Responsibility

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, followed by a maid's voice. "Fourth Miss, the family head requests your presence in the main hall."

Zhu Zhuqing's wiping motion paused slightly.

Father wanted to see her?

A trace of doubt crossed her mind. Ordinarily, unless there was a family meeting or an important festival, her father rarely summoned her alone.

She set down the towel, straightened the slightly wrinkled dress she had worn while cultivating, and returned to her usual indifference. "Understood."

Zhu Zhuqing followed the maid through the familiar courtyards and corridors toward the main hall of the main residence.

She did not walk quickly, but her mind was rapidly considering the reason for her father's sudden summons.

Nothing in particular seemed to have happened recently.

If there was anything, it was that after news of that person had returned, some collateral members of the clan who had once been fairly polite to her now had an added, indescribable meaning in their eyes.

She disliked those looks.

At the entrance to the main hall, the maid bowed and stepped aside.

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath. The frost on her face, which had loosened slightly during cultivation, froze over once more, becoming utterly calm before she stepped across the threshold.

The main hall was spacious, but its furnishings were not extravagant. It carried the toughness and simplicity characteristic of a military family.

Seated in the place of honor was a burly, stern-faced middle-aged man.

He wore a dark purple martial outfit. Even while seated, he exuded an imposing aura without needing to show anger.

He was Zhu Tianlin, the current head of the Zhu Clan and the father of Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun.

Hearing her footsteps, Zhu Tianlin looked up. His gaze landed on Zhu Zhuqing as though