The words hit her like a physical blow. As the realization sank in, chills ran down her spine. She trembled uncontrollably, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"No… it's impossible. This can't be true…" she whispered, shaking her head in denial as she took a step back, her gaze locked on her parents' translucent forms.
"Wan-er," her mother's voice was soft and gentle. "Why did you do this to us? We raised you with such care-"
Madame Ye raised a hand towards her daughter, wanting to caress her cheek but Young Lady Ye slapped it away.
"What do you mean by care? You only wanted to use me as a pawn to further the Ye family's interests through marriage. Don't pretend you care. If given a choice, I would do it all over again with no regrets!" Young Lady Ye's words were vicious and her mother could only stand there, her eyes filled with helpless sorrow.
"You ungrateful wretch! How dare you speak to your mother like that! You killed her and made her into a vengeful spirit, you unfilial brat. How dare you-" Master Ye's blood boiled at his daughter's words, his rage threatening to consume him as his hand rose to strike. But just as he was about to bring it down, a slender hand caught his wrist, halting him mid-motion.
He turned to his side, where his wife stood—her vitality restored, as though her illness had never existed. Confusion flickered in his eyes, but Madame Ye only shook her head, stepping forward to face their daughter.
"You say that I abused you and wanted to use you. Tell me, other than marrying into a good family, what other ways can you ensure a good future for yourself?" Madame Ye snapped coldly, her voice laced with frustration. Her words flowed with a practiced ease, as though she had repeated them countless times before.
"You don't have a solid cultivation foundation and disliked training so your father and I never forced you down that path. The only other option for you is to marry. Your father and I searched for a good family so that when you marry into their family, you will not be mistreated. In what way has your father and I let you down in this matter?"
"You knew I loved Second Young Master Xia but disapproved and deliberately pushed for my marriage with other young masters! They don't even measure up to Second Young Master Xia, how is that making sure I marry well?" Young Lady Ye shouted defiantly, her voice full of resentment. Her mother, however, only shook her head, a silent resignation in her gaze.
"Second Young Master Xia is an illegitimate child. Once you marry him, you will surely be mistreated in the Xia Family." Master Ye's frustration boiled over, his patience wearing thin. "How can you not see that?"
"Second Young Master Xia will protect me-" Young Lady Ye's words were cut off by her mother's sharp retort.
"He can't even protect himself, how will he protect you? Madame Xia has always despised him, and Master Xia only brought him back to save face. He has no real status in the family—he's treated worse than a servant. How could he possibly protect you?"
Young Lady Ye furrowed her brow, confusion flickering in her eyes. "But he has the blood of Master Xia, how can they treat him like that?"
"Wan-er, you've been sheltered your whole life, never seeing the true nature of the world. You don't understand the cruelty people show toward illegitimate children. You've been played for a fool without even knowing it." Madame Ye shook her head, letting out a heavy sigh. "Alas, you've sacrificed so much for him, but you're blind to the truth—he's already engaged to the Lei family's daughter."
Madame Ye's words hit Young Lady Ye like a thunderclap. "Impossible! You're lying to me!" she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
"Wife, are you telling me that bastard actually managed to secure the Lei family's favor?" Master Ye's shock mirrored his daughter's, his voice thick with disbelief.
Madame Ye shook her head, her expression heavy with pity. "The Lei family is not so simple. They only accepted their daughter's match with him because of their own ambitions. The Second Young Master promised them benefits to secure this marriage. If not, why would the Lei family have agreed?"
"You're just speculating, Mother. There's no proof that Second Young Master Xia is involved with Young Lady Lei!" Young Lady Ye's voice quivered on the edge of tears as she desperately denied her mother's words. But the next sentence shattered her completely.
"I received the invitation to their wedding banquet."