Qing Luan grew quiet after speaking as if trying to gathering her thoughts.
Han Yu could sense her hesitation and the tangled emotions wrapped around her. A mix of shame, fear, resentment, and something fragile beneath it all. He tapped his finger on the cushioned seat to hurry her along.
"Speak. I will listen only until I lose patience," he said with Ju Fan's coldness.
Qing Luan nodded quickly. "Yes, honored disciple."
She inhaled slowly, then released the breath in an unsteady sigh.
"It began two months ago," she said softly. "An incident happened in the Qing clan. A terrible scandal that threw everything into chaos."
Han Yu's eyes did not change, but he sharpened his focus.
Qing Luan continued.
"My mother disappeared overnight."
Her hands clenched tightly on her knees, knuckles pale.
