Xue Chenxing’s expression darkened completely as she retorted sharply, “Indeed, what a misfortune for the family! That the Xue family produced someone like me—well, you’d have to ask Madam Xue about that!”
When Madam Xue had first spoken those words, she had felt a twinge of regret and unease. But Xue Chenxing’s sarcasm instantly ignited her temper again.
“You rebellious, unfilial wretch!” Madam Xue flew into a rage, rushing up to Xue Chenxing and raising her hand to strike her.
The onlookers gasped in shock.
Xue Chenguang watched eagerly, hoping Madam Xue’s palm would land swiftly on Xue Chenxing’s face.
Xue Chenxing stood motionless, a cold sneer curling her lips as she stared defiantly at Madam Xue.
Her complete lack of remorse erased the last trace of hesitation in Madam Xue.
With a sharp crack, a solid slap landed on Xue Chenxing’s face.
Xue Chenyue ran over and clung to Madam Xue, her voice trembling with tears. “Mother, you mustn’t!”
Xue Chenhui also approached and said, “Mother, there are many people watching.”
Madam Xue’s slap, fueled by fury, had been delivered with force. A ringing filled Xue Chenxing’s ears, and her face throbbed with a numb pain that soon burned like fire.
Her eyes did not redden, but they turned cold, brimming with icy resentment.
Her father, Xue Da, hurried over. “What is going on here? Are we not having dinner?”
He abruptly halted in his tracks.
Xue Chenxing’s skin was as fair as snow, delicate and flawless. Yet on her left cheek, four distinct finger marks had already swollen into a shocking, livid bruise.
Without needing to ask, Xue Da knew who had struck her.
He shot a displeased glance at Madam Xue before walking toward Xue Chenxing with concern. “Xing’er, does it hurt?”
Xue Chenxing took a step back, her gaze icy as she looked at her parents. With biting sarcasm, she said, “I dare not trouble Father with your concern. I am a rebellious, unfilial wretch who brings misfortune upon the family. I will not join you for dinner.”
She straightened her back and walked past Xue Da and Madam Xue.
Xue Chenhui barked at the servants peeking from a distance, “Have you nothing better to do?”
The servants hastily scattered.
Xue Da lowered his voice, complaining to Madam Xue, “Xing’er is a grown young lady now, and marriage arrangements are being discussed for her. How could you strike her in public?”
“If word of this spreads, not only will Xing’er lose face, but we will as well.”
Xue Chenguang muttered under his breath, “With the things she’s done, what respectable young lady from a noble family would behave like that? We’ve already lost face long ago.”
Xue Da glared at him sternly. “She is your second elder sister. Do not speak of her recklessly.”
Madam Xue clenched her right hand.
When Xue Chenxing had stared at her with those cold, unfamiliar eyes just moments ago, she had felt genuinely flustered.
But Xue Chenguang was right—Xue Chenxing’s rustic, uncouth manners would indeed invite ridicule. That was why Madam Xue had never dared to take her out to social gatherings.
Lifting her chin, Madam Xue sneered at Xue Da. “Now you play the good cop. Where were you all this time?”
“If Xingjie’s behavior were known to outsiders, would we have any face left?”
“I’ve worked tirelessly to discipline her. If she doesn’t understand, that’s one thing, but you don’t appreciate my efforts either. Fine, from now on, I won’t bother. Let her do as she pleases.”
“When she marries and is mocked or looked down upon by her in-laws, don’t come back asking me to stand up for her.”
With that, Madam Xue turned on her heel and strode back toward the main hall.
Xue Chenyue hurried after her.
Xue Chenguang spoke up in support of Madam Xue: “Father, Mother only has your best interests at heart.”
“Second Sister is still part of our family after all. If she loses face, it reflects poorly on the Xue family as well.”
“Eldest Sister is to marry into the Guogong Fu. With such a sister in her maternal home, how will the people of Guogong Fu view Eldest Sister?”
“Moreover, when Brother and I discuss marriage in the future, I fear others may look down on us because of Second Sister.”
Xue Chenhui remained silent beside them, clearly in agreement with Xue Chenguang’s words.
Xue Da sighed, “Your second sister has become like this today, and it is also our fault.”
“Your mother is too impatient; haste makes waste. When you are at home, try to persuade your mother more often, urging her to speak properly with your second sister.”
“I will go and talk to your second sister.”
&
Xue Chenxing returned to her room, had Hanlu close the door, and lay down fully clothed.
Xue Da came to knock on the door, speaking gently, “Xing’er, your mother shouldn’t have hit you, but she only wants what’s best for you…”
Xue Chenxing pulled the blanket over her head, covering her ears with her hands to block out Xue Da’s incessant chatter.
After some time, Hanlu approached and said, “Miss, the Master has left.”
Only then did Xue Chenxing push the blanket aside.
Hanlu saw the red, swollen mark on her cheek and immediately teared up, “Madam was too cruel.”
“This servant has already asked Xiaoyu to boil an egg. I will massage it for you in a moment. Please bear with it for now.”
Xue Chenxing did not feel the pain in her cheek; the ache that had accumulated in her heart over the years had already numbed her.
She turned over and got out of bed, “I want roasted chicken.”
Hanlu wiped away her tears, “This servant will fetch it for you right away.”
She brought a plate of roasted chicken, and Xue Chenxing picked up a chicken bone to chew on.
Hanlu brewed tea for her and whispered, “Miss, this servant does not understand. Why did you provoke Madam to this extent?”
“Because some matters must be hastened.” The chicken bone was fried until crispy, and Xue Chenxing quickly finished one.
She picked up a teacup, took a sip of tea, and remembered something, instructing, “Next time, remember to tell Yuan Pu that if anyone from the Xue family goes to buy tea leaves again, charge them more silver.”
“Understood,” Hanlu replied, her face showing indignation. “Madam went too far, and Fourth Young Master went too far as well. As a younger brother, how could he say such things to you, Miss? It’s truly detestable!”
“And Eldest Miss…”
A knocking sound came from the door, and a voice called from outside, “Second Miss, our Miss has come to see you.”
Hanlu stopped speaking, recognizing the voice as Xue Chenyue’s maid Shaoyao, and whispered, “Eldest Miss is here.”
“Pay her no mind.” Xue Chenxing continued chewing on the chicken bone by herself.
The crisp crunching sound was loud in the quiet room, audible even outside the door.
After a moment of silence outside, Xue Chenyue’s gentle voice sounded, “Second Sister, I know you are upset, but you still need to eat.”
“I specifically asked the kitchen to make your favorite snowflake pastry. If you don’t want to see me, just have Hanlu come out to take it.”
Xue Chenxing ignored her and picked up another chicken bone to chew on.
Another moment of silence passed outside before Xue Chenyue said helplessly, “Then I’ll leave it with Xiaoyu. Remember to eat it; don’t starve yourself.”
Hanlu listened as the footsteps faded away and murmured softly, “The kitchen’s snowflake pastry has never run out. How did it suddenly become something Eldest Miss specifically ordered?”
Xue Chenxing put down the half-chewed chicken bone, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and let out a silent, cold laugh.
“Xue Chenyue’s methods are even more formidable than Madam Xue’s.”
In Madam Xue’s room, she sat on the Luohan Bed, her hand pressed against her temple, massaging it.
Xue Chenyue entered and walked over to Madam Xue’s side, lifting her hand to massage her temples in turn, saying softly, “I just went to see Xing’er and brought her favorite snowflake pastry. She’s fine, Mother, no need to worry.”