Chapter 15: I Cannot Kneel

Shangguan Yun snorted coldly, not expecting his daughter to have turned into a stubborn stone, so sharp and hard. His hand trembled as he pointed at her, "You've become quite bold, haven't you? You think I don't know what you've been up to outside. You, this useless woman, have violated the rules of a married woman, engaged in an affair, and brought shame to our Shangguan family. It's only because of the Crown Prince's mercy that I'm sparing your life. Don't think this will absolve you of your sins. The Crown Prince's forgiveness doesn't mean you won't be punished. As your father, I must discipline you!"

Without understanding the situation, wanting to punish herself, Luoyue found it ridiculous. Her father was truly heartless and selfish, his mind completely elsewhere. If it were Shangguan Yuqing in her place, things might not have turned out this way.

Ignoring Shangguan Yun, Luoyue walked up to the old lady and bowed respectfully, "Grandmother, your granddaughter pays her respects."

The old lady didn't expect her usually timid and fearful granddaughter to show her respect. She stopped twirling her prayer beads and raised her eyelids, saying calmly, "You're back? What's the matter with you?"

Though it was a question, it wasn't aggressive. Her calm voice brought a sense of reassurance to Luoyue.

She knew that Shangguan Yun was the head of the household and Su Yingxue was the mistress, but she also knew that regardless of their positions, they had to listen to the old lady. Her authority in the household was the greatest and most respected.

If it weren't for the presence of the old lady, she might have been killed by Su Yingxue long ago.

This grandmother always acted fairly and justly, with a strong and uncompromising character, but she rarely interfered in household matters. She usually lived in the Fuyun Courtyard, leading a peaceful and quiet life like a hermit, and she didn't like to talk much. Therefore, sometimes everyone would forget that she was the true mistress of the household.

It was precisely because of this fair-minded grandmother that Luoyue showed her respect first. In this household, she only respected this grandmother.

Now, being in a vulnerable position, she needed to find a powerful ally as soon as possible. So, as soon as she entered, she set her sights on the old lady.

Seeing Luoyue openly trying to please the old lady, Su Yingxue's eyes revealed a hint of disdain and a cold smile. She quickly composed herself and once again became the dignified and respectable mistress.

Luoyue took a step forward and answered the old lady's question, "Grandmother, your granddaughter was almost framed by the servants of Muyan Dan. I believe my younger sister has already informed you. The reason I didn't kneel is because I cannot kneel!"

"Cannot kneel? If I, as your father, tell you to kneel, you must kneel. You've committed a crime, and if I tell you to kneel, you must kneel. What's there that you cannot kneel for?" Shangguan Yun's face was dark, staring at Luoyue with suspicion.

Luoyue raised her eyes and calmly glanced at everyone, a hint of clarity flashing in her eyes. She replied calmly, "Father, if you believe I have done wrong and want to punish me by making me kneel, if I truly kneel, it would mean admitting to the world that I have indeed committed a mistake, that I have truly lost my virtue and brought shame to the Shangguan family. But I haven't done anything wrong. Even the Crown Prince knows that I haven't engaged in an affair. I was framed, and the servant only tore my clothes when I resisted. If I kneel without having committed a mistake, it would be equivalent to admitting to the affair. If this were to spread, it would not only damage my reputation but also harm others. If I suffer, they suffer. I may be a minor character, but the damage to my reputation is small. But if it affects my sisters, especially my younger sister, who is so talented and intelligent, it would be a great loss. For the future of my sisters, I cannot kneel."

Upon hearing Luoyue's words, Shangguan Yun was left speechless, unable to release the anger that had built up inside him.

The mistress, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes sharply, surprised by Luoyue's sudden intelligence, making her difficult to read.

The old lady gently placed her prayer beads on the table and looked at Luoyue with a serious expression for the first time, nodding silently in her heart.

"Do you truly not have an affair with anyone?" Shangguan Yun squinted in disbelief, "But there are rumors outside, saying that the man has a pockmarked face. Do you know that if I go to court tomorrow, I will definitely lose face? How will others mock me?"

Seeing Shangguan Yun sighing coldly, the mistress quickly expressed self-blame, "Please calm down, sir. It's all my fault for not disciplining our daughter properly. It's not that I didn't try, but she has a strange temper and is too impulsive. But please rest assured, after this embarrassing incident, I will keep a close eye on her and make sure she stays at home to study and practice calligraphy. We cannot let her go out and cause trouble for the Shangguan family again."

With just a few words, the mistress once again blamed Luoyue, completely ignoring what Luoyue had just said.

What a shrewd and cunning mistress, every word she said was like a dagger to Luoyue's heart.

Luoyue sneered inwardly and calmly said, "Father, do you even doubt the Crown Prince? If not, you can go and ask him in court tomorrow. If I were guilty, he would have punished me long ago. Do you all doubt even the Crown Prince of the country?"

By bringing up the Crown Prince, Shangguan Yun looked terrified. Luoyue was right; the Crown Prince had always disliked her. If she had really engaged in an affair, he would never have let her off.

Now that the crown prince has allowed her to return after the investigation, without using it as an opportunity to break off the engagement, it shows that she is still innocent. Therefore, he has already chosen to believe in Liuyue.

Seeing that Shangguan Yun was still considering, Liuyue coldly rolled up her sleeves and pointed to the red guardian sand on her arm, "If I really had an affair with someone, why is the guardian sand still here? Like father, like daughter. My father is a powerful and strict general. Do you think I would be interested in someone with smallpox scars? Mu Yandan's maid and footman have confessed, the maid confessed and accepted punishment on the spot, and the crown prince executed the footman on the spot. There are many witnesses to this. If father doesn't believe it, he can ask the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Su Mo'er. If he still doesn't believe it, he can ask my second sister, who was present the whole time and closest to Mu Yandan, and saw everything clearly."

Liuyue looked coldly at Shangguan Yuqing, her eyes full of meaning, which made Shangguan Yuqing tremble in her heart. Did Liuyue know something and was she threatening her?

If she didn't speak up for Liuyue, Liuyue might just expose her.

Thinking of this, Shangguan Yuqing took a step forward and respectfully replied to Shangguan Yun, "Father, what my elder sister said is all true. Please don't be deceived by rumors. My elder sister is innocent and has been framed. Now that she has returned safely, please don't punish her."