family

Once everyone was assured that Bai Zhenfeng was alright, especially after they called in several physicians who confirmed that there was nothing wrong with the boy, the tension in the Bai household finally dissipated and the family decided to let him rest. Mu Yueli and Old Madam Bai moved closer to Bai Zhenhai. "Zhenhei, who is that little girl?" The two women cast a furtive glance at the young girl who stood apart from them, leaning casually against the wall.Bai Xue Ran's arms were crossed over her chest, her posture relaxed. The cool breeze from the open corridor stirred her black hair, making it flutter against her white robes. The girl was still young and had yet to mature but one could see how beautiful she was. They could only imagine how many hearts she was going to break once she reached the age of marriage. Bai Zhenfeng's gaze drifted toward the girl, softening as it rested on her slender form. "Wife, she is our daughter, Bai Xue Ran" "Huh?" Mu Yueli, who had never given birth to a girl looked at her husband in confusion. "I found her in a village destroyed by war," Bai Zhenhai explained, his voice dropping. His face darkened when he remembered the condition he had found her, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. "Wife, mother, you've always complained about raising the two brats, saying you wanted a girl to pamper. Now you have her."Bai Yi Xuan, the brat stood a few feet behind, his mouth slightly agape. [Am I really your son?]Hearing his words, the two women's expressions softened, their eyes sparkling with a mixture of curiosity and unexpected joy. Their eyes softened as they turned back to Bai Xue Ran, finding her more pleasing the longer they looked. Bai Xue Ran had noticed their presence the moment they stepped out of the room. She pushed away from the wall and straightened her posture when she saw them approaching her. Old Madam Bai's excitement bubbled over. "Come, child. Let Nainai take a look at your face," she called, beckoning Bai Xue Ran closer.Bai Xue Ran's gaze flicked to the elderly woman, blank but with a hint of wariness in her eyes. She stepped forward. The next second, warm, wrinkled hands cupped her face gently. The sensation startled her. "Look at you, so beautiful," Old Madam Bai gushed.Xue Ran's breath hitched. The last time someone had touched her face, it had been an assassin's blade pressed to her throat. Her muscles tensed, instincts screaming to twist the old woman's wrist and push her away. Instead, she dug her nails deeper into her palms. This small gesture didn't go unnoticed by Bai Zhenhai.Old Madam Bai's expression shifted to a slight frown. "But you look so thin. This won't do. I'll have the cook make nourishing meals." Bai Xue Ran's bewildered expression drew a soft chuckle from Mu Yueli. "Mother, you're overwhelming her," she teased.Old Madam Bai huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Nonsense. I'm just spoiling my only granddaughter. Isn't that what grandmothers are supposed to do?"Her hands finally released Xue Ran's face, but the warmth lingered.Mu Yueli stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Bai Xue Ran's shoulder, her touch light but reassuring."Xue'er, I am your mother, " Mu Yueli began, her voice gentle, "now. This is your home. You don't need to worry about anything here." Family.The word echoed in Xue Ran's hollow chest, rattling the chains she'd wrapped around her heart. She didn't know how to respond. Words had never been her strength. So she simply nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor.Old Madam Bai clapped her hands together. "Good, good! Now, let's get you settled. Yi Xuan!"The boy, who had been hovering awkwardly near the door, straightened at the sound of his name. "Yes, Nainai?""Take your sister to the Plum Blossom Courtyard. She would be living there from now on."Bai Yi Xuan nodded his head, ready to leave with his sister when Bai Zhenhai's voice called out. "Wait," he said, his eyes fixed on Bai Xue Ran. "What exactly happened in there?"The others who had been basking in the joy of a new daughter exchanged glances, suddenly remembering the pitiful boy who was lying inside the room. They all looked at Bai Xue Ran questioningly."The jade ring was cursed," Bai Xue Ran stated matter-of-factly. "Cursed?" Mu Yueli repeated, the word catching in her throat."It likely belonged to someone who died unjustly," Bai Xue Ran explained. "A piece of their consciousness remained attached to the ring, unable to accept their death. When Zhenfeng wore it, the curse latched onto him, causing him to fall unconscious."Bai Zhenhai's brows furrowed. "And how exactly do you know this?""My master taught me," she said truthfully. "Who was this master who taught you such skills?" It must be someone of a great reputation seeing how even the young child he had taught was better than the quacks who claimed themselves to be great physicians. They could not even tell the difference between a curse and an illness. "He is a wandering physician," she replied smoothly, breaking the train of thoughts they had. "He once passed through our village and saw that I had some talent, so he gave me a book on medicine.""...That's it?" Bai Yi Xuan asked, blinking."That's it."The disbelief on everyone's faces was almost comical. This little girl had just solved a problem that had even left the royal physicians helpless, and her explanation was that she had read a book?Mu Yueli opened her mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again. "And... where is this book now?"Bai Xue Ran's expression did not change. "I lost it."A collective silence descended around them. A moment later, Bai Zhenhai let out an awkward laugh."Well, you must be tired. Why don't you go rest?"The moment the young girl was out of earshot, Old Madam Bai turned to her son and smacked his arm lightly."For the first time in your life, you have done something good!" she declared, her eyes twinkling with approval.The corner of Bai Zhenhai's lips twithed, "Mother, you finally acknowledge my efforts?"