Chapter 12: The return of general Lee

The sun was dipping below the horizon when General Lee crossed the gates of his estate, his soldiers trailing behind him. After months at the borderlands defending the empire, he was eager to return home. But this time, home wasn’t a place of comfort—it was a battlefield of its own.

The letter from Grandfather Shen had reached him weeks ago, detailing the ruin his household had fallen into during his absence. Konga’s greed and negligence, Ludy’s disgraceful marriage to Xia Shui, and the vile mistreatment of his own daughter Silla and her younger brother Han.

What stirred his anger most, however, was the revelation of Silla’s resilience. Despite everything Konga had done to break her, Silla had risen above the humiliation, earning respect in the city and even the admiration of powerful families like the Peis.

He dismounted his horse, scanning the estate as he entered. It felt cold and unfamiliar—a house no longer governed by the values of discipline and honor. His face hardened as he prepared for the confrontation to come.

A Father and Daughter Reunited

Silla was in the courtyard, directing servants to unload shipments of raw materials for her cosmetics brand. Her steady rise had not gone unnoticed in the capital, and her products were now sought after by noble ladies and wealthy merchants. She had taken control of her life, transforming the Lee estate into a place of enterprise and growth.

When she heard the commotion at the gates, she turned to see her father striding in, his presence as imposing as ever. A flicker of emotion crossed her face—relief, apprehension, and something closer to defiance.

"Father," she greeted, bowing respectfully but without warmth.

General Lee studied her for a moment. She was no longer the timid girl he had left behind. This was a woman who had fought her own battles and emerged stronger.

"Silla," he said, his voice gruff but steady. "I have much to say to you. But first, where is Konga?"

Silla straightened, her gaze unwavering. "In her chambers, likely scheming as usual. But you’ll find the household has changed in your absence, Father. I’ve ensured it."

Her words carried a weight that surprised him. It was clear she no longer sought his approval—she had built her own place in the world.

Konga’s Downfall

General Lee wasted no time. He summoned Konga, Ludy, Nian Dou, and Gou to the main hall, their nervous faces betraying their guilt. The servants gathered as well, whispering amongst themselves.

When Konga arrived, draped in her finest silks, she forced a smile. "Husband, you’ve returned! The estate has been longing for your guidance."

General Lee’s expression darkened. "Silence. I have heard everything from Grandfather Shen. Your lies, your greed, and your utter failure as mistress of this household."

Konga’s smile faltered, her face turning pale.

"You treated Silla and Han as though they were strangers in their own home," he continued, his voice like steel. "You allowed your children to humiliate themselves and disgrace this family. Ludy is now married as a concubine to Xia Shui, her shame the talk of the city. And Nian Dou and Gou... worthless leeches, living off the estate without contributing a single thing."

"Husband, please," Konga pleaded, falling to her knees. "I only did what I thought was best for the family! Silla was rebellious, ungrateful—"

"Enough!" General Lee roared, silencing her. "You will not speak ill of Silla again. She is the only one who has upheld the dignity of this household. She turned this estate into something productive while you squandered everything I provided."

He turned to the servants. "From this moment, Konga is no longer my wife. She and her children will leave this estate immediately. They will take what belongings they can carry, but they will receive no further support from me."

Gasps rippled through the hall.

Konga collapsed in despair, tears streaming down her face. "Please, husband! Where will we go? What will become of us?"

General Lee’s gaze was cold. "That is not my concern. You brought this upon yourself."

Nian Dou and Gou tried to protest, but their words died in their throats under the weight of his glare. Ludy, who had recently returned to the estate after her humiliating wedding, stood frozen in place, knowing there was no escape from this disgrace.

Konga and her children were escorted out by the servants, their sobs echoing through the courtyard.

A Father’s Regret

Later that evening, General Lee sat in his study, the weight of his decisions heavy on his shoulders. He stared at the letter from Grandfather Shen, which detailed Han’s life with the Shen family.

"Han is thriving," the letter had said. "But the boy longs for his father’s care, even if he will never admit it."

And then there was Silla. He had failed her, leaving her to fend for herself against Konga’s cruelty. Yet she had proven stronger than he could have imagined.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter," he called.

Silla stepped in, her posture calm but guarded. "You called for me, Father?"

General Lee gestured for her to sit, but she remained standing. He sighed. "Silla, I owe you an apology. I entrusted this household to Konga, and in doing so, I failed you and Han. I failed as a father."

Silla’s expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "I didn’t need your protection, Father. I made my own way."

"I can see that," he admitted. "You’ve done more for this family than I could have asked for. But it’s time for things to change. This is your home, and it will remain your home. As for Han, I will bring him back from the Shen family. This estate belongs to both of you."

Silla regarded him for a long moment. "I will not stand in the way of Han’s return. But I will tell you this: I will not let anyone, not even you, dictate my future. If you truly mean to make amends, prove it with your actions, not your words."

General Lee nodded, her words cutting deep. "You have my word, Silla."

The Rise of Silla

While Konga and her children faced an uncertain future in exile, Silla continued to flourish. Her cosmetics brand, supported by her own ingenuity and connections like Pei Tian and the Crown Prince Wei Cheng, was now the talk of the city.

At the same time, whispers of General Lee’s return and his swift punishment of Konga spread like wildfire. Many in the capital applauded his actions, seeing them as a necessary step to restore the Lee family’s honor.

Meanwhile, in the Shen household, young Han heard the news with a mix of hope and hesitation. He missed his sister and dreamed of reuniting with her, but the scars of his treatment at the Lee estate ran deep.

As General Lee began the process of mending his fractured family, the stage was set for a new chapter in the lives of Silla and Han—one where they would no longer be victims of their circumstances, but masters of their own destinies.

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