Lao Beifong saw nothing wrong with Kahn's question. He answered with a smile:
"She's still so young. What ideas could she possibly have of her own?"
"Besides, as her parents, everything we do is for her sake. All she needs to do is follow our arrangements, and she'll live happily for the rest of her life, never wanting for food or clothing."
"Isn't that right, Toph?"
"...Yes."
Toph lowered her head and gave a subdued reply. Although her expression was hidden, the reluctance in her voice might as well have been written across her face. Her parents, however, seemed to see nothing wrong with it.
All too classic.
Kahn silently grumbled to himself, then continued asking:
"Does she have any friends her own age?"
Toph's mother, Poppy Beifong, said:
"Playing with other children would be so dangerous. Besides, how could those poor children outside possibly be worthy of playing with our Toph? Having the maids and guards at home keep her company is enough."
Got it.
After hearing the two of them speak, Kahn had a rough idea of what was going on, so he said no more. Katara, Aang, and the others beside him had spotted the problem as well.
Aang wanted to say something else, but Katara stopped him. The dinner table suddenly fell quiet, while Toph kept her head lowered without a word. There was no telling what she was thinking.
That evening, they returned to their guest room and began discussing it. Aang asked in confusion:
"What Toph's parents are doing is clearly wrong, isn't it? Why wouldn't you let me say so?"
Katara said helplessly:
"Of course I think there are problems with what those two are doing, too, but this is their family business. Besides, we haven't figured out the full situation yet."
Aang