ChunHua.

However, ChunHua appeared to be changed. Her eyes were meek and quiet, unlike her usual prideful ones.

Seeing Lan'er in front of her, ChunHua gave a nod to greet her, "Third sister."

Lan'er paused. Her eyes were examining into the eyes of the other. How unusual. If ChunHua was not at the jewelry store, she was at the fabric store. Never was she seen so quiet at home. Her second sister always despised being caged up at home. Had something happened?

"It's a surprise to see you here, ChunHua."

ChunHua merely lowered her head, giving a small acknowledgment to her third sister's statement. She carefully stepped to the side and allowed Lan'er to move forward. Lan'er couldn't help but let a slight frown to appear on her face. As she s.h.i.+fted her sights back to the front of the manor, her eyes happened to catch the sight of a thin silver thread seemingly tied to the neck of ChunHua. However, as she blinked, the thread disappeared.

Although she felt it was odd, Lan'er didn't drawl on it too much. Moving her feet quickly, she s.h.i.+fted her attention back to Hongyue, who was still stuck in the palace.

*****

"Second Miss, are you okay?" A maid hurried over to help ChunHua into the room from the doorway. ChunHua didn't answer. Her eyes landed on her mother, who was staring at the doorway dimly. ChunHua suddenly moved closer, and she ran her fingers through the second madam's hair.

"Mother?"

The maid who was standing nearby flinched. It was a strange sight to take in. The voice ChunHua used wasn't in the least sad or of grief. Instead, it was filled with a hostile resentment.

Thinking that ChunHua was upset about her mother, the maid tried to rea.s.sure her, "Second Miss, please calm down. I'm sure the general will carry out revenge for your mother."

ChunHua turned over, her eyes revealing a hint of interest, "Father? Father can?"

However, a string of laughter flowed out of her mouth, "My father can?"

Turning her eyes to the maid, she tilted her head. The maid froze. It was strange. It had been a week but the second miss changed so much.

The maid mustered up her courage, "I'm sure-"

"No one can," ChunHua stopped her with a sharp glare, "Tell me, who can fight against the capabilities of a ghost?"

As if she was reminded of her slavery to Hongyue, ChunHua angrily clutched her neck. However, her hand wasn't able to touch the thread; only the creator could. ChunHua turned to her mother and suddenly lashed out a slap. The maid was terrified at the sight of how ChunHua didn't seem to care.

"If it wasn't because of your greed, how could I end up like this?! Tell me! Answer me!"

The maid rushed forward and tried to stop ChunHua only to be shoved aside.

"Tell me, mother. If you really cared for me, would I end up like this?"

"Second Miss, she is your mother!" The maid shouted.

ChunHua frowned, "She's my mother...my mother."

She laughed bitterly, "If she's my mother, would she raise her daughter in such scheming ways? Now that karma comes back to visit, it is I who suffers because of her sins, not her."

ChunHua loosened her grip, and she stepped out of the room. She was always a sheltered second miss who knew nothing other than to follow her mother's words and her selfish ambitions. She always thought Hongyue was the one who wronged her. Hongyue took the place of the most favored daughter. Why should Hongyue when she had no powers? However, she slowly found out the truth. Wanting to find her father to help her mother, she overheard the general speaking to a shadow guard about his plans. It was like her mother meant and was nothing. Only then did she understand the meaning of being born into high status. Now to overhear her third sister and her father's conversation, did she realized her own danger.

There was little to no love.

It was only about power.

What if she lost her value? What would happen to her?

Her eyes turned dull. Her mother's craziness...she knew Hongyue must have something to do with it. However, she couldn't feel the hate she should be feeling.

No, wrong.

She didn't dare to hate because she had no right to. She was in the wrong. Nevertheless, she wanted to live. Without her mother, would she be able to survive? She pressed her neck and suddenly turned to the maid.

"Go tell third sister I'm going with her."

ChunHua lowered her head. She desired to live. She wanted to make a bargain with Hongyue. Clutching her sleeves, she felt uneasy, but she pushed herself to stand firmly.

There was something she hadn't noticed before, but she trusted Hongyue more than her own father.