"Ah!!!"
Before one wave had settled, another rose. After the piercing screams came the shrill voices of women from the Bai Clan's backyard, rising and falling one after another, each with a different tone, a chaotic chorus like air-raid sirens that rang through the heavens.
The elders of each branch had been awkwardly worrying over how to continue the conversation when they sprang from their chairs.
"What happened? Why is it so noisy?"
"To the north—it's the Bai Clan's womenfolk!"
"Could it be that villains have broken into our Bai Clan grounds? Quick, quick, quick! Baha, Zar, you two go take a look!"
"You two, don't stand around either. Go with them. No, everyone go!"
"Yes!"
The young men behind the elders flickered away and vanished. Clutching their account books, the elders hurried outside.
Bai Mingzhe's move had truly caught everyone off guard. It was entirely unexpected, and for the moment, they could think of no countermeasure. This was the perfect chance to sound the gong and withdraw, think things over carefully, then choose another day for battle! Backyard.
Second Branch's First Madam's room.
The maids holding copper basins were in utter chaos. At first, they accused the men of barging in recklessly, but more and more people came pouring in behind them. With so many distinguished figures present, they could no longer care about assigning blame. They merely blocked the doorway until the elders arrived and ordered the door opened.
Creak.
"Don't come in!"
Inside, the madam stroked her face in terror. Her cracked voice stopped everyone's feet above the threshold.
"What exactly happened?" an elder demanded of the maids.
A maid fell to her knees in panic, recalling what she had just seen.
The morning sunlight had been bright.
Within the polished silver mirror—
A sallow, lusterless face,