Chapter 3: A Family Worth Protecting

Morning sunlight poured over the sprawling Wang Manor, bathing its black-tiled roofs in a warm golden glow.

Delicate pink petals drifted lazily through the air as a gentle spring breeze swept across the courtyards. The fragrance of blooming peonies mingled with the aroma of freshly steamed buns and congee drifting from the main dining hall.

Servants hurried back and forth along the stone pathways, each carrying trays of food or baskets filled with fresh vegetables gathered from the manor's gardens.

Everything appeared peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Standing outside her bedroom, Wangmo quietly looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar world before her.

The chirping birds...

The smiling servants.

The guards laughing while changing shifts...

In just thirty days...

Many of them would become nothing more than names buried beneath blood and despair.

She slowly clenched her fists.

"Not this time."

Taking a deep breath, she adjusted the crimson sash around her waist and walked toward the dining hall.

Every servant she passed immediately lowered their heads respectfully.

"Good morning, My Lady."

"My Lady."

"My Lady."

Wangmo smiled politely at each of them. The servants blinked in surprise.

Lady Wangmo... Actually smiled?

The arrogant young lady who usually ignored everyone had greeted them back.

Several servants secretly exchanged puzzled glances.

"...Did our young miss wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

"...Or perhaps she finally realized smiling doesn't cost silver?"

One elderly maid lightly smacked the younger servant's shoulder.

"Don't gossip."

"...But it really is strange."

Wangmo naturally overheard every word. She simply smiled helplessly.

Looks like the original owner's reputation really was terrible...

The dining hall was magnificent.

Thick sandalwood pillars supported the high ceiling, while delicate paintings of mountains and rivers decorated the walls.

Sunlight streamed through wide lattice windows, illuminating a long dining table already filled with an impressive breakfast.

Steamed buns.

Rice porridge.

Pickled vegetables.

Fresh fruits.

Roasted duck.

Noodles.

Soy milk.

The table alone was enough to feed twenty people.

At the head of the table sat a dignified middle-aged man dressed in dark blue robes.

His features were stern, his eyebrows thick, and although time had added a few strands of silver to his hair, his posture remained straight as a spear.

The head of the Wang family.

Wang Zheng.

Merchant King of Tianyun Kingdom.

The wealthiest grain merchant in the empire.

Beside him sat an elegant woman wearing pale lavender robes.

Her gentle smile carried a warmth that instantly reminded Wangmo of her own mother back in Bhutan.

Madam Li.

Kind.

Patient.

The heart of the Wang family.

Three young men occupied the opposite side of the table. Each possessed different appearances.

Different personalities.

Yet all shared one thing in common.

The moment Wangmo entered..... All three looked toward her.

"Little Sister."

The eldest brother smiled warmly. He was Wang Jun, calm and dependable, the one who managed the family's businesses alongside their father.

The second brother, Wang Rui, leaned lazily against his chair with a teasing grin.

"Finally awake?"

"I was beginning to think you'd slept until next winter."

The youngest brother, Wang Chen, barely eighteen years old, enthusiastically waved both hands.

"Sister!"

"Hurry!"

"The buns are still hot!"

Wangmo stopped walking. Her eyes slowly swept across every familiar face.

These were the people... Who loved the original Wangmo unconditionally.

Even after she repeatedly embarrassed the family by chasing the First Prince...

They never abandoned her.

Instead...

They quietly cleaned up every mess she created.

According to the original novel...

All of them would die.

Her father would sacrifice himself buying time for the family to escape.

Her eldest brother would be bitten while protecting refugees.

Her second brother would die during a grain convoy ambush.

Her youngest brother... Never even reached adulthood.

A lump formed in Wangmo's throat.

Without realizing it... Her eyes became slightly red.

Madam Li immediately stood up.

"Wangmo?"

She hurried over.

"My child."

"Did someone bully you?"

Before Wangmo could answer....

Her three brothers had already risen from their seats.

The second brother rolled up his sleeves.

"Who was it?"

"I'll break his legs."

The youngest brother nodded fiercely.

"I'll help!"

The eldest brother sighed.

"You two..."

Then he looked at Wangmo with concern.

"Little Sister, tell us."

Father Wang quietly put down his teacup. His voice remained calm.

"...Who made my daughter cry?"

The atmosphere inside the dining hall instantly changed. The servants lowered their heads.

Everyone knew.

Although Master Wang was famous throughout the kingdom as a fair businessman...

He became terrifying whenever his precious daughter was wronged. Looking at the worried expressions surrounding her...

Wangmo suddenly laughed.

"...No one bullied me."

She rubbed the corners of her eyes.

"I was just..."

"...happy."

Everyone froze.

"...Happy?"

Second Brother whispered toward the eldest.

"...Did our sister hit her head?"

The youngest secretly nodded.

"I think so."

Father Wang frowned.

Madam Li gently touched Wangmo's forehead.

"...You're not sick."

Wangmo couldn't help laughing even harder.

"...I'm really fine."

She looked around the table. At her family.

A warmth she hadn't expected slowly spread through her heart.

So this...

...is what having such a big family feels like.

Back in Thimphu, she had always wished for siblings.

Now...

She suddenly had three overprotective brothers. She wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.

"Come."

Madam Li gently held her hand.

"Breakfast first."

"No matter what happened..."

"...We'll solve it together."

Those simple words almost made Wangmo cry again. She silently nodded.

"...Mm."

As everyone took their seats once more, laughter gradually returned to the dining hall.

No one noticed...

That Wangmo's gaze occasionally drifted toward the windows.

Beyond the peaceful gardens.

Beyond the bustling streets of the capital.

An invisible countdown had already begun.

29 Days, 23 Hours, 42 Minutes...

Although no one else could see it.

Someone or something was quietly watching.

And deep within Wangmo's soul...

A tiny golden light pulsed for the very first time.

As if it had finally gathered enough strength to awaken.

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