Huang Biyu was tending to her plants when she had an unexpected visitor. Yang He looked poised and not a hair was out of place, as if the scandalous events of the past week had not concerned her in the least. Yang He entered her house, which was really a small humble home near the Yuan mansion, and nodded at her. Huang Biyu was not wrong to look so wary. She of all people knew what she was capable of and tredded carefully.
"What do you want?" she asked with a stony face. The only reason she didn't slam the door in her face was because the woman in front of her still had authority over her. To a certain degree, Huang Biyu had always felt a small dose of anxiety whenever she was near Yang He. She could allow her into her home, but she wouldn't give Yang He any more control over her again.
Yang He sat down on the nearby sofa and gestured towards the empty seat next to her. "Sister Biyu, please sit."
"No thanks, I like where I'm standing very much." Yang He chuckled in response to the sarcastic jab at her.
"Look at us, we're so old now. How the passage of time flies. We have kids who are about to journey into their adulthood--"
"Cut the crap, what is it you are here for, He? We both know you're not exactly the sentimental pep talk type."
The other woman narrowed her gaze at her, her eyes intensifying with an emotion. She didn't speak for a long time, the grandpa clock ticking away at lost time. Huang Biyu's anxious feeling was growing. She reassured herself. Yang He wouldn't be able to do anything to her. Not anymore. Huang Biyu was not so foolish that she was not prepared for a situation like this and Yang He knew what it'd mean to make her disappear. And so, they were at a stalemate.
Yang He finally opened her mouth. "You always were such a Mary Sue. Honestly, I don't know what you see in that man." When mentioning him, she snorted in disgust. If any of Yang He's social circle were to see this, they too would find it odd to see such a juxtaposition to her usual noble bearing.
Huang Biyu know who she was talking about and shook her head. "He may not have value to you, that is not to say he is worthless. Although I have remained as a mistress for many years, this was my own choice. I do not wish to disturb his peaceful life and burden him with every little heartache."
Yang He stared at her in contemplation, watching the dazzling aura around Huang Biyu transform her into a warrior. She could never understand her love for Yuan Guang, he was not so outstanding that she should sacrifice everything for him.
"Sister Biyu, I came here to tell you that it's time. I want to hear your answer."
"I already told you, I'm not going to--"
"Oh I know. What a shame though. There's so much you don't know." Yang He glided her fingers across the arm of the sofa, smile looking devious and mocking. "Even if you did know..." she muttered.
Huang Biyu was a bit surprised about the sorrowful feeling she was getting from Yang He. Where was the frightening woman from before? This was a woman who was even willing to use her kids!
"Please leave. I don't want to hear any more of this. No good can come out of this path your pursuing. Also, don't even think of threatening me because I know for a fact that you are not who you say you are. You wouldn't want that information to land in the hands of the wrong person, now would you?"
Despite the threat, Yang He laughed merrily, "Oh Huang Biyu, you have a long way to go. I'll tell you now that. You. Know. Nothing." She got up and left Huang Biyu with those last ominous words.
Later in the evening, Yuan Guang was sitting on his office chair, hand resting on his temple. Every family had their share of secrets, but the weight on his shoulders hadn't lessend over the years. His hand brushed over the ring he wore on his index finger. Everyone thought it was an heirloom, and in a sense it was, but it was also so much more than that. It was given to the most loyal and bravest of warriors. Protectors. Guardians. Above all, the ring represented the holder's right if they so wish to become the next head. And all because of this...
His eyes glazed over and it was like the figure of a man materialised in front of him. A phantom of a man who he had respected with all his heart. 'You know what to do....Yuan Guang, don't let....them get their hands on...I..trust you...' His distorted voice was fading in and out, weak and weary, just like that night when he last heard of him. "I will, old friend. Rest easy. I won't let your hard work go to waste." Yuan Guang whispered.