Chapter 16: Choking the Mother

The most outstanding Second Miss of the mansion stood up to speak for Liu Yue, and now Shangguan Yun had no choice but to believe her.

In addition, since the Crown Prince did not blame her and there was also the presence of the palace sand on Liu Yue's arm, he completely believed that Liu Yue had not lost her chastity. Now, he looked at Liu Yue with a hint of guilt in his eyes. After all, no matter what, standing in front of him was a delicate and pitiful girl.

Seeing her covered in injuries, it was clear that she had resisted fiercely. It was because of her resistance that she had saved face for the Shangguan family. However, the thought that she was a useless waste of space made any sympathy he had for her vanish.

Thinking of her mother, who had an affair with someone else, his gaze towards her became even colder and more disdainful. "Like mother, like daughter," he thought. No matter what, he couldn't bring himself to like Liu Yue.

Seeing Shangguan Yuqing speaking up for Liu Yue, the Lady of the house's eyes revealed a hint of coldness. "What a useless daughter, actually speaking up for this despicable person."

After hearing Shangguan Yuqing's words, Shangguan Yun nodded with a serious expression. "It's good that you didn't lose your chastity. Since this incident was close to being dangerous, you must be careful in the future, and always maintain the proper conduct of a woman. Don't go wandering around carelessly."

"Father, are you just going to let her off like this? You can't let her off easily. Even if she didn't lose her chastity, she still carries the stigma. Others don't care whether she lost her chastity or not, they only know that her reputation is ruined today. If she hadn't wandered around outside, she wouldn't have caused so much trouble for our family. It's all her fault. Father, you must punish her. Make her kneel in front of the ancestral hall for a month, or lock her in the firewood room for a month," Shangguan Qiuyue quickly jumped out to accuse Liu Yue, still holding a grudge from the kick earlier.

Hearing her words, Shangguan Di also joined in, "Exactly, even if she didn't lose her chastity, this incident happened because she was wandering around everywhere. She is the source of the trouble, Father must punish her severely, give her a good beating to teach her a lesson."

Shangguan Di's eyes were like those of a bloodthirsty leopard, filled with intense hatred and disdain, staring at Liu Yue.

Liu Yue looked at him with a sense of sorrow and anger, her voice low but carrying unquestionable authority, "Young Master, do you really wish for me to be labeled as unchaste? You keep mentioning it as if you want everyone to know about it. We are siblings, and I am injured. If you don't protect me or help me, that's fine, but why do you look like you want me to be beaten to death? Could it be that people say that a child without a mother is like a weed, and the reason you look down on me is because my mother died?"

"Also, it wasn't just me who went to the Luminous Garden today, Second Sister also went with me. Why do you only scold me and not mention her at all? Is it true, as outsiders say, that the stepmother and her children bully the legitimate daughter? You are all in cahoots to bully me, an outsider?"

As soon as Liu Yue said this, almost everyone looked at her in astonishment, especially the Lady of the house, who was now sitting on pins and needles, her palms sweating profusely.

What she feared most was others accusing her of mistreating her stepchildren. It was a well-known fact that stepmothers were difficult to deal with. She usually kept Liu Yue locked up in the small courtyard, where no one could see her, so naturally, there were no rumors. But now, with Liu Yue saying this, she suddenly felt a sense of panic.

This girl, accusing her of mistreating her stepchildren, was like cutting her flesh and drinking her blood, wanting to make the world despise her.

She coughed awkwardly and looked at Liu Yue with a forced smile, "Liu Yue, how can you say such things? You know how I treat you. There are so many eyes watching, you can't speak nonsense and hurt your mother's heart."

Beside her, Gao Shi had been looking for an opportunity to confront the Lady of the house. When she heard this, she stood up straight and walked quickly to Liu Yue, pointing at her shabby clothes, "Sister, look at Liu Yue's clothes, they are so shabby. The legitimate daughter of the General's mansion is wearing such coarse and tattered clothes, not even as good as a servant. And look at Second Miss and Fifth Miss, dressed in gold and silver, silk and satin. You say you are not biased towards your own children, who would believe that?"

After speaking, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and giggled.

Although her family background was small, she was just the daughter of an ordinary physician, not as prestigious as the Lady of the house, who was the daughter of a high-ranking official. However, she had the favor of Shangguan Yun.

Just with this, she dared to confront the Lady of the house.

After hearing her words, the Lady of the house, who had been imposing, suddenly looked very ugly. She was a high-born lady from a prestigious family, and now she was being choked by this daughter of a lowly physician. She had always looked down on Gao Shi, a vulgar and unrefined woman who didn't know her place. Even if she was angry, she had to maintain her dignity and not argue with Gao Shi.

In the eyes of others, she had to appear dignified, tolerant, fair, and just, and even if she was angry, she had to uphold the family's reputation and not be petty like Gao Shi. So being ridiculed by Gao Shi made her try to maintain her composure and quickly explain, "Sister, you have misunderstood. Liu Yue was injured today, that's why her clothes are torn. I have already ordered Ziyuan to make several new clothes for her. The tailor is working on them and they will be sent to Liu Yue as soon as they are ready."

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I have translated the text to the best of my ability, preserving the original meaning and tone. If you need further assistance, feel free to ask!

Miss Gao's eyes were full of flattery as she turned them gracefully. "I've seen Miss Liuyue ten times, and each time she was wearing coarse clothes. If you really cared, you would have prepared better. It seems these clothes have been made for a long time, even for ten years. Also, doesn't Miss Liuyue usually eat poorly? Look at her, so thin and small, obviously malnourished. And look at the young master, so full of muscles, he probably eats like a pig every month. You really take good care of him, sister."

Miss Gao almost said that the young master was fat and strong.

Upon hearing this, a coldness flashed in the eyes of the lady of the house. She wished she could tear Miss Gao's hypocritical face apart. Suddenly, she noticed the old lady looking at her with a cold gaze, and Lady Shangguan also looked suspicious, making her smile apologetically.

"All these things are usually taken care of by Ziyuan. It's all because the servants are not doing their job properly. Ziyuan, come here and kneel down!"

The lady of the house scolded, and Ziyuan hurriedly knelt down. The lady of the house looked at her with disappointment and began to reprimand her: "You are the senior maid I personally promoted. Because I trusted you, I entrusted all the important matters of the house to you. How have you been taking care of the young lady? Have I ever reduced her monthly allowance? Have I ever given her less clothes, shoes, bedding? It's all because of your incompetence. Tell me, have I ever withheld anything from the young lady in terms of food, clothing, shelter, or transportation? Have I ever treated her unfairly?"