Returning to her room, she locked the door, twisted bed sheets and curtains into ropes, tied them together, and hung them from the balcony to the first floor. She then slowly climbed down.
Old Li was stunned by her actions. After a moment, he helped move the ladder to beneath Di Xihuang’s study balcony.
She climbed the ladder, entering from the most concealed corner of the balcony and signaled Old Li to quietly move the ladder away.
Outside, the sun shone brightly, and the fragrance of flowers wafted in the breeze, but inside, the atmosphere was strange.
From the reflection in the open glass door, she saw Di Ying, sitting elegantly on the sofa in her black kimono, with a gloomy expression as she gazed at the cup in her hand.
Besides the old witch, nobody else was visible, not even Di Xihuang. She didn’t dare get closer, so she hid and observed.
The old witch’s voice, usually cold, contained a few soft tones. “Yes, I didn’t expect we would become in-laws. Xihuang is quite independent. We elders can’t say much about what he does. If I hadn’t come to Hong Kong, I wouldn’t have known he married a Tong family daughter.”
Her lowered eyes glanced forward, seemingly focused on no one in particular.
“A Ying, you…” The heavy voice, softened yet identifiable as Tong Baifu’s, was quickly interrupted by Di Ying. “I am now a married woman, with the surname Tian Mu.” The previous softness had turned cold, tinged with disgust.
“Madam Tian Mu.” The calm and refined voice of Tong Baichuan eased the tension caused by the interruption. Ou Xueman rejoiced—his presence might help uncover the truth.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed, and Tong Baifu stood up, slapping the table. “Di Ying, where is my child now?”
Child? Ou Xueman was shocked, realizing the situation was becoming more complicated.
“Child? There has never been one, and even if there were, it has nothing to do with you,” Di Ying responded, her disgust toward Tong Baifu evident.
Tong Baifu’s anger was palpable. “Nothing to do with me? I am that child’s father.”
Father? This left Ou Xueman bewildered.
“President Tong,” a low, authoritative voice cut through the tension, “I don’t care about any grudges you had with my aunt, but please remain calm.”
