A Woman of Loyalty and Compassion

Lily Evans was furious, her anger flaring as she slammed the table. "Who on earth is so brazen on the other side?!" she demanded, voice sharp with outrage.

Xenia bit her lip and whispered, "It's... it's the Gu Family..."

"Gu Family!" Lily Evans ground her teeth, instantly understanding the situation. So White Pete's daughter had been bought by the Gu Family, her indenture contract firmly in their grip.

That’s why, when Gregory Gu Jr., Imperial Grand Tutor, heard the Prince of Qin’s Manor wanted the girl, he stubbornly refused to let her go. He even threatened that he’d rather see White Pete’s daughter dead or crippled than hand her over to the Prince of Qin.

Gregory Gu had gone head-to-head with Lily Evans again and again, driving her to the point of utter exasperation.

"That Gu fellow clearly hasn’t learned his lesson from last time!" Lily Evans slammed both hands on the table, her rare burst of true anger filling the room.

White Pete knew all about the Gu Family—they were the kin of Gregory Gu Jr., Imperial Grand Tutor, rival to Alexander Hayes. That made the situation all the more serious.

With the Gu Family’s status, would Lily Evans really go head-to-head with them just for the sake of a wandering craftsman’s daughter?

White Pete gazed at Lily Evans, despair flooding his eyes as he sobbed, "It took me so long to find my daughter. She’s still so young, and she’s suffered so much... It’s my fault as her father for being useless. I’ll go save her myself—even if it costs me my life, I’ll get my girl out!"

With a swipe of his tears, White Pete turned to leave, his whole body radiating the tragic resolve of a hero marching to his doom.

"Mr. White, come back!" Princess Lily Evans called out to White Pete.

White Pete paused, half-turned, sorrow etched on his face. "Princess Lily Evans, I'm no naive child. I know how powerful the Gu Family is—they won't let my daughter go so easily. I begged for your help, knowing that crossing the Gu Family could bring disaster to the Prince of Qin’s Manor. But she's my own flesh and blood; as her father, I must rescue her myself!"

"Mr. White! Wait!" Princess Lily Evans hurried forward, blocking White Pete’s path. She gazed at the man who was willing to risk his life for his daughter, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve.

Princess Lily Evans sighed. "Mr. White, you’ve helped me so much—how could I stand by and do nothing? I won’t turn my back on the daughter you worked so hard to find. Nor can I let an innocent girl suffer revenge from the Gu Family just because she’s connected to the Prince of Qin’s Manor. The feud between our families shouldn’t be hers to bear. Trust me, I’ll help you rescue your daughter. Wait here for my good news."

White Pete looked at Princess Lily Evans as if seeing a merciful Bodhisattva—the only hope for his daughter's salvation.

Tears streaming down his face, White Pete knelt before Princess Lily Evans. "Thank you, Princess Lily Evans! I will never forget your kindness!"

"Mr. White, wait here in the manor for my good news. I promise to bring your daughter back safely." Princess Lily Evans’s eyes shone with determination, instructing White Pete to stay put while she returned to her room to change.

Xenia waited outside, her heart filled with admiration for Princess Lily Evans’s loyalty and compassion.

White Pete, a wandering craftsman of such humble status, was astonished that Princess Lily Evans would risk challenging the Gu Family for someone like him. Such courage and kindness were truly rare in this world.

Xenia lowered her head, deep in thought. She’d long been seeking a suitable patron for the Moonlight Pavilion, but hadn’t found the right person. Now, seeing Princess Lily Evans’s loyalty and protectiveness, she realized that if she allied with Princess Lily Evans, Moonlight Pavilion wouldn’t have to scrape by in the shadows anymore.

Still, she worried Princess Lily Evans might look down on Moonlight Pavilion for being a pleasure house and refuse to get involved.

She would have to observe a little longer and find the right moment to test Princess Lily Evans’s attitude.