It is not blood relations, but family affection...
Upon hearing this, Bai Zhantian finally broke down and cried loudly.
The death of the third brother, the departure of the fourth brother, and the leaving of his wife.
The old man, over fifty years old, now cried out like a child.
If not for heart-wrenching pain, who would cry so bitterly?
Having seen all thirty-three heavenly palaces, none are higher than the Heaven of Separation.
Having endured all four hundred and forty illnesses, none are more bitter than a long longing.
Bai Ran looked up at the sky, which was covered with dark clouds. The damp air seemed to herald rain.
After an unknown amount of time, Bai Zhantian finally stopped crying and handed Bai Ran a piece of cloth wrapped in gold thread.
"This is what your mother left for you."
With that, Bai Zhantian wiped his tears and, frail and white-haired, trembled as he left, his figure lonely and desolate.
Bai Ran watched Bai Zhantian's retreating back for a long time. That feeling of her heart being torn apart filled her once again.
Bai Ran lowered her head and gently unwrapped the cloth. Inside lay a token.
The token was pure white, engraved with the character "Di."
She carefully rewrapped it.
Was her mother still alive now? Who was her father?
Too many mysteries surrounded Bai Ran, causing her a headache. She took a calming pill and returned to her cultivation.
Meanwhile, Murong Chen obediently did not reveal that his leg had fully healed, remaining as detached from worldly affairs as usual.
He lurked in the shadows, gradually devouring the forces of Murong De and Murong Jin.
A thousand-mile dike can collapse from an ant's nest. The child they looked down upon had now grown into an adult and learned to fight back.
In just three days, with Murong Chen's swift and decisive actions, royal power was gradually concentrated in his hands. Murong Jin and Murong De had no idea that the weak and incompetent third prince had, like a beast, bared his fangs in the dark.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The news of Bai Hong's death spread. Bai Zhantian lied, claiming that Bai Hong had attempted to assassinate Bai Ran, and in his fury, he had killed Bai Hong.
Those who tried to kill were killed instead. Everyone felt that Bai Hong deserved his fate. Of course, a considerable number also felt that Bai Zhantian was cold-blooded and heartless for killing his own son.
Today was Consort Xian's birthday banquet, and invited families were required to bring their relatives to offer congratulations.
Early in the morning, Qingxue and Qinghua excitedly dragged the still soundly sleeping Bai Ran to bathe, change clothes, and apply makeup.
They finally had the chance to dress up their mistress with all their might. This time, they would show those blind fools how beautiful their mistress was!
Seeing her grandfather, who looked neat and refreshed, Bai Ran walked over. "Grandfather."
"Ran Ran, the threshold for marriage proposals will surely be broken today," Bai Zhantian said to Bai Ran with a smile.
"Grandfather, stop teasing me," she said, linking her arm with Bai Zhantian's as they got into the carriage.
Bai family's eldest son was fighting on the frontier and was a renowned general. The second son was the vice-dean of the Star Picking Academy, both busy individuals. Therefore, only Bai Ran and Bai Zhantian from the Bai family attended.
As for Bai Luohan, after Bai Hong's death, no one paid her any attention.
The royal hall was packed with guests.
To the emperor's left sat a man in black with a mask, and to his right sat Consort Xian.
Below them, on the left and right respectively, sat the eldest princess Murong Yun'er and Murong Jin. Murong Chen's seat was arranged among the guests.
"Ajin, how they treat my father and me, you must help me," a gentle woman said softly in Murong Jin's arms.
"Don't worry, Luohan. I will not let Bai Ran and the Bai family off!" Murong Jin tightened his arm around the woman and gritted his teeth.
He had endured one hundred lashes and was left with lingering illness, unable to walk for long. He would definitely get revenge for this!
"The head of the Bai family and the fourth daughter of the Bai family arrive!" the welcoming eunuch announced.
Two people walked in from the entrance.
At that moment, everyone's attention was drawn to the woman beside Bai Zhantian.
The woman was dressed in a red dress, her dark hair cascading down. Her face was stunningly beautiful, with slightly upturned eyes, dark brows, crimson lips, and black eyes against snow-white skin. She was both beautiful and alluring.
However, this cold and ethereally beautiful woman exuded an indescribable chill. As she walked quietly, she gave off an aura that was impossible to underestimate, even a inexplicable sense of fear.
Murong Jin's heart pounded, and he gradually loosened his grip on Bai Luohan.
Murong Chen's face also turned red. Even though he saw this face every day in the Night Leaving Forest, he still wasn't used to it.
The man in black beside the emperor appeared somewhat angry.
He really wanted to gouge out the eyes of all these men staring at her!
Bai Ran, holding Bai Zhantian's arm, took her seat at the Bai family's table.
"Old Bai, aren't you going to introduce this little girl beside you?" Qin Mu asked Bai Zhantian with raised eyebrows.
"Introduce? Introduce what? This is my Bai family's fourth daughter!" Bai Zhantian's beard twitched, somewhat annoyed. She had only become more beautiful, and he couldn't recognize her?
What! The fourth daughter of the Bai family!
She was Bai Ran!
Everyone was so shocked their mouths fell open. Heavens! Who could tell them what was going on!
Murong Jin seemed to have received a great shock, staring blankly at Bai Ran.
No! Impossible! How could she be that lowly woman! Bai Luohan's beautiful and delicate face was filled with hatred and jealousy.
Bai Ran also noticed Murong Jin and the woman beside him, Bai Luohan.
Oh? She came by herself?
She raised an eyebrow at Bai Luohan.
Bai Luohan's eyes were furious, almost exploding, at Bai Ran's gesture.
What was she so smug about!
Sooner or later, I will get revenge! I will slash her face myself and carve this bitch into a thousand pieces!
"Very good, everyone is here. Let the banquet officially begin," Murong De said with a smile.
A group of dancers began to dance to the music.
Bai Ran sat casually, stuffing grapes into her mouth, eating with great relish.
The familiar gaze again. Bai Ran was too lazy to even look up; it must be Long Jinhan.
She continued eating, occasionally giving Murong Chen a look to inquire about the situation.
Murong Chen nodded back at Bai Ran.
"Ran Ran, my Mu Bai was fortunate to have your care," Qin Mu said to Bai Ran with a smile.
"Patriarch Qin, you are too kind. Qin Mu Bai himself has considerable talent," Bai Ran replied politely.
"I wasn't referring to the arena, but to the secret realm."
Patriarch Qin asked, recalling how his child had returned believing him to be a liar and almost kicking him out.
Who would have thought that after going to a secret realm, he would lose over a hundred catties and look like a completely different person?
Listening to Mu Bai recount the events in the secret realm, both of them felt that the person in the dark was likely Bai Ran.
"Patriarch Qin, what are you talking about?" Bai Ran feigned ignorance.
The little girl still wouldn't admit it?
Qin Mu's eyes darted. "Ran Ran, what do you think of Qin Mu Bai?"
Qin Mu Bai? What about him? Just so-so.
Bai Ran thought casually while eating grapes.
"Grandfather!" Qin Mu Bai's face turned red as he looked at Qin Mu.
"You, be quiet. I'm talking to the Bai family girl," Qin Mu said, looking at his grandson with disappointment.
"Ran Ran, if you think it's suitable, let's set a marriage between our two families today."
Qin Mu found it amusing to think about.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Bai Ran choked on a grape, almost suffocating.
What was this? Engagement? With whom?