Ba Yue just arrived back home from her daily training, the sun is out already. She came back home late today due to the battle with the beast. She hopes no one is awake yet and quietly sneaks back to her room from the back door.
She was just about to open her room door when it suddenly opened. She looked inside and there was her 2 brothers and father, sitting there waiting for her!
This is just great! she thought to herself. Why are they here today to see me when I currently look like a mess with injuries. But before she can say anything, her father has spoken first.
"Ah Yue, what's going on? Where have you been? Don't you know we were all very worried when we didn't see you in your room? And how did you get those injuries?" Said Ba Shao Ten as he looks all over Ba Yue with his worry glaze.
"Father, I'm sorry for worrying you and brothers. I'll tell you all about it later, but I really want to take a shower and change my clothes first."
"Okay, I'll wait for your explanation at the dining room you when we have breakfast. Ah Yue, we are family, you don't have to hide anything from us. If there's anything bothering you, you can let us know and we can help you." After saying that, Ba Shao Ten left the room.
"Little Yue, we are here for you." Said Ba Zi. He then turns and follows his father out.
"Little Yue, you have no idea how worried we all were Xi Xi came to us and told us she doesn't see you in your room and can't find you anywhere. Father almost flipped! He was going to send out people to search for you. But we have somehow convinced him to wait a little longer because you might come back by yourself soon." Said Ba Jing.
"We will wait for you at the dining room, breakfast is ready. Come out soon." Said Ba Jing, he then turns around and left the room.
Ba Yue called one of the maids over and have her prepare the bath water for her. She then goes behind the screen in her room, where the bathtub is to take her bath. As she sits in the bathtub, she thought to herself that it's about time to talk to father and brothers. They might have suspected something already since I have changed so much lately.
When Ba Yue got to the dining room, her father and brothers were already there waiting for her. They had a serious look on their face, especially father. His eyebrow is squeezing so tight that it can kill a fly.
The food is already placed on the table. And as usual, it surprises her how much this family can eat! I'm talking about food that's enough to feed more than 15 people when there's only 4 of them here! And what's even more surprising is that we can actually finish it all!
"Father, before you ask me any question, please listen to what I have to say first." Says Ba Yue, as she seats down on the empty chair by the table.
"But we have never thought of you as an embarrassment to the family." Said Ba Jing. Ba Zi and their father also agreed by slightly nodding their heads.
"But I feel like an embarrassment! And please don't cut me off and skip in to talk, let me finish my talk first then you can talk and ask whatever you all want." Says Ba Yue, as she rolls her eyes at Ba Jing.
"Even though I have not been training martial arts with you all back then, I have read lots of books. Books that are about medicine, martial arts and also cultivation and much more. I might not have put it to use before, but I think it's time for me to use the knowledge I've gained from reading all these books. I have been secretly training by myself at the back of the mountain."
It's really not a lie about reading books. According to the memories of this body, the old Ba Yue does read a lot of books. When Madama Ba married into the Ba Family, she had brought with her lots of books and treasures. Those books are very rare that cannot be found anywhere else.
Madama Ba had also built a library inside this residence. And there was a rule, only the main family member is allowed to enter into this library to look at the books.
Father and brothers are never really into books. On the other hand, Ba Yue loves book especially these were her mother's books! Over time, she had gained lots of knowledge even though she doesn't put them to use. There were actually lots of stuff the old Ba Yue had learned from these books that Li Hei Yi had no idea about.
Also, she can't tell them that she has been training at the Black Forest, they will be worried sick about her and probably follows her to training in the future.
"Okay, I can answer some of the questions you might have now," said Ba Yue as she picks up the teapot and pours herself a cup of tea. She's very thirsty from all the talking.
The dining room was quiet for a good few second until Ba Jing breaks the silents first.
"Little Yue, are you okay? Did you receive a shock from something or hm…, maybe someone? That's why you want to change?" Asked Ba Jing with worries from his eyes.
With seriousness in her eyes, Ba Yue looked at the man in front of her and said, "Yes, I have received a shock. But not the kind of shock you think it is. I was just shocked at how stupid I used to be! After the accident, I realized how short life is and I could have died at any time. I don't want to feel bad for myself anymore or live for others. I will do my best to live my life and I also want my family to be proud of me."
Hopefully, they will buy my excuse thought Ba Yue as she tries to remain a serious face.
"Ah Yue, as long as this is what you want, then we will all support you. But do know that, no matter what others say, you are you. You can my beloved daughter and I'll always be proud of you." Said Ba Shao Ten with a gentle soft voice. He will be supportive of whatever she wants to do since Ba Yue is his only daughter.
Hearing that, Ba Yue felt warmness surrounding her heart. She knows she's not the real Ba Yue, but she can't help but feel loved by Master Ba. She vows to protect all Ba Yue's loved ones and to repay them for the love and kindness she has received from them.
"Father, thank you!" Said Ba Yue with redness in her eyes. She felt so touch that tears are forming in her eyes.
"Little Yue, how did you get injured, do you want us to call for a doctor? Said Ba Zi with a plain voice tone, but you can see the worries he had in his eyes.
"I'm okay, older brother. It's just little scratches, I have already taken care of it."
"Next time, don't go out training at night or when it's dark outside. Even though it's just the back of the mountain, it's still dangerous. You can ask us brothers to go with you next time. Said Ba Zi.
"Brother, I'm fine, you don't have to worry. Next time I'm going go in the morning and make sure to let you know so you won't worry about me. But you can't come with me, otherwise, my training is not going to improve with you helping me."
"Um….I think we are missing out on something important here." Says Ba Jing, as he looks at Ba Yue. "Little Yue, I know you have been training, but how did you lose so much weight so fast? I don't think it is possible to lose that amount of weight with training alone."
Ba Shao Ten and Ba Zi turns and look at Ba Yue at the same time. They have been wondering about that too. Especially since Ba Yue has been eating the same amount of food as before.
"I remembered a medicine that can help to detox body and to lose weight in one of mother's book. That day when we went to the clothing store, I secretly also went to the herbal store and brought herbs to make it. I didn't tell you two at the time because I wanted to give you all a surprise when the result shows." Said Ba Yue with her innocent eyes that are looking at them.
"We are surprised all right and I think the others will be even more surprise when we go to the banquet in less than a month. Says Ba Jing as he starts eating the eat first.
"Come on let's eat first, father and brother, the food's getting cold by now," says Ba Yue as she thinks about the banquet that Ba Jing just mentions.
If she remembers correctly, it's going to be the emperor's birthday soon. The banquet is to celebrate the emperor's birthday. Of course, the 4 big families are invited to attend. It's going be a fun banquet all right.