The courtyard was unnaturally quiet, nothing like a place where a duchess should live.
There were no maids or guards, only a dim yellow light spilling through the window of the main house.
Xu Yanli stared at the scene before him, puzzled.
He walked to the window and peered inside.
He stopped dead in his tracks.
There was no bed or dressing table in the room, not a single furnishing fit for a noblewoman.
There was only an altar table.
A wooden statue stood on it, exquisitely carved, its features clear, even its robes seeming to flutter.
It was Xu Wangshu.
Not dressed as a princess, but as she had appeared when she stood in the Godhood.
Behind his mother, three pairs of wings spread wide. She raised the Sun Moon Star Staff toward the heavens, her gaze both compassionate and stern.
But now?
All three pairs of wings were broken.
Several deep gashes marred her face, carved into it by a sharp weapon.
She wore an old suit of armor, clearly modeled after the uniforms worn by the Star Luo Empire's army many years ago.
A heap of incense and candle ash lay at the statue's feet.
Some of it had long since gone cold and was covered in dust. Some of it was fresh.
Standing outside the window, Xu Yanli felt a flicker of anger in his eyes, but also a measure of understanding.
No wonder Tang San had acted.
His mother had wanted to revive her Angel Godhood.
She'd even had a statue made.
Xu Yanli silently sneered to himself several times, then let out a regretful sigh.
His gaze passed over the ruined statue and settled on the person kneeling before the altar.
A woman.
She wore luxurious nightclothes, her long hair loose. With her back