Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Only Daughter of the Hidden Family

A moment later, the door behind the ancient painting opened, and Tao Tao emerged gracefully, clad in a red gauze dress. Through the delicate fabric, her fair calves could be glimpsed, and the off-shoulder design caused Gu Zhi and her companions to blush in embarrassment.

Gu Lin, in particular, was so shy that she covered her eyes with her hands.

But within seconds, Tao Tao dropped the act. “Hey, come on! I’m just showing a shoulder, and you all act so old-fashioned!”

Lifting her skirt, Tao Tao twirled around next to Gu Hua. “Sister Gu Hua, what do you think?”

“It’s not bad. This daring style is hard to accept, but it’s beautiful. When the wind catches your skirt, there’s even a touch of ethereal grace.”

Tao Tao puffed out her cheeks. “You can’t even handle bare calves. If you ever visited my hometown in the summer and saw us with bare thighs, you’d probably get a nosebleed on the spot.”

Gu Hua lowered her hand from her eyes, keeping them tightly shut. “Are you from a tribe of wildlings, wearing so little?”

Tao Tao laughed and, with a smirk, walked over to Gu Lin, prying open his eyelids to force him to look at her. Her voice was coy: “Well? Am I not beautiful, Brother Lin?”

Gu Lin’s whole body broke out in goosebumps, his scalp tingling. Looking at Tao Tao’s bare shoulder, he couldn’t help but have a nosebleed.

“Hahaha! Gu Lin, you’re bleeding!” Tao Tao laughed without a trace of pity, and hearing this, the others finally dared to open their eyes.

Ignoring his bleeding nose, Gu Lin tore off his coat and draped it over Tao Tao. “You—go change, now!”

Tao Tao was unrestrained. “Change? No, no, no. Tomorrow I’m wearing this to the battlefield! I want all you living fossils to embrace this style, to make every woman in Red Moon City fall in love with the Legend of Gaia!”

“You—You—” Gu Lin was at a loss for words. He spluttered but failed to say anything coherent, pressing a handkerchief to his nose and grumbling with a nasal, rebellious tone, “Hmph, I won’t stoop to your level!”

Gu Lin turned and left. Tao Tao felt that the most amusing person had gone, and before long, the gathering dispersed.

At the Ning household—

“Master, Miss hasn’t eaten for two days! Please, go see her!” In just two days, Ning Feng’s hair had grown noticeably grayer. Ever since Ning Xue’er had locked herself in her room, not only did she refuse to open the door, but there were frequent sounds of things being smashed inside.

Ning Feng hurried to her door. He had come several times before, but Ning Xue’er never opened up, often crying uncontrollably.

He had thought that if his daughter didn’t see him for a couple of days, her anger would fade. “Xue’er, it’s Father. Don’t be angry at me anymore, all right? Didn’t you always like the Second Prince? If that’s what it takes, I’ll swallow my pride and go to the palace to invite him for you!”

“Xue’er, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have been harsh with you. From now on, whatever you desire—even the moon in the sky—Father will find a way to get it for you!”

Suddenly, something fell with a crash inside the room. Ning Feng’s heart clenched. “Xue’er! Xue’er? Xue’er! Quick, break down the door!”

The servants acted swiftly. With a loud crash, the door fell. The room was in chaos, nothing like a young lady’s chamber. In the center, lying on the carpet, was a girl as pale as death.

“Xue’er! Fetch a physician! The best physician in the city!”

Ning Feng fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. “Xue’er, it’s all Father’s fault… all my fault…”

…

After much commotion, night had fallen. The physician had departed, leaving Ning Feng at his daughter’s bedside.

Ning Xue’er’s long fast had left her malnourished and weak, simply starving, and her grief and anger had further harmed her. The physician prescribed the finest medicine, assuring that she would soon awaken.

At midnight, while the whole city slept in darkness, only the Ning residence was lit.

Ning Xue’er slowly opened her eyes. Her lips were parched, and her voice was hoarse from long silence. “Father…Father…”

Ning Feng, keeping vigil at her side, hurried to offer her warm water. “Xue’er, do you still feel unwell? Tell me, whatever it is!”

She shook her head slowly. “No…”

Ning Feng’s eyes brimmed with tears.

“So, even Father…can cry…”

“Silly child, it’s my first time being a father. I tried everything to be a good one, but it seems I still fell short.”

He wiped away his tears. Already in his forties and lacking spiritual cultivation, he was keenly aware of his aging. He feared that after he was gone, Xue’er would be bullied.

Ning Xue’er managed a faint smile with her pale lips and reached out to take her father’s hand. “I know… I understand. I’ll try to grow up and be more mature, so you don’t have to worry…”

Hearing this, Ning Feng wept anew. “My daughter has grown up…my good girl…”

Throughout the long night, father and daughter reconciled, opening their hearts to each other. Ning Xue’er reflected on many things. She realized that although her mother was gone, she still had a loving father—a safe harbor, no matter what troubled her.

Perhaps she had been pampered all her life, and suddenly tasting bitterness had overwhelmed her.

She didn’t truly hate Gu Hua and her companions. She was just frustrated that one woman had so many men around her, and the Second Prince favored her too. That, plus the beggar girl’s sharp tongue, had all piled up.

After two days of reflection, Ning Xue’er had let go. As long as no one crossed her bottom line, she’d just endure—it wouldn’t kill her.

“Father, isn’t the First Pavilion’s auction tomorrow?” she asked, her voice now clear and steady.

“Why do you ask? Do you want to go?”

She nodded.

“If you want to go, take Qiu Yue with you. I’ll tell the steward to give you extra funds. If you see something you like, bid for it!”

“Father, I’m already a ninth-level spirit artist. I just want to see if there’s anything at the auction that could help me advance, without side effects.”

Ning Feng became stern. “Xue’er, I may not be a cultivator, but I know you must build a solid foundation. Don’t be reckless in your pursuit of advancement!”

Ning Xue’er raised four fingers and replied solemnly, “Father, I, Ning Xue’er, swear on a month’s allowance that I won’t chase advancement at the expense of my foundation or be greedy for quick gains!”

Seeing her serious expression, so reminiscent of himself, Ning Feng chuckled and tapped her nose.

“All right, I’ll head back to my room. You have a good rest and find some treasures tomorrow!”

Ning Xue’er smiled. “Don’t worry. With my eye for quality, how could I not choose well?”

“Mm, I believe in you! Do your best!” Ning Feng made an encouraging gesture, and Ning Xue’er mirrored it. It was their father-daughter secret handshake of encouragement.