"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" she rushed forward, her voice filled with genuine concern. "Are you okay?"
Du Juan swallowed, sweat beading at her temples.
"I… I'm fine, Matriarch," she managed, though her voice was strained.
But Lin Zhaoyue had already moved past her, leaving Du Juan frowning and confused, and turned to look at her.
On the ground a few steps away,
Du Xiao lay collapsed, barely conscious.
Her small body trembled faintly, face pale.
Didn't she return earlier? Why is she here?
Shock flashed across Du Juan's face.
But questions could wait as her sister's well being came first.
Without anymore hiccups she was already moving, robes sweeping behind her as she dashed toward her sister.
"Sister!"
"Shhh, let me check on her."
Lin Zhaoyue crouched beside Du Xiao and gently took the girl's wrist between her fingers and slipped her spiritual qi into the meridians.
A brief silence settled over the courtyard.
Then Lin Zhaoyue exhaled softly.
