The Second Steward goes to see Lady Mi-lin. The reason for this visit is a request made by the First Lady several months prior to transfer Jeagal Seon, a captive from the war against the Orthodox Murim eight years ago.
"My Lady, you have a guest."
"Who?"
"The Honorable Second Steward."
What has brought the Second Steward here? I can't form an opinion until I see him, but he is not a man who goes anywhere without reason.
"Greetings, Lady Mi-lin, the First Lady."
"Greetings, Steward."
"What brings you here?"
"You are a very busy person."
"That is my duty."
"I must ensure the mechanisms within the sect and palace are functioning correctly."
"For example, a request from my Lady, which is better handled by a higher authority."
"A request?"
"I send numerous letters daily to various sect offices."
"What has caught your attention, Honorable Steward?"
"An unusual request from an unusual person."
"The transfer of Jeagal Seon to the Fourth Lady's villa."
The position of Steward in the Heavenly Demon Sect is not one attained merely by belonging to superior clans or even by sheer intelligence alone. Something more is needed to become a steward in the Heavenly Demon Sect: instinct.
The Second Steward has no interest in the movements of the ladies in the inner palace, but when he saw the request to transfer the Jeagal clan captive to the Fourth Lady's villa, he knew it was a deal between the First and Fourth Ladies.
But his instincts warned him he should not let this matter pass easily.
"My Lady."
"For eight years, that girl has been chained to a large iron sphere."
"And you, after eight years, remembered she lives in harsh conditions and needs to be transferred?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No, but... you have a large villa with many rooms."
"You are requesting a transfer to the Fourth Lady's villa? It's a bit questionable."
Mi-lin is now being interrogated, and the interrogator, while smiling amiably, seeks to expose her.
"I had forgotten."
"Ling Yue came to see me and told me about the poor physical state of the Jagal clan captive."
"My clan and the other wives are from within the sect, but the Fourth Lady is from the semi-affiliated Crescent Blade Clan, which has a good reputation among the Orthodox Murim."
"When I saw Lady Yue's eagerness, I thought it better for them to be together."
"That eight-year-old girl moves around with an iron sphere; you want her to suffer even after the transfer?"
A member of the Blazing Blade Clan feeling pity for someone without benefit? I've seen the Blazing Blade Clan eliminate allies who were of no use to them countless times, and now you're saying your heart broke for that little girl!
"Heh heh, one expects nothing less from the First Lady of the sect."
"I have already approved the transfer."
"I won't take up any more of my Lady's time."
"Being honest with the Second Steward was truly draining."
"Huff."
Muyeon enters the villa gate with four men. Lan and Zhan have grown enough to play in the courtyard under the midwife's supervision, and their speaking is no longer strange.
Lan and Zhan look in amazement at what is before them, and even the midwife doesn't know why four men are carrying a large basket containing a massive steel sphere, and they don't seem to be doing it easily.
Two long chains extend from the basket and drag on the ground. After they take a few steps into the villa courtyard, it becomes clear that behind the men is a slender girl whose one leg and one arm are chained to the sphere, walking slowly behind them.
Why is a girl this frail chained up, and what is she doing in our villa? (This was the shared thought of Lan and Zhan.)
"Stop right here."
"Madam Choi, please inform the Lady that we have arrived."
Lan and Zhan waited, knowing someone would explain this situation.
"Lady Seon, have you greeted the young masters?"
Muyeon is asking a member of the Jeagal clan to pay respects to Kang Long's sons! For a member of the Jagal clan, this might be insulting, but Jeagal Seon is no different from an insignificant slave now.
"Greetings to the young masters, the future stars of the Heavenly Demon Sect."
"Good."
"Good girl."
"Young masters, this is Jeagal Seon."
"Please take care of her."
Lan and Zhan somewhat understood they were looking at a fallen figure.
"Muyeon."
"My Lady."
"This is Lady Seon, correct?"
"Yes."
"Greetings to the Lady of the Heavenly Demon's palace. I, Jeagal Seon, am at your service."
"I have prepared a room for you, full of books, as I heard you like them."
"I hope you have pleasant times in our villa."
Lan and Zhan knew their mother might say this, but she hadn't even unlocked the chains. Only the chain on the girl's wrist has a keyhole; the chain on her leg has no keyhole and is sealed shut, never to be opened.
"Thank you. I will be grateful for your kindness."
In the end, what can one do but endure?