you doing, girl?" the physician demanded.She ignored him completely, unrolling the leather pouch. The needles that appeared between her fingers were crude iron, a far cry from the celestial gold needles she had in her past life. Still, they would do it for now.She entered the room and with a flick of her wrist, the needles flew from her fingers, embedding themselves in Bai Zhenfeng's body. The black mist writhed frantically, its movements becoming erratic, almost angry. Bai Zhenfeng groaned in pain, his face contorting."Stop that girl!" Mu Yueli screamed. But they were too far away, and Bai Xue Ran moved too fast.Approaching the bed, Bai Xue Ran made a few signs with her hand. The needles embedded in Zhenfeng's body began to vibrate. The mist surged, its tendrils lashing out like angry serpents. To the others, it was invisible, but they felt it—a sudden chill, a pressure in the air that made their skin crawl.Suddenly, the shadow mass leaped from the boy's body, lunging straight for her. Already expecting this, Bai Xue Ran shifted sideways. The shadow darted toward the table and vanished.With a flick of her hand, Bai Xue Ran extracted the needles from Bai Zhenfeng's body. She moved to the table, her eyes honing in on the jade ring that lay among the clutter. Picking it up, she felt the icy chill seeping into her skin. She lifted it to eye level, and beneath the smooth surface, she could see a dark shape writhing like a trapped insect.On the bed, Bai Zhenfeng groaned softly, his eyelids fluttering open. His confused gaze landed first on the ceiling, then on the worried faces of his family crowding around him. "Father?" he croaked, his voice weak. "When did you get here?"Mu Yueli let out a strangled sob, grabbing his shoulders and scanning his face as if to ensure he was real. "Zhenfeng, how do you feel? Are you in pain? Tell Mother."The boy blinked, his confusion deepening. "I'm fine... What happened? Why am I here?"The family exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes drifting to Xue Ran as if she held the answers to all their questions. Seeing their gaze on her, the corner of Bai Xue Ran's lips twitched. She held up the ring and looked at the young boy, asking, "Where did you get this?" Bai Zhenfeng blinked at her wondering who she was and then looked at the ring. "Oh, that? I found it on the ground outside. It looked pretty, so I picked it up." He tilted his head, his innocence painfully clear. "Why? Is something wrong?"Understanding dawned on Bai Zhenhai's face. He knew right away that whatever had happened, it was because of that old ring that this brat had found. His massive hand came down on his son's shoulder, not enough to hurt, but enough to convey his anger. "Stupid boy! Haven't I taught you better? Why would you pick up trash from the streets? Do you think I don't provide enough for you? Must you scavenge like a beggar?"