That golden light — so warm, so gentle and dear!

Baili Weisheng had finally seen it — finally seen, in all this world, another golden radiance besides his own.

All the fury, the violence, the unease from moments ago seemed to melt away instantly in the presence of that golden light before him, and gradually, ring after ring of golden radiance began to swirl around his own body as well.

Within that golden glow, the woman before him was so gentle, so full of love — even through her tear-streaked eyes, the smile shining through those tears was warm enough to thaw a heart that had stayed cold for thirty long years.

Mother and son gazed at each other, both utterly speechless!

Madam Jinjiao slowly raised her hand, pressing it against the invisible barrier. Without thinking, Baili Weisheng raised his own hand too, pressing it against hers — so close, so very close, close enough that it looked as though they were truly touching!

In truth, neither of them was touching the other at all — what each of them touched was only the cold, hard stone pillar.

Madam Jinjiao’s tears kept flowing, uncontrollable. The only thing she could still control was telling herself — don’t cry, don’t you dare cry.

How could a mother cry in front of her own son?

A mother had to be even stronger in front of her child — no matter how grown her son had become, he was still her son, still someone who needed her protection, her care, her love. No matter how old she herself had grown, she was still his mother — a mother stronger than he was, a mother meant to raise him, teach him, nurture him!

Not only did Madam Jinjiao not cry — she actually began to laugh, reaching a large hand through the barrier to stroke Baili Weisheng’s cheek, smiling as she said, “Son, well done. Mother always knew — one day, you’d come back.”

Madam Jinjiao’s strength was so remarkable that it instantly turned Baili Weisheng back into a small child, terrified by this feeling he was experiencing for the very first time, aching to cry.

But he didn’t. He took a deep breath and asked, his voice choked, “What exactly happened?”

“The Silver Jiao stole you away, poisoned the Jinjiao to death — including… including your father!” As Madam Jinjiao said this, her voice broke with a sob, but she quickly composed herself, saying to Baili Weisheng with pride and comfort, “Son, you’ve avenged the entire Jinjiao clan, avenged your father! Heaven has not abandoned the Jinjiao! Son, you carry the royal bloodline of the Jinjiao within you — you are the pride of the Jinjiao!”

What kind of mother could speak of such an agonizing, painful past in front of her son with such a light touch, offering nothing but affirmation and pride for her child instead?

There is a feeling between people that words can’t quite capture, and yet is unmistakably real.

Watching Madam Jinjiao, Ziqing knew — she genuinely liked this old woman.

Madam Jinjiao spoke lightly, in just a few words, but Baili Weisheng was no fool — he could hear the weight behind them.

He slowly leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Madam Jinjiao’s, unsure whether he was giving her strength or drawing it from her.

After a long moment, he finally lifted his head, turned, and said coldly to Meng Wanyue, “Open the barrier. Now.”

Meng Wanyue, who had been quietly waiting this whole time, knew — the moment had finally, finally come.

“Release my hands, and then I can perform the spell,” she said quickly.

“Trying to fool someone?” Baili Weisheng snorted coldly. He’d nearly lost his reason just moments ago; luckily, Ziqing’s single remark had snapped him back to his senses — he had to stay clear-headed. Being deceived by this woman would be even worse than being deceived by little Qingqing.

“I have no reason to deceive you, Baili Weisheng. You’ve already seen her with your own eyes — there’s no point in me lying to you! Besides, things have come this far — even Beiyue and Xiong Bao—”

Meng Wanyue paused there, choking up for a long moment before continuing. “Baili Weisheng, once I free the Jinjiao woman, whatever you decide to do with me, I’ll have no complaints. I only ask that you pass a message to Beiyue for me, as his mother — tell him… tell him I’m sorry. And pass a message to my grandson too, tell him…”