Zhu Zhuyun gently drew Zhu Qing closer, letting her sister's head rest against her shoulder. Her voice was soft and tender:
"Sleep. You've been through so much and must be tired. From now on, your sister will protect you. I won't let you suffer any more grievances."
Zhu Qing rubbed against her chest like a little beast that had finally found a warm nest. She let down all her defenses and answered dully, her voice thick with exhaustion:
"Mm... You have to protect yourself too, sister."
"Okay."
Zhu Zhuyun answered gently, lowering her head to press a soft kiss to her sister's silky hair.
"I promise."
The little fellow in her arms gradually quieted down. Zhu Qing wrapped her arms around Zhu Zhuyun's waist and closed her eyes.
Her steady breathing sounded softly in the silence, clearly showing that she was truly exhausted.
Yet in the darkness, Zhu Zhuyun slowly opened her eyes. The tenderness in them faded, replaced by a cold sharpness.
She raised a hand and gently stroked Zhu Qing's tired cheek, her fingertips passing over the faint red marks at the corners of her sister's eyes.
"Zhu Qing..."
Her voice was extremely low, carrying a barely noticeable tremor, but more than that, it held bone-chilling coldness.
"How dare Dai Weisi hurt you? I'll definitely make him pay!"
She paused, her gaze turning toward the heavy night outside the window. It seemed to pierce through layer upon layer of obstacles and see the palace of the Star Luo Empire, the symbol of power.
"The Star Luo Empire has always been ruled jointly by the Zhu and Dai Families."
"But the Dai Family has occupied that seat for too long. It's time they moved aside and let our Zhu Family take it for a change."
Her words revealed an