The air at the Zhao estate was thick with unease. Zhao Lan stood beside her father, watching the chaos unfold in the courtyard as servants hurried to and fro, whispering frantically about Zhao Min's sudden disappearance. The entire household seemed shaken, as though the very walls had absorbed the lingering energy of Zhao Min's anger and resentment.
Her father's face remained stoic, but Zhao Lan could see the weight of worry in his eyes. Despite all that had happened, he had not expected Zhao Min to take such drastic action, and now they had no way of knowing where she was or what she intended to do. Zhao Min's note, scrawled in a hastily written hand, had only intensified the atmosphere of dread: "I will return to claim what is rightfully mine."
The cryptic threat left Zhao Lan feeling unsettled. Zhao Min had always been volatile, driven by ambition and a desperate need for approval, but this was different. Zhao Min's actions in the past had been manipulative, hidden in shadows; now, however, she was out in the open, unrestrained by the constraints of family honor or responsibility.
Li Wei's hand on her shoulder brought her back to the present, grounding her amidst the whirlwind of thoughts.
"We'll figure this out," he said quietly, his gaze steady. "But you need to prepare yourself. Zhao Min won't make this easy for you or your family."
Zhao Lan nodded, drawing strength from his presence. She knew that this battle with her sister would be more challenging than any of the others she had faced. Zhao Min was no longer playing within the family's rules; she was a loose thread that could unravel everything.
---
The next morning, Zhao Lan called for an emergency meeting with the household's senior staff to assess the situation. She wanted to ensure that every detail of Zhao Min's actions and relationships was thoroughly reviewed, hoping to uncover any clues about where her sister might have gone or with whom she might have allied herself.
One of the household guards, an older man who had served their family loyally for years, stepped forward and shared some concerning information.
"Miss Zhao Min had recently been seen in the company of a merchant from the north," he said. "He's known to have questionable ties and deals in rare artifacts. I overheard her mentioning him in passing a few weeks ago, though I didn't think much of it then."
Zhao Lan's pulse quickened. This merchant might be the ally Zhao Min had chosen, someone who could offer her the resources she needed to challenge the family from a distance. The thought of Zhao Min associating with such a person sent a chill down her spine. Her sister had always craved power and influence, but aligning herself with criminals suggested a new level of desperation and determination.
"Do you know where this merchant operates?" Zhao Lan asked, her tone urgent.
The guard nodded. "Last I heard, he travels between the northern markets and the port city of Haiqing. It's a dangerous area, with little oversight. If Zhao Min wanted to hide or build influence, it would be the perfect place."
Zhao Lan glanced at Li Wei, who had been listening intently. The unspoken understanding between them was clear: if Zhao Min had gone to such lengths, then the situation was far more serious than they had initially thought.
---
That afternoon, Zhao Lan prepared to travel to Haiqing, determined to confront her sister if necessary and put an end to this feud before it escalated further. She gathered a small, trusted group of guards, along with Li Wei, who insisted on accompanying her. Her father tried to dissuade her, arguing that it was too dangerous, but Zhao Lan stood firm.
"Father," she said, her tone resolute, "if Zhao Min is aligning herself with criminals, we cannot ignore it. Our family's honor is at stake, and I can't let her actions threaten what we've worked so hard to build."
Her father sighed, conceding to her determination. "Very well. But please, be careful. Zhao Min… she's not the sister you once knew."
Zhao Lan met his gaze, understanding the gravity of his words. She had always known her sister to be cunning, but the person she was now facing felt like a stranger.
---
The journey to Haiqing was long and arduous, with days spent navigating narrow mountain paths and dense forests. The closer they got to the port city, the rougher the terrain became, and Zhao Lan could feel the tension building within her party. Li Wei rode beside her, his presence a comforting reminder of the support she had, but even he looked wary as they approached the city.
Haiqing was a chaotic blend of commerce and crime, a place where merchants and criminals alike mingled in the bustling markets. The city had an air of lawlessness, with guards patrolling the streets but seemingly turning a blind eye to much of the activity. As they entered, Zhao Lan felt a sense of foreboding; this was Zhao Min's world now, a place where power and influence were bought rather than earned.
Their first stop was the inn where Zhao Min had reportedly stayed. Zhao Lan and Li Wei entered cautiously, scanning the room for anyone who might have information. After speaking to a few patrons, they found a bartender who remembered Zhao Min.
"She was here about a week ago," he said, polishing a glass as he spoke. "Came in with a man—tall, foreign accent, and wearing a ring with a serpent insignia. They looked like they were planning something big."
Zhao Lan exchanged a glance with Li Wei. The serpent insignia was a symbol of the northern mercenary guild, a ruthless organization known for its involvement in everything from smuggling to assassination. If Zhao Min had aligned herself with them, it was a dangerous sign.
"Do you know where they went?" Zhao Lan pressed.
The bartender shrugged. "Not sure, but they were talking about a shipment. Said something about the docks and 'taking what's theirs.' Sounded like they were planning to leave soon."
Zhao Lan thanked him, slipping him a few coins before turning to Li Wei. "We need to get to the docks," she said, urgency threading her voice. "If Zhao Min is involved in smuggling, it could be disastrous for our family."
---
The docks were a hive of activity, with sailors loading and unloading goods as the sun began to set over the horizon. Zhao Lan and her guards moved through the crowd, scanning the faces for any sign of Zhao Min or her accomplice. It didn't take long for them to spot the serpent insignia on a group of crates, confirming that they were in the right place.
As they approached, Zhao Lan caught sight of her sister standing near one of the ships, speaking animatedly with the same tall man described by the bartender. Zhao Min's expression was fierce, her eyes gleaming with determination as she gestured toward the crates.
Zhao Lan's heart tightened. This was the woman her sister had become, someone who would risk everything for a chance at power. Steeling herself, she stepped forward, her voice carrying over the noise of the dock.
"Zhao Min!"
Her sister turned, surprise flickering across her face before it hardened into a scowl. "So, you came after all," Zhao Min sneered, crossing her arms. "I suppose you couldn't resist meddling in my affairs."
Zhao Lan approached her slowly, keeping her expression calm and measured. "You're endangering our family, Zhao Min. Aligning with mercenaries, planning smuggling operations—this isn't the way."
Zhao Min's laugh was cold, filled with bitterness. "Our family?" she scoffed. "The family that cast me aside? You've taken everything from me, Zhao Lan. This is the only way I can reclaim what's mine."
Her words cut deep, but Zhao Lan refused to back down. "This path you're on will only lead to ruin. For you, and for all of us."
Zhao Min's expression twisted with anger, and she gestured to the crates. "These are mine, Zhao Lan. I've worked for this, I've bled for this. You have no right to take it from me."
Before Zhao Lan could respond, the tall man stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of a dagger. "Enough talk. If she's in our way, we'll deal with her."
Li Wei immediately stepped in, his hand on his own weapon as he faced off with the mercenary. Tension crackled in the air as the two men sized each other up, and Zhao Lan knew that a confrontation was imminent.
"Please, Zhao Min," she implored, desperation creeping into her voice. "Don't do this. There's still a chance to make things right."
But her sister's face remained cold, unmoved by her plea. "I've made my choice, Zhao Lan. Now, it's time for you to make yours."
With that, Zhao Min turned, signaling her men to prepare the crates for departure. Zhao Lan watched, feeling a mix of sorrow and determination. Her sister had chosen a path that would lead to conflict, and now it was up to her to stop it—no matter the cost.