In the study...
"Is everything settled…?"
"Yes, Old Master. I have already taken care of the servant who betrayed her master and set an example. I looked into the person who appointed her, but nothing abnormal was found. However, one of his subordinates is suspicious. I haven't taken action yet so as not to startle the snake."
"Good…"
"Have you found anything unusual about the little one?"
"Old Master… are you worried that… it has awakened?" the old butler asked hesitantly.
"What needs to happen will surely happen," he sighed, suddenly seeming ten years older in an instant.
"Old Master…"
"Old Mo… what do you think I should do?"
"Old man… you…!?"
"Mo, although we are master and servant, I've never thought of you as a servant. From the day I was born till now, for decades, you've followed me through struggles, life and death. I am not afraid of dying, but seeing the younger generation die before me… that hurts more than my own death."
"Old man…"
"Shh… let me finish. Actually, I wanted to ask you to add that meridian-destroying medicine you researched into her food tomorrow. You saw how much she ate today. Even if the bloodline hasn't awakened, it's close to it. But… how can I, as her great-grandfather, do something so cruel as to destroy the hope of reaching the heavens for my great-granddaughter?"
"If one day… if she learns that it was her own family who ruined her path to cultivation… then…"
At this moment, he was no longer the serious, stern, and calm head of the family — just a great-grandfather worried for the younger generation.
"Old man… calm down," Old Mo's voice brought the old man back to his senses. "Don't overthink it. Things aren't as bad as you fear. If she really awakened the bloodline, it would be a good thing. The longer the awakening takes, the stronger the talent and the faster the cultivation. Since it's happening so early, it means her talent might not be that strong. So there's no need to rush. And don't forget — she herself is a unique existence. Maybe this is a turning point for the better."
Old Mo wasn't just consoling the old man. If someone checked the genealogy, they would be astonished to find that, in hundreds of years of the Rao family's history, there had never been a girl child born. When the little one was brought back, the old man even thought his son and grandson were lying to him just to get permission to leave. If not for the trace of the bloodline curse shared between the Mo family and the Rao family sensed in her, they would have never believed she was truly a descendant of the Rao family.
Since a miracle had happened to make her an exception, perhaps there could be more miracles… or other exceptions.
As he sighed, he seemed to regain his vigor as the old patriarch. Old Mo also retracted his aura, returning to his calm, servile role as the old butler.
"Old Master, should I prepare for the Blood Awakening Ceremony? If we do… then her identity as your great-granddaughter will be revealed."
"Identity…?" The old patriarch looked puzzled.
At this, Old Mo's expression turned slightly sorrowful.
"Master, you may not know… When the little one was brought in by the Eldest Master, almost everyone in the mansion saw it. Since Eldest had kept his marriage and child a secret, and to keep her safe, we never revealed her identity. Everyone assumed she was the illegitimate daughter of the Eldest Master. Without permission, I didn't dare to let the truth out. So…"
"Then let's keep the ceremony simple for now," the old patriarch decided after a pause. "During the Purification Ceremony, we'll announce it formally at the family gathering."
"Yes…"