National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

"Everything within the Great Xia Empire is controlled with extreme severity, allowing no room for even the slightest mistake."

Lai Yu Yao lifted her head slightly.

A hint of wistful memory and resentment in her eyes, she began to speak slowly. "My father’s family... a family that has always yearned to secure a higher status and greater power on the political stage.

During that special time when Evil Spirits began to plague the world,

the importance of the Defense Team skyrocketed.

It surpassed that of any other department during times of peace and prosperity.

Perhaps it was the power of love that gave him courage.

My father had always been mediocre, unremarkable within the family.

But spurred on by love, he was like a newly lit fire and began to shine brightly,

charging bravely forward on the path to the position of minister of the Defense Team.

It’s just a shame his ambition went unfulfilled. Before he could reach the top, that woman made her move."

Lai Yu Yao’s voice trembled slightly, her clenched fists betraying her inner fury. "That woman... of course she knew what her suddenly motivated husband was trying to do.

Once my father succeeded and became the minister of the Defense Team headquarters,

no one, not in the family or even in the entire Empire, would be able to hold him down.

That included the powerful higher-ups within the family.

And at that point, it would be a simple matter for him to bring the woman he truly loved back into the family. That was something she absolutely could not tolerate, which is why she acted so desperately."

"But from the family’s perspective, they were only worried about one thing.

They worried that if this incident were to be exploited by their rivals,

it would become a huge stain on the family’s reputation.

Given the old Emperor’s uncompromising and strict nature,

not just my father, but the entire Lai Family would likely have suffered a devastating blow."

"So, to protect its reputation and status, the Lai Family went to great lengths.

They used countless connections and resources

and barely managed to suppress the whole affair.

And, to appease my father,

the family ultimately decided to bring me into the fold,

making that woman my mother,

while my father, of course, remained my father."

A flicker of mockery crossed Lai Yu Yao’s eyes. "After my father overcame countless hardships and obstacles and finally became minister of the Defense Team headquarters,

that woman immediately turned on him. She brazenly announced my true identity to the world.

She even went so far as to viciously slander my mother,

claiming she was a woman of the night,

and alleging that while my father was away training,

my mother had used all sorts of tricks to get pregnant with his child.

Overnight, I went from being the young lady who should have been glamorous and dazzling

to being a total laughingstock, suffering endless humiliation and bullying both from within the family and from the outside world.

The other wealthy young ladies who had once called me ’sister’

all showed their ugly true colors and started to kick me while I was down."

A flush of shame and anger rose to Lai Yu Yao’s face. "I was young and hot-headed back then.

How was I supposed to endure such humiliation and immense pressure from all sides?

When I couldn’t take it anymore,

I stormed right into that woman’s room,

clutching a cup of scalding water.

At that moment, I had only one thought in my mind: ’I’ll make her pay for what she’s done.’

I intended to throw the water right in her vicious face,

but unfortunately, I was so worked up that my hands were shaking uncontrollably,

and I couldn’t keep a steady grip on the cup.

I threw the water, but it didn’t hit her face like I’d wanted.

That incident thoroughly enraged her.

She gritted her teeth and told me she would make my life a living hell.

That woman is utterly vicious, and her methods are even more ruthless."

"With no other choice, my father had to step in

and enter into difficult negotiations with her.

The agreement they finally reached was that I would never set foot in the Royal City again,

and in return, she promised not to come after me in secret."

Lai Yu Yao’s eyes filled with helplessness and sorrow.

"So that’s why you’re in Haitong City?"

Chu He frowned slightly. As he listened to Lai Yu Yao’s account, it all clicked into place.

’So that’s the complex and tragic story behind her past.’

"Yes."

Lai Yu Yao nodded, her eyes burning with the fiery flames of vengeance. "But this is a grudge I can never swallow.

It’s because of this mindset

that I’ve made so many mistakes in the past.

I’m like a hedgehog,

struggling alone in this world, always baring my teeth, with all my spines raised,

to ward off the world’s harm and injustice.

I’ve come today to make a deal with you, Mr. Chu.

Since there are certain qualities about me that you seem to appreciate,

I will use those qualities as my bargaining chip.

If you, Mr. Chu, can help me get my revenge,

if you can help me finally release all the resentment I’ve held onto for years,

and clear my mother’s name,

then I am willing to follow you and serve you for the rest of my life, Mr. Chu.

Even if you order me to die the moment my revenge is complete, I won’t so much as frown."

Lai Yu Yao’s tone was firm and resolute,

her determined expression showing she had already cast aside all thought of life and death.

"After I return to the Royal City, I will have someone investigate this thoroughly.

If things are exactly as you’ve described, then we have a deal."