By the time Lorin returned to the mansion, it was already evening. As his carriage halted at the gate, he spotted another carriage parked there.

Lorin glanced at it and murmured, "Has someone come?"

"It's Xueyi's father. He visited shortly after you left," the Bookkeeper spoke in Lorin's mind.

"He should have come indeed."

In Lorin's view, even if Xueyi and her father had a strained relationship, any father would worry about his daughter staying overnight at a peer's house for no reason—though Lorin had sent a letter beforehand.

As Lorin stepped inside, the guard moved to explain. Lorin simply waved him off. "I know."

The guard froze, stunned but silent, seeing Lorin already aware.

Inside the house, Lorin found two figures seated opposite each other in the living room. Without knowing their ties, it looked like a tense negotiation.

Spotting Lorin, Naba Glaite—Xueyi's father—rose quickly and bowed. "Second Prince, I apologize for coming uninvited. It was impolite."

"It's fine," Lorin said casually, taking the middle seat. "I expected you."

Naba smiled awkwardly. He hadn't wanted to come, but the Second Prince's letter demanded attention.

"So, how was your talk?" Lorin asked.

"I've nothing to discuss with him," Xueyi snapped, turning her face away impatiently.

"How dare you speak like that before the Second Prince?!" Naba scolded, trying to sound fatherly. Xueyi ignored him completely. Had this not been Lorin's home, her attitude might have been worse.

Lorin smiled faintly. He'd guessed Xueyi's family rift was bad, but this exceeded his expectations.

"You've heard about the incident, I assume?" Lorin said.

"Yes, Ariba briefed me," Naba replied, sighing as he glanced at Xueyi. "My unworthy daughter has troubled you."

"What trouble?!" Xueyi shot up, shouting at Naba. "I told you I did nothing! You're just like that guy—you both blame me. You always do!"

The "guy" was her brother. At the academy, his treatment of her meant his account was clearly biased.

"You—" Naba might have brushed it off with others, but his daughter's rudeness before the Second Prince ignited his fury. He strode toward her, hand raised to strike.

"Whoa, whoa!" Lorin jumped up, stepping between them. "Minister Naba, calm down."

Xueyi stood defiantly behind him. "Hit me! You're not the first. What makes you different from those who don't believe me?!"

Lorin felt a vein throb on his forehead. He was helping her, yet she kept provoking—this felt like a street brawl.

Nearby maids rushed over, coaxing and pulling Xueyi out of the room.

Naba sighed heavily. "Forgive this spectacle, Second Prince. My discipline failed."

Lorin checked the direction Xueyi was taken, ensuring she wouldn't return. "I'd say your discipline is rather strict."

To Lorin, their rift stemmed from Naba's sky-high expectations without any praise.

Clearly, Xueyi wouldn't return home soon. If forced, who knew where she'd run?

As the tension eased, Lorin asked, "Do you believe Xueyi did it?"

Naba gave a bitter smile. "My daughter isn't as clever as other noble ladies, but she's not foolish enough to commit such a blunder openly."

"Oh?" Lorin was slightly surprised.

Naba's expression turned grave. "Second Prince, this may be overstepping, but you must sense it too. Soon, the Crown Prince will ascend. Nobles are already currying favor."

"That's likely," Lorin replied seriously, though clueless—he faked agreement.

"To stand out in the Crown Prince's eyes, methods are inevitable."

Naba knew this well. Years ago, he'd done the same to secure his family's future.

"That stubborn child is easily manipulated. I just didn't expect her to be this naive." He sighed again. Being set up and still unaware—it was hard to believe she was his daughter.

Lorin grew curious. "Do you know who's behind it?"

Naba shook his head. "I have no close contacts at the academy. Only guesses."

Their generation's era was ending. They watched promising youths but no longer understood the old schemes.

With no leads, the topic died. They exchanged brief pleasantries before Naba left.

After seeing him off, Lorin walked to the backyard. Xueyi sat sulking on a stone bench, maids hovering helplessly.

"Your father has gone," Lorin said.

Xueyi shifted away, sneering. "So what? Finally kicking me out?"

Lorin rubbed his forehead, weary. Only his mission to help her made this tolerable.

"Believe what you want," he said, tired from the day. "Eat later."

He headed inside. Naba's hints needed sorting. Leaving Xueyi to cool off would ease her anger.