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After listening to Zi Yi's report, Ouyang Hao finally had time to return to the courtyard. He thought that Bai Su and the Matriarch would have endless conversations, but when he pushed the door open, he found Bai Su sitting alone at the table, holding her forehead, and the Matriarch was nowhere to be seen.
"Madam," Ouyang Hao called softly as he stepped into the room, but Bai Su seemed oblivious, still lost in her thoughts with her head down.
It had been many years since Bai Su had been like this. Ouyang Hao sighed inwardly, realizing that despite avoiding it for so long, he could not escape it forever. To avoid startling Bai Su, he cleared his throat first to get her attention before stepping forward and asking with concern, "What’s wrong, Madam?"
Although the tear stains on Bai Su's face had dried, it was evident that she was aware of Ouyang Hao's return at this moment meant he must have found out some news. She quickly grabbed his hand and asked, "Husband, do you have any news? You can't keep it from me anymore."
For over a decade, Bai Su had lived a relatively simple life, leaving all matters to Ouyang Hao to handle. She did not want to know and did not wish to know. But as Lin Ma said, now that people were already in front of her, continuing to deceive herself was no longer a solution.
"Calm down, Madam. Let me explain everything in detail," Ouyang Hao nodded. This time he did not intend to hide anything from Bai Su because even if he wanted to keep it secret, it would be impossible.
The Bai Clan had already received a summons from Nan Gong Yao; this news would soon spread throughout the imperial capital. For many years, Bai Su had lived discreetly in the capital, and now the sudden emergence of the Bai Clan meant she was thrust into the spotlight. It was better for her to hear the news in advance.
Zi Yi had not yet discovered why the Five Elders entered the palace. However, it was surprising that there wasn't a single person from Bai Zhan by their side this time. There were indeed some people lurking in the shadows, but it seemed that not only Ouyang Hao's people were probing; even those around the Five Elders appeared to be keeping an eye on them. This indicated that those in plain sight and those in the dark were not from the same faction.
"Bai Zhan... his reach is still so long." Upon hearing this name, Bai Su's delicate hand clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white. She once thought her resentment had faded significantly since having Ouyang Zixin; she rarely thought about the past anymore. Yet unexpectedly, upon hearing this name now, she could not suppress her anger.
Ouyang Hao reached out and held Bai Su's hand gently, prying open her fist. He noticed clear imprints from her nails on her palm, revealing how hard she had gripped it. A wave of heartache washed over him as he disapproved gently, saying, "Madam, why put yourself through this? You must take care of yourself."
In her fury, Bai Su could not hear these words; her mind was filled with memories of Bai Zhan's past transgressions. If it weren't for her mother and Ouyang Hao working together back then, she feared she would have long been forgotten beneath a grave. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became until she suddenly burst into tears. She threw herself into Ouyang Hao's arms and cried out, "Husband! Husband! If it weren't for you and my mother back then, I would have been harmed by him long ago! I can't bear to think about it... I really can't bear to think about it..."
Ouyang Hao felt a pang in his heart. Although he had not witnessed the suffering Bai Su endured back then, he could guess some of it, and he did not dare to delve deeper, fearing the outcome would be unbearable for him. He was already grateful that Madam Bai had extended a helping hand back then, so he had adhered to her request over the years: never to bring up the past in front of Bai Su and never to ask her about it.
"Madam..." Ouyang Hao's throat tightened, and a wave of sorrow surged within him. For a moment, he found himself at a loss for words and could only hold Bai Su tightly, using his embrace to soothe her still wounded heart that had not yet fully healed.
"How could he do this? He is my brother... my own brother... He actually harmed our kin for the position of clan leader... even imprisoned our mother..." Bai Su sobbed as she recounted her pain. It was the first time in many years that she had actively spoken about these matters. Indeed, some things could not simply be forgotten by choosing not to speak of them. Now, everything was still vivid in her memory, as if it had happened yesterday.
Over the years, Ouyang Hao had never deliberately concealed the truth. There were even times when he knew Bai Su was listening, yet he did not stop his subordinates from reporting news. Some things he could choose not to mention, but there were others she needed to know.
The peaceful life they had enjoyed for over a decade was coming to an end due to the emergence of the Matriarch and the Bai Clan. This was something both of them wished to avoid, yet it was also something they could not prevent.
Bai Su cried too much today; she was exhausted. As she spoke, she eventually fell into a deep sleep, though tears continued to flow from the corners of her eyes, occasionally sliding down and soaking Ouyang Hao's front.
He carried Bai Su to bed and lay down beside her fully clothed. Watching her sleep with swollen eyes and tears still falling, Ouyang Hao felt regret for the first time—regret for not having resolved everything back then. They had met in humble beginnings and shared their feelings deeply; reaching this point together had been incredibly difficult. If he had not endured back then, thinking that retreating would lead to broader horizons, perhaps they would not have the life they enjoyed today or their lovely daughter.
But what good was their retreat? After all these years, the Bai Clan still refused to let them go and had come knocking on their door.
Ouyang Hao closed his eyes, hiding the shadow in his gaze. Bai Clan, no matter what you intend to do, if you dare harm my wife or child in any way, I will make you pay a painful price. The foolish boy who lacked power back then has grown up; he is no longer a helpless coward unable to protect his loved ones!
"Zi Yi."
Outside the door, Zi Yi's figure appeared against it. Ouyang Hao turned his head to glance at Bai Su before solemnly instructing, "Kill without mercy anyone who is from Bai Zhan lurking in the shadows." Times have changed; those from Bai Zhan should not think they can play tricks under his watch!
"Understood." Zi Yi replied succinctly before disappearing from sight.
"My lady, you won't blame me, will you?"
Ouyang Hao reached out to caress Bai Su's face. The woman before him was his wife, the mother of his children, the one he cherished for a lifetime. His past incompetence had left him filled with regret, and he would never make the same mistakes again or endure in silence.
"And then there's Xin'er."
Thinking of his daughter still in the Millennium Ruins, Ouyang Hao suddenly felt a jolt of anxiety. He turned over and stood for a long time facing the direction of the palace.
Now that the Bai Clan had suddenly appeared, if the Sovereign's intention to arrange a marriage became known to them, would Xin'er become yet another target for their manipulation?
Would Nangong Tuo become another Rong Yi? (To be continued.)
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